In 2012, we’re going Prague, Budapest and Copenhagen. Trying to everything finalized and booked. Couple things have got me really excited.

1. Student Agency Buses. A bright yellow luxury tour bus based in the Czech Republic with free coffee, free wifi, a stewardess. In spite of what the name implies, it’s not only for students (they do get a discount). Granted, not as fast as flying (it is a bus), but get this: You can get on in Dusseldorf or Cologne in the evening and wake up in the heart of Prague the next morning…for only 39€ one way, 69€ round trip. Kids are half price.

Why didn’t I know about this sooner? You can’t fly for that cheap—Ryanair may say 10€ one-way fares but not with their service fees. Plus considering the fact that their “Dusseldorf” and “Cologne” airports are nowhere near those cities, then factoring in additional transportation costs.

We’re not doing the Student Agency on our Prague trip, but I will take this bus somewhere before we leave. They go a lot of other places. Routes are limited because they follow the autobahn. But really, what a great way to see the countryside. And if you can take an overnight and save the cost of a hotel, even better.

2. Opera in Prague. One of the things I want to do before we leave is see an opera. There are two rival companies in Prague. Ticket prices vary based on the performance, but get this: The cheap seats are 100 CZK at one, 110 CZK at the other. That’s a crazy 3.87€ and 4.26€ ($5.06 and $5.56). These are the nosebleeds, and I would like to see one performance in a decent seat. But under six buck to listen to an orchestra for two hours? I’d go every night.

And here’s just a weird thing. Marionettes performing Mozart’s opera Don Giovanni. Not like a little puppet show, it’s full version, two-hour opera. ???

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