Best places in Europe...

[zinfamous]

Agreed. Prague definitely is not cheap now. Especially near the old town square. That's what westernization will do to ya.

yeah, in 2001 I was paying $0.25 for Urquells on tap in the central area. Seriously, we would refuse to pay $0.40 when we saw that (closer to central square)!

Things started changing ~2004, correct?

Other than Prague, I've only been to Usti nad Laben [sic], only b/c one of the guys I was traveling with has a family castle there, and it was only for 1/2 day--a bit of a shithole, that place, but I'd love to see more of Czech Republic. Tons of awesome little villages and museums off the beaten path.

 

[zinfamous]

Totally agree. I went to Minsk, Belarus for a week this past winter and it's a total Soviet Union time capsule (Stalin-style buildings and Lenin statues galore). I knew a bunch of girls there that I met here in the states - so I had a great time. I just imagine if I went there alone and without knowing anyone, my experience would definitely be different.

Belarus is NOT tourist-friendly, nevermind the loopholes one needs to go through to get a visa.

yup. It is an absolutely fascinating part of this world--seeing the remnants of past Soviet occupation and decay (many pockets of which still fight on to remain relevant), amidst the growth of the modern towns trying to adapt and redevelop into modernized western-style economies. I think the smaller cities are better for viewing this type of dynamic, but you really need a guide to know what's going on.

My GF is Latvian, so I was able to get a lot out of a ~1 week jaunt through eastern Latvia (...and the entire country is the size of West Virginia, lol). But if you make a 2-day trip considering your time and money (can get cheap flights through Air Baltic if you keep at it), then a flight to Riga or Tallin is worth it, imo.

 

[killster1]

hmm ive been to Europe 6 times? Greece is very cheap and fun, im sure everyone else already hit the major spots, i loved Scotland, Berlin, Ireland, Been to London way to many times always stay by padington bear station. Watch out for pick pockets in Rome, Watch out for bad drivers in Brussels (and the many tricky one way streets UGH)

 

[Azurik]

But if you make a 2-day trip considering your time and money (can get cheap flights through Air Baltic if you keep at it), then a flight to Riga or Tallin is worth it, imo.

I plan to go to Tallin, Estonia at some point, just don't know when. I know a girl there that would help with being a tourist guide.

I have a trip planned to Kiev, Ukraine en route to Minsk, Belarus this August/September. My other remote destination this year is a stopover in Easter Island en route to Igauzu Falls. There's only one airline company (LAN) that flies there, lol - burning 160,000 British Airways miles for two business class seats. NYC-IPC-IGU-SCL-NYC = incredible deal!

 

[Sho'Nuff]

I did this in Berlin as well. A beautiful apartment right by Schloss Czech Republic isn't officially on the Euro, but most places in Prague would accept it (and give you a crappy exchange rate plus Koruna for change).

Most merchants in Prague will accept the U.S dollar as well, with the same result. Much better to pay with a debit or charge card.

One other thiing to note about Prague; most of the attractions have different entry fees, based on the nationality of the person buying the ticket. When my wife and I went there a few years ago, we saved well over $200 simply by having my father (who is a Czech native) buy all of our tickets.