One week in (Eastern?) Europe?

I'd like to go to Europe in late August/early September. But I don't want to go to Italy (been there), Spain, or France, and my partner doesn't want to go to Germany. We're both kind of meh about the UK/Ireland.

We'll only be able to take off about 5-6 days from work, although the days are flexible (we could go Tuesday-Tuesday, for instance.)

I was thinking a location in Central or Eastern Europe - particularly if the flights are expensive, it would be better if cost of living is cheap. But I don't know where to start!

I speak some German (enough to get around) and Armenian. He speaks a tiny amount of Spanish. Neither of us has any Russian. Will my German be enough to get us around in Eastern Europe?
Ignore the language question! I'll be getting a guidebook to help anyway. I'm more interested in where are interesting (and safe) places to go if I'll only have a week!

You'll be fine with your German knowledge in Germany and Austria, but don't start out speaking to stranger in English. They may take offense. Say 'Guten Tag'.

A lot of people in Eastern Europe speak either or both German and English. The general rule I have noticed is that the older the person the more likely they are to speak Russian (it was mandatory for them in school). But the younger people tend to speak English with German falling somewhere between the two. If you are near the German border in another country, especially in a tourist sort of town, you'll find folks who speak German. But English is the second language of choice. Remember too that most shop assistants (older ones) didn't do well in school and that's why they work as shop assistants. That is a gross generalization, but one to keep in mind.

You can go to Poland, Czech Rep, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary, or Romania and be able to communicate well with the locals. But as a suggestion, why don't you have a look at Dresden. It still has traces of the Soviet Union but with all the charm--really--of Germany. Good luck!

I found that German was the laguage people used a lot as a second language in Slovenia and Croatia (and cheap and "different" to other parts of Europe), although having said that English is also widely used.

I was fine in Engliash in Czech republic too (another great place to visit)

I would highly recommend the following (Czech, Hungary and Slovenia being my top choices but all are lovely countries with interesting historical places, museums, culture, nightlife):

Prague, Karlsbad, Plsen or Ceske Budjewice (if you/your husband likes beer since this is where pilsner comes from), Czech Republic
Budapest, Szentendre, Pecs, spas in Hungary
Ljubljana, Lake Bled, Bohinj, Koper, and Portoroz in Slovenia (especially if you like outdoors like hiking; the coast is very mediterrean)
Split, Zadar, Dubrovnik and the islands, Croatia
Krakow, Zakopane, and Warsaw Poland
Sofia and Black Sea coast, Bulgaria
Bucharest, Translvania, and Black Sea Coast, Romania

German is most useful in Croatia and Slovenia (in addition to Austria, Germany, etc.) -- you will find some older people who may still speak it. Russian isn't that common anymore except with older people (and most don't like to speak it). English is becoming more and more popular, especially with people under 40. Of the countries I mention, Hungary is the place where linguistically you might need to use German more outside Budapest since I didn't find as many people who spoke English as much.

Prague, Budapest and Poland all have jewish ghettoes and are near former concentration camps. Most of these places also have some sort of remembrance from WW2 and the communist era. All of the capitals listed above have quaint old towns. Bulgaria and Romania will also have Orthodox churches and old monasteries that are pretty/interesting.

Here are some websites since you can find more of what may interest you/husband more. The places that aren't on the Euro will be cheaper.

And, finally if you're adventurous, Bosnia. Sarajevo is one of my all time favorite cities being at a crossroads of cultures and religions. The war is over (but scars remain)...I travelled here in the 80s and worked here during the 1990s...fell in love with the place. (I live and work in rough areas so I acknowledge this might not be for everyone, but for some people, Bosnia is an excellent place to visit).

I have not been to the Baltic republics but I have also heard that they are nice in the summer time.

Take advantage of the closeness of these countries in Central Europe.

I'd recommend that you fly into Vienna, then catch the bus from Vienna Airport into Bratislava, Slovakia which is only a 40 minute ride.

You will have arrived in Central Europe as soon as you cross that border from Austria to Slovakia, and you'll see the interesting differences immediately.

Spend a day/night in Bratislava, sticking only to the Old town and maybe a walk along the Danube (Dunaj). Thats about all the time you need to see everything in Bratislava (I live here, so I can say that :)

After this you can go in any direction as you are right in the center of Europe. It all depends on what you would like to see. But if you want to pack a lot in, with lots of diverse cultures and sights, I'd recommend the following...


Night Train from Bratislava to Krakow: (about seven hours, but check www.bahn.de for train schedules in Europe)...Krakow is absolutely beautiful, with so much history that I can promise that you will be fascinated. Lots of music and restaurants with nice, fun people. It's probably one of the best 10 cities in Europe to visit (2 nights)

Night Train from Krakow to Kosice, Slovakia (seven hours)...Kosice is a pleasant, relaxing town near the High Tatra mountains with an amazing center full of gothic churches and Austro-Hungarian architecture from the 1800's. The people are lovely and kind and there are many great little bars and restaurants all of over the place (1 night)

Train/bus from Kosice to Uzghorod, Ukraine <take a bus to Chop on the Ukranian border> (four hours)...Uzghorod has serious ex-Soviet kitsch value to it. Its where you can find the cyrillic alphabet, cheap vodka, gypsies, and un-bashful mafia...but even with the strange parts providing you with exotic thrills, it is a pleasant town where you can also enjoy the old architecture, nice people (who don't speak English), and a river running through the middle. (1 night)

After this, I'd recommend you take the train to Budapest so you can enjoy a more opulent couple of days in a great city after roughing it a bit in the Ukraine. Budapest is magnificent with so much to see and do with all of its amazing history, scenic neighborhoods, fantastic food, and nice parks. This is also one of the top-10 cities in Europe and you have to see it. (2-3 nights)

From Budapest you can get back to Vienna in just a few hours by train or bus. You will probably want to unwind there for a quiet night after all the traveling. And after your time in Bratislava, Krakow Kosice, Uzghorod, and Budapest you will probably appreciate a return to the calmness of Western Europe.

This great thing about this trip is that it doesn't stick you in trains for too long and its going to be super cheap. In each of these Eastern Euro cities you shouldn't spend more than $6 for a meal, $2 for a beer, and $30 for a train ticket. Hotels can be pricey if you don't know where to look, but pensions and private apartments won't set you back too much (up to $40/night). I recommend craigslist for private apartment rentals.

Hope this helps. Write me if you have any more specific questions.

If you want to focus on Eastern Europe, spend a couple days in Prague (BEAUTIFUL city), head on down to Vienna and take some time there and then zip on over to Budapest (AWESOME architecture). I did that trip about a year ago an LOVED it. If they still sell it, get a European East pass from Raileurope.com for $200 bucks and you'll be set. The hostels there are REALLY cost effective. And some of the local beers are AMAZING!