jtb52

We will be flying into Vienna in October and staying for 3 nights. We need to then be in Berlin in 6 days. We thought about taking the Westbahn train to Salzburg and staying a night or two. That just leaves 4 days. My question is this....would anyone suggest possibly just one night in Salzburg, and then what would you suggest for the next 5 days. We've been to Munich, but many years ago. I think the Oktoberfest is in September and we'll be there in October. We like beautiful scenery, hiking, castles, wineries etc...would even like to do a day trip on one of the rivers. Once we get to Berlin we are spending time there, going to Dresden and Prague and then over to Geneva. Thank you.

PalenQ

the Fussen area should be gorgeous in fall - lots of nice hikes plus the famous castles.

but from Salzburg you can take postal buses to the fabled Lake District (a k a The Sound of Music Country) - St Wolfgang would make a sweet base and spend a few days there.

Easy day trip from Salzburg or Munich goes to Herrenchiemsee - Mad Ludwig's Herrenchiemsee Castle - the Bavarian Versailles built on an island ina lovely lake - train to Prien for boats to the island. Again a beautiful area.

From Dresden you can take a day trip along the Elbe River and Saxon Switzerland - one of the most gorgeous river valleys in Europe - trains track right along it.

for lots of info on trains check www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.

Dukey1

Frankly, given the choices you've mentioned, I would take the train from Vienna to Prague as opposed to spending one night in Salzburg. You could take the train onward to Dresden and then Berlin.

You are correct that Oktoberfest begins in late September and runs into October (make hotel reservations yesterday).

Do your day trip on the Danube out of Vienna.

nytraveler

I'm not clear about how many nights you have in total. Much as I Iove salzburg - and I think 3 nights (2 days) there would be great - one in the city and in the lakes/countryside - it's hard to tell if you really have time for it.

Heading straight from vienna to Prague would be more efficient based how many nights you have.

PalenQ

You are correct that Oktoberfest begins in late September and runs into October (make hotel reservations yesterday).>

Octoberfest begins in mid-September and ends early in October - used to be in October but was moved, I read, to September for better weather. the world-famous parades occur the first two days and IME of seeing them, are a real highlight - they go from central Munich to the fair grounds where with great ceremony the first keg is tapped.

http://www.oktoberfest.de/en/article...dar+2016/4412/

PalenQ

The Wachau Valley part of the Danube just west of Vienna is awesome - some boats have bikes I think that can be used to cycle between docks along one of Europe's primo biking routes.

Dukey1

Yes, Pal, we already know about the Oktoberfest timing.

jtb52

Love all these ideas! Thank you. Am now thinking of driving (after Munich) from Ausburg to Wurzburg (along the Romantic Road) and then take a train into Berlin. Any suggestions about the Romantic Road would be appreciated. Thanks!

PalenQ

There is also the Romantik Road bus that stops in some key towns along the way for a short or long look - no need for car to drive the Romantic Road (which IME it hardly romantic but a name conjured up by the German Tourist Office years ago - the towns just off the Romantic Road are romantic but the busy road itself is meh).

Romantik Road bus goes from Fussen or Munich to Wurzburg via Augsburg, Dinkelsbuhl and Rothenburg and Nordlingen.