Steve07

Hi all,

I'm planning a trip to Munich around around November or early December once the Christmas markets are open. I'll have 4 nights (3 days) beforehand and am having a tough time deciding where to spend them. I'm not super into arts and theatre, but I do appreciate food, architecture, culture and just strolling around soaking up the sights and lifestyle.

My options right now are:

1. Vienna and taking the train to Munich. It also crossed my mind to add a day in Salzburg on the way.

2. Prague and then fly over to Munich

3. Mallorca. I know it's not really beach weather, but saw a great deal on an all-inclusive. Even if that means strolling around or lounging by the pool. I know it's still fairly mild compared to the rest of Europe so I thought maybe mixing the climate up a bit to get the best of both.

4. Dubrovnik/Split. Same deal as Mallorca, a milder climate and visit some of the old towns and soak up the sights and scenery

Any recommendations or opinions?

Thanks in advance

J62

How about Bavaria, or nearby Salzburg

BDKR

Hi,

I'd rule out 3 and 4. Too far from Munich, too much extra flights for only 4 days. Mallorca can be very nice in the off season if you like walking and exploring, but Dalmatia is a bit dead in winter. Much better to see it in fall or spring and worth 1-2 weeks.

1 and 2 are both good options, but there is no reason to fly between Prague and Munich. You can take a train and if you're lucky you may see some snow covered landscapes(not likely, but possible).

https://www.seat61.com/trains-and-ro...e-by-train.htm

Cowboy1968

Where are you coming from?
Will it be as easy to get to Prague from your home town as to Mallorca or Vienna?
If you think Mallorca, I'd rather stay in Palma than in some (at that time of the year) probably half-dead all-inclusive resort.

Steve07

I'm flying in from Montreal. So Vienns would be the only direct flight from here

Cowboy1968

I guess that would also speak in favor of Vienna, i.e. your plan #1.
If you wanted to add a warmer destination to escape the cool/ cold weather (probably not really cold by your standards) of late fall,
I would rather spend those 4 days in Sevilla. That part of Spain is the only region in Europe where even in December, temps around 20C would not be unusual. Mallorca can be much more rainier in late fall. But that will obviously depend on availability of flights and costs for airfare. Sevilla to Munich is a 2 1/2 hours flight - though I don't know if there will be nonstop flights on the date you will need to travel.

Fleur_de_Lis

Go to Prague - you'll love the medieval architecture, and it's a very walkable city. Also the Christmas markets are great there.

katepcoss

I suggest visiting cities that are just a train or bus ride distance. You don't have much time to play with in only four days.

My suggestions are visiting other cities in Germany that are close by like Stuttgart or Karlsruhe (much smaller but a beautiful town), and if you want to visit other countries than Salzburg (Austria), is very close by, also Prague (Chech Republique) and Zurich or Basel (Switzerland).

Steve07

Any recommendations of nice (not too expensive) hotels in Prague and Vienna? I'm still looking at the logistics to see what would fit best.

Are there any areas or districts that I should keep away from (dirty, dangerous); or any that I should try to find a hotel near? I'm assuming that the areas near the main train stations are a little more run down or aren't the best?

Thanks

Cowboy1968

In Vienna, there are few areas I would call seedy, and none that qualifies as "dangerous".
The immediate vicinity of Praterstern and Westbahnhof (both have subway stops so you can find them on a map) would not be my favorite place to stay. OTOH, the immediate neighborhood of Wien Hauptbahnhof (Vienna Central Station) has been built from scratch, as well as that central station, a few years ago. So that neighborhood is not seedy, but rather bit dull.
I think most visitors try to find hotels in the historical first district (zip code 1010). I find that hotels usually cost too much, though I understand it's tempting to stay in the very center. Otherwise, I find any hotel in the single digit districts from 1030 to 1090 (third through ninth district) worth considering. As long as you have access to public transport nearby, which you usually have, As a rule of thumb and with some room for simplification: "poshness" of districts increases from 3 to 9. The outer edges of those districts, especially along the "Gürtel" or the second ring road are not so cosy.
The double digit districts (10 through 23, or zip codes 1100 through 1230) are usually bit too far away, especially the outer parts of those districts.
You can see a map of the Vienna districts here : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Districts_of_Vienna

Steve07

So my plans changed a bit (1 day less in Munich). I'm thinking about:

Day 1: Arrive in Prague
Day 2: Prague
Day 3: Prague in the AM and then PM train to _____
Day 4: ____
Day 5: Train from _____ to Munich
Day 6: Munich (Newschwanstein day trip)
Day 7: BMW Tour in the AM and visit friends in the afternoon/evening and check out the Christmas Market at night
Saturday: Hang out in the AM and flight home in the afternoon

I'm trying to figure out somewhere that I can fit for 1 to 1.5 days between Prague and Munich. I'm hoping to travel by train, to soak up the scenery and views. I believe the train has a stop in Nürnberg but the Christmas Market there won't be open at that time. Is it still worth a stop in Nürnberg or is there another town to see? I would really like to experience a small Bavarian town and read a lot about Regensburg or Rothenburg and wanted to get some opinions on either of those; or if there's another picturesque traditional town I should make a point of visiting for 1 night.

Thanks again for all your input

jacooper

kja

Only 2 days in Prague? I felt rushed with 4 full days there, none of which were jet-lagged.
Only 2 days in Munich, one of which is for Neuschwanstein? I wanted 4 full days for Munich, and didn't find time to leave the city.
It depends on what you want to see and experience, and I wonder if you are sure you'll be able to do that with this schedule.