travelfan1

If I could only make decisions! Going in June...leaving on the 11th to be exact. Originally (and my DH still thinks it is) it was to be Scandanavia and Russia. Why?..northern locations because we prefer touring under 80F and Russia because my husband has a history background. Moving on with this...he mentioned to me about seeing Berlin, Poland and moving on to Russia. I nixed that idea at first and later decided to include Berlin and surprise him. Can you tell who plans our trips? Ended up I was planning on flying into Berlin, training to Copenhagen and flying into Russia to see Moscow and St. Petersburg. Now I'm thinking of exchanging Poland for Copenhagen and need a little nudge from fellow Fodorites.

I (we) love "old towns", castles, churches, palaces, etc. and I know Copenhagen offered this. However, Krakow has Auschwitz which is a must for my DH. We've been to Prague and loved it! Any similarities between them? Is the salt mine similar to the ones in Austria/Germany...missed that tour when we were there so I'd love to take this one if it's worth it. I will also admitt I love the fact that Poland would be less expensive!

Sooooooooo...should I surprise my DH and save Copenhagen for another summer trip? For me not to have a trip planned 10 months in advance is driving me just a wee bit crazy...help me decide.

Thanks!

cmt

No, I definitely don't think you should "surprise" him. I have no opinion about the places you're considering, never having been to any of them.

mvor

If you do decide to surprise him, here's an inexpensive, non-smoking, Krakow apt. that we're renting next February:

http://www.krakow-apartments.biz/details.html?prpId=214

I'll let others counsel you on the wisdom of surprising him and the comparison of the itineraries. Best of luck!

gplusg

I suggest you definitely go to Copenhagen ! At that time of the year it's absolutely beautiful. Do not miss Tivoli Gardens.At that time of the year it will be mostly daylight until 1-3 AM,then the sun will startcoming up again at about 4 AM

Then take an overnght ferry to Helsinki (perhaps via Stockholm ). Then a train from Helsinki to St Petersberg. This par is only 3-4 hours--or less,and going thru passport control on a train is much easier.I'm sure you are aware that to obtain a Russian Visa you must have an "invitation" from each hotel at which you will be staying.Give yourself plenty of time to get them all.

Have a great time.

gplusg

WallyKringen

To spring that surprise on him may not be practical (he'll see the tix, no??) nor nice - if you tick him off about that, goodbye blissful vacation.

But why not go to Copenhagen, then fly cheaply to Poland? (Sterling to Krakow for USD44 this September, or Norwegian Air USD 75 to Warsaw - surely cheaper if booked ahead next year - keep an eye on those two and on www.skyscanner.net)

Then go to St. Petersburg (have those papers in order - I got mine from www.passportsplus.com after submitting the "invitation" from the hotel in St. Petersburg).

Go first to Tallin and take the bus, or take the ferry across to Helsinki and take one of the only two daytime trains - the Finnish "Sibelius" train leaves at 07:42 and gets into St. P. at 14:30, the Russian "Repin" train leaves at 15:42 and gets there at 22:40. It will still be light, but maybe that is a bit late to find your lodgings etc.

Then there is the Russian "Tolstoi" 17:42 departure that gets in at 01:35...

travelfan1

Believe me, this could be planned without his knowing where we were going. He wouldn't be upset in the least...he wanted to go to Berlin, Poland and Russia...I'm the one who wanted to go to Copenhagen.

ira

Hi T,

I'm with GP.

June 5 is a holiday in Denmark.

Nonconformist

See if you can fit Warsaw in as well as Krakow - the historic town centre was reconstructed post-war.

travelfan1

Haven't decided yet...may end up asking DH but I do know if we go to Russia from Copenhagen it will be by air...and yes, I'm aware of the visa requirements and the
lines. Too complicated and time consuming to train to Stockholm, ferry to Helsinki and then train to St. Petersburg.

Thanks again for the input!

carylspall

krakow is so charming and June is a good month to go there.
MUCH cheaper than Copenhagen, more to see and no drunks lolling about the streets!

Christina

I love Poland, although I've only been to Krakow and Wroclaw, both of which I really enjoyed.

As for whether Krakow has similarities to Prague -- well, I suppose, they are both fairly large cities, historically important, in central Europe, both very beautiful, both on rivers with castles, both have some good museums, etc. But they are different places, of course. Krakow is a little smaller and doesn't have a metro.

AS for there being no drunks in Krakow -- of course, there are -- as well as homeless, lolling around in areas, and especially in the large park around the edge. But there was about 10 drunks at a table next to me at a cafe on the square last month -- they were British tourists and very loud and obnoxious (both men and women, in their 20s-30s). Well, I think originally it was about 6-8 men but they picked up some young British women tourists after a few hours who proceeded to prance around sitting on all the men's laps, talking extremely loudly, breaking glasses, spilling drinks, etc. They were there a total of about 7 hours the mgt. told me, drinking the entire time. I complained and told them they should kick them out or I would leave.

carylspall

Terrible!
Why do the Brits have to behave so badly. It gives us such a bad reputation.
It was Brits on a stag weekend that spoiled Copenhagen at night for us.

travelfan1

I broke down and told my DH my ideas...and Poland won....now I can finely start planning. Yippee!! Copenhagen will be included on our next summer trip!

carylspall

Good on you travelfan 1 !

GSteed

Poles recommend, Lancut. Check, Lichen. Cities on the Baltic may be cold in June.

NativeNewYorker

For me, half of fun of a European trip is in the planning and research. So, for me, a "surprise" wouldn't be half as much fun! And he's a history buff. Nix the surprise! Your original trip sounds wonderful. If I did research and had myself psyched for one trip, and wound up with another, I'd be angry.

ira

>Thinking of changing itinerary to Poland instead of Copenhagen as surprise for my DH..<

Well, that will certainly be a major surprise.

Have you looked into how you will get from Berlin to somewhere in Poland to somewhere in Russia vs Copenhagen to St. Petersburg?

ira

OOOPS,

I need more coffee.