Travelling for 2 weeks, the last week in Sept and 1st week in Oct. Don't know where to begin the trip; whether Prague or Krakow?? We are hiring car/driver for the entire trip (6 women travelling). We're coming from the west coast (WA & CA). Any suggestions on stopovers between cities, lodging, restos and MUST see places in each of the cities or MUST do? I've noted a few, but wondering if there are other places to see that I haven't heard of.
Thank you for any suggestions you can offer!
You gals are going to have a ball. I would think that your driver will be a licensed tour guide too. He'll probably have the knowledge to take you to the most popular sights in this area.
But you are taking on a very aggressive itinerary. And you're going to great European cities worthy of being visited properly. In other words, you might want to cut off one city from your itinerary if you just have 2 weeks. Salzburg is to the west, and Krakow is to the east--both out of the way.
On our last visit, we started in Budepest and went to Bratislava by train. Then we took a bus 39 miles into Vienna. And the train to Prague was about 3 1/2 hours. As experienced European travelers, it was just right for 2 weeks for us. We felt much safer in Budapest vs. Prague, and they're two interchangable cities. We'll be returning to Budapest next month where we have an apartment rented.
I know my trip doesn't exactly apply to yours because you will be traveling by car, but I thought it might be useful.
My sister and I did the following trip by train in 2006. We did it in two weeks and had an amazing time. We did a day trip to Auschwitz when we were in Krakow and also visited the salt mine. We happened to be in Budapest on the 50th anniversary of the 1956 uprising so that was interesting because there were riots that day. We really enjoyed the communist statue park in Budapest. Our least favorite city was Vienna, although we did enjoy visiting the large cemetery there. We only spent one night in Nuremberg but wished we had longer.
Prague (3 nights)
Night train
Krakow (3 nights)
Night train
Budapest (3 nights)
Vienna (2 nights)
Nuremberg (1 night)
If to start in Prague or Krakow should depend on logistics and price of flight. Prague, Vienna, Budapest - each needs at least three days. Krakow and Salzburg are smaller, so two days. And then you will spend time in the car so Salzburg probably one day. There is a lot to see on your way. I am sure driver will know what to show you.
