We are planning a trip to Eastern Germany that would involve stops (from Berlin) in Weimar, Leipzig, and Dresden. I am writing to get some help with the ideal sequencing of the stops and to see if Quedlinburg can be conveniently added. I have a good sense of what we might do in each location and how much time to allow; my concerns are with efficient train planning. To minimize time on trains, what is the best ordering of these cities?
Many thanks.
After Berlin, your route runs fairly straight from east to west. But Quedlinburg is about 150 km off to the north. Maybe you should add Erfurt and Eisenach while you're in Weimar.
The most economical route would probably be Berlin - Dresden - Leipzig - Weimar - Erfurt - Eisenach, with a return flight from Frankfurt. Perhaps with a base in Erfurt and day trips to Eisenach and Weimar.
Regarding Quedlinburg: In December I traveled a route similar to what you are planning. I visited Quedlinburg as a day trip from Leipzig. It makes for a long day, a little over two hours each way on the train. But that's the time I had and I am glad I went- it is a beautiful town! If you have time in your travels I would recommend spending a night or two there.
We made a similar trip with a car rented at the end of our 2 or three nights in Leipzig. Quedlinburg was a long drive, but is not to be missed. Weimar (and Erfurt) are rich destinations that could easily be 3 nights. Opinion, of course. You might need more time without a car. Dresden is undisputedly worth 3 nights, book Green Vaults in advance. Consider adding Dessau-Worlitz Gartenreich.
We also went to Eisenach. We started and finished in Berlin.
If you add Quedlinburg, I reommend to visit Goslar as well.
We stayed a week in Quedlinburg last fall; we had a car so the logistics were much easier. It's a delightful place, and so peaceful after being in big cities. It does help to have a little knowledge of German as many people there (particularly older shopkeepers) have very limited knowledge of English.
To answer your question about sequencing, we need to know where you are going at the end of these visits. Are you flying back home after this (from Berlin?) or heading to another destination?
Regarding padams observation about German language in the former East: A pleasant guide we had at the Grunderzeit Museum (very close to Berlin) told me (in German) that when she was in school, "the 'Foreign Language' was Russian." There was only one English tour a day there, and I had booked too late to get into it. So I translated for my wife.
During Cold War the kids in East Germany learned Russian, in West Germany it was English and in some cases French. Kids in western humanistic gymnasiums had the choice between Latin and Old-Greek.
Also the German language showed some differences and special words on each side of the fence.
From personal experience in East Germany: Russian from 5th grade in school, English OR French from 7th grade.
