When 10 new countries join the European Union on May 1, sights made hard to reach for decades by the Iron Curtain or other political barriers -- the storybook 11th-century castle on Lake Bled in Slovenia, the mud-bath spas of Estonia's west coast, the spectacular sweep of art nouveau buildings in Riga, Latvia -- will become nearly as accessible as those in Paris or London. Even better, those who make the effort will find that the tour buses that descend all summer on the Louvre, Big Ben and the Vatican have not yet found their way to the wonders of the New Europe. Now is the time to visit.
To be sure, excursions into these unfamiliar parts are likely to pose some challenges. Those of us not versed in Hungarian will have to scramble through a phrasebook to figure out that ordering gombafejek rantva in Budapest will get you a plate of fried mushroom caps. Having just gotten used to the euro, Americans will now have to sort out if 100 Lithuanian litas is a fair rate to pay the taxi driver at the Vilnius airport, or whether the 1,500 koruna a shopkeeper in Prague wants for that crystal decanter is worth it. It will take several years for the new EU countries to enter the euro zone.
The open market in Ljubljana is more than just shopping, it's also about the architecture in Slovenia's capital.
(J. Skok - Slovenian Tourist Board)
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On a Tour of the New EU, Take Two or More
Those trying to tick off the new EU members before the next crop is added on should consider a combination trip that visits several of the countries in one big swoop. Examples:
• A Baltic capitals tour is a popular option, and Nordique Tours (800-995-7997, www.nordiquetours.com) offers eight days in Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia for $799, including first-class lodging, guided tours and breakfast. Air extra. Depart Fridays May 28-Sept. 24. Company can also arrange airfare, with round-trip fares from Dulles costing $826 to $910.
• Crown Travel (800-853-6453, www.crown-travel.com) lets travelers experience Hungary and Slovenia with a six-night, $1,338 package that includes round-trip air from New York to Ljubljana (add $30 for Philly or $125 from Dulles); first-class train between the two countries; three nights each in a four-star property in Budapest and the Slovenian capital; and breakfast. Book by June 28 for midweek November-December travel. Taxes of $135 additional.
• Summit International (800-527-8664, www.summittours.com) can pair Prague with a new EU state, such as Poland (Warsaw, Krakow) or Hungary (Budapest). Prices start at $752 and include international and inter-city flights, three nights' lodging in each city, breakfasts and a tour in each destination.
• Odysseys Unlimited has a Discover Eastern Europe package that covers Poland, Hungary, the Czech Replublic and (oldie but goodie) Austria from $3,395. The 17-day trip includes round-trip air from Washington to Warsaw (arrival) and Prague (departure); 15 nights' accommodations; some meals; and a full plate of excursions, such as the Danube Bend, dinner with a Polish family and a night at a restored Jesuit school in Cesky Krumlov. Departures are in May, July, September and October; add $122 in taxes. Info: 888-370-6765, www.odysseys-unlimited.com.
• Rail Europe is offering multi-country train passes (as well as single countries, such as Czech Republic or Hungary flexipasses from $48 for three days and $76 for five days, respectively) that crisscross many of the new EU countries. The European East Pass, for one, chugs through the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and Austria for $158 (second class) to $225 (first class) for five days of travel within a month. Info: 888-382-7245, www.raileurope.com.
-- Andrea Sachs
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And thank goodness. While the weak dollar has made the more traditional European venues cost-prohibitive for some travelers, the new countries are far more affordable. The Hungarian Flexipass, for example, offers five days of first-class train travel through Hungary for $76. A double room in the Telecom Guest House in the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius goes for $43 a night, including a bear-size breakfast. And a mug of beer and a heaping platter of Polish sausages, potatoes and vegetables at Chimera, a festive restaurant in the Polish city of Krakow, goes for about $8.
New Old World: 10 More for the EU
By Gary Lee and Andrea Sachs
Washington Post Staff Writers
Here is a primer on each of the incoming EU member countries, along with information on package trips that can get you started on seeing all 10 before the next big expansion. (All prices are per person, double.)
Cyprus
• WHERE: In the Mediterranean Sea, south of Turkey and west of Syria.
• WHY GO: Even though this island nation has been divided since 1974 and remains the subject of conflict between pro-Greek and pro-Turkish factions, it offers the wonders of Mediterranean life without the hordes. The mountainous Troodos region features frescoed monasteries, tiny vineyards, pleasant villages and its own Mount Olympus. The beaches are pristine and the sun brilliant in Kyrenia, Pissouri Beach, Protaras and other resort areas.
• DON'T MISS: The architectural monuments in Lefkosia, the world's only remaining divided capital, including the 13th-century Selimiye Mosque and the 15th-century Dragoman Hadzigeorgakis (Museum of Culture) . . . The town of Famagusta, a veritable outdoor museum surrounded by a Venetian wall. . . The Roman mosaics in the town of Pafos, where legend says Aphrodite rose from the waves.
• SAMPLE PACKAGE: This Mediterranean island has not yet popped up on America's vacation radar screens, so most packages are offered through European travel agents and depart from the United Kingdom -- perfect if you're already abroad. London's Voyages Jules Vernon (011-44-20-7616-1000, www.vjv.co.uk/index_files/index.html) has seven-night packages to southern (from $911; depart May-December) and northern Cyprus (from $1,052; May travel), including round-trip air from London, accommodations and some excursions. The southern trip includes outings to Nicosia, the Troodos Mountains and the ruins of Kourion; the north is mainly for independent explorers. In the United States, GORP Travel has a self-guided, inn-to-inn trek of the Troodos Mountains, including seven nights' lodging, breakfast and dinner, from $1,031. Travel May-November; airfare additional, with fares from Washington to Pafos starting at $1,600 round trip. Info: 877-440-GORP, www.gorptravel.com.
• INFO: Cyprus Tourism Organization, 212-683-5280, www.visitcyprus.org.
Czech Republic
• WHERE: Central Europe, bordering Germany to the southwest and Poland to the north.
• WHY GO: Already a beloved destination thanks to the sublimely ornate Prague Castle and surrounding sweep of Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and baroque buildings, Prague is poised to take its place alongside London and Paris as a top-tier European stop. Although it's a bit costlier than other new EU countries, the prices are more reasonable than Paris, Berlin or London. Outside the capital, the mountainous region of Krkonose and other parts of Bohemia make for a wonderland of spas and greenery. The Elbe region, centering around the town of Decin, has magnificent sandstone rock formations, dating back millions of years.
• DON'T MISS: The Royal Route, the highly popular walk through Prague that passes the 647-year-old Charles Bridge and ends up at the castle . . . Terezin, an 18th-century stone fortress an hour outside the city . . . The medieval town of Cesky Krumlov and its 13th-century Castle Complex, the largest in Central Europe . . . The Cistercian monasteries of Zlata Koruna . . . Koneprusy Caves, the largest cave system in Bohemia . . . Burgher houses and Budvar beer in Ceske Budejovice.
• SAMPLE PACKAGE: Summit International, the U.S. tour operator for Czech Airlines, has year-round Czech Republic offerings. Prices for a six-night package to Prague, including air from New York (add $38-$56 for D.C. flights), accommodations, breakfasts and half-day city tour, range from $565 to $1,039; add about $78 in taxes. Those who want to explore the whole country can do so by bike, horse or car, or can tailor their sightseeing to birds, gardens and castles, Jewish sights, even South Moravian wines. Info: 800-527-8664, www.summittours.com.
