We saw the warnings about pre-trip lodging so have booked a room at the Mariott's Millenium Court.  It is just one block from the other Marriott, but it much much more reasonable.  The rate with taxes and fee is about $150 euros - something like $250. We're just staying there one night before the cruise. 

Just wanted to pass along the lodging tip.  You can search on the Marriott website for Budapest - just select "all" if you are searching by hotel name.

You can check www.vikingrivercruises.com and check their agendas/pricing for add-ons in Budapest and Prague.  This is the cruise line Olivia is using and the name of the cruise is the same.  I'm sure Olivia's agenda will be similar if not the same but the pricing will be more expensive.

I have also seen that a European Gran Prix event is taking place in Budapest Aug 3 and all of the hotels may be booked.  Hope Olivia has already booked some rooms for us.

 Cindy (and Rosie)

Still waiting, but i have booked a hotel in Budapest.  Would  also like to know about Prague.

Hello all,

My partner and I are trying to sort out the travel options, but wanted to know about pre-and post-trip add-ons offered by Olivia first.  I have sent email and just left a voice message.  Has anyone else heard anything about Budapest or Prague add-ons?

Thanks, Connie (and Laurie)

Judy,

We live in Federal Way. I just made hotel reservations for  the week before in Frankfurt. We are staying at the Sheraton - it's a free week with bonus points!

We are planning on getting a rail pass and see the sights during the day.

Please feel free to call us - 253-661-4008.

Nancy

Hello Nancy and Barb.  I am in the Seattle area.  Are you two in the Puget Sound region?  I am happy to chat with you via email or in person about travel.  I love it and do it often. 

I will be traveling to Poland and Slovakia prior to the cruise and then to Germany after the cruise. 

Another suggestion I have is to avoid hotels unless you really like them.  I suggest staying in gay owned B&B's or apartments.  It is a great way to support the community, see the sights and meet great people like us.  I recommend a Damron's guide to help you find the places to stay.  Check out Damrons.com. 

I am an avid history buff.  If it has to do with archeology, architecture, anthropology or history, I am all over it.  I am following the Celtic trail on this trip.  

I look forward to hearing from you.

Happy New Year!!

Judy

SeasonedSolo,

This is very helpful. We are out in Washington State and haven't figured out where we are going first. So, we may fly to the east coast first, then to Europe or see what our options are from Seattle. Yes, we have noticed the price of the Euro and are taking this into consideration.

Thanks for the info on taking a taxi and rail. We probably will end up using both. I was thinking Amsterdam looks interesting, but we are looking at all options right now. We'd like to visit some WWII camps, maybe travel to see Anne Frank's home, etc. We both enjoy history and sight-seeing. At the same time, we like to travel comfortably - not roughing it.

It's been a long time since either of us has been to Europe, and we want to make the most of the extra week! We keep talking about ideas, but haven't settled on anything. So, the more information you have to share the better!

Thanks,

Nancy and Barb

I have a few suggestions you might try.  Depending on where in the US you live, I recomend you fly from hub to hub to save money.  So, find out if your carrier uses a hub in Germany that is not in expensive Berlin.  For example, Northwest flies to Frankfurt.  You can also fly directly from Munich, Dusseldorf and Hamburg.  So, research the airlines and see who flies to hubs not in Berlin.  Also, you may find you will save some money this way. Also, check to see where the US and NATO have bases.   They have direct airline service.

Eurpoe has a great train system.  So, if you need to get from Nuremburg to your departure city, take the train.  For example, I will be taking the train to Cologne.  I will leave for the US from there.  The trains for the most part are clean and safe.  Sometimes the toilets are a little scary.  Also, the large train stations can be a little scary, especially after dark, so think safety first.  You might also consider taking the train to Amsterdam.  You can get to virutally any large US hub from Amsterdam.  But it is an expensive city so if you are watching your Euros, spend as little time in Amsterdam as possible. 

Germany is on the Euro which right now is very strong against the dollar, so if you are watching your Euros, stick with second class public transportation and stay in apartments or B&B's.  If you stay in local homes, always have a back up plan in case you can't take the accommodation.  If I meet you on the ship, I will tell you the story of the 37 cats.

Watch out for taxi's.  In Germany the taxi's are pretty safe, BUT if the car is not clearly marked as a Taxi do not take it, or, be sure to negotiate the price before getting in.  Have the payment in your pocket so you can hand it over and get out quickly.  Germany's taxi's are less scary than taxi's in some other countries.

Hope this inforamtion helps!  See you on board!

SeasonedSolo. 

Hey Everyone

My partner and I are on the cruise we can't wait to go! We are from Connecticut. We were thinking of coming a day or 2 early to see the sites. 

Peaceful, maybe - but, hopefully fun and memorable!

We are trying to plan for an extra week in Europe before the cruise. Any suggestions to where we should fly in to and out of Germany?  We will plan to hop from there to elsewhere. But we want to make sure we have an easy time getting back to the States after the cruise on August 10th.

Nancy and Barb

Well, if this group is any indication, we're going to have a very peaceful cruise! 

Patty