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eastern europe itinerary

I am planning an Eastern European trip next year and would like some input on my plans. To start off, I don't like museums and would rather spend my days outside walking, people watching, sitting at cafes etc...I find that museums take up alot out of my day and I don't appreciate them as much as other people.

I am flying into Berlin (3 nights-have been there 10 years ago, but I have heard that it probably is a different city now!), Prague (3 nights-day trip to Kunta Hora), Night train to Krakow then 3 nights there (day trip to Aushwitz), Night train to Budapest then 3 nights there (is Eger a good day trip possibility?), early train to Veinna (4 nights there with a day trip to Bratislava), Ljubljana for 3 nights (day trip to Bled), early train to Zagreb where I will stay one night and take the early train to Split. Stay in Split 3 nights, early bus to Mostar for 2 nights, early bus to Dubrovnik for 3 nights. Catch flight in the evening to Munich where I will spend 3 nights before I leave home ( I have been to Munich 2 times and have been to the castles and Dachau, but I would like to hang out there to unwind in the fabulous beer gardens before I leave home :) ).
Are there any places that I should add another night to? I would like to take lots of day trips and would welcome suggestions. My schedule is quite flexible as I can get the time off work, however I would have to put in more overtime to afford a longer stay!

Posted by
811 posts

Hi Kate,

Wow, that sounds like an absolutly fabulous trip! Jim and I were wondering if you wanted us to go along as your porters... :) I was also wondering what time of year you plan on going? That might affect activities a bit, just due to crowds based on time of year.

Here are a few more ideas for day trips:

From Krakow: although I did not visit them when I was there, I've heard the salt mines are a pretty cool stop for a day trip

From Split: go see one of the islands in the Dalmation Coast, like Brac or Hvar (because Split is small and 3 nights could be a long time without day trips)

From Zagreb: stop at the Plitvice National Park for a few hours, although that would make for a long day

From Mostar: take a 2.5 hour bus ride to Sarajevo for the day (easily do-able as a day trip)

From Dubrovnik: head down to Montenegro to the Bay of Kotor for a day (again, Dubrovnik is small and, IMO, 3 nights is plenty spent there)

Hope some of these suggestions help, good luck with your planning!

Posted by
10 posts

Hi Kate,

I was in Budapest about 4 years ago. Would recommend a few cafes in Budapest (on the Pest side): Cafe Anna on Vaci utca and Cafe Gerbeaud-lovely and yummy pastries and terrific coffees. Would also recommend the Great Market Hall if you are a foodie. There are also some terrific coffee houses in Vienna. If you're a classical music fan- I would recommend taking an hour or so and visiting either the the apartments of Mozart or Beethoven.

I took the RS tour to the Adriatic coast a few weeks ago and the highlight was the Plitvice Lakes National Park. It's breathtaking! The RS book says it's connected by bus from Zagreb to Split.

Enjoy!

Posted by
115 posts

I have been to all those places 2 years ago, and it was the best trip of our life. Please try the places the last posting advised. Stay in Bled at least for a nite. Go to the caves in Solvenia, both od them. Stay at a farm in Solvenia. Go to Plivice park, and the best was going down the coast of the Dalmatian coast, staying in Korcula. The water is divine. You will love Dubrovnik and going to Bay of Kotor. Croatia was our absolute favorite place ever.
We're planning our next big trip next year, Turkey and Greece with Franc and spain. Any suggestions???

Posted by
172 posts

We went from Warsaw – Krakow – Eger – Budapest – Vienna - Prague. Eger and its wine caves for local bull's blood wine was worth the trip. You can see pictures at my blog at;

http://gadtravel.blogspot.com/

Posted by
6 posts

I reccommend a day trip to Hallstat in Austria if you can fit it in - not sure how far it is from Vienna. I think it's about 1 1/2 hours from Salzburg. Very picturesqe town on a lake in Austrian Alps. There is a really cool ice cave and lots of hiking.

Also wanted to say that Kutna Hora is an awesome day trip to take from Prague - I went in 2005 and had my best Czech meal there!