Where to go -Eastern Europe

We did Ricks best of Eastern Europe, absolutely loved everything, but highlights are Croatia, Plivice, Split,Dubrobvick loved Solvenia, Lake Bled, Prague, Cesky Krumlov (wonderful). There is so much... its hard to decide.

Never been BUT we are traveling this summer with our son - 4 nights in Prague, 2 nights in Krakow and one in Warsaw. I am already thinking I would have liked more time but we have a window between school ending and camp starting. I really am excited to visit Poland. We like zoos - so excited about the Prague Zoo. We are still debating about Auschwitz and the Salt Mine - I think we'll have all our information ready and decide when we arrive. We have hired a car to take us from Prague to Krakow which ended up cheaper than renting and driving. Initially we were planning on the night train but decided to make it easier on us and hire a driver.

I like Helene's advice. Also agree with your choice of Krakow and Prague (or Budapest). Search the web for sights and attractions in each town to determine which ones you can eliminate, since you won't be able to see all of them.

I've decided to eliminate Krakow and Dubrovonik I would like to see both, but can't do everything. I'll include the rest of Helenes suggestions. However, I'm trying to decide whether to fly into Budapest give it a day and a half and go on to Prague or fly straight into Prague giving another day for Prague and Czech, 31/2 instead of 2. Any thoughts on this. Itinerary being fly to Budapest or Prague, Cesky Krumlov, Salzburg(I just love Salzburg), Ljubijana, Lake Bled, Plitvice, if extra time visit Split or Venice and back to Trieste to fly out to Stansted.

I have been to both and suggest you do both Budapest and Prague because they are old world, but each different. The rest of your itinerary you should decide yourself.

Thanks, I guess that was exactly what I was wondering, were they different enough to visit both if your time is limited

We loved Krakow, Budapest, and Prague.

Also loved Slovenia - Croatia/ Lake Bled – Julian Alps - Karst Region - Rovinj - Plitvice Lakes – Trogir - Split – Hvar - Dubrovnik.

For a first foray into Eastern Europe I would choose Krakow, Budapest, and Prague. For this trip you would not need a car.

You can see pictures of our trips and details at: http://gadtravel.blogspot.com

I hope you have purchased Rick Steves' guide book on Eastern Europe. We bought the book and took his tour. The book was invaluable in pre-trip planning. We certainly enjoyed Eastern Europe, but the locals continually called it Central Europe.

I have a library of RS books, including Eastern Europe. In fact I get a lot of ribbing from my family i am such a RS fan. I only have 8 days and I need to make cuts, to his suggested itinerary. I would go Prague, Budapest, Krakow, but we love nature and 3 big cities seem too much. It appears Slovenia and Croatia have more naural wonders. By the way does anyone know are Eurail global passes good in Czech Rep? It seems they should be, but no matter how many times I look on the list it is not on there, the map is confusing

Slovenia and Croatia have beautiful nature but they are far from Prague, Krakow and even Budapest. Close to Krakow is Zakopane in beautiful Tatra National Park. It's like shrinked and concentrated Alps. A lot of spectacular hikes. The mountains reach into Slovakia on which side there are even more hikes. High trails are opened from July 1st to October 31st.

Will these mountains be available in May. We will be there May 8-16th.

Yes, the Global Eurail pass is good in the Czech Republic but not in Slovakia. Have fun

High trails (the most spectacular) in Tatra mountains are still under snow in May. But if it's nice weather you can see the jagged peaks and hike in foothills.

My husband and I lived in Krakow for a semester and also consider Slovenia to be our favorite country in the world, so I can appreciate your dilemma of what to visit with limited time.

Seeing Slovenia, Austria and Poland alone would leave you quite stretched for time even without adding Prague and Budapest, and Slovenia and Poland in particular are places that you need to experience slowly. We took the train from Ljubljana to Vienna and from Vienna to Krakow, and it was about 8 hours for each leg of the trip. Also, considering that Salzburg is on the opposite side of Austria, you will be doing quite a bit of travelling and not a lot of sightseeing. You also need at least three days in Slovenia to appreciate it - a full day in Ljubljana and Bled each, plus a half day at each or some extra time to go to Bohinj or Postojna.

Having been to most of the places that you are considering, I can say that Poland will be the most frustrating and difficult part of the journey - not only is it the farthest out of the way, but it is going to bring you the biggest culture shock in terms of language and the ease of being a tourist here.

I suggest seeing Austria, Slovenia, Croatia and maybe Hungary for your first trip to the East. If you still have time, Prague is a must and can be appreciated in a day (though you'll still miss a lot). It will whet your appetite for more, and is likely to be a very enjoyable trip. Then, when you have more time later, come back to Poland. It has a lot to offer - especially the Tatry mountains but also the many villages and castles, plus Krakow, Warsaw and Gdansk - but is definitely more of an enigma that has to be appreciated on a longer timetable.

Even when I livd in Poland, leaving for Slovenia was like going to Paradise. If you want to see the rougher authentic side of Eastern Europe, come to Poland. If you aren't up for that yet, then skip it for now and come back later - it is definitely worth it, but it demands a lot more from you!

Thanks for your input, I was thinking Poland may have to wait for another trip. It's nice to know what is realistic to do, although we did want to see Auchwitz.