Quiqueg

"AJ" <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:

I'll try and answer for Wien and Budapest, since I (still) haven't been
in Prague or Bratislava

    > - I've noticed that accomadation rates dip during the month of July.

look better, rates go UP and no, didn't encounter giant flesh eating
mosquitoes or the like.

    > - 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?

both W and B are huge but quiet cities, as far as you don't get yourself
in trouble, you won't encounter any. Try to mix up, and not to look as
the obvious tourist. In B. avoid - if I can give any advice - to get
involved in too easy romantic llaisons with the local beauties, esp.
outside or inside bars or discos. Sometimes this could results not only
in your heart being hurt, but also in your belongings. A frequent scam,
esp. for Italians, but if you're not inclined to the "macho latino"
persona, you shouldn't have any problem.

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

so-so. Austria: go ahead with English and the tiny bit of German.
Hungary: english with young people, German with the elder. Some basic
phrases in hungarian are of great help.

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

Wien is definitely not cheap, but nothing like London, Milan or NY;
Budapest is much cheaper, provided you try and avoid the touristy joints.


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

Wien: everybody here goes for the Fuerstenhof hotel, didn't try it so
cannot comment on that. The Wombat's hostel is growing though. I usually
go camping.

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

Wien: no, absolutely.

Budapest: Hungarian Cuisine is strongly meat based... but I think you
should be able to arrange a decent vegetarian menu almost anywhere.


    > - 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 anywhere outside the big cities in Austria and - presumably -
Hungary, people rent rooms, so while you're on the road look for some
'Zimmer' sign. Beds aren't difficult to find.

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

Budapest: take a thermal bath. Visit the Palace and old Buda.

Wien: have a slice of cake (not necessarily Sachertorte) and a coffee in
some café. Mix up with the natives at the music festival outside the
Rathaus. Visit museums. Go for the KHM (Kunsthistorisches Museum - Museum
of the Story of Art) and the Belvedere Gallery.

qqg/

Aj

I love this newsgroup!

I've never gotten so much (useful) information anywhere else that I've
posted.

Thanks to who have responded so far. Keep 'em coming. I dont leave until
July!

Thanks again,

AJ.

P.S.

Okay, it's not the case everywhere I've looked, but I honestly have seen
many places lower their prices slightly in July (not in Vienna though ...
stupid expensive wonderful city!).

Stagshrine

Post when you get back and let us know about your discoveries and
recommendations.

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

Stagshrine


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Sarah Banick

There are a lot more vegetarian options than there used to be.... You can
usually find veggie restaurants where the backpackers hang out. Check Let's
Go, it usually lists a selection for each city. Also, it may not be native,
but I've found Italian restaurants to be a lifesaver in some countries --
there's always something like pasta and tomato sauce. Just hold the cheese
if you're a vegan.


"AJ" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > I love this newsgroup!
    > I've never gotten so much (useful) information anywhere else that I've
    > posted.
    > Thanks to who have responded so far. Keep 'em coming. I dont leave until
    > July!
    > Thanks again,
    > AJ.
    > P.S.
    > Okay, it's not the case everywhere I've looked, but I honestly have seen
    > many places lower their prices slightly in July (not in Vienna though ...
    > stupid expensive wonderful city!).

Aj

Stagshrine,

Whats Cesky Krumlov like? I believe you're quite the fan. It's pretty much
made its way into my intinerary but I just want to be sure. It looks very
picturesque, which is what drew me, but it also looks rather small and maybe
a little short on attractions. What say you ... in particular about its
size/population densisty? Also, know anything about the accomodation above
the main theatre? Must be something wrong with it for 9 euro a night!

AJ.

Tile

as far as monuments are concerned.. Cesky Krumlov is the second town in the
Czech Republic
the third being Kutna hora..

It is rather a small village than a town.

but it is soemthing you cannot miss if you have time
"AJ" <[email protected]> ha scritto nel messaggio
news:[email protected]...
    > Stagshrine,
    > Whats Cesky Krumlov like? I believe you're quite the fan. It's pretty much
    > made its way into my intinerary but I just want to be sure. It looks very
    > picturesque, which is what drew me, but it also looks rather small and
maybe
    > a little short on attractions. What say you ... in particular about its
    > size/population densisty? Also, know anything about the accomodation above
    > the main theatre? Must be something wrong with it for 9 euro a night!
    > AJ.

Aj

Another, very important, question ...

What are the licensing laws like in these countries? Will I be getting any
unpleasant surprises like I once did in the UK (they sounded last orders, we
got a round, 10 mins later, before we had a chance to touch our fresh
drinks, we were thrown out! ... it was a major culture shock).

AJ.

Lennart Petersen

"AJ" <[email protected]> skrev i meddelandet
news:%[email protected]...
    > Another, very important, question ...
    > What are the licensing laws like in these countries? Will I be getting any
    > unpleasant surprises like I once did in the UK (they sounded last orders,
we
    > got a round, 10 mins later, before we had a chance to touch our fresh
    > drinks, we were thrown out! ... it was a major culture shock).
Typically you stay as long as you please.....
When everyone else have left and they're doing some cleaning around you it's
a hint.......