Munich to Berlin 10 Day Itinerary Questions

We haven't been to Dresden yet but I can tell you my son absolutely loved it when he was working in Germany for a summer. He is an avid photographer and found it very appealing. Another place to consider is Bamberg. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site, with a nice well-preserved Altstadt, and is right on your way between Munich and Berlin. (We will be stopping there overnight when we traveling the opposite direction, from Berlin to Munich,mnext summer.) Is is famous for it's local beer (Rauchbier) and is very popular with beer- lovers, but the town is also surrounded by vineyards. It is on the Main River bike path if you fancy a bit of exercise.

Beer and exercise are literally my two favorite things! Bamberg is on the list. Now to decide if Rothenburg or Munich are still necessary...

Maybe this would make sense?: Fri: Arrive Munich at 9:35 am, depart for Rothenberg - 2.5hrs by train (overnight in Rothenburg) Sat: Rothenburg overnight Sun: Depart for Bamberg(2.5 hrs train) Overnight Mon: Overnight in Bamberg Tues: Depart for Dresden (4.5 hrs train) Overnight Dresden Wed: Short morning of visit, Depart for Berlin (2.25 hrs train). Overnight Berlin Thur: Overnight Berlin Fri: Overnight Berlin Saturday: Overnight Berlin
Sunday: Depart Berlin

Since you've already seen Munich and Rothenburg you should skip them, since there's plenty to see between Munich and Berlin. Bamberg was already mentioned. RS recently discovered Erfurt, the capital of Thuringia, and called the city a "untouristy Rothenburg" and one of his "favorite new German towns". ( RS article) Although I disagree with the "untouristy Rothenburg"- thing (that would be Quedlinburg), Erfurt is a wonderful city. From there it's only a short drive to Weimar, which is a World Heritage Site (WHS) and one of the historically and culturally most important towns of Germany. Many famous people lived there, and the old towns is completely preserved and surrounded by parks and palaces... and a KZ. The Wartburg, historically the most important German castle and a WHS too, is also close to Erfurt. Dresden is good for a week if you are interested in museums and want to do some day trips. Meissen, the cradle of Saxony, is completely preserved and looks like Prague in small. Görlitz, also recommended by RS, is a town with 4.000 listed buildings and surely one of the architecturally most valuable towns in Germany. Here are a few galeries to give you an idea (linking doesn't work, so copy and paste). Thuringia with Erfurt and Weimar: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=986977 Meissen: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1512349 Görlitz and surroundings:
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=869852

What Martin said... the only thing Rothenburg offers that few other towns can not claim are it's high concentration of trinket shops and plentiful visits from tour buses. Worth a visit if you happen to pass by, but not worth heading clear across the country to see. Hit Quedlinburg and the surrounding Hartz region and you will not be disappointed.

I have gone out of my way to see Rothenburg, maybe 2 times now....and I would do it again if I am within a 5-6 hour train ride. I was in Prague (after being in Vienna, Budapest) and specifically make Frankfurt my fly out city just so I could see Rothenburg again. I loved Rothenburg. Both times have been before Christmas so I do not know if this is a factor of the charm. And I am not a fan of Christmas. For me it is not about the shops. Its the layout of the town, the walkable wall, the Crime & Punishment museum (still have not seen another like it), the city museum, the night watchmen tour, and the restaurant called "hell".

Have you considered Prague or Nuremberg? Both would make a nice 2 day stop. I was in Dresden this past spring for 2 nights and really wish I had more time. It's a fantastic little town with lots to see and do. I did Munich, Prague, Dresden, and Berlin in 14 days. Personally I could have skipped a night in Prague and spend at least one more in Dresden.

Great suggestions! We were considering Prague, but I feel like by including it we'd almost be forced to cut out one of the smaller towns. For the moment, we're considering arriving in Munich and immediately departing by train for Bamberg, with the itinerary looking like this: 3 nights-Bamberg - with day trips to Wurzburg and maybe Nuremburg (or somewhere else?) 2 nights-Dresden
4 nights-Berlin (one daytrip to Potsdam) Not sure if 3 nights in Bamberg is overkill. If anyone has recommendations for modestly priced, centrally located pensiones or BnBs in the above places, I'd appreciate it. Thanks again.

In Bamberg, the Fässla brewery sounds pretty appropriate for a beer-lover: http://www.faessla.de/english/ Double rooms are 65 euros; "Komfort" double rooms (non-smoking only) are more but they don't say how much. The location, near the river and walking distance to both train station and altstadt, looks great. (It better be, as we have booked a place nearby). You must telephone to reserve a room; best do it before they get busy in the evening as apparently the "reception" desk is the Bierstube! But the place gets excellent reviews on Tripadvisor (except from the person who was put off by the abruptmess of the person who answered the phone when he called, apparently during a very busy time in the bar).

Hi, Good for including the day trip to Potsdam. From Berlin take the S-Bahn to Potsdam Hbf. The tours begin across the street from Potsdam Hbf. The Tourist Office is inside the train station on the upstairs floor. Walking around the city, esp in the center (Innenstadt), after the tour is a way to visit the place more thoroughly. Potsdam has its own brew too if it's beer you want to try.

I loved Bamberg but agree that 3 nights would be too much. 2 nights is pushing it, honestly. It's small. My itinerary for this trip would be: 2 nights Nurnberg with early departure to Bamberg 1 night Bamberg 1-2 nights Erfurt
The rest in Berlin When in doubt, add more days to Berlin :)