A Swiss Cha-Ching Adventure
Jun 5th, 2006, 04:42 PM
#41
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Budman, I'm also a big fan of priceline for hotels and hotwire for car rentals and hotels. Did you have any idea that you would get the hotel you got? I always try to research on betterbidding and biddingfortravel. Do you recall how many stars priceline gave your Zurich hotel?
Jun 5th, 2006, 04:58 PM
#42
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Great report!
Question on Garmin.
What program did you buy? It looks like they have a couple but none cover Hungary, Slovenia or Croatia.
Is that what you found?
Two years ago we wished we had taken ours but decided cost was an issue. Now I think I'd have to buy 3 or 4 different sets. Even more cost.
I can see where driving into Prague it could be a big help!
We have an older iQue and love it.
Question on Garmin.
What program did you buy? It looks like they have a couple but none cover Hungary, Slovenia or Croatia.
Is that what you found?
Two years ago we wished we had taken ours but decided cost was an issue. Now I think I'd have to buy 3 or 4 different sets. Even more cost.
I can see where driving into Prague it could be a big help!
We have an older iQue and love it.
Jun 5th, 2006, 05:00 PM
#43
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We flew AA. I was told by the flight attendant that this was a frequent occurrence. For a 6 hour flight (wheels up to wheels down) it's scheduled for 7+ hours, allowing taxi/gate in/out time. When the plane Captain came on and said they were shifting to another runway, and I looked out the window and saw all the planes (seems like hundreds of them) taxiing to the other direction, I knew we were in trouble with our 1.5 hour commection time.
We were connecting with BA (AA Alliance) and they won't put your luggage on the plane unless you are on that aircraft or have already departed. With our rescheduled flight being late to depart, I thought for sure our luggage would have made the flight.
When we got to Munich, BA said they would deliver our luggage to our next stop (60 miles outside of Munich). I was under the impression that if I were going straight to Grindelwald, they would deliver the luggage to me there (put it on a train).
On a prior flight from Paris connecting in Frankfurt to Newark, our luggage missed the connection, and they delivered it to our home the following day (I live 60 miles from the airport).
Biddingfortravel showed most of the bids in Zurich as Intercontinental or the Marriott (I bid 4*). I would have been happy with any 4* for the price. I was surprised how convenient the IC was to the tram.
We were connecting with BA (AA Alliance) and they won't put your luggage on the plane unless you are on that aircraft or have already departed. With our rescheduled flight being late to depart, I thought for sure our luggage would have made the flight.
When we got to Munich, BA said they would deliver our luggage to our next stop (60 miles outside of Munich). I was under the impression that if I were going straight to Grindelwald, they would deliver the luggage to me there (put it on a train).
On a prior flight from Paris connecting in Frankfurt to Newark, our luggage missed the connection, and they delivered it to our home the following day (I live 60 miles from the airport).
Biddingfortravel showed most of the bids in Zurich as Intercontinental or the Marriott (I bid 4*). I would have been happy with any 4* for the price. I was surprised how convenient the IC was to the tram.
Jun 5th, 2006, 05:13 PM
#45
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wnab1q, I purchased the City Navigator Europe V7. It doesn't seem to cover Hungary, Slovenia or Croatia, but some part of the Czech Republic (Prague, Bruno, Plzen, Karlovy Vary, Ostrava, and Mlada Boleslav) (reading off the box).
LLindaC, $70 is a great price. With taxes & fees, about $81?
LLindaC, $70 is a great price. With taxes & fees, about $81?
Jun 5th, 2006, 06:49 PM
#47
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Congrats to both of you on your great hotel deals. I've never done priceline for Europe-but next time we're going to a big Euro city we'll try. Isn't priceline for Europe a newer thing?
It's always kind of nerve wracking but so far we've had fantastic luck in the US.
Budman, thanks for additional flight info.
It's always kind of nerve wracking but so far we've had fantastic luck in the US.
Budman, thanks for additional flight info.
Jun 5th, 2006, 07:08 PM
#48
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Ok, now we're getting to the good stuff, chocolate better than sex--CasaGrande is going directly into my September file. I'm sure Mrs. B is "thrilled" that you're talking about her "unmentionables" on here. BTW, did you really need your cuddleduds? I think for September we'll need to bring layers.
We're flying on AA, JFK direct to Zurich so I'll hope for better luck. Did your rental have GPS--I can't imagine driving in Switzerland w/out it. We're renting through Gemut and have requested GPS since it's been so helpful (read no fighting over directions) on our last couple of trips.
Please post the pics and thanks again for your informative and fun report~
P.S. I thought for sure you'd have a good cow story!
We're flying on AA, JFK direct to Zurich so I'll hope for better luck. Did your rental have GPS--I can't imagine driving in Switzerland w/out it. We're renting through Gemut and have requested GPS since it's been so helpful (read no fighting over directions) on our last couple of trips.
Please post the pics and thanks again for your informative and fun report~
P.S. I thought for sure you'd have a good cow story!
Jun 6th, 2006, 01:03 AM
#49
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Budman, that is a coincidence - Casagrande are the people that own the apartment that we are hoping to rent next year in Brienz. That is the shop we will have to find to get our key!
As we are going to Brugge early in our trip I may stock up on chocolate there but then again I could be needing a fix. And Mrs B's friend is a very smart lady.
As we are going to Brugge early in our trip I may stock up on chocolate there but then again I could be needing a fix. And Mrs B's friend is a very smart lady.
Jun 14th, 2006, 05:34 PM
#51
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Just an add on as far as clothes are concerned, after reading the Paris thread.
In the major cities such as Paris, Rome, and Munich, suits and fashion take precedence. In Grindelwald and the associated villages, casual was the rule of thumb. I took notice.
Jeans -- At least 50% of the people were wearing jeans. And that's not an exaggeration.
Shoes -- I saw one of each color/shape/form.
No fashion statements, and no one cares. My wife and I did make note of one lady wearing tight jeans and stiletto heals.
In the major cities such as Paris, Rome, and Munich, suits and fashion take precedence. In Grindelwald and the associated villages, casual was the rule of thumb. I took notice.
Jeans -- At least 50% of the people were wearing jeans. And that's not an exaggeration.
Shoes -- I saw one of each color/shape/form.
No fashion statements, and no one cares. My wife and I did make note of one lady wearing tight jeans and stiletto heals.
Jun 23rd, 2006, 11:42 AM
#52
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budman, I think I recall you saying that you took all the backroads in Switzerland so as not to have to pay all the tolls? i bring this up because I was just on Viamichelin and the route from Luzern to Zurich Airport that it pulled up showed it costing 29Euros (for a 1 hour drive). Another posted suggested I go on Mappy.com and hit 'without tolls' and see what it route it gives me.
Jun 23rd, 2006, 12:05 PM
#53
Katzen,
The toll is a fee to use the Autobahn for one year. It costs SFr. 40.-- for one year. The year starts Jan. 1 - Dec. 31.
If you are renting a car, the Autobahn Vignette should be included in your rental fees.
The toll is a fee to use the Autobahn for one year. It costs SFr. 40.-- for one year. The year starts Jan. 1 - Dec. 31.
If you are renting a car, the Autobahn Vignette should be included in your rental fees.
Jun 23rd, 2006, 01:03 PM
#54
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katzen, I just programmed my GPS to avoid tolls, so it took me all the alternate routes.
The Autoroute signs are marked with Green signs, and the alternate routes are marked with Blue signs. Just stay away from the Green signs -- they are the toll roads.
I distinctly remember coming to an intersection and seeing a Green sign saying Zurich and it was leading onto the toll road, then there was a Blue sign for Zurich heading down the secondary roads.
If you get a good map with good detail, you shouldn't have a problem following the roads from town to town.
The Autoroute signs are marked with Green signs, and the alternate routes are marked with Blue signs. Just stay away from the Green signs -- they are the toll roads.
I distinctly remember coming to an intersection and seeing a Green sign saying Zurich and it was leading onto the toll road, then there was a Blue sign for Zurich heading down the secondary roads.
If you get a good map with good detail, you shouldn't have a problem following the roads from town to town.
Jun 23rd, 2006, 04:09 PM
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I respect you folks that drive Europe. Me, why I hate driving.
I guess driving through Europe is a different deal than driving in the US of A
. You seldom see some fathead cutting you off. At least not as much.
I have driven, but now I wanna leave the driving to some orher poor slob. LOL
I take the trains mostly now.
You mentioned Thun. Did you walk up to the Castle and the old town? Or stroll through some of the backstreets? I guess I had a differnt take on Thun than you did.
I like those steamer boats on the lakes. Too me kickin' back with a cold un soakin' up the suds and sun is just too cool!
The boatrides are perfect when the legs are tired from hiking on previous days.
I especially enjoy the steamer rides on Lake Lucerne. They can sometimes be crowded though.
One of my favorite mountain excursions in Lucerne is the Stanserhorn trip. I enjoy walking past back down to the village.
I have not heard people post too much about that Stansherhorn excursion, but I like that trip. Lotsa fun!!!
Sounds as though all the planning and all of the travel advice you received on Fodors Europe forum really paid dividends for ya.
I guess driving through Europe is a different deal than driving in the US of A
. You seldom see some fathead cutting you off. At least not as much.I have driven, but now I wanna leave the driving to some orher poor slob. LOL
I take the trains mostly now.
You mentioned Thun. Did you walk up to the Castle and the old town? Or stroll through some of the backstreets? I guess I had a differnt take on Thun than you did.
I like those steamer boats on the lakes. Too me kickin' back with a cold un soakin' up the suds and sun is just too cool!
The boatrides are perfect when the legs are tired from hiking on previous days.
I especially enjoy the steamer rides on Lake Lucerne. They can sometimes be crowded though.
One of my favorite mountain excursions in Lucerne is the Stanserhorn trip. I enjoy walking past back down to the village.
I have not heard people post too much about that Stansherhorn excursion, but I like that trip. Lotsa fun!!!
Sounds as though all the planning and all of the travel advice you received on Fodors Europe forum really paid dividends for ya.
Jun 23rd, 2006, 05:16 PM
#59
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sunstar, no, I didn't get up to the castle or get to old town. Maybe I didn't give Thun a fair shake. We didn't have a lot of time because of the ferry schedule.
I think I would have liked to have spent some time in Oberhofen and/or Gunten. Maybe driving there next time.
logos999, thanks. Mindelheim was a very nice, quaint little town. It was exactly what I was looking for, and the hospitality at the Alte Post was excellent.
I think I would have liked to have spent some time in Oberhofen and/or Gunten. Maybe driving there next time.
logos999, thanks. Mindelheim was a very nice, quaint little town. It was exactly what I was looking for, and the hospitality at the Alte Post was excellent.
Jun 24th, 2006, 05:02 AM
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Great report, Budman. The thought of Roesti, sausages, an Eichof or Cardinal and swiss scenery is causing me to reconsider our plans to replace the roof and fix all kinds of things around the house.
Alas, I do not have final say on that matter.
Alas, I do not have final say on that matter.
