Want a Danube cruise w/ land tour via Karlovy Vary

[515kitty]

I know Ama waterways does Karlovy Vary on the land from Prague to Nuemberger. Was wondering if there are any other companies that might also do the transfer via Karlovy Vary. Trying to decide and have called different companies but not all know if they route that way. Need a comparison. If not than will have to do it on our own but would rather not.

[Wingtips56]

We did the Ama trip late last October, in the direction of Budapest-Nürnberg to Prague, and the stop in Karlovy Vary was very nice. We could have used more time, but it was a long transit day as it was. There was time to see the town, check the lobby of the Grand Hotel Pupp, test how hot the spring water was in the center and have lunch at one of the sidewalk cafés.... huddled by a heater. (We departed Prague 3 days later in a snowstorm.) It has a great European Spa flavor to the city, dripping in diamonds and très chic!

 

It was the peak of fall color in the hills around town (in fact the entire way from Budapest to Prague), and just gorgeous. Relatively uncrowded due to the season. However gardens full of flowers in summer would have been great too.

 

On our bus, our group leader popped in the DVD of Queen Latifah's movie, "Last Holiday" (2006 remake), which was partially set in Karlovy Vary and in the Grand Hotel Pupp, so we had a flavor of it just before we arrived.

 

It was all included in the Ama package: hotel, tours and all in Prague and the door-to-door transfer from the ship. Highly recommended. FYI: normally Ama uses the Intercontinental, but it was undergoing some renovations which Ama thought would be unpleasant for us, so we went to the Hilton Old Town instead. Quite acceptable substitution, though mostly for the location. It's technically not inside the Old Town of Prague itself, but just a couple of blocks on foot. Their choice of the Sofitel in Budapest was outstanding.

 

So if not Ama, do look for another line that includes Karlovy Vary ... you won't be disappointed.

[515kitty]

That is why we want to return to Karlovy Vary. We did a land tour of Eastern Europe in 1998 where we were in Prague and did aside trip to Karlovy Vary because I was following some family history and wanted to go to the Moser glass factory. We had a private driver and so enjoyed it that always said we would return. Now might be the chance as I was looking for a river cruise and was focusing on Ama I also heard they did a great job when it comes to wines. Were there any negatives. They also seem to be somewhat more than viking and others I have checked any tips there? Thanks

[Andromeda93]

Another option you could consider (if you want to use AMA but they do not pass through Karlovy Vary on the way to Prague) is to go with a guide down to KV as a day trip or overnight from Prague. We ran out of time to do this on our BUD-PRG cruise with AMA, but next time we are in Prague we will go there.

 

Our group of 4 stayed in Regensburg at the end of the AMA cruise (because the AMA post-cruise land extension only included a couple of hours there, and we wanted more time). We then took the train on our own to Prague and stayed there several nights. On two days we hired a private guide to show us around Prague, which was (a) affordable and (b) TOTALLY worth it at almost any cost. He was wonderful - a Prague native and trained guide who also taught English there. It was a bit tiring to tour two full days in a row, but our time was limited and the guide really helped us get the most from our stay.

 

This guide mentioned in passing that he was taking a group of 60 the next week to Karlovy Vary, and said he often guides couples and other smaller groups there using Prague as a base. You could probably find someone to guide you to KV and to some wineries. Just an idea you could research in the TripAdvisor or CC Prague or KV forums.

 

BTW I second Wingtips56's recommendation of the Sofitel in Budapest; we stayed there on our own before joining the AMA cruise. Nice modern hotel, right near the Chain Bridge and walking distance to lots of great sights. Good luck with your planning!

[newfirsttimer]

We did AMA from Prague to Nuremberg and they did not stop in Karlovy Vary. We were told they only stopped when they went from Nuremberg to Prague. They stopped at a McDonalds enroute to Nuremberg for a rest break.

[Peacemkr59]

We did AMA from Prague to Nuremberg and they did not stop in Karlovy Vary. We were told they only stopped when they went from Nuremberg to Prague. They stopped at a McDonalds enroute to Nuremberg for a rest break.

 

We did AMA from Prague to Budapest and our transfer from Prague to Nuremberg included Karlovy Vary and a stop at McDonald's. :) This was in the summer of 2011!!