Old World Prague & the Blue Danube (2012)

My wife and I were first timer on this river
cruise. I can say the quality of service we
received, from the captain of the ship to its
crew and the restaurant personnel,were outstanding. The places we visited - Vienna, Salsburg, Prague, Melk Valley, etc.
-were beautiful and enjoyable. The only
visit that did'nt come up to par was the
Wachau countryside visit - wish they picked up another place. However, the lunch we had at the home of a resident
at Krumlov was very nice. I would definetly
recommend the river cruise to anyone who
has'nt tried it.

Traveler: Efren Descartin from Lady Lake, FL traveled on April 07, 2012

Prague is lovely and full of museums so do not hesitate to take the metro and go on your own. The Adagio had wonderful staff and great food beautifully presented. The highlights were seeing Mozart's home and museum in Salzburg - do this on your own.Also go to the Schonbrunn on your own in Vienna - you can get the audio guide and see ALL 40 room, plus gardens & carriage museum and it is only a short metro ride away. You will miss most of it if you go with the group tour - a mistake for us. Melk Abbey was amazing, Highly recommended are the Lubkowitz Museum in the Castle area of Budapest and the Musuem of Terror along with the Synagog and Jewish museum - they are easy to do on your own using the metro. Be sure to watch the movie on the ship - "Forever My Love" about Franz Joseph and Empress Elisabeth and the Austrian Empire.

Traveler: Cheryl Jordan from Geneva, NY traveled on March 08, 2012

My wife, Mary, and I were on the first trip of 2012—Prague to Budapest.

The trip focuses on the cities of Central Europe that have been an important part of our culture and history.

The BerlinDresden pre-trip was important to us but I will first start with the base trip which, for us, started in Prague.

Our personalized GCT travel handbook had indicated that the Czech Republic requires health insurance of up to 30,000 Euros for various specific things such as medically supervised repatriation back home. The personalized handbook indicated that GCT had made arrangements with an insurance company to cover participants for any Czech deficiencies during those three days in the Czech Republic. Three weeks before departure, GCT indicated that GCT would not meet the Czech Republic requirement and that, if asked, participants would be required to prove that their private insurance covered all the Czech requirements. We carried our private insurance cards but were never asked to prove the coverage requirements. Others on the trip were as confused as we were and took similar actions. The local guides in the Czech Republic knew nothing of special health coverage requirements unique to their country.

Our first Prague meeting was in a large conference room at the hotel Don Giovanni. We met the four Program Directors (“PDs”) and one additional PD learning the trip before having a group of his own. The more than 150 participants moved on, by four busses, to the Monastery Restaurant in the castle district.

The attractive high-ceilinged Monastery room was filled with picnic type tables with movable benches. The benches were somewhat uncomfortable and difficult to get into and out of but we were there for the food and music. I enjoyed the good band of accordion, trumpet, and drums played without amplification and a female vocalist with amplification. A very attractive dance couple danced the variety of folk dances down the middle aisle. I found them quite good and enjoyed their costumes: traditional festive Bohemian for the first half and then Sunday go to church clothing of about 100 years ago. I would have liked to know the names of the dances, as I don’t know a ländler from a polonaise.

Each table of six was allowed up to twelve drinks total. That quota seemed to be more than enough for most tables as one or two drinks seemed enough for most people. Water was unlimited. A very tasty potato soup, containing a wide variety of vegetables, started the meal along with unlimited rye bread and butter. The arrival of the main plate stunned us all by its large size. A large sausage showed on top but as we ate down the pile we found a duck leg, roast pork, sauerkraut, and two kinds of dumplings (one all flour and one with mashed potato.) A poppy seed cake and coffee or tea ended the meal. We were supposed to get back to the bus by 8:30 but it was closer to 10 PM. I enjoyed the long event, but many, who had just flown in from North America, were very tired.

The next morning we were bussed to sights in Prague. We got off the bus in Prague Castle where we entered the west end of the cathedral. Later the bus left us off on a bridge near the former Jewish quarter from which we walked to the main square in time for the noon clock action. Our PDs passed out metro tickets and instructed us in how to get back to the hotel on our own on the metro. In spite of using transit systems in many cities (including previous Prague visits) I almost didn’t push the door open button in time when we got to the hotel stop. Later, I got confused with the ticket vending machines of Prague: one first selects the product and then enters the coins. I was trying to put in my money before selecting the product. I consider these things part of learning and discovery of GCT and OAT.

In our free time, we walked around the historic district and across the Charles Bridge. We walked up to the Castle enjoying the views from many points before coming back down through a vineyard.

We took the optional trip to Sychrov Castle, the 18th-century residence of the family of Rohan formerly from Brittany, who escaped the French revolution with some money. The trip was early in the season so it was getting dark on the trip. At the higher altitude so early in the season we had to walk on snow covered ground. We welcomed the hot mulled red wine served upon arrival, as we were quite cold. Participants were seated in chairs outside the small chapel for about fifteen minutes of music provided by a music teacher from a neighboring village and a soprano. I was surprised that we were not permitted to enter the chapel. The performers were out of our sight. The organ was small with no pedal notes and a lack of bright high notes but what can one expect from a pipe organ in a private home. There was a sign and basket in the rest rooms of a charge of five crowns, which I ignored, as I felt the GCT fee was sufficient. We went through the large home in groups of twenty. I enjoyed the elaborate wood carvings made by a carver who the family had employed for his entire career.

The included diner was in an outbuilding called the Orangerie for which we had to be bussed. As it was not a regular restaurant in the off-season, the catering had to be simple. We each got about 3 oz. glass of wine, a small salad plate with a few greens, some pieces of rye bread, processed ham and pickle. The main plate was sliced chicken roll, white rice and warmed with some hot gravy. Plum cake ended the meal. I thought we should have had a restaurant meal at some regular restaurant on the way back to Prague as the Orangerie had no historic old interior.

We also took the Charm of the Czech Countryside tour to a small village that had become run down in the Soviet period but is being restored by tourist operators. The local farm houses have been clustered in the poor lands to maximize the value of the most productive farm land. As again we left late in the day, things were quite dark. The tour was divided into two groups of 35 staggered by about half an hour to accommodate service in a small house. All drinks were unlimited. We were served marinated cheese, rye bread, potato soup, roast pork, red cabbage, boiled potato, ice cream, coffee and tea. An electronic synthesizer and four dancers moved between the two rooms demonstrating polkas. It was fun but constrained by very small space of the old farmhouse. The handicraft presentation must have been given to the earlier group.

Our transit day had a stop in Cesky Krumlov. In small groups we were dropped off at homes for a meal of plum brandy, potato soup, baked chicken, boiled potato, plum cake and coffee. The town of Chesky Krumlov was very well defended by rock cliffs, rivers, and high walls. I never had the town on my bucket list but enjoyed it thoroughly.

We boarded the motor ship Adagio in Linz. There were about 143 passengers, 41 crew, 5 PDs, and 7 GCT employees on board. The next day, we awoke early and walked around the nearby parts of Linz, which I found of little interest.

We were bussed to Salzburg where we picked up a local guide for a short walking tour including both sides of the Salzburg River. I didn’t care for the tour commentary and we entered no buildings. I felt that the guide spent too much time talking about movie settings and lining up a façade crown with a statue head in the square. The lunch was in the St. Peter Stiftskeller in a high-ceiling room that was able to handle about 160 of us in elegant style. Included were water, one glass of wine, clear beef soup with strips of wheat pancakes; an enormous breaded fried Schnitzel of turkey and Sacher Torte for desert. It was enough calories for two days!

The following day began our quest for the ‘Blue’ Danube. We sailed downstream through the scenic Wachau Valley Gorge of hard granite and gneiss. The gorge is a microclimate that has supported fruit production for thousands of years including grapes, apricots, plums, apples, peaches and cherries.

The Romans had settlements on the right bank from about 100 BC. (They considered the left bank as too barbaric and unsafe.) No nation since Roman times has controlled the entire river.

We had commentary over the sound system but it was too cold to spend much time on the top deck. We were told that, in German, the only color words that rhyme with Donau are grey and blue so blue became linked with the river since the Strauss music.

The ship tied up at a convenient location in Durnstein. We climbed to the castle ruins with many of the younger participants. Views from the peak were wonderful but the climbing was treacherous in places.

We were bussed back to Melk (which the ship had already passed) and our group in Melk got Ludmila as a guide through the Abbey. I thought she was the best local guide of the trip. She was an Asiatic Russian who, at first, I had trouble understanding, but grew to like more and more. We were the last group so she wasn’t pressured to rush but could answer many questions.

We had a lecture in the ship lounge about “Austria at War” from 1859 to 1945. The format worked well as participants who were not interested did not have to attend. Each participant desires lectures of different lengths.

We took the “Musical Vienna” optional tour to the Kursalon, as we did not have along the evening clothes for a regular concert for Viennese. The event was in an attractive room decorated with large bouquets of artificial flowers. I expected 100% tourists but I had not expected so many would bring flash cameras to a concert. A female dancer danced during some pieces, assisted by a male partner. Other pieces included a baritone and a mezzo. The musicians were a piano, percussion, flute, clarinet, three strings, cello and base. All were well-trained musicians but the event was a little amateurish as a wooden music stand collapsed and much fumbling with sheet scores led to papers blowing around. I had expected better acoustics for a small room. But the package of transportation, tickets and no need to dress up made it work.

The included “Best of Vienna” bussed us around with stops to enter the Opera House, the food stalls in Nashmarkt and to see the outside of “Hundertwasser Haus.”

On the ship, we had an even numbered cabin and were on the embankment side in the first five nights and facing the river in Bratislava and Budapest. As the ship must always tie up facing upstream, the orientation would be the same for either direction of the trip.

In Bratislava, we walked around the historic center of the city before breakfast. After breakfast our PDs took us on a walking tour of the same area and ended up in a pre-arranged meeting with a Jewish man who had lived a long time in Bratislava. He didn’t speak English and the communication through a PD translator to 150 participants in a square was difficult.

After our walking tour, we walked up to the castle area for a view. We were disappointed as we looked out over the historic area to the industrial plants in all directions. It was better to not know about the modern industry and make believe we were in an old town.

The Budapest ship location was excellent (between the Parliament and the Chain Bridge.) After the Farewell Dinner the ship cruised up and down the Danube for views of the lighted buildings, before tying up on the other side of the Danube for airport transfers in the morning.

On the whole, other GCT riverboats (Russia, Great Rivers, and Rhine and Mosel) seemed to work out better for us than this one. Of the seven nights on the riverboat, two were tied up in Linz, which I found of little interest.

The pre-trip was outstanding for us. I had not been to Berlin since August 1961 when restrictions on taking the metro between East and West Berlin began. Since then a wall went up and a wall came down. The focus of the city has shifted to the east. More efficient modern well-designed buildings have replaced buildings that had been quickly rebuilt in their existing style. Older buildings of design significance have been preserved. The Reichstag façade has been preserved with a dramatic modern interior. We enjoyed walking the new Reichstag dome with our PD describing the city and the parliament. Our PD taught us how to get around on the public busses so we could each do our own thing after breaking away. We visited the Pergamon Museum after breaking away.

We took the Potsdam Optional Tour and loved it even though we were unable to enter buildings other than a guest house near the rococo style San Souci.

On the way to Dresden our pre-trip had a stop in Lutherstadt Wittenberg where we entered the two significant churches and ate lunch from food stalls on the square.

Dresden was wonderful for me. I have avoided going there as I knew it had been leveled by 1,300 allied plane loads of bombs. However, the significant buildings along the waterfront have been rebuilt so that the old painters would still recognize the sight. I have, in the past, never warmed up to baroque style but I was thrilled in Dresden by the baroque style of Zwinger and Frauenkirche. We walked to the top of the rebuilt Frauenkirche and attended a 6 PM service. Although the service speaking was all in German, we enjoyed the organ music.

The hotels and breakfast buffets were wonderful in Berlin and Dresden.

On the way from Dresden to Prague we stopped in the town of Litomerice for lunch. On the square we talked with a Dutchman who sold Dutch cheese as his local language skills were too weak for other jobs. A local tavern provided an attractive comfortable room for the eleven of us for lunch. Further along we visited the outside of the Terezin Fortress which had been used to hold prisoners during the holocaust.

The Old World Prague & the Blue Danube trip provides a good focus on the cities of Central Europe that have been a very important part of our culture and history but frequently get less attention than the closer LondonParisRome areas.

Traveler: Alan from New York traveled on March 03, 2012

This was my 3rd GCT River cruise and was every bit as wonderful as the other two. On this cruise I took my 27 yr. old grandson and it was his first time to Europe. We enjoyed every day, the food was great and the trip included a great itinerary of intersting cities. Our PD Anja was so helpful and always able to answer every question and eager to help. I can't imagine traveling any other way than a river cruise with GCT.
We were lucky with the weather, no rain or snow however quite cold.
I can't think of traveling any other way than a river cruise with GCT.

Traveler: Jo Ellen Parish from Lincoln, CA traveled on November 03, 2011

Jacquie and I have taken about all the river cruises, several twice, but somehow had missed the Danube from Vienna to Budapest. So this trip was to fill the gap. And follows on our experience that basically all GCT river ship cruises are winners. So any suggestions are in the area of messing with perfection.

This trip included 3 days in Prague at Hotel Giovani- excellent. We were a bit disappointed that there was only a welcome sip the evening of arrival, and a somewhat pressured presentation on Optional Tours (no welcome dinner, that came 3 days later on ship). But this was moderated by the fact that GCT had arranged with the hotel a very favorable price for dinner. The dinner was outstanding, right in there with the best arrival hotel dinners we have ever had.

Touring Prague is always enjoyable, but we were upset on optional tours. One of the major reasons we enjoy optional tours are the bus rides through the country- where one can really see "whats up". And we take lots of pictures to show to friends who can't travel for either physical or financial reasons. The Photo aspect is top priority. And better normal photos are taken in good light, not near sunrise or sunset (except when thats the subject).

Our trip was in late OctoberNovember. In Prague we took two optional trips, Sychrov Castle, bus left at 3 PM, and Czech Countryside, bus left at 4PM. By the time we arrived at destinations, the sun was going, going, gone. I laughed taking the first picture of the village houses when my fancy camera told me to "raise the flash" . Not a good sign. Since we could have left hotel earlier, maybe the Poo-baw of scheduling could consider that timing in summer with sunsets at 9 pm should be different from that considering sunsets in autumn.

But the castle visit was a pleasure, and the Inn in the countryside was a "smash". And the later all-day visit to Salzburg was great.

Our ship, the River Aria, was delightful, food delicious, crew always smiling, ever helpful, and we enjoyed cruising the last bit of the Danube.

There were two real highlights that should be mentioned. One was a "lecture" on Austria from early to World War II which as an old geezer I could especially relate to. The second was a meeting with two Universty students who gave an excellent presentation and fielded questions. I suggest that GCT get an option (like for football players) on the History major as a potential "program Director" and on the Engineer for Trip planning considering timing of sunsets as well as PD'ing.

May you have fair winds and fair skies, we are the couple asking about super markets and how many steps, horizontal as well as vertical, there are.

Traveler: Frank Lamson Scribner, Jr from New Smyrna Beach, F traveled on October 24, 2011

The 7-day river cruise part of this trip was wonderful....scrumptious meals & exciting daily trips rounded out this adventure. Three days sightseeing in Prague was also an eventful conclusion to a most enjoyable trip. We lucked out with mild weather plus no rain!

Traveler: Nancy Nohilly from Barnegat, NJ traveled on November 03, 2011

The best part of the trip, aside from its beauty, would have to be the outstanding crew on the River Aria. This international group bent over backwards to address us by name and cater to our every need. Extremely polite and attentive. Although the weather at the end of October could have been better, we relished in the beauty of the cities on the Danube. Salzburg will always be my favorite (an optional tour, which is a MUST). We were in awe of the centuries old buildings and the history of the area in every city. The evening in the Czech countryside was a delight (another optional tour). Oh, and I must not forget Czesky Krumlof....a fairy tale like city filled with quaint shops...would have liked more time there. The only negative I could mention would have to be the many crowds of tourists in Prague. An easy place to lose your goup! I would highly recommend this trip!!

Traveler: Barbara Beau from Vinton, IA traveled on October 20, 2011

This was our 7th GCT trip and our 3rd GCT River cruise. The staff & crew of MS River Aria was outstanding; so accomidating, friendly & professional. They made this trip exceptional. Also the tour guides were exemplary; very knowledgeable, caring & efficient. My husband had trouble keeping up with the group and our guide (Anja) was especially solicitious of his well being. She was a jewel. One highlight of the trip was sitting at the Captain's table for the Welcome Dinner; it was truly special. Another treasured experience was attending the Mozart concert in Vienna - a truly memorable event.
We did miss not having an orientation session with our group, so we could get to know each other better and a hotel closer to the heart of Prague would have been a better choice.
Without exception, the tour guides make ones trip and GCT guides are exceptional.

Traveler: Lavonne Mccombie from Hudson, WI traveled on October 10, 2011

My mom and I took the trip together. It was our first GCT trip. Many things impressed me. The staff on the River Aria was extremely friendly and efficient and the food was superb. Krisztina, our Program Director, was very patient and helpful. She even helped my mom pick out some local wine that she really liked.

The buses for the various tours and optional tours were always on time. In fact, everything ran like clockwork. They did a great job of explaining each day's activities during the port talks so there was no confusion.

We met some wonderful people and made lots of new friends.

Someone asked me what I liked the best and all I can say is- Everyday is a highlight.

I really appreciated having access to the internet while on board. I needed to stay in touch with people back home.

We are already planning our next trip.

Traveler: Mark Undis from Ramsey, MN traveled on October 20, 2011

Prague is a fascinating city with its many churches, castles, Charles Bridge, and lots of tourists.
My daughter celebrated her birthday on board the ship in Linz and was overwhelmed with the performance of the crew as they sang Happy Birthday and paraded through the dining room with cake and candles.
I would have liked to sail more in the daytime but that would leave less time for the cities. Ceska Krumlova is a special place and would have liked more time, Also Linz has many interesting places to visit, especially the cathedral which is the largest one in Austria.

Traveler: Thelma Fendler from Fort Collins, CO traveled on October 10, 2011

It was a great trip. Our first experience with GCT and our first river cruise. Our tour director Sonya was fabulous very knowledgeable and caring person. Learned a great deal of information from her. Our only disappointment was that we did not see much on the actual cruising of the river. Most of the cruising was done a night.

Would like to have stayed another day in Budapest. Should have taken the extension trip. Would go on another cruise again with GCT.

Traveler: Lois Berlin from Hampstead, NC traveled on May 15, 2011

We loved the places visited, even more than we expected. Traveling on the Danube is magical. The scenery, history and music are amazing. The guides are very well informed. Be sure to take the optional tours to Salzburg and the music night in Vienna - not to be missed!! Also, while In Prague, go to the small venues that have concerts (i.e. Lopkowitz Palace, various churches & synagogues). Two unepected fabulous highlights were the cruise through the Wachau Valley and the visit to Cesky Krumlov. We highly recommend this trip.

Traveler: Marsha Mccandles from Dammeron Valley, UT traveled on September 10, 2011

An unforgettable moment on our way to Prague: Lunch with our host family.
We had a delicious home cooked chicken luncheon. Our hostess didn't speak English, but her granddaughter did; she hosted the lunch so her granddaughter could practice English. The hostess played the piano for us after lunch. Imagine our surprise when she played 'The Battle Hymn of the Republic" and we all sang along?! Here we were in the former Czechoslovakia singing an iconic American patriotic song. It brought tears and goose bumps to everyone involved!

Traveler: Robert Renegar from Wallingford, PA traveled on August 10, 2011

The experience of cruising down the Blue Danube from Linz to Budapest is something Dottie and I will remember forever.

We started our trip with the six day pre-trip extension in Berlin and Dresden, Germany and ended our hiliday with the four day post trip extension in Budapest. If we had this to do over I think we would forego the four days in Budapest. Only because we had been away from home for sixteen days at that point.

We cannot express enough the professionalism of the River Ship Adagio's Captain, crew and the Program Directors.
In fact, this trip was our third GCT river ship
cruise, and we are very impressed with the qualify of all of the company's employees. Our experience with all GCT employees we have had contact with has always been exemplary.

We are really looking forward togoing on the "Christmas Markets along the Rhine," cruise this December.

Bill and Dottie Howard
Oxnard, California

Traveler: William Howard from Oxnard, CA traveled on June 27, 2011

Our GCT trip exceeded our expectations - beginning with our outstanding excursions in Prague, the Czech Republic and continuing on the river cruise.

The River Aria cruise ship was very comfortable, with roomy cabins and tour directors and staff that were exceedingly knowledgeable, courteous and accomodating.

Finally, the food was wonderful and we were so impressed with not only the quality, but how beautifully it was presented.

Traveler: Judith Gaither from Rancho Murieta, CA traveled on August 14, 2011

We thoroughly enjoyed this trip. We like to hike and there was enough time on your own for us to do this. Favorite hiking: Durnstein Castle ruins, walk along the Vlatava River in Prague, as well as our touring the towns after being given an overview tour of the towns. Also, we arrived in Vienna around 10:30 pm and didn't realize we would be there that early. Would have been great to be ontop or on the balcony watching the lights as we arrived. We did not have a balcony which was fine since most of the sailing was at night and at times we were tied up to another ship so the scenery would have also been blocked.

Traveler: Joyce Hunt from Ashland, OH traveled on August 14, 2011

I throughly enjoyed this trip. The ship was a great experience and so relaxing. Best way to travel.The places we visited were both educational ,especially Budapest(the history amazing) and beautiful. Loved the small towns. The home visit could have been better as would have liked to know more about their living and not just the food. Our crew was wonderful and oh my the food. I would definitely take another river cruise and have recommmended Grand Circle to several friends.

Traveler: Phyllis Lockhart from Grand Rapids, MI traveled on August 10, 2011

My wife and I recently returned from our trip. It was one of the best trips we've ever been on. So many fun places to visit, such a great crew and such good food. I think we only missed one meal on the ship. Our travel guide from East Germany (Ana) was especially wonderful. I personally liked Prague and CESKY KRUMLOV. In Vienna, we walked from the ship to a bike rental place and pedaled up and down along the Blue Danube canal and into neighborhoods near there. Very delightful. I think vienna is one of the most bike friendly cities in the world. This was away from traffic for the most part and very safe for those amateur bikers.
This was the best birthday present I have ever had. They even brought me a cake with a Roman candle on it the first night!!
Thanks to the crew from the Captain to the room steward for working so hard to make it a delightful experience.
Dan Pugh

Traveler: Dan Pugh from Dublin, OH traveled on August 10, 2011

From the time I arrived in Prague until I boarded the flight back home from Budapest, this trip worked like a well oiled machine. No missed flights, no lost baggage and no missing travel companions. The tour directors were smart,knew their subject,had a great sense of humor and always very helpful. The ship's complement from the captain to the cabin attendant to the waiters were competent, friendly and pleasant . This crew had their act together. Can't say enough of the "atta boys" for all on this trip.

Traveler: Gordon Noffsinger from Arlington, VA traveled on August 14, 2011

This was our first trip with Grand Circle. We are seasoned travelers but had never booked a GC T trip. We came home and 3 days later we were looking at the new catalogs deciding where to go next.
Everything was well planned and nothing left to chance. Even when, in Prague a quick change had to be made due to the weather while we were touring,there was hardly a notice of it. I especially liked the fact that our guide made sure we had plenty of information for our time on our own. She suggested restaurants,sights,shopping and how to get there. needless, to say, we are very impressed with GCT and all the employees who made this a most memorable time. A perfect 10!.
Jack and Kay Iles

Traveler: Loretta Iles from Burton, MI traveled on August 10, 2011

My overall experience with the trip was good.

My favorite part of the trip was the "home hosted meal". My grandparents were born in Prague and this was the main reason I took this trip to see were my grandparents were born. I also speak the language, some, and the woman who hosted the luncheon only spoke czeck. We hit it off right from the start when I greeted here in czeck. Everyone, all 14 of us really enjoyed the luncheon.

I was not happy with the hotel in Prague. It was too far away from the city center. I did not like, nor did I want to ride the subway. One person was pick pocketed on the subway and another had an attemped pick pocket on the subway. I feel you have a lot of women traveling together and to tell them to take the subway is not what I feel should be included in the tour. If the hotel costs more money then include it in the price;. I was told from a neighbor who has a condo in Prague that the hotels in the city center are not that much more expensive. She also said that the Hotel Don Giovoni was not in the greatest area. Also there were not a lot of restaurants choices convenient to the hotel.

Now that I know I would have gone to Prague first and then did the Riverboat. It was much more relaxing on the ship. The entire crew was wonderful, meals were good.

I also got tired of having to tip a local guide and a bus driver. I felt our tour director could have done just as good or maybe even better job than the local guide.

Traveler: Donna Batten from Mesa, AZ traveled on August 10, 2011

In July we did the Prague and Old World Danube River Cruise with Grand Circle.....
By chance I had picked up the book, THE INVISIBLE BRIDGE by Julie Orringer in the Boston Airport on the way over, and have just finished reading it....I would like to recommend it to any who are interested in life in Eastern Europe from 1937 forward - Budapest and Hungary in particular and the struggle for survival....The book has an amazing story line and is told with such interesting detail of location and life.....Highly recommend!!!
The next trip on our list is Budapest to Bucharest in 2012...Really looking forward to that after reading this book and becoming very interested in the area's history!!!

Traveler: Chaille Reed from Plymouth, MA traveled on July 02, 2011

I just returned on August 7, 2011 from the most wonderful trip with Grand Circle Travel. It was my first trip with them and cannot wait for the next one. We began in Budapest and arrived on the lovely Riverboat Aria promply after an overseas flight, only to be greeted with smiles from the staff. The ship is lovely, rooms spacious, and food was wonderful, not to mention the friendly serving staff. How they remembered our names and preferences i'll never know.
Every area visited was a delight and Andrea Nagy our program director was knowledgeable about all aspects of every place we visited. Did I have a favorite experience? They were all favorites while I was experiencing them. But I will have to say I will never forget our wonderful home hosted lunch in Cesky Krumlov. I highly recommend this trip--I want to take it again!!

Traveler: Marcia Schwyn from Hilton Head Island, SC traveled on July 27, 2011

This was a wonderful trip. My husband and I returned from this trip a week ago and wanted to share our experiences so that prospective cruisers might be helped in their decision making.
Our trip started in Budapest where we were met by our program director, Sonya.That in itself is a plus after a long flight from Florida.TheRiver Adagio was waiting for us with their friendly, efficient staff escorting guests to their state rooms-still another example of the personal attention given by GCT.
In Budapest, our program director,Sonya told us about a street fair so in our free time, we walked there and enjoyed an afternoon of local talent and fun.This, in our opinion, is what sets GCT apart from other companies. They strive, through their learning and discovery program, to add a local eductional spin to every port.
We took most of the optional tours and they were done efficiently and zeroed in on the important facts of each area. Our favorites were the concert in Vienna, the Czech Countryside, and our home hosted lunch in Cesky-Krumlov. Our familywas friendly, the lunch delightful, and experience PRICELESS!
As we boarded our buses to go to Prague, the entire staff of the Adagio was standing on deck waving good-by. Again, a personal touch making this trip memorable.
Prague is a beautiful city with a very active square and famous landmarks. The fact that our hotel the Don Giovanni was a Metro ride away from the center of town was not a problem. The metro station is right outside the hotel and after our City tour, our program director took us back to the hotel using the metro. When we were on our own,we knew just what to do and considerd it an exciting part of the learning experience. We have traveled extensively but this was our first GCT trip and hopefully it won't be our last.

Traveler: Paul F Prosseda from Rotonda West, FL traveled on April 07, 2011

My husband and I returned a week ago from our wonderful trip along the Danube. We had blue skies the entire time. We arrived early to Prague for the pre-trip. As the hotel is a good distance from the center of town, our program director Matt gave us a tutorial on using the subway. Although there is much to see in Prague, we wanted to do some exploring in the countryside, so Matt helped us sign up for a day trip on bicycles to Karljsten Castle. It was a 20 mile ride all along the River Vlatav and we rode back on the train. Great fun!
We went on the optional tours to Sychrov Chateau and the Charm of the Czech Countryside. We enjoyed them both!
The home-hosted visit in Czesky-Krumlov was a delight. We'd have loved to do that in each town we visited. Our hostess fed us a delicious lunch and it was such a pleasure to be a guest in her home.
Being back aboard the River Rhapsody with our friend Captain Martin Bauer and his crew was a special treat. We sailed with them last October on the Rhine and Mosel. They are first rate and Captain Martin was so pleased to have returning guests. He treated us royally, even toasting us and saying "It makes me feel like we've done something right to have you here."
Salzburg was crowded but that's to be expected in the summer months! It was something we wouldn't have missed. We did the Melk Abbey on our own instead of the optional tour. We had seen it before but wanted to see it again on our own this time. It is worth seeing!
The Danube River had experienced rain for the last 2 months but all that had stopped within a week of our arrival to the ship. We were very fortunate.
Vienna is huge and grand...it helps to have a plan to know specifically what you want to see. We chose to climb the steps of St. Stephen's Cathedral and to watch the Lipizan Horse Training Session in the morning...it was a highlight. We also rented bikes from a place near where the River Rhapsody was docked. We rode our bikes through Vienna. We saw things that probably nobody else on the ship saw.
Bratislava, Slovakia was worth seeing. You don't need long to see it. We enjoyed the 2 young Slovakians who spoke with our group about their country.
Sailing into Budapest is amazing! Wish GTC scheduled more time in Budapest because it is worth it. Again, we biked on our own one afternoon. Matt, our program director, found a guide for us. We had a wonderful time biking through the city and hearing about the country from our young Hungarian guide.
We highly recommend taking biking tours during free time. It is really quite easy as there are bike lanes and relatively flat terrain. Biking is everywhere in these countries. It helps to maximize your time.
Many thanks to our program director for going the extra mile to make our trip a special one. And bravo to Captain Martin and the River Rhapsody!

Traveler: John Witteman from San Antonio, TX traveled on June 21, 2010

This trip was not what we expected.  Since the Danube flooded while we were there, we had to abandon the boat on our second day.  Since we usually travel OAT, this was our first try of the riverboat experience.  Needless to say, the trip was a major disappointment.   We went from an anticipated relaxing cruise on the Danube, to a land tour with 164 people; from exquisite food, graciously served to a crowded competition for mediocre food; from day trips where the local guides used transmitters to communicate to our headphones to locals guides that we couldn't hear because of the number of people in the crowd.  We missed out on many promised features such as a cooking lesson, a tour of the galley, an Inner-Circle party, a trip to a Crystal Shop, a trip to a Diamond Shop, a learning and discovery time with students, and nightly entertainment.  Even before the river gave us problems, the offerings of optional excurions was drastically changed and reduced  from what was listed in the itinerary we received just before we left for the trip.
The company did a good job of finding us accommodations at the last minute, but we did everything with all 164 people–way too many for a land tour.  The only compensation that GC made for our lost experience was to include 2 optional excursions.  We have since heard that the Viking line was able to creatively trade ships between two tours so that they were able to continue their cruise.
Our hotels were adequate, but not centrally located.  We had to rely on subways to get us to the central areas.
I would recommend monitoring the conditions before you go to avoid this kind of situation.

Traveler: George Hoyland from Beavercreek, OH traveled on May 28, 2010

This was my first trip (and river cruise) with GC though I had heard about them from several other travelers, all of whom, raved about the organization. I too can't say enough about my river cruise.

We went in MarApril and the weather was between 50-60 degrees, which was fine with me.

We traveled on the MS River Concerto. The crew was amazing! We had so much fun with them. As far as I am concerned, they made the trip for us. Food was awesome, loved the on board activiiesdemos, and the rooms were compact but efficient use of space.

Loved the home visit and the tour into the countyside! What a way to really see the country in depth.

The hotel in Prague was out a bit but our GC guide took us on the subway to learn the ropes. It was very easy and safe way to get around.

They added a last minute trip to a concentration camp in Bohemia. I was really glad I went. You can see pictures etc but until you walk thru one, you just have no idea what those victims went through... seeing is believing.

The local guides did a great job with providing the history of each of the areas which is a must to understand about the area and the people.

I traveled with 2 friends that have always taken a 'beach' vacation and was a bit worried if they would like this type of trip ... they loved it and would like to take another one.

We met so many people that have traveled with GC before, ranging from 3 trips and up. There was a sweet lady in her 90's that was on her 25th trip with GC.

Loved the traveling by ship - we got to meet so many nice people nd to really get to know them because of traveling on the ship for 7days.

Prague is a beautiful city! Still like it was when it was founded years ago. All the cities were lovely!

I highly recommend GC and this trip! In fact, I think any river cruise would be wonderful. Am looking forward to another such trip down the road.

Traveler: Mari Lynn Quamme from Madison, WI traveled on March 28, 2010

My wife and I enjoyed this trip very much. It was the first cruise that we had taken that included a hotel and we were not sure what to expect when we arrived in Prague late in the morning. But not to worry, when we got to the hotel we received our hotel keys and the program for our stay. The hotel was very comfortable, outside the city center but just a few steps from the Metro which got us to the old town in about 15 minutes. The breakfast was excellent too. Our local guide in Prague was excellent (as were all the guides on the trip) and we really enjoyed all he showed us. The biggest surprise was Chesky Krumlov, on the way to our ship in Linz. Budapest also exceeded our expectations.
As usual the ship, the River Concerto, was wonderful. Everyone was so helpful and attentive and the food excellent.
This cruise is just one highlight after the other. Each day really brings another adventure.

Traveler: Donald Becker from De Forest, WI traveled on April 01, 2010

The trip was excellent . The crew was friendly and helpful, Our program director Mikelos was excellent. So were the other program directors, especially Kiki(?) the redheaded hungarian lady. We saw many impressive locations and learned a great deal. Local guides were first rate. Only two complaints . We were not aware that the excursion to the hunting lodge and to Marchfelerhof would take so much time from our last afternoon in Vienna. The evening meal was not satisfactory. one should be able to order well done meat.

Traveler: Billy Seay from Baton Rouge, LA traveled on March 11, 2010

My second cruise with GCT and have a problem finding another travel company as good as GCT, already planning my next cruise for next year.
I did this particular cruise on the Adagio in March of this year and had the 4 days in Prague pre tour. Lovely city with many interesting things to see. Really liked the Don Giovanni hotel and it's proximity to the Metro and got quite experienced on travelling on that. I did not encounter any of the problems with the hotel staff other previous travellers had experienced, on the contrary, they couldn't do enough to fulfill my requests which were only very few.
Miklos was the program director for the red group called the Red Polar Bears :-). What an excellent and knowledgeable person, he really made the trip all the more interesting and always so ready to help out with any problems you may have experienced.
We had a fantastic home hosted lunch with the Meleg family . Lovely people and beautiful home.
The weather in Prague was a bit unfortunate, we had snow and it was cold, apparently unusual for that time of the year but nevertheless, still most enjoyable, it did improve the closer we got to Budapest.The highlights for me were Vienna where we attended a concert in the concert hall and Budapest. Beautiful architecture and so much history. Also loved Dvorchak's home and his grandson who took us on the tour was very interesting.
Did most of the optional tours and can recommend them all.
staff on the ship were excellent, food was as good if not better than you could get in a 5 star restaurant, I did make use of the massage therapist on the ship, from what I was told, that was the first time GCT had done that, please keep it up, this particular lady was excellent.

Traveler: Roberta Stabler from West Palm Beach, FL traveled on March 08, 2010

What a great trip! Prague was delightful and the weather was perfect...........sunny and chilly! St. Vitus Cathedral, part of Prague Castle, was magnificent. We enjoyed walking around in the Old Town Square and eating foods prepared by the street vendors while admiring the beautiful architecture. We even made it to see the Astronomical Clock strike the hour.

The Don Giovanni Hotel suited us just fine. Yes, it was outside the Old Town, but access to the Metro was just around the corner from the hotel and very easy to use. I asked one of our Program Directors what the connectionwas between Prague and Mozart , as there was a life-size statue of Mozart in the hotel lobby, and was told that it was in Prague that Mozart wrote his opera "Don Giovanni". One is never too old to learn.

The bus ride from Prague to Linz was beautiful, especially with the stop in Cesky Krumlov. The town is a beautiful medieval village with a castle and beautiful cathedral. We had a wonderful home-hosted lunch before touring town and our hostess, Marie, and her friend made us feel so very welcome. She had a welcome speech already written out for us.

The River Aria is a beautiful ship and the staff was wonderful. The Hotel Manager, the Captain, the wait staff in the dining room and the cabin stewards were top notch. The cabin was extremely spacious and well appointed.

We took the Optional Tour to Salzburg and it was everything I remembered from having been there in 1958, only more so. Having seen the movie "Sound of Music" made it more special.

Melk and its' Abbey were spectacular. We went on our own and took the tour offered by the Abbey. It was a nice walk, but definitely up hill. The gold leaf in the cathedral and the frescoes in the Marble Hall were breathtaking.

Our cruise through the Wachau Valley was thoroughly delightful, both for the scenery and the hysterical running commentary by Istvan, one of the four Program Directors. It was cold, but then, it was mid November!

I loved being in Vienna again and revisiting places I had seen during this past summer. We thoroughly enjoyed the Kristkindlmarkt in front of the Rathaus (City Hall), and spent a couple of hours there browsing the different stalls.

Bratislava and Budapest were very interesting. We had a wonderful walking tour of Bratislava with time to go back on our own later in the day and a bus tour of Buda and Pest on a very foggy morning. Thank goodness for postcards, as it was a bit too foggy for good pictures. The Parliament Building there was awesome, and we walked around it later in the day.

All in all, it was a great trip! From such a small galley on the ship, the food was equal to many really fine restaurants I have visited............beautifully served and extremely well done. It was almost the highlight of the trip for me.

As usual, the GCT Program Directors were absolutely the best and worked so well together as a team. I have already booked my next GCT River Cruise for July 2010, taking one of my granddaughters to France. We are both excited!

Traveler: Suzanne from Beverly Hills, FL traveled on November 10, 2009

Had a wonderful 1st timer experience on the River Boat ARIA. Started in Prague, sailed the Danube and extended for a few days in Budapest.

These are scattered thoughts about the trip:

I found the program directors delightful - especially Istvan. Any one of them were always willing to assist.

The ship staff and crew were also very friendly. How about that Gabi.

I felt the included city tours were very extensive - not just a bus around to 'see' the city -- but time to see a sight and walk a sight.

The kindergarten visit was amazing -- this is a must keep for GCT. Those adorable children performing in their folk costumes is something to be experienced!

The Melk Abbey tour was the 2nd hightight. We had a great walk from the boat to town and WAY up the hill as well as a very good tour guide for this beautiful sight.

Sorry that we hit Linz on Sunday when most shops are closed but their city tour "choo choo" was great!!

I did not partake in any optional tours (a little expensive, I think) but only heard good things.

I agree with Abbie that the hotel staff at the Don Giovanni were horrid. I would fire most of them. Very dismissive, rude, providing conflicting information. Nothing to compare to the charm of the staff at the Novotel in Budapest.

Riding "mass transit" is a treat for me and I enjoyed learning the tricks of each metro, trolley, streetcar or bus system in each country.

Food on the ship was good and always presented flawlessly. My tastes are more simple so I often skipped an offering. The wait staff was a bit inconsistent in their roles. A few would greet you at the table, review the meal of the evening and then your first offering would be placed (giving you the option to decline). A few others would just have their assistants start the service. Considering the size of the crew, dinner service was quite fine.

Open seating is great - I'm sure groups were formed for "regular tables" and enjoyed seating with several "groups" throughout the trip.

Cabins were more spacious than I expected. I would definitely get a smaller table in the 200 level rooms - it took up way too much space. Good storage and a not-too-tiny bathroom.

Looking forward to planning my next river cruise!

Traveler: Fran from Orlando, FL traveled on November 10, 2009

I enjoyed most of the Blue Danube Riverboat Trip. The boat was very nice and very clean and comfortable. The staff on the boat were very friendly and helpful. Our trip guides were wonderful.
The one thing I did not like was the area we stayed in while in Prague...did not like the area or the hotel staff. They were grossly arrogant, There was nothing to do there within walking distance. I would have liked the extra time to be spent in Budapest or any other city. OR GCT could acquire a hotel in the old town of Prague with some friendly staff.
The rest of the cities were very nice. The sidetrips were interesting although they were costly. More sidetrips should be included.
I thoroughly enjoyed the home lunch and school visit. Those are important assets for GCT trips.

Traveler: Abbie from Rotonda West, FL traveled on November 10, 2009

This is our second trip with GCT. We took pre trip at Prague , we enjoyed very much. Prague was a very interesting city,definitely not to be missed ,wonderful Gothic and Baroque buildings.The St.Vitus Cathedral ,Charles Bridge, Power tower, Prague castle 's district, many churches, Golden lane and the Astronomical clock were interesting and magnificent.We explored early every day by taking Metro and trams from near by our hotel ,Don Giovanni, was outside the city ,next to a metro station and very convenience quick trip to downtown. Learning to navigate the Metro was just another interesting experience. Don't expect to hear any English. We also visited Terezin , World War II concentration camp. This was sad place. You may visit Jewish Quarter in Prague,much of the area 's fascinating history is preserved in the synagogues . Inside Spanish synagogue is very beautiful in moorish style. Cesky Krumlow, a UNESCO cultural heritage site, was another highlight, amazed at how large a complex was. The garden was not beautiful in November. We walked through this medieval town, and enjoyed a home hosted meal for lunch which as truly an outstanding feature of GCT.

Melk abbey at Linz, one of the world's most famous monastic site, was good place to visit. The painting on the ceiling of the marble hall and in the abbey were masterpiece, very beautiful, magnificent Cruise Wachau Valley was a unique landscape and vineyards, provided insightful commentary but the weather was very cold and windy in November.

We enjoyed very much by taking metro in Vienna . Belvedere Palace, Parliament, museums, St Stephen Cathedral, the elegant boulevard that surrounds the city 's historic center were magnificent.
We cruised to Bratislava, Slovakia 's capital we had opportunity to visit Kindergarten school at new town, everyone enjoyed so much, thanks for GCT.

At Budapest we enjoyed Castle hill ,Matthias Church, Fishermen's Bastion, St.Stephen's Basilica, Heroes' Square with its Millennial Columm and Great market hall . We also visited Christmas market and listened Hungarian folk songs. We took the tram # 1 to see Parliament, took lot of pictures.

Budapest and Prague were glad that we did because there were so much to see in these beautiful cities. Prague, Slovakia and Budapest, made us appreciate our life in America more as we learned how difficult it was during the Cold War for citizens of those countries . The cities we visited were truly architectural gems and presented unending opportunities for photos (My husbands took 2,442 pictures during this trip) Prague was our favorite. Budapest was good but less than Prague. Transportation was clean, quick and inexpensive. Remember these places need a lot of walk and good comfort shoes or sneakers. In this November , the weather was not bad at all, cold but not too cold or raining much, quite cloudy,especially the night before we left. Our captian was planning for Scenic sailling " Budapest by night". due to the heavy fog. So we all missed.

The food and service at MS River Aria were excellent. We enjoyed very much for Port talk and crew show. The crew members are very pleasant , friendly and speak English well. The presentation of food were excellent, beautiful and very delicious. Services at dinning room were great. Ship and crew were outstanding . I would like to mention that GCT did an excellent job and we look forward to taking another trip with you again next year and we will recommend to our friends

Traveler: Sunee from Plymouth, IN traveled on November 07, 2009

This was our 14th trip to Europe, our 3rd with Grand Circle, and it was one of the best! We took the extensions in Budapest and Prague and were glad that we did because there is so much to see in these beautiful cities. The only negative was the location of the hotels. The Ramada Plaza in Budapest was beautiful but requires a trip via tram and metro to get downtown. There were a few restaurants near the hotel and no shops. The Don Giovanni in Prague was next to a metro station and a quick trip downtown, but there was little in the immediate area except for the Flora Mall and the restaurant at the Hotel Villa, each a 10-minute walk away.
Peter, a charming young Hungarian, was our Program Director for most of the trip. He couldn't do enough to help us and added to our enjoyment of the trip with his depth of knowledge and sense of humor. Szilvia, another lovely young Hungarian, was our Program Director for our last three days in Prague. She too was helpful and knowledgable. Both spoke excellent English.
The River Melody was a beautiful, well-maintained ship. Our cabin was comfortable, the service excellent, and the food good and beautifully presented. The crew was very friendly and all spoke English.
The sights were unforgetable and the scenery along the Danube awesome. One of the highlights of the trip was the home-hosted lunch in Chesny Kremlov. Our hostess spoke little English, but her 10 year-old grandson made an effort to talk to us and both made us feel very welcome.
The optional excursions added over $1,000 to the cost of the trip and ranged from excellent (Terezin and the Abby in Melk) to so-so (Esztergom).
Our traveling companions were, for the most part, well-traveled and interesting prople.
Grand Circle does an excellent job and we look forward to taking another trip with them.

Traveler: Norman from Oceanside, NY traveled on July 14, 2009

This was our third Grand Circle Tour. Each of the cities we visited were really pretty. This tour, we really liked as we were given walking and or bus tours to familiarize us with the city, but afterwards, we were given lots of time to explore on our own. Some of the highlights were our home visit where we had a full meal for the first time and our host was really nice. Prague is beautiful and we were lucky to have a folk festival going on while we were there. It would have been better if the hotel had been closer in town, but it was close to the subway which helped.
We loved Vienna as there is so much to see and do. The musical optional was terrific. One of the highlights of the trip was the optional out of Vienna that included the famous restaurant. Wow! It was unique. Loved it!

Budapest is a beautiful city, especially at night. I was really impressed with the large park as it had a zoo, a circus, and the beautiful facilities for the swimming pool. We only drove by it on the bus, but it was still impressive.

We look forward to our fourth trip and joining the inner circle.

Traveler: Woody & Rose from Jacksonville, FL traveled on July 21, 2009

A very enjoyable trip. This was our second with GCT (2004 Great Rivers of Europe). Our guide, Peter, was wonderful. He filled us in on history and personalities as we travelled. He was easy to understand, an American sense of humor and accent to boot. He was most helpful with subway tickets, even taking us back to the hotel on a "familiarization" ride that helped orient us. When we had trouble trying to mail postcards and buy stamps, he just took them himself into town and mailed them (souvenir stores didn't sell stamps).
Our personal favorites on the trip were the dinner in the Czech village with the polka dancing, the side trip to Salzburg, and the dinner at Marchfelderhof, outside of Vienna.
Our ship, River Harmony, was luxurious. We felt that the optional trips were pricey, considering the cost of the basic cruise.

Traveler: Paul from Wichita, KS traveled on June 21, 2009

When we went to check in for our trip to Europe, the airline said we had no reservations on the flight. When they found our reservation, it turned out to be for the flight that was just leaving. Oops, I guess someone sent us the wrong information.
Luckily, BA was able to get us on the flight and rebooked all of our flights. So we made our way to Europe and had a great trip. Unfortunately, our nightmare continued when we went to the airport in Budapest for our return to the states. Even though the cruise director said flights had all been confirmed, we had no reservations. Once again, BA came to our rescue and we made it home, but the stress of these situations left us with a really bad impression of GCT.

Cruising on the river was lovely, but we'll try another cruise company next time.

Traveler: John from Arlington, VA traveled on June 21, 2009

This trip for my wife and I was a collection of firsts - first time using GCT; first time on a river cruise; and, the first time to visit Prague and Budapest. Overall, it was an excellent experience, and we both enjoyed the sights and the accommodations.

After our trip, we were glad we signed up for both the pre-trip in Prague and the post-trip in Budapest, since the extra time afforded us the opportunity to see more of the cities' features during the extra three days. It was also nice traveling with some of our friends, although the size of the tour group made it easy to meet new people and make acquaintances during the trip. :-)

We found it extremely halpful to utilize the expertise of the trip leaders in meshing their recommendations and guidance with the insights garnered from Rick Steves, Fodor,etc. Prague was very easy to navigate, utilizing the metro, and provided some of the best historical venues in Europe, if you knew where to venture. The local food, drink and ambiance was plentiful and inexpensive, outside of the "tourist areas".

The post-trip to Budapest required a little more logistical preparation, since the city and its sights are more spread out than in the other ports of call. If you do go to Budapest, make sure you bring your bathing gear, in order to take advantage of the spas located in the hotel - they were fabulous!! Our guides also took some of us to the Central Market, where you can purchase souvenirs and local food at reasonable prices.

Of the optional tours that were available, we both enjoyed the visit to the Czech countryside and the tour of the Dvorcak "museum"- to have an actual descendant of Anton Dvorcak provide some historical insights and an enthusiastic pub owner who also sings,dances and wait tables made both experiences special.

Both of the hotel venues in Prague and Budapest, while not being ideally situated, were very comfortable,clean and very close to public transportation. Don Giovanni provided free internet through computers located in the lobby, and the Ramada in Budapest had a great spasauna complex to utilize. Bottom line....we'd do it again, with some modifications to our schedule.

Traveler: Alan from Columbus, OH traveled on May 27, 2009

This was my first trip with GCT; as well as my first "tour". It was so nice to be met at the airport ( in the rain) by Peter, our guide.
On our second day, Peter, took us on the Metro and showed us where to get the Metro tickets. He led us around downtown and showed us the best places to use the ATMBanco machine, exchange $, and eat reasonably. He stressed the name of our Metro stop and Metro Line.
Everything he told us was helpful and I was able to get my bearings very quickly.
Because I was there 5 full days, I bought a three day metro pass. My pass was checked twice; by a marked policeman and some undercover officers.
I did not care for the location of the hotel ( Don Giovanni).The hotel is very nice and secure but the location is unpleasant. My girlfriend and I saw an empty purse at the top of the Metro escalator and another lady in our group was flashed at our Metro station. It did not feel safe to walk around the area at night.

Prague is a wonderful city and the food and drink are much cheaper if you go just a few blocks from the main tourist sites. Most of the younger Czechs speak English and people are very helpful.
All four of the group leaders were helpful and very well-educated. In Vienna and Budapest, the local guides were knowledgeable and articulate. We had limited time in Vienna and Budapest and it was nice to get on a bus and see the high points without any worries. The food on the Aria was excellent and the staff superb.
I would not hesitate to travel with GCT again.

Traveler: Alison from Oxnard, CA traveled on May 27, 2009

What can I add? The staff and crew of the River Aria were excellent, the food and service as good as expected. This was our 13th trip with GCTOAT, and certainly lived up to our expectations. However, having taken several River Cruises with GCT, we certainly would have preferred traveling more on the Danube rather than spending days in one location; but, I have to acknowledge that the cities were great.

Prague and Budapest, made us appreciate our life in America more as we learned how difficult it was during the Cold War for citizens of those countries. The cities are certainly the standard for protection of what is old and from which we can better understand the excesses of old rulers and the domination of the many by a few in the 20th Century.

We missed the Terror Museum and Statue Park in Budapest, even though we took the extention in Budapest. There was just not enough time, so I guess we will have to return.

One caution to new travelers' is to get the travel insurance since one couple failed to do so and then had an accident that forced them to cut their trip short without a refund and then had to pay the medical costs and the added charges for changing their return flights.

Traveler: Donald & Jean from Douglasville, GA traveled on May 30, 2009

While no trip is ever perfect, I must admit this trip was superb. I travelled to South America with Grand Circle Oct 2008 and really enjoyed that journey as well. All 4 program directors on this journey were well informed, bright, charming, caring and quick thinking. I applaud each of them. For me, the river boat cruise was a first but most definetly not a last. Superb attention to detail by all the crew. Thank you so much for everything!

Tammy, Toronto Canada

Traveler: Tammy from Toronto, Canada traveled on May 27, 2009

We absolutely loved our experience with Grand Circle. We have taken several large ship cruises but enjoyed the small ship experience so much more. Stepping off the ship right into the city was the best. No lines on and off, no crowds on the dock. And plenty of free time to explore.

We will be back for more!

Traveler: Dori from Grass Valley, CA traveled on May 30, 2009

I have been to Prague, Budapest and Vienna previously. So, I was very anxious to share with 16 travelers the surprising beauty and culture. (I am a group leader)
Architecturally everyone was impressed with the beauty of the cities - long standing structures and renovated buildings were all inspiring. I was also impressed with the westernization that has taken place since I last visited 11 years ago!

We arranged for tickets to the opera "La Traviata" in Prague 2 months previously; the state opera house is a marvel. Dinner at the Blue Shoe (at the gate of Charles Bridge - old town) was just as good as it was 11 years ago! Miklos, our tour director gave us enough information to publish a book. Don Giovanni Hotel was inconvenient, but experiencing and learning subways is part of the adventure. Dinner at the hotel the first evening was a disaster - stay away from hotel dinners, get out and experience the cities.

Everyone loved the Kursalon chamber concert in Vienna, a fantastic cultural optional experience. Included with the concert was ballet and opera, and comedy! A beautiful setting with complimentary champagne at intermission. We also bought ahead of time tickets for the Lipizzaners - something everyone should see in Vienna. Miklos joined us for lunch (his recommendation) at Figlmuller's, a restaurant known for wiener schnitzel for over 100 years! WOW.

In Budapest there were complaints about hotel location again, but the hotel offered a wonderful spa and the subway was an adventure. One lady in my group is 91 and uses a walker and she loved the adventure. Unfortunately, Europe is not as handicap accessible as the US. Miklos helped us with reservation at Bel Canto Restaurant for a wonerful meal (leg of goose is fantastic) and a great classical floor show. We also were able to witness a concert at St. Stephan's with the organ, a violin, a trumpet, and a soprano and tenor. For an hour and15 mintues we were able to hear glorious music and observe liesurely the beauty of this cathedral.

Bratislava, Linz, and Melk were new adventures for everyone in the group. GCT did a great job; everything from touring the Melk Abbey to wandering in the market in Linz was fun.

As always, the home hosted events were memorable. What a fantastic way to learn of other cultures, and also to allow these people to learn more about Americans by our visit.

The River Adagio was comfortable, service was great, the spa is a special plus, and the food was outstanding - quality and presentation.

Again, as always, I say the tour directors do so much to make these cruises special. They bend over backwards to accommodate.

I can hardly wait to organize another GCT River Cruise Adventure.

Traveler: Duane from Fort Lauderdale, FL traveled on April 19, 2009

This was our 5th trip with GCT, and we guess our expectations must have been high considering our last rip, April of 2008 on the Rhine & Mosel was outstanding, a really high bar to get over. Three days in Prague at the Don Giovanna was a little much. We did learn how to use the subway, very close to the hotel, thanks to our tour guide Ezster who was outstanding through out the entire trip. Linz, Austria was very interesting and easy to see. Melk and the Abbey were fine, but you do not need to take the optional to see what you may do on your own from the ship for only 10 euro's and stop after and have a glass of wine. Cesky Krumlov was outstanding. Vienna, the town center was quite far from the ship, everything going by bus with very short turnovers. Five hours before departing for Bratislavia they told us how to use the transportation system, a day late and a dollar short. Budapest was one of the most surprising parts of the trip. Overall we were expecting more a had less, and way to many optional tours. To those of you who are interested, take the Rhine & Mosel trip to compare.

Ed

Traveler: Edward from Wilmington, DE traveled on April 19, 2009

Well, we're now over our jet lag. But it was well worth it. The trip, one of several we have taken with GCT was one of the best. The weather in March in central Europe is not great, but most of us seniors don't let little things like wind and cold stand in the way of our enjoying ourselves. The Danube may not be blue, but it is quite enchanting and a remarkable venue, especially since our ship and its crew were great. But most of all, the cities we visited, Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, Linz ,Prague and some of the smaller, very old places proved to be awesome. We just thrived in the enjoyment of each and our only regret is that we made the mistake of not choosing an extended visit in at least one of those locations. We "blew it," but it won't happen again. The program directors all, but especially one went well beyond the call of duty to make our trip wonderful. The one of whom I speak kept in close touch with one of our participants who had to be hospitalized in Vienna for 3 days. She kept the lines of translatable communication open, supported a near-distraught wife and maintained the rest of the group for the remainder of the trip. Our hats off to GCT.

Traveler: Alexander from Philadelphia, PA traveled on March 16, 2009

I just finished reading the many reviews and couldn't agree more with the excellence of this trip. So, here's a different perspective:

My experience started with lost luggage. The Program Director got on it right away, helped me fill out the paperwork, contined calling the airport, and my luggage was in my cabin later that night.

It was cold (March, first trip of the season and we even had snow) so, if you travel then, be prepared. We layered. When we traveled by bus (coach), air was always circulated, seats were comfortable, driver was professional and safe, and the onboard commentary was excellent. AND, folks weren't married to the same seat the whole trip. We all took turns sitting in different places.

Learning to navigate the Metro was just another interesting experience. Don't expect to hear any English, get help before taking off on your own. The Program Directors will write all the important stuff down for you. Those words have few vowels, so a street or metro stop, get written down, or at least memorize the first letter or you may never be seen again.

Money - you can easily exchange on the ship. Or, your director will point out good places as you walk around. 4 countries, many different coins - kinda tricky. But, most are going to the Euro by 2010

Be prepared to walk - the pace is comfortable and there are many pottie stops, so don't worry about that. Just know that you will be walking and standing a lot.
There is an ample amount of time to wander off on your own to shop or see other things. The tours were nicely spread out and I never felt rushed nor was I bored stiff.

The national sport of Prague is pick pocketing. Those weasels lurk in the Metro and heavily touristed places and can unzip your jacket, reach into the inside, zipped pocket, remove your money and credit cards, zip everything back up and you don't know it's happening. Leave your money and passport in the room or ship safe. Take a copy of it instead, just one credit card, and very little money. Gals - tuck it into your bra. Guys, in your socks. Those things around your neck, they work fine, but hide the string under your shirt so they can't see it, or it's grabbed and pulled over your head.

And lastly - a gift for the grandkids, etc. Here's what I do. I always search out a bookstore. I buy a children's book in the language of the country. In Slovakia I found, "Winnie the Pooh". I bought it for my 7 year old niece. On the inside I always date and write a little something about the city where I bought the book. She now has books, all different age levels, from many different countries.

Have a good trip.

Traveler: Karen from Coronado, CA traveled on March 16, 2009