[tdurden5573]

I know this is a year too late, but for others:

All of those cities are easy to spend a jam packed week. Although its tempting to drop into Berlin and hop over to Prague, Dresden, Vienna or Buddapest (all great cities too), if you haven't been to Berlin before take some time there - one very amazing and under rated cities. Few highlights to consider:

- Stay in Mitte, its clubs and restaurants go 24/7 and a great example of pre-war Berlin and East German chic - I like to stay around the Hackescher Markt area - a bit trendy now, but easy staging area to get anywhere in the city

- Central - hit the highlights around the city center - Brandenburg Gates, Checkpoint Charlie, Unter Den Linden, the city palace that is under construction (Humboldt Forum) - Finish the evening off by going to the Reichstag and heading up to the top dome for sunset over Berlin.

- City river tour along the Spree

- Day trip to Potsdam is a must, from there rent a bicycle (trust me) and bike around potsdam with is full of parks and palaces. Bike is the best way to get around and its full of pathways. Finish the day off by taking some beers down to one of the many lakes around the area.

- Olympic stadium is worth a visit

- Friedrichstrasse is great for shopping and can be combined with a walk down to checkpoint charlie

- Tiergarten - walk or jog throught he park over to Potsdammer Platz - If you a construction junkie, check out Liepziger platz around portsdammer platz. Its the newly constructed downtown of Berlin (sort of). In the middle of the tiergarten (city park) is the victory column, its worth climbing to the top (you do have to pay) and getting a 360 view of the park and area.

- Other good tourist traps - Take a ride up the Fernsehturm (large tower with a ball) good view of all berlin and located in Alexander Platz

- Museum Island - right beside Mitte and great collection of museums and cathedrals in a central location

- DDR museum is great, and located close to museum island. very cool to see the old east german products and lifestyle.

- If you are brave you can rent a Trabi (old East German Car) through Trabi Safari and cruise around Berlin in a guided tour while driving the old east german 2 stroke car.

- Walk - Berlin is a great city to just walk and explore, it has an extensive subway and train system that can easily get you home from anywhere. Buy the 3 or 5 day tourist pass, i belive its called the City Card.

- Berlin is always full of concerts, events, festivals and parties, so do some research and you will find some good events to attend while there.

I'm sure I'm missing a lots, but for someone who has never been to Berlin that should easily fill up 3 days.

As for venturing out of Berlin, the Dresden-Prague route is perfect. Much shorter than heading down to Vienna-Budda. Dresden is perfect to spend a full day exploring and relaxing and Prague is..Prague, so you cant go wrong with a few days there.