rick steves best european cities

"There were too many to just pick one. Several fellow tour group have roots in the Central Europe area and it felt like a victory for all of us! "Budapest at night on the river. It took a lot of work to figure out the logistics and making sure everything was planned out. The only negative was the food in the various countries, it was ok but not great. The entire day is yours to enjoy the sun, gelato, seafood, and lazy ambience of Rovinj. This was our second Rick Steves Tour and it was wonderful! It's pleasantly situated on a lake — just like Buffalo is. The latest of our ETBD trips-Eastern Europe met all of our expectations as we expected a "RickTrip" would. So much to see and it definitely wasn't what I was expecting from former Communist countries, in a great way. It was nothing what I thought Krakow would look like. And after that the entire group formed a circle and danced together! I'm often inspired by families on the road. Accommodations were nice, with one exception. "Probably Lake Bled. His overall knowledge of the history throughout this region was excellent, as well as his expert knowledge of Budapest (where he currently lives). Could have stayed longer in Slovenia and Croatia! All logistics were seamless. At first I was disappointed that we couldn't see much of the high mountains around it, but the shifting clouds gave this beautiful lake, its island church, and its cliffside castle a magical, otherworldly feel.". Her personal experience, havng been there as the velvet revolution was happening Everywhere we toured was so amazing . And our vacation from our vacation spot was also a beautiful.". The group was diverse, but got along really well. (Thanks, Rick!) I enjoyed the places we visited. "Plitvice Lakes National Park was lovely.". Our Guide Eszter was knowledgeable, enthusiastic and charming. Our tour guide was so nice and organized and added a lot of special tastes of the countries on our bus rides. Here goes: Let's start with the British Isles and its dullest corner, southern Scotland. She modeled this in her leadership style, and communicated a great deal of enjoyment of her interactions with members, and of members' interactions with each other. But don't skip Hadrian's Wall; it covers history buffs like me with goose bumps (or goose pimples, as the English say). "We walked into the St Vitus Cathedral and seeing all the stained glass. She was so knowledgeable about the history, culture and current challenges of the regions we visited. This tour was wonderful in a lot of ways! Best moments were the rides through the rural portions of each country. It was a BIG trip. We were fortunate to have a timely and considerate group and a exceptional driver and guide. Enjoyed the expertise of Katka, our guide, Mich did a great job driving. Also Plitvice National Park was another WOW because of all the beautiful waterfalls. "Watching sunset over the Adriatic while in Rovinj. We were so lucky to have the well informed George with his historical information and his personal insight as to what it was like living under communisms. Our tours don't include airfare, so your flight arrangements are completely up to you. I appreciated learning the history of these countries first hand from Jana, our knowledgeable guide. Today, this is a powerful place for learning, reflection, and remembrance. With so little time, the pressure is on to make all the right choices when planning a trip. The most moving experience was visiting Auschwitz. This day takes on a very different tone, as we visit the concentration camp site of Auschwitz-Birkenau, where at least 1.1 million innocent people were systematically murdered during World War II. "I agreed to all the terms in your brochure but your company did not provided me with a clean hotel for all the nights. She previewed what we should expect in each country, prepared us to get the most from our free time, and answered all questions with patience and clarity. Exceeded expectations (which were already quite high)! Excellent tour with an excellent tour guide (Peter). One other thing, the time given to our group to explore the cities on our own was very much appreciated. The tour was very interesting and fun. We came to learn and make discoveries of an area we didn't know that much about. "The beauty of Slovenia, Lake Bled and Rovinj and Plitvice Croatia after the fast pace of the larger cities was a welcome change. "The national park in Croatia. Peter, our guide, was great. Peter was so thorough, detailed, and caring for everyone in the group. My answer is always that it is not possible to identify one moment because nearly every day presented at least one.". My wife and I are already talking about our next Rick Steves, tour. A great way to end a busy tour. Watch for $0.00 with Prime. Talking to docent, Hannah, about modern Jewish culture in E.E., medieval parades, guilds. Lots of room on bus was wonderful. London, York, Bath, and Edinburgh are the most interesting cities in Britain. Thanks so much for a wonderful, unforgettable trip. Not one moment, but several. The Danube night river cruise. We had arrived at our hotel and our guide said to meet at 7:45 to walk to dinner. Our driver Sam told Ken we would be passing through the middle of Nizna Slana the next day! We then went into the beautiful natural settings of Croatia (Plitvice, Rovinj) and Slovenia (Lake Bled). We'll tour the impressive St. Vitus Cathedral, Old Royal Palace, St. George's Basilica, and the Golden Lane. We'll leave the city and drive east into mountainous Moravia, stopping along the way to enjoy some free time for lunch and exploration. Each city amazed me in its beauty. The tour guide, George, was amazing. I would have liked to have spent more time there though.". Excellent bus driver Mitch (or is it Micz? Sleep in Kraków. "So many wow moments, but I'd have to include Plitvice National Park and Lake Bled--just gorgeous! Definitely outstanding! What a special moment that was, of everyone relaxed and happy and in complete trust and friendship with one another after less than 2 weeks together. Moderate walking: 2–6 miles throughout the day with some hills and stairs. "I loved every big city we toured and all the great public transportation. You are right on the Adriatic Sea with a view of Rovinj from the island. We had a wonderful tour guide (Jana), a great group of travel partners, and enjoyed the blend of planned activities and free time. We'd take a trip based on him being the guide. It was fast-paced and I lost 5 pounds. We had a great group of people with whom I very much enjoyed traveling and an outstanding guide. This tour exceeded my expectations. Bus: 7 hours. I also was reminded that the U.S. is not alone in dealing with racism and inhumane treatment of refugees. We would sacrifice the time at Plitvice National Park and substitute more time on the coast. As was my previous R.S. The work that goes into planning, preparing and executing never ceases to amaze me. It was tough to say farewell to everyone. What's the difference between this Best of France guidebook and Rick's complete France guidebook?. The stories about growing up during communist time and the changes since the fall were eye opening. Hotels and group dinners were top notch as well! bOur guide, George Farkus, was excellent, upbeat and helpful. I felt it was educational in many ways and changed some of my perspectives significantly. I could easily have sat there for 4 hours. We enjoyed all the guest guides -- all were very knowledgeable. This will be one of our favorite Rick Steve's experiences. The view of the Parliament in Budapest from our night trip along the Danube: everything was lit up and so beautiful. It was difficult to enjoy Budapest outside of a toasty café due to the horrible weather, but I could definitely tell that it was a place I'd love to go back to. Perhaps they were among my highlights. Stay away from booby traps like the Devil's Toenail (a rock that looks just like a...toenail), Land's End (you'll pay, pay, pay), and cloying Clovelly (a one-street knickknack town selling useless goodies). We learned a tremendous amount about these formerly communist countries, their cultures, and their people. Peter was such a fantastic guide. I loved the history lessons from all the local guides and Katerina. The visit with the school children in Eger was also very memorable. "I'd been to Rovinj in the best, thanks to your guidebook. "I do not consider the visit to Auschwitz as a "wow" moment, but found it a deeply moving experience. Overall we had a very good trip, and we're happy we were able to do it. Lake Bled so beautiful. Unlike the previous tours that I've taken with the company, this one covered multiple countries. We saw and learned so much. Nice combination of guided walks with free time for exploring on my own. The guides were helpful and sincere in sharing local information. Tonight we'll rendezvous for a special dinner together, sharing travel memories and toasting new friends. comparing Eastern Europe today with the other countries we have visited We were well taken care of by Katerina, who has such wealth of knowledge, languages and made sure we were all happy and helped us with any issues (which were few). This was my wow moment to take the leap of faith and take a tour;". The people we met were welcoming and expressed a love for their countries which they were quick to share with us. Favorite "WOW" moment In Prague, going to see Don Giovanni performed with period instruments in the very same opera house where Mozart himself first conducted it.". Ya, I know, we can't control that, but it put a real damper on some of the days activities. "Krakow was the wow moment for me. "The night cruise in Budapest was my favorite thing about the trip. His excitement about Eastern Europe was contagious and I got more excited as the trip progressed. Each day was planned well and there was plenty of time to explore on your own time. Hiking, the Thai massage, and cream cake. From the arrivals at our hotels to the meals to the tour experiences, we did not waste precious vacation time. The Plitvice National Park was one of the most scenic parks I've even seen, with waterfalls at every turn. We had a great group of tour takers which made the trip even more enjoyable and after a day at Auschwitz-Birkenau you might need the positive vibe of good tour mates. Eger wine tasting.". WE had a nice balance of big cities and small relaxing areas. but, i've got to say, i think this one was the best of them all! The occasional long bus travel is ample, "I found Krakow to be an enchanting city and the waterfalls of Plitvice National Park amazingly beautiful and abundant.". There was a lot to see in 15 days. He and his entire crew survived the crash. Obviously, much thought was given to determining which sights and experiences to expose the tour group to. I was overwhelmed by its beauty, charm, accessibility and history. Wandering the pedestrian zone and enjoying the gigantic market square was always entertaining. This morning you'll have time to soak in Eger's Baroque beauty. Join Rick as he experiences the local culture, cuisine and fun in some of Europe's most interesting places. It was chilling and critical to witness. The itinerary offered a variety of venues and experiences, ,beautiful and educational. The tour was well organized and provided us with many varied experiences. Looking forward to our next experience! Peter gave us very useful advice. That got old. I marveled at every city we visited, and it was good to have more relaxed experiences near the end of the tour at Plitvice Lakes National Park, Rovinj and Lake Bled. Your afternoon is free to discover more of this pleasant city on your own. Each stop provided an excellent over view of the history and culture and we were given excellent guidelines by our tour guide Sanel to navigate the cities we visited in our own time. Email him at rick… RICK STEVES' EUROPE offers a fresh perspective on the best travel advice, including where to stay, what to see and how to get around in Europe. School kids are the same everywhere! Wander through the narrow streets, watch local fishermen bring in the day's catch, or head to the beach for sun and a swim. Gorgeous scenery and sites to see as well! Written and hosted by best-selling guidebook author Rick Steves, each half-hour show takes viewers to Europe's most interesting places, from great cities to off-the-beaten-path discoveries. This morning we'll meet a local guide and wind our way through the story of Kraków. "Krakow's main cathedral in the "old" part of town. "Others have asked this question since I returned home. I think the most surprising was Krakow. It gave an in depth understanding of the peoples and history they've endured through time, especially since WWII. Croatia and Slovenia were definite places for a return trip as well as seeing more of Poland.". Unexpectedly Linda and Jason, tour members sang and played the violin for us. On several occasions she went way out of her way to assist various members of our tour. Our guide Ezster was amazing. "I loved walking on the boardwalk at Plitvice Lakes. "Plitvice National Park was an unexpected "wow' moment for me. I loved visiting Prague and Budapest. The morning hike at Plitvice Lakes National Park was next best, even with a downpour in the middle. Rick Steves' Europe is public television's most-watched, longest-running travel series. We enjoyed driving through rural areas rather than on the busy freeways. After breakfast we'll drive out of Hungary and into Croatia. "Budapest to us was spectacular when we did the Danube River cruise at night and saw everything magically lit up!!!! The Auschwitz-Birkenau tour guide was awesome.". Be on your feet, walking and standing, for up to four hours, indoors and outdoors, in all weather conditions. I can't say enough about the tour, the guide, the locations, the hotels, food, the prep through Rick's book. In addition to being fun, it was an eye opener for me. It was an experience that could never be replicated. Our fellow tour members were delightful, which we find comes with being like-minded travelers and lifelong learners. While I think the tour was well run, I found that this type of tour is not what we are looking for in travel. I will definitely be doing another Rick Steves tour in the future. This was my first trip to Europe; it was so nice to not have to think about planning hotels & transportation. Sleep in Budapest. My wife and I are completing this together, so you won't get one from her. Strenuous walking: 2–8 miles throughout the day with lots of hills, stairs, and uneven terrain. But I'd say the average American visitor who's seen more than three trees in one place would prefer Germany's Romantic Road and Bavaria, or the Rhine and Mosel country — all high points that cut the Black Forest down to stumps. On a different level, I saw more clearly than anywhere else I've traveled, that 99% of people love people and don't care about nationality. Our day will end with a Hungarian dinner near the town of Eger. She made this tour exciting and educational in a fun way. I enjoyed the tour (would rate it 8.5/10 overall), and that's coming from someone who's normally a reluctant traveler at best. Shock and awe at Oskar Schindler's Factory and at Auschwitz, and driving through the Croatian countryside and seeing houses that still bear scars of the war in the 1990s. The local tour guides were fantastic and full of insight about their city. It reminds us all that we cannot allow ourselves to be complacent. 2021 This tour offered sites, history, food, but it was put together to enhance the experience. The question we get a lot is "would you do another one" and the answer is yes. "Probably the beauty of the natural surroundings in all the countries forests, mountains & lakes.". She brought a wealth of both general historical as well as personal recent historical experience and stories which gave us a better understanding than we could have experienced just reading on our own. All 10 survived. We were put in a dirty, dusty room in Eger. I am thinking big cities...now if you ask smaller towns or villages I would have tons...those are my favorite places. Peter and the local guides shared so much good historical and current information with a fun sense of humor. Boat: 1 hour. The sheer size of the camps was overwhelming. So glad there was something planned for us to do in Slovakia instead of just driving through A great hotel, a great meal and a beautiful city!". Breakfast is provided, but there are no group activities today. Also boat rides on the Danube (Budapest) and Rovenj.". It seemed every day was filled to the brimmed with special moments. Just across the border, we'll be welcomed with a fresh, family-prepared lunch in a pleasant farm setting. "I think I enjoyed Lake Plivitice the most though many of our outings were wonderful!". It is an active trip, lots of miles covered, structured time, free time to explore and plenty of good walking exercise. Loved Peter our tour. Geneva, one of Switzerland's largest and most sterile cities, gets the "nice place to live but I wouldn't want to visit" award. Perfect!". This was my 7th tour and it was in my top two. His briefings were excellent and greatly contributed to the quality travel and cultural experience. The pace of the trip was very good. Toward the end of the trip it was determined that many in our group had flights with an airline that had gone bankrupt. They are now exquisite memories. Our accommodations were always acceptable and mostly exceptional. That said, I would drop the castle visit (this applies to all three of the cities) in favor of other interesting things. But how to select the right destination? We learned so much about an area of Europe we really knew very little about. The cities we visited were so easy to see and embrace. It was great to visit so many countries in one trip. Good for the soul. A perfect blend of city and nature. I think it attracts interesting and serious travelers, whom wish to see and experience the lesser known, which may be the reason our entire group of travelers were so fantastic to be with. After Prague, Kraków (Poland) and Budapest (Hungary) are eastern Europe's best cities. Here I was floating in a fairy tale scene.". Sleep in Budapest. Bus: 5 hours. "Too many to count, but enjoyed Budapest, Rovinj and Lake Bled. And it was unbelieveable. Then we'll drive on to our destination, the deep greens and blues of Croatia's water wonderland and one of Europe's premier nature preserves: Plitvice Lakes National Park. Learning so much about a part of the world that has been "hidden" for me so long Sleep in Kraków. We sang with gusto. Had a wonderful time. Rick Steves shares his extensive knowledge of European history, art and culture. Always helpful, especially to me when I lost my passport and with me at the police department when it was returned. His driving was VERY skillful and comfortable.". Our visit to Plitvice Lakes was also special. If you want a Swiss city, see Bern or Luzern instead. I enjoyed the tour, our guide Peter was very attentive and easy to travel with. "So many! No bus. Thanks, Sam and Peter!". Our classic, three-week Best of Europe tour packs more travel thrills into a single vacation than you can imagine. I appreciated the way he adapted to the needs of the other guests and engaged all of us to make sure our expectations were being met. Our group was a lot of fun and added to the entire experience. Na svidenje! The Schindler Museum gave a very thorough background. The scenery is stunning as you travel from ever changing city through ever changing countryside. "My WOW moment was in the town of Eger. I think the cities/regions we visited were well-thought out: with the first part of the trip focused on well-known cities and the second part the lesser known part and country side. This was a great introduction to a part of the world where I previously knew very little. I had been a little intimidated by the thought of so many different languages and currencies, but Peter made it simple, telling us how much cash we needed as we approached each border, which ATMs were safe, and where to exchange currency. Americans get the shortest vacations in the industrial world. Hotels were great. One of the best things about the tour was spending time with my fellow travelers! "Staying for 2 nights on island of St. Catherine. I enjoyed all of the cities, towns and countries we visited. The many powerful and beautiful waterfalls, the beautiful green water lakes, and the scenery in general was amazing. Also the Plitvice National Park. "There were so many but the evening river tour in Budapest with the grand beauty of the city and its history was a big "wow" on this trip. We must never forget.". "Krakow was my "wow" moment. Second, The beautiful coastal town of Rovinj, Katherine Island, multi million dollar view, the enchanting Adriatic Sea,bluest water, painted skies of sunsets and sunrises, much needed day of rest, vacation from vacation. Outstanding in every aspect! I also loved Rovinj- staying on the island, swimming in the Adriatric, and kayaking. Such a diverse mix of sites, all them lovely. Turkish baths in Budapest. Overall, this is one of the best of the seven tours we have taken with Europe Through the Back Door. Auswitch was very moving and we were glad to see it with our own eyes. The visit to the winery was great what a fun time we had.". "Swimming in the Adriatic in Rovinj was spectacular We were wowed by it. While I enjoyed each of them, this tour surpassed the others in its combination of destinations (cities, mountains, seaside) and the quality of teaching by our tour and local guides. This was our very first tour, Rick Steves or otherwise, and was something of a test. After I opened the curtains. I really don't think I remember any time that I felt that my time was being wasted or wished we had done anything else with the available time. Have already recommended it to others, and thinking about another Rick Steves tour. Honeymooners should try these tiny towns: Beilstein on Germany's Mosel River; Hallstatt on Austria's Lake Hallstatt; Varenna on Italy's Lake Como; Ærøskøbing on an island in south Denmark; and Gimmelwald, high in the Swiss Alps. She handled all details of our trip with seeming ease and grace, even the hotel situation in Eger. Also a great guide. The tour was a great mix of city and countryside and a great mix of entertainment with history. When we were at a local winery, sampling wine, eating cheese and bread, listening to Tony play the violin with us singing along, I remember looking into my husband's eyes and we smiled knowing that this moment was perfect. The communism museum in Krakow was eye opening and felt foreboding/Budapest was alarming too. Seeing a young Jewish woman guiding our tour of a synagogue and thinking how beautiful young women just like her were led away to Auschwitz ... They were fabulous! "My WOW was a country, not a moment. I would recommend this tour to anyone fit and curious!! Great exposure to history. The weather was hot & humid with even some rain, but neither dampened our enjoyment. Our tour guide, Katka, was amazing, full of knowledge, able to give an interesting history lesson on most anything. The tour had to cover so may things for all of the different people on the trip. In case you wish to book pre- or post-tour hotel accommodations, the contact information for the tour's first and last hotels is included in your tour confirmation email, as well as in the Itinerary section of your tour account. Another member and I commented on how stunning the parliament building is. The tour was well organized and covered the sites extremely well. This was my first Rick Steves tour and it definitely will not be the last for me. Our guide hinted that it wasn't the best meal of the tour. I think it would be arriving at the Hotel in Rovinj. Eszter was so organized and knowledgeable. Food was great. Moving from the sunny shores of Croatia to beautiful Lake Bled is phenomenal. "When we were in Eger (a place of many delightful surprises--the school, the Roma fiddler at wine tasting, the Beatles exhibit at our hotel), we were lucky enough to see there was going to be an organ concert in the church. "I think climbing to the Citadel in Budapest late in the afternoon to peer down on the Danube was a highlight for me[INVALID] this seemed like one of the quintessential sights of Europe, and serendipity struck when a group of singers materialized at the summit to perform a choral concert. I learned about the history of the area as well as about the people. Her guidance ensured we made the best use of our free time exploring the cities and towns independently. "Being in and around Rovinj, Croatia. The sunsets on the Danube river in Budapest, and on the harbor restaurant in Rovinj were gorgeous. "Auschwitz/Birkenau ... haunting, emotional, deeply sad. Of course, our tour guide was wonderful and the local guides exceptional. Our tours are physically active! My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed all of the cities we visited while soaking in all of the history in each city. Unimaginable evil, unimaginable suffering. The weather was also perfect, which enhanced the experience.". "For me, there were at least five: Traveling through the spectacular High Tatras, the mountains separating Poland and Slovakia; cruising the Danube by night, taking in the magical sight of Budapest's illuminated landmarks; "Arriving in Rovinj, on the Island Hotel Katarina. Of course the tour to Auschwitz/Berkenau was very meaningful. This one focuses on some of the major cities and sights in Europe, and he breaks each one down into 3-day itinerary plans to help you get ideas for how to plan your trip. It's hard to describe the beauty and solemnity of the Parliament House and Buda Castle when viewed from the river at night.". The other people on this tour were delightful. Freedom is a passion best experienced with people who were denied it for so long . We had an amazing city experience in Prague, Budapest, and Krakow, seeing marvelous cathedrals, etc. . We cut our vacation short and flew home the day after the tour. Saw many things. This is our 3rd tour w/ Rick Steves and, as usual, it was excellent! All of these are wow moments and don't get me started about Prague.". The countryside was very scenic on the drives from Krakow to Budapest and on to Croatia and Slovenia. I liked the free time to explore, over all a wonderful trip, emersed in local flavor and beauty. Wonderful trip! Sleep in Bled. The tour definitely exceeded my expectations. Great guides, insightful local history, fun activities, lots of walking, and wonderful tour members. We loved the cities of Prague, Krakow and Budapest as each had its own unique personality and charm. It was maybe the most important thing we did. Rooms with names on the walls. Full Rick Steves' Europe Episodes Watch more Rick Steves' Europe I remember the first time walking into Prague's Old Town. Katarina's details and historical perspective of the city were just the best". Guess I should have done more research. "My favorite WOW moment was visiting the Plitvice Lakes National Park. "Being immersed in the horrors of the Nazi occupation, then finding that the Russian liberators were every bit as bad.". Thank you to Mitch and Katka. And it was a treat to have so time to do things on our own and then our experiences with Katerina, Stephanie, and the group. He set the tone for the tour of openness, friendliness and cooperation. Hotel costs would seem to be the only reason for additional cost so if that is the case, then why does a solo traveler get such poor accommodations? Itinarary was good and the exellent tour guide Peter made a big difference to make the trip more special. "Tough question. ", Significant rainfall dampened the experience, Overall this was a good tour. I posted pictures on social media while we traveled, and highly recommend this trip. The cathedral is truly beautiful and intriguing.". "Krakow was the bigget surprise to me. Our driver, was also very friendly and happy to talk to the group. We absolutely loved this tour. ", "Snowing in Plitvice Lake ,it's so beautiful". Maybe it was Rovinj, where we stayed in a 5-star hotel, beautifully situated between the town to one side and the nature preserve on the other. per person + air, Single A great tour to a part of the world that I had not visited before. Moderate walking: 2–6 miles throughout the day with some hills and stairs. Rick Steves' Europe is public television's most-watched, longest-running travel series. I enjoyed the pace of the trip highlights of the ity in the morning and free time to go back and enjoy what interested me. The bus although comfortable gets to be tedious at times because of the long drives but that's unavoidable. The food from that area of a Europe is not my favorite, but there were so many options. We felt well taken care of and guided throughout the entire tour. Tour guide worked tirelessly to ensure we were well taken care of and thoroughly informed about the areas we were traveling through. The countryside on the bus rides stunning. Katerina was such a lovely guide; she made sure we were all comfortable and that no one was bored. We all enjoyed learning more of the history and political of the 'Heart of Europe' from Monica while we shared our meal.". Website, we found the visit to Auschwitz / Birkenau was overwhelming and sobering an incredible amount sights. 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