• Liechtenstein

    Vaduz

    July 31, 2016 - By 

    Since Luxembourg was a gorgeous, worthwhile place to visit, I figured Liechtenstein would be too. Ha, not so much.  Unless Liechtenstein happens to be conveniently located on your driving route (which it was for us between Austria and Switzerland), this principality is definitely not worth traveling a long way for.  Even Vaduz, the capital and primary tourist attraction of Liechtenstein, was rather tame. Now, in addition to all the tourists on day trips from Switzerland, we can say, “Yes, we’ve been to Liechtenstein!” As Liechtenstein is only slightly larger than Manhattan, it was no surprise that we ended up crossing the border 6…

  • Austria

    Rosshutte Seefeld King’s Trail

    July 29, 2016 - By 

    Hiking in Dachstein. Check. Driving on Grossglockner. Check. Last but not least, a hike in Tirol near Innsbruck! In order to avoid a mishap like in Dachstein, I double checked the route and thoroughly planned our transportation options.  The only real issue was weather. “Isn’t it wonderful when you wake up before dawn, put on a 30-lb. pack, and hike for three hours up a steep mountain just to stand in a white room?” a friend sarcastically asked once.  That was what I was afraid of most.  All our efforts of getting up early, spending money to take the chair lift…

  • Austria

    Grossglockner High Alpine Road

    July 28, 2016 - By 

    It is said that a drive on Grossglockner High Alpine Road is a must on anyone’s itinerary in Austria. The pricy toll of €35 per vehicle with the addition of iffy weather made me grimace, but we took the chance anyway with the weather and headed up the road early in the morning to avoid crowds and the possibility of rain. We were glad we did. But first, our plan:  We’d hang out in Zell Am See during the day, drive to the entrance of the toll booth in the evening, and spend the night in the parking lot.  We’d wake…

  • Austria

    Dachstein

    July 27, 2016 - By 

    With all the countless mountains and trails scattered throughout Austria, choosing a mountain range to hike turned out to be quite the difficult task.  I don’t know what drew me to the Dachstein.  The easily accessible chair lift to the mediocre skywalk, the family-themed Ice Palace, and the uninspiring suspension bridge obviously attracted groups of inexperienced “hikers” but I managed to find a hike long and challenging enough only suitable for the determined.  Despite the crowds lingering near the chair lift, we only saw one other couple during our hike, and my poor planning led to additional unplanned adventure. =) Due…

  • Austria

    Vienna (and Melk)

    July 26, 2016 - By 

    Rich, prosperous, and musically legendary, Vienna definitely has a lot to be proud of.  As Austria’s largest city (consisting a population of 2.6 million in the metropolitan area, nearly 1/3 of the entire country!), Vienna offers plenty to do for its locals and tourists.  However, we weren’t in Vienna, or Austria for that matter, for the glorious architectural wonders or the myriads of packaged symphonies and concerts catered to tourists.  We were there for Austria’s western treasures–the glorious mountains and quaint villages comparable to Switzerland but without the Swiss price tag.  This sadly meant a rush through Vienna’s “must-see’s” before heading…

  • Slovakia

    Bratislava

    July 25, 2016 - By 

    Compared to its neighboring capital cities of Vienna, Austria and Budapest, Hungary, Slovakia’s capital city of Bratislava lacks the metropolitan feel but brims with pleasant charm.  Hey, at least Bratislava does not fit the description from the movie Eurotrip—those post-communist Soviet era concrete buildings can’t be found in Bratislava at all.  Or maybe I just don’t know anything, because after all, I did come in the summer. In the winter, it could probably get very depressing. 😉 There is no reason why visitors to Vienna, Budapest, or even Prague can’t visit Bratislava. With easy transportation options from Vienna or Budapest,…

  • Hungary

    Budapest

    July 24, 2016 - By 

    As I strolled along the Danube promenade and gazed in all directions at the monumental cityscape and architectural wonders, I found it hard to believe that I was still in eastern Europe.  And what a wonderful reminder that was, because that meant everything was half the cost of its equally thriving neighbor, Vienna, Austria.  Yay! Coming from the Balkans, it was refreshing to find free and available parking within the city center for motorhomes again.  Literally next to Budapest’s iconic Heroes’ Square is the massive free city park parking lot.  No signs prohibiting camping were displayed, and there were several motorhomes parked…

  • Romania

    Electric Castle

    July 21, 2016 - By 

    Well, it wouldn’t be a Eurotrip without a festival. Naturally, I found a festival that worked perfectly into our timing, schedule, and location.  In my research I discovered that festivals aren’t just a huge thing in Western Europe; sure, Denmark has Roskilde, Belgium has Tomorrowland, Croatia has Ultra, and who knows how many the UK has, but Eastern Europe knows how to party too.  I knew our timing wouldn’t work out with Hungary’s famous Sziget Festival, and we barely missed Serbia’s epic Exit Festival.  So what did we end up with? Romania’s Electric Castle. Not only was it one of Romania’s largest festivals,…

  • Romania

    Sighisoara

    July 20, 2016 - By 

    Medieval Sighisoara, adorable and compact, made the perfect little day trip from Brasov. Even the drive proved to be more than a boring drive through countryside; the Transylvanian country surprised us with delightful sites such as the Rupea Fortress that jutted out dramatically from a hill: Sighisoara itself is a sizable town, but tourists come there primarily to see the old city. Fortunately parking along the residential streets wasn’t cumbersome, making it easy for us and the motorhome.  We did however discover a massive parking lot at the foot of the old city that was free between 6pm and 7am.  (Even…

  • Romania

    Brasov and Around

    July 19, 2016 - By 

    Brasov, arguably Romania’s most visited city, isn’t too far from Bucharest, making the drive to Brasov and the surrounding area an easy trip. Excitement had already filled me upon reading about Transylvania, but no amount of research could have prepared me for the insurmountable beauty and charm that would embrace me for the next couple of days. Our first stop was Peles Castle in the small town of Sinaia; I had read reviews that visiting this castle would be more favorable than visiting the touristy, famous Bran Castle (aka Dracula’s Castle). Plenty of free parking lined the streets, and it was…