Hi - My family (parents in late 60s and brother and I) will be traveling to Munich/Vienna/Prague at the end of November into early Dec.
1. Any opinions on best of these 3 to fly into or out of? I have been to Munich airport but neither of the others. We will be traveling by train and staying 3-4 days in each city. My plan right now is to fly into Munich, train to Vienna, train to Prague and then fly out of Prague. I have been looking to flights (still a bit early i realize) and the prices seem to be comparable at all 3. Anyone have any thoughts/comments on that plan?

2. If you had to spend only 3 days at one of the above cities which one would you choose?

3. Any suggestions for B & Bs or pensions in old town in each of these cities would be appreciated. We've done a lot of travel in Itlay and we like that small, famiy run B & B feel w/moderate price. We will be in town for the advent markets and would like to be able to walk place to place. Thanks for any suggestions or comments anyone can make to get me started .

If you were going in warmer weather I say 3 day's in Prague but in the colder weather I would say Munich. More to do in Munich in the spring, summer.

Munich: Hotel Uhland www.hotel-uhland.de Always had a great time. 3 trips
Prague: Hotel Julian www.julian.cz Have Mikes Chauffeur Service pick you up at the train station.
Vienna: Nothing. Going there this Sept. booked room on booking.com

I second the suggestion for Hotel Uhland in Munich. Our hotel in Prague doesn't fit the family run b&b requirement, but it was a smaller hotel and had an excellent location - Hotel Savic.

Hi - Thanks for the hotel suggestions so far...here is my basic itinerary (still a work in progress)trip will be right after Thanksgiving during Advent markets)
Fly into Munich
4 days Munich (day trips Ludwigs castles and maybe Dachau and Nyphenburg)
Train to Vienna
4 days Vienna (day trips Bratislava and Melk)
Train to Prague
3 days Prague (day trip Kutna Hora or Cesky Krumlov)
Fly out of Prague
I know that's busy but my parents have only taken 3 big trips in their lives (including this one) and we like to get a variety of experiences...plus Dad is not good with museums so with the exception of major easily recognizable works of art (David in Florence, Vatican museum, Last Supper, etc) we skip them to keep him interested. Thoughts?

I wouldn't take a day away from Prague since you only have 3 days there and that's not much time. There is so much more to do in Prague than in either Kutna Hora or Cesky Krumlov, especially in the cold weather.

If you really want to leave Prague I would recommend Cesky Krumlov over Kutna Hora as it's a prettier town. Although I found the food there the least tasty so far in the CR.

take a look at my trip report on Vienna and Prague - do a search on "dark beer" - you'll find two copies

2. If you had to spend only 3 days at one of the above cities which one would you choose?>

Vienna and not because it is my favorite of them necessarily but because there is so much to see and do there - like taking the boat ride thru the Wachau Valley just upriver on the Danube from Vienna and the famous Heiringen (sp?) wine houses in Grinzing - the Spanish Riding School - the museums - the Prater's Big Wheel and on and on

For lots of info on trains in these countries i always spotlight these fab sites: www.budgeteuropetravel.com; www.ricksteves.com; www.seat61.com. Buying tickets as you go along is fine if you do not mind waiting in linen and are comfortable with a potential language problem in say Prague - trains are always available so do not worry about getting a seat.
I would fly out of any of them if i could get a direct flight home or one with the least changes.

Heiringen (sp?) wine houses in Grinzing ->>

that would be "Heurige" pal.

great places to drink wine, though, however you spell it!

"2. If you had to spend only 3 days at one of the above cities which one would you choose?>"

I would choose Munich personally. I enjoy it more than Vienna and it is very well located for day trips into beautiful towns like Mittenwald and Chiemsee, not to mention Salzburg.

I've always felt Munich itself was too popular with American tourists than it rates - many cities IMO are more old-world looking and offer just as much - Vienna and Prague were not decimated during WW2 like much of central Munich seems to have been - but yes there are great great day trips as kfusto mentions
Munich does have great world-class museums and beer gardens and other things but the city itself IMO would not rate three full days - again day trips kfusto mentions could make for a nice 3 days and like Dachau is just outside of town.

Palenque hints at a good point - go to Dachau . It is a heart wrenching moment, but with your family together it offers a perspective on our world which in the time we now live should not be lost. It will be a half day you will never forget. Balance it with time at Ludwig's or Nymph.