Our August trip, all changed!

[WillTravel]

I posted a while back about our fabulous deal on tickets to Bucharest, with a stopover in Amsterdam ($280 CAD total for each ticket). This is for my 16-year-old daughter and me.

The problem was figuring out what else to do on our trip. I had a plan that involved flights to Cologne from Bucharest, then train travel across Germany and Denmark, before flying back to Bucharest from Cologne.

But then the Deutsche Bahn rail workers decided to threaten a strike, and that did not seem like such a great plan anymore (like I posted on another thread). I know they might change their minds still, and it might be a limited strike, but the uncertainty was difficult.

So luckily, I hadn't purchased the Germany-Denmark railpass, so we decided to go to London instead, and luckily there were still cheap tickets for us, even at this very late date. I can't believe we were able to get 1 pound + tax tickets for mid-August, but we were, even if the taxes are high.

Now I've changed the itinerary for the final time (I hope), and here it is:

8/10 - Fly from Vancouver to Amsterdam (KLM)
8/11-14 - Best Western Eden, 79 Euros per night- this is a really nicely located hotel. I've stayed here before.
8/14 - Fly from Amsterdam to Bucharest (KLM)
8/14-15 Intercontinental Bucharest - $50 USD per night (a very special deal)
8/15 - Fly to Cologne on Blue Air (Romanian budget carrier)
8/15-16 - stay in Cologne (free stay at Four Points with Starwood points - perfectly located by the train station)
8/16 - fly to London on EasyJet
8/16-22 - Stay at the London School of Economics High Holborn Hall, 49 Euros for a twin room with breakfast. I like Priceline but their prices have gone up, and this is a really good deal at a great location for LSE.
8/22 - Fly to Cologne on Germanwings
8/22-24 - stay in Cologne (probably the same hotel as earlier this year, so about 70 Euros per night)
8/24 - fly to Bucharest on Blue Air
8/24-26 Intercontinental Bucharest, again at $50 USD
8/26 - Fly from Bucharest to Amsterdam to Seattle to Vancouver!

So more flights than I would have liked, but I'm really looking forward to all of these places, even if I have been to three out of four, because I know there is still a ton for me to see and do in all of them.

Given how much I love to plan, plan, plan (and I know my posts have this bias), it was quite shocking for me to make these last-minute changes, but it's all for the best, I think.

Usually I prepay for a lot more than I did in this case, and in this case it worked to my advantage that I was able to cancel stuff without penalty.

[herrbert]

just one question WT, maybe I am stupid, but why go all the way to Bucharest to end up only 300 km's from Amsterdam (Cologne) one day later? Isn't it easier to make the 3 hour trainride to Cologne (or if they have the strike a trainride to either Maastricht or Venlo, and continue by bus to Cologne)

[WillTravel]

That's the way the ticket is, and we're not allowed to change it. If we skip a leg, the ticket is invalidated. But as it was a mistake fare price, I can't complain. It is a bit awkward to fit those nested trips in, but it just worked out easiest once I had to work with the flight I had.

[herrbert]

Friendly people the Dutch (KLM) ...

[WillTravel]

Some people have reported success changing the ticket at AMS airport, in person, but results are unpredictable (might be possible or not, might be a change fee or not, etc.). So since I have it all worked out now anyway, I doubt I will try.

[madamtrashheap]

WT, shame about the changes, but you'll enjoy Bucharest - lots to see in the city itself and some interesting (if not disturbing) history. Let me know if you want some info, even for just a day of sightseeing.

The accommodation you have in London is a great location - and I think MuvverRussia studies there (check with him - if it's not there it's in the vicinity).

Have fun - looking forward to reading this trip's reports!

[WillTravel]

MTH, I've gotten advice to take a daytrip to Sinaia. What do you think?

I'd definitely welcome advice about Bucharest. It's a bit offputting to read reports. I can't really discern whether it counts as a moderately dangerous city, or one of Europe's safer cities, as I seem to have read both. Also the stray dog reports worry me a bit. I've downloaded Bucharest in Your Pocket for advice about where to eat and what to see (plus I have Lonely Planet Romania), but I'd nevertheless welcome advice and suggestions.

[pointofnoreturn]

I remember seeing this fare on FlyerTalk. I was kicking myself sooooo much for not taking advantage of it!

Crap!

P.S. Have a great time and the schedule looks awesome despite the possible strikes!