Fringe Europe: 2007
Everybody does Paris, Amsterdam, and the Cinque Terre these days. But what about fringe Europe: Norway's Spitzbergen, Portugal's Azores, Ukraine, Albania? If you're gone to the edge — and lived — here's your chance to talk about it. Thanks for the inspiration!
- Please don't post questions here. Use our Travelers Helpline.
Kosovo
I went to Kosovo in January 2005 and had a wonderful time. The people were friendly and really liked Americans which was a nice change of pace. Prizren and Peja were beautiful (buildings and mountains), and Prishtina was a lot of fun (clubs, restaurants, cafes). I would monitor the political situation prior to planning a trip there due to the unresolved issue of Kosovo's independence. There were a couple of bomb threats/actual bombings while I was there and lots of NATO soldiers all over the place, so it's not for the faint at heart. Nevertheless, it was a very charming place in its own way. I met only one other traveller (British) while I was there, so if you want to go somewhere with no tourists, this is your place.
Sara
Chicago, IL USA Mon 10/29/2007
Belgrade, Serbia
A friend and I just spent a few days in Belgrade, Serbia - what a wonderful city! The people were so friendly and compared to other parts of Western Europe, the prices seemed really reasonable. This is a city definitely worth a few days visit. Unfortunately, since its not listed in Rick Steves's book on Eastern Europe we were left to our own devices to find lodging and ended up in a not so nice place. I really hope that he will consider adding something in the future. It is a city I will go back to, especially when the weather is warmer and we can sit and enjoy the plethora of outdoor cafes!
Julie
Budapest, Hungary Sun 10/28/2007
Disappointing experience: Daniel Dumitru Popovici Romanian tour guide
We have taken a private tour of Romania in June of 2007. Our assigned tour guide and driver was Daniel Dumitru Popovici who acted childish the whole time. He was lacking the basic knowledge for the extended itinerary we took. His explanations of the various tourists sites were minimal. We thought he was an amateur that got to guide our tour only by accident as it was obvious he was not familiar with the towns and villages we passed through.
On our last night he totally forgot to take us to the included dinner to a traditional restaurant, dropped us off at the hotel and literally disappeared. We called the local agent the next morning and got reimbursed for the dinner.
Although we loved the country and especially the villages, the poor experience with Daniel Dumitru Popovici as a guide left a bitter taste.
Jeanne Bedell
USA Wed 09/05/2007
Slovakia
I lived in Bratislava for about 8 months - working with the fuzz. I recorded some of the stuff I did on my blog... http://fencehopping.blogspot.com/
Just ignore the parts that aren't about Slovakia.
And somebody convince Rick to come and lecture my class! I've been forcing my freshman writing classes at SDSU to read his "Innocents Abroad" for two years now. They love it - or at least I've decided they do.
Jon
San Diego, CA USA Thu 08/02/2007
Bratislava
After spending five months living in Bratislava, I would like to share some advice. Bratislava is a nice small city, but a day trip (at most) for most travelers. The train from Vienna is easy. Remember to validate your bus tickets as soon as you get on (not validating can mean a fine of up to 3,000 koruna or about 120 USD). Spend the day in the historic old town (Stare Mesto). For cheaper food, eat off of the main streets. The food, in general, is not great. Avoid the pre-made sandwiches that are sold for $1 at every mom and pop grocery store; they're cheap and terrible. The fancy looking restaurants came with high price tage (at least for a student budget), but nothing is as expensive as other big European cities. There's also a great hot chocolate cafe in old town. Most young people and waitstaff speak English; older people will either ignore you or speak in Slovak like you can understand them. Knowing German is a plus, but not required. Nightlife is almost non-existent, except for three or four clubs, and usually not worth the trip. If you want to dance a little, the last train back to Vienna runs at about 1 am, so feel free to hang out until midnight and catch a taxi to the train station. In general, Bratislava is good for those that want a half day in a small city in between big sight-seeing cities. It's a nice place to relax, stroll beside the Danube, and do much of nothing. If you're looking for high culture and excitement, head to Prague or Vienna. It's very inexpensive, but not very exciting. Spend your travel time elsewhere unless you have a special interest in Slovakia.
Anne
Houston, TX USA Sat 06/23/2007
Budapest
Had a great time in Budapest with private tour guide Claudia Szigety. Excellent command of English together with a great personality and wit. We have been to Budapest several times before but this last trip was truly the best. caludia helped us seeing this wonderful city in a totally different light. Email us if interested in more details.
Sam and Barb Patel
Sam Patel <email>
St. Paul, MN USA Mon 06/11/2007
Limburg
Maybe this doesn't fit the exact definition, but I enjoyed a recent visit to seldom-touristed Limburg province in Belgium. Although low on must-see attractions, it was a pleasure to discover that quaint village life still exists for its own sake, not as a show for camera-toting travelers. Buried between the towns of Hasselt and Genk is the delightful Provincaal Domein van Bokrijk, one of the more impressive outdoor folk museums of Europe. You won't see or hear a word of English, but the park is so interesting, you won't care.
Tom <email>
Washington, DC USA Wed 05/09/2007
Vilnius and Kosovo
I expected Vilnius to be little more than a drab ex-communistic block of crumbling concrete... instead, this clean, untouristed explosion of Baroque architecture completely surprised me.
Kosovo is somewhat interesting because it feels like history in reverse- many of the villages and towns have the atmosphere of a pre-idustrial 19th century Europe, while the 20th century communist-era factories rot away like ancient ruins.
Tom <email>
Washington, DC USA Sat 04/21/2007
Macedonia
I too, Live in Skopje and Bitola, Macedonia.
I am an American, and I love it here, Bitola and Heraklea are a Must See as well! Heraklea is similar to Pompei, recently dug up. Bitola is the home of the most Gorgeous Women that are sought after by most European Men, real people, beautiful town with cozy Cafe's, and the nicest people I have ever met! One of them became my wife.
Marty Morawski <email>
Skopje, Macedonia Wed 04/18/2007
Sicily - Palermo
We recently returned from a vacation in Sicily and Palermo is a real gem, with art and architecture reflecting the island's parade of occupiers. We stayed at a wonderful inexpensive bed and breakfast (L'Olivella Bed and Breakfast (39 3476240062). Its right next to the Archaeological museum and very near the Theater Massimo, with lots of nearby restaurants and night life. The owner's daughter speaks some English and made dessert cakes to go with our breakfast each morning.
Bill and Rosemary <email>
Springfield, VA USA Fri 04/13/2007
Morocco
My husband and I have been to Europe several times and have visited all the "must-see" sights as well as sights off the beaten track. Next summer we will do a family trip with our 2 "grown" kids(their first time)-one would graduate from high school and the other from college. We will visit some "must-see" sights for their sake and want to venture out to others. Morocco is on my mind? i would welcome ANY tips about great experiences there as well as most economical way of getting there from Europe.
Judy L. <email>
Alameda, CA USA Sun 04/08/2007
Need tips on Corsica for family w/toddler
Anyone been to Corsica lately? We'd like to rent an apartment or house for a week in an area with a good beach for a toddler (shallow water) that is not so touristy but does have cafes, shops nearby? Anyone have any recommendations?
Jilly
Seattle, USA Fri 04/06/2007
Slovakia
If you have the time and are in the area for awhile, Slovakia is a must see. Much more mountains than the Czech Republic, the tourist industry is not that well developed but private apartments in people's houses are all over the place and not hard to find. Average price about ten dollars a night for two people, roughly. Good nature, enough old churches and castles as well, and a definite off the beaten track but perfectly safe place. CAVEAT-The one caveat is that especially in Eastern Slovakia there are many Gypsy/Roma villages where you don't want to be but they are obvious by their extreme poverty and unkempt appearance. Slovakians are friendly, nice, good people.
Jerry S
Prague, Czech Republic, cz Fri 03/23/2007
Slovakia
I did a study abroad in Vienna back in 2000. We took several trips into Eastern Europe and one of the most memorable was deep into Slovakia. Bratislava is great but I was blown away by the Tatry Mountains on the Slovakian/Polish border. We stayed in Stary Smocovic (sp?) and went on a spectacular hike over the mountains into Poland. After the hike we enjoyed a big, delicious dinner for about $5 per person. I look back on that trip with very fond memories.
Dan <email>
Sterling, VA USA Fri 03/09/2007
Macedonia
I am a American currently living in Macedonia and I have to say recommened that if you're a little adventurous and want to go somewhere truly undiscovered by western tourists, try Macedonia. It is home to the absolutely gorgeous lakeside city of Ochrid, and some of the most beautiful mountain lanscapes in Europe (all over the small country, but especially in resort towns like Mavravo). It is a completely safe place to travel and the people are famous for their hospitality and are fascinated by Americans. Also, people all over the country speak english (especially in the bigger cities). Another plus: the dollar is incerdibly strong here (a pizza big enough to feed two, for example, goes for $3-4). There are some incoveniences, such as irregular flights to Skopje (the capital) and Ochrid and rough train travel (but, the buses are very good). If you looking for a new backdoor, this may be your place...as, the country is on its way to EU membership, I don't think it will be a backdoor for long.
Simon Griffin
Simon
Sacramento, CA USA Wed 02/28/2007
A Prague Labour of Love
This forum seems to have good tips so I would like to add one. I'm actually writing this without my husband's knowledge but, since he arrived to work in Prague in 1996 I've watched his passion for the city grow and grow to the point where he knows far more about it than your average Prague citizen. Our family has tried so many bars, restaurants, clubs, parks and museums as part of his "research" and I've lost count of the number of lost looking people that he has stopped on the street to give advice and directions. His website at www.livingprague.com is his own project which has consumed many hours of his spare time over the years. He's always saying "lets go try that new bar" or "there's a new vegetarian just opened" or as on last weekend it was "new playground opened in Kampa Park so we "must go back with the kids" etc and all of this goes into his webpage. I've often heard when he's found out how tourists are getting ripped off in one way or another and how he intends to warn people in advance on how to avoid these things or some of the emails he gets when a worried parent asks for something written in Czech that says her son is allergic to nuts or a thank you email from a couple who he helped after they had their car broken into at the zoo. I just hope that someone here takes the time to have a look at it and that more people benefit from having seen it. When we next get good weather here he already has a plan.....to leave us at home while he wanders around Prague taking photographs with his new camera...which go on the webpage. It is truly a labour of love and I hope he does not see this message.
Sona Jankova
prague, Czech Republic Wed 02/14/2007
Prague Recommendation
Prague - January 2 to January 11 - 2007
Tour Guide Recommendation - Prague, January 2007.
For an informed and in-depth tour of Prague, please consider booking a day with Karolina Zadrazilova. Karolina is a native of Prague and was recommended to us by a friend who attended a tour of Prague in Summer of 2006. We hired her for a day-long tour to the town of Kutna Hora. Karolina speaks fluent English and is a licensed Tour Guide. (A crucial credential) She is an official tourist-guide accredited by the Prague Information Service (PIS). Her licenses are for guiding around the whole of the Czech Republic as well as special licenses for Prague, Prague Castle and the Jewish Quarter (the Josefov) in Prague. The day of our tour was the only day we didn’t spend in Prague. Kunta Hora is about 2 hours from Prague... during the drive we were able to experience the beauty of the Czech countryside as well as have great conversations about current events in the Czech Republic. (To get more familiar with the CR and it’s current events, before our trip, we would listen to the english broadcast from Radio Prague on web, http://www.radio.cz/en/) If you are looking for a private tour, or one for your group - give Karolina a call or email.... 00420 604 90 30 99. -- z.karolina@seznam.cz. Although we didn’t have the need to use Karolina’s other services (she is also able to book and cultural tickets, hotels, and other trips outside of the city) ...If our experience is any indication, you would be in good hands. As for our tour, we negotiated an hourly rate, and if you are traveling outside of Prague, like we did, the car + driver are extra. The rate for both included admission to the attractions and all the car expenses. Our tour greatly enriched the rest of out trip!
Kevin Gora
Somerville, NJ USA Mon 01/29/2007
Crotia
Has anyone been to Croatia recently? We will be going in May and would like to hear your experiences,suggestions and warnings.
Jaye <email>
Victoria, B.C. Canada Fri 01/26/2007