CENTRAL & EASTERN EUROPE TRAVEL GUIDES

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Austria - Austria, at the geographical heart of Europe, is renowned for its ski resorts set on spectacular mountains, overlooking crystal-clear lakes and voluptuously green valleys. Throughout the country are glorious architectural reminders of the once-powerful Hapsburgs, who dominated central Europe for seven centuries. Austria is organized into 9 counties. Vienna, has the most impressive ornate architecture and is the ulture capital as well as  the former imperial residence of the Hofburg. Austria's other cities are similarly infused with a historical magic, notably Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart, with stunning Baroque churches set before a backdrop of snow-covered peaks, and Innsbruck, in the center of the Austrian Alps. Vienna is the cultural center of Austria, providing the traveler with many opportunities for  theater, wonderful castles and architecture to enjoy and an abundance of guided walks of a one of the most attractive cities in Europe.

Belarus - The country is covered largely by forests and lakes, is rich in wildlife and crossed by major rivers such as the Dnieper. Minsk, the capital of Belarus,  little of the old city survives except a few 17th-century buildings. Modern Minsk is symmetrically designed with wide embankments flanking the Svisloch River. The cultural scene is very diverse with the Belarusian Ballet and museums such as the National Museum of Belarusian History and Culture. Minsk has a thriving cultural scene with opera, ballet, theatre, puppet theatre and a circus

Bulgaria - The land is covered with forests and rivers. The Black Sea resorts have some of the largest beaches in Europe, and heavy falls of snow in winter are virtually guaranteed in the mountain ski resorts, considered to be some of the finest in Europe. Dating back to the fourth century BC, the capital Sofia has buildings in many architectural traditions including Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Bulgarian and Turkish. The city boasts notable theatres and museums, opera houses and art galleries. The Bulgarian Black Sea Riviera resorts, with their wide bays and golden beaches, are ideal for family holidays.

Czech Republic - Bohemia. Tourism has largely focused on Prague (near the middle of Bohemia), with its great museums, galleries, concerts and other attractions. Many day trips are possible from Prague, including the great western spa towns of Karlovy Vary and Mariánské Láznì, early settlements like Kutná Hora and castles like Karltejn. The south Bohemia offers excellent rambles and a range of sports, as well as well-preserved medieval towns like Èeský Krumlov. Northeastern Bohemia's mountains, like the Èeský Ráj, offer superb hiking amidst unusual scenery. In Moravia, the eastern half of the country, life is even less hectic. It has always been known for its musicians, and there are an enormous number of all types of concerts and festivals to choose from. Best of all, the Czechs are an extremely hospitable people, eager to make one's visit as enjoyable as possible. Prague is a must see destination when in Eastern Europe.

Estonia - Estonia, a country of great scenic beauty with many forests, lakes and islands. Tallinn, the ancient Hanseatic city and capital, has many historical and architectural monuments, particularly in the old town center which is dominated by the steeple of the medieval Town Hall (14th-15th centuries), the oldest in northern Europe. Two hours drive from Tallinn is Pärnu, a small 13th-century town on the banks of the Pärnu River. Known as a seaport and health resort, its attractions include a theatre and a 3km-long (2-mile) sandy beach. Haapsalu, a small town on the western coast, has been a well-known resort since the 19th century, featuring romantic wooden houses and tree-lined avenues. Lahemaa National Park, is extremely popular. It contains mostly virgin forest with beautiful lakes, rivers, fishing villages and historic manor houses.

Hungary - There are several ranges of hills, chiefly in the north and west. The capital city of Budapest, situated on one of the most beautiful areas of the Danube, is made up of two parts - Buda and Pest. The former is the older, more graceful part, with cobbled streets and medieval buildings; the latter is the commercial & cultural centre. Lake Balaton in the west is a popular holiday region, not least because of its sandy beaches and shallow waters. Hungary also offers several famous spa;/turkish  resorts, found in Budapest of only a few miles away.

Latvia - Latvia is situated on the Baltic coast and borders Estonia in the north, Lithuania in the south, the Russian Federation in the east and Belarus in the southeast. The coastal plain is mostly flat, but inland to the east the land is hilly with forests and lakes. Latvia's reasonably well-developed rail network includes routes from Riga to all other major towns in the country.

Lithuania - The geometrical center of Europe lies in eastern Lithuania near the village of Bernotai, 25km (16 miles) north of Vilnius. The landscape alternates between lowland plains and hilly uplands and has a dense, intricate network of rivers, including the Nemunas and the Neris. 1.5 per cent of the country's territory is made up of lakes, of which there are over 2800

Poland - The birthplace of  'solidarity' and the subsequent movement which brought the communist boarder down, Poland shares boarders with 7 countries. Traveling to south to Krakow will place you in the most beautifully preserved medieval city. Warsaw, which has a strong theatrical and musical traditions and part of  a city that was completely rebuilt after WWII, even its Old town is the perfect replica of what was destroyed. To the north you find many countries beach vacation which is a real bargain to most.

Romania - Transylvania and Moldavia compose the northern half of the country, which is divided down the middle by the Carpathian Mountains. South of the east-west line of the Carpathians lies the flat Danube plain of Walachia with the capital Bucharest. Romania's main resort areas include the Black Sea Coast, the Carpathian Mountains and Transylvania. The beautiful and densely forested Carpathian Mountains area lends itself to many sporting and leisure activities. Since Roman times the Romanian spas of Transylvania have been known for their miraculous healing powers. Transylvania has many well-equipped spa towns, such as Baile Felix and Covasna. It also contains the famous Bran Castle, said to be one of the original abodes of the medieval king known as Vlad the Impaler, who was the model for Bram Stoker's novel, Dracula.

Russian Federation - Russia is the largest country in Europe.  spans eleven time zones and two continents, and ends  less than 50 miles from North America Russia is a vast and diverse nation that continues to evolve politically and economically. Travel and living conditions in Russia contrast sharply with those in the United States. Major urban centers show tremendous differences in economic development compared to rural areas.One of the most notable features of present day Russia is a renewed celebration of the wealth of its past and its potential for the future. Throwing off the blanket of communist uniformity, Russia today is a nation of enormous diversity and tremendous vitality. Moscow, St. Petersburg and Murmansk. are  the heartland of Imperial Russia

Slovakia - Mountains, lowlands, canyons, lakes, cave formations, forests and meadows provide many examples of Slovakia's year-round natural beauty. Every historical period and century has left behind monuments in the Slovak Republic which are admired by the world. The capital, Bratislava, is the political, economic and cultural centre of the country. Its history is inextricably linked with the Celtic and Roman periods but the city contains palaces bearing the architectural style of almost every age: Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo, classical. Devín Castle, recently renovated, is situated 10km from the city. Other sights include the 13th-century Old Town Hall. The Tatra National Park is the oldest national park in the country, with an abundance of wildlife (including chamois and marmot) and alpine plants (13,000 species).

Slovenia .  This compact and strategically important country is dominated by mountains, rivers and major north-south and east-west transit routes. One of the smallest countries in Europe, it lies in an enviable geographical position between the majestic Alps and the Mediterranean. The capital, Ljubljana, is situated in the heart of the country, along the banks of the Ljubljanca River, within a two-hour drive of all the state borders. The old part of the town is particularly delightful. The fashionable mountain resort of Bled is set on the idyllic Lake Bled, where skating and curling take place in winter, and swimming and rowing in summer.

Ukraine - It is a varied country with mountains in the west, plains in the center and breathtaking Black Sea views in the south. Kyiv is the capital of Ukraine and the third-largest city in the CIS. It is also the cradle of Russian civilization, the origin of the Kyiv Rus State founded in the eighth and ninth centuries. The Caves Monastery in the city center is the focal point of the early Orthodox church. The Golden Gate of Kyiv is the last remnant of the tenth-century walls built to defend the city. The Crimea was once a summer playground for Kremlin leaders. Hotels and services are relatively cheap for Westerners. It is Yalta, the 'Pearl of the Crimea', which draws visitors. The region's vineyards produce good-quality wine.