3 days in Europe. Where should I go?

[Wakebrad]

I've never been to Europe at all. Now, my stepbrother is getting married in Germany and they have some good prices on flights to get there. I don't have much vacation time left so I can only do 7 days including travel.

This would be at the end of July. The wedding is on Monday July 27th at a small city south of Munich.

The tentative plan would be fly out Wednesday July 22 after work, and come back Wednesday the 29th. Sunday we will need to be in Germany for pre-wedding plans (rehearsal dinner+whatnot). So the only time I really have to work with is Thursday - Friday - Saturday. I assume Sunday during the day we would spend traveling to Germany.

So I have roughly 3 days in Europe. What would you recommend I see?



My step-dad says Paris. Other people have said just stick to Germany, but that's not really our style. We'd probably rather see more, maybe even 2 countries in 3 days if possible. I like the idea of seeing Rome, wife likes Venice. So much over there and so little time..

[jryoung]

Check out Prague, it was never bombed in WWII and has some amazing architecture amonst other sights. Maybe a loop out of Munchen to Prague to Budapest then back to Munchen?

[senorbueno]

There's so much to do in Europe it's not even funny. Since it's only 3 days, I would personally stay in Germany (mainly b/c I've never been and there is a lot that I would want to do in German). But seeing you don't want to do that, here's my take:

Venice, I was not a fan of to tell you the truth. The city was very dirty, and smelled terrible. I went in the middle of the summer (just like your trip) and was just miserable when I was outside all day b/c of the heat, humidity, and the smell. If I were to ever go again, it would not be in the summer. I really think this place is overrated... You'll get to see a lot more in Rome.

Went to Rome on the same trip, and absolutely loved it. So much history tied into that place... when do you see ruins that are thousands of years old in the middle of a modern city? Also, I'm not really religious, but the Vatican was unbelievable. One of those places that everybody should see in their lifetime. Also, I honestly had some of the best food in my entire life in Rome.

I've been to the UK twice (played in some soccer tournaments in Cardiff and Aberystwyth Wales, and London when I was younger, as well as a second trip to London when I was 18 ). It was a cool place to see, but I don't think I'd recommend it for your trip.

My parents have spent some time in Costa del Sol Spain, and Paris. They loved it.

[Alter Ego]

prague is a 3 hour train ride from Munich - definitely the place to go if you dont have much time. Close and very cool

[Brit Rider]

Wakebrad, 3 days is not enough time really to travel much.... its not as easy as just going from state to state in the USA.

You'll either spend alot of time in the air (and at airports - remember these will be international flights so waiting times won't be short; you will ideally need to be there 2 hours before flying and have to pass thru customs each time) or alot of time in a rental car in countries with signs in languages I assume you don't understand....

I would stick to Germany and see the many awesome things it has to offer, or base yourslef elsewhere and just shoot into Germany when required....

Weathers good here right now so London could be a cool stop off for you - I will happily be on the end of a phone for you here should you need any guidance or help here

[Lop]

Rome and Venice are both awesome.. That time of year though Venice will have a little stank going on. Use one day to travel around Germany, the one place in Europe that I didn't travel and I completely regret it

[Wakebrad]

Brit Rider, thanks man. I might take you up on that.

Some great advice so far. Thanks guys.

I'm leaning toward seeing just 1 other country than Germany then. If Prague is only 3 hours away we could probably see that on Tuesday after the wedding. Maybe even fly out of Prague instead of Munich.

So I guess we're just trying to figure out 1 other location. We're also trying to evaluate what we would see at each location.

Paris - Eiffel tower
Rome - Colosseum, Vatican
London - Parliament
Vienna - ?
Venice - water streets

I'm really not that familiar with what each location has to offer.

[Lop]

Paris - Eiffel tower
Rome - Colosseum, Vatican, The forum , pantheon,Trevi Fountain,Spanish steps, Piazza del Campidoglio
London - Parliament
Vienna - ?
Venice - water streets

[senorbueno]

Look at it like this... if you think you're going to be back to Europe sometime in the near future, it doesn't really matter where you go. Just choose a place and go with it. There is something to see every where for sure.

If it may be a long time before you go back to Europe, I would go with the place that is most interesting to you and your wife (for me that would be Rome just b/c it has more of the things that everyone should see in their lifetime.)

[STPHNSN23]

the three day trip to europe is kind of my specialty. i've done a few of them because my mom is a flight attendant. i've done trips to rome, milan, barcelona, dublin, london, and paris. i haven't been to germany yet, but in your case, i would probably want to stay in germany since you're only going to be there a week. looks like a lot of your time there will be spent doing wedding stuff. you'll be able to fill the extra few days with interesting things in germany.

[Blue22V]

Munich has enough to see for 3 days by itself. Go see the BMW museum, the Olympic grounds and Dauchau museum. A short drive from there (on the Autobahn!) you can get to the Titisee or several other Black Forest resorts where you will be the only American. You could also drive to Austria and Salzburg, or Vaduz, and Switzerland to see the beautiful and under rated rcity of Lucern.

All of these are within a 3 day drive of Munich.

[nmballa]

You don't have much time to work with. Munich and Prague. Should fill up those 3 days quite nicely.

[Oasis137]

On our trip to Europe we visited Germany (Octoberfest and Hitlers crowsnest) and spent a day or two in Munich. We spent the majority of our time in Austria in the city of Salzburg. I would definately recommend Salzburg. Great city, with a couple castles in the city as well. The city has a PLENTY to offer for a day or two stay there. Great food as well. Towards the end of our trip we traveled through Italy to Venice. We went in the fall, so I dont recall a terrible smell in the city. I definately had a good time in Venice because the city in water was incredible to see. However, from what I've heard from others trips it would be hard to enjoy it with a bad stench your entire stay there. I have been to England 4 times I believe and there definately is enough to do there. I spent a couple weeks in London, a few days in Bath, and about a month in and around the City of Barnstaple and the surrounding areas. I definately would reccomend that area of England. Beautiful country side and plenty of things to do if you look for them. Let me know if you have any questions.

[dalderman]

Amsterdam

[gswake]

For the time you have, I wouldn't want to spend too much of it traveling. If you really want to go somewhere else as well as Germany, I wouldn't try for more than one other city/area.

Krakow was recommended by a friend who went a few years ago, but I haven't been. It may not be substantially different from other old European cities.

[Tyler T]

Too tired to respond tonight. Will try to form coherent thought tomorrow.

[Oasis137]

Forgot to mention that we visited the concentration camp Dachau. It was a sight to see. Somber moments though.