Options
Warsaw, Budapest, Vienna and Prague
We are looking forward to our trip beginning 7/30/11 in Warsaw. Interested in hearing from anyone else going then, or others who have gone already with helpful hints. Thanks.
0
This discussion has been closed.
Comments
Each place you go on this trip is absolutely beautiful, much to my surprise, and the people are very warm and friendly. Most speak english. The food is very good and the hotels on this journey are some of the best we have had on any other Tauck tour.....first class. You will hate to leave each one but the next will be even more wonderful. I could just go on and on about this trip and my husband feels the same way that I do. We knew very little about this part of the world and had no idea what to expect but several people on past Tauck journeys had recommended it to us so we took the chance. We expected post-communist, dull, drab scenery and boy were we surprised. From the minute we landed in Warsaw, Poland, we knew we were in for a wonderful experience!
I also wasn't sure if I wanted to go to the concentration camps but I am so glad I decided to go at the last minute. It is horrifying but it is also eye-opening and very interesting. Everyone in our group ended up going and no one regretted it.
Anyone that is booked for this trip or is considering this trip......by all means, go. You won't be sorry.
I hope this helps.
The wonderful hotels were in great locations that encouraged you to get out on your own when you had free time. If you arrive in Warsaw before the tour starts feel free to walk through the new Old Town. Also, there are historic sites, especially WWII and Jewish related. You can check them out in a good guide book such as Rick Steve’s Eastern Europe or on line. The hotel will assist you with information also. If you are in good health and fairly good shape (you don’t need to be able to run the marathon), you will enjoy walking.
In Budapest, there is a small little known memorial called "The Shoes" that you will see from your boat on the Danube. It has a different feel seeing it up close. You can see it and read about it on Wikipedia. If you decide to walk there, go along the promenade. Just when you think you will not get there, walk a few more blocks. I made the mistake of turning around and going back to the hotel. Later having consulted the concierge on walking the main streets or taking a bus, I ventured out again. I walked along the main streets but when I got to the area, there was no over pass to the promenade. I ended up running across a highway to get to the promenade side, which I do not recommend.
On the whole the food was good and excellent in the hotels. Relax and look forward to your trip. The Tauck director, and local guides, will give you all the information and assistance you need.
My husband also took a sports jacket and wore it several times. A couple of the women wore dresses on special occasions, but most didn't. Nice pants will be appropriate for all of the functions. Many of us wore capri pants during the day and some of the men wore shorts. You will just need to have your shoulders covered as you enter some of the churches. Make sure you have comfortable shoes because you will be doing ALOT of walking. Everyone dressed pretty casual most of the time and certainly dressed for comfort.
Our weather in May was a bit cool and I am sure it will heat up as the summer progresses. Take a sweater or jacket anyway because the motorcoach can be a little cool at times.
As far as currency, I went to my local bank before leaving on the trip and ordered a small amount of currency for each country. This really wasn't necessary as ATM's are plentiful and near all of the hotels. I just felt more comfortable having a small amount of money when we entered each country. As you leave one country and enter another, the tour director will guide you to an exchange place so you can exchange your existing currency for the new country's currency. This makes it very easy to get rid of what you don't need anymore.
On paper, this trip looks complicated, but it absolutely isn't, so just go and enjoy yourself. You will have wonderful memories after you return home.
I think the best advice I can give to any traveler is if you are traveling with a companion, pack half of your clothes in your companion's bag and they do the same with yours. Also pack one change of clothes in a carry-on bag. Then, if one piece of luggage is lost, you will still have half of your clothes. Just make sure you have complete outfits packed together so you don't end up with a hodge podge of colthes that can't be worn together. Another thing I have learned over the years of traveling is PACK LIGHT!!!! It took me years to finally convince myself to do this but I haven't looked back since.
I hope this information helps and if you have anymore questions I will try to answer them because I, like you, had many questions before we departed on this trip.
This area of Europe is just as rich in its arts and culture as anything in the West (they sure know how to do Cathedrals and Palaces!) but the perspective is very different. These are all places that were in the middle of WWII, were Communist (except Austria) until 1989 and were also subjected to the Holocaust. Auschwicz, what can I say...very moving. So glad we got to go there. We even had one in our group who's mom and sister had survived it. And her husband survived the Soviet gulag.
The people everywhere were wonderful. Our guides perhaps the best I've ever had on a Tauck journey.
Our Tour Director, Stephen Fisher, was personable, easy going, and VERY knowledgebale about the region. We were in great hands and as always, Tauck made it look easy.
The only frustration is the same as in any trip...just not enough time to do everything you want! Guess we'll just have to go back!
Some in our group went to the Opera in Vienna and also the Ballet. I think the Opera "season" may be over in the larger theatres, but still something you might want to think about. The concierge at our hotel was very helpful in getting tickets...in primo locations.
Dress: I just took one sport coat but never wore a tie...wore it to dinner several times, usually over a nice polo shirt. This was the approach of most of the men. Ladies wore a range of outfits but casual was just fine for several events that might otherwise have been dressy (evening Mozart concert in Vienna) simply because the old palaces get a bit warm. "Business casual" was generally fine.
Currency: don't sweat this...your TD will give you advice. Plenty of ATMs.
Those of you who are scheduled for this trip...have a wonderful time. We certainly did and so did all the others in our group. BTW, the people we met on this tour, as usual, are just terrific. Gregarious, intelligent, humourous...great to meet and hang out with.
Interesting occurence...Robin Tauck showed up in Budapest and we sat down and had some drinks with her. She noted that this trip is now in Tauck's Top Ten. Not surprised at all!!!