First Time to Europe-Itinerary Help
 

Although this my first post, I've already earned so much from reading other posts an replies. I've been able to arrow down the skeleton of our trip thanks to some great advice given to others. That said, I'm looking for thoughts and opinions on our panned fall 2013 honeymoon.

We are planning on going to Munich, Prague, and Budapest between 9/20/13-10/04/13 (this includes travel). We will fly out of Chicago on 9/20, and land in Munich around 10:00 am on 9/21. We will fly out of Budapest the morning of 10/4. Our only "must do's" are both in Munich -Dachau and Oktoberfest (fiancés request). Other than that, we are open to suggestion. My questions are as follows:

1. How much time is needed in each city?
2. Do we have time for any day trips? If so, where?
3. What are the best palaces/castles to hit in each city? I know there multiple in each city, but I don't want to feel like we have to see each (unless they all warrant a visit).
4. Same question for churches. Which are standouts? Museums?
5. Any guided tours we shouldn't miss? Or are we fine with a map and guidebook?
6. We'd like to do one "top shelf" meal in each city. Any recommendations? We are both adventurous eaters, so there are no limits on type of cuisine.

A bit about us, if it helps with answers. We are both in our early 30's, and in good health (walking long distances is no issue). We both love history, art, culture, and food. I especially have an interest in WWII history (undergrad concentration), and we both enjoy fine dining a well as throwing back a few in the local bars. We are greatly excited about ths trip, and welcome any and all advice and suggestions!

Nymphenburg/Amalienburg in Munich: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...th/4284860977/

The monastery library in Prague: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...57623046345988

I strongly encourage you to invest in at least one, if not several, good guidebooks - you will learn things you would not even have known to ask about. For your planned destinations, you might want to consider the books by Fodor's, Frommer's, the Rough Guide, and Baedeker's.

You'll see some wonderful places - enjoy!

@Michael-hadn't heard/read much on the library, so will definately look into that a bit more. I'm assuming you recommend Nymphenburg over the Residenz. I was leaning that way, as there seems to be more to see on the palace ground. Maybe just visit the Treasury at the Residenz?

@kja - we have a few guidebooks (Fodors, Steves, Moon), but between those, the travel websites, and the trip reports on here, it's almost overwhelming! I will continue to pour through past trip reports on here and other places. Thank you for your reading recommendations. I will definately look into those we don't have!

going by train or car?

@PalenQ - we are planning to go by train, but nothing is set in stone.

Yes, if you have to choose between the Residenz and the Nymphenburg, definitely the Nymphenburg. And just the Treasury at the Residenz.

Well if going by train then be sure to check out these IMO fantastic sources for planning a rail trip - www.budgeteuropetravel.com; www.seat61.com and www.ricksteves.com - there is a European East Railpass that lets you hop on any train anytime valid in Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland and Hungary - especially if desiring first class travel, to me always recommended for folks carrying luggage and desiring more comfort than in an often crowded second class - the pass in first class is a great value vs regular first class tickets I believe.

1. How much time is needed in each city?
2. Do we have time for any day trips? If so, where?

you are traveling for 14 days, take away a day for the flight over and getting home that leaves 12, 4 days each city. You are going to be going on pure adrenaline the first day, a day and night at the beer festival, and a day trip to Dachau the next morning would be sobering. Day 4, you have to ask your self do we travel early or sight see and travel late?

You can't do it all, have fun with whatever you do :-D

If an interest in WWII, I suggest that you go to Terezin outside of Prague. Terezin was different from Dachau and we did both on the same trip and found them both quite interesting.

Here is a link to my trip report along with pictures. We were only in Munich and Prague, not Budapest.

http://www.fromhometoroam.com/catego...ublic-austria/

Dachau is so easy to reach from Munich via the S-Bahn and a connecting bus from the Dachau S-Bahn station to the Memorial - easily done in a half day - not much remaining in Dachau but these sites are often overpowering just in and of themselves and the horrors once committed there - not really that long ago, sad to say in a so-called civilized country by so-called civilized people!

I don't think that anyone would claim the Nazis were civilized people.

If you are going to Prague from Munich, you might find taking the bus is fewer hours. www.eurolines.com Takes five hours.

> we have a few guidebooks ..., but between those, the travel websites, and the trip reports on here, it's almost overwhelming!

I can certainly understand that feeling! There is a point during my planning for each trip I've taken when the information overload feels crushing. I've learned to take a few deep breaths, remind myself that I prefer to make planning part of the fun, and step back until I can approach the issue with enthusiasm again.

You've gotten some great advice already: You won't be able to see and do everything on a single trip, but you will see and experience some wonderful things. Give some thought to your priorities, be prepared for some unexpected moments, pack your senses of adventure and humor, and you'll have a great trip. And you still have plenty of time to learn more, narrow your options, and ask lots of questions.

I always leave my trip plans a little flexible - at least not planning everything down to the minute - leave a little room for serendipitous encounters and I've always though that what is in between every famous church or site is what I like most in Europe - taking the metro to Tube is as fun as the place I am taking it to - people watching, etc.

Do not over plan IMO!

> Do not over plan IMO!

LOL, PalenQ! I over-plan SO thoroughly that I have back-up plans for when I'm running ahead of schedule and when I'm running behind schedule and even when I can't find my schedule.... And what all those plans do is to give me the freedom to ignore my plans. Seriously! I feel absolutely free to take advantage of any and every unexpected, but interesting, opportunity I encounter because I've already thought through my priorities. BUT - and this is key - I'm one of those people who really, REALLY enjoys planning a trip - so if anything, coming up with all my back-up plans is a self-indulgence.

So my advance is to plan to the extent that you are comfortable doing so, think through your priorities to the extent that doing so helps you get excited about your upcoming trip, try to avoid letting planning become stressful, and then let yourself enjoy every moment, whether planned or not, on what will undoubtedly be a truly wonderful and memorable experience.

Thank you all for your replies. I'm sure I'll be back in the next few months with more questions as we finalize plans!