Hi there,
My husband and I are going on the Berlin, Prague and Vienna City Tour towards the end of August. We were wondering where we should spend the 3 extra nights we will have after the tour ends. We need help deciding whether we should stay in Prague or Vienna. Help!
Slatts
When we did this tour we stayed on in Vienna and that's what I recommend.
Two reasons:
1. the tour ends in Vienna and you would have to take the train back to Prague and that's simply time lost (around 4-5 hours) or maybe 1/6th of your 3 days.
2. As pretty as Prague is Vienna has LOTS more to see and do. The RS tour covers the major sites in Prague and you have enough free time to see whatever else interests you. The tour time in Vienna barely scratches the surface in Vienna. We stayed on a week and still have things on our list.
Enjoy your trip!
Robbie
It seems like you would have to backtrack to return to Prague after the tour ends in Vienna. Another option you might consider, since you will have done three big cities, is visiting the smaller city of Salzburg or someplace in the Austrian countryside like Hallstatt or the Wolfgangsee area: St. Wolfgang or St. Gilgen.
You might look at Budapest. It's an amazing city and an easy train ride from Vienna. Even closer to Vienna is Bratislava. I believe it's one hour. I have not been to Bratislava but I have been wanting to go. I have been to Budapest and I really would like to get back there. In August, I'm guessing Prague will be quite busy.
I love the idea of going to Budapest! Take an inexpensive bus a few hours from Vienna and there you are...experiencing yet another culture and city with friendly people, beautiful sights and cheap to boot! Stay with Albert at his B&B, the Kaptial Inn. You will love his stories about the change from Communism to modern day life.
Thanks everyone for your suggestions. They are really helpful and I appreciate everyone taking the time. If you have any other information or suggestions about the Berlin, Prague and Vienna City Tour, please feel free to respond. Thanks again.
You may have decided on your initial question, but I was going to add that Budapest fits nicely with Prague and Vienna in that it is another city that was in the Austro/Hungarian empire. I hope you will do a trip report, I'd love to hear about the tour and your add on adventure.
"Thanks everyone for your suggestions. They are really helpful and I appreciate everyone taking the time. If you have any other information or suggestions about the Berlin, Prague and Vienna City Tour, please feel free to respond. Thanks again."
The Berlin, Prague, Vienna tour keeps you pretty busy moving every couple of days and packing in a lot of tours. You may be a bit worn out by the time you reach Vienna. I also think you are falling into a very American tourist syndrome of rushing about in an effort to see everything you possibly can.
My advice: slow down and enjoy Vienna. Linger over coffee and pastries in a cafe; visit Schonbrunn Palace and enjoy the garden and fountains; Visit the Albertina Art museum and linger over the paintings you like; find a concert or, if you are there on a Sunday, attend a choral mass at the Augustenian Chapel in the Hofburg Palace.
Finally, begin planning another trip to see the things you missed on this one :)
Hi Robbie,
I feel more relaxed just reading your comments. We have decided to stay on in Vienna and relax and enjoy. If you have any suggestions for cafes, restaurants or places to see, I would appreciate any information.
You will have a copy of the RS Vienna guidebook before you leave (if you don't have one yet). There is a wealth of information there. I don't know your interests so it is hard to craft a useful response. We have spent about 2 weeks total in Vienna so we have been quite a few places. I will send you a private message and if you choose to respond I can answer some of your specific questions.
