Two different trips- Austria/Germany/Czech Rep/Hungary

Option 2 is just way too busy IMO. You will be spending more time in transit than at your destinations. For option 2, I would fly open jaw into one city and out the other - like into Munich, out of Vienna, cutting out either Salzberg or Prague from the trip. (Not because they're not good destinations, but because you don't have enough time). Here's a revised idea: Munich 3 nights. Visit Salzburg as a day trip on the way to Vienna. Vienna 3 nights. Train to Budapest, stopping in Bratislava as a day trip en route. 3 nights Budapest, fly out of Budapest. Option 1 doesn't look too bad on it's own, although you aren't leaving yourself very much time to see Munich if you are also going to day trip to Neuschwanstein. You won't have even a full day in Munich. Also Berchtesgaden is near Salzburg, much closer to it than Innsbruck.

Sarah's given you good advice. For just the reason you mentioned, I would go with a "city" trip. I spent 10 days in the Canadian Rockies (in June when the weather is usually excellent) and pretty much all I saw for the first week was trees and clouds. Well, bears and elk too, but no mountains. Another option would be Munich to Salzburg to Vienna to either Budapest or Prague. Budapest has good food and great wine. Or Prague to Vienna to Budapest. I found Budapest and Prague to be relatively inexpensive and Vienna the opposite.

"Largest "concern" is weather which noone can predict. Would hate fog/rain/low clouds obsuring the Alps." If you play the odds, of the times of the year you have proposed, September will give you the best chances.

Hi Wally, I'd go with option 1 (esp. if this is the way you're leaning) and in mid September. For a possible cable car trip in the Alps, most don't open until June but once open, they do run until late Sept. Berchtesgaden isn't really a day trip from Innsbruck, but Berchtesgaden IS 30 minutes or so from Salzburg. With 2 nights (1 full day) for Munich, and a day trip to Neusch./Oberammaergau, that means no full days for Munich. Your 1 full day in Munich will actually be spent visitng Neusch. and Oberammergau. Just an opinion, with a total of 9 nights, your trip #1 seems a bit rushed. You plan on staying in 4 different places. What are your "must see's" on trip #1
Paul

Thanks for all the comments. I am really leaning towards a May 9th departure to Munich then Innsbruck, Salzburg, Vienna. I could go in Sept, but it forces more vacation tradeoff's which screws up some of my other summer trips. After taking this all in, here is my logic. 1) I really want to see Munich and Austria. This options gives me the most time in these areas. 2) 2 night stays so if the weather is bad one day, I can adjust the siteseeing to take advantage of the best weather. 3) While I hate heigths (especially cable cars Paul), seeing fresher snow in the alps and some wild flowers. 4) This trip covers less ground and should allow for time at these locations. I still want comments as I have 3 weeks left to book (have to sign work vacation books in mid October. Let me know any errors in my thought process. Thanks all! I was in the Grand Teton/Yellowstone this early June and the fresh snow and spring flowers offered a great landscape. My Flickr account below:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/55056358@N04/

Some considerations. A two night stay generally means you arrive one afternoon, possibly tired from the trip from where ever. Then you check into your hotel and get cleaned up and realize its four pm. That and whatever you do with the rest of the day is day one in that location. The next day is a full day of enjoying what ever interests you and then you go to bed and repeat the scenario in the next town. When you get home your friends will say, "wow! you went to Prague! Did you see A, B, C, and D? " No, you reply, we only had time for A. I know of a few really wonderful 2 night places but Prague, Vienna and Budapest aren't on the list. Next, "where should i go?" For what? Those who really, really love Prague often don't think Budapest is nearly as enjoyable, or the reverse. Then you have to be careful with us here. The person who raves that Munich is the most wonderful place on your list may not have been any place else and has no context for the statement. Ignore me everyone. Im just in a mood. I would suggest you pick three cities in close proximity and spend 2 to 4 nights in each. If you haven't been to any of them and have no great yearning or interest you will enjoy and have a wonderful time while learning more about yourself in the process. Second option would be to spend the whole trip in Budapest and Vienna with an over night trip to Salzburg and a day trip to Bratislava.