Vienna or Prague- WWYD?

[heathpack]

Sorry I am not sure where to post this, its not a timeshare related question.

I am going to Slovakia in June to observe some dachshund hunting trials. I will fly into Munich, my German friend who will be competing in the trials with her dogs will pick me up in Munich and we will drive to Slovakia. We will have 3 days prior to the trials and one day after to sightsee. Her dogs will be transported separately so we don't need to worry about traveling with dogs.

My friend tells me the most reasonable cities to visit (drive-wise) are Vienna or Prague, and she's seen them both so I get to choose. I haven't looked into it much yet.

But to get me started, I thought is would ask here: who has been to either (or both) cities and what did you like or dislike about it? As I write this, I guess we would also be open to visiting non-city places in the vicinity. Our destination in Slovakia is a town called Tura Laka, which is in western Slovakia, around 2.5 hr from Vienna.

Although looking at a map, Munich-Vienna-Tura Laka looks to be more efficient, the drive time from Munich to Prague is the same as Munich to Vienna, and Prague to Tura Laka is only 1 hour longer than Vienna to Tura Laka so there's not much difference.

One option might be Munich-Prague (visit Prague x 3 days)- Tura Laka (3 days)- Vienna (1 day)- fly home out of Munich
Another might be Munich-Vienna (visit Vienna 3 days)- Tura Laka (3 days)- Prague (1 day)- fly home out of Munich
A third may be Munich-Vienna (visit Vienna 3 days)- Tura Laka (3 days)- Salzburg or somewhere similar (1 day)- fly home out of Munich
A fourth may be Munich-Vienna (visit Vienna 3 days)- Tura Laka (3 days)- Munich (visit 1 day)- fly home

My German friend lives near Frankfurt

Edited to add: I have Diamond status with IHG if that sways things

 

[Passepartout]

I've visited all the above (except Tura Laka) and prefer Prague. so your first option would be my choice. But then since this is your first visit to Central Europe, it will ALL be new to you. My feelings are that Vienna is still stuck in the 18th Century- Strauss, and Opera and performance art. Salzburg is the same, with Mozart thrown in. Prague has the GREAT Castle, and Wenceslauss Square and the downtown core is very walkable. I think 2-3 days there would be easy to fill in. 3 days in Vienna (to me) a bit much
Either way, you will get your appetite piqued to see more. You will be so fortunate to have a friend to share it with you- and wheels to get around. Sounds like fun and you'll be enjoying 'dog stuff'.

Jim

 

["Roger"]

I was to both last September. While Vienna is obviously a much larger city with more things to do, I much preferred my visit to Prague. It was spared of any bombing during World War II and has a beautiful downtown area surrounded by charming buildings. A second area to visit is the hilltop to the south.

One question is when you say in you second option that you would have one day in Prague does that mean a full day or a partial day arriving in the morning and leaving the next day. If the latter, the one day would not be nearly enough.

 

[RebelR]

What kind of things do you like? I like WW2 history, castles and classical music so I'd do my first day in Munich to acclimate to the time zone and I'd do a walking tour or two around Munich and/or Nuremburg. Then I'd head either the Fussen area to see the Neuschwanstein castle or to Salzburg for a stop to do a Sound of Music tour and see some of the sites that were in the movie, then I'd stay the next 2 nights in Vienna and see a concert or an opera, eat some currywurst and maybe visit the amusement park in the middle of the city. I don't love crowds so these cities were more enjoyable for me than Prague which will be full of people in the summer most likely.

 

[Laurie]

I've been to both, and would choose Prague, for reasons stated above, and more. It's just older and richer in some way (not wealth but ambiance, atmosphere, feeling, and centuries of history immediately at your doorstep). A visit to Cesky Krumlov in Czech Republic is also very worthwhile if you can squeeze that in, and if you're driving you could possibly do that on your way back to either Vienna or Munich.

Now if you were deciding based on food alone, then Vienna.

 

[heathpack]

I've visited all the above (except Tura Laka) and prefer Prague. so your first option would be my choice. But then since this is your first visit to Central Europe, it will ALL be new to you. My feelings are that Vienna is still stuck in the 18th Century- Strauss, and Opera and performance art. Salzburg is the same, with Mozart thrown in. Prague has the GREAT Castle, and Wenceslauss Square and the downtown core is very walkable. I think 2-3 days there would be easy to fill in. 3 days in Vienna (to me) a bit much
Either way, you will get your appetite piqued to see more. You will be so fortunate to have a friend to share it with you- and wheels to get around. Sounds like fun and you'll be enjoying 'dog stuff'.

Jim

Jim I am so surprised that you have never been to Tura Laka! And there I was, thinking of you as such a well travelled person.

 

[heathpack]

I've been to both, and would choose Prague, for reasons stated above, and more. It's just older and richer in some way (not wealth but ambiance, atmosphere, feeling, and centuries of history immediately at your doorstep). A visit to Cesky Krumlov in Czech Republic is also very worthwhile if you can squeeze that in, and if you're driving you could possibly do that on your way back to either Vienna or Munich.

Now if you were deciding based on food alone, then Vienna.

I do like a good pastry but I wouldn't say this trip is about food really.

 

[heathpack]

What kind of things do you like? I like WW2 history, castles and classical music so I'd do my first day in Munich to acclimate to the time zone and I'd do a walking tour or two around Munich and/or Nuremburg. Then I'd head either the Fussen area to see the Neuschwanstein castle or to Salzburg for a stop to do a Sound of Music tour and see some of the sites that were in the movie, then I'd stay the next 2 nights in Vienna and see a concert or an opera, eat some currywurst and maybe visit the amusement park in the middle of the city. I don't love crowds so these cities were more enjoyable for me than Prague which will be full of people in the summer most likely.

Probably castles, cathedrals, and other architectural gems. Beautiful natural places. Historic ambience but not from any particular time period. Like a city that feels like its from a particular period. A place where the food and drink is representative of the food and drink traditionally served in that area.

Maybe museums next.

For sure amusement parks.

Classical music when it fits the ambience of the place but otherwise not.

Hard no on opera.

 

[heathpack]

I was to both last September. While Vienna is obviously a much larger city with more things to do, I much preferred my visit to Prague. It was spared of any bombing during World War II and has a beautiful downtown area surrounded by charming buildings. A second area to visit is the hilltop to the south.

One question is when you say in you second option that you would have one day in Prague does that mean a full day or a partial day arriving in the morning and leaving the next day. If the latter, the one day would not be nearly enough.

I am not sure what time the trial finishes on Sunday but we'd leave after the trial and arrive Prague at bedtime probably. We'd probably have to leave Prague around dinner time on Monday to get to Munich. I fly out of Munich on Tuesday at 11:30am

 

[Passepartout]

Jim I am so surprised that you have never been to Tura Laka! And there I was, thinking of you as such a well travelled person.

Well, I might have been there and just don't remember. I was stationed just north of Munich in the 1960's and drove heavy trucks all over W. Europe for 2 years. Given the quality and availability of outstanding beer and food, I might've missed the sign. We've made several trips to that area and will be back for a river cruise from Budapest to the Black Sea this Summer.

The Prague Castle (on the hill) was HQ for the Hapsburg dynasty where Maria-Theresa populated the kingdoms with Hapsburg queens. Well worth a visit- if not a guided tour.

 

[andre10056]

I was in Prague maybe 1994 so I'm sure it's changed. But I think that Prague's castle on the hill, Wenceslas Square, Charles Bridge, etc. can easily be done in one day and I doubt you would feel an irresistible urge to quickly return (as I do not). It's nice and all, very impressive, but been there, done that.

Vienna, on the other hand, I could easily spend three days. Just my opinion, of course. And it just so happens that I'm not a Strauss or opera afficianado. I would not reduce that major international city to THAT.

Another consideration for you, in my opinion, is the fact that your friend appears to be German. So she'll be able to easily communicate in Austria but perhaps not so easily communicate in Prague. In effect, the choice is between having a native speaking guide compared to having a traveling companion in a foreign language country. I'd go with the fluent German guide.

I'm sure this can no longer be the case. But Prague's restaurant servers had the most godawful body odor of anywhere I've ever been. They looked clean so I assumed at the time that it was a cultural thing to not use deodorant sticks or sprays and, instead, embrace their natural smells. Which was apparently fine for them, but a bit "less than optimal" for me.

And don't neglect amazing Munich. There are many areas of Bavaria (i.e., Bayern) where the "impossible to understand" Bayerisch dialect is spoken. But Munich's populace, living in a big city, for the most part speak Hochdeutsch (high German or "what you hear on the radio" German). But I enjoyed playing the "how would you say that in Bayerish?" game followed by raucous laughter. Great fun!

 

[bizaro86]

I loved Vienna - but the whole trip was coloured by the 90% off mistake rate we got at the Hotel Imperial. They honoured our 50Euro/night rate, but said they couldn't include breakfast (even 20 years ago breakfast for 2 was more than 50Euros).

Lovely chocolates and pastries (Vienna is the original home of the croissant) and amazing classical music.

Prague is great as well but if I was in your shoes we'd go to Vienna.

 

[heathpack]

I was in Prague maybe 1994 so I'm sure it's changed. But I think that Prague's castle on the hill, Wenceslas Square, Charles Bridge, etc. can easily be done in one day and I doubt you would feel an irresistible urge to quickly return (as I do not). It's nice and all, very impressive, but been there, done that.

Vienna, on the other hand, I could easily spend three days. Just my opinion, of course. And it just so happens that I'm not a Strauss or opera afficianado. I would not reduce that major international city to THAT.

Another consideration for you, in my opinion, is the fact that your friend appears to be German. So she'll be able to easily communicate in Austria but perhaps not so easily communicate in Prague. In effect, the choice is between having a native speaking guide compared to having a traveling companion in a foreign language country. I'd go with the fluent German guide.

I'm sure this can no longer be the case. But Prague's restaurant servers had the most godawful body odor of anywhere I've ever been. They looked clean so I assumed at the time that it was a cultural thing to not use deodorant sticks or sprays and, instead, embrace their natural smells. Which was apparently fine for them, but a bit "less than optimal" for me.

And don't neglect amazing Munich. There are many areas of Bavaria (i.e., Bayern) where the "impossible to understand" Bayerisch dialect is spoken. But Munich's populace, living in a big city, for the most part speak Hochdeutsch (high German or "what you hear on the radio" German). But I enjoyed playing the "how would you say that in Bayerish?" game followed by raucous laughter. Great fun!

My friend is Polish. She just lives in Germany. She seems to have zero concerns about communicating in any of these places.

 

[andre10056]

"My friend is Polish. She just lives in Germany. She seems to have zero concerns about communicating in any of these places."

I understand that as my father, a native speaker of a Slavic language, could communicate with ANYONE who spoke a Slavic language. Although he wasn't fluent in other Slavic languages. And sometimes he struggled to communicate although the two people (my father and someone else) were ultimately able to, by trying different ways to say something, understand each other.

I thought it might be possible that she might be an American expat or Polish or Turkish or whatever. Hence, I wrote that she "appeared to be" German by virtue of living in Frankfurt. But I bet she's substantially adept in German.

Vienna is special. Here I've selected at random just one of many, many websites extolling the magnificence of Vienna. In my opinion, there are few other worldwide cities that compare to it.

24 Best Things To Do In Vienna (+ Itinerary & Map)

Discover the best things to do in Vienna: grand palaces & art museums to iconic coffee houses & rooftop bars — perfect for a 3-day trip.

kelseyinlondon.com