Eastern Europe

Guidebook corrections:

Please note: The following corrections were submitted by readers and have not yet been confirmed by Rick. Check updates from Rick for the latest.

For two people Sarka Kacabova charges 600 per hour for 2 people, not 400 as stated in the book. 400 is now only for one person

mike in tempe, az USA 06/22/2008

No

Doris Herp in Louisville, KY USA 06/15/2008

Just back May 8, 2008. There are senior citizen reduced prices to many places including Prague Castle. They don't ask; you have to inquire. Prague has become much more expensive.

Jackie in Wyckoff, NJ USA 05/14/2008

This is not necessarily a correction but a suggestion on the best way to tour Auschwitz. We took your advice and took a minibus and toured on our own. The minibus was hard to find, crowded and very slow. We would recommend paying the extra money to take a tour as the bus goes on a direct route on the highway rather than the side roads which are a much longer route. Then we would ask the tour guide what time to meet them and when and tour on our own. This is a difficult day made all the more tedious by a crowded, uncomfortable, and slow minibus that probably added 1-2 hours to the trip.

Sondra in Portland, OR USA 11/06/2007

Restaurant Muveszinas in Budapest (p 476) is now closed.

Herman P. Wu in Burlington, WA USA 10/16/2007

Most of your cost quotes are very much on the low side of our actual costs. Your updated edition should point out that the U.S. dollar has lost much of its value again foreign currencies.

Rod Young in Bowie, MD USA 09/28/2007

p. 756 New Palace Museums, Vienna: musical instruments collection is open on Monday, closed Tueday, not the other way round as guidebook states.

Eugene Alcalay in Platteville, WI USA 08/13/2007

Best of Eastern Europe 2006 - (thought I ordered 2007 and received 2006). I am pretty sure that Stephan's crown has been moved to Parliament from the church. What is in the top of the church is a replica.

[Editor's Note: This has been updated in the 2007 edition.]

Mary Ann Rose in Westminster, CO USA 06/28/2007

Prague's Wenceslas Square: "World of Fruit Bar Svetozor" is no longer open, altho there is still an ice cream shop there. In general, the guidebook was excellent, pointing out everything we needed to know. The Museum of Communism might need to be a 3 triangle site. Thanks for your help to make our trip the best!

Rick Manolio in Virginia Beach, VA USA 06/16/2007

The national Museum in Prague is closed the 1st Tuesday each month for cleaning.

W. L. Walters in Newark, De USA 06/13/2007

P. 58: D?kuji is admittedly difficult for Americans to pronounce. However, DYACK-quee is not close. Our Czech friends laughed at this.

The phone number on p. 67 of the 2007 edition for Cedaz minibus will likely get you their fax machine. The numbers on their current literature are 220-114-296 and 224-281-005.

P. 395 says that "1000-The pope crowns King István (Stephen)." Baloney. Pope Sylvester II almost certainly never crowned King Stephen. There is a legend with little or no documentary backing that he SENT him a crown, but there is no indication at all that Sylvester and Stephen ever met in person.

By the way, why is it always "the pope" and not "Pope XXX." The popes are not interchangeable. Pope Sylvester II was an intriguing guy, heads and shoulders above both his predecessors and his successors.

P. 454 says that there is a bus stop in Deák Tér "marked with Statue Park logo." No one in our group was able to find any such sign. The bus was not marked either. We were not positive that we were on the right bus to the Statue Park until we saw some the Commies.

Mike Wavada in Enfield, CT USA 06/11/2007

The Mellow Mood Hostel in Budapest is shutting down forever in September.

Carly Marshall in Sudbury, ON Canada 06/05/2007

I used the 2006 "Best of Eastern Europe" on my recent trip and found an excellent place. The "Hotels and Restaurants in the New Town" map on page 132, however, shows Hotel Anna (ref #3) north of Korunni; it is actually south, between Korunni and Francouzska.

Chris Kerstetter in Renton, WA USA 04/20/2007

Virgin Megastore Vienna is not a good place to get souvenir music, mostly because it closed down 2 years ago.

I think KunstHausWien deserves at least 2 star rating.

Mike Williams in http://mikenbondi.blogspot.com, Australia 04/18/2007

Restauracja Samoobslugowa Polakowski (Krakow) is called Polskie Smaki Restauracja

David Carter in Stillwater, OK USA 04/18/2007

The tourism information for the Hungarian office is incorrect, unless it has been updated for the 2007 Eastern Europe book. The Hungarian National Tourist Office is at 350 Fifth Avenue, Suite 7107, New York, NY 10118, tel. 212-695-1221, info@gotohungary.com, www.gotohungary.com.

[Editor's Note: Yes, the phone, web, and email have been updated for the 2007 edition to match the above info. We no longer list mailing addresses as the vast majority of people contact tourist offices via phone or computer.]

Anita Cook in Monument, CO USA 03/26/2007

Prague Castle - Ticket A and B no longer include St Vitus Cathedral, must buy that ticket separately in cathedral (200Kr - or was it 100Kr per person?)

Marci in Jersey Shore, USA 03/01/2007

The best Metro stop for the Synagogue in Budapest is the Red Line stop at Astoria. I was travelling on '05 however so the change may have been made.

Todd K. in Terrebonne, OR USA 11/19/2006

My wife and I stayed at Hotel u Trí Bubnu, which you state on your website offers a 10 percent discount to Rick Steves' readers in 2006 (www.utribubnu.cz). While that is true, what they were not clear about (although "maybe" technically correct in their email) is that the discount does not apply if you pay by credit card. So, we either had a choice of paying by credit card, which adds 3% to the total bill, or paying cash which saves the 3% and gives a 10% discount. Fortunately, because of an early morning departure, we asked about paying for the room the day before, found this out, and with some consternation, went out, got cash, and I guess saved 13%.

Richard Alloy in Aptos, CA United States 11/12/2006

Hi, Austria has never been a communist country and has never belonged to "Eastern Europe". It seems rather odd that Vienna is part of "Best of Eastern Europe".

We don't consider Slovenia and Croatia "Eastern Europe" either, but Southeastern Europe.

[Editor's Note: We include Vienna in our Best of Eastern Europe guidebook as many Americans pass through Vienna on their way to and from other destinations in this region.]

novala in Vienna, -- Austria 11/11/2006

Tram number to Kazimierz in Krakow is wrong.

Carolyn S. in Seattle, WA USA 11/10/2006

We are planning a trip to Eastern Europe using the Rick Steves "Best of Eastern Europe 2006" book. On page 585, it says that "Several low-cost airlines connect Dalmatia to the rest of Europe (for example SkyEurope flies Budapest-Dubrovnik for less than $50)". When we check the SkyEurope site they show no flights from Budapest-Dubrovnik. We have not been able to find any flights from Budapest to Dubrovnik for less than $300. These are all via some out-of the-way city. We have mapped out our trip on the assumption that we can get from Budapest-Dubrovnik fairly easily. Can you help us? We are anxious to book flights to try to get the cheapest possible. Thanks for any clarification/assistance.

[Editor's Note: Unfortunately, the SkyEurope flights between Budapest and Dubrovnik run only in the summer. We'll add a warning to this effect in the 2007 edition of our Eastern Europe guidebook.]

Kay Harnish-Ladd USA 11/06/2006

I understand that many people would not know where you were talking about but many people in Krakow and Prague know they live in "Central Europe" not Eastern Europe.

Anita Slevin in Park City, UT USA 11/01/2006

I also just bought the "Best of Eastern Europe 2006" book at Barnes & Noble and it had the same missing/repeated pages. All copies of the book had the same problems!

Margaret in Snoqualmie, WA USA 10/20/2006

I purchased a copy of "Rick Steve's Best of Eastern Europe 2006" at the Frankfurt Book fair last week. Pages 525-572 were missing and instead pages 429-476 were repeated.

Chuck Georgius in Frankfurt, DE 10/14/2006

The 24 hr transit pass (and I suspect other passes) for Vienna does not include the S-bahn from outside the city center. A separate ticket must be purchased for this travel; the guidebook does not make this distinction. We stayed in Stockerau and had purchased the 24 hr pass but upon presenting it to the conductor, had to buy another ticket on the spot. Fortunately, he charged us only for the ticket and no fine as I think he understood that we felt we were fully paid.

Gary Schiavi in Chestertown, NY USA 10/07/2006

The description of the Facade of Diocletian's Palace contains the statement, "The water level was much higher back then, and this part of the palace could be reached only by boat . . " This suggests that prior to A.D. 300 the ocean level at Split was several feet higher than it is now. Since we all know that ocean levels this high could only be caused by global warming and that global warning could not have occurred prior to the Industrial Revolution the statement must be incorrect. Oh wait! Could it be that temperature and ocean level fluctions are normal and not caused by human activity? Maybe Rick is right after all.

Jeff Keller USA 09/28/2006

The 2006 edition of this book describes the Prague Excursion Pass but finding out when and where to validate it is missing. I validated mine in Vienna using the same technique you describe on your website for Eurail passes. However information is needed on where the pass kicks in! I went from Vienna to Prague to Munich. On the first leg I displayed my Eurail pass to the Czech border then the Prague Pass. On the second leg my Eurail pass had expired so I displayed my Prague Pass to the Czech border and bought a ticket from there to Munich. I don't think I needed to buy the Prague to Munich ticker but I'm not sure. Clarification on this for other travelers would help.

Phil Olekszyk in Gloucester, VA USA 09/28/2006

The "B" plan ticket for Prague palace no longer included the cathedral (since sept 13 I was told). You must buy the catherdral tickets in the cathedral itself. Its cheaper if you only want to see the cathedral (I think it was 50Kr)

Victor Dragotti in Danville, CA USA 09/25/2006

Add more hotels in Krakow Poland. Recommended Pod Roza

Cathy Stone in Albany, NY USA 09/10/2006

Hotel Slon (based on B of EE 2004) was written up as "musty rooms". We stayed twice in August. The first room smelled just a little musty because of the fan in the HVAC. Once we turned it off and opened the window for fresh air, the smell disappeared. The second room a week later, just two doors down from the first, had no smell at all. The hotel personnel were extremely helpful and efficient: running to provide a parking space, moving our car, giving us exact directions to the rental return office, and more. The breakfast buffet in the elegant ballroom was one of the best of our trip

Jane Wallace in Walnut Creek, CA USA 09/08/2006

Ljubljana: the Architectural Museum of Ljubljana at Fuzine castle, featuring works of Joze Plecnik has new hours. Guidebook lists that it's closed on weekends, which it is not. -- Permanent exhibition is open 9:00-15:00 Mondays to Fridays, 11:00-18:00 Saturdays, 11:00-14:00 Sundays.

Jim Diego in Ann Arbor, MI USA 09/02/2006

Guidebook recommendation for walking the walls was to proceed clockwise. However, the signs direct one to walk counterclockwise. If you were to walk clockwise you would be in opposite direction of 90%+ of people and stairs and walkways would be much more difficult.

Gary Newton in Newport Beach, CA USA 08/23/2006

#1. Prague. The funnicular up Petrin Hill is under construction til 2007?

#2. Ljubljana. Let people know about the disco that has appeared literally in the back yard of Hostel Celica. We loved the hostel, but I guess every Thurs,Fri, Sat night in summer there is a LOUD (I mean very loud!) disco from midnite til the sun comes up. This made for a long couple of nights, with windows open...even my teenage son had trouble with 1-2 hours of sleep! So, visit the hostel during the week! What a great place it is.

Lori Guderyon in Madison, WI USA 08/14/2006

We just returned two days ago from Europe. In Lake Bled, Slovenia, the book mentions that reception for Hotel Trst is at the Grand Hotel Toplice. This is incorrect; the Trst has its own reception desk, and the staff at the Toplice were politely puzzled why my family showed up there to check in to the Trst. They checked us in anyway, but meanwhile the Toplice's speedy porters took our bags across the street to our room at the Trst, obligating us to tip them. We did have to check out at the Toplice, though (go figure).

Also, in Ljubljana, not every TI has Internet access, just the one on Krekov trg (a block or so away from the market colonnade). It also is not free, but costs 250 SIT per half hour.

Marsha Moseley in Ashburn, VA USA 07/27/2006

We were in Budapest on June 24, 2006 and found that Rick's recommended restaurant, Artichoka was closed. They seemed to be doing construction so I'm not sure if it's reopening or if something else is going in there. Too bad. It sounded good.

Greg Lapp in Sanger, CA USA 07/14/2006

Dubrovnik main intercity bus station is in a new location, one bus stop past the port. Both your 2006 guidebook and Lets Go 2006 had the wrong location.

Book says charging for luggage storage on buses is not common. I have been charged for it on every bus (7 kn in Croatia 3 times, 290 SIT in Slovenia). Pension Garni Berc in Bled does not allow guests to do laundry. I walked to the campground (1100 to wash a load and 1100 to dry a load, must provide own detergent).

Kyla Gurganus in Ypsilanti, MI USA 06/20/2006

neither of our train porters would take our passports and finding our way initially in Krakow was difficult as there were no signs pointing the way. The people in the information booths in the train station rarely spoke English except for very minimal (you state the name of where you want to go!).

Jeannie Fiser in Cincinnati, OH USA 06/12/2006

Boutique B an B Warsaw: Arranging a ride to Boutique B and B in Warsaw from the airport "for the same price as a taxi" with Jarek should be worded more clearly. The taxi driver that picked us up said he does the runs for Jarek. Our driver was friendly and polite but keep in mind that at the end of the ride payment is expected, and zlotys are preferred, although he would accept euros if necessary. We assumed that one of Jarek's people would pick us up and the cost would be added to the room bill, making a stop at the ATM not necessary until later. Guest House Lida Prague: The ride arrangements at Guest House Lida in Prague were added to the room bill, and Lida was also enjoyable and a good value.

Wayne 06/11/2006

Taking the public tram to Statue Park in Budapest has an error in Best of Eastern Europe 2006. You have to take bus 03 from the end of the tram to Bus 50. Take tram 47 to the end of the line, then continue in the same direction on bus 03 until you see McDonald's on the left. Get off 03, cross road to McDonald's side and take bus 50 to Statue Park which is the last stop. If you do not cross the road to the McDonald's side, bus 50 will be going in the wrong direction.

Wayne 06/05/2006

Krakow, page 239: Entry fee to the Remu'h Synagogue is included in the entry fee to the Old Cemetery, not the New Cemetery.

Krakow, page 243: We tried to take Tram #4 to Nowa Huta from the Main Post Office (Poczta Glowna), but it turns out that Tram #4 goes nowhere near the Main Post Office. We walked and were able to pick it up at the Bronowice stop near the Krakow Glowny train station as described in the book.

Matt MA USA 06/03/2006

Budapest, page 391: The central MAV (National Hungarian Railways) office on Andrassy is closed, and has been since 31 December 2005. The sign in the window says to go to one of the staions for tickets.

Budapest, page 429: Bus #50 to Statue Park is not available at the end of the line on tram #47. Instead, take bus #3, #14, or #114 from where tram #47 ends to the Jokai Mor utca stop and transfer there to bus #50.

Gordon in Bellevue, WA USA 06/01/2006

Yes! On p. 248, it says that "all Donimirski hotels offer my readers a 15% through 2006". When we recently booked a room at the Hotel Pugetow, they informed us that the discount applied only to the Hotel Maltanski where they had no availability. I wrote for clarification, and that is what they said. So, it is misleading to say that ALL the hotels in that group offer the discount. We would really appreciate any intervention/clarification you could get for us. The hotels have been very helpful otherwise. We are leaving for our trip on 6/7/06. Thanks

Anne Sanchez in Salinas, CA USA 05/09/2006

This is a response from my e-mail to Taxi 2000 for rates from the Budapest airport to a hotel on the Buda side: Thank you for your letter. The fix airport price is 4600 HUF. (One car for 1-3 people) You just dial 06-1-2-000-000 or 06-30-2-000-000 from the airport, and in five or eight minutes the TAXI 2000's car will be in front of the exit. Have a nice journey.

Lorrie Oh USA 05/08/2006

I used the Carlson Wagonlit web site to contact the firm in Budapest to check on opening days and hours for rail ticket purchases and the several other services Carlson might offer. The web site seemed to be focused on business travel. After three unanswered emails to Carlson’s Budapest contact email addresses, I called telephoned the Carlson corporate number in the US and the customer service representative with whom I spoke told me that Carlson only deals with business travel needs (although the word “leisure” is mentioned in the contact section of the web site). It appears that I may have to purchase tickets in person at the Budapest and Prague rail stations, unless I can contact a more responsive travel agent. I used the Carlson Wagonlit web site to contact the firm in Budapest to check on opening days and hours for rail ticket purchases and the several other services Carlson might offer. The web site seemed to be focused on business travel. After three unanswered emails to Carlson’s Budapest contact email addresses, I called telephoned the Carlson corporate number in the US and the customer service representative with whom I spoke told me that Carlson only deals with business travel needs (although the word “leisure” is mentioned in the contact section of the web site). It appears that I may have to purchase tickets in person at the Budapest and Prague rail stations, unless I can contact a more responsive travel agent. Carlson Wagonlit recommended as a rail ticket purchase site in Budapest turns out to be, according to its corporate headquarters, solely in usiness to serve corporate travelers. Perhaps the firm ought not to be recommended in the Best of Eastern Europe book.

Jim Mohundro in Seattle, WA USA 04/21/2006

Renovation of Prague's main train station Hlavní nádraží will start this summer & continue through 2009. They are going for an upscale Galleria type of look with plenty of shops & eateries to bring it up with western europe's standards. So far the word on the street is there will be no interuption of train service, as only one part of the station at a time will be overhalled. Expect some confusion entering & leaving the station during the construction period.

DFloyd CA USA 04/20/2006

The e-mail address for Villa Ana in Split, Croatia is incorrect in the guidebook. Mr. Bilobrk wondered why I faxed him for a reservation, as he "gets many e-mails everyday". Anyway, the correct address is: villa.ana@st.htnet.hr.

Andrea Gormley in San Francisco, CA USA 04/14/2006

The countries covered in this guidebook are not Eastern Europe. Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Croatia, and Austria are all considered to be Central Europe. Eastern Europe is even further east (Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Belarus, etc.). I feel like there should be a guidebook for those countries as well as they are becoming more open to tourism (at least the baltics are).

Max in Arlinton, VA USA 03/20/2006

New website for Budai Ildiko's room is www.wienwien.de

Zoe Trieff in Austin, TX USA 03/16/2006

In Krakow we took the four hour "Communism Delux tour" through Crazy Guides and the tour was a disappointment. We met Mike, the owner of the business who gave Rick Steves a tour, who waited with us until our guide came. Mike indicated that he no longer gives tours himself. Instead we took a tour from one of his employees. The man in his late twenties gave a very mediocre tour and did not seem to have any specific knowledge on what he was giving a tour on.

Elizabeth KS USA 03/13/2006

The book should be renamed Best of Central Europe. Prague, Poland, Vienna, etc. are no longer Eastern European countries and more correctly fall under the category of Central Europe. None of the "true" Eastern European Countries like Ukraine, Belarus, Russia, Bulgaria, Latvia, etc. are covered and it is misleading to label the book as such.

Edward USA 01/05/2006