Shankster,
Awesome critique and recommendations. But where are the best hookers yo?
Awesome critique and recommendations. But where are the best hookers yo?
Quote:
Originally Posted by shanker 
I cannot recommend Croatia and Montenegro enough. The coasts of Split and Dubrovnik, as well as Herceg Novi and Budva are extremely underrated and offer breathtaking beauty with minimal tourists. The Montenegrian cities will meet the demands of even sophisticated travellers. Dubrovnik is a bit of a tourist trap with loads of cruise ship sheep swarming the walled Old Town on a daily basis. Still worth a vist though, but a day - maybe two are more than enough. Time invested in Split or Montenegro will likely prove more satisfying.
Having spent a good deal of time travelling solo to 27 European countries, including all the countries that border the Federation of Russia and the Black Sea except Moldova, in my experience East and "South"-Eastern Europe offer very little in the way of danger. This assuming you have some basic "street smarts" and dont put yourself in dangerous positions (ie soliciting prostitutes, trying to buy drugs, flashing your wealth, etc.). As a tourist, it is very unlikely you will encounter problems.
I should mention that I travel almost exclusively by train, including overnight journeys. Even the "infamous" Prague-Krakow O/N train offered no problems at all. My worst experience was encountered on an overnight Podgorica-Belgrad train. I was stuck on a car whose occupants delighted in chain smoking.
Romania (a bit dull) and Albania (quite dirty) were my least favorite countries, but I am glad I took the time to vist them. Zagreb was nice, but consider spending a day or two max. as I found you can see the city rather quickly. Bulgaria (Sofia) is a gem with some of the most hospitable and warm people I have come across. Bulgarians will take you into their homes w/o hesitation, treat you very well and offer their opinions on everything.
Sarajevo is historically very interesting, but keep in mind the scars of war are ever present. Bullet holes in walls, decimated buildings and "Roses" are all over the place. I was absolutely mesmerized by history you can touch and "taste", but I have talked to other Americans that were disturbed by it.
My opinion is to see E. Europe as soon as possible as things are changing at an alaming pace. Italy will always be Italy, Paris will always be Paris, but see E. Europe now before it "catches up" (not meant to be derogatory btw) with the West. The history and people are still much different than those in the West, but this will change soon.
As much as I enjoyed places like Belgium, The Netherlands, Switzerland and Germany, I found them very Western. "True" European experiences will be found in places like Bulgaria, The Baltics and the like.
Having spent a good deal of time travelling solo to 27 European countries, including all the countries that border the Federation of Russia and the Black Sea except Moldova, in my experience East and "South"-Eastern Europe offer very little in the way of danger. This assuming you have some basic "street smarts" and dont put yourself in dangerous positions (ie soliciting prostitutes, trying to buy drugs, flashing your wealth, etc.). As a tourist, it is very unlikely you will encounter problems.
I should mention that I travel almost exclusively by train, including overnight journeys. Even the "infamous" Prague-Krakow O/N train offered no problems at all. My worst experience was encountered on an overnight Podgorica-Belgrad train. I was stuck on a car whose occupants delighted in chain smoking.
Romania (a bit dull) and Albania (quite dirty) were my least favorite countries, but I am glad I took the time to vist them. Zagreb was nice, but consider spending a day or two max. as I found you can see the city rather quickly. Bulgaria (Sofia) is a gem with some of the most hospitable and warm people I have come across. Bulgarians will take you into their homes w/o hesitation, treat you very well and offer their opinions on everything.
Sarajevo is historically very interesting, but keep in mind the scars of war are ever present. Bullet holes in walls, decimated buildings and "Roses" are all over the place. I was absolutely mesmerized by history you can touch and "taste", but I have talked to other Americans that were disturbed by it.
My opinion is to see E. Europe as soon as possible as things are changing at an alaming pace. Italy will always be Italy, Paris will always be Paris, but see E. Europe now before it "catches up" (not meant to be derogatory btw) with the West. The history and people are still much different than those in the West, but this will change soon.
As much as I enjoyed places like Belgium, The Netherlands, Switzerland and Germany, I found them very Western. "True" European experiences will be found in places like Bulgaria, The Baltics and the like.
