Eastern Europe
Exploring the Hidden Europe in 2004 and 2008-2011
In 2004, I visited all 25 countries in Eastern Europe. You'll find the blog entries from that trip here. In 2008-2011, I returned to see what had changed since that time. With these two visits, five years apart, I accumulated enough material for my 750-page book, The Hidden Europe: What Eastern Europeans Can Teach Us.
This blog now has many excerpts from The Hidden Europe. But who the hell reads anymore? Just look at the best photos from Eastern Europe!
This map reflects how I define Eastern Europe. Eastern Europeans love to deny that they're in Eastern Europe. I tackle how and why I define Eastern Europe the way I do in the Introduction of The Hidden Europe.
A decreasing number of people have two weeks vacation every year. We're all pretty busy trying to stay ahead at work. That doesn't stop us from traveling, though. It just means that we have to take shorter trips and adjust the way we vacation accordingly.
If you and your family want to go to Prague, you may not be able to stay there for a week or two. You may only be able to stay there for a couple of days. That doesn't mean you can't enjoy yourself, though. You can actually fit a lot of sightseeing and enjoyment into a two-day long trip. Just book your vacation early with the right airline or charter an affordable jet!
Check out the following three essential Prague sights
- The Charles Bridge should be one of your first stops. This Gothic bridge was built around 1357 AD and commissioned by the Czech ruler, Charles IV. Its Gothic stone structure has been able to withstand the test of time and natural disasters. It's only been partially restored a few times, and it still maintains its old world charm. The bridge spans the gorgeous Vltava River and is lined with 30 baroque statues made in the 1700s. The Charles Bridge is truly an attraction that represents the rich history of Prague and Czech Republic as a whole.
Where to go in Serbia
Places I saw and recommend in Serbia: Belgrade, along with the villages and countryside in the south.
The big boys of Belgrade
When the train jolted to a stop, I woke up in Belgrade. Surveying the city map, I was surprised to see that Belgrade didn’t rename its Kennedy Boulevard after the US bombed the city. That’s remarkable, considering that Croatia quickly changed several key street names after its independence. Maybe Serbians aren’t as nationalistic as some think.
Starting from the Trg Republike (Republic Square), I walked down Knez Mihailova (Prince Michael), a pedestrian street filled with fancy stores, big men, and beautiful women whose legs never seem to end. Although Belgrade has many splendid buildings, what’s even more impressive is the number of giants walking around. Serbian men are enormous, which explains why they produce an army of world-class athletes. Meanwhile, watching Serbian women is like observing a ballet of supermodels. I hadn’t seen so many high heels and head-turning babes since the Baltic.
Where to go in Croatia
Places I saw and recommend in Croatia: Dubrovnik, Plitvice National Park, Šibenik, Hvar, Korčula, Split, and Zadar.
Croatia's Dalmatian coast is one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world. It’s far from the stereotypical grayness and blocky Soviet architecture that still dominates some parts of Eastern Europe. Because of its beauty, it’s natural that it’s the first place in the Hidden Europe that is no longer so hidden. Nevertheless, it’s remarkable how many people have still not explored it.
- Slovenia
- Hungary
- Slovakia
- Czechia
- Eastern Germany
- Poland
- Belarus
- Lithuania
- Latvia
- Finland
- Counting to 10 in Estonian and four other languages
- Finland: home to the smartest kids in the world
- 10 facts about Estonia that you may not know
- Best photos
- Ahvenanmaa, but please call it Aland
- Tallinn, Estonia Tour - Bronze Soldier and Old Town
- The World's Most Dangerous and Extreme Backpacking
- Slovenia and Crveni Vrh, Croatia
- Western Russia
- Excitement in Estonia
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