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How our Heritage Gives our Travel Planning an Upper Hand
The team working for Adventures Croatia has plenty of reasons to be passionate about what we do, but our heritage in various regions of Europe give us a special energy when planning trips for our clients.
In addition to our Croatian team, our connections to other regions in Central and Eastern Europe give us an upper hand when creating special itineraries for our clients who want the BEST from their vacations. Below our team has shared their favorite aspects of cities they have previously lived in, Budapest, Moscow, and Prague.
Budapest, Hungary
Bojána Nagy
It’s been many year’s since I lived in the city, but I still love to visit Budapest no matter the season. Although, part of the reason I decided to move to San Diego from Budapest 7 years ago was to escape from long and cold winters. However, the more time goes by, the more I appreciate my heritage and what I took for granted while I was living there.
And what do I miss? Other than family and friends, I’ll miss the European summer and the vibrant city life the most. But visiting for the holidays is also magical as there’s something special about my country in the winter.
The best escape from the cold? Thermal Baths! Budapest sits on a patchwork of almost 125 thermal springs, and ‘taking the waters’ has always been a part of my life. The layout of most of Budapest’s baths is similar: a series of indoor thermal pools where temperatures range from warm to hot, along with steam rooms, saunas, ice-cold plunge pool and rooms for massage. Some have outdoor pools with fountains, sprays, and whirlpools. Being thermal, some are open year-round. I was a regular visitor of Szechenyi Thermal Bath, one of my many favorites.
I also recommend everyone visit the theater in Budapest. Most shows run in Hungarian, but several of the city’s classic and contemporary cultural establishments can draw a global crowd thanks to comedy, drama and musical productions in English, or in Hungarian with subtitles. Venues range from an elegant Hapsburg landmark to an abandoned building in District VII. More info here.
Alongside the stunning architecture and my countries delicious cuisine, Hungary has a multitude of opportunities to offer, and I am always happy to offer any advice you may seek.
Moscow, Russia
Natalia Baron
If you find yourself over the pond visiting Croatia or Montenegro, why not extend your vacation to mysterious Russia? There are now non-stop flights from Montenegro to Moscow. Only 3 1/2 hours, and you have arrived at one of the largest and alluring cities in the World!
I was born and raised in Siberia for 17 years. Then I moved to Moscow and studied there for five years, later immigrating to the United States. The only regret I have is that I didn’t spend enough time exploring this grand and beautiful city. Moscow is the city that never sleeps, evolving all the time — yet preserving and restoring the charm and history that has accumulated through the centuries, all the while surviving the Russian revolution and soviet era.
If you’ve never been to Moscow, you must go and demystify this fantastic city and experience the Russian culture first hand, especially if you are a history lover.
One of the many highlights includes the famous Red Square that has a magnetic effect for all visitors to Moscow. From the Red Square, you can see the most significant buildings in the capital: The Kremlin, GUM department store, the State History Museum, Lenin’s Mausoleum and of course, St Basil’s Cathedral with domes that bloom like an elaborate stone flower planted by the architects of the 16th century.
I’ve written a full post about Moscow’s fascinating Red Square, which you can read HERE if you’re interested.
Prague, Czech Republic
Neil Brinckerhoff
Although I was born in California, being raised by a Czech mother always had me fascinated about my heritage. I had the amazing opportunity to finish my studies in Prague, and proceeded to live in the city for 3+ years working as a tour guide in the Czech Republic.
Prague is infamous for its skyline decorated by spires spanning a millennium of architectural styles. Since the city was never heavily bombed in any war, it’s one’s of Europe’s few capitals to showcase the historical splendor through authentic buildings. But beyond the typical sights in Old Town and Prague Castle, the city offers unique stories to peak anyone’s interest.
Since the Velvet Revolution and fall of Communism in 1989, Czechoslovakia and then the Czech Republic quickly reconnected to previously barred connections to develop into the ever-improving country that it is today. But luckily, the unique Czech culture and charm was not lost in these times of modernization. It’s simple to step off Prague’s beaten tourist path and taste the local beer, pastries, and cuisine. Experiencing the culture, and escaping the tourist crowds in the cities center will give you plenty of opportunities to see the Czech way of life.
As the center of Europe, Prague is a convenient destination to visit before or after you see the Southern Slavic states of Europe. With unique events offered year-around, you’ll want to give yourself as much time as possible to explore the winding Medieval streets of Prague.
