Pearls of the Empire: A Central European Odyssey

Krakow is a city in the south of Poland and the country’s former royal capital. Thought to have been inhabited for tens of thousands of years, the history here seems to sit comfortably alongside the vibrant, young city that is Krakow today. The main market square at Krakow’s center is overlooked by St Mary’s Basilica, a perfect example of Polish Gothic architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The square itself is usually filled with life, as the pubs and restaurants around the edges spill out onto the sidewalks. Winter is cold here, but that’s just a perfect excuse to slip inside a cozy, well-heated pub and sip hot mulled wine over a hearty Polish dinner.  With all of Krakow’s heady charm, it can be easy to forget the all-too-recent atrocities that occurred in this region. A short trip to the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp nearby, where the Nazis committed their genocide, provides a sober but important reminder of that past. A hard past exists alongside a happy and electric present in Krakow, a city that has endured centuries of trials and emerged looking better than ever.

Bratislava is one of the most up-and-coming cities in central Europe. After years in the shadows of the Soviet bloc, and often drowned out by Prague, Bratislava has finally broken out. The Bratislavan region is now one of the richest per capita in the EU. This economic upswing has infused Bratislava with a newfound zeal. Trendy cafes and cool shopping centers are popping up everywhere, and the city’s already happening nightlife scene is only set to get better. Still less crowded than its central European neighbors Prague, Vienna, and Budapest, but just as intriguing, there’s really never been a better time for a visit to Bratislava. Ruled over by the Hungarians, Austrians, and most recently the Soviets, Bratislava is a city of strange contrasts. As soon as you arrive in Bratislava, you’ll see the pastel-hued churches, baroque houses, and the cobbled Old Town Square brush shoulders with modern brutalist buildings, retrofuturistic towers, and the clunky communist built UFO bridge. The city’s oldest building, its castle, is set atop the western edge of the Little Carpathian Hills like a trophy, the city’s hard-won main icon. For the first time in nearly a millennium, Bratislava has now seized control of its own destiny, and it shows.

Belgrade is one of Europe’s oldest cities and with age comes experience. Remnants of the city’s turbulent past can be seen easily during a stroll through the streets: socialist blocks sit beside art nouveau buildings, while fragments of the Habsburg monarchy contrast with Ottoman Turk relics. If you’re looking to take in a little history, you’ll have a lot to choose from between the city’s many museums, monuments, and of course, the fortress. What Belgrade lacks in traditional beauty it makes up for in personality. Belgrade is first and foremost known for its unrivaled nightlife scene. Appropriately named the city that never sleeps, after the sun goes down you can explore floating clubs on the river, hip bars around the center, and great parties everywhere you look. During the daylight hours, you’ll find busy locals bustling around the business centers, relaxing in elegant coffee houses, or wandering through the city’s many beautiful parks.

Situated at the heart of Europe, Budapest is the capital of Hungary, appropriately named 'The Pearl of the Danube,' for its fixating and almost haunting beauty. Formerly two separate cities, Buda and Pest were forged into one by time, occupation, and the eight bridges that anchor them together today. From the Romans to the Communists, each occupier left its flavor profile in Budapest, evident in the famous spicy Hungarian stew known as 'goulash.'  Budapest is a melting pot of history, culture, and taste, from the magnificent Baroque and neo-Gothic architecture to the Turkish thermal baths. After a long day of sightseeing, treat yourself to a glass of Tokaj, what King Louis XIV of France referred to as the "Wine of Kings, King of Wines". Budapest has a flavor to satisfy any taste.

Artistic and musical, historical and elegant, Vienna is the definition of class. The seat of the Habsburg monarchy for over six centuries, it's no wonder this city is still fit for royalty. Baroque buildings and imperial palaces dominate the cityscape, while locals stride gracefully through the streets, likely on their way to a classical music concert or art exhibition. Visitors from all over the world flock to Schonbrunn Palace, historical museums, and local eateries for authentic Viennese schnitzel.  Vienna is also home to world-class wining and dining. Famous dishes include Wiener schnitzel, Tafelspitz (prime boiled beef), and apfelstrudel (apple strudel), all of which pair well with a glass of fine Austrian wine. No matter how long you spend in Vienna, you'll leave with a new appreciation for the finer things in life.

The city of Prague is indisputably the gem of Central Europe. Full of history, culture, and classic Czech pubs around every corner, Prague is teeming with nooks and crannies just waiting to be discovered. The narrow cobblestone streets and warm red rooftops give the city a homey feel, while the well-preserved medieval architecture transports you back in time. Walking across the Charles Bridge with the view of the Prague Castle will make you feel like you’re living in a fairytale, and you might as well be.    As an up-and-coming destination, Prague is a perfect mix of classic and modern. New trendy cafes and bistros are always popping up, and you can always find a group of lively locals chowing down on goulash and quaffing pivo (the best beer in Europe!) at traditional Czech restaurants across the city. The clash of modernity and tradition, preservation and innovation, gives this city a mysterious air that you won’t soon forget.