Due to airfare costs, we will be flying in and out of Prague in June. I would like to pair Prague with 2 German cities, thinking of Berlin and Munich and we would like to travel only by train between cities if possible. How would you plot this itinerary for 9 nights?
Thank you in advance.
You need four nights in Prague, five nights in Berlin and a week for Munich if you include the Bavarian Alps. Prague is closer to Berlin so cut Munich. Since you're flying home from Prague visit Prague at the end of your stay meaning you'll spend arrival day traveling to Berlin and settling in.
Dresden is right in the middle of Prague and Berlin,
That’s the only place I think you have time to add.
MaryPat,
Thank you. The more I have been reading posts here, the more I feel like I need to do Germany as a completely different trip and focus on just it.
Kenko,
Thank you.
One doesn't "need" any set amount of time in any place (pet peeve alert), but these cities are all markedly different from one another. Berlin offers Cold War history unlike any other place, along with very important museums and very different neighborhoods; overall it's kind of gritty. Food tends to be very cosmopolitan, as there's no distinct Berliner cuisine so far as I could tell. You'll find numerous examples of cuisines such as Vietnamese, Nepalese and burgers-n-fries American.
Munich is a wealthy, pretty expensive city where residents appreciate and honor traditional styles of dress, comportment and behavior; great shopping if you're into that. There is a definite Bavarian cuisine, and both beer and wine from the region can be excellent. This is by far the most orderly and, arguably, civilized of the cities.
Prague offers magnificent architecture and natural beauty, along with a different memory of Communist rule compared to Berlin; it's also much the least expensive of these cities. Food tends to be very Slavic: lots of schnitzel, pork knuckle and dumplings, along with ample opportunities to try game meats. Art and music scene in Prague is magnificent.
Only you can decide which offers more attraction, and therefore time. But keeping intercity travel duration to a minimum is critical for a visit of this duration. Best wishes; these are three great cities!
no distinct Berliner cuisine so far as I could tell
Well, there are lots of single food products and recipes which are unique for Berlin region, e. g. Berliner Leber, Aal grün or Eisbain. Of course Berlin kitchen is influenced since hundredes of years from people moving to Berlin. The most famous ones are the original French Bulette (more than a meat ball) and Döner Kebap which is originally from Turkish-Arabic kitchen but the version eaten in Germany was invented in Berlin; someone tried to sell them in Turkey without success. Also things in the bakeries such as Splitterbrötchen or Knüppel are very special for Berlin. We have also two versions of the most easy product Schrippe which is not the same bread roll like in other regions the Semmel - the long middle cut gives Berlin Air (also a special product) the access to the middle of the bread roll which offers a different flavor. I do not want to start the Currywurst discussion because it is made differently in Hamburg and in Ruhr area (mostly different sausages) - general tip: avoid Currywurst stands with a number in its name.
Berlin has also much more to offer espacially for fans of art and music - there is no other town with 3 opera houses and seven venues for classical music. The world famous Berliner Philharmoniker are so specialised and renowned that they select their conductor. Also history wise Berlin incl. Potsdam and Oranienburg has so much to offer - currently German History and Pergamon Museum are closed.
So, Berlin is easily woth minimum four nights to have a slight impression.
There're plenty more places to see in the Czech Republic besides Prague.
Since you asked specifically about Prague, Berlin and Munich, I think the simplest solution is to give yourself 3 night in each city. You'll need to use 1/2 of each of three days for train travel. You could do Berlin-Munich by night train to get 1/2 day of travel time back. I don't think it matters if you do Berlin or Munich first or second.
Also, I suggest first two nights and last night in Prague. First two to help adujst to jet lag without the need to travel on. Last one to ensure you are in Prague and ready for next day departure.
I think 9 nights without open jaws means Prague and your choice of Berlin or Munich, not both. I think Berlin makes the most sense.
Dresden and Leipzig are the best places in Germany to add. Dresden has spectacular palaces and Leipzig is just a nice city in general.
