Which 2 out of 3, Berlin, Salzburg, Munich?
 

Hello,
We are a couple, taking our first child free trip now they have all grown up, and travelling to Europe in the European summer of 2016.

Planning our trip, starting in Amsterdam, then thinking of Berlin,then Prague, Salzburg and then Munich before heading to Bologna, more Italy then France. We haven't been to any of the places apart from Amsterdam, but I don't want to overdo the itinerary. We are thinking Berlin and Prague are definite, but not sure whether to have nights in Munich and Salzburg, or either or?? We loves walking around, stopping for coffee, taking in the atmosphere more than museums and 'sights', apart from the must-sees. Our trip is getting too long if such a thing is possible, and i'm not sure if Berlin, then Prague, then Salzburg then Munich is too much of a good thing? Its the Amsterdam to Bologna bit i need to refine, everything else seems ok.

Really appreciate everyone's thoughts and input

Thanks

A clear answer:

1. Berlin - it's Germany's capital city, a vibrant metropolis, full of history, spectacular architecture, urban life - there are endless things do to. Although there are some of the world's best museums in Berlin (Nefertiti's bust, Babylon's Ishtar Gate, the Pergamon altar, the world's largest dinosaur...), there is much more: strolling along the "Unter den Linden" boulevard with all these grand historical buildings on both sides, sitting in a café on historic Gendarmenmarkt with two spectacular cathedrals, having a scenic boat trip on the river Spree, a nightly walk over hip Oranienburger Street... - whatever you want, Berlin can offer it.

2. München - it is a provincial capital and has a mix of metropolis and small-town feeling. There is some historical architecture too, but on a smaller scale than in Berlin. München has parks, beer gardens and outdoor cafés to sit down and relax after a (window) shopping tour through one of the elegant streets. München is also close to Alpine Scenery.

3. Salzburg - is a cute little town with historic small-town architecture in its centre and a castle towering above the city on a mountain. Americans love it because it appears in a film about Mozart.

How much time do you have, and at what time of year?

"Starting in Amsterdam, then thinking of Berlin,then Prague, Salzburg and then Munich"

FWIW, this part of your possible route would take me 19 days + travel. YMMV. It really depends on what you want to see and experience!

Aside from the issue how many days you need or want or should allocate:

It is easier to get from Prague to Munich (by many direct inter-city buses per day) than to Salzburg. And from Munich you have at least the one direct train to Bologna.
So, if ease of travel is important for you, Munich wins.

But since you visit mostly larger cities anyway, Salzburg will add a more different flavor to your itinerary than Munich.

If you desperately wanted to include both, Munich and Salzburg, I would go to Munich first (from Prague), and then to Salzburg. It may look a bit odd on a map, but you have easier, direct connections when you travel in that order.

Without knowing exactly how many days you have on the ground - not counting days of arrival and departure - t's really difficult to give you specific recommendations.

Also time of year will matter as wil some idea of what you consider must-sees. The Michelin green guide is really good for this since besides detailed descriptions it gives you an estimated time for each sight - that is, can you speed through it in an hour or do you need to allocate 3 hours to see much of anything.

With no other info I would do Berlin and Munich - but unless you have a trip of at least a month trying to see 10 different cities (you're not clear about Italy and France) is probably not realistic.

"Americans love it because it appears in a film about Mozart."

Was this a bad joke? The Sound of Music has done more to drive U.S. tourism to Salzburg than almost anything else. And, FWIW, the SoM setting in Salzburg has also had a major impact on international tourism there. The city is one of the top honeymoon spots for the Japanese -- due almost entirely to the SoM.

Visitors to Salzburg should also note the significant impact the Red Bull company has had on the area, from the landmark contemporary company headquarters ( http://www.alpinecentreaustria.com/d...ghts-red-bull/ ) to the influx of tax money to area communities (the school district where RB is headquartered is flush with cash and the envy of school boards everywhere; ditto for the local fire company, even though fires there are extremely rare) to the renowned Ikarus restaurant in Red Bull's Hangar 7, whose kitchen features an ongoing rotation of some of top chefs from around the world (http://www.hangar-7.com/en/ikarus/restaurant-ikarus/ ). If you want to sample something beyond the usual Austrian/German fare, Ikarus is well worth a visit. It's near the Salzburg airport.

Thank you so much everybody for your responses. We are actually travelling for 3 months, across June-August 2016. Thanks Cowboy 1968 for the comment about adding a different flavour..I guess thats what i was really trying to get at....want to vary it up bit