I'm just trying to finalize my summer travel plans and although its difficult and I want to see it all, I've narrowed my search to two different trips. I was hoping to get some insight from those of you that have experience in this area.

I will be starting off in Prague and then hitting Budapest for sure, but after that is where it my decision, and hopefully your help comes in:

Option 1:
-Ljubljana
-Bled
-Dubrovnik
-Sarajevo
-Bulgaria (meeting friend here)

Option 2:
-Slovakia and/or Ukraine (specific cities TBD)
-Romania (Ardeal/Transylvania)
-Bulgaria (meeting friend here)

Any insight will be highly recommened. Thanks.

Manny:

Your mode of transportation is a major factor. Can you enlighten us on that. My travels in Eastern and Central Europe were all by auto (1970-2004), so my recommendatons will be skewed toward that. Also, how many total days are you planning? The two areas mentioned are larger than most people expect. (Where in Bulgaria are you meeting your friend? That will have a bearing also).

Stu Tower

Click on my trip report in Hungary and Romania. We traveled by car, but between Maramures and Bucovina we met a single woman who was traveling through the area on her own using public transportation and the services of a local guide in other instances. So travel without a car is possible although more time consuming.

I've traveled in Slovenia, Croatia, Slovakia and Ukraine by public transport, and Romania with a car and driver. Need to know how long you have, and what your interests are, to be of any help. Do you have specific questions?

Hi; This site will give you free 'downloads' of information on most of the cities you mentioned. Click on the city and then 'instant'. www.inyourpocket.com/ iris1745/dick

Thanks for the responses. I know some of you asked for some more info before you can help, but I didn't have access to a computer for a few days. Anyway, I'm going to be using buses and trains, predominantly as my means of travel. I get into Prague on the 18th and will be meeting my girlfriend in Nessebar on July 29th. I've been doing some thinking and I'm leaning more towards the trip of Prague, to Budapest, to Lviv, to Brasov, to Nessebar. I'm not locked in, and I'm very flexible so I'm open to suggestions. I love to see the culture (people, history, monuments, etc) of a place and also love the outdoors. I'm also interested in hiking, biking, etc.

As you are a big fan of hiking and biking then you will love Slovakia. Have a look at some of my pictures at http://www.jeremytaylor.eu/slovakia_1.html My favourite part is called Slovensky Raj (Slovak Paradise) which is some of my favourite hiking in Europe. The Tatra mountains are also great for hiking and there are also a lot of biking trails. Hope you enjoy it!

Ok, with some of your help and further research I'm starting to narrow down my trip. Here is what I have so far (there is one hole I need to fill though). I'm flying into Prague. My next stop is where my hole is: I'm thinking of either taking a train or flying (if cheap enough) to Bled; or my other option would be to fly to Dubrovnik. Any suggestions?

I'll be heading into Budapest from here (does anyone see logistical issues with either of these places?) In addition, I'd like to see Sarajevo if I do Dubrovnik...is this an easy and viable option. From Budapest, I'll be heading to Brosov then to Nesebar, where I meet up with my girlfriend. We are then going to head to Istanbul. We'll then head into Slovakia for a few days, enroute to Krakow. From here we head back to Prague for our return back home. Any help with the hole in my trip would be much appreciated.

When you say you'll be heading into Budapest from "here", where is "here"?

Either from dubrovnik or bled...that's where I'm torn. I would love to do both but it will be difficult

You only have 10 days, not counting arrival and the day you meet your GF. That's not remotely long enough for everything you want to do. And are you seriously suggesting going from Prague to Bled or Dubrovnik and then back to Budapest? Have you looked at this on a map?

However... Prague to Bled - go via Vienna, there should be trains. Prague to Dubrovnik - fly, and good luck finding a cheap flight, you'll probably have to go via somewhere else. (But see whichbudget.com. For trains see bahn.de.)

"leaning more towards the trip of Prague, to Budapest, to Lviv, to Brasov, to Nessebar" - makes much more sense, provided you drop Lviv (pity, because I loved Lviv, but it's out of the way for this itinerary).

And how are you getting from Istanbul to Slovakia?

I have looked at a map, and it does seem a little bit crazy, but I've found a reasonable flight (45 euro) from Prague (I've been already, so I won't be spending a whole lot of time in Prague) to Dubrovnik. Then I will be flying back into Vienna (similar price). From my research, it looks like you can take a (3 hr) train to Budapest (and that there are multiple trains). I'll also plan on taking a night train from Budapest into Romania (it looks like this is possible; so that should save on some of the travel time). In addition, we found another very reasonable flight from Istanbul to Slovakia (under 100 euro). We've been using skyeurope.com. This should allow roughly 2-3 nights in each area. My only concern would be if the train schedules aren't what I've researched. Thanks for the help!