Hello. I am just starting to plan a trip to Europe. A friend is living in Munich and I plan to visit in mid-August for a week or so.

With Muncih as a starting point, I'd like to make trips to other cities, ending back in Munich/Berlin to fly out.

What sort of route would you suggest?

I'd like to see Vienna and Prague. Would you recommend Bavaria/Alps or the Black Forest?

Open to suggestion. I have searched the forum, but was hoping to gain some additional opinions. (Hotel recs., other info would be appreciated!)

Thanks.

PS: Would like to focus on this area as I have traveled extensively to other parts of Europe. Thanks.

You can't end the trip in Munich and Berlin. Until you decide where to end up, you might not see many responses because your question is too open-ended with a myriad of possible answers. "A week or so" doesn't give me many clues, either.

Nonetheless, I'll tell you what I would do in such a trip. For a circular route to other CITIES, which you specified, I'd do the following:
-Munich, then east to Salzburg, then south to Spittal, then west to Bressanone, then north to Innsbruck, then back to Munich.

If you want to see Prague and Vienna, I'd suggest this route:
-Munich, then east all the way to Vienna, then northwest to Prague, then southwest to Regensburg, and back to Munich. And if you wish to end the trip in Berlin, go from Prague directly northward to Berlin rather than returning to Munich.

Hope this helps. Good luck.

How much time do you actually have? there's no way you can do Munich, Prague, Vienna and Berlin in one week - you would be on the train the entire time.

Do you have any particular interests? Art, architecture, history? Do you like quaint towns, or big bustling cities? You could explore the Romantic Road of Bavaria, or you could go to Austria and visit Salzburg, which is worth a couple of days by itself. Please elaborate on your interests and what you hope to see in the region.

How are you traveling? Train or car. Fairly close to Munich you will find Salzburg, Breteschgaden, Garmish, Mittenwald, Oberammergau and the Ludwig castles in Fussen (Neuscwanstein and Hohenschwangau) as well as Linderhoff and Herren Cheimsee. You will want to get a map and see how far you want to wander.