Megane

PalenQ, I like this topping idea

Wow, guys. So much useful and informative ideas and advice. Thanks so much to everyone.

Lubitsch, we enjoy museums, art, architecture, quaint towns and just about everything that goes along with a European vacation. We also love to walk as we find this the best way to really get to know the culture and people of the places we are visiting.

I should add that I have been to Berlin before but my husband has not so I thought it was a good way of him being able to get a taste of this great city, which I thought was wonderful.

But with twelve days (we decided to add an extra day to this part of our trip), maybe we should narrow things down:

- Four days in Prague
- Three days in Dresden (one day trip to Meissen)
- Five days in Nuremberg (three-day trips to discover Franconia)

Ingo, would we be doing Meissen justice as a day trip?

Pariswat, I'll have my husband call you for some advice

Isabel, we will consider flying from Nuremberg to Athens if the drop off charge for the car is not too high. Also, where are you planning to visit in Greece? We still have not decided where to go. We have considered driving through the Peloponnese or Macedonia or flying to either Rhodes or Crete.

Thanks

PalenQ

Isabel, we will consider flying from Nuremberg to Athens if the drop off charge for the car is not too high>

Or just take the few-hour train ride Prague to Dresden and rent car when leaving Dresden itself?

isabel

I agree with Pal about renting the car in Dresden.

Megane - how much time do you have for the Greece portion? Have you been anywhere in Greece yet? Last year we did 8 nights in Crete and loved it - had two bases Chania and Reythmnon, rented a car for three of the 8 days. I had been planning on Rhodes for this coming trip but decided that July was not the best time to go there - too many 'package tours' and cruise ships. So I'm putting it off till I can go in spring or fall when it sounds like it would be much more pleasant. So I'm now planning on several Cyclades islands (Santorini, Folegandros, Milos and Sifnos). A previous trip we did Santorini, Naxos and Paros which is a great combination. I found flights on both Easyjet and Ryanair from several cities in Germany to Santorini and Crete (and Rhodes).

Megane

Palen, great idea! That will work.

Isabel, We have not been to Greece yet. Every time we plan to go, we end up somewhere else.

We will have eight or nine days in Greece. We were leaning initially towards an island or two (or one if we go to Crete) but then read up on the Peloponnese or Macedonia. What do you recommend?

Thanks again...

Ingo

Yes, one full day in Meissen is enough to cover the highlights. I'd rather be concerned about the remaining little time to do justice to Dresden!

isabel

8 nights is what we had for Crete last year and really enjoyed it, good amount of time. Here's my trip report from that trip:
https://www.fodors.com/community/eur...ith-photos.cfm

But that would also be a perfect amount of time for Santorini, Naxos and Paros - a combo we did nine years ago and which is a popular combo for good reason. We had 2 nights in each but you could easily add a third to any/all of them or do a couple nights in Athens. I've not been to Macedonia but we did a bit of the Peloponnese and enjoyed it - but not as much as the islands. Here's that trip report:
https://www.fodors.com/community/eur...rip-report.cfm

Photos of Crete - http://andiamo.zenfolio.com/f320347206

Megane

Thanks so much Isabel. Those reports are great and detailed and so very helpful and your pictures are wonderful.

We have chosen Crete. It has everything we want...history, beaches, small quaint towns and it's big enough so we don't have to travel to another island. We may have to ask a few questions on Crete, if that's OK.

My husband really wants to see Berlin. I am thinking we spend 4 days in Prague and 4 days in Berlin. It's the middle 4 days we are having trouble with.

Nuremberg looks wonderful and gives us the ability to at least see some of Franconia.

My question is:

Should we spend the 4 days in Nuremberg or Dresden?

Thanks.

Ingo

Definitely Dresden. It's right on the way between Prague and Berlin and has more to offer.

PalenQ

Well yes for 4 days in one city Dresden but Nurnberg is a great base for those other towns you have. It's Bamberg, Rothenburg and Nurnberg 4 days vs 4 days in Dresden with one in Meissen.

Dresden is great as any town but I think 2 day in Dresden would be enough for many. And Berlin can always use more days. Factoring in travvel time and relocating hotels you really have 3 and 3.

Megane

I hope you all do not get too upset with me, but we are now thinking of cutting down the number of days in the Czech Republic from 12 to 7, cancelling Germany, and spending more time in Greece (two weeks).

We would spend the seven days in Prague, take day trips to visit the countryside and the smaller towns of the Czech Republic, then fly out of Prague to Crete, spending a week, then taking a ferry to Naxos and Santorini, then flying home from Athens.

p.s. we also considered going to Zakynthos, Kefalonia and Corfu instead. They also look wonderful.


Thanks

PalenQ

Suggest you start a separate post if wanting takes on Greece. Good move IMO at that time of year when northern Europe is so dark, often dank and ususally dreary.

Megane

Hi PalenQ,

We are going in June/July

PalenQ

Oops got threads mixed up - anyway cheers.