europe Archives - Distracted Birder

A Budapest Highlight: Faust Wine Cellar

distractedbirder — Mon, 11 Dec 2023 01:40:57 +0000

If you enjoy wine, this atmospheric local shop provides a curated tasting of five wines from local Hungarian vineyards. The Wine Cellar Over on the other side of the river, in Buda, sits the Buda Castle. And also…. a Hilton hotel. But it’s an old building, with old traditional cellars. And in this Hilton, you’ll find the Faust Wine Cellar. It’s not a Hilton venture. It is a local business, operated by a local man who has operated this shop for many years. Although I accessed the store after entering a Hilton, the entrance (an old stairwell) was really atmospheric and felt completely authentic. (And by that, I don’t mean “non-touristy” but rather that it was an existing structure that wasn’t created to give an artificial, created atmosphere.) There is technically an entrance/exit on the back side of the Hilton property – I don’t think this it would be as easy to find this entrance for a newcomer, but the view from this side of the building is impressive! The Experience Our tasting included five local wines, along with information about each. There were only four tables, and the setting was dark and candlelit, which might seem a little moody for midday but I think we’re just embracing the cellar vibe here. The host moved to each table providing information about each bottle, rather than speaking to the entire group at any time. He moved table to table, allowing each table to enjoy their wine and conversation between his visits. We also had the option to add some quality chocolates to the tasting, which I couldn’t turn down. There were suggestions for a chocolate to complement each wine. Or just be like me and eat chocolates almost indiscriminately. I promise I tried to stick with the pairings, but I think they were supposed to be for two people, so… I had plenty of chocolates to enjoy with my wines. TL; DR: Is It Worth It? This is a quick recommendation rather than a thorough review of the selected wines. Why? Because I am not terribly educated about wine, nor do I have a discriminating palate. Well, not entirely. I hate super oaky or very dry wines. Luckily, this only seems to affect my appreciation of California wines. Sorry, California. So these wines were really nice. Not a lot of oak, none too dry. I even chose to buy bottles, one red and one white, to bring back home as gifts. The shop is genuinely a cellar, down a stone staircase with stone walls. You sample the wines by candlelight. Budapest is full of these repurposed old spaces, like the famous ruin bars, and it provides a fun atmosphere for the experience. It was memorable and felt unique, but it was in no way pretentious. I’m a big fan of that. Speaking of “not pretentious”, the cost was 7,900 Hungarian florint when I went in 2022. That’s less than $25 USD (before adding my chocolates and eventual wine bottles). Also, the host was very nice and knowledgeable. And he seemed to really love the products and take pride in their quality. If I were in Budapest again and actually with someone who likes wine, I’d drag them here. It’s in a great area worth seeing and the venue and products are worth the time/cost. If you are the type of traveler who enjoys their wine or just trying local products, this is something you should try. At the price I paid, it was a steal and a worthwhile use of only a couple hours. Planning Tips Seatings are very limited. They only have 4 tables for tastings, each with room for up to four people. If you’re a smaller party, you still get the table for your party. I was a party of one, but I wasn’t seated with strangers unless I agreed to it*. It’s a good idea to book ahead, especially if your visit will be during high season. I booked about a week ahead, but one time (of only two seatings that day) was already booked. Typical tastings are either at 2p or 5p, but they can cater to your tastes. I arranged my reservation via email (faustwinecellar@gmail.com) and found it to be easy enough. They responded promptly to my requests. I did this wine tasting during my tour of Central Europe with Intrepid Travel, because there was lots of free time to arrange my own activities away from the tour group. *Someone showed up without a reservation and no tables were free. I was able to allow the person to join me, but there was no pressure from the owner to do so. (Having wine with someone did result in better conversation than I’d have had alone, anyway.)

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Small Group Travel: Choosing to Be Intrepid

distractedbirder — Sun, 10 Jul 2022 21:40:29 +0000

Recently, I chose to do a small group tour with one of the biggest providers out there – Intrepid Travel. Why? I’ll explain my decision points below. (To spoil the ending, yes, I’d totally recommend this company, although there are things to keep in mind.) — Considering Small Group Travel? Do you ever get tired of putting so much effort into logistics when you really just want to explore new places? I was there. I wanted to travel, but without quite so much thinking. Luckily, small group tours can make that happen. I’d always thought a group tour would be a good option for central Europe. The currency changes in most countries, as many European Union nations haven’t been able to switch to the euro. The language changes in each new country as well. And although trains are easily accessible throughout most of the region, sticking to trains would mean almost all my (limited) time would be in cities. Note: I’ve always wanted to visit Auschwitz. This historic site (near Krakow) makes the most sense when incorporated into larger trip covering eastern Europe, or at least Poland/Germany, because it isn’t easily accessible from a major international airport. So for me, Krakow definitely would be one destination. Now, I’m not saying that big bus companies can’t be fun for some, but they’re not an option for me. I don’t like crowds, even on my best days. And usually, to cater to typical interests and reduce confusion, there are many planned activities with little flexibility. This doesn’t fit my travel interests, so I kept my focus on small group tour companies like Intrepid and G Adventures. Choose Your Own Adventure (Company) First of all, Intrepid Travel and G Adventures aren’t the only two in the game. They’re just probably the biggest, offering great itineraries globally. There are other companies with fewer options or with more specific niches that might be well worth looking into. This includes some luxury lines. And those are neat and all, but I am not their target customer. There are certainly other small group tours out there for specific geographic areas and interests. For example, I do use a birding company for tours to see birds and even general wildlife, but I wouldn’t go that route if general/cultural tourism was my interest. And while Intrepid does offer foodie itineraries, there are definitely other options for exploring food, wine, and cooking. Always check out your options and definitely don’t assume that a company that is best for one trip is best for ALL trips. No single operator is going to be the best at all the things. If you need specialists, don’t go with generalists. And vice versa. It is always a good idea to evaluate your options, period. But the reason these two companies are a great place to start is that they have loads of options – from general exploration to niche adventure sports, from backpacking budgets to luxury accommodations. It can almost be overwhelming if you’re not sure what you want. But if you have a destination or activity in mind, the varied itineraries provided by these companies can be a tremendous asset in identifying your perfect adventure. Plus many of the itineraries incorporate flexibility and free time, allowing your to make your tour as generalized or specialized as you like. Why I chose intrepid This is quite the rabbit hole: the G vs. Intrepid debate. Some basic knowledge that isn’t terribly helpful in any way: G is based in Canada; Intrepid is from Australia. Their prices are comparable, with G probably winning that battle more times than not (but barely). Both have small groups, but Intrepid’s tend to be smaller. Each company offers different styles of tours – different budgets, activity types, demographic targets. Both try to use local guides with few exceptions. Note: “local” is usually defined by the general region. With multi-country itineraries, you don’t switch guides at every border (although you might if your tours are actually multiple itineraries scheduled back-to back. Basically just a reminder to be reasonable, folks! With each company, there might be cruises, treks, or other adventures… but there are also family options, food tours, or typical city-based tours (which was my choice this time). In many ways, they seem so very similar. Honestly, most of the podcasts I’d heard discuss group travel seemed to lean toward G – but then, most of my podcasts might have been based in North America and could just reflect a geographic bias. So I read plenty of blogs and reviews of both companies before deciding which company to use. Cost and Comfort Each company offers various price levels based on the “comfort” of the tour. As comfort goes up, so does the price. The lodging might change from tents or hostels to nicer hotels. The transport might change from local buses to private shuttles or trains. You might have a basic tour with only a few breakfasts included or a premium tour with many of the meals pre-booked. Costs are overall fairly comparable for these companies, so it’s hard to say one is distinctly a “winner” in this comparison. G Adventures might tend to be slightly more affordable, but it’s so close as to be negligible. And in some cases, Intrepid does seem to be the better deal. If the price is very similar, though, the more important thing to consider might be… actual comfort. The general feedback seems to be that both companies tend toward using local businesses for lodging, which is great for having a positive impact during travel. Unfortunately, the reviews indicated that G might use overall cheaper options and favor hostels while Intrepid provides a bit higher quality lodging. This is keeping in mind that a basic tour will have basic lodging with either company, meaning both certainly do use tents/hostels when the itinerary specifies it. The Single Supplement Ugh. The dreaded single supplement. The loathed 100% surcharge for… not having a life partner (at least, one who likes to travel)? or not having friends with enough time/money to joing you? or… I dunno, just daring to want to enjoy life by yourself? Whatever the reason, some of us travel alone. And often, we expect to see our price go up as a result. It’s just the result of most prices (especially lodging) being based on double occupancy. We all know that’s how it works. But luckily neither of these companies is quite so draconian in their pricing schemes. THANK YOU to them, for being reasonable. Basically, they’ll put you in a room with someone of your same gender if you’re traveling solo. And if there’s not another traveler to pair you with, then you just get your own room! (This is assuming an itinerary that doesn’t heavily rely on hostels or dorm-style accommodations.) If you want a guaranteed private room, each itinerary varies in terms of the cost but it is generally not remotely 100%. You’ll want to ask early for a single setup, and there will be a specified supplement for the request. Availability will vary and there might be some exclusions. Also, cruises are probably grossly different… because they’re cruises. Ships almost always charge double, or nearly that, for the loss of that second berth. Itinerary Options These are very, very comparable for both companies. It’s just a matter of whether your interest is specific and the dates/cost of the options provided. I looked at both, and for my very specific interest in Central Europe, Intrepid was the clear winner (for me): I will admit that, overall, the itineraries I considered were very similar. They diverge in that (1) G uses more trains for faster transit, but loses some of the less traveled destinations in the process, and (2) G adds a couple days in Berlin. For some, this faster travel might be a point in G’s favor. And travel with G would have given me a “new country” with Germany. On the other hand, Intrepid took me to the Owl Mountains (Gory Sowie) in Poland and also to the High Tatras in Slovakia. These stops were the primary reason I preferred Intrepid’s itinerary over G Adventures. It is just much more likely that I’ll visit Germany on my own someday, or as part of another trip, whereas Slovakia is a bit more unique as a destination. This is just an example that is very specific to me, but the principle holds true for most trips you’d consider with these companies. It is very likely they will offer very similar options/destinations. You might pick a tour based solely on the itinerary, but you could end up choosing the company knowing that either will provide a great tour option for you. The Group Leader You’re gonna get a group leader. Someone who knows every area you’re going to. Someone to give you recommendations for activities and restaurants. Someone to try to keep the group dynamic positive and happy. Someone to provide a walking tour (or similar) of each new destination, so you can get your bearings. Someone to help with any transitions – like figuring out where to get some local currency or buy some toothpaste. The group leader isn’t there all the time, but is full of knowledge and always available to help when you need it. This is the same for both companies. Both try to provide a leader with local knowledge – someone from the general area (which might be a region, rather than a specific country). Although reviews of both companies were generally good (and there are absolutely people who recommend and have had great experiences with both companies), the most negative reviews I read about G Adventures were related to very bad experiences with the group leaders. Reviews seemed to reflect more consistency and overall positive experiences with Intrepid. The Smallness of the Small Group And, for me, the most important factor – the actual group you will be spending your hard-earned vacation time with! On the G site, I saw that the maximum group size was 16. For Intrepid, the maximum group size was 12. This is specific to my tour, of course. Some change depending on the adventure type and comfort level of the tour. But on the whole, this remains true: The Intrepid Adventures group size tends to be smaller than G Adventures. And this is honestly the primary factor in my choice of Intrepid over G Adventures. For me, because I’m like this, group size is the deal-breaker. And Intrepid has a smaller group size. Period. Game Over. A Conscious Bias I’ll admit one thing. I’m kinda old. Maybe not “old” in a practical sense, but old in the realm of travel media. Meaning, I do not aspire to being a “nomadic” anything. I do not refer to any of my travels as “backpacking” unless mountains and tents are involved. And lodging (aside from tents) that don’t have private baths are not really a consideration for me. My budget is firmly in the ballpark of “moderate”, with some things being thrifty and some things being splurges. I don’t do group lodging because my interests align more with sleeping than with socializing. I do not explore the local clubs/music scene/bars. I go to bed by 10pm. I go birding. I explore before 7am specifically to see cities without crowds of people. Why do I emphasize all this stuff that makes me seem really antisocial and not fun at all? Well, because I might have the impression that the average customer with G Adventures skews a bit younger. That they might market to a demographic that does not include me. That despite their diversity in itineraries, they’re still primarily geared toward a group of people exploring during a “gap” year… and that person is not me. And, that is probably a false narrative, at least for many G Adventures trips. So don’t be like me. Keep an open mind and give operators a fair shake, based on the...

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2021 Vaccinated Vacation Adventures

distractedbirder — Sun, 21 Nov 2021 20:33:41 +0000

It turns out that 2021 was, indeed, better than 2020 in many ways. Granted, the endless working from home and refrigerator access probably hasn’t helped the fit of my wardrobe. Bummer. But in terms of travel, the outlook has become markedly more positive. For those of us lucky to have it, access to the vaccine has definitely opened up more vacation options! The year started with the certainty of… well, uncertainty. But a willingness to be adaptable led to a couple opportunities I wouldn’t have predicted in January. — Sadly, I’ve written exactly zero blog posts in recent months, which means I’ve written nothing about the international trips I was lucky to experience in 2021. I definitely should write about them, and I sure hope to do that (and spend more time on this blog in general). But the highlights: The Galapagos In August, I joined a 7-night cruise with Quasar Expeditions on their Evolution yacht. I don’t mean to toot my own horn here, but this was an awesome decision. This company, their boat, and the destination are just flippin’ awesome. This was a live-aboard experience, which definitely is not as affordable as the land-based options in the Galapagos. But 2021 was a time for amazing deals for those willing to pounce on them, so I took the opportunity to fulfill one of my bucket list dreams. And pay less, while the discount was available. Birdy Note: This was a birding tour for me in that I focused on seeing new birds, but it was also a standard tour offered by a non-birding company. There are TONS of wildlife encounters on any Quasar offering, but the focus is not birding or maximizing species. This is not the way to see all/most of the endemic birds of these fascinating islands – unless you do the full 14-night option. (That didn’t really fit into my budget OR leave balance, though!) For birders, I’d suggest that you must either accept fewer birds or go with an actual birding company. Colombia Ok, this is vacation cheating. This was actually just a little extension of my Galapagos vacation, an extra two days to do a little bit of birding around the capital city. I think I ended up seeing a few dozen new birds (although one ebird list seems to have been overlooked, unfortunately). Colombia is one of the birdiest of bird destinations, so two days in the capital city isn’t remotely scratching the surface. I’ll be happy to get back here for better birding someday. But I did see a fantastic rail and two amazing hummingbird gardens, which was great fun. Hummingbirds are also a wonderful test of high-speed photography skills. I learned that I have none. Glacier and Waterton Lakes National Parks Amazing trails, fall colors, and multiple covid tests. Plus grizzly bears! This was my first time in Montana AND the country of Canada, which had only allowed Americans for about a month when we arrived. This international peace park is worth a spot on anyone’s destination list, but I am grateful that we specifically scheduled our family vacation for the shoulder season. Our adventure here taught us that we do, in fact, love Canada and will certainly be returning to Alberta someday soon. Barcelona Birthday Hey there, Spain! It’s been a minute (or two decades). I only visited Madrid and Toledo during my first (high school) trip to Spain, and I remember little of that pre-planned big bus tour. I’d wanted to visit this particular destination city for a couple years. When notified of some heavily discounted fares to Barcelona, which generally experiences tolerable temperatures in November, I decided it must be a sign. I needed to celebrate my birthday in Barcelona! This was four days packed with Gaudí, food tours, and walking too dang much. I did kinda exhaust myself. But… I visited Girona, explored the Gothic Quarter, and ate the best croquettes Barcelona has to offer. Yum. More to Come… I’m excited to get back to my photographs and writing here, and I hope to publish more in the coming weeks. Every trip deserves some attention, and I do love how writing about adventures allows more time for reflection and enjoying the memories. Honestly, I wish it didn’t take me so very long to curate photographs. I am tortoise-like in many ways, including my neck-breaking speed. But I’ll plod along. Glad to have you along on the (very slow) journey!

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