June 2024 Tour Journal: 'Enchanting Eastern Europe·Classic Five-Country Tour: Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Austria 12 Days' (Part 1: Germany)

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Germany - Würzburg - Distant view of Würzburg Castle

Czech Republic - Český Krumlov (CK Town) Observation Deck - 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 for the movie 'The Sound of Music' - Mirabell Garden

In late June 2024, I joined a tour group called 'Enchanting Eastern Europe·Classic Five-Country Tour: Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Austria 12 Days' to travel to Eastern Europe. In just a few days, we visited five countries: Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Austria. We explored the cityscapes, historic sites, and scenic spots of Frankfurt, Würzburg, and Munich in Germany; the capital Prague and Český Krumlov in the Czech Republic; the capital Bratislava in Slovakia; the capital Budapest and Lake Balaton in Hungary; and the capital Vienna, Hallstatt, and Salzburg in Austria. Among these are many famous landmarks listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites. Along the way, we also passed countless unnamed towns, farms, lakes, and mountains, and enjoyed nearly 2,600 kilometers of picturesque road scenery and exotic charm – truly classic, romantic, colorful, unique, and breathtaking.

Although a group tour inevitably involves a whirlwind sightseeing pace, what we saw and heard along the way – especially the historic architecture, magnificent landscapes, fascinating legends, and distinctive local customs – still stirred our travel enthusiasm and interest, leaving us dazzled, visually satisfied, and reluctant to leave. It also left us with a pleasant and unforgettable impression. Embarking on a journey and exploring the world with our own experiences and actions enriches and broadens our hearts.

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

Czech Republic - Prague - Prague Castle - Old Royal Palace

Hungary - Budapest - Danube River Cruise - Scenery along both sides of the Danube

Austria - Vienna - University of Vienna

Austria - Salzburg - Scenery along the Salzach River

Germany - Frankfurt - Scenery along the way

The trip took place from June 23 to July 4, a total of 12 days. Excluding the 3 days spent on check-in and flights, only 9 days were available for sightseeing. Roughly: 2.5 days in Germany; 2 days in 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, aside from the flights to and from, all transportation between the five countries was by coach. The same coach accompanied us from the airport pickup throughout the journey, shuttling between cities, attractions, and hotels in these five countries, covering nearly 2,600 kilometers until the end of the trip, when it dropped us off at Frankfurt Airport. We were very fortunate to have not only a new and well-maintained Mercedes-Benz coach but also a skilled, hardworking, and hospitable driver who kept the coach clean every day, arranged the luggage properly, and transported us smoothly and safely to each country, city, attraction, and hotel. Such dedication and service truly deserve a big thumbs up.

Additionally, according to the usual division of Western, Eastern, Southern, Northern, and Central Europe, Germany is not considered part of Eastern Europe. Probably due to flight routes and schedules, this trip departed directly from Shenzhen to Frankfurt and returned from Frankfurt to Shenzhen. Thus, Frankfurt became an important flight point and transit hub. So, although it is called 'Eastern Europe Tour', it also included opportunities to visit two cities in Central Europe: Frankfurt and Munich.

'Screenshot of the itinerary for the Enchanting Eastern Europe Five-Country Tour'

Slovakia - Bratislava - Hviezdoslavovo námestie (Hviezdoslav Square)

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

Austria - Vienna - Austrian National Library

Austria - Hallstatt

Germany - Frankfurt - Römerberg

First Stop: Germany (Days 2, 9, 10)

Although Germany was just a transit point for this Eastern Europe tour, according to the set itinerary, we had considerable time for stops and sightseeing on both legs. On Day 2, we visited Würzburg's Old Town, the Würzburg Residence gardens, and the Old Main Bridge. On Day 9, we visited Munich's Max-Joseph-Platz, the Bavarian State Opera (exterior), Marienplatz, and the Hofbräuhaus. On Day 10, we visited Frankfurt's Römerberg, the Main River scenery, and Frankfurt Cathedral.

Germany - Würzburg - Würzburg Residence

Germany - Würzburg - Street view

Germany - Würzburg - Würzburg Residence

Germany - Würzburg - Street view

Germany - Würzburg - Church

Germany - Würzburg - Street view

The picturesque old town of Würzburg lies on the Main River. The railings of the Old Main Bridge feature statues of great figures who founded Würzburg. The city gate, the Scherenberg Gate, was built in 1482, damaged in World War II, and rebuilt afterward. UNESCO has listed it as a World Heritage site.

Germany - Würzburg - Distant view of Würzburg Castle

Germany - Würzburg - Scenery along the Main River

Germany - Würzburg - Old Main Bridge

Germany - Würzburg - Cityscape

Germany - Würzburg - Church

Germany - Munich - Street view

Munich is located on the Bavarian Plateau at the foot of the Alps, along the Isar River, a tributary of the Danube. It is the capital of Bavaria and the state's political, economic, and cultural center, as well as Bavaria's largest city and Germany's third largest. The city has a vast hinterland and is one of Germany's main agricultural and livestock regions. Industry has shifted from heavy to light, with diverse sectors including electronics, electrical appliances, automotive, and machinery, while traditional crafts like 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 view

Germany - Munich - Marienplatz

Germany - Munich - Street view

Germany - Munich - Hofbräuhaus

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

Germany - Frankfurt - Römerberg

Germany - Frankfurt - Frankfurt Cathedral

Germany - Frankfurt - Scenery along the Main River

1. In this season, the climate for traveling to Eastern Europe is generally quite pleasant. During the day, it is sunny with blue skies and white clouds, neither hot nor cold – very comfortable. Temperatures are mostly around 20°C, so short sleeves or long-sleeved shirts are fine; mornings and evenings are cooler and require a light jacket. At noon, it can feel a bit hot in the sun, but standing under the shade of a tree or in a spot not exposed to sunlight makes it noticeably cooler.

2. Although the temperature is generally suitable, there are exceptions. On the day we arrived in Vienna, Austria, around 2 p.m., the temperature reached over 30°C, and the sun was especially strong – the hottest and warmest place of the entire trip. According to the local guide, the climate in Europe has been somewhat abnormal in recent years, with higher temperatures this year. On the way back, in Munich, Germany, unexpected rain suddenly made the weather much colder. That evening, many tour members took out wool sweaters or thick jackets from the bottom of their suitcases. So when traveling, it's important to bring enough clothes to be prepared.

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

4. The time difference between Eastern European countries and China in this season is 6 hours, i.e., local time is 6 hours behind China.

Germany - Frankfurt - Street view

Germany - Frankfurt - Scenery along the way

Germany - Munich - Marienplatz

Germany - Munich - Street view

Continued in 'June 2024 Tour Journal: "Enchanting Eastern Europe·Classic Five-Country Tour: Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Austria 12 Days" (Part 2: Czech Republic, Slovakia)'