So I think we've decided to just see Germany this trip so that we actually get time to enjoy it instead of constantly being on the move, I've already decided to see Berlin and Munich.
We're into shopping and seeing all the old architecture like the palaces and some museums.
Any recommendations?

<just basically learning about other cultures without being too touristy>

That's all the more reason not to try to go all 4 places in only 2 weeks. If you truly want to "live like a local" for a short time, then do an apartment rental, best picking just one place, rent for 2 weeks. I'd choose Paris myself.

Oops, missed your latest post. OK Berlin and Munich, one week each, rent apartments both places.

Once you are there things like shopping, seeing architecture, going to museums will be very easy to figure out.

I wanted to check in on you, after a few days, and am surprised you ''seem'' to have narrowed it down to just Germany, which wasn't even on the original wish list. Surprised, but not disappointed. Germany is very easy to travel in. Great train system, again use the DBaun site for rail travel planning.
Key in Germany on this site, and read every thing you can about Germany, and what you might be interested in. As suggested above, I agree with Cologne as a great destination, but I also love Munich.. Berlin is also of great interest. You might also want to put in some time along the Rhine or Mosel Rivers. I also agree with shopping for your food, during the day, rolls, cheese, etc. Yes, to taking plastic utensils, cork screw, a small pack of paper plates, and some zip lock bags in assorted sizes. Soda's and bottled water can cost more than beer, from my experience. Drink local wines. Also, don't expect to find everything in the food stores to be pre-refrigerated, and ice cubes will be challenging to come by. Good Luck, girls.

Alright, thanks everyone for your advice, it really helped!

You may or may not have a money problem, but IMO you certainly have a TIME problem with 4 major destinations and just 2 weeks. If you still want 3 countries, it's possible.

I would probably drop London on the basis of cost there and time and transport expense to the continent.

Transport: You don't need a rail pass to visit 3 cities.

Let's say you fly to Paris. RER train into the city. Not too expensive for that short trip. 5 nights there, which is about 4 days. ONE DOWN.
TBC...

Fussgaenger : The OP has changed her plan/wish list.

>>So I think we've decided to <u>just see Germany</u> this trip <<

What would you guys suggest for traveling within Germany?
Easiest route, which train station, how much does a ticket generally cost?

You might want to start a new thread? Since you questions are completely different than this one started out.

"I think we've decided to just see Germany this trip..."
"I think" indicates a measure of doubt. But from erica's last comment it seems she's actually moved on to just one country, somehow.

"I've already decided to see Berlin and Munich. We're into shopping and seeing all the old architecture..."

Berlin and Munich offer palaces and museums but they were also postwar rubble heaps. They do not have much "old-world" architecture left... if that's what you're hoping to see you probably ought to stop off in one of the UNESCO World Heritage cities and in some of the small towns that survived WW II nicely.
Bamberg is on the route between Munich and Berlin: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/624
Regensburg might work too: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1155
Iphofen photos: http://www.stadtbild-deutschland.org...&threadID=2985
Bad Windsheim: http://www.schulz-gaestehaus.de/imag...m_Altstadt.jpg .... http://freilandmuseum.de/startseite/information-en.html

Heidelberg escaped much destruction so is its pristine old self

https://www.google.com/search?q=heid...FYQ2JgodD7gGcg