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eastern europe
& rail journeys
From iconic cities to fairytale villages, the countries of the East are a strange mix. Modern meets ancient, opulent meets simple. Still largely off the tourist map, this region harbours the lands of Bram Stokers Dracula, Orthodox churches galore and the sparkling coastlines of the Adriatic. Step back in time, travelling from the medieval villages of Poland to the grand cities of Russia. Along epic rail journeys across Eurasia discover castles and folktales, babushkas and borsch in a region that is out of the ordinary. Take roads less travelled to unravel the magic of Europes easternmost frontier and beyond. Check out Intrepids best-loved Eastern European real life experiences on the following page...
When to go&
high season Long days, clear skies and warm sunshine mean the sandy coasts of the Adriatic, Baltic and Black Seas fill with sun-seekers. Join in the fun or make the most of the fine weather, trekking high up into the Tatra Mountains or the Julian Alps. This is the best time of year to row on crystal-clear lakes, and hike or cycle through the serene greenery of alpine forests. low season When its cold and snowing, warm, brightly lit pubs beckon, with rich, hot meals and spicy mulled wines on the menu. Queues to museums and monuments are small as temperatures dip low, and festive Christmas markets fill famous sites such as Wenceslas Square and Bratislavas Old Town with twinkling lights and the smell of roasting chestnuts. When glistening snow covers medieval rooftops and carollers come out to sing, youll half expect Santa Claus to appear.
jan feb
shoulder season Rejoice as the snow melts and buds begin to bloom again in spring. Enjoy the reappearance of the sun and appreciate warmer weather by heading to the coast. In countries further inland, cultural calendars are jam-packed to usher in the season of rebirth. In Romania, Brasov comes to a standstill as unmarried young men parade in distinctive traditional costumes. If youre lucky enough to be in Budapest, youll bear witness to the countrys biggest cultural festival. The colourful leaves of chilly autumn are beautiful to behold and form the perfect backdrop for photographs. With fields freshly harvested, hay rolled into golden bales and the first snowflakes of the season, a train ride through the Russian and Siberian countryside becomes incredibly scenic. When the air is crisp and frost leaves delicate patterns on your window, theres no better time to tuck into hearty traditional favourites such as Hungarian goulash or Polish pierogi.
mar apr may jun jul aug sep oct nov dec
china croatia finland low season germany (winter) - 0-50 celsius hungary lithuania shoulder season (spring/autumn) - 10-200 celsius mongolia russia turkey ukraine high season (summer) - 25-350 celsius
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