Crazy - Germany, Austria, Czech Rep Suggestions
 

Ok. I know we must be crazy. We are leaving from the midwest on Feb 26 through march 7. Here's the crazy part - we are taking our 2 small children on this adventure. Planning on being in Germany for 3 night, 2 nights in Vienna, 2 nights in Prague. We are renting a car for the entire trip. i am looking for any suggestions for must see/do and hotels in vienna and prague. i have gathered in prague. we should stay in mala strana or old town area. Does anyone know anything about Movenpick Hotel in CZ? or Artis or Messe in Vienna? Any suggestions are much appreciate. thanks

I have stayed at the Hotel Movenpick in Prague twice, the last being this past July. It is a large, westernized, clean hotel with spacious rooms, bathrooms and a nice breakfast buffet. The hotel funicular provides a great view of the city, and you can ride it up to the bar and have a drink in the evening. The metro station is nearby.

However, it is NOT within walking distance of the city center. I used the hotel taxi to take me into the city and arranged a time for them to pick me up. It worked well for me, and their fares were fair as compared to hailing a taxi on the street in Prague. Most people, myself included, prefer to be nearer the city, but it worked for me on two different trips to Prague.

Google the hotel and you can see for yourself the location, etc.

Have a wonderful trip. Vienna and Prague are great cities!

Prague: While at Prague Castle (one they'll remember forever), visit The Golden Lane, which has what would appear to be real clothing from the medieval times.
Vienna: Visit the Treasury; the Hapsburg clothing and jewelry (BIG) will be memorable for the kids.

Ditto on the Movenpick. Comfortable, because it's Western style, but too far to walk anywhere. You'll need a tram, metro, or taxi. If they have good rates, it might be worth it, but factor in extra $$s for taxi, public transit, and the time it will take to get around.

I don't think taking your two small children to Europe or going in late Feb/early March is crazy. But I'm sorry-- I really think your itinerary is the biggest issue, especially since it involves small children. I know you didn't ask for input about that, but perhaps these thoughts (based on experience) would be helpful.

Where will you be in Germany? It is a 4 hour drive from Vienna to Prague-- assuming no stops or problems. Check www.mappy.com or www.viamichelin.com for driving routes and times. If you leave Vienna at 9 am (after breakfast), you won't arrive in Prague until afternoon. Even though you have two nights, you'll really have very little time in Prague. And I suspect coming from Germany, you'll have very little time in Vienna as well-- just one full day. Packing and unpacking, checking in and out of hotels also chews up time you won't spend enjoying new places.

Think about whether you want to do all that driving to not have much time where you are going. (Also, you don't need a car in either of those cities. You might consider traveling by train instead.)

We have traveled in Europe many times with our daughter, beginning when she was 14 months old. And we have done a route similar to what you described-- 3 nights Bavaria-4 nights Salzburg-3 nights Vienna-3 nights Prague-3 nights Munich, which I thought was too much/too pushed.

Think about cutting out one of these destinations or choosing destinations that don't require so much travel to get from one to another. Small children do better based longer in fewer places (in my opinion anyway).

Kathy

Thanks for the suggestions on itinerary. We are flying into Germany so we can't cut that - but what? Vienna or Prague? Any thoughts

Where will you be in Germany? Where are you flying into-- and then out of?

And what are you and your family most interested in seeing and doing? (It sounds like Vienna and Prague interest you-- does that mean you are mostly interested in cities?)

How old are your children?

That would help others suggest alternate itineraries for your family.

Kathy

Whether the itin is too ambitious or not depends on the kids. When I was a youth if I was on the car for more than half an hour I'd be puking my guts out and/or complaining "Are we there yet?" But my kids are absolutely amazing. They can entertain themselves for hours by playing video games, sleeping or amazingly, by reading, in the car. A 5 hour trip would be nothing for them.

In any case, I would suggest taking a stop or two after every two hours of driving. Not just for the kids but for your sanity too.

how we have our IT planned - we do plan on stopping every couple of hours. We are definately on the go couple/family. And realize we may only see 1 or 2 things of utmost interst in each place. We are not patient enough to sit for a coffee for 2 hours. More like grab food and go on. Our kids are 1 and 2 and travel by car very well. Last year we went on an Alakan Cruise and they did great. Just past Oct we drove to New Orleans - 8 hours and only stopped once both coming and going.
Arriving on 27, night in Nurenburg, driving down staying in Munich 1 night, GP 1 night, (now thinking GP 2 nights instead of Munich)
Day 4 driving towards Wein, stopping in Salzburg
Day 5 Vienna
Day 6 Driving to Prague - stopping in ceske Budejovice for a while
Day 7 Prague
Day 8 driving for Frankfurt, stopping in Dresden and possibly staying the night in Eisenach - hotels in Frankfurt are mostly booked.

I have mapped it out and our longest drive is about 3 hours.

Also, I read on Saturdays in Wein there a fleemarket held in Naschmarket - does anyone know anything about that? Is it just in the summer or year round?
Thanks for all the input
We are some what history buffs, but mainly looking for a nice flavor.

Maybe I should step out of this one, because I have a totally different approach to traveling. I like to be places... not in the car watching the scenery out the window. Each of the cities you've identified as so much to offer, especially if you are interested in history. There are some wonderful museums too.

I do see that your kids are very young and pretty much along for the ride-- not really going to experience much themselves. But even though it will be winter, do take time to play in a park and seek out some kid-friendly places.

Good luck to you.

Kathy

Kathy -
thanks for your input. It is much appreciated.

Have you reserved your car? Are there problems with taking it into CZ? Also, If you have not bought your airticket yet you could save some of thd driving by booking open jaw into Nuremburg and out of Prague.

I have a car reserved. There were no problems taken it CZ although I had to pay extra to take it there. Our Credit Card covers the insurance. I got a great deal on the air ticket and booked the trip before it was all the way thought out. We had to make a decision on the air quick.