Would Munich, Dresden or Berlin be a better fit for this trip?
Replies: 43 - Last Post: Feb 9, 2012 4:52 PM Last Post By: bristolnewbie
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Would Munich, Dresden or Berlin be a better fit for this trip?
Hi. We are 2 female college students who are making their way from Vienna to London in 12 days. We will have already spent time in vienna. We are considering Prague-Amsterdam-London and would like to add some place in Germany. We would love to see it all, but are limited in time. We would love to hear any personal opinions and suggestions on completing our itinerary. Thanks.2
Berlin is by far Germany's most vibrant city!! But as #1 said, we need to know what your interests are like.Albeit it was not your question i suggest skipping Amsterdam if you have only 12 days. No european knows why every american wants to go there. Also in my opinion Budapest is nicer than Prague. Have you been to Paris? You could do Vienna - Budapest (easy by railjet train), Budapest - Berlin (night-train is best option but daytrain is possible, 12hrs, or fly. I suggest the night-train), Berlin - Paris (direct night-train or daytrain by ICE and Thalys via Cologne 8hrs) and then Paris - London (by Eurostar train 2:20hrs) OR Berlin - Amsterdam (6:30hrs by ICE train) and then Amsterdam - London (6 hrs via Brussels by IC and Eurostar or Thalys and Eurostar)
Edited by: paralyzed
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I also agree with Berlin. It has literally too much to see & do. And the nightlife is the BEST. I was there with a friend in Dec & we stayed an extra day to catch up on sleep because we wore ourselves out with going out at night and spending all day sightseeing.4
I think we are most interested in getting a glimpse of a different culture and way of life. We wouldn't mind sitting in a park watching people, visiting pubs, experiencing charming areas, and of course any top historical spots although seeing every museum would not be on our list. So, I guess we looking for an opportunity for us together to experience something outside of our eastern US bubble. We don't need to see another NY city, planned subdivision, Disney World.5
Those kind of city does not exist in Europe. I encourage you to go to Berlin. For us, Munich is a bit of "Disney World" but for you, it would be "something outside your US bubble" and that what you call "traditional local life" with "different culture". One, max. two days are enough for Munich, but for Berlin i would say you need at least three days minimum. Berlin has a really young feeling with very interessting WW2- and Cold-War-Sites to see. It's really dynamic and i am sure it won't be the same like today when you come back in 10 oder 20 years. Munich seems to stay the same forever.Edited by: paralyzed
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Thanks. I am convinced we should see Berlin. That seems to be an overwhelming suggestion. I'm interested to know more about leaving Amsterdam off. Honestly, it's just a place that seems to always be thrown into the London-Paris-Rome-Amsterdam-Barcelona as the top places to see.So for Berlin, any Hostel/budget hotel suggestions. I guess for 2 girls in a big city this would be important as far as location and safety. Thanks - getting really excited!
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I posted hostel recommendations in the cities on your other post, but here it is :)In both Prague & Berlin I would recommend the St Christopher's Hostels - central location, awesome & lively bar downstairs (with pretty good bar food & great drink specials), very clean, sweet amenities (reading lights, curtains for every bunk, tall mirrors, free blow dryers, coat hooks... little things count when backpacking!). And the Berlin one has free breakfast. To be honest, St Chris in Berlin is my favorite hostel in Europe.
Oh and they have lockers for your things, just bring your own lock.
I've only stayed in hotels in London or Amsterdam, so can't be of help there. But I think St Chris has locations in London, could be worth checking out if they're anything like the ones in Prague/Berlin.
I agree with switching Budapest for Amsterdam, and if you end up going to Budapest I'd recommend Corvin Point or Green Bridge Hostels.
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Hey there,12 days is really short. Food for thought:
Day
1 Arrival
2 Vienna
3 Vienna, nighttrain to Berlin
4 Berlin
5 Berlin
6 Berlin, nighttrain to Paris
7 Paris
8 Paris
9 Paris and Eurostar to London during the course of the day
10 London
11 London
12 Departure
You can't really do more. If you don't like Paris then:
1 Arrival
2 Vienna
3 Railjet to Budapest or IC train to Prague
4 Budapest/Prague and nighttrain to Berlin
5 Berlin
6 Berlin
7 Berlin
8 Morning train to Amsterdam unless you do not want to take the nighttrain on evening of day 5 (dep. arround midnight, arr. 9:30a.m.)
9 Amsterdam, early afternoon train to London
10 London
11 London
12 Departure
Honestly, if you have to decide between Paris and Amsterdam, go to wonderful Paris unless there is anything special you want to see in Amsterdam!!
Edited by: paralyzed
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Thank you. I did read your other post and it helps a lot! Love the suggestions.I'm just curious. Why would you guys switch out Amsterdam? Is it too similar to others we are seeing? I realize everything is subjective, but I enjoy reading other's opinions and ideas.
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Amsterdam is nice but it is small. The atmosphere is great but there is no top site or so to see, just stroll around. It is totally different to the other cities, but again, small. We do daytrips from western Germany to there.14
based on your response in #4 (and contrary to #5), i wouldn't pick any - all too big. look at the train routes and find the most interesting sounding town that the trains going your way stop in at and spend a day or two. Berlin's massive. Although that small town won't give you "any top historical spots", in my experience, one'll get a decent go at all that other stuff you mentioned.
