Hi there! My husband & I are planning a 3 week trip in September, & we are trying to decide between Krakow & Vienna. We are definitely hitting Prague & Budapest & trying to decide on our third major city. Any advice? THANKS! Jennifer

That is a tough question. Both Vienna and Prague are very interesting cities. If shopping is a big thing for you, Vienna wins hands down. <BR> <BR>I would suggest visiting both. Assuming that the palces you mention are the only places you are going on your three week trip, 4 stops gives you about 4 full days in each city, a day trip from each, and about half a day for travelling between. <BR> <BR>Most posters seem to have too many stops planned for their trip. I think you can easily fit all 4 in.

I have been to both Vienna and Krakow. Although Vienna is a beautiful city- it does not have the same charm as Krakow. I found Krakow to be unique, and if you have the chance to see it,I would take it.In the city spend time in the stare miasto (old town) and visit the castle on Wawel Hill where all past Polish kings are buried. Recommended visits would include Wieliczka- an amazing salt mine, and Auschwitz - a moving experience. For further info go to www.explore-krakow.com

Vienna, Prague and Budapest are all from the same empire so somewhat similar. However, Vienna was in the West always, Prague caught on to capitalism much faster than Budapest so the differences among them are interesting. I love Vienna because there is so much to see and do. <BR>Krakow is much smaller, has a old town that has been there for centuries, has good day trips to Zakopane (resort village in Tatras Mountains), Auschwitz/Birkenau Concentration camps and the Salt Mines. It is less expensive than Vienna but both have good bargains. Krakow is a different city than Prague and Budapest so more contrast. You can't go wrong with either and you could do all 4 as they are not that far apart.

I did a Prague-Vienna-Budapest trip several years ago, and think that Vienna would be a more appropriate third major city. These three are in the same historic vein, but each will offer you a very different window into central/eastern Europe. Krakow is a very different place; in the interest of continuing with the theme, if you will, I'd say Vienna.

I don't know your age, but if you're in your 60s or older, go ahead and do Vienna. It's the "safe" choice, i.e. the conservative one. <BR> <BR>If you're under 60, it's no contest. Do Krakow.

Thx for help! Our starting city is Frankfurt, unfortunately all connections to Krakow (train is 14.5 hrs!) & Krakow train to Prague (2nd city) is 12.5 & flites are connections. Still trying to fit it all in -- curious as to the under 60 do Krakow vs. over 60 it's Vienna rationale & of course, any favorite hotels in Krakow, Prague, Vienna, Budapest? Thx to all.

Have been to both Vienna and Krakow and my husband and I are over 60. Krakow is a very safe city and easy to travel. We traveled on our own, took only public transportation and had no problems. As far as which city to visit-they are both great! We took a train from Krakow to Budapest and it seems like it took 8 to 10 hours. I could never pick one place over the other-I suggest see one this trip and plan to visit the other on another trip. You can't make a wrong decision.

When I was in Krakow, I went to Auschwitz, as well as seeing the Remu synagogue and the architectural remnants of what was a thriving Jewish community. That really overshadowed everything else for me. Perhaps it would not have the same effect on others.

Check nethotels.com for good hotels/pensions in all but Krakow. For it, try polandhotels.com or hotelsinpoiland.com <BR>My favorite place in Vienna is Hotelpension Arenberg (part of Best Western chain), has that posh Vienna feel, 4-star, is inside the Ring, 2-minute walk to U-Bahn and 5 minutes to Stephensplatz, has homemade muslei for breakfast, pleasant staff, bath as well as shower & toilet, paid $50 for 1 in December, 2000. The other nice one is Hotel Drei Kronen, 3-star, 3-minute walk to U-Bahn, 5-8 minutes to Opera, has nice buffet breakfast, close to university, shower & toilet, paid a little less than $50 in December, 2000. <BR>For Prague, we stayed at Penzion Balbin, near the Muzeum Metro & Wenceslas Square. It is on the top floors of apartment building (elevator after first flight of stairs), locked door to street, shower & toilet, clean, 5-10 minute walk to just about any where you want to go. We paid $35 for 2 in 1997 but it was $85 about a year ago. <BR>In Budapest, we stayed with Dr. & Mrs. Walter Fleps, Bogar utca 20B, 1022 Budapest, Hungary. Their home overlooks the city and you get bedroom with terrace view of city, private bath & large breakfast. You take a bus to the metro & 3 stops you are downtown. We paid $40 for 2 in 1997. <BR>In Krakow, I stayed at Hotel Polonia because it was 2-minute walk from train station and 3 minutes to middle of old town. The room was nice, shower & toilet, nice staff and the breakfast ok. I paid about $47 in December 2000.