Although Eastern Europe is literally the eastern part of the continent of Europe, there is no clear demarcation of the countries that are a part of it as the term is more geopolitical than physical. The physical land boundaries of the region are the Ural Mountains and River, and the Caucasus Mountains but these are irrelevant in the larger scheme of boundaries. Countries that make up this part of Europe have sometimes been described as a cultural entity with its main characteristics comprising Greek, Russian, Byzantine, Eastern Orthodox and influences from the Ottoman culture. Another definition of Eastern Europe is the term Eastern Bloc which emerged during the Cold War to group the former communist European states which were not part of the Soviet Union.
However, no matter what demarcation is used to mark the region, there is no doubt that this part of Europe is a melting pot of natural wonders with rugged mountain scenery, sprawling plains, and beautiful water bodies. Eastern Europe is a land bathed in folklore and festivals that have been passed down through the ages, like Poland’s Drowning of Marzanna, Bulgaria’s Golden Grapes Festival or Hungary‘s Busójárás. It is also a breathing museum of history with some of its remarkable monuments like the Constantin Tanase Theater in Bucharest, the Main Market Square of Krakow or the Prague Castle in the Czech Republic, drawing interested visitors into its past.
After becoming an EU member and having a huge transformation process, anyone can tell that something good is happening in Warsaw. Many old communist buildings gave way to modern skyscrapers, entertainment and services transformed to match that of other western capitals. The capital of Poland is becoming a hot destination for tourists from all over…
Sofia to many people is just a beautiful name for girls. To us, Sofia is one of the best kept secrets and most beautiful European jewels. During its 1300 years of history, Sofia was home to many Thracians, Macedonians, Romans, Byzantines, Ottomans, Jews, Muslims, Greeks, Slavs and more which has made of it one of the…
Minsk, the beautiful capital of Belarus, is an ancient city with a rich history, traditions, culture, and arts. It is situated in Eastern Europe, 340 km (213 miles) northeast of Warsaw and 120 km (75 miles) southeast of Vilnius. Minsk was almost completely destroyed in the second world war and was rebuilt during the Soviet time. Till 1991 it…
Dubrovnik is one of the world’s most magnificent walled cities with its sublime location, fronting the calm blue waters of the Adriatic Sea. It is the highlight of any Croatian holiday with festivals, beaches, galleries and islands, Dubrovnik is the Mediterranean’s most unmissable sight at any time of year. Now a Unesco world heritage site, the Old Town and its…
Located on the Mediterranean coast of Southwestern Turkey, Antalya is a charming city that boasts of breathtaking cliffs and mountains. There are plenty of ocean-view restaurants, large shopping malls, historic sites, pebbled beaches and if you enjoy the nightlife, this town has plenty of bars and lounges to discover. Antalya is a terrific city to…
Zagreb, a true European treasure, is the largest city of Croatia and an important hub placed at the crossroads of Central Europe, the Mediterranean and the Balkans. It started as a small village named Andautonia 2000 years ago and it is now a fast-growing city and an important economic center. Most of the electric machines…
Situated on the Odra River, Wrocław is the historical capital of the Silesian province and the 4th largest city in Poland after Krakow, Warsaw and Lodz. Maybe it is not the first city you think of when visiting Poland, but you should. Beautiful, well-preserved streets, over 100 colorful bridges, bohemian architecture scattered throughout 12 islands,…
Situated on the Black Sea shore, Odesa is the summer capital of Ukraine and its third-largest city. This charming city was founded in 1794 and is a relatively young city compared to Kiev or Lviv. However, a great number of architectural and cultural monuments, as well as the warm Black Sea and delicious cuisine, attract…
Bratislava, formerly called Pressburg, is just starting to gain popularity on the European tourist route and for those of us that enjoy smaller crowds and cheaper prices, this beautiful city is still largely untouched and unexplored. Bratislava has a mild continental climate, with wide differences between temperatures in summer and winter which make it a…
Split is the second-largest Croatian city (after Zagreb) and one of the oldest in the country with more than 1,700 years of history. Perched on the Adriatic sea and built around the Roman ruins of Diocletian’s Palace, Split is a favorite of sun-seekers, foodies and history buffs alike with a combination of ancient history, contemporary…
Moldova is a small European country that stands landlocked in the continent’s eastern part. It stands surrounded by Romania in the west and Ukraine in the north. Before World War II, it was part of Romania. After World War II, it belonged to the Soviet Union until 1991, when it gained its independence. Moldova’s remote yet…
Krakow, the second largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland, is a very special city. Locals say that the name Krakow came from a ruler named Krakus who built the city above a cave that was home to a ravenous dragon. However, Krakow is more than legends, it became a UNESCO World Heritage…
Zakopane often referred to as the ‘winter capital of Poland‘ is a town located in the extreme south of the country at the foot of the beautiful Tatra Mountains. Its location makes it a preferred destination for hiking, skiing, and tourism. Zakopane was only a small village in the mid 17th century with only 43…
Rather surprisingly, hordes of tourists have not yet descended on Zadar, the oldest continuously inhabited city in Croatia and the second-largest metropolis in Dalmatia. Zadar has a rich and varied history right from the Late Stone Age, to its Roman era and invasion by the Huns. In the early 15th century Zadar was sold by…
Pula, the largest city in Istria County, Croatia is renowned for the number of ancient Roman buildings and structures that it has. The city has been around since ancient times with plenty of historical evidence to prove it. Remnants of the Roman influence on the city are also found in many places. During the Roman…
Gdansk or Danzig (in German) is a Polish port city stationed at the mouth of the Motlawa River on the coast of the Gdansk Bay (of the Baltic Sea). Originally a center for European merchants, Dutch traders, and shipbuilding, the city, later on, flourished as a major center of art, architecture, and education in Poland.…
The city of Edirne, or Odrin as it was historically known, was the third capital city of the Ottoman Empire and the site of numerous sieges and battles. In fact, Edirne has the dubious distinction of being the most frequently contested place on the globe. The Ottoman influence on the city is evident in the…
Burgas is what you can consider being the bridge between natural beauty and the modernity of the human civilization. The city is known to be the seat of Bulgarian trade, Bulgarian tourism, and Bulgarian culture. The history of the city will take you back to the times of the Ottomans under whose reign, Burgas flourished…
Nestled on the banks of the Vltava River, Prague is a truly underrated European gem. The enchanting ‘City of a Hundred Spires’ will knock your socks right off with its delish beer, striking Gothic architecture, and centuries of history. Surprise, surprise – the city is also home to one of Eastern Europe’s most vibrant gay…
Known earlier as Byzantium and Constantinople, Istanbul is one heady collision point of cultures and continents. It’s where the East meets the West, literally, at the cerulean waters of the Bosphorus Strait. In one frenetic fusion of mysticism and modernity, Istanbul combines diverse philosophies and people. Apart from Ottoman-era mosques and Byzantine churches, it’s also…
Budapest is one of the most liberal and gay-friendly cities in Europe. Here are the top 11 gay friendly hotels in Budapest, Hungary.
Perhaps Prague’s most famous landmark is the Astronomical clock located in front of the Old Town Hall which attracts hundreds of tourists from around the world, however there are many other reasons to visit this delightful European city. Romantic couples travel to Prague hoping to take the perfect picture in front of the largest castle…
Kiev is one of the oldest cities in Eastern Europe, dating back to the 5th century and the capital and largest city of Ukraine. Located in the north central part of the country on the Dnieper River, Kiev is a city rich in history and beautiful architecture, with countless cathedrals and monasteries, and with a thriving contemporary…
Perhaps the fact that it is the only city in the world trapped between two continents made of Istanbul one of the most fascinating, vibrant and colorful cities on earth. The former Constantinople what’s the capital of some of the greatest empires of our history such as the Roman and the Ottoman empire. This city…