Author Topic: Help 2 girls plan an amazing August 2012- 3 week Euro trip... Please  (Read 5207 times)

Offline Chai

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I'm planning a trip from NY to, Amsterdam, Prague, Vienna, and Switzerland August 12th - Sept 3

A- what is the best travel Route from NY to the above cities, which first and which last? Any airline specials? Any additional must see cities in the vicinity?

B- What is the Best credit card to use for booking and for inter Europe purchases? I have SPG, Amex Platinum, Saphire and freedom... BE NICE.. I'm new to the whole credit card thing too....

C-Anyone have an itinerary they can forward me of ideas? boutique Hotels? Kosher Restaurants? Recommendations?

D- what's the most beautiful city in Switzerland?

E- which cities should we spend shabbos in? Area and hotel, and where to have shabbos meals.. we are 2-3 girls vacationing.

F- How much time should we spend in each city.. We have about 3 weeks.

Thanks a million. Feel free to message me! Any and all recommendations are welcome! 

Any other must see beautiful and fun cities in the area? 

Last summer we were In Paris ( LOVED ) Florence ( fell in love with the magical city) and Venice. Amazing trip!!! Culture, fun, history,magical city,kosher,leisure, architecture, cafes... Exactly my type of vacation

Be nice to me, I'm new to this forum :) 
Thanks!! Chai 

Offline SamDaMan

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Re: Help 2 girls plan an amazing August 2012- 3 week Euro trip... Please
« Reply #1 on: July 25, 2012, 02:19:55 AM »
Welcome to ddf!
But I'm still proud to be from clev!

Offline jj1000

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Hit up Budapest. fly into Prague, then Vienna, Budapest, Switzerland, cheap flight to on say ryan air to Amsterdam and back to NYC. PM Whyaich about flights.
Do you drive? Or train the only option?  It'll make a big difference for scheduling...

Eta- what do you think of my itinerary here? http://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=16188.0
« Last Edit: July 25, 2012, 03:25:03 AM by jj1000 »
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Offline aussiebochur

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Welcome to DDF!

No need to worry, we are always very nice. Just chill girl, no need to post in every single thread unless you have a specific question about that place.

jj1000 knows best since he's been to most of the places youre looking at going to.

Though if you are buying tickets, find out from a travel agent (As above, PM WhyAich) and find out which cities are cheapest to fly in/out of.

Also have to take into account how much itll cost to get between the cities.

To give you a visual idea of where all the cities you are going are (if you need), click here.
AMS=Amsterdam
PRG=Prague
VIE=Vienna
BUD=Budapest
ZRH=Zurich
« Last Edit: July 25, 2012, 04:00:53 AM by aussiebochur »

Offline aussiebochur

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Everything depends on budget.

As Im sure you realized on you're last trip, accommodation can be had for the cost of your rental car (jj? ;) ) to 100's of Euro a night.

You mention boutique hotels. In Europe those will add up really quickly...
« Last Edit: July 25, 2012, 04:01:27 AM by aussiebochur »

Offline SuperFlyer

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I actually somehow never saw JJ1000 trip report, must read http://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=16188.msg224088#msg224088
« Last Edit: July 25, 2012, 06:07:03 AM by SuperFlyer »

Offline PlatinumGuy

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For Paris and Zurich, try buying certificates for free nights at the Park Hyatts. They sell here for  around $250/night. People get them by applying to the Chae Hyatt credit card. These both are from the nicest hotels in Paris and Zurich.
״וזה כלל גדול: שישנא אדם כל דבר שקר. וכל מה שיוסיף שנאה לדרכי השקר – יוסיף אהבה לתורה.״ - אורחות צדיקים

Offline L'Chaim

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In Amsterdam I would recommend you to go to Habaron, a very nice restaurant.
Its about 20min drive from the center of town.

Adres: Kastelenstraat 110, Amsterdam
Tel: +31 (0)20-642 45 5

Offline AsherO

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A few comments:

1. Consider using 25k BA miles to fly BOS-DUB/SHA (must be booked by phone).
2. Check SkyScanner.net for intra-Europe flights.
3. If you can get your hands on ClubCarlson points, they'll give you great rates at Radisson Blu hotels around Europe.
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Offline moish

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In Amsterdam I would recommend you to go to Habaron, a very nice restaurant.
Its about 20min drive from the center of town.

Adres: Kastelenstraat 110, Amsterdam
Tel: +31 (0)20-642 45 5
im headed to ams, what in particular do you recommend?

Offline L'Chaim

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im headed to ams, what in particular do you recommend?

I was there for 1 night in october.
Stayed in the crowne plaza in town.
We went to madame tussauds, flower market, rented a scooter (recommended as traffic is usually heavy in town) and the bijenkorf (big department store).
We ate at Hacarmel (israëli owned and not very bad), pizza and co (also israeli) and Habaron, the most recommended.
Besides Hacarmel, everything kosher is located in the jewish area right next to each other.
There you also have a grocer/coffee shop called Davids corner.

For first-timers  the museum of Anne Frank is very nice.

Offline WhyAich

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PM Whyaich about flights.


thanks :)
For great Airfare deals - PLEASE contact me via PM or email: whyaich@gmail.com

Offline BrooklynCPA

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Welcome to DDF.

Out of all the places you mentioned I would definitely recommend spending Shabbos in Prague. You can stay at the Intercontinental which in a perfect location in the heart of the Jewish Quarter. There are 2 restaurants that offer shabbos meals and almost all of the touring is within walking distance. It is also one of the most beautiful cities i've ever been to in Europe and all the things you mentioned you'll find there!!!

Vienna is nice but not for shabbos and I personally don't think you need that much time there.

Another place you can consider is the south of France. (Nice, Cannes, Monte Carlo.....)

Offline carele1

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Im starting my trip this year from TXL found a tkt for 658.00 on LH, gana cover Poland, Hungary, Czech, Slovakia, Austria, beck up to Berlin through Munich, then on the return flight i make a stopover in BRU for a day and a half, for some business stuff, and then beck to NY

first Shabbos will be in Budapest, second in Frankfurt.

for any Hotel PM me i have access to most non-published fares.

For the ticket if you went to pay for it, i dont think you will find better then 650 i paid, and the rate is still available, just ask "WhyAich" to book you on K class, on UA/LH/SN/SK/LX/OS to TXL.

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Offline PlatinumGuy

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Welcome to DDF!

I guess Ill be the first to send u here


for any Hotel PM me i have access to most non-published fares
Is this only in FRA, Europe or world wide?
״וזה כלל גדול: שישנא אדם כל דבר שקר. וכל מה שיוסיף שנאה לדרכי השקר – יוסיף אהבה לתורה.״ - אורחות צדיקים

Offline carele1

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Is this only in FRA, Europe or world wide?

Worldwide, but the best fares i found was in Europe and Middle East (except Israel ;))
CarLrent.com best prices for car rentals worldwide.

Offline PlatinumGuy

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Worldwide, but the best fares i found was in Europe and Middle East (except Israel ;))
All chains, everything?
״וזה כלל גדול: שישנא אדם כל דבר שקר. וכל מה שיוסיף שנאה לדרכי השקר – יוסיף אהבה לתורה.״ - אורחות צדיקים

Offline carele1

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Offline SamDaMan

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Welcome to DDF!

I guess Ill be the first to send u here

:):):):)
But I'm still proud to be from clev!

Offline Hudi

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If you have DL miles your best bet is to fly into AMS via DL or KLM and return from PRG or ZRH. Great AMS hotels: Hotel Pulitzer (SPG) a bit out of the action but a very cute hotel on the canals. Radisson Blu - Great Location in center city but quiet street. There is also a very nice doubletree by the central station which is affordable with a rooftop bar and great views of the city. Check out the Amsterdam thread for Kosher food. Public transportation is very easy in AMS + everyone speaks english and is very helpful.

Zurich is a great city to spend a day + kosher food. Don't stay overnight unless you use points as hotels are VERY expensive. Lucerne is a beautiful city to visit. There is a very nice Shliach there who can help you out as well. Radisson Blu has a hotel in Lucerne. (assuming everyone has Club Carlson points after the stay 1 get 1)