mardee1000

Hi, I will be flying into Prague in early September on a solo trip. I have 15 days (I arrive on 9/3 and leave on 9/18 from Prague) to spend. My goal right now is to spend 3-4 days in Prague, take the bus to Cesky Krumlov for a day or 2, then take the train to Munich. I'd like to spend 5 days in Munich and the surrounding area, then head through Austria to Vienna (possibly stopping in Salzburg - although I'm worried that it will be terribly touristy) for the last 4-5 days (with the last day spent heading back to Prague for departure).

Anyway, I'm looking for suggestions for places to visit in and around the 3-city loop I will be traveling. Also, I'm trying to decide if I should rent a car at any point. I'm fairly well-traveled and have driven in Europe before, but I prefer public transportation since it's usually easier, especially when I'm traveling alone. However, the scenery looks so beautiful that I'm thinking it would be nice to spend a few days leisurely driving and making stops along the way out in the countryside.

I do have one problem - I have a bad fear of heights and find it difficult to drive in very high places (I once went 6 hours out of my way to avoid driving over Wolf Creek Pass in Colorado). So I want to make sure I avoid anything like that.

So does anyone have any suggestions for sections of the trip that would be good for driving? Also, suggestions for picturesque places to visit as day trips from the 3 cites - or as I go from point to point?

mardee1000

Oops, sorry about the subject heading - it was supposed to be "Prague, Munich and Vienna and pts. in between" but my fingers were faster than my brain and wiped part of it out.

lindy27

From Munich there is Neuschwanstein Castle by Fuessen. I've here there are nice walking trails there. The Berchtesgaden area between Munich and Salzburg is also scenic. I am researching an Austria trip and it looks like Hallstatt is a scenic, small town that I think we will stop in.

I probably wouldn't drive in those locations. But I'm a person who would I'd rather see the scenery from a train window or on my 2 feet.

memejs

I've found that an open jaw ticket (flying into one city and out of another) is actually cheaper than a round trip - in my case round trip into Vienna. You might want to check that out so that you don't have to make that last train trip back into Prague.

saige

You're visiting some wonderful cities! There is so much to see and do in all of them. Have you scheduled time to visit the Deutsches Museum in Munich? Depending on your interests, it could take all day. It's comparable to the Smithsonian in content.

gruezi

Dear Mardee,

Your itinerary sounds wonderful. I love all the places you'll visit. I also have a fear of heights so I understand. However, when traveling in Europe I train everywhere. It is so relaxing and you can really enjoy the scenery. Have you considered that?

gruezi

joeallsopp

Salzburg (although it is a bit killed by the tourist tat in all the shop windows), Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Mittenwald are worth a look. They are beautiful. You might be in Munich when they have the Dachauer Volksfest - its like the Oktoberfest but without the tourists and the beer is really cheap.

Saige is right about the Deutsches Museum - its gigantic.

Hope you have a great trip,

Joe

JulieAgain

Hi mardee1000. Don't know if you are interested in some info I found while researching siteseeing for our upcoming trip -

Re: Vienna -
1. Melk seems to be an interesting day trip via boat/train transport.

2. KORNEUBURG - 11 ¼ miles NW of Vienna; for castle lovers, BURG KREUZENSTEIN with storybook turrets & towers; falconers show with eagles & falcons taking flight, hunting, & returning to the trainer’s arm; at least twice a day April thru October on Tuesday thru Saturday at 11am & 3pm & Sun 11am & 2pm & 4pm - phone 01/283-0308; E7; to Korneuburg from Vienna via the S-Bahn to Leobendorf; ¾ hour hike up to the castle; www.kreuzenstgein.com

3. If you prefer not to drive, I got this from Rick Steves book - Johann (John) Lichtl, English speaking; driver/guide; 0676-670-6750; does day trips or rides to/from airport

Re: Munich -
1. Salzburg - day trip by train
2. Oberammergau - 1h, 50m w/1 change at Murnau; www.oberammergau.de; Luftlmalerei (painted houses); 18th century); woodcarving; Christmas Passion Play every 10 years.

Have fun, Julie

molker

Skip Kreuzenstein - this is a 19th century construction to imitate former castles- not the real thing. It is very isolated and involves an extended walk from any public transport or even from a parking lot below.

Stift Melk and the surrounding areas of the Wachau are well worth a days outing from Vienna.

www.wachau.at

mardee1000

Thanks for all the great information! I'm still planning, but a friend is now joining me for the Germany part of the trip. So I think we're going to rent a car in Munich for 2-3 days and drive in a loop heading down to Ettal, Oberammergau, Fussen, then up to Ulm, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, then to the east down towards Eichstatt and back down to Munich (probably stopping at Dachau before we turn it in. I was hoping to get to Mittenwald, but I think it's just too much (I'm already sort of pushing it).

Then after she leaves, I will head for Austria and try to see Hallstat and Salzburg on the way to Vienna (by train), and will have 3-4 days once I get to Vienna, with maybe the opportunity for a day trip.