Originally, I was booked to do Capitals of Eastern Europe with my best friend this October but the tour got cancelled. We already rebooked for another trip - Taste of Europe leaving also in October. Anyway, I still want to do Prague, Vienna, and Budapest so I'm contemplating on doing the winter one in March 2006. However, Best of Egypt also caught my eye. Both of these would be taken in March 2006, once decided. Can anyone give me feedback on either trip? Which would be the better choice? Any stories to relate?

-GEM

Wow GEM, that is like asking if I should have the dark chocolate or regular chocolate. Both are fantastic and both offer their own unique sites, etc.
I am not a cold weather person myself so I would probably go with Egypt. Understand that even in March it can be hot there. I was there in April and it was mid 90's by 10:00 AM.
Now, Prague is one of my most favorite cities as most of what you see is original, not destroyed in the war. But, there is much walking to see any of these cities and the weather in March may be questionable.
I guess you will just have to figure out a way to do both. Good luck

John, thank you for your input. I, myself, like milk chocolate and white chocolate. Haha. But seriously, how is the weather in Prague around March? I'm not much for hot weather, which is why I'm opting more for Prague, Vienna, and Budapest if Egypt is going to be in the mid 90's.

-GEM

I was in Prague this last end of Feburary visiting friends. I spent a week there and most days it did not get above 40 and the lows at night were in the 20's. This is not a problem if you dress right and things are not quite so crowded. Like others, Prauge is my favorite Europen city and I have been a number of times.

Mike

GEM, something seemed off kilter about your last posting and I have now figured it out. You said you were not much for hot weather and then I saw you are in Southern California. lol
You need to be up here in Washington. Even though we had a couple of days in the mid 90's overall it is cooler than where you are.
As far as Prague's March weather is concerned, they would be just coming out of winter into spring so I suspect it would be similar to our weather....days in 50'/60's with cool nights. Don't hold me to that, cause I don't guarantee anything I post on here.
Again, I think you would enjoyed either of the trips you are considering.

Mike --

Thanks for the head's up on Prague. I don't know what it is about Prague but something pulls me there so badly. I suppose that's how I felt about Italy, which is where I went last year. I hear it's really beautiful over there from many others - aside yourself. Anyway, sounds like my kind of weather. Thanks again!

-GEM

John --

I actually went to Seattle a couple years ago and the weather somewhat reminded me of northern california, particularly San Francisco. Then again, it was October, so I'm not quite sure how it's like the rest of the year. Thanks again for the response. By the way, where are you headed off to this year or have you already gone somewhere to conclude your travels for 2005?

-GEM

Gem, Egypt an Prague are both fantastic places to visit but, of course, totally different.

We were in Egypt in April this year and generally speaking the weather was not too bad. It was in the mid 20s celcius in Cairo but did get into the high 30s in the Valley of the Kings. In contrast, a friend of mine, who has been in Egypt for the past couple of weeks, emailed last week that it hit 48 celcius on one day but I'm not sure just where he was at the time.

I haven't been to Prague in March or April so cannot comment on the weather at that particular time of the year.

GEM, hope you enjoyed your visit to Seattle. It is a beautiful city.
I agree with Mike that Prague is one of my favorite european cities. Actually I was just there in May on the Bohemian, followed by the Country Roads of Switzerland (another tour I would highly recommend). I am off in 18 days for the Britain and Ireland Explorer.
Too many places, to little money.
You will not be sorry with your decision.

I have never been to Egypt, so I can't compare. I have been to Vienna, Prague, and Budapest with Trafalgar and they are all beautiful cities. So, you can't go wrong going to any of the three, but only you know what you like.

John --

I was originally set out to do the Britain and Ireland explorer but The Capitals of Eastern Europe blew me away and swayed me. However, at the last minute, our tour was cancelled due to lack of bookings so we opted to do Taste of Europe, simply because it left on the same day and was similar in the duration of the tour itself. I'm hoping I get a chance to see a good amount of London, though we're not really staying there long. Weird though. Imagine if we stuck to our original tour? We'd be touring together! My best friend and I have been searching for people going on our tour and we haven't even received a reply. Oh well. Regardless, I'm sure we'll have a blast. Enjoy your tour and come back with loads of pictures to post! Safe travels!

-GEM


Bob --

Have you gone on any tours with Insight? What would you say about your experience with Trafalgar in comparison with Insight if you've done one with Insight? Or in general, how do you feel about Trafalgar? I've thought about going with Trafalgar but the cost brought me back to Insight. The 5% discount you get after having traveled with Insight makes a bit of a difference and being that I've planned a couple of other trips for next year as well -- Insight it was. I've also thought about Contiki but I'm not sure how I'd feel about being thrown in with so many young folks. Anyway, thanks for the input!

-GEM