Central Europe- live!

tufbuf · Jul 6, 2015

wdwtheplacetobe said:
Waiting Patiently for the rest of your Trip Report! Pics, I hope, too! What treasures did you bring home? What did you wish you could have brought home???

The garnets are everywhere in Prague. The Czech Republic is also known for bohemian crystal. The store Etsy in Old Town Squate is reputable (original Bohemian glass) and the only place I know who ships their items. Shipping is pricey though.

In Vienna, you can check out a store which sells petit point products. They have wallets, bags, eyeglass holders and cost from a few hundred to thousand plus euros, depending on the count and intricacy of design.

Salzburg, not real treasures by they sell Mosart chocolates. Look for the blue and silver foil covered ones which are original and also more expensive at about a euro per piece. :hyper2:

SingingMom · Jul 6, 2015

tufbuf said:
The garnets are everywhere in Prague. The Czech Republic is also known for bohemian crystal. The store Etsy in Old Town Squate is reputable (original Bohemian glass) and the only place I know who ships their items. Shipping is pricey though.

In Vienna, you can check out a store which sells petit point products. They have wallets, bags, eyeglass holders and cost from a few hundred to thousand plus euros, depending on the count and intricacy of design.

Salzburg, not real treasures by they sell Mosart chocolates. Look for the blue and silver foil covered ones which are original and also more expensive at about a euro per piece.

Forgot that DD got beautiful crystal hair pins from the Sisi Museum in Vienna, which are copied after Sisi's diamond stars that she wore in her hair for her famous portrait. And we did bring home a Sachertort!!!

tufbuf · Jul 6, 2015

Oh yeah! The sache torte! You can have it shipped as well from Cafe Sacher. We did so to our friends.

SingingMom · Jul 6, 2015

****Day 3 ABD On the Road to Germany***

We decided to have breakfast quickly in the Marriott executive lounge while we got ready to meet for the coach. Even with two of us showering at night, it's really difficult for three adults to get ready that early in the morning! We are spoiled with three bathrooms on our home I guess!

We took a leisurely ride out of Prague into the countryside of the Czech Republic and stopped at the medieval village of Czesky Krumlov,which is a UNESCO World Heritage site in Bohemia. It was darling! The festival of the 5 Petals was going on, so the streets were very busy with people dressed in costume. The views were lovely and there were many quaint shops and cafes. We could have used at least another hour there. That seems to always be our feelings with ABD tours "I wish I had a little more time here!" ( I do know for a fact ABD takes feedback into account; there is now more time in Windsor because so many requested it in their surveys.)

Back on the coach, we headed to the Bavarian Alps and after a VERY windy drive up the mountain, arrived at the Kempinski in Berchtesgaden. To be continued....

SingingMom · Jul 7, 2015

Ahh.... The Kempenski ..... We loved our stay at the Munich property two years ago. This one was nestled in the Bavarian Alps, at the foot of the Eagle's Nest. Beautiful lobby lounge with floor to ceiling windows and a fireplace. We enjoyed Cocktails each night in that spot! The room was lovely for two, not so much for three. We were extremely cramped with a roll away. My petite DD's feet hung over the end! The bathroom had a see through panel - fine for a couple, not so much for a family! DH would stand in the corner or on the balcony when DD used the bathroom! Very bizarre set up. Lol

The buffet dinner was subpar. We did have our own room and gorgeous views, but the food was less than stellar. We celebrated Father's Day with a toast and all the dads received an Adventures by Disney hat to match the scarf we all received for preparation of the next day's visit to the ice cave. The breakfast buffet, however, was much nicer than the Prague Marriott. And, a Kempinski touch is champagne at breakfast. ;-)

SingingMom · Jul 7, 2015

****Day 4 ABD Eis Riesen Welt and Hohenwefen Castle ****

Today was the excursion to the Eishole Ice Cave. We were instructed to dress in layers, as the hike was strenuous, but the ice cave was, well, ICE. I was a bit nervous about the thought of a strenuous hike, but was convinced that I could handle it and it was a sight to behold.

Strenuous was putting it lightly. I am very sorry I did not stay at the beautiful Kempenski, slept in, used the spa and the unbelievable indoor/outdoor pool and relaxed in their cushioned lounges overlooking the Alps. Oh, how I wish!!

The hike just to get to the funicular was extremely steep, and it was sunny out. You are so high in the mountains that the air is very thin. I could NOT catch my breath. After the funicular, there was another steep walk to the Oedl House restaurant, where lunch would be served after the ice cave viewing. Then, there was another hill to the opening of the cave, and THEN stairs (someone said 700, but I don't know if I heard correctly) up to the ice .

I made it to the Oedl House and looked at my husband and said,"I'm going to die up here". There was no way I was in any condition to continue! I sent the rest of the group on their way and sat outside of the restaurant, trying to catch my breath. About 20 minutes later, two of the ladies in the group, who had taken it at their own pace, made it to where I was seated, and the three of us had a lovely chat and used the wifi! About an hour later, the group rejoined us and we had a wonderful family style lunch together.

We made it back DOWN the mountain and onto the coach for a short ride to Hohenwerfen Castle for a tour and falconry demo. There were a LOT of stairs to climb in the castle - especially after the hike of death earlier! The Falcons were amazing, but the presentation was in German, so none of us knew what was said. Lol

Since there weren't many dining choices at the hotel, the guides offered to drop the group in the small town of Berchtesgaden to see the shops & get something to eat in a local cafe. They planned on returning at 7:30 with the coach to bring everyone back up the mountain. Only problem was it started to pour and all the shops were closing. After all that hiking, we decided to just return to the hotel and enjoy the couches in the lobby!

sayhello · Jul 7, 2015

Wow! That's a lot of hiking!

And I'm surprised they didn't at least have someone translating the falconry demo for you.

Sayhello

SingingMom · Jul 7, 2015

sayhello said:
Wow! That's a lot of hiking!

And I'm surprised they didn't at least have someone translating the falconry demo for you.

Sayhello

It was a little disappointing that we couldn't understand what was being said. But, I was so exhausted by all the climbing, I couldn't concentrate anyway! I really am sorry I didn't skip the day and stayed at the hotel. Lol

carpenta · Jul 7, 2015

......SingingMom now you know why the life expectancy of the population at the time they built those castles was probably 45 or so.....they all died walking up and down the stairs and mountains...LOL......thanks for the review....

aggiemomx3 · Jul 8, 2015

Did this trip last year. I made it all the way to the ice cave and up and down the 700 steps. The straw that broke the camels back was the hill after the falcon show. I was telling my daughters that this isn't fun and I was ready to go home. Glad I didn't as it was a wonderful trip but I felt your pain singing mom.

cmcgardner · Jul 8, 2015

Ice Cave Day......or as I like to call it, "the day I realized I am in horrible shape." I am so glad to hear that I am not the only one who thought the hike was pretty intense. We did not have good weather and there was no visibility. Fine for walking and hiking (rain didn't stop us) but we missed out on the views. I am not sure I would have made it if it had been a super hot day. Our guides said that we were their first group where everyone made it to the ice cave.

hilarys · Jul 8, 2015

Ah yes the Kempinski (Intercontinental when we were there). I would have loved a free day there. What an incredible breakfast buffet. We had dinner at the hotel both nights and enjoyed them both. I don't think they even gave us the option to be dropped in the village, but it had been pouring on us all afternoon. We had 4 in one of those rooms, talk about tight. I don't even remember where we all slept - one bed, one rollaway, maybe a couch. In retrospect I wish I had known that pricing would have been the same to book two rooms of two for the trip. But it was an incredible hotel with the most amazing views.

Yes, the falcon show was in German for us too. It was cold and windy and we were tired from the hike so I don't think anyone was too upset. Maybe if we had been able to understand, there would have been some warnings about how close the falcons would fly overhead or to duck when they started throwing the dead chicks for food for the falcons.

wdwtheplacetobe · Jul 8, 2015

SingingMom said:
****Day 4 ABD Eis Riesen Welt and Hohenwefen Castle ****

Today was the excursion to the Eishole Ice Cave. We were instructed to dress in layers, as the hike was strenuous, but the ice cave was, well, ICE. I was a bit nervous about the thought of a strenuous hike, but was convinced that I could handle it and it was a sight to behold.

Strenuous was putting it lightly. I am very sorry I did not stay at the beautiful Kempenski, slept in, used the spa and the unbelievable indoor/outdoor pool and relaxed in their cushioned lounges overlooking the Alps. Oh, how I wish!!

The hike just to get to the funicular was extremely steep, and it was sunny out. You are so high in the mountains that the air is very thin. I could NOT catch my breath. After the funicular, there was another steep walk to the Oedl House restaurant, where lunch would be served after the ice cave viewing. Then, there was another hill to the opening of the cave, and THEN stairs (someone said 700, but I don't know if I heard correctly) up to the ice .

I made it to the Oedl House and looked at my husband and said,"I'm going to die up here". There was no way I was in any condition to continue! I sent the rest of the group on their way and sat outside of the restaurant, trying to catch my breath. About 20 minutes later, two of the ladies in the group, who had taken it at their own pace, made it to where I was seated, and the three of us had a lovely chat and used the wifi! About an hour later, the group rejoined us and we had a wonderful family style lunch together.

We made it back DOWN the mountain and onto the coach for a short ride to Hohenwerfen Castle for a tour and falconry demo. There were a LOT of stairs to climb in the castle - especially after the hike of death earlier! The Falcons were amazing, but the presentation was in German, so none of us knew what was said. Lol

Since there weren't many dining choices at the hotel, the guides offered to drop the group in the small town of Berchtesgaden to see the shops & get something to eat in a local cafe. They planned on returning at 7:30 with the coach to bring everyone back up the mountain. Only problem was it started to pour and all the shops were closing. After all that hiking, we decided to just return to the hotel and enjoy the couches in the lobby!

This is the day that I am worried about...is there a bathroom at the mouth of the Ice Cave? (I am bringing Cuddle-Duds to wear under pants and do not wish to HIKE in them) Also...strange question...how are the bathrooms in Prague? In Rome, there are no toilet seats...in most places. The rest of Italy was fine, but Rome was...uncomfortable to say the least.

aggiemomx3 · Jul 8, 2015

wdwtheplacetobe said:
This is the day that I am worried about...is there a bathroom at the mouth of the Ice Cave? (I am bringing Cuddle-Duds to wear under pants and do not wish to HIKE in them) Also...strange question...how are the bathrooms in Prague? In Rome, there are no toilet seats...in most places. The rest of Italy was fine, but Rome was...uncomfortable to say the least.

When we went last year, there were no bathrooms at the mouth of the ice cave. The last restroom stop was at the restaurant about half way up. All of the toilets that we went to had seats. Hope that helps.

wdwtheplacetobe · Jul 8, 2015

aggiemomx3 said:
When we went last year, there were no bathrooms at the mouth of the ice cave. The last restroom stop was at the restaurant about half way up. All of the toilets that we went to had seats. Hope that helps.

Thanks! What did you wear in the Cave?

aggiemomx3 · Jul 8, 2015

wdwtheplacetobe said:
Thanks! What did you wear in the Cave?

We brought gloves. We wore comfortable pants, a lightweight long sleeve shirt, and a jacket. After the hike up, we really weren't cold. The gloves was a good thing to have because the hand rails in the cave are made of metal.

SingingMom · Jul 9, 2015

wdwtheplacetobe said:
This is the day that I am worried about...is there a bathroom at the mouth of the Ice Cave? (I am bringing Cuddle-Duds to wear under pants and do not wish to HIKE in them) Also...strange question...how are the bathrooms in Prague? In Rome, there are no toilet seats...in most places. The rest of Italy was fine, but Rome was...uncomfortable to say the least.

Bathrooms throughout the trip were fine. The only one that I recall wasn't pleasant was the one in the funicular station at Petrin. DD wasn't too pleased with that one, so I didn't even bother. Lol

The two restroom stops at the ice cave are in the gift shop and at the Oedl House restaurant.

And I agree, the walk down after the Falcons added insult to injury. Lol. Really could have used a hot tub spa after that exhausting day. I wish I could say I enjoyed it, but I truly did not!

SingingMom · Jul 9, 2015

wdwtheplacetobe said:
Thanks! What did you wear in the Cave?

We had on layers, gloves, and scarves. DD had on sandals. @@. A photo of her feet made it into the slide show. Lol

hilarys · Jul 10, 2015

Gloves were very important as the handrails were metal. My son only had one glove as he was messing around while we packed and "lost" one of them. He was sorry about that. I wore jeans and layers on top. My husband wore shorts but he is like that. Jennae recently said that he still holds that record on her tours - no one else has worn shorts. And, we were having cold rainy weather the whole trip.

wdwtheplacetobe · Jul 10, 2015

hilarys said:
Gloves were very important as the handrails were metal. My son only had one glove as he was messing around while we packed and "lost" one of them. He was sorry about that. I wore jeans and layers on top. My husband wore shorts but he is like that. Jennae recently said that he still holds that record on her tours - no one else has worn shorts. And, we were having cold rainy weather the whole trip.

When did you go? Our trip is Sept. Cold and rainy does not sound pleasant.

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