Greetings from London! I just embarked on a two and a half week journey through Europe. I will be flying to Krakow in a couple days and then visiting Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest, Ljubljana, and Lake Bled. I would love to know of any suggestions of must visit places, must try foods, or must do experiences in any of these cities. This is my first time in Europe during the Christmas season so any Christmas market or lights/display suggestions are much appreciated. Also open to suggestions of other places to visit in Slovenia as that part of my trip is the most flexible. Thanks!
Posted by
Irving
3277 posts
Krakow: the Main Market Square, the Jewish Quarter and a direct bus to Auschwitz-Birkenau (1h 30m).
Vienna: Hofburg Imperial Apartments and Treasury, Kunsthistorisches Museum and Schönbrunn Palace.
Bratislava: explore the old town.
Budapest: if you brought your bathing suit visit the Széchenyi Baths.
Ljubljana: exploring the town.
Lake Bled: walking along the lake path and eating cream cake.
Posted by
Brooklyn, NY
4297 posts
I can recommend food
Krakow - the blue van food truck for kielbasa- after 8pm - google it. Miod Malina for a nice dinner. Any Milk Bar
Vienna - the best schnitzel is at the Palmenhaus near the Hofburg palace, an old greenhouse. Go for a late lunch, early dinner for less expensive meal. Once the restaurant puts the linen tablecloths on, the prices go up.
Ljubljana- Sarajevo ‘84. Best Balkan food and very cheap. Try the cevapcic and burek
Lake bled - Cafe Belvedere, inside one of Tito’s homes. It is also a hotel now. Make a reservation, we didn’t and missed out. Was really bummed, next trip.
Even though I’ve been to Budapest and Bratislava, no meal stands out.
Posted by
Barcelona + Sweden
4184 posts
Krakow is absolutely magical during Christmas time! I have been there a few times during winter and I can recommend these:
Must try foods in Krakow:
Zapiekanka - Polish pizza
Pączki - Polish doughnuts
Oscypek - Smoked mountain cheese
Zurek - hearty rye soup
Kluski z Makiem - Traditional Polish Christmas dessert
Must visit places in Krakow:
Krakow Christmas market at the Market Square
Wawel Royal Castle
National Museum of Art in Krakow
Kościuszko Mound for the views
Polish Aviation Museum
Must do Day Trips from Krakow:
Trail of the Eagle's Nests Castles
Pszczyna - Baroque town + Ducal Chateau
Zakopane - spa town + skiing in the Tatra Mountains
This is just the tip of the iceberg, so much to see and do in Krakow, hope you have enough time :)
Posted by
Brooklyn, NY
4297 posts
Oh yes Carlos, how could I forget the Polish doughnuts. Haven’t had a good one since our trip.
Posted by
OP
Philadelphia, USA
247 posts
Oh Carlos, you always have the best suggestions. Thank you all so much for the help, I look forward to trying a lot of these things.
Posted by
Barcelona + Sweden
4184 posts
Happy to help :)
I think Krakow and Poland more generally get overlooked as holiday/Christmas market destinations.
Posted by
WA State
3961 posts
Favorite restaurant in Ljubljana: Julija. We discovered Pumpkin Oil there! Wonderful. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwi_p5HUj_f7AhVHMDQIHUO4BtkQFnoECA4QAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.visitljubljana.com%2Fen%2Fpoi%2Fjulija%2F&usg=AOvVaw0jpL3DESHPy7dk_-WYoMoC
Budapest: Walking tour with Timea Tarjani. Will tailor a tour to your wishes. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwiQlufelff7AhW2AjQIHbraBjMQFnoECBIQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbudapestjewishwalk.hu%2Fabout-me%2F&usg=AOvVaw3go-vCPoN0FT3A15bVX6aP
Best restaurants in Budapest: Edited-https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/hungary/restaurants-in-budapest-october-2022
Vienna: Museums: Belvedere, Albertina, Kunsthistorisches, The Third Man…
Lake Bled: Nice day trip from Ljubljana