This will turn into a long trip report but for the sake of not having to redirect everyone to different threads, I’ll continue on.

We dropped our car at the Bucharest airport with no issue and our Tarom flight to Budapest was right on time.

Hungary
We are staying at the Aria Hotel Budapest which is literally right across the street from St. Stephen’s Basilica (Szent Istvan Bazilika). The hotel is beautiful and completely done in a music theme. We are in the Count Basie room. Large room with chandeliers and a balcony that looks down to the inside music courtyard. Great location.

Yesterday we met Adam Kiss a local guide who actually lives in Holloko. Holloko is a village that has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Adam picked us up at our hotel and first we drove to his village after a short drive around the area where we are staying in Budapest. After reaching Holloko he explained the history of the village and how he came to live there. We went to the castle and walked through the village where he was frequently greeted by the locals. We even saw his youngest daughter walking with her kindergarten class down the street. Adam was kind enough to invite us into his home for a glass of black current juice. The insider viewpoint of living in this village was priceless and a wonderful experience for us.

From Holloko we went to Eger. A beautiful town. The highlight for me was the visit to the Lyceum. The Lyceum’s old fashioned section had actually just closed but Adam persuaded them to allow us in for a brief visit. It was fabulous!!! All the old books arranged by size. The frescoes on the ceiling were beautiful. Unfortunately you can’t take photos in the library or I would add some here. There was even a copy of a letter written by Mozart to his sister upon the death of their father. Of course the original was in the vault.

After visiting the cathedral we headed off to a wine tasting to have some of the famous Bull’s Blood wine. While in the cellar doing the tasting, another treat. All of a sudden a small film crew came in. It turned out is was Joe Fattorini from The Wine Show that some of you may be familiar with seeing. It was fun to watch the several “takes” the director required to get the scene just right. We were the only other people there so they even asked us to wait for a moment so all the scenes would have the same people. Joe Fatttorini was very friendly.

So back to Budapest after a full day with our own bottle of Bull’s Blood.

There was We find our guides via word of mouth, forums or guide books.

Good luck on your new career

Yesterday was a busy day. We started the morning with a tour of the city via Tuk Tuk. It was a fun way to go around and see the sights. Budapest is a large city! There was a Street Ball competition happening at the square which added to the massive crowds already existing. For us it really detracted from viewing the monument as teenagers were climbing all over the statues and hanging off of them.

The castle area area was packed with hundreds of people from Viking Cruise Lines.

The city had had some beautiful buildings; however, I confess I enjoyed the countryside more.

Last night we we did a food tour with A Taste of Hungary. There was one other couple with us who were from Germany. He was here on business. The tour gave us an opportunity to try different dishes. We had Goulash, different stews that we all shared, and finally pastries at a very lovely cafe named Callas where musicians were playing. Each course came with its own Hungarian wine.

This is morning off to see the inside of the Parliament.

The first time I went to Budapest, in 2004, it was well off the tourist trail. Not any more, alas.

On one trip I arranged a private tour of the Art Nouveau buildings, which was great.

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We visited the Parliament yesterday morning and very much enjoyed this tour. The guide was informative and the building was beautiful. I would highly recommend a visit.

And Beyond - our river cruise- Melodies of the Danube - the next part of our journey.


AMA Waterways - AMAMagna - Melodies of the Danube

And Beyond -

Czechoslovakia

Vyssi Brod

Our arranged transfer (My Daytrip) picked us up from the AMAMagna right on time. We took a scenic drive through the countryside to Vyssi Bród. Here we had a chance to see some of the monastery. This is a huge complex constructed during the 13th century and now undergoing restoration. The monastery conducts tours but unfortunately not when we were there. We did get to see the inside of the church.





From the monastery we went to a view sight to look down the valley. We laughed because the guide told us it was just a 2 minute walk. Almost 15 minutes later, going up a trail that was more of a hike than a walk, we were at the site. Pretty view.

Cesky Krumlov

On to Cesky Krumlov where we spent the night at Hotel Grand which was located right on the town square. Like everyone, I loved this town. The buildings are fairytale like and just wandering around was magical. The crowds left and the evening was very nice. We enjoyed a very nice dinner by the river on a terrace. We shared our table with a young woman traveling on her own. She is living in France and studying French before going to design school.

The next morning we walked the town some more and I bought my postcard and gingerbread. We then rolled our suitcases up the hill (no cars allowed during certain times) to the meeting point to catch CK Shuttle to Prague. Onward!

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I am in Romania now (with husband)...have met several young, single travelers. We are an older couple traveling on our own & have had no problems. Highly recommend a visit to Romania.

BDKR - What can I say? Didn’t hit that edit button quick enough!!! LOL

I did not find driving in Romania difficult at all! I heard all of the horror stories about the crazy drivers before I left and was apprehensive too, but no need. Just make sure you stay at places that provide parking. So go for it.

Prague

We arrived in Prague and are staying at the Unitas Hotel which is a very nice hotel in Old Town. Our first night we went to a Folklore Show. It was a typical tourist spot but fun with lots of beer and watching the show was entertaining.

Yesterday morning we we did a brief tour of Prague by Old Car. It gave us a good overview of the city and was fun. The sky was really cloudy but with jackets not bad. We then walked the city ourselves in the afternoon. OMG the crowds! The buildings were beautiful though. The city seems much grittier in comparison to Budapest. Interesting contrast. Now what’s really funny is running into two people from our river cruise at the Old Town Square! Surprised with the crowds they even saw us.

Last night we walked led with a guide we had arranged. DH wanted some night illumination pictures of various sights. Martin was informative and has been guiding for years. He knew some short cuts which made it easier to get around. He even talked about being in Prague when the Russian tanks rolled into the city when he was a child, and how terrible the experience was for his family and others.

Kunta Hora

Our last full day (never enough time) in Prague, we went to Kunta Hora The Bone Church was very interesting, but I found The Italian Court and St. Barbara’s Cathedral really fascinating. I thought the inside of the cathedral was just lovely.

Time for us to leave Prague. I finally had a chance to wander around the Unitas Hotel and look at the old pictures of when the hotel was a convent and then a prison. What a fascinating history of this building.



this is from an informational card in the lobby bar.

So time to say goodbye to the Czech Republic and moving on!

Just realized I stayed in the Pension Unitas in 2004!

It’s a lovely property and we had a great room. Very large. Staff were very helpful. Enjoyed our stay.