Central Europe Travel Guide
Central Europe is one of the most scenic and historic sections in the continent. Stretching from the Baltic Sea to the Alps, it contains enough cultural and outdoor activities to keep even a seasoned globetrotter busy for weeks.
The center of this region is anchored by Germany, a nation which feels like several countries fused into one. Medieval villages and fairytale castles like the stunner at Heidelberg speak of its long and colorful past. But hit the streets of Berlin any time of day or night and you may be surprised to discover Europe’s nightlife capital.
Trips along the Rhine River are an ideal way to view the pastoral countryside, while the Black Forest and Bavarian Alps are havens for hikers. Sharing the majestic Alps are the mountainous wonderlands of Switzerland and Austria. This is where the real mountaineers hang out, hitting the slopes during winter and scaling its peaks such as the Matterhorn during the summer.
Alpine villages dotted with dairy cows create a magical setting whatever the season, and its cities like Salzburg, Zurich and Vienna have been at the heart of European culture for centuries. Keep an eye on newcomers Slovakia and Slovenia. They may be small countries, but they have some real gems tucked away inside their hilly interiors. Once travelers get wind of their attractions, they may not remain the budget destinations they are today.
Hungary and the Czech Republic also have plenty to crow about. Budapest is often touted as the Paris of Central Europe, and Prague is packed with interesting neighborhoods, palaces and castles. In this eastern region of Central Europe, the feeling is bohemian, adventurous and good value.
Another up and coming destination is Poland. The unique Carpathian mountains provide an alternative to the crowded Alps, and its northern lakes are some of the great untapped natural sites of Europe. Krakow’s luck in surviving the wholesale bombing of Poland during WWII has given the world a rare glimpse at what Europe looked like before the hostilities. Its architecture and quaint cobbled streets hark back to the Europe of old, attracting tourists in droves.
