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We were actually planning Cairo before the uprising. I HAD an expat cousin who lived there. He had just hosted my sometimes travel partners. Saw some great pics. But his job went away and he, and his family, are now back in the US.
We also want to get to Romania and Turkey before they switch to the Euro. So much to see, but only so many vacation days.
Romania is hardly geared for tourism, just to mention that factor. Boss' family is from there and we went when DL had service to Bucharest. Rental cars are insane IF you can even get one and they still live in the darkness of Communism. Not a shadow like much of eastern EU. Not like Budapest or Prague--both on their own currency. Good bus/train service city to city as well.
I agree with so many vacation days but I have the luxury of being retired and Boss can work his sked...
I highly recommend Budapest and or Prague. Both have so many places outside the city--easily accessible via bus--medieval towns, river trips, monasteries/breweries. Nevermind that their languages are really difficult--just find young people and they have some English skills.
That is all the more reason to go to Romania!! I love places that are off the beaten path.Quote:
Originally Posted by mrs767er
I agree with you on Prague and Budapest and they are not on the Euro yet.
Same with Warsaw...
Same here. That is one of the things I liked about Guatemala. Lots of friends/family have been to Prague. Only people I know who have been to Romania are first gen immigrants.Quote:
Originally Posted by vulindlela
I still have friends in Romania and one of the things tel me all the time is do not trust the native Romanians. They say they will cheat and steal, like the gypsies they despise...
most of their younger gen have become US citizens in the past 10 yrs or so but the older folks still feel like they live under communism. They feel like the prgoression from that era is not progressing at all. it is a very depressed/repressed country with so many unhappy people.
V--why not check out Tallinn Estonia?
I also went to Warsaw a few years back and it was so much like what I found in Romania, years later...
I came across a little apartment thru VRBO. It has a terrace (bigger than apt) and a view of Acropolis rock
Athens Vacation Rental - VRBO 312524 - 1 BR Attica Apartment in Greece, Acropolis "Love Nest",Panoramic Acropolis View,Private Balcony
WOW--covered terrace is huge, interior is pretty typically tight but that apt is in great location. SO COOL
85-110 euros/nt
Quote:
Originally Posted by mrs767er
We thought about getting the ferry to Tallinn when we were in Helsinki. I would like to visit Tallinn and Riga sometime.
I think the next trip will be BUD in a couple of weeks.
BTW--Great find on the Athens apartment!
thanks--do you need any referrals for BUD? we go there often!
Quote:
Originally Posted by mrs767er
We are getting a hotel through the accor discount but what should we see in BUD?
How about food? What is the specialty we should try?
Food:
Goulash!!!
Pork leg, wines are good, duck
Central market--go hungry! (Pest) Buy Paprika sweet and hot--to take home (give you my marinade recipe later)
Sights: Margaret Island (crowded on wkends) Beautiful!
Castle area (Buda)
Baths--Gellert is large one, also Schezgeny
Hop on/off bus is good there--make sure you get the real one so you can get off at any point.
there is also a new Amphibus (very new) so we haven't done it.
oodles of boat trips--one goes up Danube bend for the day
Terror Museum is great!
There are catacombs up past the castle St. George Residence--not for this girl. they do a total blackout thing--sposed to be very scary!
Wander around the castle area and see the guard change (we haven't been inside castle bldgs)
I'll add more as I shake my brain loose.