Eastern Europe trip
Oct 4th, 2013, 03:30 AM
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Eastern Europe trip
We are visiting Eastern /Central Europe July August 2014
We have booked 14 day cruise to Norway and Baltic States
Disembark in Copenhagen
We are looking at visiting Prague 4 days
Krakow 3 days
Budapest 4 days
Then to Zagreb
What recommendations are there for travelling from CPH to Prague
And alternative transport to the other cities mentioned
Then on to Croatia for 16 days
So much to see......We want to enjoy it all
We have approx 50 days
Any suggestions re travel modes within these countries would be greatly appreciated
Thank you
We have booked 14 day cruise to Norway and Baltic States
Disembark in Copenhagen
We are looking at visiting Prague 4 days
Krakow 3 days
Budapest 4 days
Then to Zagreb
What recommendations are there for travelling from CPH to Prague
And alternative transport to the other cities mentioned
Then on to Croatia for 16 days
So much to see......We want to enjoy it all
We have approx 50 days
Any suggestions re travel modes within these countries would be greatly appreciated
Thank you
Oct 4th, 2013, 05:14 AM
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sounds like a fab trip!
Norway is wonderful..we did a road trip...lots of suggestions came from fodorites
Prague..pretty but unkempt back in 2006..most people love it..i thought it was shabby...needed lots of tweaking to come up to the standard of say viennas gracious charm
we made our way using taxis (use the registered cabs AAA ..many cabs are uninsured and are dodgey...will rip you off big time any chance they get)
we also took a train trip to cesky krumlov...easy day trip from prague
we did a roadtrip in croatia starting from zagreb...stayed overnight at plitvice lakes...went on to zadar and then trogir for the night...trogir is fabulous little old town and rooms are available within the old city
we drove the next day to dubrovnik stopping at markarska riviera and then ston..all recommendations from fodorites..
dubrovnik is lovely and we scored an apartment right in the old town again...great atmosphere and location
we did a daytrip from there to montenegro to kotor fjord..a lovely day out and easy driving through the borders
the roads are very good in croatia and well signposted
after the road trip we rented a yacht for a week and sailed to hvar, brac and vis...hvar was my favorite...hired a motorbike and managed to get a fair way round the island
on vis we hired a car ...its more rugged..less touristy than all of the other islands
ill post more details if you need help with anything that Ive mentioned...we travelled in june...didnt book anything in croatia except the first night at plitvice lakes...in the park itself...otherwise we just headed to the tourist info office in each town and asked for accommodation
in august it is busier but when we went, we had no problems just winging it...lots of sobje (rooms) or zimmer along the roads ...good rates too!
good luck with the planning...50 daysworth...wow!
Norway is wonderful..we did a road trip...lots of suggestions came from fodorites
Prague..pretty but unkempt back in 2006..most people love it..i thought it was shabby...needed lots of tweaking to come up to the standard of say viennas gracious charm
we made our way using taxis (use the registered cabs AAA ..many cabs are uninsured and are dodgey...will rip you off big time any chance they get)
we also took a train trip to cesky krumlov...easy day trip from prague
we did a roadtrip in croatia starting from zagreb...stayed overnight at plitvice lakes...went on to zadar and then trogir for the night...trogir is fabulous little old town and rooms are available within the old city
we drove the next day to dubrovnik stopping at markarska riviera and then ston..all recommendations from fodorites..
dubrovnik is lovely and we scored an apartment right in the old town again...great atmosphere and location
we did a daytrip from there to montenegro to kotor fjord..a lovely day out and easy driving through the borders
the roads are very good in croatia and well signposted
after the road trip we rented a yacht for a week and sailed to hvar, brac and vis...hvar was my favorite...hired a motorbike and managed to get a fair way round the island
on vis we hired a car ...its more rugged..less touristy than all of the other islands
ill post more details if you need help with anything that Ive mentioned...we travelled in june...didnt book anything in croatia except the first night at plitvice lakes...in the park itself...otherwise we just headed to the tourist info office in each town and asked for accommodation
in august it is busier but when we went, we had no problems just winging it...lots of sobje (rooms) or zimmer along the roads ...good rates too!
good luck with the planning...50 daysworth...wow!
Oct 4th, 2013, 07:57 AM
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Copenhagen - Prague or Krakow: cheap flights with Norwegian or LOT
Easyjet has cheap flights from Billund to Krakow
Wizzair has cheap flights from Malmo to Katowice
You may also go by ferry from Trelleborg to Swinoujscie, from there by direct overnight train (sleeping cars) to Krakow, with another overnight train (sleeping cars) from Krakow to Prague and finally by intercity train from there to Budapest (direct or via Vienna).
During the summer season, there are usually direct trains and planes from Budapest to the Croatian Adria coast.
For Croatian ferries, you may have a look at
http://www.jadrolinija.hr/
http://www.krilo.hr/
http://www.gv-line.hr/raspored.php?linija=3
Other links
http://croatia.hr/en-GB/Destinations/Islands
http://www.visitcroatia.net/en
http://www.croatia-beaches.com/
Easyjet has cheap flights from Billund to Krakow
Wizzair has cheap flights from Malmo to Katowice
You may also go by ferry from Trelleborg to Swinoujscie, from there by direct overnight train (sleeping cars) to Krakow, with another overnight train (sleeping cars) from Krakow to Prague and finally by intercity train from there to Budapest (direct or via Vienna).
During the summer season, there are usually direct trains and planes from Budapest to the Croatian Adria coast.
For Croatian ferries, you may have a look at
http://www.jadrolinija.hr/
http://www.krilo.hr/
http://www.gv-line.hr/raspored.php?linija=3
Other links
http://croatia.hr/en-GB/Destinations/Islands
http://www.visitcroatia.net/en
http://www.croatia-beaches.com/
Oct 4th, 2013, 09:34 AM
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Trains are getting better and better in eastern Europe and there are useful overnight trains to hop to cover long journeys and also save on the cost of a hotel - flying takes half a day no matter how short the flight - night trains save time - anyway for loads of great info on Eastern European trains check out thse IMO fantastic sites - www.seat61.com; http://www.budgeteuropetravel.com/id6.html and www.ricksteves.com.
And there is an Eastern European railpass valid in Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Austria and a Balkans Railpass valid in all the various Balkan countries.
And there is an Eastern European railpass valid in Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Austria and a Balkans Railpass valid in all the various Balkan countries.
Oct 4th, 2013, 12:40 PM
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<<Prague..pretty but unkempt back in 2006..most people love it..i thought it was shabby...needed lots of tweaking to come up to the standard of say viennas gracious charm>>
Evidently lanejohann doesn't account for the 40+ years Prague spent in Commie hell when comparing to Vienna.
Check for budget airlines for Copenhagen to Prague or Vienna. Fact is, you'd have to go across much of Germany to get to Prague by train, and not all of it would be on ICE lines.
Evidently lanejohann doesn't account for the 40+ years Prague spent in Commie hell when comparing to Vienna.
Check for budget airlines for Copenhagen to Prague or Vienna. Fact is, you'd have to go across much of Germany to get to Prague by train, and not all of it would be on ICE lines.
Oct 5th, 2013, 08:31 AM
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Evidently lanejohann doesn't account for the 40+ years Prague spent in Commie hell when comparing to Vienna.>
I was in Prague way before the Velvet Revolution and yes it was very very shabby and still far behind posh Vienna, a city some find too spic-and-span - a lot of catching up to do and since 2006 I'd wager a lot more gussying up has been done.
To me Vienna, though a great city, is one of the more boring overall in Europe that I've been to - not quite as bad as Brussels but for me at least near the top.
I was in Prague way before the Velvet Revolution and yes it was very very shabby and still far behind posh Vienna, a city some find too spic-and-span - a lot of catching up to do and since 2006 I'd wager a lot more gussying up has been done.
To me Vienna, though a great city, is one of the more boring overall in Europe that I've been to - not quite as bad as Brussels but for me at least near the top.
Oct 5th, 2013, 04:39 PM
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Yes indeedy - centraleurope - too gussied up and too clean and too whatever is not always what I like but yes a bit of tackiness left over from Commie days and architecture from Commie days - Socialist Realism I think they call it - is also nice - Vienna B O R I N G compared to Prague in that regard.
Oct 5th, 2013, 11:02 PM
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Thank you again all responders
Also more queries
I think I have a good cheap flight to Prague ex CPH on July 20
Which gives us about four weeks till we fly ex Frankfurt to Home
Within that time we would like to see those places mentioned
Prague 3-4 Krakow 3-4Budapest3-4 Ljubljana 2 Zagreb 2 cruise the Adriatic for 7 days from Split and finish in Dubrovnik
So from Split including the cruise about 10 days there
I can see we have enough time incl travel
What are others thoughts
are we trying to see too much?
Also
The train fares mentioned cannot be purchased from Australia at those prices
How do I get fares ( sleepers) for a reasonable price
Thanks again
Also more queries
I think I have a good cheap flight to Prague ex CPH on July 20
Which gives us about four weeks till we fly ex Frankfurt to Home
Within that time we would like to see those places mentioned
Prague 3-4 Krakow 3-4Budapest3-4 Ljubljana 2 Zagreb 2 cruise the Adriatic for 7 days from Split and finish in Dubrovnik
So from Split including the cruise about 10 days there
I can see we have enough time incl travel
What are others thoughts
are we trying to see too much?
Also
The train fares mentioned cannot be purchased from Australia at those prices
How do I get fares ( sleepers) for a reasonable price
Thanks again
Oct 6th, 2013, 04:26 AM
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Personally, I buy these train tickets the day I want to travel. In Budapest, there is no reason to buy in advance.
As for order, (not sure order is implied), I would go from Budapest to Zagreb (out of Deli) and then Zagreb to Ljubljana.
I might buy my Prague - Krakow - Budapest legs in advance (If I easily could)... and certainly I would buy the sleeper leg in advance).... I don't tend to take sleeper cars as my husband is a major insomniac.
As for order, (not sure order is implied), I would go from Budapest to Zagreb (out of Deli) and then Zagreb to Ljubljana.
I might buy my Prague - Krakow - Budapest legs in advance (If I easily could)... and certainly I would buy the sleeper leg in advance).... I don't tend to take sleeper cars as my husband is a major insomniac.
Oct 6th, 2013, 09:06 AM
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Sounds like a wonderful trip!
"Prague 3-4 Krakow 3-4Budapest3-4 Ljubljana 2 Zagreb 2" -- does this plan include travel time? if so, it seems a rather fast pace to me. Not undo-able by any means, but it could be a bit tiring in the middle of such a long trip. Much as I loved Zagreb, that's the one I would cut if necessary. The Plitvice Lakes are so spectacular, that I would probably go to them rather than Zagreb, spending at least one night in the park. Also are you leaving any time for Split itself? I loved it and think it deserves at least a day. (And you can easily visit Trogir from Split.)
Enjoy!
"Prague 3-4 Krakow 3-4Budapest3-4 Ljubljana 2 Zagreb 2" -- does this plan include travel time? if so, it seems a rather fast pace to me. Not undo-able by any means, but it could be a bit tiring in the middle of such a long trip. Much as I loved Zagreb, that's the one I would cut if necessary. The Plitvice Lakes are so spectacular, that I would probably go to them rather than Zagreb, spending at least one night in the park. Also are you leaving any time for Split itself? I loved it and think it deserves at least a day. (And you can easily visit Trogir from Split.)
Enjoy!
Oct 6th, 2013, 09:01 PM
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We spent one full day and 2 nights in Zagreb... I loved it. To me, it is a bit what old town Prague would be like if not overrun with tourists. And the trip to Ljubljana from Zagreb is only about 2 hours....So you have time on that day to spend in each city.
We also only spent 2 nights in Ljubljana - and elected not to day trip lake bled (a friend who had been there recently said he was quite disappointed - way too many coke stands and tourists). I am not sure if that is accurate, but the city of Ljubljana and the castle area was charming.
In any event, this worked well for us. Our vacation was on the Slovenia coast with friends. Since we do not drive here, it was a way to leisurely make it to Slovenia (a hard to reach destination from Budapest by public transport).
We also only spent 2 nights in Ljubljana - and elected not to day trip lake bled (a friend who had been there recently said he was quite disappointed - way too many coke stands and tourists). I am not sure if that is accurate, but the city of Ljubljana and the castle area was charming.
In any event, this worked well for us. Our vacation was on the Slovenia coast with friends. Since we do not drive here, it was a way to leisurely make it to Slovenia (a hard to reach destination from Budapest by public transport).
Oct 7th, 2013, 11:33 AM
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"Prague 3-4 Krakow 3-4Budapest3-4 Ljubljana 2 Zagreb 2">
I think for the average tourist 3 days is enough for Prague and Busapest and especially Krakow even though if you do day trips to nearby Auschwitz and the famous Wieliczka Salt Mines that may be good.
Use overnight trains to connect Prague to Krakow and Krakow to Budapest to dover long rather boring distance at night and have a full day in the city.
I think for the average tourist 3 days is enough for Prague and Busapest and especially Krakow even though if you do day trips to nearby Auschwitz and the famous Wieliczka Salt Mines that may be good.
Use overnight trains to connect Prague to Krakow and Krakow to Budapest to dover long rather boring distance at night and have a full day in the city.
Oct 11th, 2013, 09:05 AM
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cruise Adriatic from Split to Dubrovnik>
regular public boats float along the Dalmatian Coast all the way between Rijeka and Dubrovnik and Split - inexpensive if you just use them for transport and sleeping accommodations are not that much I think. Consider stopping off at Hvar - Marco Polo once used it as his base.
regular public boats float along the Dalmatian Coast all the way between Rijeka and Dubrovnik and Split - inexpensive if you just use them for transport and sleeping accommodations are not that much I think. Consider stopping off at Hvar - Marco Polo once used it as his base.
Oct 11th, 2013, 06:41 PM
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PalenQ
This last post is interesting
I am having great difficulty finding a cruise for us
The two companies that pop up when I google Adriatic Cruises one departs on a Wed the other on Saturday but neither fit in to our schedule
How can I find the name of these public boats please
We are more than happy to travel on public boats and onite on the islands
Jenni
This last post is interesting
I am having great difficulty finding a cruise for us
The two companies that pop up when I google Adriatic Cruises one departs on a Wed the other on Saturday but neither fit in to our schedule
How can I find the name of these public boats please
We are more than happy to travel on public boats and onite on the islands
Jenni
Oct 12th, 2013, 07:37 AM
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http://www.croatiatraveller.com/ferr...al_ferries.htm
These ferries are on hard times this says due to the opening of the coastal highway supplanting the need for car ferries so now only run in summer and are more tourist oriented but still cheap compared to cruise ships and you can make your own schedule of how long to stay in one place - perhaps mixing in buses and trains.
These ferries are on hard times this says due to the opening of the coastal highway supplanting the need for car ferries so now only run in summer and are more tourist oriented but still cheap compared to cruise ships and you can make your own schedule of how long to stay in one place - perhaps mixing in buses and trains.
