I've got a partially filled out itinerary, but I could really use some advise on how to fill some time gaps. The one thing I can't change is the flight schedule in and out of Amsterdam, already paid for... <BR>This is my plan so far: <BR>Jul 27 Fly USA to Amsterdam <BR>Jul 28 Fly (5 hour layover in Amsterdam) Arrive Prague 5:30pm <BR>Jul 29 Prague <BR>Jul 30 Prague <BR>Jul 31 Prague Night train to Budapest <BR>Aug 1 Budapest - Hungary Grand Prix (last day) <BR>Aug 2 Budapest - Szentendre <BR>Aug 3 Budapest <BR>Aug 4 Eger or Soporon <BR>Aug 5 Eger or Soporon <BR>Aug 6 <BR>Aug 7 <BR>Aug 8 <BR>Aug 9 Sibiu <BR>Aug 10 Sibiu Night train to Mangalia <BR>Aug 11 ECLIPSE somewhere in Romania or Bulgaria <BR>Aug 12 <BR>Aug 13 <BR>Aug 14 Cesky Krumlov <BR>Aug 15 Cesky Krumlov <BR>Aug 16 Cesky Krumlov <BR>Aug 17 Fly to Amsterdam 1 might layover <BR>Aug 18 Amsterdam to USA <BR> <BR>So, anyone have any suggestions for those blank spaces?

I very much enjoyed visiting the painted monasteries in Bukovina in Romania. They are reeachable from Suceava and have wonderful frecoes on the outsides of the churches, which are in fortified monasteries in general in a rural area.

I can't entirely help you, but I would spend more days in Praque, less in Cesky Krumlov (it is lovely, but not 3 days worth), and more time in Amsterdam, if you haven't been there before. I liked Szentendre and Sopron and also went up to Estergom (Danube Bend country above Szentendre). You could also add in Vienna, if you haven't been there before. It is not far from Sopron. (Can't remember exactly, but I'm thinking an hour or so on the train.) That's about it, for my ideas. I'm not an expert, but I was in Hungary once and the Czech Republic twice. <BR>

add days to Prague and Budapest, they both need more then just few days. You alco may detour thru Poland - Cracow and Zakopane then Prague Budapest - I know there is a train from Amsterdam to Warsaw, thru Berlin - then there is connection Warsaw - Budapest thru Cracow, Zakopane, Prague.

Thanks for the suggestions. As I mentioned before, Amsterdam is merely a layover in my flight schedule, I can't change that part. <BR> <BR>Here are my new questions: <BR>1) If I add a day to Prague it'll have to be at the end, as we don't want to miss the car racing in Budapest. So, does it make sense to stop when we first arrive in Prague, have dinner and then hop onto the overnight train to Budapest and save all the Prague visiting for the end? <BR> <BR>If that doesn't make sense, then what does? <BR> <BR>2) If I wanted to go see the monasteries at Bukovina is 3 days enough time to get from Bulgaria to Bukovina, see the monasteries and then get back to the Czech Republic?

I think it would be fine to come back to Prague at the end -- since you will have been there for a couple of days at the beginning, you will have found your way around and it will feel more comfortable the second time. Also you can think about what you didn't get to see at the beginning and what you want to still see at the end. Also you can go back and see again anything that you really loved. We did this two years ago and I enjoyed the last day very much. (I don't know anything about your second question, sorry.) <BR>

I think you should leave out Transylvania, from what I've heard it is quite depreesing, and give more time to Poland. Kracow and the tatry's for exampe. Otherwise it looks like you have a very fun itinerary planned.

MWG (or Sally, or anyone who has been) <BR>Please help me out here... <BR> <BR>If I wanted to go see the monasteries at Bukovina is 3 days enough time to get from Bulgaria to Bukovina, see the monasteries and then get back to the Czech Republic? <BR> <BR>Billions of gracias

No, it doesn't seem that 3 days to get from Bulgaria to Bukovina and back to the Czech Republic would be enough time, although i haven't ben there for a while and don't remember the connections. However, I see you will be in Sibiu at one point and am unsure as to why your plans require you to go Bulgaria and then back to Romania. Incidentally, I think Sofia is a pretty dead place, not too much history, museums not great. I don't know if you intended to go there but I would skip it.

I don't really see the point in going to Sibiu. that place is more of a factory city. It has a few historic sites, but the communist architecture built onto it is very ugly. Transylvania has other untouched toowns like Nagyvarad and Brasov. bulgaria is quite uninteresting. The beaches are not that good. Sofia is decomposing and by that I mean all the historical buildings are not getting their restoration. But enjoy your trip.

I would highly recommend Karlovy Vary. Can easily be done as a day trip from Prague but definately worth a one night stay.I have earlier posted details from our recent trip titled 'Tips from our Czech Rep + Cracow trip'. Have a great time. <BR>

Just one thing: I would recommend Neptun/Olimp as seaside resorts rather than Mangalia. Mangalia is a city more than a resort and sometimes you don't see much activity there. But it really depends on your age and preferences. I'd say Mangalia is more for old people, it's quite quiet. And, if you're going for Romania, why not see the capital Bucharest? It's a nice city, lots of things to do there.

With all respect Bucharest is the ugliest city in Europe. Even in the Balkans it is still know as an ugly Soviet depressing ple of shit. So don't fool people by telling them it is at all nice. They will be very dissapointed and Bucharest is also very dangerous. There wer homeless everywher.

Hi Claudia, <BR>I didnīt understand the role Bulgaria plays in your trip. There is no sense in this detour.You can see the eclipse from everywhere in Romania. <BR>So let me sugest the following changes in your schedule: <BR> Aug 6 Eger/Sopron (why Sopron?, I don`t find it interesting!) to Sibiu by train. <BR> Aug 7 Sibiu. Visit the town and the Bruckental Museum. <BR> Aug 8 Take the train to Sighisoara or <BR> to Brasov early in the morning. Both are nice old towns. You`ll need 4 hours for a short visit of each. Then take the train to Bukarest (about 3 hours). <BR> Aug 9 See Bukarest, visit the Village <BR> Museum. Skip Mangalia. It`s nothing interesting there. The beaches are dirty and infected. <BR> Night August 9/10: Take the train (sleeping car) to Suceava (about 7 hours) Take a taxi or bus to the city, to the tourist info. <BR> They can advice and arange for a tour to the monasteries (1+2 days). <BR> There is a Hotel just on te other side of the street. <BR>August 11, you can see the eclipse. <BR>August 12, Take a train to Oradea at the hungarian border and further <BR> to Hongaria/Czechia <BR> <BR>Be prepared to make some cuts in cofort. <BR>Hotels often don`t have western standard, trains are often dirty. Drink <BR>mineral water only, or other botteled drinks, it`s better, even if the tap-water is not dangerous. <BR> <BR>Let me know if you find my sugestions usefull and you need some more information about RO / HU /CZ. <BR>

Joachim (& others): <BR>Thanks for your suggestions. As a matter of fact I do have a few questions left. <BR> <BR>I've managed to rework things so that my itinerary is now Prague to High Tatras (Proprad, maybe?) to Budapest and Eger to Brasov to ___???____ somewhere, maybe Mangalia, then back to CZ via Cesky Krumlov. <BR>My thought process on picking Sibiu and Mangalia was that there was an overnight train from Budapest to Sibiu, and then another one from Sibiu to Mangalia. I am trying to stay within as few Km of centerline as possible. This is why my final destination was originally the coast of Bulgaria, near Kaliakara so that I would be where the greatest duration and least chance of cloud cover is. <BR> <BR>I want to be near the center line, so my Romanian options are: (Closest to centerline) Rimnicu Valcea, Petrosani, Pitesti and Vulcan (little further off center) Curtea de Arges, Ploiesti and Mangalia. <BR> <BR>Do you know anything about these places? I DO NOT want to see Bucaresti. <BR>Additionally, is there any way that I could get on top of a mountain in any of these areas??

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<BR>Claudia: <BR>If you are going to Brasov donīt leave out Singhisoara, Romania; it is a true unspoiled gem.

Hi! i know it's late probably to respond to you but I just saw it. Soporon and Eger are on the opposite ends of Hungary. I've been to both and they are both worth a visit, especially Eger. Great wine, good castle . enjoyed ourseves there. Have you also thought of the Tatras in Slovakia, near the border of Poland. Enjoyed Slovakian Tatras better than the Polish side. Good walking, very nice countryside. we stayed in a great hotel there that really I guress showed me hos the communist leaders lived on vacation. It was very inexpensive however. alan

Hi! i know it's late probably to respond to you but I just saw it. Soporon and Eger are on the opposite ends of Hungary. I've been to both and they are both worth a visit, especially Eger. Great wine, good castle . enjoyed ourseves there. Have you also thought of the Tatras in Slovakia, near the border of Poland. Enjoyed Slovakian Tatras better than the Polish side. Good walking, very nice countryside. we stayed in a great hotel there that really I guress showed me hos the communist leaders lived on vacation. It was very inexpensive however. alan