Hello. I am taking my 17 year old daughter to Europe in June for 3 weeks and looking for assistance in sample itineraries. She is big into history and we love shopping and quaint towns. We are looking to fly into Munich. I considered flying out of Prague but based on the prices, roundtrip to/from Munich appears to be more affordable. Definitely on our list is Munich, Salzburg, possibly Hallstatt, Prague and anywhere in between worth seeing. We are very flexible. I want to spend adequate time in each place and not looking to overdo it trying to fit in too many places, but also want to take advantage of the time we have and make the most of our trip. Any guidance is appreciated in must see places. I did not plan on renting a car but rely on trains, other transportation.
Posted by
Berlin
2242 posts
She is big into history
I recommend to put Berlin onto your list - 4 nights minimum recommended.
For train connections in / from / to Germany use Deutsche Bahn website.
Be informed that Germany hosts the European Soccer Championship from June 14 on. The Germany part shall be finished before this. Maybe check flying in to Berlin and out of another destination.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thank you for the quick response. I will look into Berlin as well
Posted by
San Diego, California
4710 posts
Also avoid the cities that Taylor Swift is in this summer- reports are that the hotel prices go through the roof! Enjoy your family trip!
Posted by
Paradise
6643 posts
Itineraries: With your preference for "adequate time in each place" I think a 3-week trip probably means 6 different base towns of 3-4 days each, on average - plus one final night near MUC airport.
"Anywhere in between worth seeing" ideas...
Herrenchiemsee Palace, on an island in Lake Chiemsee, is half way to Salzburg from Munich (a 2-hr train ride.) You get off the train in Prien, stow bags in a train station locker, then walk or shuttle to the dock area. This is a stop of several hours, not an overnight.
Regensburg is a very good place for history enthusiasts to break up the long train ride if you are traveling between Prague and Munich. It's about 1.5 hours from Munich's central station. It is Germany's best-preserved medieval city, with UNESCO World Heritage status. Stow bags in a station locker while there. Plan on spending most of the day here, with late arrival either in Munich or Prague, whichever is your final destination.
Direct regional trains serve both the Munich > Prien > Salzburg route and the Munich > Regensburg > Prague route. Tickets for regional trains allow you to stop over for any length of time you wish without pre-scheduling.
"Any guidance is appreciated in must see places."
I recommend 4 nights in the Rhine/Mosel region (which is only 4-5 hours away from Munich, btw, closer than Prague is.) The Rhine was the beating heart of German Romanticism, an outpost of Ancient Rome, a strategic WW II battle front, and a critical shipping lane for centuries. Visitors who skip it miss out on Germany's most intense concentration of medieval castles, its handsome old-world buildings and fine catheddrals, and some of the country's best river crusing and scenery as well. It should definitely be one of your travel bases, I think.
https://www.urlaub-ferien-und-meer.de/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/shutterstock_713474503.jpg
https://burg-eltz.de/en/homepage
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cologne_Cathedral
https://cochem.de/?lang=en
Posted by
San Francisco
14509 posts
" She is big into history." Fantastic.
I second the recommendation on Berlin. Since you have decided on Munich and Prague already , I 'll comment on that only as regards to history located in the cities.
In Prague when you're at Wenceslaus Square, note the date on the ground, " 28. X. 18 , " the date of Czech independence, when they broke away from the Habsburg Empire.
In Munich I would suggest also seeing the Feldherrnhalle, the site where Hitler staged his coup d'etat , that unsuccessful Putsch as the police and Reichswehr opened fire. The Feldherrnhalle is the site of two successful Bavarian commanders in the 17th and 19th centuries, one of whom tried to stop Napoleon from reaching the Rhine in the retreat back to France at Hanau... an unwise decision. He got beat.
Posted by
midwest
12 posts
I recommend a few days in Dresden. Both sides of the river are great. Museums are fantastic. Take a day trip to messien to visit the porcelain museum and factory and walk up to castle.