If you are still interested in famous authors, read Christopher Isherwood's The Berlin Stories before visiting Berlin and then visit the streets he wrote about. (The Berlin Stories were the basis for the musical Cabaret.)

Also don't fail to visit the plaza of the Unter den Linden in Berlin where all the books were burned to see the very unusual memorial to the event that is there. Getting a guided tour of the Reichstag is also incredibly illuminating.

Also don't fail to visit those parts of Berlin that have preserved the history of the wall (the Mauer). It is just as interesting as the Nazi past of Berlin.

Thank you for your suggestions, WillTravel. However, I already tried those alternatives.

It's too much time involved in the detour and also the additional cost for the train to get me to Berlin or any of the three cities, would cancel the gains of flying a low budget airline.

Flying Czech Airlines, with not much more added to the cost, helps make maximum use of the time, given the circumstances. And less travel to reach the destinations.

That's how I came to such an itinerary, with two stops in Dresden on either way.

I'm taking notes of your suggestions, fall06. Thank you.

Are you planning to go to either of the palaces in Potsdam while you are in Berlin?

Yes, Dukey.

One day is for Potsdam and another is for Schwerin.