Munich/Prague or Brno for 10- 14 days
Oct 4th, 2015, 05:13 PM
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Munich/Prague or Brno for 10- 14 days
Hi everyone,
I'm starting to plan a first-timers trip for myself, my husband, my brother (all in our 30's) and my 63 y.o father for the fall 2016, preferably 10-14 days. Hubby wants to hit Munich for Oktoberfest and my dad's family is from/still in Czech Republic (Horní Újezd specifically), so we want to spend some time there - thinking of using Prague as our "home base" even though Brno is closer to Horní Újezd.
We've considered a Trafalgar "Imperial Europe" tour that's 10 days, but it seems like that may be too rushed(though if anyone has been on that, please give your thoughts). Our plan right now is to fly direct from Houston to Munich (there's a 4 pm - 9:05am non-stop) and I was thinking 4 days in Munich, 5 days in Prague then maybe a day or two somewhere else? We like the idea of driving places or taking a train, but we have no clue if that's too much/too little in these spots. We also don't want to miss out on something that could be cool that we just don't know about it.
We are intentionally leaving my mom at home because we are the types that like to explore (she's more regimented, haha), so please let me know if you think there are things that we have to see or if you think my timing for this isn't quite right.
I'm starting to plan a first-timers trip for myself, my husband, my brother (all in our 30's) and my 63 y.o father for the fall 2016, preferably 10-14 days. Hubby wants to hit Munich for Oktoberfest and my dad's family is from/still in Czech Republic (Horní Újezd specifically), so we want to spend some time there - thinking of using Prague as our "home base" even though Brno is closer to Horní Újezd.
We've considered a Trafalgar "Imperial Europe" tour that's 10 days, but it seems like that may be too rushed(though if anyone has been on that, please give your thoughts). Our plan right now is to fly direct from Houston to Munich (there's a 4 pm - 9:05am non-stop) and I was thinking 4 days in Munich, 5 days in Prague then maybe a day or two somewhere else? We like the idea of driving places or taking a train, but we have no clue if that's too much/too little in these spots. We also don't want to miss out on something that could be cool that we just don't know about it.
We are intentionally leaving my mom at home because we are the types that like to explore (she's more regimented, haha), so please let me know if you think there are things that we have to see or if you think my timing for this isn't quite right.
Oct 4th, 2015, 06:38 PM
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"We've considered a Trafalgar "Imperial Europe" tour that's 10 days"
These locations should be very easy to visit on your own, even as travel newbies, and I think you are correct in your impressions about timing -- most tours are a bit more rushed than some of us prefer. Do some research, consult some good guidebooks (always a worth investment, IME, and you can browse some at your local library to get a sense of which seem most useful to YOU), and come back with questions. I think you will find that Fodorites are very generous in sharing their knowledge, especially with people who have done a bit of work on their own and ask informed questions.
"I was thinking 4 days in Munich, 5 days in Prague then maybe a day or two somewhere else?"
I think that's a great starting position, one which you can tweak as you finalize your plans! You will likely have a bit of jet lag that first day, so you might want to plan for a short day and give yourself as much flexibility as you can for that day. For the rest, depends on what YOU want to see and do!
Public transportation in these areas is excellent, so you might opt against a rental car unless you have very specific interest that would require one -- and without doing any research, I readily admit that Horní Újezd could be one of them. If you do rent a car, consider renting it for the shortest possible time, if for no other reason than it's nice for the driver to be able to fully enjoy the scenery. And taking public transportation can be a delightful way to see locals in their own environment!
"please let me know if you think there are things that we have to see or if you think my timing for this isn't quite right."
My experience in travel tells me that every one of us travels for different reasons and at different paces, so my VERY strong advice is to hit the guidebooks. NONE of us can tell you what will win your hearts! Once you've done some research, some of us might be able to offer comments that will slap you back to reality, expand your options, or otherwise inform your choices.
The good news is that you should be able to have a GREAT trip -- enjoy!
These locations should be very easy to visit on your own, even as travel newbies, and I think you are correct in your impressions about timing -- most tours are a bit more rushed than some of us prefer. Do some research, consult some good guidebooks (always a worth investment, IME, and you can browse some at your local library to get a sense of which seem most useful to YOU), and come back with questions. I think you will find that Fodorites are very generous in sharing their knowledge, especially with people who have done a bit of work on their own and ask informed questions.
"I was thinking 4 days in Munich, 5 days in Prague then maybe a day or two somewhere else?"
I think that's a great starting position, one which you can tweak as you finalize your plans! You will likely have a bit of jet lag that first day, so you might want to plan for a short day and give yourself as much flexibility as you can for that day. For the rest, depends on what YOU want to see and do!
Public transportation in these areas is excellent, so you might opt against a rental car unless you have very specific interest that would require one -- and without doing any research, I readily admit that Horní Újezd could be one of them. If you do rent a car, consider renting it for the shortest possible time, if for no other reason than it's nice for the driver to be able to fully enjoy the scenery. And taking public transportation can be a delightful way to see locals in their own environment!
"please let me know if you think there are things that we have to see or if you think my timing for this isn't quite right."
My experience in travel tells me that every one of us travels for different reasons and at different paces, so my VERY strong advice is to hit the guidebooks. NONE of us can tell you what will win your hearts! Once you've done some research, some of us might be able to offer comments that will slap you back to reality, expand your options, or otherwise inform your choices.
The good news is that you should be able to have a GREAT trip -- enjoy!
Oct 5th, 2015, 09:16 AM
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There are two Horni Ujezd villges in the CR, one sort of in-between Prague and Olomouc, the other near Trebic. I think you mean the latter since you reference Brno. there isn't a rail station there, so not sure how you'll get there. You'll have to drive if you really want to go there. There is a train from Brno to Trebic, takes about 90 minutes. And Trebic is only about 10 km from Horni Ujezd. Trebic has a few hotels or places to stay, you could stay there if you had a car. Or you could take the train to Brno and rent a car there, I suppose, otherwise you'd have to transfer trains at Brno to get to Trebic. But if you rent a car at Brno, you still might want to stay in a smaller place for ease.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%C5%99eb%C3%AD%C4%8D
Or you could stay in Telc, it isn't too far away and is a UNESCO Heritage city. http://www.telc.eu/lang/en
YOu can't get a train directly to Telc from Prague, either, though.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%C5%99eb%C3%AD%C4%8D
Or you could stay in Telc, it isn't too far away and is a UNESCO Heritage city. http://www.telc.eu/lang/en
YOu can't get a train directly to Telc from Prague, either, though.
Oct 5th, 2015, 11:35 AM
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Munich to Prague is best done by bus - quicker as trains take a slow less direct route - www.bahn.de/en for advance purchase fares with a nice discount. Trains in Czech Republic are dirt cheap - the local trains and at times not all that comfy but will get you to where or near to where you want to go. For lots on trains in central Europe check www.seat61.com - good info on discounted tickets from bahn.de' www.ricksteves.com and www.budgeteuropetravel.com.
Oct 5th, 2015, 03:24 PM
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You must tell the boys how superior the Czech beer is to anything found in Germany (I'm not a Germanophile). I didn't find Brno to be very interesting, tho' I did get lovely garnet earrings and a ring there. That was a long time ago. Just be sure to leave enough time for your village because that will be great fun. On a recent trip I visited my grandfather's village, now in Slovakia, and wish I could return.
