Munich would be my choice, if only for a potentially better weather.

Hi Luv,

I wouldn't recommend either for a first-time visit.

However, if those are your only choices, I agree with M.

What would I recommend?

Fly into London - 4 days, train to Paris - 5 days, fly home.

Wondering why you'd pick either of those destinations for a trip in early April and for nine days. I'm all for not trying to cram too much into a trip, especially a first one, but I don't think either of those cities would be most people's choice for nine days and certainly not in early April.

Copenhagen is not exactly a 'side trip' from Stockholm. I actually did do them on one trip (in summer time) but flew between them and split the time. So I guess I'd vote for Munich and continue on to Salzburg and Vienna - maybe three days in each, travel between them by train - you have to take into account the time to travel between them so I'd arrange it so as to have less in Salzburg and more in Vienna. Maybe 3-2-4 so you could do a day trip to Bratislava.

But Ira's idea of London and Paris would be better for early April - there is plenty to see in both cities if the weather is bad, easy transportation between them. And of course Italy can be nicer weather in early April than either Munich or Stockholm and there is so much to see in Italy. A nine day trip there most people would split evenly Rome, Florence, Venice.

What is it that made you choose these two destinations?

There are a lot of places we could recommend for 9 days that would be great. I've been to both of these cities and although I liked them I did not love them enough to stay there for 9 days, barely 4 in each was fine for me.

Go look on a map - Malmo is not a day trip from Stockholm, it's a separate stop. The train trip is over four hours long. Malmo is a day trip from Copenhagen. Neither is a day trip from Stockholm.

Look, you need to realize that some people around here think PARIS hung the moon, stars, all the planets, and they have THE perfect hotel in mind for you too.

ALL of us love our favorite city.

I've been to both Stockholm and Munich and there is nothing wrong with Bavaria in the SPRING and you will have better weather than you will in Stockholm.

Also IMO there's a LOT more to see and do in that area and it is easier to GET to a lot of other places by rail or car from Munich, some of them you have mentioned.

I've been to Switzerland in April a place a lot of people kept telling me was going to be snow-covered...and they were dead wrong.

One other consideration...I think you would find Stockholm significantly more expensive than Munich. Cost it out....hotels, meals, beers....everything is probably a lot more.

For a first trip at that time of year, I would be more inclined to do Rome/amalfi area or Barcelona/Southern Spain where weather would be much more pleasant. Rouss

I like both Stockholm and Munich but for a first time to Europe visit I agree they are not the first cities that come to mind. London, Paris, Amsterdam even Brussels or Bruges might be better. It's Easter as well and Europeans have public holidays at this time so things are quite busy.

I went to Florence early one April couple years back and the weather was very pleasant. Day time temps in Stockholm and Munich are still cold at the moment, maybe MUC will warm up quicker than Stockholm by early April.

Thanks all!

The trip was originally planned for October of last year to celebrate my husband's 10th year of remission; unfortunately there was a major restructuring at work that coincided then. As for those cities, his late grandparents immigrated from Sweden and Germany/Poland. My mother-in-law is contemplating a move to London, so we were thinking about going there after she decides.

I also should have clarified Malmo as a possible overnight stop on the way to/from Copenhagen spending at least two nights there. *Sorry BigRuss

Stockholm seems amazing, but I was wondering about so much time in that region; and we would have a 55 minute layover in Amsterdam. Munich seemed to have several viable options for traveling on to other cities via train, and is a direct flight for us.

What are your recommendations while in Munich and Salzburg? I know Dachau would be on our list.

Hi,

I would pick Munich, mainly because of the weather in April. Suggested cities to visit from Munich (not as daytrips though but sidetrips with a few nights at the destination): Prague, Vienna or why not Venice?

If you are still considering Stockholm as a possible destination I would suggest:
Fly into Oslo - visit the Norwegian fjords on your way to Bergen - fly from Bergen to Stockholm and then fly out of Stockholm.
Or fly in to and out of Stockholm. Do Helsinki, Tallinn or Riga as sidetrips. There are overnight ferries, departing early in the evening from Stockholm to these three cities, arriving in the morning the following day. You have then two options; one day of sightseeing and returning with the same ferry in the evening or to spend a night or two at the destination before returning to Stockholm. Ferries are modern, convenient and usually have some good minicruise deals.

Stockholm is usually still quite cold in the beginning of April and don't be surprised if you get snow.

Also, Stockholm/Copenhagen/Oslo is definitely more expensive than Munich and the surrounding cities even though it is not THAT expensive as some people on this forum sometimes say. But you will find all Scandinavian capitals in the top of the "most expensive European cities". Prices for alcoholic drinks, taxis and public transport are considerably higher in Sweden than in Germany.

What are your recommendations while in Munich and Salzburg? I know Dachau would be on our list.

Whichever you choose, a guidebook might be useful in orienting yourself to the city.

For a first trip to Europe in April....? A no brainer...ITALY!!!

....but if it HAS TO BE either Stockholm or Munich...Munich.

BTW, when you say".... Prague, Zurich or other recommendations in the area.", you do know these are not day trips from Munich, right....?

Viajero2 - Yes, it would be easily one or two days, we would just need to return to Munich for our flight home.

*Sorry, nights not days.

Actually, I visited both on my first trip to Europe, although that was during June, not April.

You've already gotten some great info from people. To throw in my two cents:

If you visit Stockholm, combining it with Copenhagen and a 2 or 3 side trips (perhaps Uppsala and Roskilde and ?) could make for a leisurely and enjoyable trip.

If you visit Munich, you could probably add in Salzburg, perhaps Innsbruck and/or Luzern and one other major city (e.g., Vienna or Prague) (not necessarily in that order!)

As others have noted, Scandinavia will likely be more expensive and the weather probably won't be as good. And definitely invest in at least one (if not several) good guidebooks - you'll learn about things you never even knew to ask!

Whichever you choose, you'll see some wonderful places!

Stockholm nice city,
This is my experience
http://www.diego1999.com/article-malta-travel-information-116261606.html