For this type of trip the average travel agent will be useless. I suggest you look at Travel and Leisure and Conde Nast Traveler online - and they have lists or travel agents who specialize in specific areas - and actually know something about them.

They may be expensive - but they will be much better than the Liberty travel agent who wasn;t able to book flights from NY to St Pet - since she insisted the only St pet was in FL. I don;t think she had even heard of Russia - never mind been there. (She could book lots of trips to Orlando - or Perillo tours to Italy - but that was about it.)

That's a great story. And thanks, that's very helpful, I will look at Travel and Leisure adn Conde Nast Traveler for specialized travel agents

The Czech Airlines used to have a travel desk that could
book hotels and plane tickets to any city that Czech airlines
flies. We used a great agency years ago but the owner retired.
Keep looking and you may find something through this board.

Also, try Travel Time New York which specializes in Croatia.

Pat

I have lived in central and eastern europe (incl. Budapest and Prague) for 14 years and would be happy to help. Shoot me an email and I can give you some very specific recommendations. My email address is in my profile.
Cheers,
J

I just remembered that I worked with a very nice agent with
Rhapsody Tours (or Travel)who booked us a hotel in the small
city of Eger, Hungary a few years ago. The agency seemed to do a lot of bookings to Central Europe. The only disadvantage for me was that the company is headquartered in Canada and so there was a foreign exchange fee on my credit card for the booking. The agency has a web page. I would use them again.

Pat

I'd also suggest you look at the CN Traveler Magazine list of top agents for specific areas, they have a good list.

This probably won't help but I do like Cedok travel agency in Prague, which is the main Czech travel company (used to be the state one before the revolution). They have English-speaking agents and I always go in there just to buy train tickets or something as it is easier than going to the station, and they don't charge much. So that isn't want you want if you have a lot of custom requirements, but they do have various tours and packages for sale online. http://www.cedok.com

I used a Turkish travel agent for my trip to Turkey and the Greek island of Rhodes 3 years ago and he was fantastic. He and his wife were very helpful with flights, hotels, ferry, and tour options. He goes by Murat. I'm not sure if he can help you with Budapest or other areas, but certainly ask him.

Tell him Heather from LA sent you.

Pınar Soyata Ozguc & Y. Murat Ozguc
Istiklal Caddesi, Proper House No:5450400, Urgup, Nevsehir - Turkey Tel:+90.384.341.6520Fax: +90.384.341.6519www.travelatelier.com

info@travelatelier.com or murat@travelatelier.com