Where to stop between Amsterdam and Prague?

I am 28. I don't care about touristy, I just want to experience the country. I've had a few people recommend Heidelburg, but I hadn't heard the others. Thanks for the advice.

I'm not sure what difference it makes what age you are. What is more important as far as I'm concerned is what your interests are. Do you like cities, smaller towns, countryside? Museums, hiking, history? Give us some ideas what you enjoy and we can make some suggestions.

This is my first trip to Europe, so I plan on sticking with history, architecture, and museums. I really enjoy large cities, but wouldn't be opposed to heading out to visit lesser traveled locations either. I am also a fan of good beer, but I'm sure that can be found anywhere in the region. Thank you again for the guidance.

Munich is nice. You can easily do a day trip to Dachau if you are interested. I haven't been to Berlin yet, but many people on this board really like it.

Bryan, Berlin makes a good intermediate stop between Amsterdam and Prague. I travelled that same route last year, and had a great time. Berlin is a very vibrant city with lots happening, and provides good choices for touring Museums and Galleries, or night life if you're so inclined. I'm a bit "older" so didn't check out the clubs, but some of them are apparently very good. You shouldn't have any trouble finding things to do in Berlin for a few days! Happy travels!

Hi, In the south I would suggest seeing Regensburg, it makes no difference whether it's off the beaten track, only if you are into that sort of thing. Definitely you'll see Regensburg as an historical city. Also in the south I recommend Munich, for obvious reasons, culturally and historically. If you want to avoid south Germany, then choose Berlin or Leipzig. Both are on the main train lines connecting to Prague.

Bryan:
We've been to Rothenburg ODT and Regensburg and enjoyed both. They were totally different experiences but still both very enjoyable - simply because they were experiences we can get here in the states. At ROTD we walked the walls, checked out the shops and churches, drank beer in the platz, and had a great time. In Regensburg we walked the altstadt, actually attended a 2-hr mass in German and Latin in the cathedral for the ordination of the new archbishop, drank beer,( common theme) and had a great time. BTW, we were 58 in RODT and 60 in Regensburg -how old you are is not an issue - how old you feel is.

Thank you all for the advice. I will take all of the ideas into consideration when finishing up the details of the trip.

Berlin, Berlin, Berlin!

I can recommend a couple of routes, you need to decide based on your own interests and decide how long to stay in each place. Two weeks seems like a long time until you're actually on the road. Route one (the route I'd probably take): Amsterdam, Cologne, Munich, Salzburg, Prague. Route two (to include Sarah's Berlin recommendation): Amsterdam, Hamburg, Berlin, Dresden or Potsdam, Prague.

Karlovy Vary, Czech is a quaint spa town with deals on crystal chandeliers and garnet jewelry. The natural spring there is said to have 'restorative' properties, thus the spas.

I'd really recommend fitting Poland into your itinerary. Wroc?aw is beautiful and historic and only 2.5 hours by train from Dresden or there is a fast train from Berlin to Warsaw. Or the three cities: Gdansk, Gydnia, and Sopot on the Baltic Sea are definitely worth seeing on the northern portion of your trip. Poland is beautiful and much cheaper than Germany for accommodations. Krakow is of course also lovely, but a bit out of your way.

You said you like big cities, architecture, museums, etc. Then there is Berlin and Dresden on your way. The rest is detour. I did a little math and it looks like you got just 6 days between Amsterdam and Prague so I think that Berlin and Dresden will be enough. I myself alloted 7 days for Berlin including arrival and departure days and there was still a lot which I didn't see.