The Group

• We enjoy small group travel. This is only our second group tour and we loved it. The small group is important to us - 30 people is perfect, especially for being together for a week. 

• Ages ranged from approximately early 20's to 70's. All walks of life - many retired or near retirement but also many still working. 

• The morning of our last day in Prague we played a version of a name game. This was excellently timed and not stressful or weird. We had to arrange ourselves in a line alphabetically based on first names. Everyone naturally went where they think their place in line is (front, middle, back) and then you do the "oh let's see, so I'm Ben, so I am after... then someone says I'm Charlie so you are before me". Then we formed a circle and everyone said their own name one person at a time. After doing that twice, Katka encouraged everyone to say their names with them. It worked really well! She asked for two brave people to go through the names on their own and they were rewarded with a drink that evening. We loved it and didn't get the sense that it made anyone uncomfortable. 

 

The Hotels

• ​Caveat - We often travel with our dogs, so we typically stay in low budget chain hotels. While we have a great appreciation for luxury, we'd rather spend our money doing a fun activity.

• The rooms were very comfortable and well appointed. The hotels had great lobby space and clean dining areas. 

• Our room in Prague was on the top floor. It had a lot of character, but only a small window. The room did get too warm for Ben (shocker) but there was a fan that we used. Seems like the rooms are all completely different - one couple had a balcony and another shared they only had windows to the hallway. 

• The room in Budapest was larger, but they looked directly into rooms across the courtyard. 

• The locations were very safe and so convenient to public transportation.

• Bathrooms were very roomy at both hotels and plenty of space for luggage and to unpack. 

• Hotels were: Hotel Leonardo Praha (Prague) & K+K Hotel Opera (Budapest)

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The Food

• Caveat - Anne is a foodie and will try and most likely enjoy anything. Ben enjoys good food, as long as it is some kind of meat and potatoes. 

• The lunch we made at the cooking class was fantastic. The rest of the dinners were fine to good, but not earth shattering. 

• The breakfast at the hotels were wonderful. Lots of options including many fresh vegetables and great breads. We took advantage of the assortment to sneak a few items for snacks later in the day. 

• We really enjoyed all of the food at the Great Market Hall. 

• There was a small addiction to cake - some of it was awesome, some looked way better than it was. 

• Groups meals were at: Prague: Malostranska Beseda, Strahov Monastery Brewery & Národní kavárna      Budapest: Gerloczy Cafe, ChefParade, & VakVarjú Restaurant  

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Inside Scoop

• Caveat - These are the little things that make a Rick Steves Tour a Rick Steves Tour. Each guide probably has their own take on surprises for the group, but they all make the trip a little extra special. Read only if you don't want to be surprised!

• Day 1: The Prague Castle Orchestra played a few songs for us after our dinner. That is the same band they feature in the TV show :) 

• Day 3: At a quick coffee break we were able to indulge in some plum brandy 

• Day 4: Katka disappeared for a portion of our walking tour with Jana and we found her in a lovely park with a huge box of sandwiches and pastries for a mid-morning snack

• Day 6: As a special treat, were gifted the cooking schools cookbook that included all of the dishes we made that day

• Day 7AM : We had a very decadent dessert in the main dining room at the famous Gundel Restaurant

• Day 7PM: Katka had translated our names to their Czech version (if applicable) and gifted us with a Mucha coaster 

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