Eastern Europe Guidebook
Best and worst sights, experiences and destinations:
Best: Andrew Durman for Aushwitz/Brikenua & Crazy Guides
Why: Andrew was very informative, friendly and made the day very memorable. Crazy Guides was a kick and well worth it.
Judy Sepik in Forestville, CA USA 10/01/2011
Best: Warsaw Uprising Monument
Why: I had read a great deal about this action and was deeply moved.
Worst: B&B Bed and Breakfast
Why: Disappointed in not meeting owner. Marta was a dear. The rooms and service was not good. Would not suggest this place to anyone visiting Warsaw
Patricia in Walenista, VA USA 10/01/2011
Best: guides recommended by Rick Steves
Why: Goras & Sasha are good guides recommended by Rick Steves in his book. I engaged their services. Sasha is humorous & speaks fluent English. Goras engages me with his narration of the ancient days of Slovenia. They provide me with an insider's guide to the local life in Slovenia before & after the disintegration of Yugoslovakia
Tay Siew Hua in Singapore, Singapore 09/09/2011
Best: Hagia Sofia
Why: It was an awe inspiring structure, and the details given in the guidebook allowed me to thoroughly enjoy it at MY pace.
Carol Sullivan in Mount Vernon, WA USA 08/24/2011
Best: Krakow Main Square
Why: It is the perfect place to sit back and enjoy the European culture. I spent every evening in Krakow here for at least part of the night; it was just such a happy and welcoming place.
Bri Morris in Little Rock, AR USA 08/15/2011
Worst: Traveling from Ljubljana to Budapest
Why: 1) We did Rick's Eastern Europe Trip in reverse. Getting from Ljubljana to Budapest is a huge problem. The night train leaves Ljubljana @ 01:50 and crosses three borders, so we were awkened 6 times as we left each country and entered the next one PLUS we had to run into the first Hungarian station at twilight to validate our Europe East Rail Passes. I just looked at flying from Ljubljana to Budapest. There are convenient flight times, but there is at least one connection needed, and they look expensive. If one drives, then a day is lost from the itinerary. I don't see a good solution, but to plan on little sleep or spending money on a plane ride if traveling that direction, except driving, & I don't know if one can get a one-way car rental between those two cities. ANYBODY HAVE A GOOD SOLUTION FOR FUTURE TRAVELERS?
2) By the way, the night trains from Budapest to Krakow and from Krakow to Prague were relatively comfortable, but I still advise ear plugs. Since those countries are in the EU, there were no Customs people banging on our doors in the middle of the night, the the travel times were appropiate for a normal night's sleep.
Larry Iversen in Bremerton, WA USA 07/01/2011
Best: Konoba Kamenice restaurant in Dubrovnik
Why: Besides their octopus salad, their shrimp risotto was delicious!
Larry Iversen in Bremerton, WA USA 06/12/2011
Best: Wawel Hill & Main Market Square.
Why: Beautiful architecture.
Francine Miller in Seminole, FL USA 05/18/2011
Best: Sights
Why: We find we agree with your recommendations nearly 100% for museums and sights.
Judy Kropp in Oakdale, CA USA 12/04/2010
Best: Prague Jewish cemetery
Why: Cemetery is so moving; pictures don't do it justice. Used Wittmann Tours twice in Prague and their tour to Terezin was excellent but the city Jewish tour had a bad guide, of which I've informed them. The Chosen Tours was excellent in Budapest.
Worst: Pension Aviano in Vienna
Why: The front desk help didn't know where the thermostat was located; there was a different person ea. day and they would tell you something different than what was said by a different front desk person. Window was left open after cleaning ea. day and we had to put it back-it ended up in our hands...off the window...and it was cold out. Very noisy area-noise till 3 am. Would not recommend it.
Debbie Dalin in Delray Beach, FL USA 10/24/2010
Best: Opera in Budapest
Why: The price was great, and the show was amazing!
The Sechyeni baths were great too; the only reason they weren't at the top was because I work in the industry and this is a holiday - going to work on holiday reduces the fervor a little bit!
Donald Snider in Sherwood Park, AB Canada 10/19/2010
Best: Private guide in Budapest- Peter Polczman
Why: We took your advice and hired Peter Polczman to be our guide for 2 half-day tours in Budapest. He was fantastic! He made a point of getting to know us and our needs first and then geared the tours to that end. He helped us navigate the public transportation system and got us to the correct train station when it was time to depart Budapest. He also gave us tips for restaurants, boat excursions and other sites to see on our own. All in all, Peter made our trip to Budapest so much more enjoyable. I would recommend him very highly to anyone traveling to Budapest.
Jane Fontain in Portsmouth, RI USA 10/19/2010
Best: PRAGUEWALKER
Why: We booked a half day tour with Katerina Svobodova's company PRAGUEWALKER. We toured the Castle Quarter with our guide, Jana. She was very knowledgable of the history of Prague and the architecture of the buildings. She also gave us suggestions of restaurants and other sites to see on our own. It made our trip to Prague more enjoyable.
Jane Fontaine in Portsmouth, RI USA 10/19/2010
Best: Auschwitz Birkenau
Why: It was very difficult to make it through a 3 hour tour of a place with such an awful history, but it is something that will stay with you forever.
Worst: Warsaw and train stations
Why: I am glad I saw Warsaw, but the sites are pretty limited and the town is not nearly as nice as others recommended in Eastern Europe. The train stations are also a challenge in Eastern Europe. Warwaw's is under renovation as are the train stations in Vienna. The Keleti train station in Budapest was chaotic and under construction. I found a TI in the station that was very helpful so I could get Hungarian money and by subway tickets.
James S Perschbacher in Mableton, GA USA 10/10/2010
Best: Zakopane
Why: The Tatras are not to be missed. I'd however avoid weekends. We were there on a Thurs, Friday and Saturday. Saturday was like Disneyland on the busiest day. The other days were much more enjoyable. The town is "touristy" but fun and the people welcoming and informative. Hiking is fantastic.
Liz Bowermaster in Urbana, Il USA 09/18/2010
Best: Momento Park Budapest
Why: Very much enjoyed the guided tour. We were the only ones on it (had to ask for it from the ticket seller as she didn't offer). It was casual, plus not too lengthy after taking some long tours near Krakow.
Worst: Parliament Bldg Budapest
Why: After waiting in line to buy a ticket (missed the noon tour by minutes), coming back for the 2 PM tour, and getting a 45 minute tour with lengthy descriptions of statues etc., this just didn't seem to be worth the effort. I wished we had opted for the Opera House instead
Brian in Böblingen, Germany 09/08/2010
Best: Szechenyi Bath and Spa Budapest
Why: Authentic Hungarian experience- it's a must! Amazing and relaxing!
Worst: Parts of Vienna
Why: The city is a nightmare to navigate- even with a good map! The street names change nearly every other block.
Carrie in St. Paul, MN United States 08/31/2010
Best: Gdansk and Torun
Why: Gdansk was beautiful; Torun was a pretty town and very easy to visit.
James in Ottawa, ON Canada 08/06/2010
Best: Great Synagogue in Pesh and Parliament
Why: As travelers we tend to visit lots of churches of all kinds but I wonder how often many of us think to visit a synagogue? This one is spectacular, with a moving story to accompany it. The interior is beautiful.
We had no idea from the guidebook just how spectacular the gilded interior of the parliament was going to be. Note: You must have your passport or ID with you. Non-EU residents are charged more! Worth the hassle to get in. I know the baths are the big deal here, but this building is an eye popper and the tour was informative.
Robin Peabody in The Hague, Netherlands 07/04/2010
Best: Self guided walking tours
Why: They're something you can't do in your own
Danielle Weiler in Houston, TX USA 06/24/2010
Best: Private guide for a walking tour of Prague's Jewish Quarter
Why: We enjoyed our 3 hr. tour with Vilma from PragueWalker.com. It was just the two of us with Vilma, on an informative, entertaining, and personal look at Prague's Jewish quarter and the Old Town Square.
Anna in Tacoma, WA USA 06/22/2010
Best: Auschwitz
Why: Powerful exhibits
Chris in Minneapolis, MN USA 06/10/2010
Best: BUDAPEST FREE WALKING TOURS
Why: I went on two of their tours (city tour and communism tour) and it brought the city alive to me. Our guides were youn enthuasiactic women and the tours were remarkable. Made the visit to Budapest!
debbie friedman in tucson, az USA 05/20/2010
Best: Auschwitz-Birkenzu---very moving sight
Why: Our guest house arranged a van for 7 of us. Interesting to see the Polish countryside. The guide they used at the camps was excellent. The tours are done with such respect for the place. People need to see places like this--it's so much a part of history. George Santayana said "The one who does not remember history is bound to live through it again" says it all!
Judy in Alexandria, MN USA 05/19/2010
Best: Auschwitz/Birkenau ---Very Moving Place
Why: Our guide was excellent, and the tours are done with such respect for the place. It's unbelieveable. Everyone needs to see places like this. The saying by George Santayana says it all. "The one who does not remember history is bound to live through it again."
Judy in Alexandria, MN USA 05/19/2010
Best: Prague: mirror maze on Petrin Hill
Why: Rick says that this maze is "nothing special" (2009 edition, p. 94), but I've been there twice and loved it. It's small and quick to go through, but it's quite fun. I have pictures of myself standing next to myself, looking in two different directions. It's a fun break from a rigorous day of sightseeing, and in particular, I think families with kids would be foolish to skip this fun sight.
Lori in Mannheim, Germany 04/11/2010
Best: Carpathian Mountains
Why: History, style of churches, food, people, scenery.
Gary Franks in Sugar Land, TX USA 04/05/2010
Best: 1) Bártok's Emléház; 2) Memento Park
Why: 1) Wonderfully preserved former home, furnishings, instruments (musical and ethnographic), and writings/manuscripts of Bártok. This Buda neiighborhood is also quite beautiful - the embassy district? 2) Sometimes comical but often gripping (especially Varga's) statuary. The 1958 vintage anti-"criminal" training film shown in the theater is completely absorbing and shocking. We found Memento Park's overall presentation much more coherent and compelling than that of the surprisingly disappointing Terror House.
Worst: 1) Terror House, 2) Kodály House/Museum
Why: 1) The constantly running videos of the Nazi and Soviet incursions into Hungary were presented with minimal Hungarian or no comment; the background music was annoyingly percussive, obstrusive, anachronistic, and inapposite; commentary on the 1956 uprising - the main reason I went to Terror House - was minimal to non-existent; overall organization was confusing; and, despite advertising that they were open until 8 PM, they tossed everyone out at 6 PM, a problem, since we'd only entered at 4:30 PM. We've been to occupation/KGB/terror museums in Tallinn, Riga, Vilnius, Berlin, and Prague, and visited Auschwitz as well. All were far better done than Budapest's Terror House. 2) (Not recommended by you - this is just an FYI for any interested readers). It wasn't there. All we found was a mailbox for the Kodály Archive; the museum (amid considerable remodeling at Kodály körund 1) seems to have vanished.
Jack in Brondum, MN USA 03/29/2010
Best: Holocaust Memorial Center Budapest
Why: Excellent English descriptions are provided for every display, video, and photograph. The presentation is seamless, crowds were non-existent during my visit, and the exhibits were informative, technologically impressive, and very moving. An outstanding museum.
Worst: House of Terror, Budapest
Why: Poorly presented exhibits, crowded, dimly lit small rooms, large groups of school children, and no English information for videos, photographs or exhibit items. English information sheets provided in each room were long discourses on a general subject but not specific to individual items in the room. This also applies to the audio commentaries which are too long and general to be useful. Unfortunately, this museum is designed only for Hungarian speakers.
Barbara Vanek in Livingtston, TX USA 11/08/2009
Best: Parisi Udvar Gallery
Why: Totally unexpected and beautiful.
Shirley Fleig in San Diego, CA USA 10/12/2009
Best: Budapest
Why: Although we didn't go to every site in this book (prague, vienna, bratislava and budapest this trip), budapest was an unexpectedly fun and easy city. Loved "TAKING THE WATERS" at szechenyi.
J. Briggs in Seattle, WA USA 10/10/2009
Best: Prague, Budapest & Krakow. Hard to pick just one
Why: Beautiful Old World cities.
Ash Morris in Tulsa, OK USA 10/03/2009
Best: Krakow is wonderful
Why: Beautiful city, friendly people, excellent rates and best food!
Marta and Andrew were excellent guides. Andrew's knowledge of Auschwitz was extremly valuable. Excellent tour guide and wonderfully friendly.
susan ford in senoia, GA USA 10/02/2009
Best: Auschwitz outside of Krakow.
Why: Words can not describe your feelings after a visit. It is tough but you need to see it. How could people do that to other people. We paid a staff member of the Globtroter to drive us to the camps & it was a great decision. We learned so much about Poland & its people.
Scot Dailey in Arlington, Tx USA 08/15/2009
Best: Crazy Guys Communism Tour in Kracow
Why: We did the Deluxe tour. Lunch at Milk Bar was nice. Guide was young intelligent student who knew more than script.
Don Waddell in Walnut Creek, CA USA 07/25/2009
Best: Spissky Hrad
Why: Beautiful castle ruins in a beautiful area of the Slovak Republic.
Worst: Road signs in Budapest
Why: Buy a Budapest map if you will be driving in this area. The signs are terrible.
Tim Bolinger in Plano, TX USA 07/14/2009
Best: Krakow
Why: Rick Steves referred to Krakow as the next Prague, and we really agreed with him. In fact, we loved the city even more than Prague- it just had really great vibes. Plus, we loved the cafeteria part of Chimera- great food and prices.
Amy Tedoff in Colts Neck, NJ USA 07/12/2009
Best: Szechenyi Baths - Page 459
Why: This was a great experience and we wouldn't have gone without Rick's urging and the step-by-step process he sets out in the book. We had a wonderful time watching the crowd, plus it was a great way to unwind after the overnight train from Ljubljana.
Jack Martin in Lawrence, KS USA 06/28/2009
Best: Budapest baths and market, Prague architecture
Why: Szechenyi baths was our favourite part of the trip.
Worst: House of Music in Vienna
Why: Just terrible and not worth the money. Half the interactive displays didn't work.
C. Marr in Hamilton, ON Canada 06/12/2009
Best: Szechenyi Baths in Budapest & Use of Public Transit
Why: For me this was the highlight of my trip to Prague, Vienna, and Budapest. The book provided instructions on what to do upon arrival at the baths, which minimized confusion and allowed for an enjoyable afternoon. It was a wonderful way to experience the locals and receive the therapeutic benefits of the baths. And the circle of rapids certainly brought out the kid in me as well as a half dozen Italian ladies as we bumped into one another while being pushed by the jets. The public transit systems in all three cities were exceptional, and I certainly got my money's worth from the 3-day passes in each city. Thanks for the tips and making me a well-informed and happy traveler.
Janet in Valley Forge, PA USA 01/15/2009
Best: Sachsenhausen Concentraction Camp Tour and Terezin Memorial Tour
Why: Both native English speaking guides were excellent.
Lorraine Chatham in San Francisco, CA USA 01/08/2009