I am looking for some help from some people who know what are some things myself(29) and my girlfriend(27) should do while we are in Germany for 9 days. We are flying into Berlin and will probably mix hostels and hotels in to our trip backpacking. We are completly flexible and willing to try almost anything. Some things we are interested in are hiking, beaches, clubs, beer gardens, trying good local foods, museums, sightseeing, wine tasting, outdoor activities, music concerts or festivals, engineering marvels, and sporting events. We are open to seeing however many cities are feasable in that time, and are contemplating trying to stop in amsterdam for two days as well. Any tips on getting around between cities/countries, as well as cool hostels or hotels and things to do and see would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!

Pretty broad request.

If you are 9 days total, you also leave from Berlin, and you want to spend 3 days there, squeezing in Amsterdam for 2 days (plus the better part of 2 other days traveling) means you won't get much more than 2-3 days for anything else and that really should be something on somewhat of a direct route from Berlin to Amsterdam. That puts Hamburg and a few other places in northern or north central Germany into play (excluding the Ruhr valley cities of Dortmund, Essen, Duesseldorf, Koln, etc.)Either Berlin, or Hamburg, will be able to fill your clubbing needs, for sure.

If you decide that sounds like too much for 9 days, I am sure you can get a lot of advice on something of a circular nature in and around Berlin, like Dresden, Goerlitz, Lubeck, Stralsund (beach), Schwerin, Erfurt, Goslar(hiking), Quedlinburg(hiking), etc.. Backpacking is not really a specialty of Fodor's contributors but you may just get some advice on that aspect of travel in here. When you come back you can be the one to dish out that information to others.

It's fortunate that you like beer gardens, sightseeing and good local foods - that covers everywhere in Germany.

Hi Dres...

Can 't help you with Germany cos we haven't been there yet but my son who is the same age as you thought Berlin was one of the best places he visited.

In Amsterdam he stayed at the Flying Pig and loved it.

http://www.flyingpig.nl/

Hope you have a great time, but don't try to see too much have some quality time wherever you to.

Would you consider throwing another country into the mix rather than another German city? You could do a nice round-ish trip which encompasses Berlin (3 full days minimum), Amsterdam (2 days) and perhaps somewhere in Belgium such as Brugge/Bruges or Brussels? You could start in Berlin, fly to Amsterdam (check Transavia), train south to Brugge/Bruges with a stop for a few hours in Brussels (or a night, it's a good town IMO), stay in Brugge for 2 nights, then fly Brussels back to Berlin (check Easyjet) for the remainder of your trip. Lots of beer to be had in Belgium, plus Brugge is a very pretty place to visit.

You'll find most of your list can be found in or around Berlin, so you could even keep the trip as Berlin and Amsterdam only. For example, Berlin (2 nights), Amsterdam (3 nights), Berlin (4 nights). That way you could fully explore Berlin (museums, clubs, beach bars, food, Pfaueninsel - good for a walk and another side of Berlin, Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp - in Oranienburg, very sobering and interesting part of history, Bauhaus art and architechture - could visit the Bauhaus Archive in Berlin). Also check what is on in Berlin during your stay (www.whatsonwhen.com is a good start, so is www.berlin.de)

As far as beaches, you're kind of at the wrong end of Europe for full on sun and sand, but if you feel the need, you could always head to Cuxhaven and plant yourself in a Strandkorb (beach basket - half covered wicker seat with room for two on cushions, very civilised!). Sylt is the popular North Sea island in Summer, and has beaches, cycling paths and relaxation. But that will completely depend on the weather (which can be fickle on the North Sea) and how much you really want to lie on a beach. There is a beach area east of Lübeck along the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (state) coast which is becoming more and more popular, and even has white sand (not mud!). Look for the towns of Waernemunde, Wismar and Doberan. It's becoming known as the German Riviera (well, every country has to have one I guess).

An alternative is the StrandBar Mitte (Beach Bar Mitte)in Berlin - it's located in the area of Mitte and is located in a bar/club down by the river at Monbijou Park (just opposite the Museum Insel). It opens at 10am and closes, well, whenever it gets quite, which varies each night. There are lots of other Beach Bars which spring up over the city during StrandBar Saison (beach bar season! aka Summer), so also look at StrandBar Deck 5 in Prenzlauer Berg (Schoenhauser Alle), Oststrand in Kreuzberg/Friedrichhain (one of the largest in town, behind the East Side Gallery) or Beach at the Box in the Tiergarten district (great artificial beach by the river in the middle of the garden). Some you have to pay for the use of sun lounges, some are set up more as bars with seating.

Thanks everyone for the comments. It looks like we'll probably end up staying in Berlin for the first couple days, then fly to Amsterdam Wednesday and return on Friday from Berlin. We want to probably see at least one other city in Germany, and were debating between Hamburg, Frankfurt, and Munich. Munich seems like it may be far, and we've heard it's rather dull, but I'm somewhat intrigued by the Bavarian culture. What would any of you recommend since we would need to see another city more than likely within between the Saturday(30th) we get there and the Wednesday we fly to Amsterdam. We're open to any suggestions.

Munich is by no means dull - Frankfurt is. Unless you're visiting friends. Hamburg is somewhere in the middle of the two. The train to Munich is 4.5hrs one way, flying is 1hr10mins (check Air Berlin for prices). However, you'll need 2 full days - one for wandering Munich (or a bike tour with Mike's Bike is also fun) the other for perhaps a day trip to the Castles (Neuschwanstein, Lindau, Hohenschwangau) with an organised trip (unless you want to rent a car and drive it). Munich also has great nightlife, but more towards the end of the week (starting Thursday). Beerhalls and beergardens are, however, every day of the week.

Like I noted before, don't sell Berlin short on days there - it's a great city and you'll probably find you want to stay there longer once you get there. With your new plans, from what I can make out, you will have 4 nights in Berlin, then fly to Amsterdam for 2 nights (which is only one full day) before returning to Berlin (for another 2nights).

As for accommodation in Berlin, try Circus, Plus Berlin, Wombats City and Baxpax Downtown. All are hostels and of good standard and location. Amsterdam - the Flying Pig as noted above is good, and the Bulldog Hostel in the middle of the Red Light District is popular too. But as it's only a week until you travel, you will likely find that they are booked out.

I suggest that you get a German guidebook which will have lots of good suggestions.