travelsla2

We are looking for a travel agent to help us plan a trip to central europe from May 30th to June 16. We want the trip to include Jewish heritage information and the Romanian portion would be just to the northern part of the country.The itinerary may be to intense given the time restrictions. Can anyone help, Thx.

adrienne

I've never seen a post on this board where people have used a travel agent. Usually TAs book cruises and package tours as that is where they make their money.

What type of Jewish heritage information are you looking for? Perhaps there are people posting here who can help and with a bit of research you can find information that will be more detailed than a TA will come up with.

You can't possibly cover 4 countries in 2 weeks so I suggest you narrow your itinerary to something more manageable.

tower

travelsla2:

My friend Adrienne alerted me to your post: reporting for duty, ma'am/sir:

I have a few questions regarding Northern Romania. How many days are you able to set aside? If you mean Maramures(h) and Bukovina, the number of days will dictate whether you can include further south Bucares(h)t, Iasi (Yash) and parts of Transylvania.

Just to get you started, I can include some familiarization pics to help you with some initial ideas. If there's a guide you wish, I can highly recommend the best for you, perfect English. Are you planning to drive or would you need a guide who will provide transportation? I've been traveling Romania (Jewish Romania in particular) periodically for almost 40 years. Most recently, I escorted a group of 16 of my readership (historical novel with Jewish Romania as its focal point) and the guide I recommend helped me immeasurably with a driver and a Mercedes mini-bus. Of course in that case, I knew exactly what I wanted to cover having been there on my own (always driving)many times since the 70's. I also included Bulgaria in the intinerary.

I see by your screen name, you may be from L.A...I'am...perhaps we can arrange phone calls or a meeting or two (no, no there is NO fee...I'm just an old Fodorite hack who loves to share my travel experiences with others). If you wish to contact me direct please write to [email protected]

If you'd rather not contact me off board, I will be happy to include both scanned and digital selected pix of every place mentioned, in my next post.

You're in for an exciting, rewarding and educational visit. I just suggest you plan more time, or decide to cut one or two of the other locations. For that part of Europe, especially Romania, travel time can be slow.
Best wishes,
Stuart Tower (Mulholland/Bevery Glen)

BigRuss

Stuart: what's the novel? [for future reference, you should fiddle with the email address so you don't get targeted by spambots - sgtbrankoATaol.com or similar]

May 31 arrival to June 16 departure should be just able to be done but how old are you and how fit?

Prague should have 4-5 nights, a walking tour in Josefov could enhance the trip and a day trip to Terezin will so(m)ber it up. Budapest is also worth 5 nights. I think I found this woman from Fodors recommendations: http://www.privatetoursbudapest.com/budapest.htm. There are ton(ne)s of tour guides who will give tours of the Jewish Quarter.

tower

Big Russ...I've been quite aware of the drill all these years....sometimes I use at aol dot com., and other times I don't ...too old to give a f***.... But thanks for thinking of me...you are without a doubt one of the more knowledgeable posters on this forum. I never miss your comments.

I don't mention my book information on Fodors, against the rules but many sidestep by using their blog addresses...I avoid the lounge, but several of my erstwhile readers are on board therein and they occasionally make mention of my titles. I've written some big fat historical novels, and thinner historical treatises...you need a plow to get through 'em...latest one due out in the spring. Google me and it's all there like a bandaged sore thumb.
Keep on travelin' and truckin'....
Stu

BigRuss

Thanks.

I think I found it on Google and on Amazon.

ronto

A list of travel agencies which are offering tours of Romania is available at
http://www.romaniatourism.com/upcoming-tours.html

We can also offer a list of local tour operators.

Romania Jewish Heritage tours
http://www.romaniatourism.com/jewish-heritage.html

Regards