My husband and I are planning a trip to Europe at the end of September/early October. We will be visiting friends in Prague and also relatives in Berlin and Krakow. Since I have limited time off (11 days), we’re hoping to make the most of our time there. What are your recommendations for must see, okay to skip, or any tips?
This is what the plan looks like so far: Travel day to Prague - 3 full days in Prague - Travel day to Berlin - 2 full days in Berlin - Travel day to Krakow - 2 full days in Krakow - Travel home.
Thanks in advance for your time!
Posted by
SoCal and Bordeaux
2509 posts
Three wonderful cities!
My personal recommendations are:
Berlin: Hotel Adlon (lots of Nazi and Soviet history); East Germany Museum; Spionage Museum (don't miss this!)
Prague: Charles Bridge; Vyšehrad; Strahov Monastery Brewery (best beer I've ever had, and good food besides); Memorial to the Victims of Communism
Kraków: the Main Square, especially at night; Auschwitz and Birkenau; Schindler Factory
Posted by
the great P-NW, USA
636 posts
Don't miss the Head of Franz Kafka in Prague. Giant revolving public art. I was fascinated!
Posted by
CT by way of FL
247 posts
I second the Kafka Museum! A suitably surreal experience. (Just realized that wasn't what the above poster said, but still - Kafka Museum!)
In Prague, I enjoyed the Museum of Communism, the Mucha Museum, Charles Bridge and all the sites on Castle Hill (especially St. Vitus Cathedral), and the synagogues of the Jewish Quarter. You might also enjoy the Black Light Theater.
In Krakow: Auschwitz; climbing the tower of the St. Mary's Church; the Schindler Museum (although it was quite crowded when I went and, depending on your level of interest/tolerance, it might be too much Holocaust when combined with Auschwitz - and you should definitely go to Auschwitz); eating dinner on the Main Square; Wieliczka Salt Mines; Czartoryski Museum (although for a first/quick visit I would put this at a lower priority); Wawel Castle is bland but the Cathedral shouldn't be missed.
I haven't been to Berlin in over 15 years, but I most vividly remember the Berlin Wall Memorial; you see that it wasn't just one wall but a no man's land strip. After that, with only two days I would say do whatever activity/site most interests you. But do try to squeeze in a visit to the KaDeWe (Kaufhaus des Westens)!
Is the order set in stone? I wonder if it would make more sense to go more east-west/west-east (so Berlin-Prague-Krakow or the reverse), but I don't know your timing or what flights look like.
Enjoy the trip!!
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thank you all very much for your responses! The only thing set in stone is that we need to go to Prague first, due to our friend’s schedule. It also seems that the flights that go in to Prague and out of Krakow are less expensive than out of Berlin, but I will take a closer look at them.