This will be an interesting 3 weeks as we have never been to any of the cities on our itinerary. Our United flight is at 2:30 PM arriving at 4:16 and connecting to the Frankfurt departure that leaves at 5:15 PM. Upon arrival in Frankfurt we have 3 hours to clear customs then board our Malev Airlines non-stop to Budapest.
The Dulles to Frankfurt flight was upgraded with system wides and the other flights are all coach, but short in duration. Our first hotel is the Hilton Budapest Westend for 4 nights on an award. We have very little planned on this trip and will just wing it as we go, getting help from local waiters and shopkeepers on the sights to see.
Our next stop is Prague for 5 nights at the Crowne Plaza Prague on the outstanding Priority Club PointsBreak redemption. It is really like getting five nights for the price of one at $5,000 per night. Although we may have booked an extra day or two in Prague we have no problems getting on a train to visit an outlying village of interest for a day and returning the same way in the evening. Several readers have suggested Cesky Krumlov for that type of trip and we will make that journey one of our days based in Prague.
It looks like Berlin is next with 5 nights at the Hilton Berlin, again on points. I’ve heard nothing but good things about the city and we are really interested in a history lesson here.
Then off to Warsaw for one day, on our way to Krakow for four nights at the Holiday Inn City Center. I have preconceived notions at all about this trip and am looking forward only to friendly people and great food.
We end up in Frankfurt for two days (one full day on the ground) before heading back to South Carolina and the stifling heat.
I paid a few bucks for the Holiday Inn points with cash and points redemptions, but otherwise this is another freebie. The United flight is from vouchers and the American Airlines Partner awards for inter Europe flights. I did buy one $80 ticket from Krakow to Frankfurt, but think I can handle that outlay.
Pictures will be on the way. Remember that you to can be doing these things! The goal of this blog is to show you that: You can see the world at prices we all can afford.
I’ll lead the way, and hope you are right behind me.
