Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we visit the countries of Central Europe! Central Europe includes Germany, Poland, Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Slovenia and Switzerland: some of my favorite countries! As you know, here at Wolters World, we like to prepare travelers with the good, and the bad, of visiting a new travel destination. So these are the five things you’ll love, and the five things you’ll hate about a Central Europe trip.
Hate #1: The Weather
Central Europe does not have hot, beachy weather. It’s often overcast, and rarely gets above 70 degrees. It can rain frequently, so you always need an umbrella and/or rain jacket. Evenings can be cold, even in the summer, so you always have to pack a sweater to wear at night. Winter weather in Central Europe is not great either, unless you like snow and cold. The weather isn’t terrible, but it requires a bit more thought in your packing than just throwing a swimsuit and flip flops in your luggage.
The Best & Worst of Europe in Winter
Hate #2: Limited Vegetarian/Healthy Options
The food here is great, but if you like to eat a lot of vegetables, or are a vegetarian, enjoying Central European cuisine can be challenging. Central Europe is all about comfort food: the cuisine of Central Europe is largely meat-based without a lot of vegetables, unless you count potatoes as a vegetable. Larger cities in Central Europe will have more vegetarian options, but some of the restaurants in smaller villages might be thrown for a loop if you want non-meat options.
Hate #3: Prices in Central Europe
Sometimes travelers expect Eastern Europe prices in Central Europe, but that’s not the case. Some of the countries in Central Europe can be quite expensive. Switzerland is often cited as the most expensive country in the world to visit. It’s certainly the most expensive European country outside of Scandinavia. So don’t necessarily expect a budget vacation on your Central Europe tour. You could spend four weeks in Spain or Portugal on the money you spend in three weeks in Central Europe.
Hate #4: Service
It’s not that the service is bad necessarily, but it’s very brisk and professional. Don’t expect friendly waitstaff who will go above and beyond to make sure you have a great meal. They will take your order, bring your food, but that’s about it. They also expect you to be ready to order when they get to the table. If you ask for a few more minutes, it may be a long time before you see them again. This is just one of those things you need to know going in. If you expect it, you won’t be surprised.
Hate #5: Weight Gain
I may have listed Central European food as a “hate” but the truth is, it’s so good that you are going to hate the weight you will inevitably put on from all the amazing food. Starting with the beer, all the savory meat dishes and then all the gorgeous desserts. All of the food is very heavy, but it’s totally worth gaining a few pounds for. Besides, you can walk it off exploring each town on your Central Europe tour.
Love #1: Public Transportation in Central Europe
Whether you’re using public transportation to get around the city or to travel between cities, there are numerous options for getting around. The buses, trains and trams in Central Europe are always working, they go everywhere and most importantly, they run on time. Most travelers plan a Central Europe itinerary with several countries over a couple of weeks, and the train system is a great resource for getting around.
Six Rules for European Train Travel
Love #2: Central European Food
Unless you’re a vegetarian, the food of Central Europe is reason enough to visit! I love the food in central Europe. The food is very hearty comfort food. It fills you up, but you’ll always have room for beer and dessert. The Czech Republic invented Pilsner beer, Germany is known for beer and Austria has great beer and wine. Austria tops the list for desserts; it’s the home of Sacher Torte and you can’t throw a stone in Vienna without hitting a sweets shop. When it comes to food, there is a lot of pork, duck, potatoes, dumplings and gravy. I love the food of Central Europe!
Love #3: Central European Landscapes
The natural beauty of Central Europe is astounding. From the Alps of Germany and Switzerland, to the lake districts of Poland and Austria, the landscapes are stunning. While the cities of Central Europe are great, you can really plan an outdoor adventure vacation, too. Central Europe is the perfect destination for hiking, skiing and boating or kayaking on mountain lakes. Don’t think you have to have to plan your entire Central Europe itinerary around museums and major attractions.
Love #4: Villages of Central Europe
There are so many unique, quaint villages throughout central Europe, it would take a lifetime to explore them all. Everyone goes to the cities like Prague and Munich, but what about the small villages like Freiburg, Cesky Krumlov or Hallstatt. When you step off the train in these villages, it feels like you fell into a fairytale. Make sure you find some smaller villages to visit during your Central Europe trip.
Love #5: Local History Museums
In the larger cities, you get the national museums that are very broad, but when you visit smaller countries and towns, there are fantastic local folk museums where you can learn about the local history and cultures. The locals take a lot of pride in making sure these museums depict local history accurately and are able to give visitors a sense of what the town is all about.
I have lived in Austria and Germany and worked in Poland. I love Central Europe and come here nearly every year. The “hates” are really just a few things to keep a head’s up on rather than a reason not to visit Central Europe. Want more tips on travel in Central Europe? Check out these other blog posts: