What began with a look at the capital of Poland and will endure with a future post on superb Krakow takes a broad approach here, with some notable gems of Central Europe that while not quite under the radar, may not hit that mainstream nerve quite yet. Outside of tourist hubs Germany, Austria and Switzerland, Central Europe is home to a veritable cornucopia of attractions. All in all, the region provides great travel appeal. With that in mind, check out eight of our favorite destinations.
A limestone cave system that delves up to 200 m below the surface, with 6 km of rocky, underground corridors, massive chambers and waterfalls to explore. Slovenia is indeed fortunate to have the UNESCO World Heritage Skocjan Caves, a phenomenal and peerless subterranean complex in the Kras region of the country. The national park that contains the caves also yields archaeological proof of human habitation here that dates back over 10,000 years.
After you visit the spectacular caves of Slovenia, make some time for Maribor. After the capital of Ljubljana, the city is the most vital hub in the country, with over 130,000 people. At the nexus of the Drava river and Pohorje mountain range, Maribor offers gorgeous valley scenery, architecture and culture. In 2012 in fact, the small city will share European Capital of Culture honors with Guimaraes, Portugal.
The coastline deficient, microstate of Liechtenstein is a complete afterthought for most travelers to Europe. After all, most national parks in Canada dwarf the 160 km² nation on the borders of Austria and Switzerland. Still, visit the tiny capital of Vaduz. With close to 5,000 people, the hamlet offers wonderful scenery and charm.
Second to Bratislava in size and population in Slovakia, the city of Kosice deserves mention with the formidable national capital. A well-kept old town for one, in addition to noteworthy landmarks that range from Gothic to Art Nouveau and a dramatic cityscape on the foothills of the Slovak Ore Mountains provide the historic city with significant allure.
The least conspicuous body of water in Central Europe, massive Lake Balaton is most certainly not under the radar by any stretch of the imagination. The desirable, idyllic destination provides Hungary with a veritable summer resort, on par with some of the best on the continent. With myriad summer festivals and superb towns like Siofok and Keszthely to explore, the Balaton region is world class.
Check out some of the best hotel deals in glorious Lake Balaton, Hungary.
The de facto capital of Lower Silesia, Poland, the city of Wroclaw is a marvelous destination to include on your Central Europe itinerary. With a history that dates back well over 1,000 years, the city of more than 630,000 people has a vibrant arts and culture scene as well. Highlight points of interest include St. Elisabeth’s Church and UNESCO World Heritage Centennial Hall.
The Czech Republic has enough going for it to keep intrepid travelers busy for weeks. One must-see small city however, is Cesky Krumlov. The exquisite UNESCO World Heritage town of 14,000 people has enviable architecture and history to discover. The intact old town frames a brilliant 13th century castle, with many Baroque and Renaissance landmarks to enjoy.
Don’t leave the Czech Republic without a thorough tour of tiny Telc. The unusual UNESCO World Heritage old town is unlike any in Europe and remains remarkably pristine to this day. While the High Gothic castle is the definitive landmark, the entire historic district is one of the most extraordinary in the country and indeed, Central Europe.
Photo credits: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Thanks for these travel tips. Central Europe is filled with hidden gems. Western Europe tends to hog the spotlight but make the effort to discover the breadth of history in this region where many events took place to shape the direction of Europe from the medieval to the present age.