Two couples plan to spend 3-1/2 days in Prague and 3 in Berlin on our trip November 22-30.

We older folks are satisfied with spending 3 full days in Berlin. However, the younger couple would like to daytrip or overnight in a smaller town within 2 or 3 hours by train from Berlin. If a daytrip, they'd probably go on the 27th. If overnight, they'd probably stop somewhere on the night of the 26th instead of going all the way to Berlin that evening with us. Then they'd come to Berlin the next afternoon or evening.

They are open to anything in terms of what they like to see and do, but want to visit a smaller German city or town with a more traditional "feel" and look about it.

Can anyone suggest a town within a 2 or 3 hour train ride from Berlin that looks and feels old-timey, traditional, etc.--AND would have enough open sights/activities in late November to keep one occupied for a full day, and possibly an evening?

Erfurt is one possibility (and the Christmas market opens on the 27th).

Potsdam is located some 30 km from the center of Berlin, but a town of its own.
For some more: http://www.potsdam.de/cms/ziel/26822/EN/

On the way from Prague to Berlin, consider a stop in Dresden (well, for Saxony, this is not a smaller town, but the capital).
Here some more: http://www.dresden.de/index.html?node=12248 Cons: Dreden can be done in an hour, but it is worth a weeks stay at least.

So, for a smaller town, maybe Meissen (some 20 km from Dresden) qualifies. It is located at river Elbe, known for its chinaware maufacture, famous for its castle (origine of the house off Wettin, later kings of Saxony) and its cathedral. The city or town center is quite pittoresque, there you will have that more traditional look-and-feel which will enable you see a contrast or a different look towards Berlin.
Here some more: http://www.touristinfo-meissen.de/Ge...illkommen.html
http://www.meiland.de/dom-zu-meissen/index.htm

I agree with the previous poster. Meissen is perfect IMO. Small town, castle, cathedral, porcelain manufacture should be enough to keep the younger folks busy. Also wine tasting. And strolling/shopping in the picturesque old town. For the evening even a visit of Dresden is doable (45 min. by local trains, every hour through the night). Opera? Dancing? Concerts? etc.

Erfurt is also not bad. Nice small city, well preserved but IMO already too big for small town feeling.

Thanks, I'll pass these suggestions on for them to research.

RTF

Guten Tag: Herr RTF and Herr Ingo,

I loved my visit to Dresden and Ingo was a great help. I would go back to Dresden at the drop of a hat.

I also enjoyed Berlin.

If your younger friends want to more small town feel, then Gorlitz might be a great place to visit. It is around a 3 hour train ride from Berlin. (Not sure when the Christmas Markets start in Gorlitz.)

BTW, RTF - I didn't make it to Bamberg this year, I opted for Bayreuth instead. Bayreuth is nice, but it's not Bamberg.

Near Erfurt is the town of Weimar. It has a nice old town area to explore... Schiller lived there... the Hotel Elefant is historical in its own right and is located right on the market square. I think Weimar might be more picturesque than Erfurt.

Also, on the border with Poland is the town of Goerlitz which is definitely "old-timey and traditional."

The town of Wittenberg for those interested in Martin Luther might be an option for a day trip, as well.

Lovely. Thanks everyone. All the suggestions are being considered. I'll keep checking back.