Germany and.....?
Dec 9th, 2012, 11:56 AM
#21
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Berlin 4 days, Berlin to Dresden 1 day, Dresden 1 day (2 nights), Dresden to Prague 1 day, Prague 3 days, Prague to Vienna 1 day, Vienna 4 days. Fly home from Vienna.
Obviously, the train rides to not take the entire day and give the opportunity to visit the destination point in what remains of the day. Dresden can be seen in one afternoon and a long morning the next day, at least for its major sights (the Green Vault, the Zwinger complex).
Obviously, the train rides to not take the entire day and give the opportunity to visit the destination point in what remains of the day. Dresden can be seen in one afternoon and a long morning the next day, at least for its major sights (the Green Vault, the Zwinger complex).
Dec 9th, 2012, 01:14 PM
#22
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Ok...we have decided to leave Vienna for another trip. Our preliminary itinerary is as follows:
Arrive Berlin...........drive to Dresden for 3 nights
Saxon....................2 nights
Drive to Prague......4 nights
Drive to Berlin........6 nights
The only thing we are unsure of at this point is if we are dividing the nights between Dresden and Saxon properly.
What do you think?
Andrea
Arrive Berlin...........drive to Dresden for 3 nights
Saxon....................2 nights
Drive to Prague......4 nights
Drive to Berlin........6 nights
The only thing we are unsure of at this point is if we are dividing the nights between Dresden and Saxon properly.
What do you think?
Andrea
Dec 9th, 2012, 02:35 PM
#23
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I am not sure where you mean when you say "Saxon" - Bad Schandau? Just for clarity, the general region is called "Sachsische Schweiz, which translates to Saxon Switzerland. The German federal state it is located in is called Saxony.
Bad Schandau is less than 1 hour from Dresden, so spending three in Dresden after arriving late from Berlin makes sense. You can arrive in the Saxon Switzerland area as early or late as you like on the day you leave Dresden so you have maximum flexibility.
Have you compared the cost of taking the train from Berlin to Dresden and both picking up and dropping off your car there? You won't really need the car those 3 days in Dresden so if the cost of the rental and parking for those 3 days is less than the cost of rail fare from Berlin, it might make sense to train to Dresden. It is likely that you can rent the car in Dresden and return it in Berlin for a nominal, if any, charge.
Bad Schandau is less than 1 hour from Dresden, so spending three in Dresden after arriving late from Berlin makes sense. You can arrive in the Saxon Switzerland area as early or late as you like on the day you leave Dresden so you have maximum flexibility.
Have you compared the cost of taking the train from Berlin to Dresden and both picking up and dropping off your car there? You won't really need the car those 3 days in Dresden so if the cost of the rental and parking for those 3 days is less than the cost of rail fare from Berlin, it might make sense to train to Dresden. It is likely that you can rent the car in Dresden and return it in Berlin for a nominal, if any, charge.
Dec 9th, 2012, 03:32 PM
#24
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Keep in mind that you will have to pay for parking. A car in Dresden proper and Prague is useless. If cost is an issue, you need to compare the cost of train tickets with the total cost of the car (rental + fuel + parking). viamichelin will include fuel cost and tolls with its itinerary (www.viamichelin.com ).
Dec 10th, 2012, 09:11 AM
#25
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Arrive Berlin...........drive to Dresden for 3 nights
Saxon....................2 nights
Drive to Prague......4 nights
Drive to Berlin........6 nights
Seems like a nice relaxed pace to me - Aramis makes a great point about taking the train to Dresden and saving a few days car rental and parking fees - return car when getting back to Berlin too as the public transport system there is so so great - hard to tour cities by car as Americans can often do at home.
But seems like a good plan overall.
Saxon....................2 nights
Drive to Prague......4 nights
Drive to Berlin........6 nights
Seems like a nice relaxed pace to me - Aramis makes a great point about taking the train to Dresden and saving a few days car rental and parking fees - return car when getting back to Berlin too as the public transport system there is so so great - hard to tour cities by car as Americans can often do at home.
But seems like a good plan overall.
Dec 12th, 2012, 02:24 AM
#26
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Thanks so much for all of your responses. So appreciated.
After discussing it with my family, I think that as soon as we land in Berlin, we will rent a car and drive from Berlin to Prague (about 3 hour drive), spend 4 nights, then drive to back towards Berlin, stopping in Dresden/Saxony (about 2 hour drive) for 5 nights and then drive to Berlin (about 2 hour drive) for 6 nights.
This way there is some relaxation and nature between the two larger cities. As well, we will have a car to explore the Saxony area and save quite a bit on train tickets for the four of us between the three areas. We will not need the car in Berlin, so we can drop it off as soon as we arrive from Dresden. The car rental fees are not as expensive as we thought they would be so it seems more cost effective and we will have a little more freedom.
Do you think this is better?
Andrea
After discussing it with my family, I think that as soon as we land in Berlin, we will rent a car and drive from Berlin to Prague (about 3 hour drive), spend 4 nights, then drive to back towards Berlin, stopping in Dresden/Saxony (about 2 hour drive) for 5 nights and then drive to Berlin (about 2 hour drive) for 6 nights.
This way there is some relaxation and nature between the two larger cities. As well, we will have a car to explore the Saxony area and save quite a bit on train tickets for the four of us between the three areas. We will not need the car in Berlin, so we can drop it off as soon as we arrive from Dresden. The car rental fees are not as expensive as we thought they would be so it seems more cost effective and we will have a little more freedom.
Do you think this is better?
Andrea
Dec 12th, 2012, 08:26 PM
#29
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Hi.....
As we would be getting off a cross atlantic flight to arrive in Berlin, we do not think it would be wise to stretch the drive time out more than the 3.5 hour drive to Prague.
Andrea
As we would be getting off a cross atlantic flight to arrive in Berlin, we do not think it would be wise to stretch the drive time out more than the 3.5 hour drive to Prague.
Andrea
Dec 12th, 2012, 09:54 PM
#30
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3 or 3.5 hrs drive time from Berlin (Tegel airport, I suppose) to Prague is a massively theoretical estimate.
While it is very easy to find your way, you will have a leg in Northern Czech where the motorway is not built yet plus the hassle to get into Prague. And if you arrive in the morning hours from the States, you will probably still hit the morning rush hour on the Berlin freeways. If you start after 10, it should be less of an issue.
A more realistic " door to door" estimate to get from Tegel airport to a hotel in the historic city center of Prague would be more in the vicinity of 5 hours (incl. a short stop en route of 30 min to grab a coffee).
While the car certainly is a good tool to explore anything outside Dresden in Saxony, you may want to discuss with your folks if driving the longest leg upon arrival in Berlin is really what you want.
A compromise could be to drive from Berlin airport to Dresden and start your trip with Dresden/Saxony first, then move on to Prague. And do the longest drive at the end to go direct to Berlin again.
If you need ideas for day trips from Dresden, google Görlitz. That town has not been hit by the war, neglected during the GDR decades, but is now restored to picture perfect beauty.
While it is very easy to find your way, you will have a leg in Northern Czech where the motorway is not built yet plus the hassle to get into Prague. And if you arrive in the morning hours from the States, you will probably still hit the morning rush hour on the Berlin freeways. If you start after 10, it should be less of an issue.
A more realistic " door to door" estimate to get from Tegel airport to a hotel in the historic city center of Prague would be more in the vicinity of 5 hours (incl. a short stop en route of 30 min to grab a coffee).
While the car certainly is a good tool to explore anything outside Dresden in Saxony, you may want to discuss with your folks if driving the longest leg upon arrival in Berlin is really what you want.
A compromise could be to drive from Berlin airport to Dresden and start your trip with Dresden/Saxony first, then move on to Prague. And do the longest drive at the end to go direct to Berlin again.
If you need ideas for day trips from Dresden, google Görlitz. That town has not been hit by the war, neglected during the GDR decades, but is now restored to picture perfect beauty.
Dec 13th, 2012, 06:25 AM
#31
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You could easily slice thru a bit of Poland en route to Prague.
The point being?>
Uh how about experiencing another country and culture? In case you have not been to Poland it is far different than either Germany or Czech Republic - a Slavish country not Germanic.
The point being?>
Uh how about experiencing another country and culture? In case you have not been to Poland it is far different than either Germany or Czech Republic - a Slavish country not Germanic.
Dec 13th, 2012, 10:36 AM
#32
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<i>Uh how about experiencing another country and culture?</i>
Yes and no. That area of Poland was German for 450 years. Although there was a transfer of population from eastern Poland to this area, from what I saw in Wroclaw there is little other culture evident for the tourist. But more to the point, does the OP have the time? A two day (?) drive-by of western Poland seems pointless.
Yes and no. That area of Poland was German for 450 years. Although there was a transfer of population from eastern Poland to this area, from what I saw in Wroclaw there is little other culture evident for the tourist. But more to the point, does the OP have the time? A two day (?) drive-by of western Poland seems pointless.
Dec 13th, 2012, 11:55 AM
#33
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Whether they have time or not is a question of course but to say that Poland is no different than Germany is IME just silly - I day tripped from Berlin recently to the nearest Polish town and it was a world of difference from Germany - and by all means not positively better but grimy and old eastern Europeanish.
And it need not be a major detour as Prague it about due south of where Poland and Germany meet - just to slice thru a tad bit of Poland and not go back the exact same way they came.
Yes that area was often German dominated and Poles once were a minority in places like Wroclaw but my understanding that once it became part of Poland many of those Germans, like in the Seudentenland of today's Czech Republic moved to Germany - I think this may have actually been a provision of the Potsdam Conference - I wonder how many Germans today live in this part of Poland? Maybe more than I think. Many I read also moved to Germany fearing reprisals after the war from Poles who justly felt an animus to all things German after the horrors inflicted by the Huns of them.
Perhaps I am wrong and that this part of Poland is just the same as Germany.
And it need not be a major detour as Prague it about due south of where Poland and Germany meet - just to slice thru a tad bit of Poland and not go back the exact same way they came.
Yes that area was often German dominated and Poles once were a minority in places like Wroclaw but my understanding that once it became part of Poland many of those Germans, like in the Seudentenland of today's Czech Republic moved to Germany - I think this may have actually been a provision of the Potsdam Conference - I wonder how many Germans today live in this part of Poland? Maybe more than I think. Many I read also moved to Germany fearing reprisals after the war from Poles who justly felt an animus to all things German after the horrors inflicted by the Huns of them.
Perhaps I am wrong and that this part of Poland is just the same as Germany.
Dec 13th, 2012, 12:18 PM
#34
I enjoyed Wroclaw. Perhaps just under four hours from Berlin.
Then Prague just another four hours from Wroclaw.
They do have two teens and perhaps they are staying in two German cities longer than teens want to be stationed.
Anyways, we have done these types of trips. It's doable.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wroclaw
Then Prague just another four hours from Wroclaw.
They do have two teens and perhaps they are staying in two German cities longer than teens want to be stationed.
Anyways, we have done these types of trips. It's doable.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wroclaw
Dec 13th, 2012, 02:10 PM
#35
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I also enjoyed Wroclaw (see my trip report) but I would consider Dresden above Wroclaw, it has more interesting museums (the Green Room, the Armory, the Folk Museum). Wroclaw was reconstructed as it was before the war, i.e. under German rule, and from what I saw of Poland, only one town qualified as absolutely ugly and shabby--but I did not see any industrial part of Poland.
Dec 13th, 2012, 02:51 PM
#36
'Only one town qualified as absolutely ugly and shabby'.
Not sure which town you are talking about, but that can be said about any town or city that the Rusians sequested and developed that is outside 'The Old Town.'
It certainly was not 'The Old Town' of Wroclaw.
Could be Budapest, Prague, Tallin, Riga, Vilinus, Warsaw or many others.
Not sure which town you are talking about, but that can be said about any town or city that the Rusians sequested and developed that is outside 'The Old Town.'
It certainly was not 'The Old Town' of Wroclaw.
Could be Budapest, Prague, Tallin, Riga, Vilinus, Warsaw or many others.
Dec 13th, 2012, 04:09 PM
#37
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I was talking of the towns we saw in Poland, and by that I meant that most of them were up to par to the western tourist standard: Krakow, Zakopane, Sandomierz, Wroclaw, Zamosc, Sanok and others, with one striking exception.
Having traveled in that part of the world years ago before the disintegration of the Soviet Empire, I have strong memories of eastern European shabby; and Poland has gone beyond that where it wants to attract tourists.
As for Nowa Huta, the grounds are not well kept, which might also reflect the interior of the apartments. But in its design and basic structure, it is not that different from housing developed in West Berlin in the 50s, particularly in the Britz area, or that different from the <i>cités</i> that were built in the <i>ceinture rouge</i> around Paris in the 30s--specifically le Plessis-Robinson (the buildings have since been replaced) and Chatenay-Malabry.
Having traveled in that part of the world years ago before the disintegration of the Soviet Empire, I have strong memories of eastern European shabby; and Poland has gone beyond that where it wants to attract tourists.
As for Nowa Huta, the grounds are not well kept, which might also reflect the interior of the apartments. But in its design and basic structure, it is not that different from housing developed in West Berlin in the 50s, particularly in the Britz area, or that different from the <i>cités</i> that were built in the <i>ceinture rouge</i> around Paris in the 30s--specifically le Plessis-Robinson (the buildings have since been replaced) and Chatenay-Malabry.
Dec 13th, 2012, 04:32 PM
#38
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Given the time that you have, I'd also suggest skipping Poland this trip.
I also don't see the point of driving what with the fantastic German train system. If you must have a car, then rent a car in the Czech Republic and drive around Prague out to the Czech countryside where there are plenty of castles to satisfy any teenagers. Return the car in Prague and train back to Germany.
I also don't see the point of driving what with the fantastic German train system. If you must have a car, then rent a car in the Czech Republic and drive around Prague out to the Czech countryside where there are plenty of castles to satisfy any teenagers. Return the car in Prague and train back to Germany.
Jan 2nd, 2013, 02:37 PM
#39
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Hi everyone....
Thanks for your replies. They are so helpful and informative for our family and for everyone else, I am sure.
OK.....We have now thought about this idea:
Spending 7 days in Berlin then taking a 7 day trip from Berlin to either Croatia or Sardinia, as we would love to mix in a warmer, "Mediterranean" type beach vacation into our summer plans that also have interesting sites to visit.
We are not sure which to choose. We have always wanted to see Dubrovnik and have heard that there are some very nice beaches in Croatia, not far from Dubrovnik, either on the mainland or on some of the islands that are not to far by boat from Dubrovnik. However, we have also wanted to see Sardinia, with its gorgeous beaches, great natural beauty and interesting old villages. Please help us choose....
As well, any recommendations on 4 or 5 star beach resorts and hotels in both locations would be appreciated.
Thanks again so much.
Andrea
Thanks for your replies. They are so helpful and informative for our family and for everyone else, I am sure.
OK.....We have now thought about this idea:
Spending 7 days in Berlin then taking a 7 day trip from Berlin to either Croatia or Sardinia, as we would love to mix in a warmer, "Mediterranean" type beach vacation into our summer plans that also have interesting sites to visit.
We are not sure which to choose. We have always wanted to see Dubrovnik and have heard that there are some very nice beaches in Croatia, not far from Dubrovnik, either on the mainland or on some of the islands that are not to far by boat from Dubrovnik. However, we have also wanted to see Sardinia, with its gorgeous beaches, great natural beauty and interesting old villages. Please help us choose....
As well, any recommendations on 4 or 5 star beach resorts and hotels in both locations would be appreciated.
Thanks again so much.
Andrea
Jan 2nd, 2013, 02:53 PM
#40
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<i>there are some very nice beaches in Croatia, not far from Dubrovnik,</i>
My recollection of the Dalmatian coast is that the first sandy beach we encountered going from Kotor to Postojna was north of Split, some distance from Dubrovnik. Otherwise we looked for a spot where we could jump into water deep enough to avoid stepping on sharp rocks.
My recollection of the Dalmatian coast is that the first sandy beach we encountered going from Kotor to Postojna was north of Split, some distance from Dubrovnik. Otherwise we looked for a spot where we could jump into water deep enough to avoid stepping on sharp rocks.
