In the nearly 20 years since the Berlin Wall came down, countries that were once considered unstable have strengthened economic backbones to join the European Union and open the doors to tourists from all over the world. These countries, once considered off limits to American tourists, now offer beautiful natural wonders, as well as some of the finest architecture in the world. Countries which are easily accessible from Germany, Austria, and Italy include Slovenia, Slovakia, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Hungary.
Forests cover about half the country of Slovenia and are greatly valued by its people. There are a wide range of trails and paths available to the public which keeps tourists coming back for more. The Julian Alps and the nation's highest peak Mount Triglav remain popular destinations for tourists and locals alike looking to get outside. Perhaps even more famous is Slovenia's Postojna Cave, is Europe's most popular tourist cave, which has attracted over 30 million visitors. This massive cave and its branches make up over 20 miles of mountain exploration. Ljubljana is a city of culture, and boasts one of the oldest philharmonic academies in the world. More then 10,000 cultural events take place Ljubljana each year, as well as 14 international festivals.
Slovakia will offer you the Tatras Mountains, which have numerous hiking and skiing opportunities. You can also find nearly 12,000 spa beds to relax in. There are also new caves being discovered, which attracts many adventure seeking tourists. Slovakia is home to many castles, such as the ruins of Devin Castle, and Bojnice Castle. There is also a lively music scene, and many performances in the capitol city of Bratislava.
Poland has many beautiful cities to visit, each filled with modern aspects as well as traditional Polish cultural events. Cities like Wroclaw offer a beautiful mix of gothic and baroque buildings for you to marvel at. Communication is generally not too much of an issue, as nearly everyone speaks some form of English, and youngsters will want to practice as much as possible. Lovers of beer will be happy, as the breweries are known for being some of the best in the world. Cities like Krakow offer many historical landmarks as well as beautiful museums and castles, just waiting to be discovered by you.
The Czech Republic is a place worth visiting as much as anywhere else in Europe. The city of Prague is home to some of the continents most beautiful architecture and was where Mozart performed many of his now famous works. Prague is also home to many museums, restaurants, malls and historical landmarks that make the city truly unique. Regions of the country like PlzeHsko, Bohemia, and Moravia each offer different cultural aspects and historical journeys. The town of Pilzen is famous for the delicious Czech beer, Pilsner Urquell.
Hungary is a nation that oozes a rich culture, everywhere you go. Hungary offers beautiful architecture, strong sense of pride, and smart mathematicians, such as Erno Rubik, creator of the Rubik's Cube and is well known for paprika, goulash and masterful inventions. The thermal lake of Heviz is the largest one of its kind in the world, and attracts millions. In the spring, this mineral lake has such a high output, that it is flushed out every two hours! Spa culture in general is very popular, as there are over 1500 thermal springs in the country.
Many people plan to visit these countries every year. One popular way of doing so, is driving over while on vacation in neighboring countries like Germany, Austria, or Italy. If you plan to rent a car in Europe to drive into Eastern Europe, you will need to obtain permission from your car rental supplier. Some suppliers may charge a fee for this, but as you can see, it will be well worth it. Make sure to bring your international drivers license to avoid any local issues, and learn the rules of the road to enjoy your safe holiday!