Munich and which one - Rhineland or Prague?
Jul 14th, 2013, 07:01 PM
#1
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Munich and which one - Rhineland or Prague?
Hi all - We're making plans for 10 days in Europe in late May/early June 2014, traveling with our 8-yr-old. We know that we want to spend 5 to 6 days in Munich, which we have been to and loved. Now it's down to which place to pair with it: either the Rhineland or Prague.
For us, the primary draws for the Rhineland would be Aachen Cathedral and Burg Eltz as well as some of the other Rhine castles. (I am a medieval history nut.) We will be staying on Marriott points for the entire trip, so could base in Cologne, Frankfurt, Dusseldorf or Wiesbaden. We could fly direct from the U.S. into either Frankfurt or Dusseldorf. Most likely, we'd rent a car in our base city and then return it once we arrive in Munich.
On the other hand, Prague is tempting because it seems so beautiful and evocative, and I would love to experience the Czech Republic, which none of us have visited. If we chose that option, we'd use public transport exclusively within and between Munich and Prague.
Given the time of year, the age of our son and any factors I might not have considered, any recommendations on which place would have the edge? TIA...
For us, the primary draws for the Rhineland would be Aachen Cathedral and Burg Eltz as well as some of the other Rhine castles. (I am a medieval history nut.) We will be staying on Marriott points for the entire trip, so could base in Cologne, Frankfurt, Dusseldorf or Wiesbaden. We could fly direct from the U.S. into either Frankfurt or Dusseldorf. Most likely, we'd rent a car in our base city and then return it once we arrive in Munich.
On the other hand, Prague is tempting because it seems so beautiful and evocative, and I would love to experience the Czech Republic, which none of us have visited. If we chose that option, we'd use public transport exclusively within and between Munich and Prague.
Given the time of year, the age of our son and any factors I might not have considered, any recommendations on which place would have the edge? TIA...
Jul 14th, 2013, 07:28 PM
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Prague is beautiful. I wss there last September.
The city is pretty compact and the metro / tram system is wonderful.
Take a look at the Prague Castle.
http://www.time.com/time/travel/city...921751,00.html
Prague is also a lot cheaper to stay and eat than virtually all of Germany.
The city is pretty compact and the metro / tram system is wonderful.
Take a look at the Prague Castle.
http://www.time.com/time/travel/city...921751,00.html
Prague is also a lot cheaper to stay and eat than virtually all of Germany.
Jul 14th, 2013, 07:57 PM
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Thanks, Rastaguy. Prague does indeed look lovely. I have always wanted to go...but then again I have always wanted to go to Aachen Cathedral and Burg Eltz. Part of me does wonder if they are impressive enough to base half of a trip around.
Jul 15th, 2013, 03:40 PM
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Hi Bamafam-
Is your return flight also from Frankfurt or Dusseldorf? Or can it be from Munich or Prague? Or can you do an open-jaw trip between Munich and Prague? This makes a lot of difference in the cost of your options and the transit times.
Is your return flight also from Frankfurt or Dusseldorf? Or can it be from Munich or Prague? Or can you do an open-jaw trip between Munich and Prague? This makes a lot of difference in the cost of your options and the transit times.
Jul 15th, 2013, 05:46 PM
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I have been to both areas (including Burg Eltz) and would recommend Prague. I went to Prague for the first time last month. It is the most beautiful place that I have ever been to. Even more beautiful than all the photos that I have seen. If you like World War II history, I recommend the two-hour WWII walking tour. One night, we ate at Konírna Restaurant and had the delicious Malostranský mega skewer for two people (shish kabob) and vanilla crème brulee according to the old French recipe for dessert. http://www.konirna.eu/cs/
With your love of history, I also recommend a day trip to Český Krumlov, Czech Republic.
With your love of history, I also recommend a day trip to Český Krumlov, Czech Republic.
Jul 15th, 2013, 09:14 PM
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Hi Again Bamafam-
I'm sure that you know you can stay 5 consecutive nights at a
Marriott for 4 nights worth of points. That being said, it looks like your most cost effective trip would be to fly into Munich and stay for 5 nights. Then catch the bus to Prague and spend 5 nights there. (Or reverse this itinerary.) You wouldn't have to rent a car at all. And you could take a couple of day trips from each city to break up the city overload. KL476 has a good recommendation for Prague- and you are probably familiar with day trips from Munich since you have been there before- Salzburg, Herren Cheimsee, Garmisch, Fussen, Linderhof,etc. The cost of a car rental for 1 or 2 days in Munich would greatly expand your daytrip possibilities from Munich.
If you decide to go to the Rhine, fly to Munich first and stay there for 5 nights. Rent a car when you leave Munich and turn it in when you reach your return airport, Frankfurt or Dusseldorf. You can usually rent a car for the same price for 7 days or 5 days so you could rent a car a day or so before leaving Munich to use for a day trip to Fussen, for example. Don't rent at the Munich Flughafen or Bahnhof in order to avoid the higher taxes, about 20%. The taxes are not imposed when returning the car, even to a Flughafen... FYI, I think there is a car park close to Burg Eltz so you don't have to do the 30 minute walk thru the woods from the lower car park if you don't want to (or if it is raining).
I have stayed at the Marriott in Wiesbaden. It is a typical good Marriott. I believe it would be more central for day tripping along the Rhine and Mosel than the other cities along the Rhine that you mentioned.
Have a safe trip...
I'm sure that you know you can stay 5 consecutive nights at a
Marriott for 4 nights worth of points. That being said, it looks like your most cost effective trip would be to fly into Munich and stay for 5 nights. Then catch the bus to Prague and spend 5 nights there. (Or reverse this itinerary.) You wouldn't have to rent a car at all. And you could take a couple of day trips from each city to break up the city overload. KL476 has a good recommendation for Prague- and you are probably familiar with day trips from Munich since you have been there before- Salzburg, Herren Cheimsee, Garmisch, Fussen, Linderhof,etc. The cost of a car rental for 1 or 2 days in Munich would greatly expand your daytrip possibilities from Munich.
If you decide to go to the Rhine, fly to Munich first and stay there for 5 nights. Rent a car when you leave Munich and turn it in when you reach your return airport, Frankfurt or Dusseldorf. You can usually rent a car for the same price for 7 days or 5 days so you could rent a car a day or so before leaving Munich to use for a day trip to Fussen, for example. Don't rent at the Munich Flughafen or Bahnhof in order to avoid the higher taxes, about 20%. The taxes are not imposed when returning the car, even to a Flughafen... FYI, I think there is a car park close to Burg Eltz so you don't have to do the 30 minute walk thru the woods from the lower car park if you don't want to (or if it is raining).
I have stayed at the Marriott in Wiesbaden. It is a typical good Marriott. I believe it would be more central for day tripping along the Rhine and Mosel than the other cities along the Rhine that you mentioned.
Have a safe trip...
Jul 16th, 2013, 12:18 AM
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As nice, peaceful and harmonious the Rhineland is with all it has to give, if you haven't been to Prague yet, I'll definately choose it over the Rhineland 99 of a 100 times. The weather should be great in late May as to Prague, while the last years have been pretty mixed in the Rhineland that I know.
Second you are really close to Prague when staying in Munich before. Third, I firmly believe Prague should be more interesting for an 8-yr old than a whole lot of smallish sights, which require you to travel by car quite a lot.
Second you are really close to Prague when staying in Munich before. Third, I firmly believe Prague should be more interesting for an 8-yr old than a whole lot of smallish sights, which require you to travel by car quite a lot.
Jul 16th, 2013, 01:14 PM
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Thank you, everyone! MaloBalo, I am curious to hear - what do you think are the interesting things about Prague for an 8-yr-old? I was actually wondering whether there would be enough for him to do there.
Jul 16th, 2013, 01:33 PM
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I believe he is going to enjoy being in one big city a lot more than getting on and off the car all the time. Second, the time in transit in the Rhineland is not much fun for a kid, unless you go to Fantasialand inbetween, which I don't think you plan on doing.
Next is the zoo in Prague, which is recommend quite a lot among a lot of people. I haven't seen the zoo myself though, so this goes by hearsay. Also Prague as a city with a lot of bridges, the old tram etc. should be more appealing to a kid. Obviously Prague is no Disney World, however, I'd still pick it over the Rhineland even for kids.
Next is the zoo in Prague, which is recommend quite a lot among a lot of people. I haven't seen the zoo myself though, so this goes by hearsay. Also Prague as a city with a lot of bridges, the old tram etc. should be more appealing to a kid. Obviously Prague is no Disney World, however, I'd still pick it over the Rhineland even for kids.
Jul 17th, 2013, 04:49 AM
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Thanks for the advice. I asked my son which option he'd find more appealing, and to my surprise he went for the Rhineland. That's the way that my husband and I were leaning as well, so it's unanimous.
I think we'll base in Wiesbaden - tentatively planning on 3 nights there.
Since Aachen is so close to the Netherlands and Belgium, it might be fun to hop across the border and explore for a couple of hours. Are there any border towns in either country that are especially charming, within a 30 or 45-minute drive?
I think we'll base in Wiesbaden - tentatively planning on 3 nights there.
Since Aachen is so close to the Netherlands and Belgium, it might be fun to hop across the border and explore for a couple of hours. Are there any border towns in either country that are especially charming, within a 30 or 45-minute drive?
Jul 17th, 2013, 06:00 AM
#12
I am sending this as I sit on a boat docked in Koblenz in the "Rhineland" and I've been to the Aachen Cathedral and to Burg Eltz....my advice:
don't even THINK about the comparison with Prague because IMO there IS no comparison: Prague offers so very much more to see and do and I can almost guarantee you will not regret the decision to go.
don't even THINK about the comparison with Prague because IMO there IS no comparison: Prague offers so very much more to see and do and I can almost guarantee you will not regret the decision to go.
Jul 29th, 2013, 12:23 PM
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Sorry, I haven't been around lately. As to Aachen, please, keep in mind, it's still a good two hours ride from Wiesbaden. As to worth stops nearby, I'd recommend Maastricht for half a day, on your way you could stop by Cologne, see the huge cathedral and maybe check out the chocolate musuem. That could be appealing to your kiddo, for sure.
On a side note, staying in Wiesbaden gives you the option to visit Würzburg as a day trip.
On a side note, staying in Wiesbaden gives you the option to visit Würzburg as a day trip.
