Croatia and Prague in Dec
Oct 23rd, 2018, 10:09 PM
#21
But you did disagree with me, kja. I, at least, attempted to outline the difficulties of the OP's proposed itinerary, and perhaps I was not judicious enough with the time needed for the "must do" in 10 days, but everyone's "must dos" are not identical, and it was only my intent to show the time challenge posed by the itinerary. You only stated, "For me, that itinerary would take at least 3 weeks at a very rushed pace."
Criticizing, without countering my plan is of no help. Perhaps if you shared what a rushed pace three week itinerary might consist of; between that and my sad itinerary the OP could put together a workable itinerary.
Criticizing, without countering my plan is of no help. Perhaps if you shared what a rushed pace three week itinerary might consist of; between that and my sad itinerary the OP could put together a workable itinerary.
Oct 23rd, 2018, 10:39 PM
#22
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Geesh, fourfortravel, as you say, definitions of "must see's" differ! My point was that even your outline -- which makes it clear that 10 days is insufficient -- would not necessarily cover the listed places at what at least one of us would consider even a superficial level. I certainly did not mean to suggest that your advice didn't have merit; I just offered an honest reaction that I hoped would help put the plan you offered in perspective for the OP. The OP has 10 days. Are we not in agreement that 10 days would be insufficient for the stated wish list? Did my comment not support your conclusion?
I didn't -- and don't -- think it necessary to outline a full, if rushed, 3-week itinerary for someone who has 10 days. I'll leave it to the OP to come up with a plan based on the OP's family's ideas of what the "must-sees" are. You are free to think me remiss in not offering such a plan, but I don't know the OP's interests and so will restrict my comment to what I already said: I would want more time, particularly when I've already recommended -- upthread -- that the OP limit the trip to just Prague and Budapest (with perhaps a day trip or two or other small place in between). That said, I'm glad that you and other Fodorites are willing to approach answers in different ways.
Honestly, kudos to you for trying to lay it out for the OP as you did.
I would think your analysis would help the OP. And maybe knowing that even your outline would be unsatisfying to some of us (or at least me, if no one else) will also help. Who knows?
In the meantime, I sincerely hope you will accept my apology for making you think I was criticizing you. That was NOT my intention.
I didn't -- and don't -- think it necessary to outline a full, if rushed, 3-week itinerary for someone who has 10 days. I'll leave it to the OP to come up with a plan based on the OP's family's ideas of what the "must-sees" are. You are free to think me remiss in not offering such a plan, but I don't know the OP's interests and so will restrict my comment to what I already said: I would want more time, particularly when I've already recommended -- upthread -- that the OP limit the trip to just Prague and Budapest (with perhaps a day trip or two or other small place in between). That said, I'm glad that you and other Fodorites are willing to approach answers in different ways.
Honestly, kudos to you for trying to lay it out for the OP as you did.
I would think your analysis would help the OP. And maybe knowing that even your outline would be unsatisfying to some of us (or at least me, if no one else) will also help. Who knows?In the meantime, I sincerely hope you will accept my apology for making you think I was criticizing you. That was NOT my intention.
Last edited by kja; Oct 23rd, 2018 at 11:23 PM.
Oct 27th, 2018, 07:36 PM
#23
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Hi ! Thank you all for your suggestions and thanks fourfortravel for putting together the rough itinerary. I know how hurried n rushed this looks and usually we do one country or max two at a time and don’t hop n skip like this so I get it.
I am increasing the number of days to 15 and deciding where to be for Christmas n New Year’s Eve. Will Nuremberg or Prague be a better choice for Christmas Eve? N thinking of Salzburg god New Year’s Eve. I spent one New Year’s Eve in Vienna and loved it.or should it be Budapest?
tia
regsrds
I am increasing the number of days to 15 and deciding where to be for Christmas n New Year’s Eve. Will Nuremberg or Prague be a better choice for Christmas Eve? N thinking of Salzburg god New Year’s Eve. I spent one New Year’s Eve in Vienna and loved it.or should it be Budapest?
tia
regsrds
Oct 27th, 2018, 09:44 PM
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@ imz2018: I’m very glad that fourfortravel’s outline helped you understand the constraints of your initial timeframe and that you have increased your number of travel days to 15 – that will greatly improve your likelihood of a successful trip! Now here's what I recommend: Get some good guidebooks (or spend some time with a few in your local library) and plot your wish list on a calendar. Each time you propose to change locations, pencil in your transportation, add some time – a couple of hours at least -- on either side (for getting to/from your lodging, checking in/out, packing/unpacking, getting lost/oriented, etc.). Check opening hours at site-specific internet locations, and check the hours of sunrise and sunset on timeanddate.com.
@ fourfortravel: I honestly don’t know how to thank you for your response to my sincerely offered apology. I certainly err in my choice of words more often than I would like; in this case, I can honestly say that I simply have no words with which to convey my appreciation.
@ fourfortravel: I honestly don’t know how to thank you for your response to my sincerely offered apology. I certainly err in my choice of words more often than I would like; in this case, I can honestly say that I simply have no words with which to convey my appreciation.
Oct 28th, 2018, 06:57 PM
#29
Wherever we are, Christmas Eve is spent at home; and Christmas Day (in Vienna) is spent wandering the city with visiting friends and/or family or taking a hike if the weather is particularly nice; most museums and cafes are open, too. A couple of the Christmas markets are still open, transformed into "New Year's Markets" where one can pore over the seemingly countless good luck tokens to purchase for the coming year. Stores and markets close early on 24 December in Vienna, for planning. Having reservations for both 24 and 25 December in Vienna would be recommended.
New Year's Eve in Vienna is quite a spectacle. The city creates a "Pfad," or path throughout, with various entertainment stages and of course, places to eat and drink along the way. There are fireworks at Rathausplatz at midnight. The scene is quite safe; we have been comfortable with our now-17 year old DD and her friends enjoying the activities without us (in recent years we have chosen to remain home and host a dinner party with friends because our now senior DDog is terrified of the pyrotechnics). Public transportation runs extra trams and trains to get people home afterward efficiently, as well. On New Year's Day the annual Philharmonic concert is performed, with the big screen at Rathaus showing the concert for all who wander over.
New Year's Eve in Vienna is quite a spectacle. The city creates a "Pfad," or path throughout, with various entertainment stages and of course, places to eat and drink along the way. There are fireworks at Rathausplatz at midnight. The scene is quite safe; we have been comfortable with our now-17 year old DD and her friends enjoying the activities without us (in recent years we have chosen to remain home and host a dinner party with friends because our now senior DDog is terrified of the pyrotechnics). Public transportation runs extra trams and trains to get people home afterward efficiently, as well. On New Year's Day the annual Philharmonic concert is performed, with the big screen at Rathaus showing the concert for all who wander over.
Oct 29th, 2018, 08:45 PM
#30
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@ imz2018: Please forgive the following long disgression!
@ fourfortravel: Here’s my understanding of events to date:
· I made the regretable mistake of beginning a comment with the phrase “Not to disagree”—which, where and when I grew up, meant “not for the purpose of disagreeing merely for the sake of disagreeing” and "I'm not really disagreeing, but tweaking" (it doesn’t seem to carry these meanings more broadly in today’s world, a point which I hope to remember from henceforth) -- and I went on to note – honestly – that the itinerary you suggested would not allow time for me to see what I would consider the minimum “must-dos” of those cities – and I believe I was clear in noting that I was referring only to what I would consider the must-dos.
· You criticized me for not offering an alternative, when I had, in fact, done so in post #5. It wasn’t outlined in the same way, but it was an alternative – and, absent information about what the OP would consider to be highest priorities, that rough plan was as far as I was willing to go. (And no, I’m not criticizing you for approaching it differently – thank goodness Fodorites differ in how they approach the advice we offer! Viva la difference!)
· Your next post indicated that you took offense at my comment, and I responded ASAP with some clarifying remarks and, most importantly from my perspective, with a sincere apology.
· You haven’t ackowledged that apology.
· I haven’t asked you to apologize to me for falsely claiming that I didn’t offer an alternative plan. Instead, in the spirit of courtesy and politeness, I choose to believe that every one who takes the time and energy to repond to questions on Fodor’s does so with good intentions – so I was willing to assume that you didn’t intend to insult me or disparage my input (even though that’s what you actually did). Perhaps I was mistaken -- perhaps I should ask you to apologize.
· IMO, you have offered valuable advice to many Fodorites, as you did to this OP.
· I don’t pretend to be perfect or to offer the best possible advice (we all travel differently!), but do you not think I've earned a little bit of leeway for a few misunderstood words? I know you have stated or suggested appreciation for my comments in response to your questions about Athens, the Cinque Terre, Kotor, Saint Petersburg, Seoul, Singapore, and Washington DC – and that’s just in the past year and a half!
· Can we not, please, find a civil, polite, and courteous resolution?
@ fourfortravel: Here’s my understanding of events to date:
· I made the regretable mistake of beginning a comment with the phrase “Not to disagree”—which, where and when I grew up, meant “not for the purpose of disagreeing merely for the sake of disagreeing” and "I'm not really disagreeing, but tweaking" (it doesn’t seem to carry these meanings more broadly in today’s world, a point which I hope to remember from henceforth) -- and I went on to note – honestly – that the itinerary you suggested would not allow time for me to see what I would consider the minimum “must-dos” of those cities – and I believe I was clear in noting that I was referring only to what I would consider the must-dos.
· You criticized me for not offering an alternative, when I had, in fact, done so in post #5. It wasn’t outlined in the same way, but it was an alternative – and, absent information about what the OP would consider to be highest priorities, that rough plan was as far as I was willing to go. (And no, I’m not criticizing you for approaching it differently – thank goodness Fodorites differ in how they approach the advice we offer! Viva la difference!)
· Your next post indicated that you took offense at my comment, and I responded ASAP with some clarifying remarks and, most importantly from my perspective, with a sincere apology.
· You haven’t ackowledged that apology.
· I haven’t asked you to apologize to me for falsely claiming that I didn’t offer an alternative plan. Instead, in the spirit of courtesy and politeness, I choose to believe that every one who takes the time and energy to repond to questions on Fodor’s does so with good intentions – so I was willing to assume that you didn’t intend to insult me or disparage my input (even though that’s what you actually did). Perhaps I was mistaken -- perhaps I should ask you to apologize.
· IMO, you have offered valuable advice to many Fodorites, as you did to this OP.
· I don’t pretend to be perfect or to offer the best possible advice (we all travel differently!), but do you not think I've earned a little bit of leeway for a few misunderstood words? I know you have stated or suggested appreciation for my comments in response to your questions about Athens, the Cinque Terre, Kotor, Saint Petersburg, Seoul, Singapore, and Washington DC – and that’s just in the past year and a half!
· Can we not, please, find a civil, polite, and courteous resolution?
Last edited by kja; Oct 29th, 2018 at 09:26 PM.
Oct 30th, 2018, 06:53 PM
#31
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We did a 10 day trip that included Prague, South Moravia area near Brno and Vienna.
The alternative we came up with--but did not take was Munich - Passau - Prague. You could substitute and do Munich Nuremberg Prague.
I think it comes down to what you want. We really loved Vienna and wished we had spent more time there.
The alternative we came up with--but did not take was Munich - Passau - Prague. You could substitute and do Munich Nuremberg Prague.
I think it comes down to what you want. We really loved Vienna and wished we had spent more time there.
Oct 30th, 2018, 07:18 PM
#32
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Nuremberg has beautiful christmas markets and Prague has the most romantic one. In my opinion, I love Prague for christmas.
The annual concert by the Vienna Philharmonic is hard to battle, but Budapest is like a big party on new year's eve, wether you like to party or to spend a romantic noght, you'll always enjoy it.
The annual concert by the Vienna Philharmonic is hard to battle, but Budapest is like a big party on new year's eve, wether you like to party or to spend a romantic noght, you'll always enjoy it.
Nov 8th, 2018, 04:50 PM
#33
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We spent last Christmas break in Brussels then Prague, then this summer we went to Croatia & Bosnia. Family of 5, kids were 15, 18, 23. NYE was unreal in Prague and the Christmas markets were amazing. Loved it all, had a terrific time!! I highly recommend for that time of year. Croatia is just stunning, and although I am sure it is gorgeous all the time, nothing beats being on the coast or on an island or boat, and jumping in the water for a swim!! We were able to find a company that did shorter said boat tours, and we did 3 days 2 nights, and it was perfect!!!! So, in my opinion, I would choose Prague in winter then Croatia in Summer. Feel free to ask me any questions, as we honestly just did these two trips with teens!!
Nov 10th, 2018, 06:35 PM
#35
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Hello everyone, thanks for your inputs. We have created a rough itinerary n booked in and out tickets and connections but have a few empty spots and some places have extra time for day trips.
19-23 Prague 3 full days
23-26 Nuremberg -3 full days
26/29 Free for now
29-1 Salsburg 3 full days
2-6 Budapest - 4 days
-If Budapest is better than Salzburg or equally good, we can move up Salzburg 26-29 and then Budapest for NYE.
we plan to do a day trip from Prague - maybe CK ( not sure )
- Nuremburg- three full days including Christmas .Is it a day too much ?
- we have a possibility of going to Munich from -26-29 and do two day trips (as we have spent time in Munich a few years ago.) Daytrip Passau/ Linderhoff castle / Regensburg/ Rosenheim
- Newschwenstein - we have seen and loved it.
TIA ,
19-23 Prague 3 full days
23-26 Nuremberg -3 full days
26/29 Free for now
29-1 Salsburg 3 full days
2-6 Budapest - 4 days
-If Budapest is better than Salzburg or equally good, we can move up Salzburg 26-29 and then Budapest for NYE.
we plan to do a day trip from Prague - maybe CK ( not sure )
- Nuremburg- three full days including Christmas .Is it a day too much ?
- we have a possibility of going to Munich from -26-29 and do two day trips (as we have spent time in Munich a few years ago.) Daytrip Passau/ Linderhoff castle / Regensburg/ Rosenheim
- Newschwenstein - we have seen and loved it.
TIA ,
Nov 12th, 2018, 12:41 AM
#37
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Hi !
Besides the two questions above, any personal favorites for free walking tours run by history buffs in Salzburg, Budapest, Prague and Nuremberg. I do understand that tips are expected but In my experience, I found these groups better than the touristy ones.
thanks in advance
Besides the two questions above, any personal favorites for free walking tours run by history buffs in Salzburg, Budapest, Prague and Nuremberg. I do understand that tips are expected but In my experience, I found these groups better than the touristy ones.
thanks in advance
Dec 10th, 2018, 10:18 AM
#39
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Hi all,
for people looking if is worthwhile to travel to Croatia in winter - my answer is Yes. And will explain you in couple of points.
a)Prices
In winter period most of the accommodation prices are 30-40% lower than during summer season. However there is one category of accomodation, that is up to 60-70% cheaper than in high season. It is by staying and renting villas with pool in Croatia - and yes - some of villas have heated swimming pool so you can enjoy even more. There are more than 5000 villas in Croatia and the estimate is that it is growing by 500 new villas for rent per year.
b) Info if price is an argument to fo for Croatia
First of all would recommend you to read more about Croatia a Croatia official page and pick the one of the three regions in Croatia: Istria, Dalmatia (that was asked in originall question) or Dubrovnik. if you already know which destination you want to visit. Than I would recommend you to go for local agencies that often offer handpicked villas with pool and are quite close to the host - which for sure will improve your experience.
1) for Dubrovnik area: would recommend Dubrovnik villas specialized online travel agency. For more on Dubrovnik specific visit local tourism board TURISTI?KA ZAJEDNICA GRADA DUBROVNIKA
2) for Dalmatia area: would recommend Dalmatian vilas specialized travel agency for Dalmatia. More info on Dalmatia on regional travel board website The official site of the Tourist Board Split-Dalmatia County
3) for Istria area: would recommend Istria villas with pool - specialized agency for renting villas with pool in Istria .More info about Istria on local travel board pages All about IstriaOn top many events happen during winter - e.g. we had recently olive oil exhibition , advent is in all coastal cities beautiful, many concerts and in general more "air to breath" as there are less tourists and you can enjoy "native" way of life. Not to forget, on the coast during winter there is enough of local fresh fish (not the case during summer) so you get real taste as well. ...and weather:
now is December - outside is 15C. So after bath in pool - you will not freeze.
Hope this helps You and All future travelers to Croatia during winter.
Toni
for people looking if is worthwhile to travel to Croatia in winter - my answer is Yes. And will explain you in couple of points.
a)Prices
In winter period most of the accommodation prices are 30-40% lower than during summer season. However there is one category of accomodation, that is up to 60-70% cheaper than in high season. It is by staying and renting villas with pool in Croatia - and yes - some of villas have heated swimming pool so you can enjoy even more. There are more than 5000 villas in Croatia and the estimate is that it is growing by 500 new villas for rent per year.
b) Info if price is an argument to fo for Croatia
First of all would recommend you to read more about Croatia a Croatia official page and pick the one of the three regions in Croatia: Istria, Dalmatia (that was asked in originall question) or Dubrovnik. if you already know which destination you want to visit. Than I would recommend you to go for local agencies that often offer handpicked villas with pool and are quite close to the host - which for sure will improve your experience.
1) for Dubrovnik area: would recommend Dubrovnik villas specialized online travel agency. For more on Dubrovnik specific visit local tourism board TURISTI?KA ZAJEDNICA GRADA DUBROVNIKA
2) for Dalmatia area: would recommend Dalmatian vilas specialized travel agency for Dalmatia. More info on Dalmatia on regional travel board website The official site of the Tourist Board Split-Dalmatia County
3) for Istria area: would recommend Istria villas with pool - specialized agency for renting villas with pool in Istria .More info about Istria on local travel board pages All about IstriaOn top many events happen during winter - e.g. we had recently olive oil exhibition , advent is in all coastal cities beautiful, many concerts and in general more "air to breath" as there are less tourists and you can enjoy "native" way of life. Not to forget, on the coast during winter there is enough of local fresh fish (not the case during summer) so you get real taste as well. ...and weather:
now is December - outside is 15C. So after bath in pool - you will not freeze.
Hope this helps You and All future travelers to Croatia during winter.
Dec 10th, 2018, 03:58 PM
#40
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Thanks Istrian! Perhaps another winter. For now it’s
Prague
Nurenberg
Salsberg
Munich
Budapest
in 2.5 weeks
any recommendations for good local food in these cities?
Croatia another time
TIA
Prague
Nurenberg
Salsberg
Munich
Budapest
in 2.5 weeks
any recommendations for good local food in these cities?
Croatia another time
TIA
