Berlin, Prague, Salzburg & Vienna

I'm about your age and like the same sort of things. The places you're going (with the exception of Salzburg) are huge and there's no way you're going to be able to see EVERYTHING worth seeing. My best recommendation is to read some actual history books of the cities/countries you're going to, that will put a lot of sites in better perspective and make things more interesting on a whole different level. Berlin is amazing. As much as the big tourist sites are cool (Berliner Dom, Brandenberg Gate, Museum Insel, Reischtag, Zoo, etc) my favorite part is just wandering around. Prenzlauerberg, Kreuzberg, Hackeshermarkt are all great areas for taking in the culture and all have fantastic bars. Friedrichshain is also a good area for eating/bar hopping. If you're big Lebowski fans, there's a bar called "Lebowskis" that's fun. Rick Steves (and some of the people on this forum) put a lot of emphasis on West Berlin/Charlottenburg. It's certainly worthwhile but I find staying in one of those neighborhoods on the Eastern side gives you a better proximity to both sights and to interesting wandering. Berlin is a truly international city and isn't exactly well known for a local cusiene the way other places in Germany area. As a result, my favorite restaurants in Berlin tend to be ethnic eateries. But you're from LA where you can get the same food so I don't know what I'd specifically recommend you eat that's more traditional. If you're willing to go upscale, Hartman's is a VERY nice restaurant (Michelin-starred) doing "new German" food. Currywurst is a must of course.

Haven't been to Prague. As far as Salzburg, this is a city where I think the RS guide covers it pretty well so I suggest that (whereas I don't think his info on Berlin is in-depth enough nor do I agree with all of his recommendations. I like Lonely Planet's "City Snapshot: Berlin" for a more holistic approach to the city that's less focused on "sights".) Salzburg is small and it's sights can be seen fairly quickly. so even if you only have 2 days there you'll be able to see both the city and have time for a tour (or if you're renting a car you can take your own tour) to nearby sites like Berchtesgaden, salt mines, Eagle's Nest, Koeningsee, etc. We took a Bob's Special Tour to Eagle's Nest and Berchtesgaden and really enjoyed it (and I'm not a "tour person"). Vienna is another amazing city, hopefully you'll have at least 3 days? Both the palaces are worth seeing, but maybe one or the other so you don't get "Palaced out". The Kunsthistorichies Museum is an absolute must-see, there are so many amazing (and very famous) paintings in there. It's worth it to take a tour of the Opera House, if you decide to forgo actually watching an opera, you can still see it projected onto a big screen outside on warm evenings. The Nachsmarkt has good cheap eats, and across the street is a string of wonderful bars and cafes where I enjoyed plenty of Austrian wine. The Palmengarten has a beautiful restaurant with views with decent food and right around the corner is Weinquartier Wein, a don't-miss wine bar.

Thanks, Sarah. Really appreciate the info. We are staying in Berlin and Prague for four nights each with a stop in between for the day in Dresden. One night in Cesky Krumlov, two in Salzburg and three in Vienna. The place we are staying in Berlin is close to Checkpoint Charlie but I am sure we can locate the neighborhoods you mention to grab a good meal and a few drinks.

Prague has probably the most preserved medieval center of big cities in Europe. Very good information what to see and do are in Rick Steves book: Prague & the Czech Republic. Check also this website: http://www.pragueexperience.com
I liked Museum of Communism and National Technical Museum. Google Krizik Fountain. It's not in R.S. book. Visit the biggest market in Prague. It's in neighborhood Holesovice. Most tourists don't know about it. Visit gardens around Hradcany Castle. Crowds go to the Castle but not to the gardens. Check Veletrzni palac (Fairgrounds Palace) if Mucha Slavic Epic is already there from Moravsky Krumlov.