Fringe Europe
Everybody does Paris, Amsterdam, and the Cinque Terre these days. But what about fringe Europe: Norway's Spitzbergen, Portugal's Azores, Ukraine, Albania? If you're gone to the edge — and lived — here's your chance to talk about it. Thanks for the inspiration!
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Romania Tour October 09
We have frequently used the guidebooks of Rick to travel on our own in Europe. We found them witty and helpful. We are still in Romania completing a 12 day trip with Compass Travel Romania tour company and we had the most wonderful, adventurous trip ever. Everything went to plan and our tailor made tour was just amazing. It was great that we could change our plan if we needed to or even add more places of interest or attend evening performances such as the classical music recital in Bucharest. Even though we had a fairly full itinerary we added more to it, especially things to do in the evenings. Our guide was absolutely marvelous and did a great job of looking after us. Not only he drove carefully but made many useful suggestions to add highlights to our trip such as the visit to Valea Vilor Unesco Heritage site and the home hosted kunch in Sibiel. We thank you very much for arranging our tailor made tour and I can certainly recommend your company for a similar tour for anyone else.
www.tours-of-romania.com So far this was the best trip we ever took.
Liam and Theresa Manner
Los Angeles, CA USA 11/04/2009
Hungary is under construction
I have just returned from a trip to Hungary and it is undergoing massive public works projects. In Budapest many streets are closed to traffic. In Pecs the entire main square and street leading up to it are completely torn up. It will be beautifiul again when the projects are completed, but added new challenges for sightseeing now.
John H.
Littleton, CO USA 09/28/2009
Romania - Sibiel/Sibiu
To update a 12/1995 post by Peter Tadin, I am happy to report that we followed his recommendation and contacted Reghina Popa's Pension for "dinner with the peasants". The food was excellent, the village charming, and the price "unbelievable" at around $10 US for a full meal with 6 different appetizers, main course, soup, homemade bread, dessert, wine and tuica, and coffee.
I would highly recommend a visit to this charming village, and contact Reghina Popa at: girl_gety@yahoo.com or at 0269-0552559 for an exceptional experience.
While there stop at the craft hut down the road for unbelievable bargains on local crafts and ceramics!
Gerry Olson <email>
Lansing, MI USA 09/01/2009
Romania - Sibiel
Sorry - Peter Tadin's previous comments were from a 12/2005 trip to Romania, not 1995 as previously posted.
Gerry Olson <email>
Lansing, MI USA 09/01/2009
Cheap European airline to Albania
I flew from Belfast to Milan for 60 euros return. I then stayed in Milan for a few days and then flew to Albania. There is a cheap airline, Belle Air, that flies from Milan Malpensa to Tirana. In January, the fare was about 120 euros round trip. Once you get to Albania, the prices are so much lower than the EU member countries with regards to accomodation, food, and entertainment. Belle Air also flies to Prishtina in Kosovo from Milan (and several other Italian cities).
Courtney
Austin, TX USA 08/26/2009
Romania
I spent a week in Brasov, Sighisoara and Sibiu and the Transylvania area by far is my favorite place in Europe. The scenery is beautiful, the people are very friendly, not alot of tourists, cheap, and the architecture/history was amazing. In Sighisoara I went on a 4 hour tour to Biertan with Peter Suciu from Wanderlust Tours. It only cost me 15 euros and I was with another traveler. He drove us in his car and he was a wealth of information. Contact info is:wanderlust.tour@gmail.com, +40721254195 or +40765156653. You can customize your tour to what you want to see.
I kept thinking to myself while there that I am so surprised this isn't more of a major tour destination. I can't wait to go back!
kate
canada 06/04/2009
a highly recommended private tour guide for Tangier-Morocco
a private tourist should really look into having a private tour guide in Tangier-Morocco. The cost will be much lower than a ship's tour and you will be able to see lots more with extra time for a nice lunch and shopping where and how long you want.
Much has been said about Aziztour, but we used Said. He is a well educated man who lives and breathes Tangiers, has a great A.C Van that will hold up to eight persons (I believe, but we were only four) and the driver. As it turned out he charged us less than Aziz and about one half of what the ship's tour would have cost. He does the usual touristic route (Royal Palace, Cap Spartel, Hercules Cave, and best of all the Kasbak, the Medina & the berber Souks). But he can customize to whatever you want. it was by far the best of our shore excursions.
For details email him at: saidtours@gmail.com
You should also be aware that there will be several 'guides' waiting at the dock who may or may not be trusted to take you to the places where you want to shop, etc. I suggest you go by recommendations and forget about cabs.
Nancy Doonss, Cool Cruiser <email>
Srudio City, CA USA 05/21/2009
Hungary
Just spent 2 weeks in Hungary. Can highly recommend a private guide in Budapest - Gabriella Torok. She has her own website. We did a 4 hour city tour as an introduction and a day tour to the Danube Bend. Tried Rick's suggested restaurants - Menza, Cafe Kor, Belvarosi Lugas, Voros Postakocsi - all great at different prices. Also really enjoyed Cyrano just off Vaci Utca - more expensive european type food. Stayed in Eger at Senator Haz - cozy, very friendly, very sociable location. My husband enjoyed turkish baths in Budapest especially the Rudas. We both enjoyed the Szechenyi thermal baths,thermal baths at Eger and thermal lake at Heviz.
Sue
Australia 04/14/2009
Cairo, Egypt
You must contact Samir Fayek at the Windsor Hotel in Cairo for the very best attentive care. We have traveled through several countries and never before had such personal involvement and help. Samir arranged our 2 hour camel ride, Nile River cruise, personal guide for the Egyptian museum, and even he himself took us at 7;15am for a private 'look-see' in one of the oldest mosques. His email is: samirfayek@hotmail.com You will not be disappointed! The Windsor Hotel is downtown Cairo and a $68 double room with bath & breakfast is a good deal. Ask for room #51 for quietest experience and be sure and dine in the hotel's Barrel Restaurant. Samir stayed in contact with our private driver and guide to ensure our safety and that our wishes were being met ~ unbelievable! Be sure and email him before your trip! Happy traveling!
Cari <email>
Madison, AL USA 02/28/2009