Where would a Fodorite stop for a special place between Vienna and Berlin?
 

Unfortunately car rental doesn't allow us to go into Prague so we're looking for a nice place to stop for sightseeing somewhere along the way. And yes, we know it's a looonng way but we way to split it into a two day drive.

So far I've incorporated many of your suggestions into our trip and am looking forward to many others.

Thanks
Ellen

ttt

Does that mean you are not allowed to drive into the Czech Republic or just not into Prague?

Well - as a first step I would look for another car rental agency - since many do allow you to take cars into the Czech Republic.

This would allow you to see what you really want. Also it would let you avoid a giant detour around the Czech Republic.

If you're stuck with the detour you might want to consider Salzburg - since it;s more on less on the route you would need to take. Munich is another reasonable option. The 2-day drive either way is about 10/11 hours. Munich is more equally in the middle.

Unfortunately our rental company does not allow any travel into the Czech Republic by car.

I was hoping to get some good ideas from Regensburg to Dresden from people that have visited.

Surely this doesn't mean that there's no outstanding town to visit and stay in from Nurenburg to Leipzig.

Bamberg is a gem of a little city just north of Nuernberg.

It has a very nice Altstadt split by the Regnitz River. The old town was never damaged in the war, and it is still a part of the real city, not just a tourist enclave. It was an Imperial city and both a Pope and an Emperor are buried there. It's also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

It gets enough tourism that it has the infrastructure a visitor needs, but it isn't overwhelmed during the day by bus tours and daytrippers.

Nürnberg is almost half way, and it's a great city to visit. Regensberg is smaller, but also wonderful, and it puts you a little closer to Wien. Those would be my first two choices, but other possibilities would be Weimar, Bayreuth, or Bamberg, depending how far you wish to drive out of your way. Dresden is lovely, but too close to Berlin... another trip, perhaps!

I'm partial to the idea of changing your car rental company so you can see Praha... or save that for the Dresden trip ;)

All the best to you!

Regensburg is an absolute gem. We have been twice in winter and everyone there thought we were crazy not to come in warm weather when the city is filled with flowers. The cathedral is stunning; try to go when the boy choir is singing. There are tons of other old churches and some traces of Roman walls.

Another vote for Regensburg.