Back to Europe

I am headed back to Europe in the fall. While I have been to Europe many times, it has been a while since I have been there. I have traveled extensively in Asia lately.

My itinerary is fly into Frankfurt and proceed to Munich, Prague, Krakow and Berlin. I would appreciate any help and suggestions as to what to see and how to travel among the cities. I will redeem loyalty points for most of the trip so I will be staying in the cities proper rather than in TS. There are only 2 of us and while I suppose I could rent a car, I probably will not. I can also speak adequate German so that will help while in Germany but that is the one country that Engish would be perfectly fine for most encounters.

Berlin is one of my favorite cities. I recommend Fat Tire Bike Tour. The city is fairly flat so it's an easy ride. It gives a good overview, mostly in East Berlin and passes many primary sites like the Brandenburg Gate, the site of Hitler's bunker (long gone), the Jewish Memorial (with a lunch stop), the Berlin Wall and others. Each stop is about 10-15 minutes so if something really attracts your attention, you can go back for more after the tour. The office is a short walk from a U-Bahn station.

I also recommend the Charlottenburg Palace.

Finally, KaDeWe is a fantastic Department store at the end of the Ku'damm.

In Munich, I suggest a stop at BMW Welt where people pick up their car having ordered them in the USA. They give tours even if you haven't bought a car .

You cannot beat the trains for intercity travel. I've used them many many times including overnight sleepers and never been disappointed. I have managed to avoid strikes.

Cheers

Seconded on trains. Don't drive, just hop a train!

DH and I used to be athletes, and competed extensively in Europe, which meant we were often competing apart from each other, didn't get much time to sightsee. One season, however, we were together for once and there was a 5-day gap between venues, so he and I dropped our gear with the team and jumped on a train. Just a backpack each, and we managed to hit Dresden, Prague, Berlin, Hamburg, and then meet back up with the team in Winterberg in those 5 days. Trains go everywhere, on an easily understood and reliable schedule, between and within countries, even to the tiny little towns on the outskirts.

As for cities, Prague is my favorite city in Europe so far, hands down. ENJOY!!! Recommendations are really just to walk around, eat, go in places that look interesting, absorb. But for specifics:

• Everything in the old town district, including the clock tower (go up)
• Prague Castle
• Charles Bridge of course
• St. Peter and Paul Cathedral and adjacent cemetery
• Pasta Fresca (looks like a plain door on a street, with only a small sitting area, but walk in and you'll find a huge amazing basement with wine and delicious food)

We enjoyed the Communist Museum in Prague, too. We figured it wouldn't amount to much--and it didn't--but it was worth doing.

My daughter, who is 20, was in Prague this past weekend. She toured the concentration camp nearby. I was impressed that she came up with the idea on her own. I think she was the only one of the friends she was traveling with to go there.

One word:





Please please: have a nice Schweinshaxe for me in Bavaria. Gosh I miss that glorious pig und eine alt bier. sigh.

train

I always assumed I would take the train since I have done so in the past many times. I have always repelled at the idea that some Americans have about trying to rent a car in Europe. While I have done that too, for some it is a knee jerk reaction which is unfortunate since some don't realize other modes of travel exist outside their own country. Americans are way to dependent upon the auto.

I may have to read a primer again to figure out the best way to book train trips or to figure out what deals are the best. I know that a europass sometimes is a good deal and sometimes not. I woud appreciate any info or leads people have relative to this.

PS. I also assumed that Auschwitz would be a day trip from Krakow.

When we were there, DB had a special trial offer to buy a trial card for 25 Euro. It gave us locals prices, quite discounted, both within Germany and at their connections (worked from Prague and to Paris at the time). It's been a couple years so I'm not sure what the latest deal is, but here's the link to poke around their English site:

http://www.bahn.com/i/view/GBR/en/index.shtml

Here is a website that I have been using to plan train travel in an upcoming trip through Spain:

http://www.seat61.com/

jlp879 said:

Here is a website that I have been using to plan train travel in an upcoming trip through Spain:

http://www.seat61.com/

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That is the go to site for European train travel!

Cheers

I think the DB discount cards (several versions) are still active.

Jimster said:

PS. I also assumed that Auschwitz would be a day trip from Krakow.

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It is, have you been told different?

Trip

No, I just haven't investigated it yet, Suggestions?

This trip is designed to fill the holes of places I have wanted to go to and still havent. Most other places i am interested, I have already visited- even Vlad the Impailer's castle in Romania.

The concentration camp close to Prague is Terezin.
http://www.viator.com/tours/Prague/...from-Prague/d462-2190CEDT15?pref=02&aid=g1250

tour

Thanks Pat. I really hadnt considered Terezin but I don't know if I can really handle Auschwitz and Terezin. I am sure both will be very depressing. They are different in some ways. So I might try to do both. I am a history teacher/lawyer by occupation and my specialty is inter-war German history as well as the Third Reich. So I definitely have an interest. Prague would be the start point for Terezin and Krakow for Auschwitz and I am visiting both cities. I considered visiting Warsaw too, but there is very little left since it was desimated in the war. I asssume you visited Terizan- What were your recollections?

Jimster said:

Thanks Pat. I really hadnt considered Terezin but I don't know if I can really handle Auschwitz and Terezin. I am sure both will be very depressing. They are different in some ways. So I might try to do both. I am a history teacher/lawyer by occupation and my specialty is inter-war German history as well as the Third Reich. So I definitely have an interest. Prague would be the start point for Terezin and Krakow for Auschwitz and I am visiting both cities. I considered visiting Warsaw too, but there is very little left since it was desimated in the war. I asssume you visited Terizan- What were your recollections?

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I haven't been to Terezin however I have been to Auschwitz and yes, it was terribly depressing and sombre. We took the bus from Krakow and from recollection it was about 1 1/2 hours. I've also been to Warsaw and whilst the Old Town has been rebuilt to what it was prior to its decimation during the war many people will argue that it lacks the authenticity. The rest of the city is a rather depressing, grey, Soviet style, it would certainly be a disappointment after Prague and Krakow.

I'm visiting Munich in July and planning on visiting Dachau.