Aj

Hi all,

I'm planning a trip; flying to Prague, by rail to Vienna, and by boat or
rail to Bratislava and Budapest. I'll be doing this over the last two weeks
of July. I have lots of questions and I hope you'll be able to answer a few.

- I've noticed that accomadation rates dip during the month of July. Does
anyone know why? It's not giant flesh eating insect season or anything else
I should be worried about is it?

- How safe are these cities? I have read all about the pick pocketing, but I
am mostly worried about the streets after dark. I will be travelling alone,
and can imagine that wandering naively along the streets after dark, looking
like an obvious tourist, trying to find my way back to my hotel, that I'll
be a pretty soft target! Any advice or comforting/scare stories to share
from your experience?

- How easy is it to get by speaking only English and a tiny bit of German?

- How cheap are these places? Is it reasonable to hope to see the cultural
sights and feed myself on E50 a day?

- Has anybody discovered any little known really nice and cheap places to
stay?

- I'm a vegetarian. Will it be difficult to find decent food?

- I have found it difficult to find prices and timetables for the rail and
boat/hydrofoil (along the Danube) parts of the journey. Can anyone point me
in the right direction? I take it there will be no need to pre-book these
journeys? And what cards (e.g. ISIC) should I get to take advantage of
discounts?

- Part of me longs for a rural hamlet experience (know what I mean?) in at
least one of these countries. Any advice on where I might stop off for a
night during my travels, and find a bed in a friendly little village?

- Any things which, in your experience, I simply MUST see/do?

- Any tips for a lone traveller? (incidently, I'm choosing to travel alone!
It's not that I have no friends ... really)

- Anything special that I should pack?

I'd really appreciate answers to any of the above questions, from both
visitors to and natives of these cities.

Cheers,

AJ.

Padraig Breathnach

"AJ" <[email protected]> wrote:

    >I'm planning a trip; flying to Prague, by rail to Vienna, and by boat or
    >rail to Bratislava and Budapest. I'll be doing this over the last two weeks
    >of July. I have lots of questions and I hope you'll be able to answer a few.
Sounds like fun.

    >- I've noticed that accomadation rates dip during the month of July. Does
    >anyone know why? It's not giant flesh eating insect season or anything else
    >I should be worried about is it?
No idea. I can understand such a pattern in a political or commercial
city, but I wouldn't have expected it in cities better known for
tourism. But you are visiting capital cities, so maybe the summer lull
in political life is a factor.

    >- How safe are these cities? I have read all about the pick pocketing, but I
    >am mostly worried about the streets after dark. I will be travelling alone,
    >and can imagine that wandering naively along the streets after dark, looking
    >like an obvious tourist, trying to find my way back to my hotel, that I'll
    >be a pretty soft target! Any advice or comforting/scare stories to share
    >from your experience?
No city is perfectly safe, but I would not consider any of these four
to be particularly dangerous. You need to be sensible, and most of all
be generally alert. A pickpocket invited to choose between a drunk or
distracted tourist and one who seems to be aware of his or her
surroundings will take the easy target.

    >- How easy is it to get by speaking only English and a tiny bit of German?
I can't say for Bratislava, but I managed the other three easily with
English and no German (I found no Gaelic speakers).

    >- How cheap are these places? Is it reasonable to hope to see the cultural
    >sights and feed myself on E50 a day?
It's manageable, but perhaps more difficult in Vienna. It depends on
how well you want to eat.

    >- I'm a vegetarian. Will it be difficult to find decent food?
I didn't tune in on that question, as I am an enthusiastic carnivore.
If you are a fish-eating "vegetarian" it is easy; otherwise, I have no
idea.

    >- Anything special that I should pack?
You're tempting me! Condoms; beads for trading with the natives? More
seriously, it seems to be a good idea to be Irish in the new Europe --
some indicators of national identity (but please, not a leprechaun
cap!) and perhaps a few music recordings to give to your new friends.

Go n-éirí leat.

--
PB
The return address has been MUNGED

St

On Tue, 11 May 2004 00:43:53 +0100, "AJ" <[email protected]> wrote:

    >Hi all,
    >I'm planning a trip; flying to Prague, by rail to Vienna, and by boat or
    >rail to Bratislava and Budapest. I'll be doing this over the last two weeks
    >of July. I have lots of questions and I hope you'll be able to answer a few.
    >- I've noticed that accomadation rates dip during the month of July. Does
    >anyone know why? It's not giant flesh eating insect season or anything else
    >I should be worried about is it?

Prices go UP in July.


    >- How safe are these cities? I have read all about the pick pocketing, but I
    >am mostly worried about the streets after dark. I will be travelling alone,
    >and can imagine that wandering naively along the streets after dark, looking
    >like an obvious tourist, trying to find my way back to my hotel, that I'll
    >be a pretty soft target! Any advice or comforting/scare stories to share
    >from your experience?

They're all safe cities. These people will be more interested in
helping you to your hotel than taking your wallet.


    >- How easy is it to get by speaking only English and a tiny bit of German?

You'll be fine.


    >- How cheap are these places? Is it reasonable to hope to see the cultural
    >sights and feed myself on E50 a day?

In my opinion, no worries. But I'm only 21 and don't mind surviving on
cheese sandwiches, freeloading on public transport (or walking
everywhere) and not bothering to go to *every* museum.


    >- Has anybody discovered any little known really nice and cheap places to
    >stay?

Referring particularly to Prague, Bratislava and Budapest, these
cities are all rather cheap. Vienna is more expensive but still
nothing like, say, London. Are we talking hostels or hotels? How old
are you?

    >- I'm a vegetarian. Will it be difficult to find decent food?

Not at all. The only thing is that you'll miss out on some great meat
dishes!

    >- I have found it difficult to find prices and timetables for the rail and
    >boat/hydrofoil (along the Danube) parts of the journey. Can anyone point me
    >in the right direction? I take it there will be no need to pre-book these
    >journeys? And what cards (e.g. ISIC) should I get to take advantage of
    >discounts?

I can't help with the Danube hydrofoils, but refer to www.bahn.de for
your rail timetable needs. As for prices, check out the specific
carriers... It won't take long to google them.

ISIC cards help with lots of stuff - but these Eastern European
countries are seriously cheap anyway. You won't need to prebook
anything. I wouldn't bother with any rail pass unless travelling
extensively in Western Europe. FYI in Eastern Europe, buses are often
cheaper and quicker than trains - but trains are, for obvious reasons,
preferable. Just sit back and watch the world go by. Clickity clack.

I'd always ask the conductor how much a ticket costs 'without a
receipt'. You'll find yourself saving a LOT of money, if you get my
drift...

    >- Part of me longs for a rural hamlet experience (know what I mean?) in at
    >least one of these countries. Any advice on where I might stop off for a
    >night during my travels, and find a bed in a friendly little village?

Almost anyone will tell you to go to Cesky Krumlov (3 hours South of
Prague). It is in no way a 'friendly little village' but is still
charming no matter how many thousands of tourists are around. I was
planning on staying 2 nights last year and ended up there for over 10!

Also in the Czech Republic, Loket is quite nice and less touristy.


    >- Any things which, in your experience, I simply MUST see/do?

The baths in Budapest. Taste as many beers as you can in the Czech
Republic and Austria (MAKE SURE you grab some Weiselburger in Austria.
Gotta be one of the best in the world and is sadly unknown).
Personally, I'd avoid Vienna and go to the Alps - see Salzburg and
Innsbruck. Fantastic places and more interesting (IMO only) than
Vienna. But it really depends on what you're into.

    >- Any tips for a lone traveller? (incidently, I'm choosing to travel alone!
    >It's not that I have no friends ... really)

I'd definitely stay in hostels. So much cheaper, so much more fun.
You'll make great friends and will end up going on tangents and
travelling with other people. Your plans will change. Don't set
anything in concrete. One of the great things about travelling is the
spontaneity.


    >- Anything special that I should pack?

A transistor. A pack of cards. Loads of books.


Hope this helps. Feel free to ask any further questions!
Stephen (Melbourne, Australia)

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"AJ" <[email protected]> schrieb im Newsbeitrag
news:[email protected]...
    > Hi all,
    > I'm planning a trip; flying to Prague, by rail to Vienna, and by boat or
    > rail to Bratislava and Budapest. I'll be doing this over the last two
weeks
    > of July. I have lots of questions and I hope you'll be able to answer a
few.
    > - I've noticed that accomadation rates dip during the month of July. Does
    > anyone know why? It's not giant flesh eating insect season or anything
else
    > I should be worried about is it?
    > - How safe are these cities? I have read all about the pick pocketing, but
I
    > am mostly worried about the streets after dark. I will be travelling
alone,
    > and can imagine that wandering naively along the streets after dark,
looking
    > like an obvious tourist, trying to find my way back to my hotel, that I'll
    > be a pretty soft target! Any advice or comforting/scare stories to share
    > from your experience?
    > - How easy is it to get by speaking only English and a tiny bit of German?
    > - How cheap are these places? Is it reasonable to hope to see the cultural
    > sights and feed myself on E50 a day?
    > - Has anybody discovered any little known really nice and cheap places to
    > stay?
    > - I'm a vegetarian. Will it be difficult to find decent food?
    > - I have found it difficult to find prices and timetables for the rail and
    > boat/hydrofoil (along the Danube) parts of the journey. Can anyone point
me
    > in the right direction? I take it there will be no need to pre-book these
    > journeys? And what cards (e.g. ISIC) should I get to take advantage of
    > discounts?
    > - Part of me longs for a rural hamlet experience (know what I mean?) in at
    > least one of these countries. Any advice on where I might stop off for a
    > night during my travels, and find a bed in a friendly little village?
    > - Any things which, in your experience, I simply MUST see/do?
    > - Any tips for a lone traveller? (incidently, I'm choosing to travel
alone!
    > It's not that I have no friends ... really)
    > - Anything special that I should pack?
    > I'd really appreciate answers to any of the above questions, from both
    > visitors to and natives of these cities.
    > Cheers,
    > AJ.

Tile

I guess prices go up in July
as July starts to be the high season..

But still accomodation is cheap to find in all towns.

I guess it will be easy to live on Eur 50.00 a day
expecially In Slovakia..

as far as I know.. private accomodation goes for about 25 eur a night in
Prague.. depending on where you are.
It will be much cheaper in Bratislava.-

food is cheap again.,

I never spent more than 250 crowns in a good restaurant in Prague..

as you are looking for rural villages.. you will find a lot in Slovakia.. as
this country lives mainly on agriculture.
I suggest villages along the Danube.. near the border to Hungary.

do not forget that the quickest way of moving in these countries is by
private bus.. it might also prove cheaper than by train.
normally.. young people speak english and old people speak german.-
In Vienna I am sure you will have no problem moving with english.. but also
in the Czech and Slovak republic.
as to criminality..
there are pickpockets in Prague.. just be careful
and take care of people offering to change money at black rates in Prague
or in Budapest.

simply a black market has not been in existence
the last 10 years.
they will give you a wad of rumanian banknotes..

On yr way to Vienna from Prague. you might stop at brno and visit the castle
of Spielberg
very famous for the rebels of the austroungarian empire that had been closed
there ( expecially in 1821.. the first Italian rebels and polish rebels )

It had also been used as prison by nazi troops during the last world war.

as to hydrofoil.. try to visit a webpage of Vienna..
I know it goes from vienna to Budapest.. stop in Bratislava..
"AJ" <[email protected]> ha scritto nel messaggio
news:[email protected]...
    > Hi all,
    > I'm planning a trip; flying to Prague, by rail to Vienna, and by boat or
    > rail to Bratislava and Budapest. I'll be doing this over the last two
weeks
    > of July. I have lots of questions and I hope you'll be able to answer a
few.
    > - I've noticed that accomadation rates dip during the month of July. Does
    > anyone know why? It's not giant flesh eating insect season or anything
else
    > I should be worried about is it?
    > - How safe are these cities? I have read all about the pick pocketing, but
I
    > am mostly worried about the streets after dark. I will be travelling
alone,
    > and can imagine that wandering naively along the streets after dark,
looking
    > like an obvious tourist, trying to find my way back to my hotel, that I'll
    > be a pretty soft target! Any advice or comforting/scare stories to share
    > from your experience?
    > - How easy is it to get by speaking only English and a tiny bit of German?
    > - How cheap are these places? Is it reasonable to hope to see the cultural
    > sights and feed myself on E50 a day?
    > - Has anybody discovered any little known really nice and cheap places to
    > stay?
    > - I'm a vegetarian. Will it be difficult to find decent food?
    > - I have found it difficult to find prices and timetables for the rail and
    > boat/hydrofoil (along the Danube) parts of the journey. Can anyone point
me
    > in the right direction? I take it there will be no need to pre-book these
    > journeys? And what cards (e.g. ISIC) should I get to take advantage of
    > discounts?
    > - Part of me longs for a rural hamlet experience (know what I mean?) in at
    > least one of these countries. Any advice on where I might stop off for a
    > night during my travels, and find a bed in a friendly little village?
    > - Any things which, in your experience, I simply MUST see/do?
    > - Any tips for a lone traveller? (incidently, I'm choosing to travel
alone!
    > It's not that I have no friends ... really)
    > - Anything special that I should pack?
    > I'd really appreciate answers to any of the above questions, from both
    > visitors to and natives of these cities.
    > Cheers,
    > AJ.

Tile

ciao Padraigh.-
If you did not receive my email
thank you fro yr gift !!!!
Cead Mile Failte !!!
"Padraig Breathnach" <[email protected]> ha scritto nel messaggio
news:[email protected]...
    > "AJ" <[email protected]> wrote:
    > >I'm planning a trip; flying to Prague, by rail to Vienna, and by boat or
    > >rail to Bratislava and Budapest. I'll be doing this over the last two
weeks
    > >of July. I have lots of questions and I hope you'll be able to answer a
few.
    > >
    > Sounds like fun.
    > >- I've noticed that accomadation rates dip during the month of July. Does
    > >anyone know why? It's not giant flesh eating insect season or anything
else
    > >I should be worried about is it?
    > >
    > No idea. I can understand such a pattern in a political or commercial
    > city, but I wouldn't have expected it in cities better known for
    > tourism. But you are visiting capital cities, so maybe the summer lull
    > in political life is a factor.
    > >- How safe are these cities? I have read all about the pick pocketing,
but I
    > >am mostly worried about the streets after dark. I will be travelling
alone,
    > >and can imagine that wandering naively along the streets after dark,
looking
    > >like an obvious tourist, trying to find my way back to my hotel, that
I'll
    > >be a pretty soft target! Any advice or comforting/scare stories to share
    > >from your experience?
    > >
    > No city is perfectly safe, but I would not consider any of these four
    > to be particularly dangerous. You need to be sensible, and most of all
    > be generally alert. A pickpocket invited to choose between a drunk or
    > distracted tourist and one who seems to be aware of his or her
    > surroundings will take the easy target.
    > >- How easy is it to get by speaking only English and a tiny bit of
German?
    > >
    > I can't say for Bratislava, but I managed the other three easily with
    > English and no German (I found no Gaelic speakers).
    > >- How cheap are these places? Is it reasonable to hope to see the
cultural
    > >sights and feed myself on E50 a day?
    > >
    > It's manageable, but perhaps more difficult in Vienna. It depends on
    > how well you want to eat.
    > >- I'm a vegetarian. Will it be difficult to find decent food?
    > >
    > I didn't tune in on that question, as I am an enthusiastic carnivore.
    > If you are a fish-eating "vegetarian" it is easy; otherwise, I have no
    > idea.
    > >- Anything special that I should pack?
    > >
    > You're tempting me! Condoms; beads for trading with the natives? More
    > seriously, it seems to be a good idea to be Irish in the new Europe --
    > some indicators of national identity (but please, not a leprechaun
    > cap!) and perhaps a few music recordings to give to your new friends.
    > Go n-éirí leat.
    > --
    > PB
    > The return address has been MUNGED

Aj

    > >- I've noticed that accomadation rates dip during the month of July. Does
    > >anyone know why? It's not giant flesh eating insect season or anything
else
    > >I should be worried about is it?
    > Prices go UP in July.

No, seriously! I've seen a rake of hotels that have high season from May -
August, with a dip for the month of July. It's still more expensive than
Winter but cheaper than the surrounding months???

    > >- Has anybody discovered any little known really nice and cheap places to
    > >stay?
    > Referring particularly to Prague, Bratislava and Budapest, these
    > cities are all rather cheap. Vienna is more expensive but still
    > nothing like, say, London. Are we talking hostels or hotels? How old
    > are you?

23. I'm talking hotels. I've seen lots of nice hostels but I rate private
bathroom up there with own bed so I think I'll be giving them a miss.

    > >- Any things which, in your experience, I simply MUST see/do?
    > The baths in Budapest. Taste as many beers as you can in the Czech
    > Republic and Austria (MAKE SURE you grab some Weiselburger in Austria.
    > Gotta be one of the best in the world and is sadly unknown).
    > Personally, I'd avoid Vienna and go to the Alps - see Salzburg and
    > Innsbruck. Fantastic places and more interesting (IMO only) than
    > Vienna. But it really depends on what you're into.
Yeah, I'm not really sure why I want to go to Vienna ... just always have.
Innsbruck sounds interesting. I'll consider this.

Thanks for all the comments.

Aj

    > >- How easy is it to get by speaking only English and a tiny bit of
German?
    > >
    > I can't say for Bratislava, but I managed the other three easily with
    > English and no German (I found no Gaelic speakers).

Probably just as well because I wouldn't be able to have much of a
conversation with them!

    > >- Anything special that I should pack?
    > >
    > You're tempting me! Condoms; beads for trading with the natives? More
    > seriously, it seems to be a good idea to be Irish in the new Europe --
    > some indicators of national identity (but please, not a leprechaun
    > cap!) and perhaps a few music recordings to give to your new friends.

Interesting. I've always found that 'everyone loves the Irish' bit rather
sickening/shameful (only ever heard it from Irish people whose opinions I
particularly wounldn't rate) but if it works I'll give it a go!

Thanks.

Padraig Breathnach

"AJ" <[email protected]> wrote:

    >> You're tempting me! Condoms; beads for trading with the natives? More
    >> seriously, it seems to be a good idea to be Irish in the new Europe --
    >> some indicators of national identity (but please, not a leprechaun
    >> cap!) and perhaps a few music recordings to give to your new friends.
    >Interesting. I've always found that 'everyone loves the Irish' bit rather
    >sickening/shameful (only ever heard it from Irish people whose opinions I
    >particularly wounldn't rate) but if it works I'll give it a go!
They love me but, on reflection, it might be nothing to do with my
being Irish.

--
PB
The return address has been MUNGED

St

On Tue, 11 May 2004 17:12:39 +0100, "AJ" <[email protected]> wrote:

    >> >- I've noticed that accomadation rates dip during the month of July. Does
    >> >anyone know why? It's not giant flesh eating insect season or anything
    >else
    >> >I should be worried about is it?
    >> Prices go UP in July.
    >No, seriously! I've seen a rake of hotels that have high season from May -
    >August, with a dip for the month of July. It's still more expensive than
    >Winter but cheaper than the surrounding months???

Stay in hostels!!!!!!! I can't encourage you enough to do this! TRUST
ME!

    >> >- Has anybody discovered any little known really nice and cheap places to
    >> >stay?
    >> Referring particularly to Prague, Bratislava and Budapest, these
    >> cities are all rather cheap. Vienna is more expensive but still
    >> nothing like, say, London. Are we talking hostels or hotels? How old
    >> are you?
    >23. I'm talking hotels. I've seen lots of nice hostels but I rate private
    >bathroom up there with own bed so I think I'll be giving them a miss.

There are no arguments for staying in hotels at your age. Even if you
rate private bathrooms so high, I can't really understand your
reasoning behind this. Bathrooms in hostels are *always* clean. I
didn't come across any filth in any hostel I stayed in over the 6
months in Europe I did last year. If you want recommendations, I can
help with that as well.

I can't explain how much more fun you'll have if you stay in hostels.
Please do it!

    >> >- Any things which, in your experience, I simply MUST see/do?
    >> The baths in Budapest. Taste as many beers as you can in the Czech
    >> Republic and Austria (MAKE SURE you grab some Weiselburger in Austria.
    >> Gotta be one of the best in the world and is sadly unknown).
    >> Personally, I'd avoid Vienna and go to the Alps - see Salzburg and
    >> Innsbruck. Fantastic places and more interesting (IMO only) than
    >> Vienna. But it really depends on what you're into.
    >Yeah, I'm not really sure why I want to go to Vienna ... just always have.
    >Innsbruck sounds interesting. I'll consider this.

I'd seriously consider Munich as well. It isn't far out of the way and
is an absolutely phenomenal city. If you're gonna go to Innsbruck,
check Munich out. Its only two hours away. Pity you wouldn't be in the
area for Oktoberfest though...

Aj

    > Stay in hostels!!!!!!! I can't encourage you enough to do this! TRUST
    > ME!

Jesus, I won't enjoy myself now if I do dare go to a hotel. I'll be overcome
with guilt!

    > There are no arguments for staying in hotels at your age. Even if you
    > rate private bathrooms so high, I can't really understand your
    > reasoning behind this. Bathrooms in hostels are *always* clean. I
    > didn't come across any filth in any hostel I stayed in over the 6
    > months in Europe I did last year. If you want recommendations, I can
    > help with that as well.
    > I can't explain how much more fun you'll have if you stay in hostels.
    > Please do it!

The bathroom thing is somthing you either get or don't. I can go cheap
enough in Prague and Bratislava. I may give myself a bit of a treat in
Budapest, which leaves Austria. I think I will have to look into hostels
here. I'd welcome those recommendations.

    > I'd seriously consider Munich as well. It isn't far out of the way and
    > is an absolutely phenomenal city. If you're gonna go to Innsbruck,
    > check Munich out. Its only two hours away. Pity you wouldn't be in the
    > area for Oktoberfest though...

Yeah, I've friends who've been!

Aj

    > They love me but, on reflection, it might be nothing to do with my
    > being Irish.

Ah there's that Gaelic charm ;-)

St

On Wed, 12 May 2004 01:07:58 +0100, "AJ" <[email protected]> wrote:

    >> Stay in hostels!!!!!!! I can't encourage you enough to do this! TRUST
    >> ME!
    >Jesus, I won't enjoy myself now if I do dare go to a hotel. I'll be overcome
    >with guilt!
    >> There are no arguments for staying in hotels at your age. Even if you
    >> rate private bathrooms so high, I can't really understand your
    >> reasoning behind this. Bathrooms in hostels are *always* clean. I
    >> didn't come across any filth in any hostel I stayed in over the 6
    >> months in Europe I did last year. If you want recommendations, I can
    >> help with that as well.
    >> I can't explain how much more fun you'll have if you stay in hostels.
    >> Please do it!
    >The bathroom thing is somthing you either get or don't. I can go cheap
    >enough in Prague and Bratislava. I may give myself a bit of a treat in
    >Budapest, which leaves Austria. I think I will have to look into hostels
    >here. I'd welcome those recommendations.

Stay at the Elf in Prague, Hostel 99 in Cesky Krumlov. Especially 99 -
free beer Wednesdays, tubes to float down the Vltava etc...

    >> I'd seriously consider Munich as well. It isn't far out of the way and
    >> is an absolutely phenomenal city. If you're gonna go to Innsbruck,
    >> check Munich out. Its only two hours away. Pity you wouldn't be in the
    >> area for Oktoberfest though...
    >Yeah, I've friends who've been!

Vienna: Ruthensteiner and Wombat are both clean and nice and close to
the Westbahnhof. Wombat is a little tos streamlined for my liking. I'd
go with the Ruthensteiner.

Salzburg: Yoho.

Innsbruck: Go and stay with the Fuhrer at St Nikolaus just for the
experience. The biggest ***** of owner of a hostel I've ever come
across (hence why we nicknamed him the Fuhrer). Youth Hostel St
Nikolaus.

Have fun.

Stagshrine

We were very pleased with Pension Andreas in Vienna.
<http://vienna.nethotels.com/nethotels/deutsch/hotels/andreas/default.htm>
It is less than a block from Rathouse and very quite. The Room my wife and
I had was big enough for eight. Staff is friendly and helpful and the price
was very reasonable.

If you are alone there is a wonderful little cafe in the neighbor hood that
has great food, beer, entertainment and a lively young crowd. I don't
remeber the name of the streets. But when you leave the entrance turn
right, walk to the corner and turn right again. Walk up the hill 4-5 blocks
and it will be on the oppossite side of the street. They serve my favorite
beer, Budweiser, the original from Cesky Budejoyvice.

Violent crime is very rare in any of these cities. You mainly have to watch
out for pickpockets and cut purses (rather Shakespearean term). But these
people cut open your back pack or purse and an accomplice grabs what ever
falls out. Greatest danger is in crowds. Not alone on the street.

I just realized that I assumed you are male. If your female or a very small
male, it might not be such a good idea to wonder around late at night. But
I have seen women alone on the streets of Krakow and Prague at 3-4 in the
morning and they seemed very comfortable.

Don't worry about looking like a tourist. Just be a good tourist. I wonder
all over the streets of cities sometimes very late at night by myself.
Especially after a long air flight my sleep pattern is totally messed up.
Rather than lay abed in a interesting and foreign city I get up and wonder.
I have never been accosted. Well it might be more correct to say I have
never been accosted with hostile intentions. But I am a bit large and I
am alert. I have actually been stopped on these wanderings and asked for
directions in Czech or Slovakian.

Keep most of your most important papers and valuables in a money belt. Neck
wallets also work well, but be careful when you pull a sweater off. Don't
leave them in your room. I use the cheapest possible wallet when I travel.
I can often find them at thrift shops for $1.00. I only keep the days funds
in it.

Make 3-4 copies of all your ID, passports, air tickets, travelers checks,
credit cards, and credit card contacts for lost and stollen cards, itinerary
. Keep a copy in you luggage, a copy in your money belt, a copy in your
backpack or daybag (don't forget contact info for each accomadation
resservation you make). In fact I left home once without the name or
address of Hotel Andres in Vienna which was our first stop. I had posted
our entire iterary on our website so that my family and friends could
contact me if need be. So when we changed planes in Amsterdam I simply
logged on to my web site and downloaded.

I think you can do E50 per day average. In fact we have averaged 60 for two
of us and lived quite well and even had a few splurges. But I would be
prepared for 60 if you need to.

Try to get advanced reservation for Bratislava. It is quite hard to find
economic accomadations near the City center on short notice.

If you have a hobby or special interest, I strongly suggest you look on the
web and see if there are related clubs or museums in the cities you will
visit. It is incredible how much this kind of thing can really get you
involveds with locals. Don't overlook the little specialty museums.
Sometimes they have much more charachter than the famous museums. There is
a small clock museum in Braitslava a block or two south of the Jewish
memorial. My wife has an interest in clocks and watches.

When we travel in the US we watch for local pancake breakfasts, spaghetti
feeds and crab feeds that the local Knights of Columbus, Volunteer Fire
Department, Rotarians, or Kiwanas put on for fund raisers. We found one put
on by Kiwanis in a small Czech town. Of course we were the only non-locals
there and we had a great time.

--
"These are the times that try men's souls." Tom Paine

Stagshrine


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Leland Windreich

There are two paperbacks by Sandra Gustafson that will help you plan your
stay:
CHEAP SLEEPS IN PRAGUE, VIENNA, BUDAPEST
CHEAP EATS IN PRAGUE, VIENNA, BUDAPEST
Both pubished by Chronicle Books and available at Amazon.
There are several vegetarian restaurants in Prague and Budapest. Vegetarium
and Gandhi are particularly good in Budapest.
"st" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > On Wed, 12 May 2004 01:07:58 +0100, "AJ" <[email protected]> wrote:
    > >> Stay in hostels!!!!!!! I can't encourage you enough to do this! TRUST
    > >> ME!
    > >>
    > >
    > >Jesus, I won't enjoy myself now if I do dare go to a hotel. I'll be
overcome
    > >with guilt!
    > >
    > >> There are no arguments for staying in hotels at your age. Even if you
    > >> rate private bathrooms so high, I can't really understand your
    > >> reasoning behind this. Bathrooms in hostels are *always* clean. I
    > >> didn't come across any filth in any hostel I stayed in over the 6
    > >> months in Europe I did last year. If you want recommendations, I can
    > >> help with that as well.
    > >>
    > >> I can't explain how much more fun you'll have if you stay in hostels.
    > >> Please do it!
    > >>
    > >
    > >The bathroom thing is somthing you either get or don't. I can go cheap
    > >enough in Prague and Bratislava. I may give myself a bit of a treat in
    > >Budapest, which leaves Austria. I think I will have to look into hostels
    > >here. I'd welcome those recommendations.
    > Stay at the Elf in Prague, Hostel 99 in Cesky Krumlov. Especially 99 -
    > free beer Wednesdays, tubes to float down the Vltava etc...
    > >
    > >> I'd seriously consider Munich as well. It isn't far out of the way and
    > >> is an absolutely phenomenal city. If you're gonna go to Innsbruck,
    > >> check Munich out. Its only two hours away. Pity you wouldn't be in the
    > >> area for Oktoberfest though...
    > >
    > >Yeah, I've friends who've been!
    > >
    > Vienna: Ruthensteiner and Wombat are both clean and nice and close to
    > the Westbahnhof. Wombat is a little tos streamlined for my liking. I'd
    > go with the Ruthensteiner.
    > Salzburg: Yoho.
    > Innsbruck: Go and stay with the Fuhrer at St Nikolaus just for the
    > experience. The biggest ***** of owner of a hostel I've ever come
    > across (hence why we nicknamed him the Fuhrer). Youth Hostel St
    > Nikolaus.
    > Have fun.