Family 14 day trip to Istanbul, Munich, and Austria and Switzerland
Jun 24th, 2014, 05:11 PM
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Family 14 day trip to Istanbul, Munich, and Austria and Switzerland
We are landing in Istanbul for a day layover, then flying to Munich and renting a car for 12 days. We have 3 teenagers. We plan to stay in Munich 5 days, drive and visit Austria and Switzerland and end up back in Munich the last 2 days. Advice on what to do in Munich and any off the beaten track places while driving though Germany to Austria and Switzerland. We've done research and have informal plans; however, would appreciate any advice on what has worked with families before. We have a day layover in Istanbul and our hotel is yards away from the Blue Mosque. I would love to see the Grand Bazaar, but that may be pushing it. We have a day layover in Istanbul going and we have hotel reservations in Munich going and coming...the middle part of the trip we do not have hotel reservations as of yet. My husband wants to not have the whole trip planned out and I can plan a trip to where it's no fun! We leave 7/2 and arrive home 7/16. Site suggestions, eating suggestion, etc. are welcome. I don't even know where to think about eating in Istanbul but it needs to be close by. Can we take a bus across the bridge....I'd sure like to cross while we're there, but I'm unsure how long it takes to get back and forth from the airport in Istanbul. Thanks....I appreciate everyone's time and advice.
Jun 24th, 2014, 05:30 PM
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Trying to travel with 5 people without reservations in midsummer can be a real issue - especially if you have limited budget. Most places have one or no family rooms that can hold 5 adults - so you will likely need to get 2 rooms - and finding a place with that available with no notice can be a problem.
I VERY strongly suggest you:
Check out hotel options now to see if there is still availability in towns you may want to stay in at your budget
If there is, at a minimum bring a list of hotels with you and email or call to reserve a day or two in advance so you're not left sleeping in a car
For specific recos yuo would have to give an idea of places you are interested in and give us a budget
I VERY strongly suggest you:
Check out hotel options now to see if there is still availability in towns you may want to stay in at your budget
If there is, at a minimum bring a list of hotels with you and email or call to reserve a day or two in advance so you're not left sleeping in a car
For specific recos yuo would have to give an idea of places you are interested in and give us a budget
Jun 24th, 2014, 05:53 PM
#4
You are leaving in a week and don't have accommodations for five?!?
IMO you need to make some rather more firm plans and look for accommodations IMMEDIATELTY.
Very few rooms will sleep 5 and they do tend to book up early. Otherwise you will need two rooms nearly everywhere you go and that gets more expensive. What is your nightly budget?
IMO you need to make some rather more firm plans and look for accommodations IMMEDIATELTY.
Very few rooms will sleep 5 and they do tend to book up early. Otherwise you will need two rooms nearly everywhere you go and that gets more expensive. What is your nightly budget?
Jun 24th, 2014, 06:46 PM
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"We plan to stay in Munich 5 days, drive and visit Austria and Switzerland and end up back in Munich the last 2 days." -- why are you staying in Munich twice? If you can, save yourself at least one change of hotels by staying there only once.
"Advice on what to do in Munich and any off the beaten track places while driving though Germany to Austria and Switzerland." I trust you have at least one, if not more, good guidebooks?
"our hotel is yards away from the Blue Mosque. I would love to see the Grand Bazaar" -- the Grand Bazaar is very close to the Blue Mosque. Personally, I preferred the Spice Market, which is also close. JMO.
"the middle part of the trip we do not have hotel reservations as of yet." - ditto the above -- get at least SOMETHING lined up!!!
"I don't even know where to think about eating in Istanbul but it needs to be close by." -- there are many options near the Blue Mosque.
"Can we take a bus across the bridge....I'd sure like to cross while we're there" -- The Galata Bridge? You can walk it. A bridge across the Bosphorus? You should be able to find a way to cross if you are willing to spend the time and energy to do so.
"I'm unsure how long it takes to get back and forth from the airport in Istanbul." -- on average, about an hour, I think, depending on time of day and traffic. I'm not positive....
I strongly encourage you to invest in a few guidebooks. You are about to spend a small fortune on a trip that will not likely be easy, since herding a group of 5 will have challenges under even the best circumstances. Having at least some idea of what your options are, and what you and your traveling companions consider priorities, would seem a good place to start.
Good luck!
"Advice on what to do in Munich and any off the beaten track places while driving though Germany to Austria and Switzerland." I trust you have at least one, if not more, good guidebooks?
"our hotel is yards away from the Blue Mosque. I would love to see the Grand Bazaar" -- the Grand Bazaar is very close to the Blue Mosque. Personally, I preferred the Spice Market, which is also close. JMO.
"the middle part of the trip we do not have hotel reservations as of yet." - ditto the above -- get at least SOMETHING lined up!!!
"I don't even know where to think about eating in Istanbul but it needs to be close by." -- there are many options near the Blue Mosque.
"Can we take a bus across the bridge....I'd sure like to cross while we're there" -- The Galata Bridge? You can walk it. A bridge across the Bosphorus? You should be able to find a way to cross if you are willing to spend the time and energy to do so.
"I'm unsure how long it takes to get back and forth from the airport in Istanbul." -- on average, about an hour, I think, depending on time of day and traffic. I'm not positive....
I strongly encourage you to invest in a few guidebooks. You are about to spend a small fortune on a trip that will not likely be easy, since herding a group of 5 will have challenges under even the best circumstances. Having at least some idea of what your options are, and what you and your traveling companions consider priorities, would seem a good place to start.
Good luck!
Jun 24th, 2014, 07:02 PM
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Let us test our understanding. Days are not clear to me.
Leave home July 2. When do you arrive Istanbul?
1 night Istanbul.
5 nights Munich. Or is it 3 nights in Munich leaving 7 nights for Austria/Switzerland?
5 nights Austria/Switzerland.
2 nights Munich.
Arrive home July 16. When do you fly home from Munich?
If you want to go to Austria and Switzerland you should only sleep in Munich at the end of the trip.
2nd Cathies comment. We spent 3 hours with Hertz at the Munich airport waiting for a station wagon that would fit 3 adults, and 2 kids plus luggage (5 small to medium size suitcases and 5 day backs). And it was not comfortable.
Agree with nytraveler. Perhaps you can share your informal plans to give us a head start.
Why do you want to go across the bridge in Istanbul? Top sights which we saw: Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia,Bosphorus trip, Grand Bazaar,Spice Bazaar, Suleymaniye Mosque, and Basilica Cistern.
The Istanbul airport is 16 miles from city center. I can't tell you how long it should take to get to/from because our cab driver took a grand circle route to build up the fare. It did not work as I asked the doorman at our hotel what to pay the cab driver. We took a cruise ship to leave the city.
Leave home July 2. When do you arrive Istanbul?
1 night Istanbul.
5 nights Munich. Or is it 3 nights in Munich leaving 7 nights for Austria/Switzerland?
5 nights Austria/Switzerland.
2 nights Munich.
Arrive home July 16. When do you fly home from Munich?
If you want to go to Austria and Switzerland you should only sleep in Munich at the end of the trip.
2nd Cathies comment. We spent 3 hours with Hertz at the Munich airport waiting for a station wagon that would fit 3 adults, and 2 kids plus luggage (5 small to medium size suitcases and 5 day backs). And it was not comfortable.
Agree with nytraveler. Perhaps you can share your informal plans to give us a head start.
Why do you want to go across the bridge in Istanbul? Top sights which we saw: Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia,Bosphorus trip, Grand Bazaar,Spice Bazaar, Suleymaniye Mosque, and Basilica Cistern.
The Istanbul airport is 16 miles from city center. I can't tell you how long it should take to get to/from because our cab driver took a grand circle route to build up the fare. It did not work as I asked the doorman at our hotel what to pay the cab driver. We took a cruise ship to leave the city.
Jun 25th, 2014, 01:59 AM
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In only 5 days, you cannot see much of Austria and Switzerland. May be you check something like that:
Munich - Oberammergau - Ettal - Garmisch/Zugspitze - Mittenwald - Innsbruck - Oetztal - Timmelsjoch - Meran - Gluorn - Mustair - Stelvio Pass - Bormio - Tirano - Bernina Pass - Pontresina - Albula Pass - Davos - Bregenz - Munich
Munich - Oberammergau - Ettal - Garmisch/Zugspitze - Mittenwald - Innsbruck - Oetztal - Timmelsjoch - Meran - Gluorn - Mustair - Stelvio Pass - Bormio - Tirano - Bernina Pass - Pontresina - Albula Pass - Davos - Bregenz - Munich
Jun 25th, 2014, 10:48 AM
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Thanks for all of the replies. We arrive Istanbul on 7/3 with a one day layover and arrive Munich on 7/4. Our final day of the trip is 7/16 when we return to Houston. The majority of the trip will be in Munich as we rented a car starting on 7/4 and we want to return the car in Munich as it is much cheaper that way. However, we want to see a little of Austria and Switzerland. We arrive Munich on 7/4 and leave on 7/8 then we return to Munich on 7/14 and leave on 7/16. Some must sees for in and around Munich would be great. We've bought lots of books and we do have hotel reservations in Munich, but the reader comments got me a little paranoid about the in between so that will be taken care of today. Thanks. All comments appreciated. We rented a van so hopefully we will have plenty of room.
Jun 25th, 2014, 11:50 AM
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I never plan much for my first day in Europe because I am just too exhausted. I just try to stay up as long as I can before crashing.
You can certainly take a bus or taxi across the Bosphorus, but I would recommend the ferry ride across. Just go down to the dock and hop a commuter ferry. They run all the time.
You can certainly take a bus or taxi across the Bosphorus, but I would recommend the ferry ride across. Just go down to the dock and hop a commuter ferry. They run all the time.
Jun 25th, 2014, 02:06 PM
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I suggest you contact (Preferabley by phone) the Gemut company in Seattle. www.gemut.com. for your car requirements.
They specialize in German and Austrian travel and are an excellent rental car consolidator. Discuss with them what car they can get for you, most likely it will be from one 0o the big rebtal companies, at a discount. Be sure to avoid Dollar and Thrifty. There are literally hundreds of complaints on different traveller comment wobsites of people who were scammed, and not just by a couple of hundred dollars. Also, be familiar with the "Vignette" (road toll) requitements for the use of the Autobahns in Austria and Switzerland. If you get caught without a vignette, it will cost you hundred+ dollars.
If you have an AMEX credit card, it is worth to pay the $25 for the whole rental period to buy their Premium Car Rental Protection. If incur damage, you just turn the problem over to them and walk away.
Make sure that the banks that underwrite your credit cards (VISA, etc.) have you complete itinerary as to dates and countries visited. Otherwise you may find that the bank has blocked your account and you will have trouble using ATM machines to get cash. For the most part, the countries you will be visiting are large still "cash+ carry".especially the smaller etsblishments.
If you can borrow in your local library the Red Michelin Guide (hotels) for the countries you will be visiting, they are excellent guides to lodgings in all price categories and have the address (phone, etc.) for the tourist information offices in the listed many large and small towns If you have trouble finding lodgings, these offices can usually help you. You should contact them before 4PM, though. The Michelin guides need not be the latest edition. These things don't chnage that much.
They specialize in German and Austrian travel and are an excellent rental car consolidator. Discuss with them what car they can get for you, most likely it will be from one 0o the big rebtal companies, at a discount. Be sure to avoid Dollar and Thrifty. There are literally hundreds of complaints on different traveller comment wobsites of people who were scammed, and not just by a couple of hundred dollars. Also, be familiar with the "Vignette" (road toll) requitements for the use of the Autobahns in Austria and Switzerland. If you get caught without a vignette, it will cost you hundred+ dollars.
If you have an AMEX credit card, it is worth to pay the $25 for the whole rental period to buy their Premium Car Rental Protection. If incur damage, you just turn the problem over to them and walk away.
Make sure that the banks that underwrite your credit cards (VISA, etc.) have you complete itinerary as to dates and countries visited. Otherwise you may find that the bank has blocked your account and you will have trouble using ATM machines to get cash. For the most part, the countries you will be visiting are large still "cash+ carry".especially the smaller etsblishments.
If you can borrow in your local library the Red Michelin Guide (hotels) for the countries you will be visiting, they are excellent guides to lodgings in all price categories and have the address (phone, etc.) for the tourist information offices in the listed many large and small towns If you have trouble finding lodgings, these offices can usually help you. You should contact them before 4PM, though. The Michelin guides need not be the latest edition. These things don't chnage that much.
Jun 26th, 2014, 01:10 AM
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Close to Munich I would recommend Berchtesgaden and Salzburg. If you've got more time, then you could further go into the Salzkammergut region, which is terribly beautiful.
I've got loads of suggestions for Istanbul, but in Sultanahmet, the Lady Diana hotel,and the rooftop places next to it have the best views. For good,local food, head to Sirkeci,a 10 min walk away.
In Istanbul,my top picks are Blue Mosque, the Ayasofya, Basilica Cistern and the Spice bazar. Do most of them,infact all, if you have the time.
You can skim thourgh my Europe trip accont, msot of my stay was around Salzburg and munich, http://ashwinbahulkar.wordpress.com/...ia-and-prague/
I've got loads of suggestions for Istanbul, but in Sultanahmet, the Lady Diana hotel,and the rooftop places next to it have the best views. For good,local food, head to Sirkeci,a 10 min walk away.
In Istanbul,my top picks are Blue Mosque, the Ayasofya, Basilica Cistern and the Spice bazar. Do most of them,infact all, if you have the time.
You can skim thourgh my Europe trip accont, msot of my stay was around Salzburg and munich, http://ashwinbahulkar.wordpress.com/...ia-and-prague/
Jun 26th, 2014, 12:44 PM
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For one day in Istanbul, I'd just head to Topkapi Palace and call it a day. Since the OP will be exhausted from travel, I question how much will be possible in Istanbul which is more in the nature of a layover.
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