2006 Oct Europe trip - Final thoughts
We are back and we had a great time.
Some statistics:
We traveled 25 days, visited 5 countries: France, Hungary, Austria, Czech Republic, Germany (not counting layover in London :-) ) Cities/Towns visited: Paris, Budapest, Vienna, Cesky Krymlov, Karlovy Vary, Prague, Dresden, Germany.
Cities liked in that order from best to least:
1. Paris
2-3. Tie Prague and Berlin
4. Vienna
5. Cesky Krymlov - does not qualify for city but cute Rothenburg type mediveal town - Unesco Heritage site.
6. Dresden (if will be better weather would it better)
7. Budapest - very nice city but not that tourist friendly. Maybe it is the result of disturbances. Might give it another try.
7. Karlovy Vary - not much to do unless you want take in waters/spas.
Best Hotels we stayed:
1. Le Meridien in Budapest (also less expensive but then Hungary is less expensive country we visited
2. Oriental Mandarin in Prague (former convent)
3. GrandHotel Pupp in Karlovy Vary - really grand - feeling like staying in palace or museum
4. Marriott in Berlin - although not within category of luxury hotels but very good Marriott hotel of Marriott chain standard, new, bright, good service, perfect location.
Other are characteristic hotels and might not be right hotel for everyone. I like these hotels however in long run I will prefer more modern comfortable hotels.
Hotel Ruze in Cesky Krymlov (museum like hotel, like paradors in Spain)
Westminster in Paris (small mansion, cute but rooms are small)
Bristol in Vienna - it is very ornate, classic, opulent hotel. Represent typical Vienna if you want to experience - Art Nouveau. Masterpieces - grand staircase, grand elevator (see my pictures). Perfect location next to opera.
Less impressive was Westin Dresden - typical Westin, a bit tired interior, but nevertheless very comfortable and has good health center with pool.
Le Meridien and Marriott’s also had pools.
Best meals - Cafe De La Paix in Paris, and surprisingly, dinners at French restaurant Le Meridien Budapest. U Vladare in Prague Best cheap meal - U Kocki in Prague .
Generally we loved European food and did not have a one bad meal. We some breakfasts in where they were included and these were huge breakfast buffets so we packed also sandwiches for lunch. When breakfast were not included, I got food in local supermarkets and in Berlin we've discovered nice coffee bar next to our hotel.
Weird experiences as my son says "Kulich Moments" because we seem to be always looking for trouble :-)
1. Being surrounded first by foreign dignitaries at Le Meridien in Budapest (could not get in/out easily) arriving for commemoration of 50's anniversary of uprising. Next day, dignitaries left and crowd protested. Watched disturbances from our hotel's 3rd floor - best location and view in town. :-(
2. "Stealing" sheets in Gellert spa in Budapest to dry.
3. Running through traffic on Monument of Victory in Berlin (instead of using pedestrian underpass walkway) and almost ran over by little Smart Car. That would be embarrassing death ..
4. Driving in Prague through security of President of Czech Republic residence and asking how to get to our street.
Transportation/Luggage.
Re: airlines. On AA JFK-CDG - no liquids except small containers in Ziploc bag. Take off shoes for screening. on SkyEurope - CDG-BUD - take all liquid you want. They did not ask to shoes off. They only asked do not take sharp objects. on BA TXL-LHR - no liquids, but you do not take shoes off. on AA LHR-JFK - no liquids, and no security screening at all. They did select few people to see carry on.
Trains - good method of transportation if you do not have a lot's of luggage. We had two bags and some extra carryons later but could have reduced size of two bags. Keep in mind that most train station have trains stay only few minutes so you must be mobile to get on and off. Second class was acceptable in cities we've been but in other countries first class might be the way to go. We did not buy tickets with seat reservations but in high season it might be needed.
Car - driving was pleasant in Czech republic and Austria countryside. But driving in a cities a bit difficult navigating maze of medieval streets.
Last but not least, I would like to thank our colleagues and their guides in Europe. These wonderful men and women showed us their cities with insight, sensibility and humor and knowledge. This made our trip incredible experience and helped us to see rather than looking by passing by, listen rather than hear. With guides, we appreciated better what we saw.
Until next time....
Sophia Kulich http://www.sophiastravel.com
Some statistics:
We traveled 25 days, visited 5 countries: France, Hungary, Austria, Czech Republic, Germany (not counting layover in London :-) ) Cities/Towns visited: Paris, Budapest, Vienna, Cesky Krymlov, Karlovy Vary, Prague, Dresden, Germany.
Cities liked in that order from best to least:
1. Paris
2-3. Tie Prague and Berlin
4. Vienna
5. Cesky Krymlov - does not qualify for city but cute Rothenburg type mediveal town - Unesco Heritage site.
6. Dresden (if will be better weather would it better)
7. Budapest - very nice city but not that tourist friendly. Maybe it is the result of disturbances. Might give it another try.
7. Karlovy Vary - not much to do unless you want take in waters/spas.
Best Hotels we stayed:
1. Le Meridien in Budapest (also less expensive but then Hungary is less expensive country we visited
2. Oriental Mandarin in Prague (former convent)
3. GrandHotel Pupp in Karlovy Vary - really grand - feeling like staying in palace or museum
4. Marriott in Berlin - although not within category of luxury hotels but very good Marriott hotel of Marriott chain standard, new, bright, good service, perfect location.
Other are characteristic hotels and might not be right hotel for everyone. I like these hotels however in long run I will prefer more modern comfortable hotels.
Hotel Ruze in Cesky Krymlov (museum like hotel, like paradors in Spain)
Westminster in Paris (small mansion, cute but rooms are small)
Bristol in Vienna - it is very ornate, classic, opulent hotel. Represent typical Vienna if you want to experience - Art Nouveau. Masterpieces - grand staircase, grand elevator (see my pictures). Perfect location next to opera.
Less impressive was Westin Dresden - typical Westin, a bit tired interior, but nevertheless very comfortable and has good health center with pool.
Le Meridien and Marriott’s also had pools.
Best meals - Cafe De La Paix in Paris, and surprisingly, dinners at French restaurant Le Meridien Budapest. U Vladare in Prague Best cheap meal - U Kocki in Prague .
Generally we loved European food and did not have a one bad meal. We some breakfasts in where they were included and these were huge breakfast buffets so we packed also sandwiches for lunch. When breakfast were not included, I got food in local supermarkets and in Berlin we've discovered nice coffee bar next to our hotel.
Weird experiences as my son says "Kulich Moments" because we seem to be always looking for trouble :-)
1. Being surrounded first by foreign dignitaries at Le Meridien in Budapest (could not get in/out easily) arriving for commemoration of 50's anniversary of uprising. Next day, dignitaries left and crowd protested. Watched disturbances from our hotel's 3rd floor - best location and view in town. :-(
2. "Stealing" sheets in Gellert spa in Budapest to dry.
3. Running through traffic on Monument of Victory in Berlin (instead of using pedestrian underpass walkway) and almost ran over by little Smart Car. That would be embarrassing death ..
4. Driving in Prague through security of President of Czech Republic residence and asking how to get to our street.
Transportation/Luggage.
Re: airlines. On AA JFK-CDG - no liquids except small containers in Ziploc bag. Take off shoes for screening. on SkyEurope - CDG-BUD - take all liquid you want. They did not ask to shoes off. They only asked do not take sharp objects. on BA TXL-LHR - no liquids, but you do not take shoes off. on AA LHR-JFK - no liquids, and no security screening at all. They did select few people to see carry on.
Trains - good method of transportation if you do not have a lot's of luggage. We had two bags and some extra carryons later but could have reduced size of two bags. Keep in mind that most train station have trains stay only few minutes so you must be mobile to get on and off. Second class was acceptable in cities we've been but in other countries first class might be the way to go. We did not buy tickets with seat reservations but in high season it might be needed.
Car - driving was pleasant in Czech republic and Austria countryside. But driving in a cities a bit difficult navigating maze of medieval streets.
Last but not least, I would like to thank our colleagues and their guides in Europe. These wonderful men and women showed us their cities with insight, sensibility and humor and knowledge. This made our trip incredible experience and helped us to see rather than looking by passing by, listen rather than hear. With guides, we appreciated better what we saw.
Until next time....
Sophia Kulich http://www.sophiastravel.com
posted by Sophia Kulich | 7:35 AM
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