highlight in Munich, Salzburg, Vienna and Prague

You need to get a guidebook. Of course, I'll recommend Rick Steves (I found his Prague guidebook particularly valuable), but he's not the only game in town. Go to a bookstore, take a look at several, and pick one or two that you like. Most guidebooks have a section "If you have 1 day in Munich..If you have 2 days in Munich..If you have 3 days in Munich." These will focus on the highlights, as perceived by the guidebook writer. Start with these, and then adjust according to you own interests. Then, if you have specific questions, post them here. The more specific you are, the better the answers you'll get. There's no point telling you all about painting collections if you want information on opera performances.

Thank you

I'm currently debating the same questions myself about itinerary as I will be traveling in the same area you are. Take a look at the Rick Steves' guides for Vienna, Prague, and the "Munich/Salzburg/Bavaria" Snapshot. Included are a breakdown of the 'must sees' by rating, a good initial walking tour to orient yourself in each place, and suggestions for what to do on 1-3 day trips. I have examined numerous guidebooks for the area and few hold a candle to Rick's. What I would recommend is picking out what you and your fellow travelers really want to see for each spot. You may discover you need only two days in Salzburg, four in Vienna to really accommodate everything, and so forth. If your dates are cemented in place already, then the guidebooks can give an idea of how to spend your time. Munich has jumping off points to Dachau or Ludwig's Castles, for example, if you need to 'use up' a day.

vienna needs more time, there are a lot of palaces and museums for just 2 nights. maybe you can trade a day out of salzburg and/or munich so you can see vienna properly.

So glad that I posted the question. Thank you so much.

Hi, I suggest consulting Rough Guide, there are separate volumes for Austria and Vienna...very informative and helpful in setting your priorities for seeing the city.

Amornrut, I can't talk from first hand experience outside these cities, but I think one major issue is what, if any, areas outside them do you wish to visit. Of the three, Prague is my favorite. So, on first blush, I would concur with your time allocations. However, I am not sure that there is much outside Prague proper, and 4 nights is quite a bit of time. On the other hand, from following this board, it appears that there are numerous popular things to see as day trips outside both Salzburg and Vienna. I would suggest using a guidebook and posting questions about areas close to but outside these cities. You may then want to adjust your time allocations.

we just returned from Vienna, Salzburg and Munich. I agree the highlights will vary depending on your interests and who is traveling with you. My 22 year old daughter and her boyfriend loved biking through the English Garden in Munich. I loved the tour of the Spanish Riding School in Vienna and the free afternoon viewing of the mares and foals. We all enjoyed Bob's Sound of Music tour in Salzburg, especially the luge ride and the beautiful lake district. We rode the funicular to the Hohensalzburg Fortress in the early evening and the view and the sunset were beautiful.

Definately take a night either from Salzburg or Prague and add it to Vienna. It deserves at least 3 nights. Salzburg is great but it's small, there's absolutely no reason to stay 3 nights there IMO.

Have to agree with the other posters. Take a night from Salzburg and do three nights in Vienna. So much to see and do in Vienna. You picked four great places to visit. You'll have a fabulous vacation.

Thank you all. I'm so glad its not too late to change booking hotel.

I agree - 3 days in Salzburg is a lot - there's really not that much to see or do. I'd take a day off Salzburg and add it to Vienna - much, much more to see.

I agree. Vienna is worth 3 days and you still won't see everything. Beautiful city!