My travel partner and I are doing Germany Austria and the Czech Rep. We are just looking for a second city in Germany for a couple of nights (besides Berlin).
I'm open to all suggestions because this is proving to be very difficult to choose! Thanks.
Eric
Dresden! My vote is Dresden! It's easy to get to and, from what I recall, only a couple hours away from Berlin via train. It was one of the most bombed cities during WWII and what they've been doing to rebuild it is impressive - in many cases, putting structures back together using their original bricks. We found the people to be very friendly and overall, it had a cosmopolitan feel to it.
Just a thought...
Eric, how long are you staying in Berlin? (Berlin is awesome- we stayed 3 nights; I wish we had stayed at least 5.) What are you looking in from a second city and would you be coming from Berlin or up from Austria at that point? Do you want to see a city or an area?
Good questions. I'll be in Berlin for approximately four days and can spare anywhere from 2-4 (probably 2 or 3) days in a second area. I would be looking for something less urban but culturally unique. Something that is more than a day trip (which we plan on taking as well). I think that answers most of the questions. Ah, right, which direction are we coming from is to be determinded but must likely Berlin.
Absolutely Dresden....Historically, Berlin will be fabulous but Dresden is unbelievable in terms of its recovery and the warmth of the people...I will be visiting again in the fall as there is always something new to see.
If you have time in Berlin, take a side trip to Potsdam. The palace there is simply fabulous and the park that it is in is filled with all kinds of beautiful constructions, sculptures, you name it. The town is nice too and if I had an extra day, I would just stay there and walk around. They are rebuilding and renovating like crazy. The Dutch quarter looked interesting too, though they were having a Dutch fest when we were there last April. We went with Insider tours to Potsdam and also used them to go to Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp. They do a wonderful job of explaining everything and the price was only 15 €. Their tours of Berlin are also wonderful, though I would recommend going to their website, since all the information about them in the Rick Steves guidebook is completely wrong. www.insidertours.com
I also think Dresden is a good idea. Have not been there, but it is way up on my lists of places to go.
Potsdam is a must-see and then I'd definitely do Dresden - with a full-day's side trip to Görlitz! E.g. there is an exact replica of the Holy Grave in the cathedral of Görlitz - unique in the world. The old town of Görlitz is absolutely lovely, quaint...
Dresden is a good stop in between Berlin and Prague. We did that in 2001.
Another vote for Potsdam. Loved it.
Thank you all for your replies. They are so bizarrely consistent that I feel obligated to do exactly that. Dresden for a couple of days, and at minimum a day trip to potsdam. Wonderful.
Eric
leipzig is beautiful and i would reccommend this first as i was there a few months earlier. 2. dresden as your second choice. berlin reccommendation for a room www.baxpax.de downtown hostel stay away from large beded dorm rooms in basement, but all other rooms are great.
A good way of seeing the countryside around Dresden is to take one of the steam boats which cruise the Elbe river. I took one to Pillnitz where the Summer Palace of the Kings of Saxony stands. These steamers go to lots of different places along the river, and I wish I had more time to explore.
Eric, If you're looking for something not quite as urban, but culturally unique you might spend at least a day in Gorlitz. It's about a 50 minute train ride from Dresden on the German / Polish Border. It's very unique, and not yet overrun with tourists. Dresden is a good choice also. Maybe you can cover them both!
Potsdam and Dresden make good sense for a trip that includes Berlin and Prague.
