I've been to Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, and Hungary and thought they were fantastic. <BR>I'm thinking of travelling east again, and being a little more adventurous considering Bulgaria, Romania, and Ukraine. The problem is I have nobody to ask for advice- when I talk about it with friends, they mumble "You won't come back alive! they are criminal states" <BR>Where do fodorites recommend in eastern Europe? <BR> <BR>thanks.

Hungary is Central Europe. I am a female mid 40's and traveled there alone without a hint of trouble, three times, and I will be there again real soon! I used all types of transportation and even went out at night alone. I do not do the bar thing, as I am a Christian and I don't drink. I love Hungary, it is such a beautiful country with lots of History. If you go there have a blast, just be aware of your surroundings, as you would in any big city. Alice

<BR>I'm afraid I can't recommend any one part against any other. They vary according to your yardstick <BR> <BR>In degrees of strangeness I rate them <BR>Least strange Transylvania <BR>The rest of Romania <BR>Kyiv <BR>Bulgarian coast <BR>Rest of Bulgaria <BR>Strangest Rest of Ukraine. <BR> <BR>In degrees of price, <BR>Cheapest Ukraine outside Kyiv (so long as you book your hotel rooms yourself, not through an agent) <BR>Bulgaria <BR>Romania outside Bucharest <BR>Kyiv <BR>Most expensive Bucharest <BR> <BR>For that Central European Hapsburg sense of urbanity and style: Lviv, Lutsk, Cluj Napoca, Iasi <BR>For splendid and for beautiful Orthodox churches: Kyiv, Sofia, and the painted churches around Suceava and around Piatra Olt <BR>For an historic city, lived in and built in from the Greeks till now: Plovdiv <BR>For mountans with bears, wolves, and wild boar: the westernmost 200 miles of the frontier between Romania and Ukraine. <BR>For mountains you can walk in without strain, with wild flowers in meadows: most of the mountains of your three countries. <BR> <BR>For good food in restaurants (but look fr changes from the omnipresent pork) Transylvania, Bulgaria <BR>For good red wines and drinkable reislings: All three. Bulgarian are best. And fight off the Ukrainian taste for sweet wine. <BR> <BR>Sorry: I can't think what to do about your friends. Bring them with you ? <BR> <BR>Alice is naturally far better informed than I, but I fully agree with her. Especially about the joy of visiting Hungary. <BR> <BR>Please write if I can help further. <BR> <BR>Ben Haines, London

If you wont visit Romania,please visit our site for a bed&breakfast: <BR>http://tourisme-roumanie.ifrance.com

Ben, You are far more informed then I am. I am enjoy everything you write. I only wish I could help others as much as you. You have also helped me at times too. Thank you for all the help you given me. I do hope to visit other countries on my trip Hungary this Tuesday, May 29th. <BR> Bob, take Ben advise he is the man! I mean that in a nice way. Alice

Hi Bob, when are you planning on going? I and one or possibly 2 others are going to Poland and Romania Next September. If you are going later than that email me around october and I can give you more information at that time. We will be visiting Bucharest for 1 or 2 days at the most and spending the rest of the time in Transylvania in Bran, Brasof, SIbiu ans Sigusora(sp). We are still somewhat in the planning stages, but that seems to be the areas that we are interested in at this time. <BR>Regards <BR>Art <BR>

Bob, I can only speak for Ukraine and I loved my trip there some years ago. Kyiv is beautiful with its beautiful churches and don't miss Western Ukraine with Lviv and the Opera House. Most memorable are the Carpathian mountains in western Ukraine. If you end up going to Ukraine, I would use the advice of a Ukrainian travel agent or make all the plans yourself. Any questions, email me.

I found this old post as I was about to ask the same question. I'm considering Bulgaria and Romania along with several other locations in central and eastern Europe for a trip this fall. When I talk about it to anyone, all I hear is &quot;Why in the world would you go there?&quot;, &quot;It's not safe&quot;, &quot;Why don't you go someplace normal&quot;. We usually rent a car and drive around the countryside, prefering small towns to big cities, and small family-run guesthouses to the large business type hotels. I've checked the Lonely Planet board, but it's a little too backpacker/hostel oriented for me. Would these countries be similar to say, Slovakia in terms of roads, tourism,&quot;strangeness&quot;?

WE are budget travellers who go on our own and rent a car. We've been to the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Romania. Romania is definitely in a different category than the first 3 countries. Romania is really really different. We loved it. Parts of it are like what Europe must have been like 60 years ago. Cautions: if you need upscale and great food, forget it. If you are adventurous, want beautiful scenery, unique places ahd friendly people, visit Romania. WE would love to go back sometime. We flew into Budapest and rented a car from there. We did not visit Bucharest since we had heard nothing favorable about it. We spent our time in smaller place including 3 nights on a homestay in the remote Maramures area which is adjacent to Ukraine.

Have traveled through much of eastern europe but not Romania or Bulgaria. However, a close friend spent 7 weeks doing this last year. She said it is definitely not easy travel like Czech Republic or Hungary - more difficult in fact than Russia was 5/6 years ago - but definitely very worthwhile. You just need to adjust your expectations and realize that in a lot of places there is minimal tourist infrastructue - balanced out by the incredibly low prices. She hired guides with cars for most of the trip. Once caveat: bring light bulbs and toilet tissue with you as they are often very rare commodities.

Nice to see an old note brought back into use: thankyou. I think Bulgaria and Romania have less developed roads and tourist facilities than Slovakia. That fact, and the Cyrillic script in Bulgaria, render them stranger than Slovakia. I have only touched on three cities and a couple of towns of Ukraine, but can say from those that while roads and tourist facilities there are good, western tourists are few in the greatest cities and even rarer outside them. I have not looked there for small family run guesthouses in small towns of the Ukraine, but should expect that they are as common as in Bulgaria and Romania (which means few), and fewer than in Slovakia.

Ben Haines

I'm now rethinking this. I love out-of-the-way places, small villages, and eating regional food, but I don't know if I'm up to bringing my own lightbulbs and toilet paper.

I spent some time in Bulgaria and found it to be very beautiful. I did however feel not as safe walking alone at night as I would in western europe. Sort of a strange feeling. The people are very friendly and there is so much to do and see. The biggest problem is their tourist industry is lacking. Sign's are not marked very good which can make it difficult and there roads have no markings for lanes. Regardless of this there is much more feel of what your seeing is authentic and not made for tourism. Everything especially the food is dirt cheap. I stayed in a city called Plovdiv which was not the nicest looking city but was full of culture and history. Bulgaria is famous with the europeans for the black see resorts at Varna. I found it a little more difficult with the language barrier. Very few people spoke english. Most spoke russian as a second language. Regardless it is definatly an adventure that many miss out on do to old fears.

I'm sure the original poster is no longer reading this almost three years later (!) but just in case anyone is interested, I think L'viv Ukraine is a little known jewel. It's a wonderful city, with a fascinating blend of Western European and Eastern European influences. Beautiful architecture, good food. I recommend the Hotel Grand.

Has anyone been to Eastern Europe lately that would care to comment? Any recommendations for Romania or Bulgaria?

Just a few tidbits:

Most larger cities in Ukraine now have stores where most things western are available. Light bulbs are not an issue, but toilet paper on the trains can be (similar to a toilet at a gas station or bar, never quite sure what to expect). Many hotels are 3-4 star (some 5-star) but tend to be expensive. In Kyiv, the newly rennovated and very modern Premier Palace (formerly Ukraina) runs $340/nt -- whereas renting an apartment may run $80/nt. In Yalta, the Hotel Oreanda was ~$90/nt for a nice double over-looking the Black Sea, but after rennovation the same type room can now run ~$200/nt. Hotel prices can vary widely with the seasons, and also on whether or not it is a business hotel (just as in USA or Europe).

Generally, you are better off staying in or near the city centers where, during the spring/summer, people will stroll until late in the evening and it is just as safe as anywhere.

In the country areas -- product availability can be lacking, and lighting at night is not usual, undependable water &amp; electric supplies can still be an issue, and out-houses are not uncommon.

julies,

May I asked who you rented your car through in Budapest? We were planning on flying into Romania, but are now considering doing the same thing. The concern was for an affordable rental car - that was ok to drive into Romania and back.