When thinking of Europe, at least from the perspective of many people in my country, the Dominican Republic, we usually direct our minds to the most renowned cities such as Madrid, Paris, Berlin, Brussels, Rome or Amsterdam. Yet the old continent has an invaluable heritage that transcends its main capitals, with an impressive beauty and complexity from both the historical and cultural perspectives, which never cease to amaze those who venture to discover them.
I here include you a route that visits 5 capitals, included in a-surprisingly-not so extensive strip of land and whose route becomes a dream itinerary for lovers of tourism. Take it as the sketch of a âperfect roadtripâ with a distance that hardly exceeds 10 hours of travel, crossing the borders of 5 countries and driving about 1,000 kilometers.
Prague, Czech Republic
For many Prague is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, a quick walk through its center shows the great architectural and cultural influence that has enjoyed since the Middle Ages. The magnificent monuments, its location on both banks of the Vltava River and the level of conservation of its structure, make this city something special and worth visiting. Metropolis of culture, art, science and politics, Prague has more than 1100 years of existence and its development serves as a living example of multiple architectural expressions, historical periods and design styles.
Bratislava, Slovakia
Bratislava, capital of Slovakia, is probably the only capital that borders two independent countries. Its castle is the symbol of this political, cultural and economic center, a huge rectangular building that stands on an isolated rocky hill is known as âBratislavskĂ˝ hradâ. Most of the streets of Bratislava are pedestrianized, which makes the center and its alleys very interesting for those who love hiking.
Budapest, Hungary
Budapest, the capital of Hungary and one of the largest cities in the European Union, is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Since 1987, an extensive geographical area has been added to UNESCOâsâ World Heritage List âwhich includes the banks of the Danube, the Buda Castle district, AndrĂĄssy Avenue, Heroesâ Square and the Millennium Underground Railroad.
Zagreb, Croatia
Zagreb, capital of Croatia, is divided: Kaptol, Donji Grad (Lower Town) and Gornji Grad (Upper Town). The last two are connected by a cable car and you can visit the most important tourist attractions: the cathedral, the Ban JelaÄiÄ Square, the LotrĹĄÄak Tower (whose summit offers beautiful views of the city) and the Church of San Marcos, among others. In a brief tour, the passage of time is evident in the marked contrast of architectural styles.
Ljubljana, Slovenia
Ljubljana is the capital of Slovenia. One of its most recognized elements is the Ljubljanski Grad (castle that can be visited via funicular) and its many bridges and canals. The center of the city can be easily covered on foot, finding beautiful prints in almost all its alleys and especially at night due to the effect caused by urban lighting and water reflections.
A question for you:
Have you ever made a roadtrip? How long and where to? (Share me the link in the comments if you posted it already here on Connect!)
Note:
This is a piece I wrote for my website https://cultoural.com, reprinted in a Dominican printed magazine called District & Co. and that I now re-edited for https://www.localguidesconnect.com. Authorship of both text and photos are mine.
, yet for the purpose of this article I wanted to highlight the other cities, that at least on my side of the world are a little less talked about.
11,000kms⌠and with kids⌠thatâs almost insane! How long did that take you? Iâm shocked over here! And also I congratulate you because for sure the vision your kids will have of the world, of traveling, of possibilities and connection will be outstanding, with all this awesome experiences they are getting on this summer escapes!
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