June 2024 "Drunken Beauty Eastern Europe. Classic Five-Country Tour: Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Austria 12-Day" Group Tour Travelogue (Part 1) Germany

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Germany - Würzburg - Distant view of Würzburg Castle

Czech Republic - Český Krumlov (CK Town) Viewpoint - Overlooking CK Town

Czech Republic - Prague - Vltava River - Riverside scenery

Hungary - Budapest - Buda Castle complex

Hungary - Lake Balaton - Lake Balaton scenery

Hungary - Budapest - Matthias Church

Austria - Vienna - Golden Hall - Concert performance

Austria - Salzburg - One of the filming locations of the movie 'The Sound of Music' - Mirabell Garden

In late June 2024, I joined a tour group called "Drunken Beauty Eastern Europe. Classic Five-Country Tour: Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Austria 12-Day" and traveled to Eastern Europe. In just a few days, I visited five countries: Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Austria. I explored the cities and towns of Frankfurt, Würzburg, and Munich in Germany; the capital Prague and the town of Český Krumlov in the Czech Republic; the capital Bratislava in Slovakia; the capital Budapest and Lake Balaton in Hungary; and the capital Vienna, the town of Hallstatt, and Salzburg in Austria. I took in their urban landscapes, historical sites, and scenic attractions, many of which are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Along the way, there were also countless unnamed towns, farms, lakes, and mountains, plus nearly 2,600 kilometers of highway journey with picturesque scenery and exotic charm. Truly classic romance, vibrant colors, unique landscapes, and boundless beauty.

Although a group tour inevitably involves a rushed, superficial sightseeing approach, everything I saw and heard along the way—especially the historic architecture, magnificent landscapes, fascinating legends, and unique customs of these places—still ignited my travel enthusiasm and interest. It was a feast for the eyes, deeply satisfying, and made me reluctant to leave, leaving a refreshing and unforgettable impression. And when we set out on the journey, exploring the world through personal experience and action, it fills our hearts and broadens our horizons.

Czech Republic - Prague - Prague Castle - Observation Deck - Overlooking Prague city

Czech Republic - Prague - Prague Castle - Old Royal Palace

Hungary - Budapest - Danube River Cruise - Danube riverbanks scenery

Austria - Vienna - University of Vienna

Austria - Salzburg - Salzach River scenery

Germany - Frankfurt - Scenery along the way

The specific travel dates were from June 23 to July 4, a total of 12 days. Excluding 3 days for check-in and flight time to and from the destination, only 9 days were available for sightseeing. Roughly, 2.5 days were spent in Germany, 2 days in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, 2 days in Hungary, and 2.5 days in Austria (including travel time between countries and cities).

For this Eastern Europe group tour, besides flying to and from the destination, all transportation between the five countries was by bus. The same bus picked us up from the airport and accompanied the group members as we shuttled between cities, attractions, and hotels across these five countries, covering nearly 2,600 kilometers, until the end of the trip when it dropped us off at Frankfurt Airport. I was very fortunate not only to have a new and comfortable Mercedes bus, but also a driver who was highly skilled, hardworking, and hospitable. Every day he kept the bus spotless, arranged the luggage neatly, and transported everyone safely and smoothly to various countries, cities, attractions, and hotels. Such professionalism and service attitude truly deserve a big thumbs up.

Additionally, according to the usual division of Eastern, Western, Southern, Northern, and Central Europe, Germany does not belong to Eastern Europe. Probably due to the route and flight arrangements, this trip flew directly from Shenzhen to Frankfurt, Germany, and returned from Frankfurt to Shenzhen. Thus, Frankfurt became an important flight point and transit hub. So although it was called an "Eastern Europe tour," it also provided the opportunity to visit two cities in Central Europe: Frankfurt and Munich.

"Drunken Beauty Eastern Europe Five-Country Tour" - Route map screenshot

Slovakia - Bratislava - Hviezdoslav Square

Hungary - Budapest - Fisherman's Bastion Observation Deck - Distant view of the Danube and Parliament Building

Austria - Vienna - Austrian National Library

Austria - Hallstatt town

Germany - Frankfurt - Römerberg

First Stop: Germany (D2, D9, D10)

Although Germany was just a transit point for this Eastern Europe tour, the scheduled itinerary included considerable stopover and sightseeing time on both the outward and return journeys. On D2, I visited Würzburg's Old Town, the Würzburg Residence gardens, and the Alte Mainbrücke (Old Main Bridge). On D9, I visited Munich's Max-Joseph-Platz, the Bavarian State Opera (exterior), Marienplatz, and the Hofbräuhaus. On D10, I visited Frankfurt's Römerberg, the banks of the Main River, and Frankfurt Cathedral.

Germany - Würzburg - Würzburg Residence

Germany - Würzburg - Street scene

Germany - Würzburg - Würzburg Residence

Germany - Würzburg - Street scene

Germany - Würzburg - Church

Germany - Würzburg - Street scene

The picturesque old city of Würzburg lies on the banks of the Main River. On both sides of the Alte Mainbrücke, there are statues of the great figures who founded Würzburg. The city gate is the Schelmenburg Gate, built in 1482, which was destroyed in World War II and rebuilt after the war. UNESCO has listed it as one of the World Heritage sites.

Germany - Würzburg - Distant view of Würzburg Castle

Germany - Würzburg - Main River scenery

Germany - Würzburg - Alte Mainbrücke

Germany - Würzburg - City scenery

Germany - Würzburg - Church

Germany - Munich - Street scene

Munich is located on the Alpine foreland (Bavarian Plateau), on the banks of the Isar River, a tributary of the Danube. It is the capital of Bavaria, the political, economic, and cultural center of the state, and the largest city in Bavaria and the third largest in Germany. The city has a large hinterland and is one of Germany's main agricultural and livestock areas. The industry has shifted from heavy to light industry, with diverse industrial sectors. Electronics, automotive, and machinery industries are well-developed, and traditional crafts such as lithography, sculpture, and ceramics are renowned.

Germany - Munich - Scenery along the way

Germany - Munich - Max-Joseph-Platz

Germany - Munich - Bavarian State Opera

Germany - Munich - Street scene

Germany - Munich - Marienplatz

Germany - Munich - Street scene

Germany - Munich - Hofbräuhaus

Frankfurt, also known as Frankfurt am Main, is located on both banks of the Main River, on the great plain south of the Taunus Mountains. It is the fifth largest city in Germany, covering an area of 249 square kilometers. Frankfurt has Germany's largest aviation and railway hubs, and is an important industrial, commercial, and financial center, a trade fair city, and an air gateway and transportation hub for Germany and Europe.

Germany - Frankfurt - Römerberg

Germany - Frankfurt - Frankfurt Cathedral

Germany - Frankfurt - Main River scenery

1. Generally speaking, the climate during this season for traveling to Eastern Europe is quite suitable. During the day, it is sunny with blue skies and white clouds, neither hot nor cold, very pleasant. The temperature is mostly around 20 degrees Celsius, and it is comfortable to wear short-sleeved or long-sleeved shirts. In the morning and evening, it is cooler and requires a light jacket. At midday, it can feel a bit hot in the sun, but once you step into the shade or a place without direct sunlight, it becomes noticeably cooler.

2. Although the temperature is generally suitable, there are exceptions. That day when we arrived in Vienna, Austria, around 2 p.m., the temperature reached over 30 degrees Celsius, and the sun was especially intense. It was the hottest and warmest place on this trip. According to the local guide, the climate in Europe has been somewhat abnormal in recent years, and this year's temperature is relatively high. On the way back, when we reached Munich, Germany, it suddenly rained, and the weather turned much colder. That evening, many group members pulled out wool sweaters or thick jackets that had been packed at the bottom of their suitcases. So when traveling, it's necessary to bring enough clothes to be prepared for unexpected needs.

3. Hats, sunglasses, umbrellas, and other sun-protection and rain-protection items are indispensable.

4. During this season, the time difference between Eastern European countries and China is 6 hours, meaning local time is 6 hours behind China.

Germany - Frankfurt - Street scene

Germany - Frankfurt - Scenery along the way

Germany - Munich - Marienplatz

Germany - Munich - Street scene

Continued in "June 2024 'Drunken Beauty Eastern Europe. Classic Five-Country Tour: Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Austria 12-Day' Group Tour Travelogue (Part 2) Czech Republic and Slovakia"