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Tips for getting great TT advice - adapted from a post by windy on the USA branch

So many posts request the impossible--that a bunch of people who have never met you magically intuit how much you have to spend and what will make you happy on vacation, generally planning out your route for three months and helping you get discount flight reservations. What can you do to get great travel advice?

1. Do your homework. The web is filled with lots of basic information. Google.comis your best friend. Try the local public library; many have guide books that you can check out before buying your own.

Please get your basic info first before posting questions here, then you can ask intelligent questions on the TT and take advantage of the many knowledgeable locals and travelers who frequent this site just hoping someone will ask about a hostel in Prague, a train to Kiyv or a bar in Moscow.

2. Do a TT search. At least five posters a week ask which island to visit in Greece, how to get a Russian visa, whether to stop in Bulgaria or Armenia on their way around the world, whether it's possible to work under the table/overstay a tourist visa, when the trains depart for Mongolia, or how to get from the airport in Moscow downtown. The road is well traveled. Find those threads, and add a reply (which brings the topic to the top, restarting the conversation). If you don't find the answer to your question, then see #3.

You might also check out two other LP sites: Destinations World Guide and Subwwway

3. Be specific.
a. Ask one question at a time or at least make sure your questions are closely related. This branch covers 25 different countries and a huge amount of land (mostly due to Russia). Some people here only know about one country and can't be bothered to read through every message. Indicate in your title the country, city or place about which you are seeking information.
b. Check your TT profile, if it isn't up to date, then please make sure your post mentions anything about you that would be helpful to know. An 18 year old Brit on his first trip abroad usually wants different advice from a Italian family with an infant or a couple in their 50s from Ohio.
c. Give background information that will help others answer your questions. You might include: How much you have to spend? ("reasonable" doesn't cut it. BE specific. Your reasonable and mine might be very different) Back country trekker or bargain shopper? Prefer First class or hard class? Cafes to people watch or blini stands to get a quick bite? Two days in Budapest or two months as a student in Prague? Tell us what you mean by minimal - a bathroom insuite, a bunk bed in a room with others or a place to set up a tent. We don't know unless you tell us.
d. If asking a question about visas be sure to indicate what passport you hold and where you are thinking of obtaining your visa. Visa procedures vary not only with passports, but also with consulates.

4. Be wary of mixing politics with tourism. This is a travel forum and this branch is about visiting a number of different countries with diverse populations some of whom don't think kindly of one another. Two World Wars already started in this region, let's not start a third. Take your political debate elsewhere.

Area Budget Airlines
Try these two sites which give links to several small airlines that visit this region:
OpenJet
FlyBudget
Adria not really budget but they have flights from Frankfurt, Munich, A'dam, Bruxelles, Koebenhavn, London, Paris, Vienna, Zürich (via Ljubljana) to Prishtina, Podgorica, Tirana, Ohrid, Skopje, Sarajevo, Istanbul etc.

Hostels in this region
Eastern European hostels
Hostel Europe
BugEurope great site for finding and booking hostels in central europe

Albania
visas

tourist information
Albanians.com Information about Albanians in Albania, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro and elsewhere

Bosnia/ Herzegovina
visas
Ministry of Foreign Affairs

accommodations
Hotels in Sarajevo check out Cobanija Pansion (city center, room for two with breakfast is $60)

tourist information
Official Bosnia and Herzegovna Tourism Site
Green Visions Bosnia and Herzegovina's only eco-tourism group...great adventures in Bosnia's pristine wild nature" And of course they have up-to-date info on ladmines-free areas.

+transportation +
Centrotrans bus not all busses are included here
Sarajevo Airport unofficial site
Sarajevo Taxi

Bulgaria
visas
The citizens of the following countries do not need visas to visit or transit through the Republic of Bulgaria for a maximum period in days indicated in the brackets: Andorra (30), Australia (30), Austria (90), Belgium (90), Canada (30), Cyprus (90), Croatia (90), Czech Republic (30), Denmark (90), Estonia (30), Finland (90), France (90), Greece (90), Germany (90), Hungary (90), Ireland (30), Iceland (90), Israel (30), Italy (90), Japan (30), Korea (90), Liechtenstein (90), Latvia (90), Lithuania (90), Luxembourg (90), Malta (90), Monaco (30), Norway (90), Netherlands (90), New Zealand (30), Poland (30), Portugal (90), Romania (30), San Marino (90), Slovenia (90), Slovakia(30), Spain (90), Sweden (90), Switzerland (30), United Kingdom (30), United States of America (30), Vatican (30), and United Nations passport holders (30).

tourist information
Bulgarian Tourist web tourist information about the monasteries of Bulgaria and things to do in summer and winter.

hostels in sofia
Hostel Sofia - the oldest, a Family-Owned & Operated Hostel Located in the Heart of Sofia
Art Hostel - the coolest, a long term project of Destination Bulgaria Project, an opportunity to meet local artists
Hostel Mostel - the newest, perhaps the cheapest, includes breakfast and has no curfew

Croatia
visas

+transportation +

Buses are the best option because they are more common than the train system which rarely has more than two trains to any destination. Trips are long (Zagreb to Dubrovnik 14 hours), so it is better to break up your journey.
Croatia to Europe
Zagreb to Zagar
Trains are more comfortable and sometimes cheaper, but less frequent and time of the trains are very inconvenient.
Croatian Railroads
Plane flights are fairly expensive and since the longest distance is only 12 hours from Dubrovnik to Zagreb they are not really necessary. Croatian airlines often have youth fares (under 25) for national flights to and from Zagreb.
Croatia Airlines
Slow ferries make a cheap and scenic option down the coast.
Croazia Jet Ancona Split ferry - 4 hours
Ancona to Zadar 3 hour fast ferry via Miatours
Jadrolinija Daily ferry service to from Anconna - Zadar- Split

tourist information
Croatia National Tourist Board
IVAN's Croatia links

Cyprus
visas

No visa is required for a stay of up to 90 days for all bona fide tourists nationals of the following countries provided they are in possession of a valid passport
Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea (South), Romania, Russia, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay, Vatican City, Venezuela

It is now possible to pass from Northern CY to the Republic of Cyprus.
Foreigners (with non-greek surnames/appearance) have been able to go to the Northern part for years now. What has happened in the past 2-3 weeks is that Turks have been allowed to go to the South and Greeks allowed to go to the North (without being forced to recognise the Turkish regime). This created huuuuuge queues at the one checkpoint in Nicosia but the situation has calmed down now.

Note from a fellow TT traveler: "The one important point to remember is that if you are a foreigner and you fly in to the Northern part, you are not (technically) allowed to cross to the South (the Turks will let you through, but the Greeks won't). if you don't have a Turkish Cypriot stamp in your passport, I suppose the Greek side wouldn't know where you had landed, so you could always lie. I flew into larnaca but they didn't stamp my passport and so whenever I go to the North and come back, I always get asked the same question - which airport did I fly into?"

Czech Republic
visas

accommodations
Prague apartments
Prague Housing an agency offering the accommodation in central district of Prague for interesting prices.

Discussion forums, housing, jobs
Prague Daily Monitor
Expat Prague
Jobs.cz

online translation dictionary
Czech online translation

transportation
Vlak-Bus for all bus and train connections
Ceske Drahy

Estonia
visas
[Estonian Consulate in the US
Citizens of the countries listed below carrying a valid passport can enter Estonia visa-free. The duration of visa-free stay varies from country to country. Andorra; Australia; Austria; Belgium; Bulgaria; Chile; Croatia; Cyprus; Czech Republic; Denmark; Finland; France; Germany; Greece; The Holy See; Hungary; Iceland; Ireland; Israel; Italy; Japan; Republic of Korea; Latvia; Liechtenstein; Lithuania; Luxembourg; Malta; Monaco; The Netherlands; New Zealand; Norway; Poland; Portugal; San Marino; Singapore; Slovak Republic; Slovenia; Spain; Sweden; Switzerland, United Kingdom; USA

Citizens of South Africa can enter Estonia with a valid Latvian or Lithuanian visa.

transportation
Estonia trains
fares to moscow : 2nd class sleeper 781 kroon (euros 49,91), seat 510 kroon (euros 32,59)
fares to st pete : 2nd class sleeper 387 kroon (euros 24,73), seat 225 kroon (euros 14,38)
Estonia Eurolines buses
Direct connections to: Stuttgart. Cologne, Munich, Hamburg, Bremen, Riga, Vilnius, Kaliningrad, Moscow, St Petersburg, Warsaw, Kiev and Minsk
boats
Silja Line Various Baltic routes including Helsinki-Tallinn 3-5/day.
3/week Tallinn-Rostock (Germany)
Tallink successor to the old Estline service. Fares Ferry 3.5hrs, 2-3/day 12-22Euro,
Auroexpress speed-ship 100mins, 6/day, 20-30Euros per person. Not mid-winter.
Linda Line a small summer hydrofoils Helsinki - Tallinn, 6-7/day 20Euros
Nordic Jet Line Helsinki - Tallinn 6/day 19-38Euros basic seat

Tallinn Tourist Information
Tallinn city Official website
Tallinn Tourist website includes information on accommodations, restaurants, tourist sites
Tallinin Card Holders of the Tallinn Card are entitled to: - Free admission to all museums and main sights in Tallinn - Free sightseeing tours - Free use of public transport - Discounts in restaurants and shops as well as other free bonus offers. Tallinn Card is available for 6, 24, 48 and 72 hours.

Tourist Information
There is more to Estonia than Tallinn:
Estonia Tourist Site lots of tourist information in a number of different languages.
Guesthouse of Rõuge Suurjärv Rõuge is one small village in southern estonia. really nice place for hiking. take yor bag and tent and enjoy silence. there are many lakes where you can swim. this site gives you some tips, where to walk, also accomondation places.
Saaremaa Island one of Estonia's two large islands in the Baltic Sea. This site has information about the history, culture and tourism.
Hiiumaa The other of Estonia's two large Baltic Sea Islands. This site has information about history, how to get there, and tourism.
Ida-Virumaa is the Russian area in Estonia. A little bit different. You feel there almost like in Russia (you don´t need visa there!!!) so if you want to see how Russia looks like, go there.
Lahemaa is a national park. It's a nice place for biking, hiking, relaxing (forests, beaches, fields). if you are lucky, on an early morning walk you can wolf, elk, maybe bear. Anyway, this is place where you can see them more often than rest of Estonia. It's also good place for hunters, although for that you need to get permission first.
Tartu - city of good thoughts is the second largest city in Estonia. This site has tourist information.
Parnu summer capital of Estonia, big and beautiful beach there. This site has tourist information.
Haapsalu is a small, quiet resort town on the West-Coast of Estonia that is well-known for centuries for its warm sea water, curative mud and peaceful atmosphere with a castle from the middle ages.
Viljandi is the sixth largest town which is especially known for its beautiful nature and rich cultural life. Veer off to Viljandi when traveling between Pärnu and Tartu. Have nice picnic on the walls of old, old castle, and catch a REALLY nice view of the lake from there.

accommodations
Vana Tom Hostel in Tallinn, very centrally located. dorm beds 230 kroon (euro 15), single or double rooms 595 kroon (euro 38), discount HI card : euro 1 it's considered the best in Tallinn. it used to be known as the Barn, now called Vana Tom Hostel. Run by Swedes it has the feel of Swedish hostels - very clean and efficiently run - but almost double the Vilnius hostel prices, as are all the Tallinn hostels these days.

Hungary
visas
Ministry of Foreign Affairs

accommodations
Budapest apartments. It's a Dutch site but you can see the photos. The owner is Hungarian and can tell you all about Budapest and apartments. if you send an email to poestareizen@planet.nl, the owner replies in English.
Budapest accommodations
Hungary accommodations searchable database

tourist information
Budapest Tourism Office
Hungary's Official Tourist page
CanuckAbroad personal site of Matt, a fellow TT traveler who lived in Hungary for a while and travelled through the Balkans.

transportation
Domestic Railway information Domestic railway timetable. Incl. a few internat'l trains too.
International Railway information - Eur. railway timetable
Bus information - Domestic bus schedule (in Hung. only)
Bus information - Internat'l coach timetable
Budapest Buses - Budapest Transport Company
Malév - Hungarian Airlines

Latvia
visas
Latvian Consulate in the US
Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Countries that don't need a Latvian visa
Countries with which Latvia has concluded the agreement on mutual abolition of visa requirements: Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Hong Kong SAR, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monacco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom

Regarding health insurance, since 01 May 03 travelers to Latvia need a valid health and life insurance policy for travel outside the US covering all costs referring to medical care during the stay in Latvia including the transportation costs from Latvia to the place of permanent residence of the individual in case of his/her severe medical condition or death. On the ministry of foreign affairs web page, there is nothing that indicates that citizens of any country are exempt from this.

Countries for whose citizens Latvia has unilaterally established a visa free entry procedure:
Australia*
Canada*
New Zealand*
Nicaragua**
USA
Vatican
Persons, who use their United Nations passport as a travel document
Persons, who use their European Commission passport as a travel document
Persons who use their EU member state diplomatic or service passport as a travel document
* from 1 st January 2003
** from 1 May 2003

transportation
Latvia trains
Lativia Eurolines buses
Lativia train ticket prices
boats
Riga to Germany (both Germany, both 2/week, from 130Euro per person but heavy surcharges if the whole cabin is not full)
Riga to Stockholm Riga- Stockholm 3/week from 310 Swedish Krona + 25Kr tax
Nynäshamn (57km south of Stockholm) - Ventspils. The Latvian ferry operator, VV Line LV, has stopped operating the ferry route between the Latvian port of Ventspils and Sweden's Nynäshamn, the business daily Dienas Bizness reports. Another operator will take over the route in May 2003. Ventspils Free Port has filed an insolvency claim against VV Line LV, which owes the port USD 4.1mn.

VV Line LV's owner is the Swedish shipping company, Västervik-Ventspils Färjelinje (VV Line), whose majority owner is Scandia. VV Line plans to relaunch its ferry line between Västervik in Sweden and Estonia's port of Paldiski, which was closed temporarily in the beginning of 2003 as its ferry Mermaid II was chartered to another company.

Scandlines Euroseabridge Liepaja-Rostock (Germany) - mostly cargo but some passenger seats from 80Euro + 10Euro tax.
Port website for Liepaja, Latvia

hostels
Latvia has a pretty shitty hostel situation. The only "real" Riga HI hostels are 45 mins walk from the old town, or 15 mins on a tram - and not much good anyhow. The uni dorms are gof Matt, a fellow TT traveler who lived in Hungary for a while and travelled through the Balkans.


Lithuania
+visas +
Lithuanian Consulate in the US
Citizens of the countries listed below carrying a valid passport can enter Lithuania visa-free. The duration of visa-free stay varies from country to country. Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, The Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Macao, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Kaliningrad District (Russian Federation) citizens, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay, Vatican, Venezuela

Holders of the diplomatic passports of Republic of Belarus (and citizens older than 60 years) do not need a visa. Holders of the diplomatic and official passport of People's Republic of China (max. 30 days), Romania and Ukraine do not need a visa. Holders of diplomatic, official and special passports of Republic of Turkey do not need a visa. Holders of the diplomatic and official passport of Mexico do not need a visa. Holders of the travel document issued by the United Nations (Laissez-Passer) do not need a visa.

Citizens of countries not mentioned above and persons without citizenship (including permanent residents of the U.S.) require a visa to enter Lithuania.

transportation
Lithiuania trains
Klaipeda-Karlshamn (Sweden) 6/week 215Litas, + 10L port tax.
also Klaipeda -Kiel (6/week from 55Euro in class VI)
and Klaipeda - Sasnitz (Germany, 3/week from 105Euro in shared cabin)
Scandlines.de or an alternative site at
Scandlines.dk

hostels
Lithuania has plenty, the best in Vilnius is The Old Town Hostel. Close to the train/bus stations 150m from the Gates of Dawn (old town entrance). Unlikely to need bookings...
Apartments in Vilnius only hitch is they require a one week minimum

Macedonia
visas
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Technically, when you enter Macedonia, as a Western European, you are picking up a visa on arrival (though some don't realise this).

tourist information
Macedonia.org

*Moldova *
visas
Visas are not required for citizens of Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania and countries of the former USSR. Visas are required for citizens of other countries. Citizens of the EU, USA, Canada and Israel can obtain visas at the airport by completing the application, providing a photo and paying the fee $60 USD. The US consulate in Moldova does not recommend that you arrive without a visa. Citizens of other countries can obtain visas but need to check with the Moldovan Consulate.
List of Moldovan embassies
Info to obtain Moldovan Visas in the US

tourist information
Moldova Travel Infopage

Poland:
+visas +
Citizens of the following countries may travel to Poland for tourism and business purposes without a visa :
If the planned stay in Poland does not exceed 90 days: Andorra, Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Korea Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Israel, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Portugal, San Marino, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, USA, Uruguay, Ukraine
If the planned stay in Poland does not exceed 6 months: Great Britain
If the planned stay in Poland does not exceed 30 DAYS: Bulgaria, Estonia, Romania, Singapore
If the planned stay in Poland does not exceed 14 days: holders of "British National (Overseas)" passports from Hong Kong
Citizens of Belarus and Russian Federation with the permanent residence in a their home countries may travel to Poland without a visa, but they are required to present upon the entry a valid invitation, as provided by the law, or tourist vouchers with regards to private or tourism related trips.

Citizens of Australia, Canada and New Zealand must obtain visas in advance of arrival.
In Canada: The embassy website is down and has been for months. There is a consulate in Montreal, but their site is all in Polish.
Ottawa:
443 Daly St.
Ottawa, ON K1N 6H3
Tel: (613) 789-0468
Montreal:
1500, av. des Pins O.
Montreal QC H3G 1B4
Tel. (514) 937-9481, 937-9482
Fax (514) 937-7271
e-mail: konsulatrp@citinet.net
There does not seem to be a Polish consulate in Australia or New Zealand.
Information about Polish visas can be found at the Polish Embassy in Washington, DC website. It seems to be the only English language site that is currently in operation.

+transportation +
Polish railways
Polish railway prices These are not the ticket prices. These are only the couchette/sleeping car prices.
Vilnius to Warsaw trains

Tourist Stops
Polish National Tourist Office
Auschwitz-Birkenau memorial museum
+Krakow +
Krakow home page
Cultural happening in Krakow
more on Krakow news and events
Polish national parks, including Tatra mountains
+Warsaw +
Warsaw Daily online news
Warsaw Tourist Office
+others +
Wieliczka salt mines
Zakopane home page

Hostels
Warsaw:
1.Hostelling International Karolkowa ? ul. Karolkowa 53a, Warszawa, 01-197. Tel: 022 328 829. 35 zl per night (discount with an HI card). It has cooking facilities, a TV room, a restaurant and an internet café. It's located about 15 minutes from the main train station (Centralna) on trams 12 or 24 (get off at the Wola stop). Also, you can catch trams to Old Town (about 10 minutes) at that same tram stop.
2.Schronisko M?odzie?owe
Warszawa ul. Karolkowa 53a
telefon: (0-22) 632-88-29
3.Agrykola Schronisko M?odzie?owe
Warszawa ul. My?liwiecka 9
telefon: (0-22) 622-91-11
4.Schronisko M?odzie?owe
Warszawa ul. Smolna 30
telefon: (0-22) 827-89-52
5.Schronisko M?odzie?owe
Warszawa ul. Mi?dzyparkowa 4
telefon: (0-22) 831-17-66
6.Schronisko M?odzie?owe
Warszawa ul. Wa? Miedzeszy?ski 397
telefon: (0-22) 617-88-51

Krakow: All are a 10 or 15 minute tram or bus ride from Old Town. English is spoken in all these places.
1. Hostelling International Oleandry - ul. Oleandry 4, Phone: 012 633 88 22. Take tram 15 from the main train station (Krakow Glowny) and get off at the stop after you pass the Hotel Cracovia. It usually runs about 30 zloty per night.
2. Krakow Strawberry Hostel, ul. Racklawicka 9. Phone: 012 636 1500. This hostel is open only in the summer. In 2000 and, if remembered correctly, it was about 45 zl per night in a dorm.
3. Bursa Jagiellonska ? ul. Sliska 14 Phone: 012 656 12 28 ? A university dorm that is open to travellers in the summer. A single for 59 zl per night in 2001. It?s a bit out of the centre, but a tram drops you off nearby.
4. Hotel Zaczek ? al. 3 Maja 5 Phone: 012 656 54 77 A university dorm that is open to travellers in the summer. A single for 59 zl per night in 2001. Tram 15 drops you off right in front of it at the stop after the Hotel Cracovia (the Oleandry hostel is right around the corner from it).

*Romania: *
+visas +
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Romanian Embassies on the web

tourist information
All about Romania
Romanian Web Portal
Transylvania info
Ortschaften in German, All the Transylvanian German Saxon cities, towns and villages in Transylvania, with info and photos
Bucharest online great site about Bucharest, the capital of Romania, with lots of valuable info and virtual tours of the city
Brasov city guide the Transylvanian city of Brasov/Kronstadt/Brasso and surrounding area, lots of info and great photos
Sibiu official web portal the Transylvanian city of Sibiu/Hermannstadt/NagySzeben and surrounding area, lots of info and great photos
Sighisoara online the Transylvanian city of Sighisoara/Schaessburg/Segesvar with lots of photos, history and useful info
Travel Guide to the Black Sea Romanian seaside & Dobrogea the Romanian seaside with lots of info and some photos
Alba Iulia official website for the historic town of Alba Iulia in the west of Transylvania with a unique fortress (added by mart1n01)

+Accommodations: +
Elvis's Villa Hostel - hostel in Bucharest that is recommended by TT travelers
Romanian Hotels
Bucharest housing apartment options in Bucharest
Brasov apartments Romanian page about renting apartments in Brasov
Retro Youth Hostel Accommodation in Cluj-Napoca, the largest town in Transylvania, the North West part of Romania

transportation
Romanian road and ferry info
Romanian train information

Serbia/Montenegro
visas
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
NO VISAS or tourist passes needed for all European (except Turks; Albanians, Russians and Ukrainians need a visa for Serbia - but not for Montenegro), US, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand, Israeli, Singaporean, South Korean, Japanese, Argentinian, Bolivian, Chilean, Costa Rican, Cuban, Tunisian, Seychellois citizens (please check at your local embassy for the most current information)
Citizens of Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia can enter Montenegro either with a passport or an identity card.

news
B92 news from Serbia in English (and Serbian, Hungarian, Albanian)

transportation
JAT unofficial the unofficial site of the Yugoslav airlines
JAT the official site of the Yugoslav airlines
Zeleznice Srbije information about railroads

tourist information
Backpacking in Serbia English link under construction. PM igor for information
Beograd
Rob's Guide Check out his "guide" to Serbia and also Montenegro based on summer 2002 travels.
Tourist Organization of Belgrade
Visit Montenegro National Tourism Site

Hostels
Youth Hostels

Slovakia
visas


transportation
ZSR Slovak railway schedules

tourist information
High Tatras in Slovakia
Accommodation and lots of travel info

Slovenia
+visas +
Ministry of Foreign Affairs

tourist information
Slovenian Tourist Board
Ljubljana Tourism tourist information portal in English and Slovensko
e-ljubljana local portal in English and Slovensko

transportation
Slovenia Trains
Ljubljana airport
Ljubljana bus station

Hostels
These three are open all year. There are several other hostels but working only in summer (check the Ljubljana sites).
Youth Hostel LJUBLJANA
Youth Hostel Celica formerly a prison, then an art gallery, now a hostel.
Youth Hostel Dom Šiška HI site

Edited by: Irene_Adler

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for many of the above mentioned countries try www.inyourpocket.com

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Moldova
Official tourism site - http://www.turism.md
Moldovan Embassy in DC - http://www.moldova.org
Moldovan Embassy in Moscow - http://www.moldova.ru
Moldovan Web Portal - http://www.ournet.md
Chisinau Online - http://www.chisinau-online.com

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Some Czech Republic Internet Resources:
Apologies for repeating anything thats already been posted.

UNESCO heritage list
www.unesco-czech.cz
www.prague-info.cz
www.ckrumlov.cz
www.telc-etc.cz
www.zdarns.cz
www.kutnahora.com
www.lednice.cz
www.radnice-valtice.cz
www.holasovice.cz
www.mesto-kromeriz.cz
www.litomysl.cz
www.olomoucko.cz
www.tugendhat-villa.cz

St Procopius' Basilica and the Jewish Quarter of Trebic in the Czech republic were added to the UNESCO world heritage list this summer; whc.unesco.org/sites/1078.htm www.radio.cz/en/article/42621

Other popular tourist destinations
www.hradkarlstejn.cz Karlstejn castle
www.kostnice.cz The 'bone church' at Kutna Hora
www.hrad-bouzov.cz Bouzov castle
www.zamek-konopiste.cz Konopiste Chateau
www.krivoklat.cz Krivoklat castle
www.mikulov.cz Mikulov, South Moravia
www.helfstyn.cz Helfstyn castle
www.azz.cz Archbishops chateau at Kromeriz
www.roznov.cz/travel Roznov pod Radhostem

Olomouc and region
www.hostelolomouc.com
www.olomouc-tourism.cz
www.olomoucko.cz
www.u-klub.olomouc.com Concert program
www.mfo.cz Moravian Philharmonic Orchestra

Hostels in Prague
www.sirtobys.com
www.sleepinprague.com
www.hostelelf.cz
www.arenahostel.com
www.travellers.cz
www.clownandbard.com
www.europeanhostelguide.com

Hostels in Cesky Krumlov
www.krumlovhostel.com Krumlov House
www.hostel99.com
www.travellers.cz
www.ckrumlov.cz/nahradbach hostel merlin

General Information
www.vlak-bus.cz train schedules
www.caves.cz
www.pruvodce.com
www.myczechrepublic.cz bulletin board and forum
www.praguepost.cz Prague English language newspaper
www.czechcastles.com
www.zamky-hrady.cz castles and chateaus
www.hrady.dejiny.cz castles and ruins
www.mapy.cz maps of the country and cities
www.czechtourism.com
www.czech.cz


Edited by: Irene_Adler

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CROATIA

For a collection of links relevant to travel in Croatia Click -> CROATIAN LINKS

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St Petersburg.

I was given these two sites when looking for accommodation;

http://www.hotelspb.narod.ru
http://www.bednbreakfast.sp.ru

The second one offered me a room with shared facilities in August for $50 a night. I cannot vouch for the quality, but it could be worth checking out

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TransDniestr

This quasi country appears to have got missed off.

No visa required when entering from Moldova but you should get off at the last check-point on the border and go and pay a tiny fee and get a little paper which may or may not be checked on re-entering Moldova proper. Buses to Tiraspol are frequent from Chisnau, but none of the locals seem to bother getting off to get the paper so you need to be proactive. Otherwise some travellers have had to pay $5-10 in fines on leaving TransDniestr again. There is a separate currency but you can change (even tiny quantities of) Moldovan money for it at a booth at the train station.

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Poland information:
For almost any bus schedule in Poland, you can enter www.pks.(name of city).pl. Example: www.pks.krakow.pl. They're only in Polish, but you might be able to figure them out by clicking around. Here's a bit of help:
-Rozklad Jazdy = timetable (or something like that)
-Odjazdy z dworca PKS w (city) = busses leaving the city
-Przyjazdy do dworca PKS w Krakowie = busses to the city

Wawel castle in Krakow is free on either Sundays or Wednesdays, I think it depends on the time of year. It's best to get there early, perhaps a half an hour before the ticket window opens, to make sure that you get a ticket, as they only have a limited amount per day. The Royal Palace in Warsaw is free on Sundays.

Where to stay (prices are probably not accurate anymore):
Gdansk:
Hostelling International – ul. Walowa 21 Phone: 058 301 23 13. This is the best place to stay in Gdansk as far as hostels go. You can walk there from the train station and walk to old town as well. I’ve been here a few times and paid 16 zl per night.

Krakow:
Hostelling International Oleandry - ul. Oleandry 4, Phone: 012 633 88 22. Take tram 15 from the main train station (Krakow Glowny) and get off at the stop after you pass the Hotel Cracovia. It usually runs about 30 zloty per night. Basic, but clean. Excellent English is spoken.

Krakow Strawberry Hostel, ul. Racklawicka 9. Phone: 012 636 1500. This hostel is open only in the summer. I stayed there in 2000 and, if remember correctly, it was about 45 zl per night in a dorm. Excellent English is spoken.

Bursa Jagiellonska – ul. Sliska 14 Phone: 012 656 12 28 – A university dorm that is open to travellers in the summer. I stayed in a single for 59 zl per night in 2001. It’s a bit out of the centre, but a tram drops you off nearby. Excellent English is spoken.

Hotel Zaczek – al. 3 Maja 5 Phone: 012 656 54 77 A university dorm that is open to travellers in the summer. I stayed in a single for 59 zl per night in 2001. Tram 15 drops you off right in front of it at the stop after the Hotel Cracovia (the Oleandry hostel is right around the corner from it). Excellent English is spoken.

Torun:
Trzy Korony – Rynek Staromiejski 12 Phone: 056 260 31. This hotel is right in the town square. I stayed there in December 1999 and the rooms cost 70zl each for one person. I was in room 201, which faced the square. Some English is spoken.

Warsaw:
Hostelling International Karolkowa – ul. Karolkowa 53a, Warszawa, 01-197. Tel: 022 328 829. 35 zl per night (discount with an HI card). It has cooking facilities, a TV room, a restaurant and an internet café. It's located about 15 minutes from the main train station (Centralna) on trams 12 or 24 (get off at the Wola stop). Also, you can catch trams to Old Town (about 10 minutes) at that same tram stop. English is spoken.

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Here's one I found that gives the average high and low temps iin Fahrenheit for Budapest, Belagrade, Constant and Bucharest:
weather on the danube

thanks for the tips. Will incorporate them into my next update.

Ruth

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Albania Info.

www.geocities.com/albaland

Visa Information:

www.mfa.gov.al

Train Timetable:

www.seat61.com/albania.htm

Hope that's help.

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IYHF Prague Hostels

Just for information, because I can´t find it at this topic, there are also some hostels in Prague associated in International Youth Hostel Fedederation and you can find these hostels here: WWW.IYHF.CZ.. Or directly:

Hostel Advantage
Extol Inn
Travellers hostel - address you can find up of this topic
Pension Beta

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provided by Zoli

budget airlines that fly into Budapest
GermanWings fly Stuttgart-Budapest-Stuttgart & Cologne-Budapest-Cologne.
Snowflake flies Stockholm-Budapest-Stockholm.
Sky Europe flies Paris-Budapest-Paris, Milan-Budapest-Milan, Zürich-Budapest-Zürich and London-Budapest-London.

Ruth

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The information on Russia, Belarus and Ukraine is here: everbrite's Russia sticky

And the information on the TransSiberian is here: everbrite's Trans Siberian thread

Both are stickies I tried to get the moderator to keep at the top but without success.

Ruth

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Another link that will surely be useful in Eastern Europe - Free Accommodation: Hospitality Club There are tons of members in Eastern Europe offering free accommodation - you just have to contact them! Here are direct links to some of the country pages: Albania
Czech Republic
Hungary
Latvia
Lithuania
Poland
Russia
Serbia

Greetings from Germany, Veit