Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
hassle in Eastern Europe as national rail
lines are beginning to align their sched-
ules to make connections and border
crossings easier. However, you might run
into a glitch (and a long layover) unless you
do meticulous planning ahead of time.
Intracountry travel is usually problem-free.
BY BUS
Bus travel is a way of life in all of Europe,
including Eastern Europe. Usually inter-
national buses are equipped with luxuries
such as reclining seats, air-conditioning,
and even television. Buses tend to be the
best for reaching smaller towns and remote
sites and sometimes they are the only
option for reaching mountainous villages
and tiny hamlets. You rarely have to reserve
a seat in advance, but you can buy a ticket
in advance at a main bus station or from
the driver when you board. Buses work
well for travel between cities in a single
country and for access to areas trains can't
access. Every major city in Eastern
Europe has a well-developed commuter
system that involves buses, trams, and
sometimes sophisticated metro systems.
15 Tips on Accommodations
Accommodations in Eastern Europe cover
a spectrum as broad as the region is vast.
See individual country chapters for
specifics on individual accommodations
categories for that country.
No matter where you travel in Eastern
Europe or what kind of accommodations
you plan to use, it is a good idea to make
a reservation for your first night in-coun-
try well in advance of your arrival.
CAMPING
Pitching a tent is the least expensive accom-
modations in Eastern Europe and it is also
one of the most popular. Campgrounds
can range from a monastery backyard
(Bra
c
, Croatia) to an elaborate affair with
bungalows, cabins, and amenities like a
theater, tennis courts, and gourmet restau-
rants. Camping facilities are also usually
away from any town center, but they often
have waterfront property. Some camp
facilities are set aside for naturists (read:
nudists) and others are geared to people
who stay for the entire summer. Reserva-
tions are accepted at most campgrounds
and the better ones fill up quickly. Depend-
ing on the country and campground cat-
egory, these facilities usually close in the
winter months and some are open in July
and August (high season) only. It's best to
make arrangements ahead of your arrival.
Note:
In Eastern Europe it is illegal to
camp out anyplace but a recognized
campground.
PRIVATE ACCOMMODATIONS
Eastern Europe's underground economy
runs on the private accommodations
industry. You'll find everything from a
room in an elderly woman's apartment
where you share her bathroom with her
to a detached multilevel villa on a family
estate when booking this option. It's
safest to book a private stay from a local
tourist agency, but you will pay a com-
mission. If you use the agency, you will
also have the option of inspecting the
room and asking for another choice if you
don't like it. You can also agree to rent
from one of the many “entrepreneurs”
who haunt ferry landings and train and
bus stations to find guests for their spare
rooms. This option is less expensive than
an agency-booked place, but you could
find that it is inconveniently located or
substandard by the time you get there.
Almost all private accommodations
require cash payment and almost none
includes breakfast or any other meals.
Note:
If you are staying in a private
home in Russia you'll have to pay a rental
agency to register your visa with a hotel.
