Okay...so I am very excited about my fall break plans so here goes...
All prices are for two people (Steve and I will be traveling together-and yes we have money belts and we picked hostels based on safety ratings and proximity to the train station so that we could walk quickly to the hostel and get rid of our stuff-they all have lockers as well and free linens)
Train from Munich to Prague: Thursday October 30th: 78Euro
Hostel: Clown and Bard: 132.22 total (4 nights)
Borivojava 102, Prague 2 (Zizkov); Phone Number: (+420 222 716 453)
Train from Prague to Vienna, Austria: Monday November 3rd: 98.20Euro
Hostel: Wombats City Hostel Vienna: The Lounge: 34Euro (2 nights)
Mariahilfer Strasse 137, Vienna; Phone Number: (+43 (0) 1 8972336)
Train from Vienna to Ljubljana: Wednesday November 5th: 123.60Euro
Hostel: Fluxus Hostel: 63.33Euro (3 nights)
Tomsiceva ul. 4, Ljubljana; Phone Number (+386 (1) 251 5760)
Train from Ljubljana to Zagreb: Saturday November 8th: 34Euro
Hostel: Mali Mark Zagreb: 82.03 (2 nights)
Dublicka 8, Zagreb; Phone Number (+38 1 6389 111)
Train from Zagreb to Munich: Monday November 10th: 98Euro
All together the cost for the trip for both of us is 737.30Euro or $927.11 (at the current low exchange rate of 1.26)
The cost for each of us is only 368.65Euro or $463.56 so I am using my birthday money and a little extra for this trip. Overall Steve and I have gotten the best travel deals out of the whole group. Katie and two other people are going to Essen and Berlin (both of which are in Germany) for six days and they are paying 230Euro a piece.
Prague is the Czech Republic and they use Czech koruna which is 24.69 koruna to one Euro
Vienna is in Austria and Ljubljana is in Slovenia both of which use the Euro.
Zagreb is in Croatia and they use the Croatian kuna which is 7.1965 to the Euro.
The buying power in Zagreb and Prague is signifigantly higher than that in Munich (where everything is very expensive). For example a beer in a bar or restaurant in Prague is between .80 and 3.30Euro, a beer here during happy hour is 2Euro but it is normally 3.50-5.00Euro, in Croatia the exchange rate is even better.
Information about Prague-Praha (in German), Czech Republic:
Embassy: USA: +420 257 530 663
Don't miss:
Prague Castle, Hradcanské námìstí, Malá Strana
Built around 850AD, Prague's enchanting castle is not to be missed. Home to St Vitus Cathedral, St George's Basilica and Golden Lane, it is said to be Europe's oldest surviving medieval castle. Open d a i l y f r o m 9 a m - 4 p m / 5 p m ; a d m i s s i o n 350/250/150Kc. (the grounds and cathedral are free)
Old Town Square (Staromìstské námìstí), Staré Mesto Translating in Czech to Staromìstské námìstí, the Old Town Square is where you will find some of Prague's most beautiful buildings. These include the Old Town Hall in the centre of the square and Tyn Church which dominates the eastern side of the square.
Charles Bridge, Staré Mesto This bridge is the most famous of all the bridges which cross the River Vltava and is crowded with tourists day and night. But you can see why as it boasts breathtaking views of the castle and provides free entertainment during the warmer months when buskers do their utmost to entertain tourists to earn a few crowns.
St Nicholas Church, Malostranské námìstí, Malá Strana Along with Prague Castle, this church is the other building which dominates the skyline on Malá Strana. Taking over 80 years to complete, it belongs among the leading baroque buildings in Europe and is undoubtedly one of Prague's most beautiful sights. Open from 9am-4.45pm; admission 50Kc.
Petrín Hill, Malá Strana For unrivalled views over Prague, hop on a funicular from the station at Újezd in Malá Strana bound for Petrín Hill. Once you reach the top (there are two stops) you can walk around the park, get lost in the Mirror Maze', or climb Petrín Tower (admission 50Kc).
Information about Vienna-Wein (in German), Austria
Embassy: USA: +43 (0)1 313 390
Hofburg Palace The Hofburg Palace was the residence of the Hapsburg dynasty for over 600 years and is the most mposing building in Vienna's Inner Stadt. There are various parts to visit but the most enjoyable are the Imperial partments. Admission includes entrance to the Sisi Museum which documents the life of past resident Empress Elisabeth. Open daiy from 9am-5pm (5.30pm July & Aug); admission €9.90 (adult), €8.90 (student).
KunstHausWien, 3rd, Untere Weissgerber Strasse 13 Filled with the works of Friedensreich Hundertwasser, from the outside this museum looks like something from a Monty Python cartoon. Inside the split-level floors and colourful aintings are just as unique. Open from 10am-7pm; admission €9, €4.50 on Mondays.
Rathaus, Rathausplatz, Ringstraße Built between 1872 and 1883 by Friedrich von Schmidt, Vienna's city hall can be seen from all over the city centre thanks to its gothic spires which soar 102 meteres into the sky. It looks particularly impressive after dark. Free guided tours are given at 1pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Stephansdom, Stephansplatz To many, the Stephansdom is Vienna's most instantly recognisable building. Built on the site of a church which dates back to 1144, its most striking features are its gothic spire and tiled roof - it has over 250,000 in total. Open daily from 6am-8pm.
K u n s t h i s t o r i s c h e s M u s e u m, Maria-Theresien-Platz Regarded as Vienna's finest museum, unsthistorisches Museum possesses one of the most valuable and important art collections in the world. Open Tues-Sun 10am-6pm (9pm on Thurs); admission €10.
Information about Ljubljana, Slovenia
http://www.visitljubljana.si/en/ljubljana_and_more/essentials/tourist_information_centres/
What is it that sets Ljubljana apart from other cities and capitals that makes it a great place to visit? You will not discover here world-renowned attractions, such as the Eiffel Tower or the Big Ben, but there are other features that can be stressed. Due to its compact size, Ljubljana is a walking and environmentally friendly city, with a lot of green spaces.
It has one of the best-preserved Baroque quarters in Europe that blends harmoniously with the younger Art Nouveau buildings. And, in the first half of the 20th century, it was blessed with the talent of architect Jože Plečnik, who created its cosmopolitan image.
The young and vibrant spirit of the Slovenian capital often stuns first-time visitors. No wonder, as out of a population of 276,000 one fifth are university students. Lean back & relax is also a motto of our city - having a refreshment in one of the numerous cafes along the riverbanks or in the Old Town is a good way to observe and feel the pulse of our everyday life.
The picturesque open market provides many fresh ingredients which are the basis for culinary delights served in the downtown restaurants and inns, and to appreciate even more the local gastronomy, indulge in the discovery of excellent Slovenian wines.
Just to round up the picture, Ljubljana displays a remarkable agenda of cultural events, close to 10.000 annually - including 14 international festivals and many other traditional happenings all year round. The good language skills of the local residents are also much appreciated by foreign guests.
Conveniently located in the centre of the country, the capital is also an ideal departure point to discover the amazingly diverse features of Slovenia, all within a two-hour drive.
~Ljubljana Tourist Board
Ljubljana Castle (Ljubljanski grad) is a mediaeval castle located at the summit of the hill that dominates the city centre. The area surrounding today's castle has been continuously inhabited since 1200 BC.The hill summit probably became a Roman army stronghold after fortifications were built in Illyrian and Celtic times.
The castle is first mentioned in 1144 as the seat of the Duchy of Carinthia. The fortress was destroyed when the duchy became part of the Habsburg domains in 1335.[ Between 1485 and 1495, the present castle was built and furnished with towers. Its purpose was to defend the empire against Ottoman invasion as well as peasant revolt. In the 17th and 18th centuries, the castle became an arsenal and a military hospital. It was damaged during the Napoleonic period and, once back in the Austrian Empire, became a prison, which it remained until 1905, resuming that function during World War II. The castle's Outlook Tower dates to 1848; this was inhabited by a guard whose duty it was to fire cannons warning the city in case of fire or announcing important visitors or events.
In 1905, the city of Ljubljana purchased the castle, which underwent a renovation in the 1960s. Today, it is a tourist attraction; cultural events also take place there. Since 2007, a funicular has linked the city centre to the castle atop the hill.
St. Nicholas Cathedral of Ljubljana (Stolnica svetega Nikolaja) is the city's only cathedral. Easily identifiable due to its green dome and twin towers, it is located on Vodnik square near the Triple Bridge
Information about Zagreb, Croatia
Museums:
Zagreb's numerous museums reflect the history, art and culture not only of Zagreb and Croatia, but also of Europe and the world. Around thirty collections in museums and galleries comprise more than 3.6 million various exhibits, excluding church and private collections.
Archeological Museum
The Archaeological Museum (19 Nikola Šubić Zrinski Square) collections, today consisting of nearly 400,000 varied artifacts and monuments, have been gathered over the years from many different sources. These holdings include evidence of Croatian presence in the area.[29] The most famous are the Egyptian collection, the Zagreb mummy and bandages with the oldest Etruscan inscription in the world (Liber Linteus Zagrabiensis), as well as the numismatic collection.
Croatian Natural History Museum
The Croatian Natural History Museum (1 Demetrova Street) holds one of the world's most important collection of Neanderthal remains found at one site. [30] These are the remains, stone weapons and tools of prehistoric Krapina man. The holdings of the Croatian Natural History Museum comprise more than 250,000 specimens distributed among various different collections.
Museum of Technology
The Museum of Technology (18 Savska Street) was founded in 1954 and it maintains the oldest preserved machine in the area, dating from 1830, which is still operational. The museum exhibits numerous historic aircraft, cars, machinery and equipment. There are some distinct sections in the museum: the Planetarium, the Apisarium, the Mine (model of mines for coal, iron and non-ferrous metals, about 300 m long), and the Nikola Tesla study.[31]
Museum of the City of Zagreb
The Museum of the City of Zagreb (20 Opatička Street) was established in 1907 by the Association of the Braća Hrvatskog Zmaja. It is located in a restored monumental complex (Popov toranj, the Observatory, Zakmardi Granary) of the former Convent of the Poor Clares, of 1650.[32] The Museum deals with topics from the cultural, artistic, economic and political history of the city spanning from Roman finds to the modern period. The holdings comprise 75,000 items arranged systematically into collections of artistic and mundane objects characteristic of the city and its history.
Arts and Crafts Museum
The Arts and Crafts Museum (10 Marshal Tito Square) was founded in 1880 with the intention of preserving the works of art and craft against the new predominance of industrial products. With its 160,000 exhibits, the Arts and Crafts Museum is a national-level museum for artistic production and the history of material culture in Croatia.[33]
Ethnographic Museum
The Ethnographic Museum (14 Ivan Mažuranić Square) was founded in 1919. It lies in the fine Secession building of the one-time Trades Hall of 1903. The ample holdings of about 80,000 items cover the ethnographic heritage of Croatia, classified in the three cultural zones: the Pannonian, Dinaric and Adriatic.[34]
Mimara Museum
The museum called the "Art Collection of Ante and Wiltrud Topić Mimara" or, for short, the Mimara Museum (5 Roosevelt Square), was founded with a donation from Ante "Mimara" Topić and opened to the public in 1987. It is located in a late 19th century neo-Renaissance palace.[35] The holdings comprise 3,750 works of art of various techniques and materials, and different cultures and civilisations.
Croatian Naïve Art Museum
The Croatian Naïve Art Museum (works by Croatian primitivists at 3 Ćirilometodska Street) is considered to be the first museum of naïve art in the world.[citation needed] The museum keeps works of Croatian naïve expression of the 20th century. It is located in the 18th century Raffay Palace in the Gornji Grad. The museum holdings consist of 1500 works of art - paintings, sculptures, drawings and prints, mainly by Croatians but also by other well-known world artists.[36] From time to time, the museum organizes topics and retrospective exhibitions by naïve artists, expert meetings and educational workshops and playrooms.
Museum of Contemporary Art
The Museum of Contemporary Art was founded in 1954 and a rich collection of Croatian and foreign contemporary visual art has been collected throughout the decades. The Museum (2 St. Catherine's Square) is located in a space within the Kulmer Palace in the Gornji Grad. A new Museum building in Novi Zagreb has been under construction since 2003.[37] The Museum's permanent art collection will be presented to the public when it moves into its new building planned for 2007.
Other museums and galleries
Valuable historical collections are also found in the Croatian School Museum, the Croatian Hunting Museum, the Croatian Sports Museum, the Croatian Post and Telecommunications Museum, the HAZU (Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts) Glyptotheque (collection of monuments), and the HAZU Graphics Cabinet.
The Strossmayer's Old Masters Gallery (11 Zrinski Square) offers permanent holdings presenting European paintings from the 14th to 19th centuries,[38] and the Ivan Meštrović Studio, (8 Mletačka Street) with sculptures, drawings, lithography portfolios and other items, was a donation of this great artist to his homeland The Museum and Gallery Center (4 Jesuit Square) introduces on various occasions the Croatian and foreign cultural and artistic heritage. The Art Pavilion (22 King Tomislav Square) by Viennese architects Hellmer and Fellmer who were the most famous designers of theaters in Central Europe is a neo-classical exhibition complex and one of the landmarks of the downtown. The exhibitions are also held in the impressive Meštrović building on Zrtava Fašizma Square — the Home of Croatian Fine Artists. The World Center "Wonder of Croatian Naïve Art" (12 Ban Jelačić Square) exhibits masterpieces of Croatian naïve art as well as the works of a new generation of artists. The Modern Gallery (1 Hebrangova Street) comprises all relevant fine artists of the 19th and 20th centuries.
There are about 20 permanent or seasonal theaters and stages. The Croatian National Theater in Zagreb was built in 1895 and opened by emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria. The most renowned concert hall is named "Vatroslav Lisinski", after the composer of the first Croatian opera was built in 1973.
Animafest, the World Festival of Animated Films, takes place every even-numbered year, and the Music Bienniale, the international festival of avant-garde music, every odd-numbered year. It also hosts the annual ZagrebDox documentary film festival. The Festival of the Zagreb Philharmonic and the flowers exhibition Floraart (end of May or beginning of June), the Old-timer Rally annual events. In the summer, theater performances and concerts, mostly in the Upper Town, are organized either indoors or outdoors. The stage on Opatovina hosts the Zagreb Histrionic Summer theater events.
Zagreb is also the host of Zagrebfest, the oldest Croatian pop-music festival, as well as of several traditional international sports events and tournaments. The Day of the City of Zagreb on the November 16 is celebrated every year with special festivities, especially on the Jarun lake near the southwestern part of the city.
From Wikipedia
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