Robbuijs
Traveller
1 comments
Posted 8 years ago
Hi,
We're about to start on our second interrail trip. Last year we went to Paris, Barcelona, spanish coast, Pyreneeen, France, Switserland, Venice, Munchen and back home. We're a family with 4 kids and they loved railing through europe.
This year we're going to make it even better by traveling to countries we've never been before. We'll have about 21 days off and we have the 10 days of travel allowed on our tickets. And we're on a thight budget.
We're going to start by traveling from home (netherlands to Berlin). And from Berlin to a nice camping near Prague. This will bring us halfway into our first week of our three week holliday.
Our planning is stuck there. There are so many places to go to and we don't know where to begin researching. We'd like to go for a bit of hiking and wild camping, but we're not sure where this is allowed - and safe. Also we'd like to visit old medival towns like in Transilvania. We like old towns, cosy café's and good food. We're interested in Culture, Arts, Nature. And of course we're like some leasure for the kids. And did I mention we're on a budget...
Now, I'm not asking for an itinary, just some pointers. Which train routes in eastern europe are nice too travel, which countries and places shouldn't we miss.
I understand this is a very wide reaching question :D , but it you're with four kids (15,13, 9 and 9), interrailing in eastern europe - what wouldn't you want to miss :?:
Thanks in advance,
Rob Buijs.
Flo
Traveller
10724 comments
Hi Rob,
just for now some first ideas. I dont have particular infos about wild camping, but I guess it is not that common in eastern europe.
After Prague you could head for Slovakia. Look out for either the high tatra area around Poprad, including the narrow gauge network to resorts such as Strbske Pleso. You could even take the bus to Poland to Zakopane...so if you want to spend more time there, you could also get the night train from Prague to Krakow, then go to Zakopane, then to Slovakia.
Another nearby option and probably even a bit less touristy is the Slovensky Raj area, which is also quite close to Poprad but better accesible from the Banska Bystria - Margecany (- Kosice) line which itself also is quite scenic. Kosice and Presov are cities worth having a look at.
From Kosice, the main train hub it then is a bit awkward to continue but you will find your way through the secondary lines of Hungary to get to Romania. Of course you could also think of including a short visit to Ukraine, at last it is only two hours or so away...
In Romania maybe have a look at the carpathian mountains near the city of Brasov - look at Predeal
Then you should think about how to finish your trip...Bulgaria is a really nice country so maybe go there too...have a look at Plovdiv and Veliko Tarnovo...for hiking maybe also Rila mountains. Then you could get back to Hungary quite quickly by the direct night train from Sofia to Budapest or still include a trip through Serbia and maybe make a last stop at Lake Bled.
Greece would be very nice too of course to have some relaxing days at the beach but may be just too far away.
Flo 8)
Robbuijs
Traveller
1 comments
Wow, soo many great suggestions. Thanks Flo. I'm researching all of them.
Quick question, is the small gauge train near Poprad you mention included in the interrail pass?
Flo
Traveller
10724 comments
Yes :)