Eastern Europe, Dalmatia and the Balkans

Eastern Europe is no longer a grey Soviet amalgam but a vast array of colorful countries, each with their own appeal. The splendour of St. Petersburg will surprise, the vitality of the Baltic capitals will lift your spirits. Medieval old towns like Krakow or Prague give way to stately Budapest and eventually, the leisurely air of the sparkling Dalmatian Coast.

Sightseeing

Prague with its thousand spires is an old city - even the new town is 14th century. Buda and Pest face each other across the Danube, one with its fortifications, the other with its broad boulevards and shops. Warsaw is both old and new - rebuilt after the war from18th century engravings. The countries of the Balkans are beautifully craggy with forest covered mountains that sweep down to form a pattern of 1000 islands along the sparkling Dalmatian coast.

Shopping

Great for traditional handicrafts of all kinds - carvings embroidery, pottery and ceramics. The Czech republic has long been famous for glassware. The Turks ruled the Balkans for many years so look out for Turkish coffee sets, copper products, carpets, gold and silverware.

Entertainment

Folk traditions, songs and dances live on in the Balkans, like the Moreska sword dance still practised in Korcula. Elsewhere in Eastern Europe traditional entertainment includes puppet shows and shadow plays. There are festivals of classical music in all the main cities throughout the year. Lovers of Chopin can enjoy recitals in Warsaw. Dvorak and Smetana are still widely performed in the Czech Republic.

Specialties

Eastern European cooking is wholesome and hearty with rich soups, cabbage dishes, pancakes and dumplings, known by different names in each country. Hungarian meals, rich in paprika, are often accompanied by Gypsy music - especially in Budapest. Polish vodka and Czech beer are great buys.

5 Fun Things To Do

1. Thermal baths are an institution in Budapest. Join the locals of all ages who are great believers in their medicinal benefits.

2. For good luck, give St. John of Nepomuk a good ol’ rub - it’s a Prague ritual. P.S. You’ll find him on the Charles Bridge.

3. If you’re not tempted by the crystal clear waters of Macedonia’s Lake Ohrid, then head for the al-fresco cafés that line the town’s promenade - it’s a great spot for people-watching.

4. Go in search of Korčula’s most famous son, Marco Polo. Besides his alleged birthplace, there are concerts and festivals in his name.

5. In the Polish city of Krakow stand outside the Church of Saint Mary on the hour and wait for the bugler with an arrow in his throat.