CPT Trips

I believe the response is “all the wood that a woodchuck could chuck.”

@notamermaid Chuck has many meanings/usages in American English. Much like a four letter word that rhymes with it. In addition to the Charles Shaw wine “two buck chuck,” there is “throw it away/trash it” chuck, the “throw it ball to me” chuck, in the plural there is the basketball footwear “Chucks,” the “part of the drill which holds the bit” chuck, the “cheap cut of meat” chuck, and the “result of mal de mer” up chuck.

If I’m reading OP correctly, the group knows, at least in general terms, where they want to go. That is, what towns their relatives reside in. What they need is professional advice on what hotels they stay in and assistance getting reservations there. They also need someone to provide the same kind of assistance with transportation with in Germany. Probably not the kind of thing a German tourism office would put together. But a full service travel agency that specializes in independent tours certainly should be able to do this. I recall seeing listings of the “top” TAs in travel magazines such as “Travel and Leisure”. The issue is that even if someone reading this thread knows of an appropriate TA, mentioning specific TAs is taboo here.

Thanks for the info on the tour provider, very tempting. You, and anyone visiting Estonia, might be interested in a documentary about Estonians fight for freedom from the Soviets, “The Singing Revolution.” We found it available on Kanopy, a streaming service offered by many library systems.

I went to the site linked from Mr.Google when I searched Nobel Caledonia. As I see from HJB’s reply this was the UK site. @Host JazzbeauMany thanks. The exchange rate is quite favorable, so paying with Costco is a good deal. Now to read your review/blog . . .

@Host Jazzbeau some logistic questions came to mind when I looked at the travel company website. I haven’t read your detailed posts yet. Did you book directly with them or use a TA? Their on-line published fares are in £, how was your booking handled? I noticed that the published fare includes air. I assume that isn’t the case from the “colonies,” or is it.

Recently someone posted about a new itinerary for Christmas market that is centered towards Belgium markets. I’d certainly want to try that. Danube or Rhein? After doing both, I would need to flip a coin to decide on which to do again. We totally enjoyed each of those itineraries with their mix of big cities and smaller towns.

Thanks for providing an answer that provides some plausible explanation for the airline’s policy. 👍 Much more helpful than the preceding snark.🙄

Certainly a factor as one considers. Sometimes the schedule and itinerary make choosing an “and” rather than an “or.” Return to the ship in time to make the p.m. tour or possibly meet up with the group in town.

Hungry? Try this http://www.znakpitanja.rs The oldest restaurant in Belgrade.

When you are docked for an entire day, consider skipping lunch on the ship. Just stay in town, grab a quick bite, and roam. Just let the proper person know that you won’t be going back for lunch and if there is a shuttle for the ship find out where it will be and the time(s).

Another coach trip . . . from Koblenz. A lap around the Nordschleife as a passenger means I’ll need some Bonine on that river cruise. 🤮

Just use the seatbelt if the CD introduces the driver as Nico. Checked my Magic Eight Ball, “signs point to yes.”

GCT/OAT trip leaders contact “Inner Circle/Sir Edmund Hillary” members a week or so before a trip. It’s a really great benefit, particularly if you do advance research as so many on here do. That provides a great opportunity to give them a head’s up about places or the sort of place that I’d like to visit. Often they also provide information of spots to visit in other stops for consideration.

I ditched an optional excursion to Heidelberg (been there, dome that) in order to visit the technical museum in Speyer. If the ship is moving during the excursion, I wouldn’t chance it, but if not it’s something to think about. It’s an easy walk . . . And, you’ll walk right by a very nice Biergarten. @notamermaid I understand that the Sinsheim museum focuses more on autosports. Speyer is big on motorcycles and has several ships. As I noted, Speyer is walkable, while Sinsheim requires a coach. Perhaps you can arrange for the coach to lap Hochenheimrimg on the way. When are “we” going? Aerial views follow: Sinsheim Speyer

@notamermaid Are the Sinsheim and Speyer Technical museums on your itinerary?

The train enthusiasts here might want to head to Bremen or Bremerhaven for a new style zero carbon, non-electric train ride. It’s certainly an underused power source. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/8/24/germany-inaugurates-worlds-first-hydrogen-powered-train-fleet

There are several reasons that Frankfurt is referred to as Mainhatten, some good, some not.

I was surprised to read this. During our 2016 visit, each of us was given a rose to put on a headstone. We wandered amongst the graves for quite a while getting inspiration on who to honor. One member of our tour was a DDay veteran. He went off in a golf cart driven by the Superintendent with a bouquet for what he called his second longest day even though it was not much more than an hour.

Do you agree with the consequences?

Antwerp is an interesting city. The Grote Markt, pedestrian tunnel, Red Star Line Museum, and the MAS will definitely keep you occupied. Just remember, there’s a drought!

Perhaps they consulted doctored weather maps. 🤦🏻‍♂️

Weather forecast gone wrong. https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/heads-hungary-weather-service-fired-wrong-forecast-88730687

As my granddaughters tell me,”Grandpop, you’re so old, but funny.”

Somewhere on this board I posted instructions on how to post a photo . . . Anyone remember where?