Home Page » Destinations » Europe » Central & Eastern Europe

Central and Eastern Europe

Austria

Scenery or symphonies? Why not both? Austria features beautiful landscapes of snowcapped mountains, dotted with cliff-side towns and crystal blue lakes, while it’s also home to some of the most famous composers in the world, making it any music lover’s dream locale.

What Can I Do?

Explore sites made famous by the immortal composers Mozart and Strauss
Follow the Danube river to visit small artist colonies and medieval towns
Visit Salzburg, Mozart’s birthplace as well as home to the impressive Domplatz and lush Mirabell Gardens, a true horticultural masterpiece
Stop in Melk for a visit to the Melk Abbey and a glimpse of picturesque Salzkammergut Lakeland
Take the train to Vienna and view the Hofburg Palace, St. Stephen’s Cathedral and Jewish Quarter
Check out the Museum of Fine Arts in Vienna, which houses works by Rembrandt, Rafael and other masters

Croatia

Nestled along the shores of the Adriatic Sea, Croatia is a patchwork of historic towns, picture-perfect coastlines and Renaissance and Gothic architecture.

What Can I Do?

Visit the stunning waterfalls in Plitvice National Park
See the well-preserved architecture of Trogir
Tour the Roman palace of Diocletian in Split and the medieval buildings on the island of Hvar
Drive the Dalmatian coast to the seventh-century walled city of Dubrovnik, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
In Dubrovnik, visit the city’s bastions and fortress; Onofrio’s Fountain, built in 1438; the Franciscan monastery, with a pharmacy in operation since 1391; and many museums, galleries and churches
Visit Montenegro’s Kotor, a fortified seaside town, and fifth-century Budva, one of the oldest settlements on the Adriatic Sea
Stroll the seaside promenade in Opatija
Visit Split, where the fourth-century Roman emperor Diocletian built an immense palace
Zagreb, Croatia’s capital, dates to 1094 – explore the Roman amphitheater in Pula, St. Mark’s Church, the Presidential Palace and the Croatian parliament

Czech Republic

The Czech Republic has more preserved castles and chateaux per square mile (over 2,000) than any other country in the world. The crown jewel and capital is Prague which features historic towers, cathedrals, bridges and verdant hills.

What Can I Do?

Visit the famous Astronomical Clock in Prague
Explore the Prague Castle area and Charles Bridge
Witness a master glassblower at work in Prague
Travel on a vintage tram in Prague for amazing views of the city
Tour southern Bohemia and see the towns of Cesky Krumlov, with its expansive medieval castle, and Kutna Hora, built on a silver ore field near the legendary Sedlec Ossuary
Take a cruise along the Vltava River

Germany

From soaring mountains and rushing rivers to stately castles and exquisite cathedrals, Germany is a country filled with many fantastic sights. One of the most dynamic and modern locales in Europe while also being one of its most historic, Germany has something to offer even the most seasoned traveler.

What Can I Do?

In Berlin, see the Brandenburg Gate, Pergamon Museum and the Jewish Holocaust Memorial
Enjoy Berlin’s bustling urban mecca of shopping, concert halls and the Kulturforum district
View Dresden’s treasures and sample local wines at Wackerbarth Manor
See the famous Marienplatz and Olympic Stadium in Munich
Wander through “Mad King” Ludwig’s fanciful castle of Neuschwanstein
Take a scenic ride through the castle-crested hills of the Rhine River Valley
Go to the Dachau concentration camp, a chilling reminder of the Holocaust
Visit the Nymphenberg Palace
Stop by Beethoven’s birthplace in Bonn

Hungary

Hungary is a place of hilly landscapes and the peaceful Danube river. Its unique capital of Budapest boasts Gothic architecture, thermal baths and stately palaces.

What Can I Do?

Take a dip – Budapest is known for its thermal baths, fed by natural hot springs
Check out the artists’ village of Szentendre, home to quaint churches, traditional cafes and a ceramics museum
See the Bartok Memorial House and the Liszt Museum in Budapest
In Buda, see the stately Royal Palace, the murals of Matthias Church and the panoramic city views from Fisherman’s Bastion and the Citadel atop Gellert Hill
In Pest visit the neo-Gothic House of Parliament, Heroes’ Square and St. Stephen’s Basilica

Poland

Transformed by international conflicts for centuries, Poland today is a revitalized country of historic beauty, charming villages and welcoming people.

What Can I Do?

In Krakow, whose historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, see Pope John Paul II’s church, the city’s Market Square, the 14th-century Jagiellonian University, St. Mary’s Church and the Wawel Royal Castle
Take in the inspiring beauty of the Tatra Mountains, where charming villages and castles are nestled among the peaks
In Warsaw, take a trip to Kampinoski National Park for a stop in Zelazowa Wola, a manor house where musical mastermind Frederick Chopin was born
Visit Wroclaw, a vibrant city on the Odra River with a network of canals and bridges
Stop by Jasna Gora, a monastery near Czestochowa that withstood the repeated onslaughts of Swedish forces during the religious wars of the 17th century
In Jasna Gora view the revered Black Madonna, which has become the country’s national symbol
Explore the remains of the Auschwitz concentration camp, a chilling reminder of the Holocaust
Visit Oskar Schindler’s factory

Romania

After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Romania revealed itself as a country of intriguing culture and customs. Gothic castles, medieval fortresses, and historical museums are just some of the sites found throughout Romania.

What Can I Do?

Visit Bucharest’s old town and the Palace of Parliament
Tour Bishop’s Palace
Travel to mysterious Transylvania and view its numerous Saxon churches
Visit the mystical town of Sighisoara, located in the heart of legendary Transylvania and the alleged birthplace of Dracula
Wander through Bran Castle of Dracula fame
Explore the glorious 15th-century Painted Monasteries of southern Bucovina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Visit the Putna Monastery

Switzerland

Scenic natural beauty is the highlight of Switzerland, but don’t overlook its rich urban history. Breathtaking vistas of lush vegetation, mountain peaks topped with powdered white snow and quaint towns set throughout the Swiss countryside, indeed make it one of the most spectacular regions in the world, and its cities and towns offer cultural rewards as well.

What Can I Do?

Step aboard the Glacier Express through the Swiss Alps, where you’ll see stunning panoramic views of blue lakes, waterfalls, magnificent ice structures and mountainous landscapes
Visit Chillon Castle, a 12th-century fortress and an inspiration for the works of the poet Lord Byron
Tour the United Nations building in Geneva
Check out Thornwaldsen’s Lion Monument in Lucerne
Visit the Bear Pit in Berne
Sample some Swiss chocolate