Central and Eastern European driving itinerary, need help
Apr 4th, 2010, 06:03 AM
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Central and Eastern European driving itinerary, need help
We are planning a driving tour of Central and Eastern Europe and need your help. We have 3 months. We want to see Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia, Romania, Bulgaria, Montenegro, Bosnia. We will be in the area from mid July to mid October. We want to avoid Croatia in August. We need help with a general route and tips on what to see and what to avoid. Is this too much geography to cover in 3 months? Thank you!
Apr 4th, 2010, 07:04 AM
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<i>Is this too much geography to cover in 3 months? Thank you!</i>
No. In 1983, after doing a good chunk of travel in the some of the same regions since 1970's. we dcided to cover it all on a six+ week journey in a more leisurely vein. This was during the Eastern Bloc days, pre-"evolution" times. We started out in Frankfurt (and returned to Frankfurt)..rented the one car there when there was a goodly amount of red tape to do so (we did lie a bit when necessary). The infra structure was very poor thorughout compared to our most recent trips to the region...many roads were the worst we had been on, petrol was a problem to find, long lines at most stations, food and its availablity was not very pleasing, signage was laughable, ditto for some lodgings...but it was one helluva an adventure...and throughout a major portion of the trip we were the only westerners in town, so to speak.
It WAS at a leisurely pace, so with twelve weeks you'll be able to spend as much time as you wish in each country. Mind you, Croatia, Slovenia, Montenegro , Bosnia were all "Yugoslavia" then.. We loved the "feel" of being there. I envy you, "a different vista"...in a way. You will find many motorways, good signage, much improved lodging choices and food varieties..I only hope that great sense of adventure will find you, especially off the beaten paths of each country. We were shocked on more recent trips to find the aforementioned changes as they began to mount each time.
You are in for a most memorable journey. Bon Voyage.
Stu Tower
No. In 1983, after doing a good chunk of travel in the some of the same regions since 1970's. we dcided to cover it all on a six+ week journey in a more leisurely vein. This was during the Eastern Bloc days, pre-"evolution" times. We started out in Frankfurt (and returned to Frankfurt)..rented the one car there when there was a goodly amount of red tape to do so (we did lie a bit when necessary). The infra structure was very poor thorughout compared to our most recent trips to the region...many roads were the worst we had been on, petrol was a problem to find, long lines at most stations, food and its availablity was not very pleasing, signage was laughable, ditto for some lodgings...but it was one helluva an adventure...and throughout a major portion of the trip we were the only westerners in town, so to speak.
It WAS at a leisurely pace, so with twelve weeks you'll be able to spend as much time as you wish in each country. Mind you, Croatia, Slovenia, Montenegro , Bosnia were all "Yugoslavia" then.. We loved the "feel" of being there. I envy you, "a different vista"...in a way. You will find many motorways, good signage, much improved lodging choices and food varieties..I only hope that great sense of adventure will find you, especially off the beaten paths of each country. We were shocked on more recent trips to find the aforementioned changes as they began to mount each time.
You are in for a most memorable journey. Bon Voyage.
Stu Tower
Apr 4th, 2010, 07:14 AM
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This might help...that trip took us from Frankfurt through the Romantische Strasse, the Austrian Alps, all of Yugoslavia, on to Bulgaria (they had the best roads!!), into Romania, westward to Hungary,Poland, Czechoslovakia (both what is now Slovakia and the CR), Vienna, Switzerland, West Germany, and back to Frankfurt (via The Black Forest and Strasbourg).
Apr 4th, 2010, 09:42 AM
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It's definitely doable, although you may have problems with car logistics. Not all companies allow you to take a car to eastern Europe. On the other hand, given the length of travel, you should be able to lease a car from Renault (http://www.renaultusa.com/SelectRe.asp ) or Peugeot (available through AutoEurope), but would have to check to see if the insurance covers eastern Europe.
The best way to organize your trip is to take a map of Europe and run a rough circle tour of the area you want to cover, using guide books to suggest what you might want to see within that itinerary.
You can also look at various trip reports, such as mine on Hungary and Romania, and on Austria (just click on my name to find them), and some photograph albums might also help, such as mine of Czechoslovakia (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...7623046345988/ ), which pretty much follows our itinerary through that country, now divided in two.
A good map for the Czech Republic and Slovakia is the Michelin map which includes symbols for sights of interest, such as the Ruthenian churches of Slovakia.
The best way to organize your trip is to take a map of Europe and run a rough circle tour of the area you want to cover, using guide books to suggest what you might want to see within that itinerary.
You can also look at various trip reports, such as mine on Hungary and Romania, and on Austria (just click on my name to find them), and some photograph albums might also help, such as mine of Czechoslovakia (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...7623046345988/ ), which pretty much follows our itinerary through that country, now divided in two.
A good map for the Czech Republic and Slovakia is the Michelin map which includes symbols for sights of interest, such as the Ruthenian churches of Slovakia.
Apr 4th, 2010, 10:37 AM
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Towards the end of May I will be driving from Split to Sarajevo, through the mountains of Bosnia rather than the more usual coastal route and then up through Mostar. (Already been there, done that LOL!)
I'll be posting a trip report afterwards, as this is relatively 'uncharted territory' as far as the guide books (and there is only one published specifically for Bosnia and Herzegovina, by Tim Clancy) are concerned (and that guidebook has mixed reviews, though I quite like it. There is a new edition out in June.). Whether it will be of any help to you, I don't know, but Stu is a mine of helpful information about this part of Europe, and it is worth searching here for Clifton's Romania road trip, as is WillTravel's. And a couple of years ago I recall a couple of young men who travelled through Europe for several months, including many of the countries you are planning on, I just re-found their blog/ website which you may find helpful too...
http://www.tylernofziger.com/101Europe.html
As for other websites, tripadvisor is useful, as is virtualtourist. And Bosnia's own country website is excellent...
http://www.bhtourism.ba/eng/
I don't know about Bulgaria having the best roads - but they have the most dangerous drivers I've ever encountered! I've been there 3 times in the last 4 years on ski trips (to Borovets and Pamporovo) and it is truly terrifying the way some of the drivers behave!
To echo Stu, I envy you having the time to do this, I love the little I have seen of central and eastern Europe, the scenery is stunning and the people are (mostly) so nice and pleased to see you. I can hardly wait to return.
I have heard that there can be some difficulties at some of the borders - Serbia being the worst. I have read this on the Bulgaria Ski websites from people who have driven from the UK to Bulgaria (to the beach resorts as well as the ski resorts) and they have some stories to tell about which route to take. But you don't include Serbia in your plans so that probably isn't going to be relevant.
Good luck, have a great time, and please post a trip report!
I'll be posting a trip report afterwards, as this is relatively 'uncharted territory' as far as the guide books (and there is only one published specifically for Bosnia and Herzegovina, by Tim Clancy) are concerned (and that guidebook has mixed reviews, though I quite like it. There is a new edition out in June.). Whether it will be of any help to you, I don't know, but Stu is a mine of helpful information about this part of Europe, and it is worth searching here for Clifton's Romania road trip, as is WillTravel's. And a couple of years ago I recall a couple of young men who travelled through Europe for several months, including many of the countries you are planning on, I just re-found their blog/ website which you may find helpful too...
http://www.tylernofziger.com/101Europe.html
As for other websites, tripadvisor is useful, as is virtualtourist. And Bosnia's own country website is excellent...
http://www.bhtourism.ba/eng/
I don't know about Bulgaria having the best roads - but they have the most dangerous drivers I've ever encountered! I've been there 3 times in the last 4 years on ski trips (to Borovets and Pamporovo) and it is truly terrifying the way some of the drivers behave!
To echo Stu, I envy you having the time to do this, I love the little I have seen of central and eastern Europe, the scenery is stunning and the people are (mostly) so nice and pleased to see you. I can hardly wait to return.
I have heard that there can be some difficulties at some of the borders - Serbia being the worst. I have read this on the Bulgaria Ski websites from people who have driven from the UK to Bulgaria (to the beach resorts as well as the ski resorts) and they have some stories to tell about which route to take. But you don't include Serbia in your plans so that probably isn't going to be relevant.
Good luck, have a great time, and please post a trip report!
Apr 14th, 2010, 05:07 PM
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Cesky Krumlov and Telc in CR are lovely places to visit. The painted monasteries of northeastern Romania are really special. Brasov, Sinaia and the rest of Transyvania are very picturesque. We spent a couple of days during October 2008 in Varna, Bulgaria on the Black Sea and found the people to be incredibly friendly, food excellent and prices reasonable.
Apr 15th, 2010, 07:06 AM
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I echo a plus for Varna...has a beautifully designed "Marine Park" nearthe shore. I was there in '83 and again in '05. Also Veliko Turnovo (VT)and its environs is a historic and memorabe place to visit. Sofia will surprise you with it's western posture. Between Sofia and VT, the village of Kopravshitsa is worth a visit with its restored 18th century buildings...its off-road a bit but any Bulgarian map shows it. If it's rose season the roads south and east of VT
will be beautifully blooming, espcially around Kazanluk and Sliven. stu
will be beautifully blooming, espcially around Kazanluk and Sliven. stu
