I hope everyone is nurturing some travel dreams for the not too distant future, and in this post I’ll give my top recommendations for where to travel in Eastern and Central Europe over the next year. As much damage as the pandemic has done to the travel industry, for people who are ready to hit the road again soon, you’ll find some incredible opportunities and bargains.

Move over, Mardi Gras. Slow down that samba, Rio de Janeiro. There’s another Lenten carnival that’s just as fun a party—plus it’s got monsters. I’m talking about Ptuj’s kurentovanje.

One of the most storied areas in the Czech Republic are the Krkonoše Mountains, on the border with Poland. Krkonoš is the Czech name for the famous local mountain spirit, also known by his German moniker Rübezahl... who sometimes takes the form of a giant.

Here are some ideas for those wanting to check out more than just a country’s top 3 or most known sights and cities. Not that these are totally off the radar, but many folks probably know about these places and figure they’ll give’ em a miss. If you are in that camp, then here are a few reasons to reconsider these destinations next time you make your travel plans. 

Amazing architecture, a romantic spot for a kiss, essential infrastructure to cross rivers and neighborhoods, or just the perfect place for a sunset photo; here are five bridges in Eastern Europe that offer all of these uses and more.

Regardless if you’re the type that takes up the challenge of driving while overseas, here are some memorable scenic driving routes to consider. Underneath each pick, I’ve put in prefered method of getting around, as well as starting and ending points. 

I get a lot more “churched-out” than monasteried-out on my travels. Usually with a monastery, it’s more serene, fewer idiots with self-stickies, and the clergy-to-tourist ratio is in the clergy’s favor.

It’s something I wish weren’t true, but I have to admit it: I love carbs. I mean, what’s better than hot, fresh bread? You know what else I love, despite myself? Fat. I think most people do; it’s probably hard-wired and evolutionary. So what actually is  better than hot, fresh bread? How about smothering it with something deliciously fat—like cheese?

I was considering calling this “When You Love Ravioli But Aren’t in Italy.” If you love stuffed pasta or just want a few ideas of what comfort foods await you on your next trip to Eastern Europe, dive into these…