Opinions on an itinerary change? (Prague-Cesky Krumlov-Salzburg-Munich)

I like the second option. 4 nights = 3 full days. I think Prague deserves it. Munich is also a big city but IMHO not as magic as Prague.

What attracted you to Munich in the first place? Why are you going there at all? Nothing wrong with going there - just wondering. Out of all the cities I've visited in Europe, it wouldn't make the top 20. Granted, I spent only a few hours there after landing in Munich on the way to Salzburg - a few more hours would have been nice, but I didn't exactly feel compelled to return soon. (Full disclosure: I'm not a beer drinker.) Also, I didn't visit any of the castles nearby.

But if you have good reasons for visiting Munich, then I guess you'll have to weigh 3 vs 4 nights there.

On the other hand, I loved Salzburg, even though I hadn't thought I would. (I'm not much of a museum person myself.) It's just a charming town, a picturesque place. Munich isn't particularly charming, and I think even the people who like it would mostly concede that.

Prague, which I loved (visited twice) is loaded with charm too - but it's also extremely touristy. I haven't been there in March, though, but I'm guessing it won't be empty. It's a compact walking town, a place I liked being more to be there than to do anything particular.

Cesky Krumlov was a little disappointing (my expectations were way too high), though it's certainly worth visiting - an overnight stay is good without a car, but you could certainly do it just as a day trip from Prague. There are actually some other nice little towns nearby that I liked just as much but it's harder to explore them without renting a car. Cesky Krumlov makes an easy side trip from Prague though.

Thanks, Ilja & Andrew--I'm feeling like leaving Prague at 4 nights is probably the best option.

Andrew, much of our draw to Munich is because we are history buffs, particularly WWII history. So we wanted to visit Dachau and possibly tour some historical sights. We also planned to day trip to Salzburg, but now are just wondering if it would be worth an overnight. I think Munich will be cut down to 3 nights regardless, but the issue is whether to cut Prague to 3 as well or to keep it at 4.

We have been to Munich twice. We will go again. We like the Bavarian culture. We went to the Alte Pinotek, but the Neue Pinotek has apparently a wonderful collection of impressionist work. We would enjoy that. Munich is a good base of local travel - Salzburg, Neuschwanstein. It could work for a day trip to Nuremberg as well.

Your first stop is Prague, after a long-haul flight. Will you be in a jetagged, sleep-deprived haze for the first day or two? When I am likely to have jetlag, I allocate one "extra" day to my first stop. Do plan on a day trip (easy by bus) to Theresienstadt while you are in Prague. Another consideration is that the Jewish sights in Prague are closed on Friday afternoon and Saturday, so Sunday they are usually very crowded.

I haven't been to Český Krumlov so I can't compare it with Salzburg, which I found very charming in spring, maybe not so much in March. However, as WWII buffs, you will want to visit the"Eagle's Nest" and spend at least a couple hours at the Documentation Center which includes Hitler's bunkers. I didn't take the expensive ride to see the mountaintop (mostly for the view and the engineering marvel of the road itself), but I was blown away by the bunkers and the museum is very well organized with tons of interesting information about the rise of nazism, especially how insidiously it was planned and implemented.

So I'd go with #4, Prague 4N, Salzburg 2N, Munich 3N.

Thanks, Chani! That configuration is what we decided on. :)

Glad I could help. Have a great trip, you are going to wonderful places.