Can't Miss Cities for First-Time 20-something Females
 

Along with two other female friends, I will be travelling to Europe in August. We are going for about 10-12 days. My first idea was to do Munich, Zurich, Salzburg, Vienna, but I am concerned it will be too touristy, and will not give me a good feel of the region. I absolutely love to travel, and am looking for suggestions of cities that I must see in this area (this area could include any priorities in Benelux, Switzerland, Austria, and Germany).

I greatly appreciate any help from anyone who has been to these countries and has suggestions.

Thank you so much

Seems to me that Amsterdam has held its culture pretty well intact, despite the hordes of tourists.

Munich will be very touristy in August. The Marienplatz' only locals will be those working there.

Prague is a nice city, with easy public transportation access, and small in size. Most of the local restaurants I went to last fall were reasonable and non-touristy.

My first thought upon reading the thread title was Prague but there will be throngs of tourists there are there will be in almost all European cities. But you 3 will also be tourists. To get away from tourist you will need to find some small towns that are not easily accessible to tour buses and independent travelers using standard train connections. But then you won't have the cultural advantages.

I think the problem is that you want to visit cities. You won't get a feel for a region unless you also visit some smaller towns.

If you have 12 days I recommend Prague, Vienna, and Salzburg. If 10 days then Vienna and Salzburg with a trip to smaller towns such as St. Gilgen or Hallstat, both accessible via public transportation.

I travel every year and I don't worry about there being too many tourists except for places like Rothenburg (and then only during the day) or Munich in the Marienplatz when the Glockenspiel plays.

I just don't think it matters whether there are lots of tourists. I doubt that the number of tourists will make much difference to your appreciation of the cities you visit. All these places are big cities and they will be busy whether it's tourist season or not.

Zurich is the last place I'd visit again. It's boring. That's just my opinion, of course.

When you are traveling, remember that it will take half a day to a full day to move from one city to another. I think your choices of Munich, Salzburg and Vienna are good choices. Prague is lovely,, too.

Perhaps you need to think of this trip as dipping your toe into European travel. Assume that you will be back and that you will be able to go to smaller towns and get more of a taste of the country and its culture.

I greatly appreciate your comments! If I were to narrow it down to this selection: Fussen (desperately want to see Neuschwanstein Castle, Munich, Innsbruck, Salzburg, Vienna, Hallstat, is there one that could be eliminated? Or could I do them all?

>>>>> I absolutely love to travel,

Where have you been on your travels this far? And what is it that you liked about those particular places?

Oh, the nostalgia of the phrase "first-time 20-somethings"..... but you gotta start somewhere.

Do you speak German? because your itinerary would require it if you don't want to be with the tourists.

What's wrong with a classic First Trip to Europe which would include 4 days London, 4 days Paris and 4 days Amsterdam?

Advantages....these are real cities with plenty to do and not just tourist attractions. Plus English will work fine, and you have great train links which reduce the travel hassle so you can go city centre to centre. Fly into London, take Eurostar to Paris and then TGV to Amsterdam and fly home from there.

Is it possible that you don't know how to compute the travel time between the destinations? If using train, www.bahn.com, and if by car www.viamichelin.com, can tell you how much time is used up by moving around. Add at least 30min at departure and arrival and you can easily compute how much time is left to explore the destinations. You can then decide if what is left is acceptable to you. If not enough time, you need to eliminate destinations.

You cannot visit 6 locations in 10 days because there is travel time between towns. And don't short change Vienna. You could probably see Fussen, Munich, Hallstat, and Salzburg in 10 days.

I realize it's hard to choose but you're only in your 20s and have a lifetime to see Europe. Don't spend your vacation time in transit between towns and have less time left to actually see the towns. Less is more when traveling.

I have been to all those places as a tourist and don't think I have any problem having felt the real vibe of them, particularly if it your first time visiting them--or perhaps even first time in Europe.
"Immersion" is not possible in 10 days. Pare your trip down and really enjoy it--then you'll know where to revisit another time.
I really think you will find these places "exotic" and wonderful. ALSO do remember that not all "tourists" are Americans. Believe it or not, Europeans do travel to other cities for their holidays.

I would eliminate Innsbruck. I would totally recommend Hallstatt!

Personally, I find Salzburg to be way too touristy for my taste. There are other Alpine towns that I far prefer, including Innsbruck. I think another great option would be Dresden, Germany. You could do a 10 day trip by train, visiting Vienna, Prague, and Dresden, and then flying open-jaw out of Berlin. I think Vienna has world-class museums, culture, music, and a great wine region, then Prague is great for sightseeing, ambiance, though lots of tourists, and Dresden will be more off the beaten path.

If you are really wanting to go to your favorites, don't short-change your dreams. London, Paris and Rome are the big three, but not necessarily YOUR big 3.

Munich has a lot to offer whether it is touristy or not. The glockenspiel isn't the only sight in town. The Bavaria ticket on the train lets upnto 5 people travel anywhere in Bavaria after 9 am for €29.

It is a beautiful loop from Munich to Fussen back by the Wiesse Kirche, Oberammergau, Schlos Linderhof, Garmish, Mittenwald then down through the Tyrol to Bertschesgaden and Salzburg. From there you could head to Vienna or Northern Italy. This is best done in a car. The roads are good and the driving is easy.

Be sure to book your flight open jaw ( into one place, home from another) to save backtracking.

It sounds like the beginning of a great trip. Have fun planning then take lots of pictures while you are there so you can enjoy it far into the future.