Preparations
Trip Start
Oct 30, 2009
1
20
Trip End
Nov 09, 2009
Loading Map
Map Options
Show trip route
Hide lines
Miami, Florida
Friday, October 30, 2009
Martin and Miryam Crossland – Miami
Cecilia Borgmeyer (sister-in-law) – Miami
Jamie Marcisz (good friend) – Miami
Elva Marro (aunt) – Fort Lauderdale
Michael Lynch (nephew) – Chicago
Charlotte O'Leary (Michael’s spouse) – Chicago
Patricia "Patty", Luis “Papa Lucho” and Maria Arevalo (Good friends) – Lima, Peru
Introduction:
Ever since Eastern Europe has become easily accessible from the west, we have dreamed of visiting Prague, said to be “the world’s most beautiful city”. In spite of the falling dollar we are determined to travel the “Golden Triangle”, keeping as close to our budget of US$ 1.500 per person all inclusive as possible. Prices are good and tourism is low in November. According to Weather.com, November is cold but dry.
Preparation:
Scrutinizing, comparing, wiggling, tweaking and abusing the Internet we find Swiss International has good connections and the fare of US$ 675.00 is well within budget. We hum and ha and when we finally decide to purchase this ticket two days later, it’s gone up US$ 50.00! Procrastinators loose!
Through a Czech travel agency, and after some research, we settle on the Pushkin Apartments in Old Town Prague. Vienna is very expensive, but eventually the Pension Franz is located, a rather frumpy place just two blocks from The Ring. Budapest is relatively easy and the Pilvax Hotel confirms our booking.
Rick Steve’s Eastern Europe has been updated for 2009, so I can go ahead creating an itinerary which will keep us occupied and out of trouble. I also do some research on restaurants, which will help keep us away from tourist traps.
For cultural events I suggest Black Light Theatre in Prague, a Strauss Concert in Vienna and Hungarian Folk Music in Budapest.
On Friday 30th. October we depart Miami on Swiss International at 8:55 pm Eastern Daylight Time. We will arrive in Zurich the following morning at 11:05 am Central European Time. Our luggage is checked through to Prague.
