Any bits of advice would be appreciated.[/quote]
Since your upbringing is strongly German influenced I think you will love the history and learning that comes from a guided tour. My husband and I had the opportunity to see 5 different countries on our cruise down the Danube River.
We traveled in Germany, Hungary, Austria, Chech Republic, and Slovakia. The cruise ship meals were delicious, rooms were very comfortable, and the staff were very polite and helpful. We enjoyed sitting out on the front of the ship and enjoying the scenery around us.
Just walking down the streets and checking out some of their shops was fun. We loved the food and drinks, seeing the zoo and a even riding a subway in Hungary. There was a carnival/fair going on in Austria. We toured the amazing architecture of buildings hundreds of years older than anything over here. The churches there are absolutely incredible. They're always the tallest building in the cities. We took in some night life in Germany and had a great time with the local people. They had places to rent bikes for people who wanted to experience the countries that way.
We were able to go because Mark had earned this trip through his employer for being one of the top insurance salesmen in the nation. It was a trip of a life time.
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Any bits of advice would be appreciated.
Since your upbringing is strongly German influenced I think you will love the history and learning that comes from a guided tour. My husband and I had the opportunity to see 5 different countries on our cruise down the Danube River.
We traveled in Germany, Hungary, Austria, Chech Republic, and Slovakia. The cruise ship meals were delicious, rooms were very comfortable, and the staff were very polite and helpful. We enjoyed sitting out on the front of the ship and enjoying the scenery around us.
Just walking down the streets and checking out some of their shops was fun. We loved the food and drinks, seeing the zoo and a even riding a subway in Hungary. There was a carnival/fair going on in Austria. We toured the amazing architecture of buildings hundreds of years older than anything over here. The churches there are absolutely incredible. They're always the tallest building in the cities. We took in some night life in Germany and had a great time with the local people. They had places to rent bikes for people who wanted to experience the countries that way.
We were able to go because Mark had earned this trip through his employer for being one of the top insurance salesmen in the nation. It was a trip of a life time.
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To follow up on this post by my sweetie, this trip - while paid for by the insurance company I was and still am contracted with (now as medically retired status) was arrainged, outfitted etc. by Sea Cloud/River cloud adventures. Having been a top 20 in the nation producer several times in my career, I also got to take a Windjammer Cruise (sailing Vessel) in the West Indies put together by the same company. Sea Cloud/River cloud adventures is a German based company with German (but GOOD English Speaking!) crews that just do this stuff RIGHT. Finest rooms, accomdations, food etc. that you can ever even imagine. And when one goes to shore as a Sea Cloud/River Cloud guest, the locals know that you are a successful and well heeled traveler and treat you as such. Quite a wonderful "once in a Lifetime" kind of trip and adventure. I am glad that I got to experience that kind of ultimate luxury and pampering a couple of times in my life. I cannot recommend highly enough Sea Cloud/River cloud for your trip. Might be a bit spendy, but if you can swing it, do it and go with the best. As Sherri mentioned, the Danube trip started in Germany and was just plain amazing from start to finish.