Please help me choose between Vienna and Prague
 

My husband and I are planning a trip for next May and already have the first portion of the trip planned out. We are flying into Munich and will drive to Berchtesgaden (near Salzburg) for 5 nights. We have 4 more nights and are having difficulties choosing between Vienna and Prague as our next destination. We have never been to Prague and have heard great things about it on this board and from others. We have been to Vienna; however, we were there in February for 2 nights and it was beyond cold. We spent most of the time trying to keep warm and feel that we didn't really capture all that the city had to offer. We didn't do the Schoenbrunn Palace (sp?) because it was too cold to walk across the park to get to it, and a few of the museums that we wanted to do in the Hofburg were closed.

We both like history, strolling around the city, fountains, cafes, and general sightseeing. Neither of us are really into art or art museums. We would fly open-jaw into Munich and out of either Vienna or Prague, depending on which we decide on. Based on the information above, which would you prefer?

Thanks!
Tracu

Sorry...that was supposed to be "Tracy" not "Tracu"!

I was in Prague and Vienna last early March. Weather was wintry in both places. In my opinion, Vienna was okay, Prague was WONDERFUL. For me, Vienna's major assets (aside from Schonbrunn Palace and the Hofburg) are its art museums, though they are not my favorites. Since you're not into art that much, give Prague a try.

Hi tc,

You can't lose, whichever you choose.

I was just in Prague in September - it is quite a beautiful city -easy to walk around. But beware, the people (not tourists) are for the most part, not very friendly - and in some instances quite rude. (and this is coming from someone who lives in NYC) However, if you can put up with that - the city, in and of itself is quite spectacular.

I haven't been to Vienna but when I was trying to decide between it and Prague everything I heard and read made me feel Prague would be more enjoyable. And it was wonderful. I have to totally disagree with that last post, the people were fine. I don't think I met anyone who rude. I don't know what jadotto is talking about.

I've been to both cities and found the people to be friendly in both; never had any problems with rudeness.

Prague has a much more "medieval" feel and look to it (at least in the older parts of the city which most people visit) than Vienna which impresses (me) as much more "grand." This "medieval look" is probably one of many reasons why Prague has been used in some many period ("Amadeus" for example) and not-so-period ("The Bourne Identity" in which it "doubled" for Zurich) movie exteriors. There's a lot of baroque adornment, gold leaf, etc., inside the various churches, etc., and the castle complex might interest you even if you aren't "into" art or art museums.

I would think the weather would be pleasant enough in May.

Have a great trip.

PRAGUE! PRAGUE! PRAGUE!

I have been to both cities, and Vienna can't compare to beautiful Prague.

You can read my trip report on Prague by typing PANCAKY PAPERS into the search box on this site.

Cheers,
John G.

both cities are so different. vienna so regal.. prague so unique .. that its "cuteness" is almost artificial somehow. it is so "darling" i could help but think.."Is this how things USED to be?".

it certainly is a charming town.. no doubt. I would imagine it also has the most chance of changing for the worse in the future(commercially),so, the sooner you go , the better.

I've never been to either, but I'd rather go to Prague if it were my choice.

Vienna is nice, but Prague is great.

I concur--Prague is unique !

Have been to both. Spent 10 days in Prague and I think about a week in Veinna. If I could go back to only one of these I would choose Prague.

Ordinarily, I would pick Vienna in a heartbeat over Prague (even in winter--it's my favorite time to visit Vienna and I'm going back for 12 days in late Feb), but you'll be visiting Munich and Salzburg, and you've already been to Vienna, so Prague is of course the most sensible choice.

Prague! I visited both on the same trip in October and I'm ready to go back to Prague asap. You're visiting Salzburg, so I think Prague would be a nice contrast. I found the people, food, music and contrast of sites to see wonderful in Prague and overall my stay there was better. I have a trip report as well, if you click on my name...

Have fun whichever you choose.

BTilke:
Back to Vienna again this winter?
You are quite the aficionada, enjoy it!

Hi Elaine, well I go to the European Congress of Radiology every year, which is held in Vienna in March. So I always stick a week's vacation beforehand. I love Vienna, I love a city in the snow, and I get a vacation with some of the costs (transportation, some of the hotel) picked up by someone else!

yes, now I recall, you and the other radiologists booked up thousands of hotel rooms last March. 8-)

Wow! Thanks for all the responses! I do believe that Prague it is! We did really like Vienna but we both like ancient history and medieval towns so Prague seems like a great choice.

Thanks again!
Tracy