Summer Travel to Berlin with additional 4 nights/3days 'free'

Hi, Good choices but keep in mind that summer is high tourist season and you're going to a city inundated with tourists...Prague. Berlin and Dresden too but less so.

If you wish to go to Dresden and Prague, the train may be cheaper than a car and you would avoid traffic and parking hassles. Buying in advance, I see the Sparpreis for Berlin to Dresden and Dresden to Prague is 19€. Prague back to Berlin, 29€. That is a total of 134 € for the whole time. Of course you would not have the opportunity to stop en route between the cities, but you would maximize your time in those cities. ( I take an interest in this because we are thinking of a similar trip path next year, so I have been researching tickets, etc. I too am comfortable driving in Germany,,did a lot when I lived there as a student, but these days We prefer the train).

I agree that Dresden and Prague are very nice destinations. But do you really want to spent ten hours on the highway for three nights of touring? Trains tend to be slightly more scenic than the superhighways you're going to be on. Do you really have the time to research all the possible stops along the way - and that dream in view of your desire to spend time in the two big cities? I'm suggesting that you are looking through very American spectacles at the road trip... As long as you have a car, I'd use it to visit places that are easier to get to with a car, and leave the major cities for future vacations. Rick Principle of Travel #87: Assume You'll Return. For example, Weimar, Erfurt, Eisenach, Dessau, national parks? Berlin itself is a rich destination for three nights with no more business meetings. We've been there twice, for at least three nights each time. If you want to hit a different country, how about Poland? Honestly, three nights in Dresden are not too many, with boat rides on the Elbe, hiking in Saxon Switzerland, the porcelain factory, museums and restaurants. Have you counted the pre-airport night?

"..and take in one castle." The Wartburg Castle in Eisenach is perhaps the most famous historical castle in Germany. Martin Luther took refuge here and translated the Bible into German. It was the site of many minstrel contests during the middle ages, celebrated by Wagner in Tannhaueser. It is still an active cultural site with concerts etc. Easy bus connection from Eisenach train station, which is 3 hours from Berlin. http://wartburg-eisenach.de/frame_st.htm "One of us has extended family in Nuremberg" Nuremberg is 2 1/2 hours from Eisenach via train. "..thinking of Prague." Best way to Prague from the west is the bus from Nuremberg. Its 3 1/2 hours. If you want to rent a car, make sure it is OK to drive in Czech Republic. At least a few years back it was verboten. Things might have changed since then.
You can do this using trains and bus. I've found having a car can be a bit of a pain in the butt, especially when there are so many other good transportation options.

Thank you everyone! I didn't think this thread would get a reply. We have decided to take the train down to Nuremberg to visit family, and then possibly go on to Neuchawanstein Castle to visit another friend, then return to Berlin (we have chosen this to maximize our free lodging options). I am sharing the idea of Weimar, Erfurt, Eisenach, Dessau and national parks with my group in case we find we can't travel as far south as we hope. We will have 9 days in Berlin in which we are free every afternoon/evening to tour on our own, so we feel that we will get a good amount of time in in Berlin during our stay there. We do have 4 days/3 nights NOT including the time we need for returning to the airport. We will visit Dresden/Prague another time. Thank you so very much for your time and suggestions. Good travels to you!