I recently had a great opportunity to go travel Europe. My friend is picking me up from Munich, where I land- and then we'll go to Venice for the weekend(he has a car). I'm then going to have 4 days to myself. I've decided to go to Vienna, then Prauge, then back to Munich to meet up with him. He has Venice and Munich sightseeing taken care of, but I don't know what to see in Vienna and Prauge! Plus, I don't know where to stay, and suffice it to say, I'm on a shoestring budget. I've heard a lot about hostels, and I'd like some advice on good, cheap ones. Plus, what should I make it a point to see? What about night life? I'm going batty, so any and all advice is greatly appreciated!

How cool!<BR> My suggestion would be to go to www.lonelyplanet.com. It has info on hostels, nightlife, off the beaten track things...and I am guessing you are twenty-something, this site is probably geared more towards what you are looking to do. Their forum is called Thorn Tree and it is excellent. Hope it helps, have a blast!

Kristy beat me to it! I too was going to send you over to Thorn Tree on the Lonely Planet site. Also you might want to grab a Let's Go guidebook if they have a small one specific to Vienna and/or Prague. www.ricksteves.com is another quick place to check, although not quite as youthful or budget minded as Lonely Planet or Let's Go style. but good info.

www.bugeurope.com Usually has some reviews on all hostels. <BR><BR>www.hostels.com has good list but no/few reviews.<BR><BR>You should have no problem finding a hostel...

also try eurocheapo.com and eurotrip.com<BR><BR>have a great trip!!!

In Prague, you won't need to stay in a hostel, check out the Hotel Betlem also known as the Betlem Club www.betlemclub.cz/eonas.html. The hotel is just across the square from the Cloister Inn. While in Prague, go to Hradcany (Prague Castle), the Old Town Square, the Jewish Ghetto, Charles Bridge, Mala Strana, and Wenceslaus Square.

I can't figure out why your friend wants to dump you for 4 days without any advise, but when you get to Venice try to meet up with some travelers by spreading the word you are traveling solo and interested in Vienna and Prauge. You will have no problem finding new friends and fun times if you are open to people you meet and you go with the flow.

thats a lot of travel for 4 days...why not concentrate on just one...prague is fabulous...both by the way are very expensive..

I recently stayed at &quot;Hostel u Melounu&quot; (&quot;At the Watermelon&quot in Prague, and found it quite comfortable and very reasonably-priced. It's in the New Town, down the street from the Dvorak Museum, very close to subway, and about 10 mins walk to Wenceslas Square. Main sights to see in Prague with limited time are Prague Castle, Charles Bridge and the Old Town Square. You could easily spend the whole 4 days in either Prague or Vienna. Just from a budgetary point of view, your dollar/pound/ whatever will go much further in Prague.

Actually, I would go so far as to say that Prague is a cheap destination, definitely NOT expensive! as previous poster said. Certainly, in comparison to other European destinations, you can get by on much less here.

I agree w/Janine, Bienna is one of the more expensive places as is Venice. Prague will be a nice cheap break. Prague IS expensive compared to the rest of the Czech Rep. but certainly not in comparison to the rest of Europe. Go to Prague.

as to expense, i was referring to housing....i find hotel costs to be quite expensive...

thanks to everyone for you're great advice! I'll be staying with my friend in Venice, and he'll be footing the bill (very good). I'm then going to Vienna and Prague for 2 days apiece. Thanks again!