22 days in Eastern Europe Itinerary

One of Poland's oldest cities, Krakow sits at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains, its historical town center nestled on the left bank of the Vistula River.

Go for a jaunt from Krakow to Oswiecim to see Panstwowe Muzeum Auschwitz-Birkenau about 1h 15 min away. There's still lots to do: take in the spiritual surroundings of Wawel Cathedral, admire the striking features of St. Mary's Basilica, stop by Kazmierz The Former Jewish District, and get the lay of the land with Walking tours.

For more things to do, ratings, reviews, and tourist information, refer to the Krakow travel route planner.

Port Elizabeth, South Africa to Krakow is an approximately 19-hour flight. Due to the time zone difference, you'll gain 1 hour traveling from Port Elizabeth to Krakow. Prepare for cooler weather when traveling from Port Elizabeth in March: high temperatures in Krakow hover around 9°C and lows are around 0°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 28th (Sun) so you can take a train to Warsaw.

Warsaw draws big crowds with its seemingly unstoppable energy, exemplified by the city's explosive nightlife and thriving music scene.

On the 29th (Mon), take in panoramic vistas at Palace of Culture and Science, take an in-depth tour of Muzeum Powstania Warszawskiego, then contemplate the long history of Pomnik Bohaterów Getta, then appreciate the extensive heritage of Old Town, and finally make a trip to Castle Square (Plac Zamkowy). Here are some ideas for day two: see the sky in a new way at Copernicus Science Centre, then explore the galleries of Zamek Krolewski w Warszawie - Muzeum, then admire the natural beauty at Lazienki Krolewskie w Warszawie, and finally steep yourself in history at Lazienki Palace (Palac Lazienkowski).

For reviews, photos, where to stay, and tourist information, go to the Warsaw trip itinerary planner.

You can take a train from Krakow to Warsaw in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or drive. In March, daily temperatures in Warsaw can reach 8°C, while at night they dip to 0°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 30th (Tue) early enough to travel to Tallinn.

A historic city with its eye firmly on the future, Tallinn blends medieval fortifications, gleaming skyscrapers, and charming boutiques with a spattering of Soviet relics.

Kick off your visit on the 31st (Wed): examine the collection at Lennusadam Seaplane Harbour, steep yourself in history at Town Hall Pharmacy, then take a stroll through Tallinn Old Town, and finally enjoy breathtaking views from St. Olaf’s Church. Keep things going the next day: take in the spiritual surroundings of Aleksander Nevski Katedraali, then contemplate the long history of Toompea Hill, then explore the world behind art at Kumu Art Museum, and finally take in panoramic vistas at Tallinna Teletorn.

For maps, reviews, ratings, and more tourist information, read Tallinn day trip tool.

You can fly from Warsaw to Tallinn in 5 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a bus. The time zone difference when traveling from Warsaw to Tallinn is 1 hour. Traveling from Warsaw in March, expect Tallinn to be slightly colder, temps between 3°C and -4°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 1st (Thu) early enough to travel to St. Petersburg.

Built on a desolate swamp as a showcase capital of Imperial Russia, this grand city has certainly lived up to the expectations of its founder, Tsar Peter the Great.

Kick off your visit on the 2nd (Fri): snap pictures at Anichkov Bridge, examine the collection at Russian Museum, and then admire the masterpieces at The State Hermitage Museum. On the next day, steep yourself in history at Palace Square, then pause for some serene contemplation at Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, then see the interesting displays at Saint Isaac's Cathedral, and finally take an in-depth tour of Kazan Cathedral.

To see maps, reviews, other places to visit, and more tourist information, go to the St. Petersburg online tour planner.

Traveling by combination of flight and train from Tallinn to St. Petersburg takes 5.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or fly. You'll lose 1 hour traveling from Tallinn to St. Petersburg due to the time zone difference. In April, daytime highs in St. Petersburg are 9°C, while nighttime lows are 0°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 3rd (Sat) early enough to travel to Prague.

Prague lures millions of tourists each year with its World Heritage-listed medieval city center--a labyrinth of narrow lanes, bridges, cathedrals, and palaces overlooked by a thousand-year-old castle.

Prague is known for historic sites, nightlife, and museums. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: appreciate the extensive heritage of Staromestske namesti, snap pictures at Charles Bridge, take some stellar pictures from Vyšehrad National Cultural Monument, and learn the secrets of beer at a beer tour and tasting.

To find more things to do, where to stay, other places to visit, and tourist information, use the Prague vacation maker site.

You can fly from St. Petersburg to Prague in 6.5 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a train. Due to the time zone difference, you'll gain 2 hours traveling from St. Petersburg to Prague. Plan for a bit warmer temperatures traveling from St. Petersburg in April, with highs in Prague at 17°C and lows at 5°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 7th (Wed) so you can drive to Bratislava.

Slovakia's capital, Bratislava, attracts visitors for its natural beauty and rich culture, offering a plethora of landscapes, outdoor activities, historical monuments, and a stately old town.

On the 8th (Thu), get engrossed in the history at Devin Castle, pause for some photo ops at Cumil, then pause for some photo ops at Schone Naci Statue, and finally don't miss a visit to Slavin War Memorial. Here are some ideas for day two: steep yourself in history at Michalska Brana, contemplate the long history of Primates' Palace (Primacialny palac), step into the grandiose world of Bratislava Castle, then admire the striking features of St. Martin's Cathedral (Dom svateho Martina), and finally visit Bratislava Old Town.

For traveler tips, more things to do, other places to visit, and tourist information, read our Bratislava travel route planner.

You can drive from Prague to Bratislava in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of flight and bus; or take a train. In April, daytime highs in Bratislava are 19°C, while nighttime lows are 6°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 9th (Fri) so you can drive to Budapest.

You might consider the city of Budapest, divided by the Danube River into two distinctive cities--Buda and Pest--to be essentially one large World Heritage Site.

Budapest is known for historic sites, spas, and nightlife. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: get a sense of history and politics at Hungarian Parliament Building, make a trip to Fisherman's Bastion, appreciate the history behind Heroes' Square, and take in the spiritual surroundings of Matthias Church.

To find traveler tips, photos, where to stay, and more tourist information, you can read our Budapest trip itinerary website.

You can drive from Bratislava to Budapest in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or take a train. Expect a daytime high around 20°C in April, and nighttime lows around 5°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 14th (Wed) so you can travel back home.