31 days in Germany, Prague & Salzburg Itinerary

A global center of finance and transportation, Frankfurt is perhaps best known for its futuristic cityscape.

Take a break from the city and head to Rhine Valley and Rhine River.

For maps, traveler tips, other places to visit, and tourist information, you can read our Frankfurt trip builder.

If you are flying in from Australia, the closest major airports are Frankfurt am Main International Airport, Frankfurt-Hahn Airport and Cologne Bonn Airport. In August, plan for daily highs up to 30°C, and evening lows to 17°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 27th (Mon) early enough to take a train to Kassel.

Despite suffering total devastation from bombing raids and house-to-house combat during the Second World War, Kassel today has been revitalized as a city of high education, high culture, and the arts.

On the 28th (Tue), explore the historical opulence of Schloss Wilhelmshohe, then tour the pleasant surroundings at Bergpark, then explore the historical opulence of Lowenburg Castle, and finally appreciate the history behind Herkules-Statue.

To see where to stay, maps, and more tourist information, read Kassel travel itinerary creator.

You can take a train from Frankfurt to Kassel in 1.5 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a bus. Expect slightly colder weather when traveling from Frankfurt in August: highs in Kassel hover around 26°C, while lows dip to 15°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 28th (Tue) so you can take a train to Berlin.

The country's capital and largest city, Berlin is a diverse urban center boasting a lively nightlife and countless things to do.

Get in touch with nature at Strandbad Tegeler See and StandUpClub Berlin. Visit Charlottenburg Palace and Berlin Wall Memorial for their historical value. There's lots more to do: examine the collection at Pergamonmuseum, appreciate the history behind Brandenburg Gate, get a sense of history and politics at Reichstag Building, and wander the streets of Potsdamer Platz.

To find ratings, maps, photos, and more tourist information, refer to the Berlin vacation trip planner.

Traveling by train from Kassel to Berlin takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of train and flight. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 1st (Sat) so you can go by car to Dresden.

Dresden boasts a long history as a royal residence of many Saxon kings.

On the 2nd (Sun), steep yourself in history at Museum Festung Dresden, take in the architecture and atmosphere at Frauenkirche Dresden, then don't miss a visit to Bruehl Terrace, and finally don't miss a visit to Zwinger. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Holy Cross Church, take a stroll through Neustadt, and then see the interesting displays at Neues Grünes Gewölbe.

For where to stay, other places to visit, ratings, and other tourist information, you can read our Dresden trip itinerary planner.

Traveling by car from Berlin to Dresden takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. In September in Dresden, expect temperatures between 21°C during the day and 12°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 3rd (Mon) early enough to drive to Prague.

Prague lures millions of tourists each year with its World Heritage-listed medieval city center--a labyrinth of narrow lanes, bridges, cathedrals, and palaces overlooked by a thousand-year-old castle.

To see where to stay, ratings, more things to do, and tourist information, read our Prague online itinerary creator.

Traveling by car from Dresden to Prague takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or take a train. September in Prague sees daily highs of 22°C and lows of 12°C at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 5th (Wed) early enough to go by car to Nuremberg.

Nuremberg's historic town center stands in the shadow of a towering imperial castle that dominates its northwestern corner.

Popular historic sites such as Imperial Castle of Nuremberg and St. Lorenz are in your itinerary. Satisfy your inner culture vulture at Old Town and Germanisches Nationalmuseum. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Nuremberg: Ipf Bopfingen (in Bopfingen) and Rothenburg (Criminal Medieval Museum, Town Walls, & more). There's still lots to do: steep yourself in history at Palace of Justice, see the interesting displays at Dokumentationszentrum Reichsparteitagsgelände, and contemplate in the serene atmosphere at St. Sebaldus Church (St. Sebaldus Kirche).

To see more things to do, traveler tips, ratings, and other tourist information, read our Nuremberg travel itinerary creator.

You can drive from Prague to Nuremberg in 3 hours. Other options are to take a bus; or do a combination of flight and train. In September in Nuremberg, expect temperatures between 23°C during the day and 11°C at night. You'll have a few hours on the 9th (Sun) to wrap things up before traveling to Passau.

Situated at the confluence of three rivers, including the Danube, Passau is steeped in religious history but has adopted a modern commercial outlook.

Start off your visit on the 9th (Sun): soothe aching muscles at some of the top local wellness centers. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 10th (Mon): steep yourself in history at Stadt Passau, Altes Rathaus, make a trip to Veste Oberhaus, then explore the wealth of natural beauty at Baumwipfelpfad, and finally pause for some serene contemplation at St. Stephan's Cathedral.

To find other places to visit, more things to do, photos, and other tourist information, you can read our Passau itinerary planner.

Getting from Nuremberg to Passau by train takes about 2.5 hours. Other options: drive; or take a bus. In September in Passau, expect temperatures between 23°C during the day and 12°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 10th (Mon) so you can travel to Salzburg.

Surrounded by mountain ranges and boasting a well-preserved city center, Salzburg melds culture and history.

On the 11th (Tue), take in the dramatic scenery at Gollinger Wasserfall, take in the awesome beauty at Untersberg, explore the galleries of Mozarts Geburtshaus, then step into the grandiose world of Fortress Hohensalzburg, and finally get to know the fascinating history of Steingasse. On the 12th (Wed), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: make a trip to Altstadt von Salzburg, then admire the striking features of Salzburg Cathedral (Dom), then admire the landmark architecture of Hellbrunn Castle (Schloss Hellbrun), and finally take in the exciting artwork at Residenzgalerie.

To find where to stay, ratings, traveler tips, and more tourist information, read our Salzburg travel itinerary creator.

Drive from Passau to Salzburg in 2 hours. In September, plan for daily highs up to 23°C, and evening lows to 11°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 12th (Wed) to allow time to drive to Munich.

Often described as the city of laptops and lederhosen, Munich is an international center of business, engineering, research, and medicine that still maintains a rich cultural heritage and age-old traditions.

Visit Nymphenburg Palace (Schloss Nymphenburg) and Haidhausen for their historical value. Take a break from the city and head to English Garden and Strandbad St. Alban. Go for a jaunt from Munich to Hohenschwangau to see Neuschwanstein Castle about 1h 35 min away. There's much more to do: get curious at Deutsches Museum, admire the striking features of St. Peter's Church, make a trip to Marienplatz, and wander the streets of Schwabing.

For maps, photos, reviews, and tourist information, read Munich holiday planner.

Drive from Salzburg to Munich in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. In September, plan for daily highs up to 22°C, and evening lows to 10°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 16th (Sun) so you can go by car to Stuttgart.

Stuttgart spreads across a variety of valleys, parks, and hills--many of them covered by vineyards.

Get some historical perspective at Burg Hohenbaden and Castle of Hohenzollern. Satisfy your inner culture vulture at Mercedes-Benz Museum and Porsche Museum. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Stuttgart: Ulmer Münster (in Ulm) and Baden-Baden (Spas & Wellness & Merkur Mountain). It doesn't end there: wander the streets of Koenigstrasse.

To see photos, other places to visit, reviews, and other tourist information, read our Stuttgart vacation builder.

You can drive from Munich to Stuttgart in 2.5 hours. Other options are to take a train; or fly. September in Stuttgart sees daily highs of 22°C and lows of 11°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 19th (Wed) to allow enough time to take a train to Freiburg im Breisgau.

In the heart of a major wine-producing region, Freiburg im Breisgau serves as the primary entry point for tours into the scenic Black Forest mountain range.

On the 20th (Thu), find something for the whole family at Europa-Park. Keep things going the next day: make a trip to Munsterplatz, admire the landmark architecture of Freiburger Münster, then admire the masterpieces at Augustinermuseum, then indulge your taste buds at Markthalle Freiburg, and finally explore the activities along Lake Titisee.

For photos, maps, other places to visit, and other tourist information, go to the Freiburg im Breisgau vacation builder.

You can take a train from Stuttgart to Freiburg im Breisgau in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. In September in Freiburg im Breisgau, expect temperatures between 24°C during the day and 12°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 21st (Fri) to allow enough time to drive to Heidelberg.

A vibrant university city, Heidelberg is nestled in the picturesque Neckar river valley.

Kick off your visit on the 22nd (Sat): trek along Philosophers' Way (Philosophenweg), take in the views from Carl Theodor Old Bridge (Alte Brucke), then make a trip to Altstadt (Old Town), then contemplate the long history of Studentenkarzer, and finally step into the grandiose world of Heidelberg Castle (Schloss Heidelberg). Here are some ideas for day two: admire the natural beauty at Schwetzingen Castle (Schloss), see the interesting displays at Technik Museum Speyer, then admire nature's wide array of creatures at Sea Life Speyer, and finally admire the striking features of Speyer Cathedral.

To see other places to visit, reviews, ratings, and other tourist information, read Heidelberg travel itinerary creator.

You can drive from Freiburg im Breisgau to Heidelberg in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. In September, daily temperatures in Heidelberg can reach 24°C, while at night they dip to 13°C. On the 24th (Mon), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can take a train back home.