Places to go in Europe before it changes?

[omagedon]

Just wondering I never been to Europe before and would like to go there. Which places you recommend to see before it changes? I was thinking more of Eastern Europe since they are changing pretty rapidly.

[b166er1337]

Just wondering I never been to Europe before and would like to go there. Which places you recommend to see before it changes? I was thinking more of Eastern Europe since they are changing pretty rapidly.

I would say Krakow, Poland.

[porphyra]

Czech republic is nice, Prague is a great city. Often overlooked is Budapest in Hungary, which can give Prague a run for its money. Also, I believe Montenegro is very beautiful. Also former republics of the USSR such as Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus and Estonia are much more viable for tourists than even 5-10 years ago now. Any of those place would not be a bad bet.

If would like a video guide, try Michael Palin's New Europe. Its a great 7 part documentary on eastern Europe and its changing face (exactly as you mention) [its out there if you look hard enough].
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael...27s_New_Europe

Of course there are also many many globe trotting communities around that can help you if you are really serious.

Good Luck.

[CanadaSweetheart]

Czech Republic is my first choice.. I was there recently and was shocked by the pristine architecture (since it wasn't decimated in WW2) and it is less expensive than most EU cities. So many cool things to see and easy to get around. Prague has turned into an Eastern European Niagara Falls as far as tourist traps go, but 1.50 CDN for a pint of beer can surely help you out!

I was also in Portugal/Spain recently.. I know it's not Eastern Europe but there was great value for money there, as well.

It all depends on what you're looking for out of your visit.. what are your interests.. there are pluses and minuses to every European city (I've been to just about all of them!)

[djjosee]

I heard Venice is sinking

[b166er1337]

Czech Republic is my first choice.. I was there recently and was shocked by the pristine architecture (since it wasn't decimated in WW2) and it is less expensive than most EU cities. So many cool things to see and easy to get around. Prague has turned into an Eastern European Niagara Falls as far as tourist traps go, but 1.50 CDN for a pint of beer can surely help you out!

Prague is the obvious choice. It's beautiful, but also the most touristy place I have been in the entire Europe. It's not cheap anymore (although still cheaper than London, Switzerland, or Paris). Prague, along with Salzburg, are the worst examples of tourist traps. It's just that you get the feeling the entire city is geared toward tourists. If you want to experience the "REAL" Prague, step away from old town and castle quarter. New town gives the authentic feeling of a real city.

Another thumb up for Budapest, I have never been there, but keep hearing great stories about it.

[GangStarr]

Czech republic is nice, Prague is a great city. Often overlooked is Budapest in Hungary, which can give Prague a run for its money. Also, I believe Montenegro is very beautiful. Also former republics of the USSR such as Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus and Estonia are much more viable for tourists than even 5-10 years ago now. Any of those place would not be a bad bet.

If would like a video guide, try Michael Palin's New Europe. Its a great 7 part documentary on eastern Europe and its changing face (exactly as you mention) [its out there if you look hard enough].
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael...27s_New_Europe

Of course there are also many many globe trotting communities around that can help you if you are really serious.

Good Luck.

While I agree (and have been to all 3) that Estonia/Latvija/Lithuania are all countries that are becoming more touristy (everyone should see how magnificent and medieval the old town in Estonia is) but Belarus still requires a visa, tourist, transit, business, all required. It's not that big of a deal, but it CANNOT be obtained at the border. I met some other travelers that went, and they are still alive but don't know much else.

The government's travel report has no official warnings but its ranked "excersice high degree of caution" which is 2 on their scale of 4 warnings (4 being avoid all travel). Where as Estonia/Latvija/Lithuania all have the lowest "Exercise normal security precautions"

http://www.voyage.gc.ca/dest/report-...?country=27000

to the OP if you do end up in Lithuania looking to go to Poland. DO NOT TAKE THE NIGHT TRAIN as it has a connection in Minsk Belarus and a visa is required to even pass through. There is 1 day train that goes to Warsaw without passing through Belarus, and more buses then you can shake a stick at both day and night that avoid Belarus. (there are also buses that run to Kiev Ukraine without going through Belarus).



I don't know what the OP means by change. Yes cities will change but Europe's pretty good at preserving old parts of town.

I would say visiting Denmark and seeing Christiania would fit in the "changing" context. Its quite an interesting part of town... read up http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freetown_Christiania

That place is always changing. There is no photos allowed but digging through some old family photo albums, I found some pics of it from the 70's, bunch of naked people walking around all hippied out. Not like that any more.

Turkey is AMAZING, not sure if you would consider it changing but Istanbul is a really interesting city.

Sunny Beach, Bulgaria is quite a cool beach town, VERY long beach strip full of clubs/bars/restaurants. Its changing in that they are adding a lot of hotels and making the strip even longer. The town of sunny beach doesn't even names for its roads since so many are created.

Krakow Poland is fantastic, and a city called Zakopane (daily buses from Krakow about $6) to the south is quite beautiful if you like mountains and nice smaller cities. Do not take the train to Zakopane as it switches directions a number of times in the mountains and takes a long time.

[omagedon]

Thanks for all the suggestions..

What I mean by "change" is that I am looking for something to see right away or else it can change at any moment..

For example,

Cuba since Fidel Castro is almost dying and in a few years, its gonna change drastically...

Macau, China changing like crazy like most of China. I saw Macau past summer and you could see forest getting chopped down and a big barren land waiting to be built I bet when I go back to the same area there will be at least 5 casinos there..in the barren lands.

[Megan29]

I went to Corsica last year, it is such a beautiful and relaxing place...

[Pete_Coach]

Just wondering I never been to Europe before and would like to go there. Which places you recommend to see before it changes? I was thinking more of Eastern Europe since they are changing pretty rapidly.

I really don't think that after all these years that there are going to be too many drastic changes in Europe over then ext few years. None that would affect your vision of it anyway. I would not worry too much from that perspective.
Although, if you are talking about seeing it before a few new roads or houses are built,well, progress is progress, but the essence of the place remains the same. One thing about Europeans (all of them) is that they are very proud and protective of their heritage and those things will always be preserved.

I heard Venice is sinking

Geez, do the Venetians know that?
Oh wait, yes they do, they have been doing preservation work on Venice since, oh, for at least a thousand years. You must have heard about it by now

[Ben Jr]

Since nobody's mentioned it yet, I'll say Croatia. Its been two years since I've been there, and I suspect it's changed since its inception into the EU, but for me it still holds some grandeur. But kinda off the beaten path for most I suppose.

Prague is changing for the worse now. Things that were cheap are no longer so cheap. That damn astronomical clock never worked when I went, nor anyone I know that's been either. It seems the Czech's have plans to enter the EU in the coming years and have since starting hiking prices steadily last little while. Poland might be the better option.

[phucyall]

If you really want to live dangerously, then go to Russia (Moscow, Peterbourgh). Ukraine is nice (Kiev).

But if you want to visit a more stable country then go anywhere in the EU. Basically a capital of any country will have something to see. It also depends largely on what you are looking to see. Are you looking to experience club/bar/rave scene? Are you looking to see some old architecture? Beaches?

[jayk]

Actually all of the above mentioned capital cities of Eastern Europe that you guys mentioned above are full of tourists, mostly Brits, Italians, Turks, Americans.

[Talamasca]

Moldova ftw! Poorest country in Europe so it's gotta be cheap there.

[gmark2000]

Croatia intrigues me, especially seeing on the Amazing Race.