which tour?

To be honest, I am not too knowledgeable about Eastern Europe. But since this is going to be one long trip, I am going to be adventurous and attempt to explore eastwardly! I am sure the fusion of past and present in those countries will be prove to be an amazing experience. However, I'm kinda queasy about venturing out "east" by myself so today I've been looking into tours from Contiki and Trafalgar (not much to do at work today :p). Now I am stuck on which of the tours to choose from.

1. Trafalgar

Exotic Europe - 10 day tour

Munich -> Nuremberg -> Prague -> Bratislava -> Budapest -> Gyor -> Vienna ->Danube Valley -> Melk -> Salzburg

Dates:
Fri, 7 September 2007 - Sun, 16 September 2007 (guaranteed departure)
Fri, 14 September 2007 - Sun, 23 September 2007
Fri, 21 September 2007 - Sun, 30 September 2007
Fri, 28 September 2007 - Sun, 7 October 2007 (guaranteed departure)
Fri, 5 October 2007 - Sun, 14 October 2007
Fri, 12 October 2007 - Sun, 21 October 2007

I like this tour because I will get to visit "The Sound of Music" locations (!!) and Mozart's birthplace in Salzburg. Included in the tour is also an evening cruises on the Danube! Generally Trafalgar is more expensive (from A$2199) and has older tour members (as Jeff puts it nicely in the email today: "although u wil probably be younger than their grandchildren!!"), but I guess staying at much nicer hotels really seals the deal for me..hehe.

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2. Contiki

Berlin to Budapest - 11 day tour

Berlin -> Prague -> Vienna -> Budapest

Dates:
Sep. 1 - Sep. 11 (Guaranteed Departure)
Sep. 15 - Sep. 25 (Guaranteed Departure)
Oct. 20 - Oct. 30
Oct. 27 - Nov. 6

Contiki is relatively cheaper than Trafalgar ($1459!!) and included is a Mozart and Strauss concert in the Schönbrunn Palace. However, being a Contiki (drinking) tour, I'm not sure how much sight-seeing will actually be done.

At the moment, I am leaning more towards Trafalgar...must call them up tomorrow to ask for more info.

Oh and of course, my 2 finds of the day!

Metéora

Wiki: Meteora means "suspended rocks", "suspended in the air" or "in the heavens above". It is one of the largest and most important complex of monasteries in Greece.


It is pretty amazing...just need to figure out a way to get there!


http://www.meteora-greece.com/howtocome.htm





La Tomatina!!!

Food fight with my all time favourite vege/fruit!

Wiki: La Tomatina is a food fight festival held on a Wednesday towards the end of August in the town of Buñol in the Valencia region in Spain....Once it begins, the battle is generally every man for himself. Those who partake in this event are strongly encouraged to wear protective safety goggles and gloves. In addition, they must squish the tomatoes before throwing for safety precautions.

Found out it is actually going to be on the 22nd of August this year. I'm not sure if I can make it there at that time...coz Spain has been planned for the later months of my trip.