just joining in [after reading most of every post!] and i second what Russ says. after two cities, some time exploring the countryside, albeit on a route which is well travelled, will break the trip up nicely, and help to make Prague feel more special when you get there.

I would try to spend at least 2 days in each of Mainz and Nuremberg if that's what you decide to do, as you get a much better idea of a place than you do if you've just spent one night. [3 would be better!]

I too would drop Munich on this trip.

I disagree with Russ. With the limited time, it is better to travel from city to city with side trips from Munich and Prague.

3.) N'stein isn't a real castle but a late 19th-century palace, just FYI.>

I disagree that Neuschwanstein ain't a real castle - it is the perfect castle yes because it is Ersatz - a late 19th-century purposeflly built to imitate a medieval castle, on the outside that is - the interior is really modern and has some things then avant-garde I would think like dumb waiters and special effects - the thing I love about Neuschwanstein is that it has a delight at every turn inside - some would say tacky but inside yes a palace built with lavish tastes but outside the perfect castle. (Cochem's fairy-tale castle is similarly Ersatz but simply gorgeous to look at.

PalenQ: "I disagree that Neuschwanstein ain't a real castle."

I don't see how your use of "Ersatz" and "imitate" support the notion that it's real.

Even if what you meant is that it's a perfect fake/ersatz/imitation, shouldn't it have some high, fake walls around it for defense, or other stuff that helps define the word "castle"?? N'stein is no more a real castle than the Sleeping Beauty castle in Disneyland.

I can respect the fact that you like it for what it is, but not your definition of castle.

Russ, thank you for the info on the smaller towns. I will read into that as the main reason that we are planning on going to Munich (aside from that we hear it's a lovely city) would be the proximity for day trips to Dachau and southern Bavaria to see Neuschwanstein. Originally we had talked about Auschwitz but it isn't in the cards to make it to Poland this trip - so we added Dachau instead. I've read up on NStein a bit in my guidebook and am also intrigued by the second castle (I think a "real" castle nearby) as well as some hiking to be done in the area. That being said, I will consider the info that you posted! We don't have a romantic idea of the overnight train and would be taking that route to save a bit on a hotel for that night and more time during the day to explore. We will bring sleeping pills! Also - we are hoping to avoid Oktoberfest specifically for the cost of lodging. I also don't drink beer, while I am willing to sample, it doesn't make much sense to spend the money this time around.

We may add a 6th night in London and if so, does anyone have a favorite day trip? I've heard nice things about Bath but am also intrigued by Oxford or Cambridge.

I can respect the fact that you like it for what it is, but not your definition of castle.>

To me it is a castle because that's what people think of when thinking of a castle = lets say fantasy castle. When folks talk about going to Germany to see castles no doubt Neuschwanstein is what they are talking about.

But yes technically ain't a castle if you mean castles must be foretresses and I agree with that.

But it's semantics really - most folks would call it a castle - or what should they call it - a fantasy castle - still a castle.

Neuschwanstein has often been mentioned as Europe's most famous castle - rightly or wrongly.

Hohenschwangau - adjoining Newschwanstein is by any definition a real castle - a fortress - Mad Ludwig grew up here I believe and lived in it until Neuschwanstein was finished - alas the King only got to live in Neuschwanstein about 10 days I think, when it was still not finished - before a Coup d'etat literally killed him before he could completely bankrupt the Bavarain Treasury with his castle building spree.

Hohenschwangau makes an interesting tour though very few of the mobs who come to see Neuschwanstein ever seem to take time to do it - but if possible see this real authentic medieval castle (with some eclecgtic Ludwig renovations of course).