European Rail Travel - From Prague/Praha day/two day trip ideas?

I've searched around and am ready ask for help. I'm visiting PRG for a long weekend and want to take a day or two trip someplace else. We arrive mid day Friday, depart mid morning Tuesday. We're thinking Friday afternoon and Saturday in PRG and then take an overnight train to someplace. Spend Sunday in that someplace then take either an over night or shorter train in the afternoon/evening to someplace else Sunday evening. Spend Monday in that someplace else then take a train back to Praha Monday evening to stay there and depart Tuesday.

So the question is what would you all suggest for that someplace and that someplace else? Or would you recommend just going to one other place given our short trip? We're leaning towards the latter to save time/sanity on travel.

My initial thoughts were:
Prague-Budapest-Vienna-Prague
Prague-Vienna-Bratislava-Prague
Prague-Munich-Prague
Prague-Vienna-Prague

I'm open to ideas and obviously not looking for somebody to completely create my entire trip. TIA!

If this is your first time to Prague, I would recommend spending the entire long weekend there. If you need a day trip, you can easily do one to Pilsen, Dresden Or Česky Krumlov. I would NOT go to Germany on Sunday as everything is usually closed. Of the three suggestions, I'd go with Dresden, it's only 2 hours by train and has many more things to see than the other two choices. Plus it gives you a good comparison of Czech Republic vs. Germany. If I had a choice I'd spent a night in Česky Krumlov

I've had an apartment in Prague for the last three years and recommend you don't need a day trip as Prague is worthy of the time.

If you have already decided otherwise, Vienna is an easy trip and is beautiful in every sense. Adding more to the itinerary will make it seem more like a forced march than a holiday. Visit the Prague forum at tripadvisor and search the links regarding train tickets. GCEK is a destination expert on the forum and gives exceptional ticketing advice.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum-g274707-i96-Prague_Bohemia.html

You have three full days in Prague and you think that is too many to even spend in the entire country? I'm with the others.

Thanks all. My intention with a day trip wasn't to take away from Prague, but see as much as possible in the short time I'm there. I don't like to be regimented on my holidays and am also concerned about too much intra-holiday travel taking away from the entire trip. Therefore, I think we'll stay in Prague and maybe take a day trip to someplace close as a game time decision.

Also, thanks for the trip advisor, Adam link. Both are helpful.

There are several interesting Czech cities that are much closer and that you could 'see' in a day. From the larger (Plzen) to the mid-sized (Olomoc, Hradec Kralove) to the smaller (Beroun).

Top 3 Suggestions
Prague-Krakow-Prague (Did the Krakow-Prauge overnight train this summer)
Prague-Budapest-Prague
Prague-Munich-Prague
(If you end up staying in Prague and want a closer day or two trip check out Český Krumlov! Couple hrs outside Prague)
First, what are you into? As all these cities have different character to them. Are you on a budget of an sort?

Having been to all of these places this summer and a couple times now (plus going back in a month) I would hands down suggest Krakow, Poland! The price is right, the people are very friendly, very relaxing and great Vodka btw.

Second Budapest is an awesome city, much more busy but lots to see and do if your trying to have a very active trip. From the baths to the caves and some really interesting bars that city has it all.

You cant go wrong with Munich in the summer, I've never been there when its cold but if you want to indulge in some quality beer and traditions head there.

Agree that Krakow is great, but it's also 18+ hours roundtrip by train from Prague. Budapest and Munich are around 12-13. Lots of train time for three days.

Top 3 Suggestions
Prague-Krakow-Prague (Did the Krakow-Prauge overnight train this summer)
Prague-Budapest-Prague
Prague-Munich-Prague

None of these are doable in the time frame provided.

None of these are doable in the time frame provided.

What? Fri and Sat in Prague, Sat night out to Krakow, Sunday and Monday in Krakow and Mon night back to Prague. Doable but maybe not ideal in some peoples mind, Krakow>Prague in my mind...

Go to Prague and spend 1 1/2 days there? Why not just go to Krakow then and skip it?

Top 3 Suggestions
Prague-Krakow-Prague (Did the Krakow-Prauge overnight train this summer)
Prague-Budapest-Prague
Prague-Munich-Prague
(If you end up staying in Prague and want a closer day or two trip check out Český Krumlov! Couple hrs outside Prague)
First, what are you into? As all these cities have different character to them. Are you on a budget of an sort?

Thanks. I don't want to go too Krakow this trip. I think a dedicated trip is better. Into culture, food/drink, history, unique things, night life. No set budget, but don't want to get too crazy with my spend.

Go to Prague and spend 1 1/2 days there? Why not just go to Krakow then and skip it?

I agree. I want to visit both places, but not on the same trip.

I guess I should say: if one is the type who simply wants to see Old Town Square, tour the castle for a couple hours, walk across the bridge, and have a Czech beer, six hours in Prague would be enough. Everyone has different aims in traveling, I recognize, although I forget it sometimes.