Central European train travel
 

my wife and I are landing in Hamburg in early May. We want to train over as far east as Cracow Poland stopping at Prague along the way. we want to head south from Cracow down to Budapest and then over east to Vienna. my question is. Is this possible to do within 2 weeks? are there any more small towns worth going to? Are there añy really scenic byways to travel on? Is that too much time on the train because I do like traveling, and looking at the sites pass by. should we stay in the old town of the city and are there any other cities along the way that we should go to.
also, I want to dress appropriately and not look like the standard American tourist. There any hints on style you can give me?

Why did you tag this for Serbia?

You want to go Hamburg-Prague-Krakow-Budapest-Vienna (which is west of Budapest, not east)? And all in two weeks? Yeesh. Each of your proposed stops could be worth staying anywhere from 4 nights to a week and you (1) want to add more, (2) want to take LONG train rides (Prague-Krakow is 7-8 hours, Krakow to Budapest is longer), and (3) add ADDITIONAL stops?

Do you want to drive? If so, the drop charge for a rental will be high ($350 or more) and the car will be useless in the cities and the rental company may restrict what countries you can visit in its vehicle (Prague has a reputation as a car thief paradise).

Why do you care about not looking like the typical American tourist? American tourists dress better, and in better quality clothing, than central Europeans. And who are you trying to impress, people you've never met and won't remember you? You're an American, you have nothing to be ashamed of.

I'm guessing your "scenic byways" question referred to driving. Otherwise it made no sense - scenic byways by train means traveling on slow local routes, not main lines and that would add numerous hours to your already long time on the train.

I have a correction, I meant to say Frankfurt not Hamburg. and no, I'm not ashamed to be an American I just want to be well dressed. I just want to know what people are wearing over there.
Has anyone been on especially scenic train trips in that area of the world?

we land in Frankfurt at 830 in the morning. we want to take a train for 2-5 hours long and stop at a town along the way to Prague. any suggestions for a nice German towns to stop in and have our first layover?

Nurnberg is a neat larger town about that far and from there the best way to Prague is by DB bus not the train - Nurnberg is easy to get to and has easy access to Prague the next day. For lots on European trains check these IMO superb sites: www.bahn.de/en - German Railways official site for schedules for all European railways; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com and www.seat61.com - investigate the Eastern European Railpass which lets you hop on just about any train in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Poland and Austria. Much cheaper for you if you go the railpass route than any Eurail Pass I would think.

I have travelled by train from Budapest to Zagreb, to Sarejevo to Mostar and the hire car to Dubrovnik and it was fabulous . Great scenery , truly local trains and variety of people .
You can also travel from Budapest to Belgrade by train - that way you would go to Serbia.
You really need to decide what places you want to see, how you are travelling and how long in each place.

There are tons of scenic small and medium sized medieval cities and castles as well as scenic riverside (Elbe, Danube) and mountain (Fichtelgebirge, Erzgebirge, Riesengebirge, Tatra) areas along your itinerary. But you will need your 2 weeks for somewhat decent visits of Prague, Krakow/Wielicka, Budpest and Vienna/Wachau and will have no time for more.

<<I just want to be well dressed.>>

What does this mean? This isn't the 1950s anymore. Casual dress is the default. The exceptions are when you're going to an exclusive club or restaurant. The last thing you need in former Warsaw Pact Central European countries that all lag their former NATO "enemies" is to be dressed like you're coming from Saville Row.

Understand this: The Russian tourists tend to be dressier than the average Central Europeans; the Poles and Magyars cannot stand Russians; Czechs are a bit more ambivalent. You're far better off being clocked as an American than being mistaken for a Russian.

Czechs are of course Bohemians!