Please help me plan my itinerary Prague-Bucharest
Jun 20th, 2009, 04:46 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Please help me plan my itinerary Prague-Bucharest
Hi, I am a solo traveler planning 11-12 days in Eastern Europe in August. I am planning this rather last minute due to a change in plans so I am willing to change my itinerary at this point.
Most of my travel has been to warm more tropical locales-SE Asia, N Africa, Western Europe along the Mediterranean- so I am really looking forward to seeing an entirely different landscape and architecture.
I am planning to fly into Prague and out of Bucharest. I want to spend a few days in Budapest as well.
How much time should i allow in each city? What should i add to my itinerary (Cesky Krumlov, Vienna, Transylvania??)
I enjoy art, architecture, good food and drink(I'm a chef) exploring cities, people watching, spas.
I would also like information on the best trains to take in between each city-how is the overnight train from Budapest to Bucharest?
Most of my travel has been to warm more tropical locales-SE Asia, N Africa, Western Europe along the Mediterranean- so I am really looking forward to seeing an entirely different landscape and architecture.
I am planning to fly into Prague and out of Bucharest. I want to spend a few days in Budapest as well.
How much time should i allow in each city? What should i add to my itinerary (Cesky Krumlov, Vienna, Transylvania??)
I enjoy art, architecture, good food and drink(I'm a chef) exploring cities, people watching, spas.
I would also like information on the best trains to take in between each city-how is the overnight train from Budapest to Bucharest?
Jun 23rd, 2009, 07:55 AM
#2
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I just returned from my first European trip which included three nights in Prague. Three days was enough for us in the oldest parts of Prague, Old town, New town, Prague Castle side of the river. It would have been nice to have a couple more days for trips outside of the city.
If you can afford it and have time I highly recommend a private guide. After meeting our guide, it was evident he could provide information for ANY level and range of interest. Here is feedback I just sent into Fodor's:
After seeing the recommendation in your Prague travel guide for Prague-Private-Guide.com (Prague-Walks.com) I booked a 6-hour customized tour for my husband and me through their online request form. I received a very timely reply from owner Jaroslav “Jay” Pesta. Jay answered ALL my questions - I had several - and he included entrance fee information for the places he recommended we might like to visit.
Jay was personable, enthusiastic and knowledgeable about Prague and the Czech Republic and obviously passionate about providing tours that were customized to the interest of the client. Jay met us right on time in the reception area of the hotel. He went above and beyond to assist me by making contact with the Vital Records department to find out what I needed to search for information on my grandfather who was born in Prague and he followed up with me the next day.
After our tour was concluded, my husband and I both had wished we’d booked more time with Jay. We feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to meet Jay and have him as our Prague private guide. Jay gets our highest recommendation.
Best of luck in your travels.
If you can afford it and have time I highly recommend a private guide. After meeting our guide, it was evident he could provide information for ANY level and range of interest. Here is feedback I just sent into Fodor's:
After seeing the recommendation in your Prague travel guide for Prague-Private-Guide.com (Prague-Walks.com) I booked a 6-hour customized tour for my husband and me through their online request form. I received a very timely reply from owner Jaroslav “Jay” Pesta. Jay answered ALL my questions - I had several - and he included entrance fee information for the places he recommended we might like to visit.
Jay was personable, enthusiastic and knowledgeable about Prague and the Czech Republic and obviously passionate about providing tours that were customized to the interest of the client. Jay met us right on time in the reception area of the hotel. He went above and beyond to assist me by making contact with the Vital Records department to find out what I needed to search for information on my grandfather who was born in Prague and he followed up with me the next day.
After our tour was concluded, my husband and I both had wished we’d booked more time with Jay. We feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to meet Jay and have him as our Prague private guide. Jay gets our highest recommendation.
Best of luck in your travels.
Jun 23rd, 2009, 08:23 AM
#3
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Cakegal, first of all, I would not trust Camille_e. Her first message in Fodors seems to be advertising.
Yes, there are night trains to Bucharest from Budapest. But you may want to stop at Sibiu / Sighisoara for 2 nights.
However, I would visit Budapest for 3 full days, Prague for 4, Vienna for 4. So, no time for Romania!
Yes, there are night trains to Bucharest from Budapest. But you may want to stop at Sibiu / Sighisoara for 2 nights.
However, I would visit Budapest for 3 full days, Prague for 4, Vienna for 4. So, no time for Romania!
Jun 23rd, 2009, 08:30 AM
#4
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 25,861
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re camille_e's post:
FWIW, that Prague travel guide IS recommended in Fodors' guide:
http://www.fodors.com/world/europe/c...p_1997734.html
From the link above:
<i>One private guide comes to us highly recommended. His name is Jaroslav "Jay" Pesta, and he's an informative and reliable guide who speaks good English. Jay offers a wide range of touring options, or he can design a personalized tour around your interests. He'll lead you around Prague on a full-day private walking tour for around 1,200 Kc per person (less if you want a half-day tour), and the experience is much more enjoyable than a bus tour with a large group. The best and easiest way to contact him is through his Web site.</i>
FWIW, that Prague travel guide IS recommended in Fodors' guide:
http://www.fodors.com/world/europe/c...p_1997734.html
From the link above:
<i>One private guide comes to us highly recommended. His name is Jaroslav "Jay" Pesta, and he's an informative and reliable guide who speaks good English. Jay offers a wide range of touring options, or he can design a personalized tour around your interests. He'll lead you around Prague on a full-day private walking tour for around 1,200 Kc per person (less if you want a half-day tour), and the experience is much more enjoyable than a bus tour with a large group. The best and easiest way to contact him is through his Web site.</i>
Jun 23rd, 2009, 08:36 AM
#5
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
CORRECTION! I entered the website address incorrectly -- it is:
Private-Prague-Guide.com
Please see the posting from Fodor editor Doug Stallings "Just back from Prague". He highly recommends Jay.
Here is the link: http://www.fodors.com/news/story_1152.html
Private-Prague-Guide.com
Please see the posting from Fodor editor Doug Stallings "Just back from Prague". He highly recommends Jay.
Here is the link: http://www.fodors.com/news/story_1152.html
Jun 23rd, 2009, 09:14 AM
#6
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,215
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Last year, we spent 4 nights (3 full days) in Prague, and that was the right amount of time for us. We spent a lot of time in the Old Town Square area, castle hill, toured the synagogues, visited the Museum of Czech Cubism and the Museum of Communism, plus had plenty of time for sitting at cafes. We didn't do any day trips from Prague, as the next portion of the trip, we rented a car and spent 5 days in the countryside.
What kind of good food are you looking for? Those parts of the world aren't known for their sophisticated restaurants or cuisine, though it seems the situation is getting better. Are you seeking out fine local cuisine, good chow in any price range, or world-class cuisine that might not be particlarly Czech?
What kind of good food are you looking for? Those parts of the world aren't known for their sophisticated restaurants or cuisine, though it seems the situation is getting better. Are you seeking out fine local cuisine, good chow in any price range, or world-class cuisine that might not be particlarly Czech?
Aug 4th, 2009, 05:40 AM
#11
OK, back to the topic at hand... This is what I did:
5 nights in Prague (with a day trip to Terezin)
Bus to Cesky Krumlov
1 night in Cesky Krumlov
Lobo shuttle to Linz and train to Vienna (I understand that the Lobo shuttle now goes all the way to Vienna and another shuttle company is also available)
4 nights in Vienna
A day tour to Budapest (took my luggage with me and stayed in Budapest when the tour returned to Vienna)
4 nights in Budapest
And, I found some very good restaurants in Prague and Budapest based on concierge recommendations. I probably have some restaurant names at home but won't be there for a couple of weeks.
5 nights in Prague (with a day trip to Terezin)
Bus to Cesky Krumlov
1 night in Cesky Krumlov
Lobo shuttle to Linz and train to Vienna (I understand that the Lobo shuttle now goes all the way to Vienna and another shuttle company is also available)
4 nights in Vienna
A day tour to Budapest (took my luggage with me and stayed in Budapest when the tour returned to Vienna)
4 nights in Budapest
And, I found some very good restaurants in Prague and Budapest based on concierge recommendations. I probably have some restaurant names at home but won't be there for a couple of weeks.
