People who love to travel enjoy seeing new, exotic locations and meeting different kinds of people. Part of the joy of travel is stepping outside one's comfort zone. If the vacation destination looks and feels like home, then it might have been easier to stay home. Eastern Europe offers travelers the kinds of experiences that are truly unique and memorable. The people of Eastern Europe are friendly and welcoming, and they love to share their unique cultures with visitors. Foods are rich and filling, from stews to dark breads and desserts. Unlike more popular travel destinations like Western Europe, Eastern Europe is less expensive. Visitors can see the wide variety of buildings and landmarks, many of which are several hundred years old, and experience the unique culture. Yet Eastern Europe is easy to get to by rail or plane.
Eastern Europe feels unfamiliar, which makes some travelers apprehensive. However, it is just like visiting any other new area in the sense that it is important to find locals who can give good advice. Tour guides and others who are familiar with the area can help steer visitors to safe locations and avoid any misunderstandings with local people.
Even though Eastern Europe still seems very old world, and it hasn't been Westernized as much as many popular travel destinations, it is not a problem for those who do not know an Eastern European language. Some smaller places might not have as many English speakers, but even then they are comfortable helping tourists.
Tourist season is usually May to September. There may be more attractions open in July and August, but there may be fewer more crowds during that time too.
Europe has several methods of transportation available to tourists. There are buses, trams, and taxis that service many locations. The athletically inclined may be able to find a bike rental, while there are also locations where walking is enjoyable. If they plan ahead, many visitors can find very inexpensive plane tickets from city to city within Europe.
People enjoy different ways of traveling. While some want to have every step planned out, others want more free time to explore. Travelers who want more guidance can choose a tour where they meet up with the guide and then travel from place to place with a group. Those who want to feel more independent can schedule tours at all the locations they really want to visit.
The most obvious differences are that there are many different itineraries. If the locations are most important, it will be best to choose a tour which visits those. But if the most important aspect of the trip is the experience, there are many tours which offer other kinds of options. For instance, Go Ahead Tours offers guided tours where visitors get to experience native food or special landmarks.
Travelers who are making a once-in-a-lifetime trip may want to visit all of what they consider the most important places. Depending on how much time is available, some choices will need to be cut to make room for others. Croatia offers some of the most stunningly beautiful nature to be seen. Budapest is a popular capital, and Prague has everything necessary for a satisfying vacation. Slovenia has Triglav National Park, with its lakes and waterfalls, where tourists come to go mountain climbing and rafting.
Several companies offer cruises which visit several of the most important Eastern European locations. For instance, Uniworld has an all-inclusive 10-day cruise that goes from Budapest to Bucharest. Visitors get to experience Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Romania and Serbia, and there are 5 UNESCO World Heritage sites on the menu. Celebrity Cruise stops at many Old World locations. Cruises are an excellent way to see the true beauty of Eastern Europe without the stress of traveling.