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21 Days Family Trip Croatia-Budapest-Vienna-Prague-Munich

21 Days Family Trip Croatia-Budapest-Vienna-Prague-Munich

Old Apr 25th, 2016, 01:55 AM
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21 Days Family Trip Croatia-Budapest-Vienna-Prague-Munich

Hi All,

I am Maxz from Malaysia, I am planning a trip with my wife and son to Croatia-Budapest-Vienna- Prague-Munich. Then outbound from Munich - Malaysia. I cannot decide which season to visit the above mentioned places would be more relax and appropriate. So i need advise as follows:

1) Oct ( fall ) or Dec ( winter)?
2) The air fare and lodging is it more expensive during Dec ? Because of Christmas season?
3) During Dec, is it all shops or attraction are not open ? Or close very early?
4) How is the climax / weather for above mentioned places during Oct and Dec?

Thanks in advanced

Maxz and Family
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Old Apr 25th, 2016, 03:46 AM
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Dec will be quite a bit colder than Oct and in Dec you MAY get snow which can slow down travel and may make being outdoors much of the day unpleasant some days. It's not the depths of winter yet - but you would need warm winter clothing.

I would go to one of the global weather web sites - I use weather.com - and check out the average temperatures and precipitation for the different times you are considering. Since you are coming from a very warm climate you may find the temps in Dec to be too uncomfortable for you - or not want to buy complete new wardrobes for this trip: warm winter coats, hats, gloves, scarves, warm pants and sweaters and booties with skid proof soles in case there is snow/ice on the walks.

Frankly I would probably do Dec for the Christmas markets, but cut back on the places you're visiting - but them I'm used to a winter at least as cold every year.
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Old Apr 25th, 2016, 04:56 AM
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Maxz, it's good that you followed some of the advice from your earlier post in September and narrowed your holiday a bit. But, I might suggest that you ask yourselves at least these questions. I'm sure others will consider issues that I have not.

1. Are you prepared, or willing to prepare for the weather? Coming from Malaysia, you should consider that in early October you have a better opportunity for good weather, although nothing is guaranteed. December in Central Europe can be damp, cold, sunny and mild, or anything in between.

2. How old is your son, and how will he impact your itinerary?

3. What are your reasons for visiting these destinations? You're not likely to find great beach weather in any of these places, though depending on October travel time, you may find a good variety of other outdoor activities. On the other hand, Central Europe can be charming during the winter holidays, with markets and holiday performances if that is what you are seeking.

4. What is your transportation plan to visit all of these cities?

Happy Planning!
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Old Apr 25th, 2016, 05:58 AM
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October is really off-season for Croatia (and December VERY off-season). What do you want to see and do in Croatia?

Your other destinations are cities and will have things to do year-round.

I like weatherbase.com for climate information. Look at the the average precipitation (rain and snow) as well as the average high and low temperatures. Also note that the hours of daylight are short in Europe that time of year. It'll be dark in the mornings and get dark early in the late afternoon.
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Old Apr 25th, 2016, 08:24 PM
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Hi All,

Thanks for the advise.

Actually me and my wife had visited central Europe on 2010, April (Paris, Italy, Switz, Amster...) We can take the cool around 8 deg Celsius to 12 deg Celsius. But, if winter time the climate drop to 0 deg Celsius, i think it hard for us.

2nd, our son is 3 yrs old, he had follow me and my wife to many places, Thai, Australia, Bali ......So we had experience bringing him to travel with us. It should not be problem.

3rd, myself like history, art and villages. My wife like shopping hahah.......I am thinking to visit the national park at Croatia, spend some relax moment at Vienna and Budapest. Then my wife can do some shopping at Prague or Munich.
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Old Apr 25th, 2016, 08:27 PM
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Dear All,

During Christmas season, are there all the shops are off? Or close at noon?

For hotel booking is it more expensive than other months of the year? Yesterday i start checking the airfare, i realized the airfare during Dec is 30% more expensive than Oct.

Hope you all can enlighten me on this.

TQ again.
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Old Apr 25th, 2016, 09:49 PM
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Vienna (and Austria) is rather different from their neighbors when it comes to shopping and holiday hours. Most stores (including grocery and malls) close by 2000 on weekdays, anywhere from 1200-1800 on Saturdays, and are closed on Sundays and holidays. In Prague and Budapest you will find stores open later and on Sundays, as well.

Most stores in Vienna will close around noon on 24 December and remain closed through 26 December. In Prague, at least, the large shopping mall (Palladium) was open later on 24 December and all day on 26 December. I travel to Prague to shop once or twice a year. Vienna has no true department stores; the city has a fair number of upmarket stores (Tiffany, Chanel, Prada) and boutiques, as well as middle range chains (H&M, Zara), but nothing all that inspiring.

It is not surprising that fares to Central Europe are higher around the Christmas season; many people travel to visit the Christmas markets.
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Old Apr 26th, 2016, 02:57 PM
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Temperatures below 8 degrees are practically guaranteed in December, and you will definitely experience at least a few days of freezing temperatures in the 21 days you'll be staying in this part of the world, provided there is no freak longlasting warm spell. If that is a problem for you, go in October.
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Old Apr 29th, 2016, 04:54 AM
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I can advise you about Budapest as I live here. October could be really nice here, sometimes even with 20 degrees. We still have lot sunshine, perfect for sightseeing. December is cooler of course but the city is really nice with the christmas lights and decors and the christmas markets absolutly worth the visit. Same for the old thermal baths where you can sit outside in fresh air in hot thermal water!
But November: the worst, lot of rain, everything is grey...
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Old Apr 29th, 2016, 07:39 AM
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Is Plitvice the national park you want to visit in Croatia? If so, it's well worth seeing. But how will you get there? If driving, you might encounter icy roads. And icy paths within the park.

You might look at Krka National Park. It's closer to the coast so probably warmer.

But I really don't think December is the time of year for either national park. October maybe.
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Old Apr 29th, 2016, 07:54 AM
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Hi there, I live in Vienna, and it is such a wonderful place to visitIn Winter it can get quite cold, although we had a mild winter last year. I have also lived in or travelled to the other countries you mentioned you would be visiting. I have a blog with a travel section that can help you. You can view my information here http://www.abusybeeslife.com/ under the destinations section, and if you need more advice and guidance, please reach out and I will help you. For the hotels, I would start looking at booking.com now and try to reserve for Vienna as hotels fill up fast over the Christmas period, just book a hotel with an option of free cancellation in case you change your mind. Have fun!
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Old Aug 30th, 2016, 03:10 AM
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Hi All,

Is been a while...

Finally, me and my family had concluded our trips. Due to some reason and everyone schedule, we decided to visit the above mentioned country on Dec 2016. We also booked the return air ticket from Malaysia - London, London - Malaysia. So, i may need further help here . Thousand thanks to everyone in advance.
Our proposal are as follows :

19/12/16 Depart frm M'sia to London
19/12/16 Arrive at London ( stay 1 night)
20/12/16 Take morning flight to Munich
21/12/16 Munich
22/12/16 Munich
23/12/16 Munich
24/12/16 Take morning train to Prague ( not sure are there any train during X'smas Eve)
25/12/16 Prague
26/12/16 Prague
27/12/16 Prague
28/12/16 Take Train to Vienna
29/12/16 Vienna
30/12/16 Vienna
31/12/16 Take Train to Budapest (not sure are there any train during new year eve)
1/1/17 Budapest
2/1/17 Budapest
3/1/17 Take train to Zagreb
4/1/17 Zagreb
5/1/17 Zagreb
6/1/17 Take Flight to Lucern, Switz
7/1/17 Lucern, Switz
8/1/17 Lucern, Switz
9/1/17 Morning flight to London ( from London Airport 3:30pm flight back to M'sia



How do you all think? Is it too many places? I am welcome with comments. I need some advice/suggestion.

That's all for now. May be later need suggestion for the attraction place at each city.

Thanks ya!!

Maxz & Family
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Old Aug 30th, 2016, 05:36 AM
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Have you already been to London? If not, you may want to spend some time there and cut out one of your other cities.

I also might suggest that as soon as you arrive in London, change planes and fly to Munich rather than waste a half day and night's stay in London. That means the 20th is a full day in Munich, travel to Prague on 23rd, travel to Vienna on the 27th, travel to Budapest on the 30th, which helps you better avoid traveling on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve where there might be more limited train schedules and departures.

Also Budapest to Zagreb is a pretty long train ride (over 6 hrs), so you may want to consider flying that route instead.

And if your flight back to Malaysia is on 9/1/17, I would say you want to return to London on 8/1/17, to allow for extra time of possible weather delays/flight strikes/who knows and give you cushion to make your flight home on 9/1/17.

If it were my trip, I'd probably cut out Zagreb and Lucerne and allocate extra days for your other cities and time in London if you hadn't visited there before.
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Old Aug 30th, 2016, 06:17 AM
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I agree with inspiredexplorer. Unless there something compelling you to visit Zagreb, I would drop Zagreb and add the time elsewhere (like London). We toured Zagreb with a guide, and our visit only required one full day. Even if you have visited London previously, the city is large and ever-changing, so there will always be something interesting to see and/or do.
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Old Aug 30th, 2016, 07:00 AM
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Thanks to inspiredexplorer and fourfortravel,

You all are right, i had visited to London during my previous trip on 2012. That is the reason why i didn't put London in my itinerary.Anyhow, i definitely will consider your suggestions. I believe London have more to offer.

And also inspiredexplorer's suggestions are very helpful, i sghould avoid to travel during X'Mas Eve and New Year Eve. Just now i check some of the airline and also train company, those holiday eve do not have any transport available.

For Zagreb, i know nothing much about Zagreb. I only know Plitvice Lakes and Dubrovnik. And i guess during winter time, these 2 places might be closed down. May be i should drop Zagreb.

Any other suggestion for us to visit if we dropped Zagreb? Is Slovenia worth to visit?

Thanks again!

Maxz and Family
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Old Aug 30th, 2016, 07:19 AM
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Please keep in mind that winter in Central Europe means shorter daylight hours, and (generally) gray days that are often damp and cold. You might be surprised how you can fill a day with a museum/palace, followed by lunch, a little wandering, and then a coffee to warm you, not to mention that a 3 year-old in tow can only go so long before they become cold/tired/bored/in need of a nap. Take the time to enjoy your destinations; add a day to each as you see fit, and save the rest for London. You really needn't add another destination.

An important consideration is to secure dinner reservations for the holiday dates; otherwise you may be "stuck" eating an uninspiring meal in a hotel restaurant or tourist trap dive.
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Old Aug 31st, 2016, 02:11 AM
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Thanks Fourfortravel,

May i ask all here,

Do Lucern, Switz have airport?
I keep searching the flight from London to Lucern, but all the websites only show London to Lucern.
Is is the best to travel from London to Lucern is by Train?

TQ

Maxz
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Old Aug 31st, 2016, 06:37 AM
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For Lucerne use the Zurich airport. There's a train station in the airport with direct trains to Lucerne taking one hour.
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Old Aug 31st, 2016, 07:36 PM
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To identify transportation options, try rome2rio.com
It isn't always accurate, and it sometimes misses options, but it's a good starting point.
Good luck!
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Old Sep 1st, 2016, 08:33 PM
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Thanks Mimar & KJA for the info.

I think i have no problem with the itinerary from Munich until Budapest.

But now , From Budapest (2/1/17) until my departure date (9/1/17 from London to Malaysia), i really need help....

I am not familiar with the those South East Europe Country. Most ppl told me not to miss Slovenia ( Lake Bled, Ljubljana and etc..) Can some one advice me should i go to Slovenia? And how many night i should stay at Slovenia.

Besides, My family request to stay 1 or 2 night at Mountain Inns( Alpine Skiing) . I am thinking Austria might be a good choice for us to experience the glaciers. But i have no idea where are the nice place near Vienna. Anyone have suggestions for me ?

Tq

Maxz
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