mah1980

I'd appreciate the wise input of those who have been to these great cities. We arrive in early August, staying in Munich 5 nights and Prague for 3 nights. We'll be taking a day trip to Salzburg from Munich. We've never been to any of the above--our European travel experience is limited to Paris and Amsterdam.

We're beer and wine lovers in our mid-30s. The goal is to relax, eat well, and enjoy nice weather with good beer! We don't want to be too rushed.

MUNICH:
1. Day One: arrive from U.S. at 8 a.m. Check into Louis Hotel on Viktualienmarkt and explore Marienplatz. Take Sandeman’s 3 hour free tour that meets at Marienplatz at 10:45 a.m. or 1:00 p.m. Dinner at Der Pschorr or Andechser Am Dom for outside seating.

2. Day Two: beer garden crawl and day at English Garden. We plan on going to Hofbrauhaus, Wirtshaus Ayingers, Augustiner-Grossgaststätte, Chinesischer Turm, Hirschau, and Seehaus beer gardens, livers willing! Dinner at Riva Bar & Pizzeria for pizza or somewhere nearby.

3. Day Three: day trip to Salzburg. Leave early morning 1.5 hr. train on Bayern ticket and return at night. Walk around Old Town including Mozart’s birthplace, and Mozartplatz. Original torte at Sacher Hotel. Salzburg cathedral and Hohensalzburg Fortress. Augustiner Braustubl beer garden. Live music possibilities: Nachmittagskonzerte Salzburg afternoon chamber concert at 4 p.m. (Mirabell garden castle chapel, 18 Euros/each).

4. Day Four: shopping on Maximilianstrasse. Explore the Munich Residenz. Live music at Waldwirtschaft Grobhesselowe beer garden with view of river. Dinner at Brenner Bistro for Italian or Japanese at hotel.

5. Day Five: Dacau Concentration Camp through Sandeman’s New Europe. Afterwards go to other beer gardens in Neaheausen area: Hirschgarten and Augustiner Keller:

PRAGUE:
6. Day Six: direct bus to Prague. Arrive at 2 p.m. Check in at Four Seasons Hotel. Walk around Old Town area near hotel and to Old Town Square with Tyn Church and Astronomical Church. Walk over Charles Bridge. Explore Jewish Quarter. Dinner at Hergetova Cihelna for outdoor views. Prague Beer Museum.

7. Day Seven: Strahov Monastery and Brewery. Take I Like E-Bike electric bike tour, “Viewpoints” of all of the major sites, including castle (5 hours). Dinner at Cotto Cruddo at hotel—outdoor terrace. Reduta Jazz bar.

8. Day Eight: Explore anything further that was interesting. Shopping on Parizska Street. Dinner at Lokal Dlouha, U Tri Ruzi, Indian Jewel, Tri Stoleti, or U Medvidku Beer Hall & Restaurant.

Aramis

You don't need help, mah. You should be giving it. I bet you have some great Paris and Amsterdam recommendations. The force is strong in you.

It is obvious that you have done so much considered research that the opinions of a few more people aren't likely to be any more enlightening than the ones that brought you this far.

All I can add is;

Augustiner Braustubl - Yes
Augustiner Keller - Yes

An since you're there all week - try the Weihenstephan.......Pa-Dum-Pum

Toucan

Have recently been to all three cities and your itinerary is much more detailed that ours. Obviously you've already done your homework!

Just a couple of thoughts. We enjoyed touring the Allianz Stadium home of the Bayern Munchen Futbol Club and the Olympiaturm observation deck in olympic park. We planned to do the zip line at the Olympic stadium but they were moving dirt around for the X Games so we bagged it (and it was pricey at 35 Euros).

Dachau is really easy to get to on the train (take S2 toward Petershausen, get off at Dachau stop then follow the crowds to the bus for a short bus ride to the concentration camp). Dachau is easily self guided so you really don't need to hire a guide.

The live music at Hofbrauhaus was not great but fun none the less and the bratwurst and cheesy noodles were awesome!

From the Salzburg train station we also headed directly to the Sacher Hotel for the tortes! The walk is 20-30 minutes and a bit confusing due to construction at the station.

We liked the Linzer Gasse shopping better than the shopping near Mozart Platz. FAR less tourists, cheaper prices and better selection of things to look over.

We did an evening E-Bike dinner tour in Berlin and LOVED it!!

Another idea for Prague is to visit the Strahov Monastery. The libraries are amazing but the tours only allow you to stand at the door to see them. Then have a glass of wine at the Restaurant Bellavista at the monastary. Great views of the sun setting over the city from the outdoor tables!

Man_in_seat_61

You can book a proper train from Munich to Prague from just €19, rather than a cramped bus (ugh!), just go to www.cd.cz/eshop and print your own ticket.

mah1980

Thanks for the advice!

We booked the bus from Munich-Prague as it's well reviewed and an hour shorter than the direct train.

We're not sold on doing Dacau with a guide as I've read that the train is easy. But, with so much historical information I think that the guide could really add to the experience. For instance, we did the Catacombs in Paris with a guide which was much better than if we would have done it ourselves.

Thanks!

Goldens

Question for Man in seat 61,
I am considering booking the train Munich to Prague (one-way, no return) on the Czech website. I just read on your website not to do this if going only this direction, as the ticket needs to be stamped by a Czech conductor. Is this still the case?

Tickets seems to be cheaper when booked via Czech site rather than bahn.de.
Thanks.