-What is your impression of Hungary?
Visiting Hungary was a bit like getting go step back into history just a bit. With its old world charm and background in communism, it was so very different than any place I had visited in Europe before. Its a huge old European city yet the infrastructure and tourism is still developing.
(the photos were taken by Kate)
-Why did you choose to have a self-organized road trip to Europe from America?
My father took European possession of a BMW in Munich. We had 2 weeks to travel with the car before it was shipped back to the USA. There were 2 places that neither of us had visited that we wanted to see. Prague (Czech Republic) and Budapest (Hungary). From Munich we headed north to Prague, then down through the Slovak Republic into Vienna (Austria). After a night in Vienna we headed into Hungary. From there we went through Croatia into Italy, France, Monaco, Switzerland and back to Germany. It was amazing trip and especially nice to be able to spend time with my father.
-Was it difficult to arrange a road trip from Florida?
We had a GPS system in the car. Prior to the trip we purchased the Europe version. Interesting enough, Hungary and Croatia were not on the CD, so all the navigation was the old fashion way....maps. Negotiating the city was a bit difficult, but the people were friendly and helpful. Many of Croatia's roadways are marked in English, and when in doubt we would stop and ask for help. It was an adventure.:)
-How did you manage the route, planning, timing, temperature, luggage preparation for your travel to Europe?
We packed lightly because it was summer. The clothed didn't take up much room so we each had one piece of luggage. I planned the trip and booked the first week of hotel rooms online. I read all the comments, reviews and did hours of research. It was all worth it in the end! I am a bit of control freak. Your definitely have done it in less time. I will say that the best places we stayed were the ones I spent researching ahead of time...So I suppose there is merit in doing your homework. For example: Hotel Jules Cesar ArlesVisiting Hungary was a bit like getting go step back into history just a bit. With its old world charm and background in communism, it was so very different than any place I had visited in Europe before. Its a huge old European city yet the infrastructure and tourism is still developing.
(the photos were taken by Kate)
-Why did you choose to have a self-organized road trip to Europe from America?
My father took European possession of a BMW in Munich. We had 2 weeks to travel with the car before it was shipped back to the USA. There were 2 places that neither of us had visited that we wanted to see. Prague (Czech Republic) and Budapest (Hungary). From Munich we headed north to Prague, then down through the Slovak Republic into Vienna (Austria). After a night in Vienna we headed into Hungary. From there we went through Croatia into Italy, France, Monaco, Switzerland and back to Germany. It was amazing trip and especially nice to be able to spend time with my father.
-Was it difficult to arrange a road trip from Florida?
We had a GPS system in the car. Prior to the trip we purchased the Europe version. Interesting enough, Hungary and Croatia were not on the CD, so all the navigation was the old fashion way....maps. Negotiating the city was a bit difficult, but the people were friendly and helpful. Many of Croatia's roadways are marked in English, and when in doubt we would stop and ask for help. It was an adventure.:)
-How did you manage the route, planning, timing, temperature, luggage preparation for your travel to Europe?
This was definitely my favorite hotel!:) Once in Italy the second week, we used computers at the hotels we were staying in to book the next nights location. It allowed for flexibility, but the pricing was much better when purchased in advance. The internet made this trip so easy and personalized to our taste! Unfortunately I didn't have a charge converter (140 to 220) for my laptop so I couldn't recharge the battery in Europe. I brought it all the way over for nothing! LoL
-If you were to come the next time, would you encourage anyone to travel in this way via a self-organized trip or to use a travel agency
Driving was easy and definitely not too difficult for the average traveler to take on. I think that traveling self guided/organized affords you the opportunity to visit places that are off the beaten track and not just for tourists. Currencies were interesting. Most of Europe was on the Euro. If you are going to drive, you will need an international drivers license, and at some of the borders you need to purchase a toll stickers so you have to change some currency at the border where the exchange rate is really bad....so you only should exchange what you really need there, but be sure to research the road regulations (Czech Republic and Switzerland in particular). Our goal was to make a huge loop and see many countries (both of us have traveled extensively before so we thought that would be a fun way to travel. I would have liked a bit more time to sightsee more and visit museums/castles. That will have to be next trip. I am planning to come abroad again in June with my children and spouse. We will rent a car and tour (unless I can talk my hubby into buying me a BMW! Hehehe)
-Did you find any difficulties in accessing to anything during your travel?
The roads were very narrow in many cities. My fathers big car was tought to park and navigate through the streets. Made me want to have a smartcar! LoL
-Was it easy since you arrive by car, could you manage it easily?
The airport in Budapest is very small and flights were not readil available...It was great to have a car to get in and out. While in the City, the bus and taxi services were great. I did find that in the tourist areas of the city the prices were elevated quite a bit. We attempted to use the metro and because of the language barrior, ended up nearly arrested by the subway security. When we purchased the tickets, we werent told that we had to have them time stamped at the other end of the terminal. When we got onto the metro we were immediately escorted off at the next stop and fined a substantial amount of money or were going to be arrested!! We didnt have enough forte so we gave them what we had and a little more euros that we had and they let us go...I really think they pocketed the money!!
-What kind of food/beverage have you tried in Hungary?
Life is funny! About 2 weeks before the trip I happen to see that I had a visitor from Hungary on my blog. I sent that anonymous person a message mentioning that I was going to be visiting the country etc...We traded e-mails back and forth for a bit and became friends. It was great to be about to meet him and his girlfriend (the interviewer here today). We met for dinner one night in Budapest. Had a traditional Hungarian meal, wine and even a tour of the citidel at night! It was the highlight of the country for sure! I found that in general I enjoyed the fish and chicken in Europe. I prefer American beef.
-Which are the locations that you like most in this visit that you would recommend?
Each places had its good and bad points. I would like to visit more of Eastern Europe. I found it fascinating and its such an interesting time to get to visit...Before everyone is part of the EU!
-What tips or advices would you want to share with our readers?
Dont be afraid to go on your own. There is a great satisfaction in it! Here is my trip blog! www.whataroadtrip.blogspot.com
Lots of details there, too!
The roads were very narrow in many cities. My fathers big car was tought to park and navigate through the streets. Made me want to have a smartcar! LoL
-Was it easy since you arrive by car, could you manage it easily?
The airport in Budapest is very small and flights were not readil available...It was great to have a car to get in and out. While in the City, the bus and taxi services were great. I did find that in the tourist areas of the city the prices were elevated quite a bit. We attempted to use the metro and because of the language barrior, ended up nearly arrested by the subway security. When we purchased the tickets, we werent told that we had to have them time stamped at the other end of the terminal. When we got onto the metro we were immediately escorted off at the next stop and fined a substantial amount of money or were going to be arrested!! We didnt have enough forte so we gave them what we had and a little more euros that we had and they let us go...I really think they pocketed the money!!
-What kind of food/beverage have you tried in Hungary?
Life is funny! About 2 weeks before the trip I happen to see that I had a visitor from Hungary on my blog. I sent that anonymous person a message mentioning that I was going to be visiting the country etc...We traded e-mails back and forth for a bit and became friends. It was great to be about to meet him and his girlfriend (the interviewer here today). We met for dinner one night in Budapest. Had a traditional Hungarian meal, wine and even a tour of the citidel at night! It was the highlight of the country for sure! I found that in general I enjoyed the fish and chicken in Europe. I prefer American beef.
-Which are the locations that you like most in this visit that you would recommend?
Each places had its good and bad points. I would like to visit more of Eastern Europe. I found it fascinating and its such an interesting time to get to visit...Before everyone is part of the EU!
-What tips or advices would you want to share with our readers?
Dont be afraid to go on your own. There is a great satisfaction in it! Here is my trip blog! www.whataroadtrip.blogspot.com
Lots of details there, too!
