We’re just winding up a trip in Eastern Europe, and much like many of you, we didn’t previously have much experience travelling this part of the world. For some of you, it might not even be on your radar, so here are some reasons to consider Europe’s Eastern countries:
You haven’t been here – When you travelled in Europe as a younger person, these countries were behind the iron curtain, and not available to you. They are every bit as rich in history, culture, music and food as Western Europe, just not as well known.
The history of conquer and occupation – All of Europe has a violent history, but the countries of Eastern Europe have been conquered, occupied, and reconquered for centuries. Given the closer proximity of Eastern Europe to Asia and Africa, there are many more influences here. Each of those invaders left evidence of their time in the region.
Optimism and Hope – In the 1980s, these countries were falling apart as the Soviet Union was collapsing. There is lots of work yet to do, but the progress made in these countries in a relatively short period of time is inspiring.
Fewer Tourists – I wouldn’t call it “quiet” in Eastern Europe, but the crowds aren’t as overwhelming as London, Paris or Rome.
Scenery – The Iron Gates Gorge on the Lower Danube rivals the Wachau Valley or the Rhine Gorge in terms of scenery. At its most narrow point, the river is only a bit wider than a football field, so you’re up close.
What we can learn from the people here – Many of the people you’ll meet in Eastern Europe remember the “Communist Times” and the Balkan wars. If we’re willing to learn, they have much to teach us about protecting freedom, healing, forgiveness, and co-existing with others whose opinions may differ from our own.
Food – particularly if you like perogies or yogurt.
Castles and Fortresses – Europe’s full of palaces (a place where sovereigns live/lived), but there are many more castles (places that were built for defence), and fortresses (large fortifications with thick walls, moats, and drawbridges) in Eastern Europe. If you really want immerse yourself in the remnants of the medieval feudal period, there’s no shortage of this in Eastern Europe
Today’s Travel Opportunities
LAND CRUISES in Eastern Europe with COLLETTE
POLAND from Warsaw to Krakow for 12-days
- Visit Warsaw, Malbork, Gdansk, Wroclaw, Czestochowa, Auschwitz, Krakow
- Departures in April and May from $2699
GREECE and the BALKANS from Zagreb to Athens for 16-days:
- Travel from Croatia, to Bosnia/Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Albania before finishing in Greece. Visit Zagreb, Karanac, Sarajevo, Dubrovnik, Kotor, Tirana, Athens
- Departures June through October for $5299
RIVER CRUISE OPTIONS in EASTERN EUROPE
BUDAPEST to BUCHAREST for 13-days with TAUCK
- Visit Budapest for 2 nights, then travel to Mohacs, Pecs, Vukovar, Novi Sad, Belgrade (with a private Palace evening at Royal White Palace of Serbian royal Family), Iron Gates scenic cruising, Ruse (also known as little Vienna), Constanta & Mamaia, then disembark to visit Bucharest and Transylvania.
- Depart August 1 or 7 from $7190
VIENNA to BUCHAREST for 17-days with VIKING
- Visit Vienna (2-nights), Bratislava, Budapest (overnight), Mohacs, Vukovar, Ilok, Novi Sad, Belgrade, Donji Milanovac, Iron Gates Scenic Sailing, Vidin, Pleven, Constanta, and Bucharest (2 nights).
- Depart March through November from $5999
AMSTERDAM to BUCHAREST for 24-days with Uniworld
- Visit Amsterdam, Cologne, Rudesheim, Heidelberg, Wertheim, Wurzburg, Rothenburg, Bamberg, Nuremberg, Regensburg, Passau, Melk, Vienna, Budapest (2 nights), Mohacs, Batina, Vukovar, Belgrade, Golubac Fortress, scenic cruising Iron Gates, Vidin, Ruse, Giurgiu, Bucharest (2 nights).
- Depart May through July from $9809
ATLAS EPICURIAN EXPEDITIONS
What do you do with your luxury Antarctic 200-guest vessel in the off-season? If you’re Atlas, you swap out the Expedition Team for a team of Culinary experts, and run foodie tours in the Mediterranean.
GREECE & CROATIA from Athens to Dubrovnik departing August 16 for 9-nights
- Visit Athens, Nafplion, Corinth Canal, Delphi, Olympia, Kefalonia, Corfu, Albania, Kotor, Dubrovnik (overnight).
- Fares from $5499
PORTUGAL & SPAIN from Lisbon to Barcelona departing September 27 for 10-nights
- Visit Lisbon, Portimao, Cadiz, Marbella, Cartagena, Ibiza, Nice, Aix-en-Provence, Port Vendres, Barcelona
- Fares from $4369
CLOSER to HOME CRUISE OPTIONS with WINDSTAR
We were on board Windstar in the summer, and are still able to extend the 10% buy on board discount on any of their cruises. Here are a few examples:
CANADA & NEW ENGLAND from Montreal to New York departing October 7 for 12-days
- Visit Montreal, Quebec City (overnight), Gaspe, Cap aux Meules, Louisbourg, Halifax, Portland (overnight), Cape Cod, NYC (overnight).
- This is a James Beard Foundation Foodie Cruise… for those that want to add an elevated culinary experience to the incredible scenery.
- Fares from $7199 LESS 10% discount.
PANAMA CANAL from San Juan to Puerto Vallarta departing April 6, 2026 for 22-days
- Visit San Juan, Isla, Catalina, Santo Domingo, Cartagena (overnight), San Blas, Colon, Full daylight transit, Panama City (overnight), Isla Parida, Golfo Dulce, Quepos, Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica, Playas del Coco, Puerto Chiapas, Huatulco, Manzanillo, PV.
- Fares from $8399 LESS 10% discount.
In Case You Missed It:
Have you been to our YouTube Channel? It DOESN’T have all the slick, edited videos with professional models like the cruise lines have. This will look a lot more like your own vacation videos. https://pamperedcruiser.com/why-we-post-on-youtube/
Are TRIP ADVISOR and CRUISE CRITIC a waste of time? Probably not, but you need to be very careful how you use them: https://pamperedcruiser.com/the-trouble-with-wiki-sites/
Latest YOUTUBE Post:
Windstar STAR BREEZE ship tour video. Wander with Bob through this 320-Guest motor yacht:
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Sue Bradley
Sue Bradley
