Based on what you said about architecture, cafes, night life, big city, and open jaws potential I would have to go with Vienna after Munich. Of course, Berlin also is an option but it doesn't compare to Vienna IMHO.

There are at least three good connections per day from Munich to Prague. Each takes about 6 hours. German Rail is currently running a special on this route called Prag Spezial (www.tiny.cc/praguespecial). Munich to Prague and return is €59. All of this is in German, but it is not too hard to understand prices and schedules. For more details, including schedule of the connections offered, click on "Broschüre" at the bottom of the page.

For one way travel, two people can share a Bayern Ticket for €27 and buy anschluss tickets from Furth im Wald to Prague for about €20 each. This can be used for any combination of regional trains to Furth.

German Rail also has a special called "Europa-Spezial" which offers Munich to Vienna for €29 per person each way. These trips are on EuroCity trains. Vienna to Munich is also available, but only in conjuction with a round trip starting in Munich. The tickets have to be purchase from DB online three days in advance. You can pay by credit card and self-print the tickets at home.

Okay, the decision is just getting harder and harder. I think the problem is that I want to go EVERYWHERE!

iwannagonow, what is it about Vienna that you loved so much? Any specifics would help while I'm driving myself crazy with this! :)

I am bringing up this thread because we (first time)are going to Germany in Feb for 11 days. Noting the weather and time of year, we thought that saying in cities: Munich and Nurenburg..with day trips to Rothenberg, Bamburg makes sense?

Hi Judy,

I don't know what Karmeli decided, but I would have voted for Berlin!!

I don't know these other cities you are interested in personally, but lots here on Fodor's do.

For what it is worth, I spent 2 weeks in Munich recently, but I think 3 days would be a good amount of time there if I were coming from overseas and didn't often get to Europe. (In that case I would want to see more than just Munich...)

Munich is pretty small compared to Berlin, but there are plenty of good day trips from there.

If you search Nurenberg and Rothenburg here you will get a lot of good info...

gruezi

vienna.. i love it.. regal architecture, ballet and opera.have been several times.. never tire of going back.

berlin.. also love it.. the new york/manhattan of europe. vibrant city.. history but also the new architecture is stunning. tons of music events daily. have only been a couple times, but would like to visit more frequently.

both have excellent transportation.

We actually wound up staying in Munich the whole time, aside from the day in Salzburg and a day at Ludwig's castles. There was too much we wanted to see in Munich, plus we went during Oktoberfest. If I did it again -- not during the fest -- I think I'd pick Prague because a relative just got back and her pics make me jealous!