|
The countries of Central Europe - Austria, Czech Republic,
Germany, Hungary Poland and Slovakia are now more accessible
then ever before by air, rail, road and sea.
Visit Central Europe a most desirable and, as yet, really
undiscovered travel destination in the whole of Europe
- if not the world.
From Berlin to Dresden and Prague - Bratislava to Vienna
or Budapest - Krakow to Warsaw all the major cities of
Central Europe are now linked with ease of travel be it
by car, plane or train.
From the Baltic Coast to the banks of the Danube every
season of the year has an host of delights to offer the
traveller. Music festivals, architectural and cultural
exhibitions, food and wine festivals and out-door activities
with a winter wonderland throughout the region to satisfy
the most demanding tastes.
Berlin is now the most vibrant new capital city in Europe
and a great stopping off point for Central Europe. A train
ride to Prague for example travels via Dresden with breath
taking views on the way. Berlin abounds with music. Three
opera houses, two concert halls and eight symphony orchestras.
Germany though has more, it is rich in authentic castles
that childhood dreams are made of and rivers and forests
to enjoy. The Danube which flows through most of the countries
of Central Europe the Rhine and the Rhone all perfect
for cruising through the heart of Europe and linking many
of the regions magical and romantic cities.
The winter season in Austria has everything to offer but
as spring approaches the country comes alive with music.
Vienna and Salzburg offer superb opera music and dance.
Enjoy the music of the Straus family and the operas' of
Mozart
From Vienna a half-hour drive takes you to the City of
Bratislava in Slovakia. A small country with a big heart
and a capital city perched on the banks of the Danube.
The Slovak landscape provides incredible and inspiring
natural beauty with spectacular mountains, clear lakes
and green lowlands. Slovakia abounds with Gothic Temples,
Baroque and Rococo Palaces and only a boat ride away from
Budapest.
Budapest capital of Hungary where the people have lived
for 1100years and where many travel from all four corners
of the world to experience the treasures of this wonderful
country. At its heart the city of Budapest "Pearl of the
Danube" The Danube divides the city in two Buda on one
bank and the Pest plain on the other. Uniquely the Danube
panorama is a UNESCO world heritage site and you need
to see the city at night to experience its full glory
and fully understand why.
Lake Balaton with its surrounding towns is the playground
of the Hungarian people and rapidly being discovered by
the rest of the world. This is the largest lake in Central
Europe, known as the Hungarian Sea, and at 77Km long is
a must for visitors.
Cross the border to the Czech Republic and before travelling
on to Prague visit Moravia and Bohemia - names to conjure
with and that have romance oozing from them. A world apart,
where wine flows and according to a poet 'the houses sing'
in a town called Mikulov.
Be prepared to be spellbound by Prague the city of one
hundred spires. Walk across the Charles Bridge and gaze
at this beautiful city and watch and hear the marionettes
performing their enchanting dance to the sound of music.
Warsaw, Krakow and Gdansk where monuments, churches and
museums bear testimony to the history of this great country.
Festivals abound and the outdoor pursuits are limitless.
Vast forests where bison still roam, where there are lakes
and mountains that still wait to be discovered. And National
parks that are protected from developers
Every year in Poland the Chopin Festival takes place a
legacy to Piano music the world over. In Krakow there
is a constant reminder of the new millennium as the city
was designated a city of culture for the year 2000.
Central Europe awaits. Zakapone in Poland with its winter
wonderland and the Carpathian Mountains, which cradle
Slovakia to the Austrian Tyrol. From the shores of Lake
Balaton to the shores of the Baltic coast history is everywhere.
The finest wines and German and Czech Beer the best in
the world. The finest cities with history, culture and
music unmatched and hidden away for far too long.
|
