Eastern Europe

Eastern Europe is the kind of place that’s capable of delivering a sensory overload in a very short span of time. Spend a few days travelling through places like Budapest, Vienna and Prague and you’ll find yourself wondering whether you accidentally slipped down a rabbit hole.

Start your journey in Budapest, where the Danube dissects the districts of hilly Buda and flat Pest. Positively bursting with baroque, neoclassical, eclectic and art nouveau buildings, Budapest has a decidedly turn-of-the-century feel about it. Marvel at the Opera House, a staggering, neo-Renaissance structure that’s over a century old; the neoclassical St Stephen’s Basilica; the Matthias Church, known for its colourful exterior and mystical interiors; and the Buda Castle, a Baroque gem with a colourful history. You can also take a dip in one of the many thermal baths.

Follow the music to Vienna. With an imperial grandeur reminiscent of its days under the Habsburg rule, Vienna is known for its architectural mastery, its trove of museums and its musical heritage. Catch a performance at the Musikverein, the Staatsoper, or the multistage Konzerthaus. If you happen to be visiting in December, stroll through the magical Christmas markets that pop up around the city, filling the air with a festive spirit that’s almost electric.

Journey through the gorgeous Austrian and Czech countryside to Prague for the final leg of your trip. A city with great potential for exploration, Prague’s labyrinthine cobblestone alleyways offer the chance to stumble upon some unexpected ancient chapels, beautiful little gardens, cute cafes and old-fashioned bars that will most likely be serving some of the best beer you’ve ever had in your life. With the pretty Prague Castle, 14th-century Charles Bridge and the smattering of art all over its streets, Prague sure makes for one heck of a Bohemian rhapsody.

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