EASTERN EUROPE AND SICILY 2024
A VERY DETAILED ITINERARY

1800KM 8 CITIES 16 DAYS
FLIGHTS
TRAINS
TICKETS
PACKING

KRAKOW
VIENNA
BRATISLAVA
BUDAPEST
ZAGREB
BLED
ROME
PALERMO

CROSSWORD
THE TRANSPORT AND INFO
FLIGHTS

Outbound

STN - KRK

Departure Time: 31/05/2024 19:35 BST

Arrival Time: 31/05/2024 22:50 CEST

Flight Details: Ryanair FR2434

Reservation Number: RMLHVG

Tickets:

boarding-pass.pdf

Inbound

PMO - LTN

Departure Time: 15/06/2024 11:10 CEST

Arrival Time: 15/06/2024 13:15 BST

Flight Details: Easyjet EZ2496

Reservation Number: K6VPN97

Tickets:

test.txt
TRAINS

Krakow - Vienna

2024-06-02 23:30 - 2024-06-03 06:10
Seats: 9, 13, 14, 17, 18
Seat61
Tickets: regiojet.pdf

Vienna - Bratislava

2024-06-03 TBC - 2024-06-03 TBC+1
Tickets: ticket.txt

Bratislava Hlavna - Budapest Nyugati

2024-06-04 12:05 - 2024-06-04 14:28
Seat61
Tickets: nick2.pdf ben2.pdf george2.pdf john2.pdf john1.pdf george1.pdf ben1.pdf nick1.pdf jerb2.pdf jerb1.pdf

Budapest Déli - Zagreb

2024-06-05 15:35 - 2024-06-05 21:59
Seat61
Tickets: nick2.pdf ben2.pdf george2.pdf john2.pdf john1.pdf george1.pdf ben1.pdf nick1.pdf jerb2.pdf jerb1.pdf

Zagreb - Bled

2024-06-02 23:30 - 2024-06-03 06:10
Tickets: ticket.txt

Ljubljana - Rome

2024-06-09 23:15 - 2024-06-10 09:20
Tickets: Ticket-Ljubljana-Roma-3164726522.pdf Ticket-Ljubljana-Roma-3166596656.pdf

Rome - Palermo

2024-06-11 22:36 - 2024-06-12 11:57
Tickets: john_nick_ben.pdf jerb_george.pdf
TICKETS
PACKING
                    INSECT REPELLANT
                    SUN CREAM SPF 30 +
                    Microfibre towel
                    Padlock
                    Europe L travel adapter
                    Zloty PLN - cash
                    Euro EUR - cash
                    Forint HUF - cash
                    Small First Aid Kit
                    Money Belt
                    Travel Insurance
                    Hiking boots
                    Bottle opener
                    Waterproof jacket
                    Wet wipes
                    Swim Gear for wild swim
                    BACKPACK NOT SUITCASE PLEASE!!
                    Perhaps washing liquid/powder for clothes
                    Passport and photocopies
                    Sunglasses/hats
                    eye mask
                    Power Bank
                    Playing cards/Monopoly Deal
                    Optional lunch bag?
                    Ziplock bags
                
THE CITIES
31/05 - 02/06
KRAKOW
Krakow, one of Poland's oldest and most beautiful cities, is renowned for its well-preserved medieval core and Jewish quarter. The city is also home to the Wawel Castle, a historic royal residence and iconic symbol of Poland's national heritage.
RUNDOWN

Accommodation

something about the accomodation

Local Transport

Guide here. Need an agglomeration ticket for salt mine

Things To Do

  • Salt mines
  • Explore City

Good To Know

Shady clubs in Krakow have been known to spike tourists. Stick to well-established bars.

Arrive

From London - 23:00 31/05

Depart

To Bratislava - 22:40 02/06

Day 1 - 31st May

TBC

Day 1 - 31st May

TBC

Restaurants

to fill in

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Tranditional Midrange Breakfast
Visit Website | Menu | Location
03/06
VIENNA
Vienna (Austria) is a short stopover on the trip, where we spend a morning, as the connection was much cheaper. We will get in very early, and then go to explore the city and visit some highlights.
RUNDOWN

Accommodation

We are not staying in vienna

Local Transport

Uber opperates in vienna. You must validate your ticket in a ticket machine before starting a journey on public transport. Public transport tickets cost €2.40.

Things To Do

Good To Know

Safe enough city, no major worries, central european.

Arrive

From Krakow - 06:10 03/06

Depart

To Bratislava - Hourly 03/06

3rd June

We are in the city for one day. We arrive early, at the central train station. We drop bags at the train station, and then head to Cafe Sperl (Uber or public transport U1). Hangout there till around 9am, wonder around for a bit, till 10am, when Kunsthistorisches Museum opens - look around till around midday, get lunch at one of the 2 restaurants below, then hop on train to bratislava.

Restaurants

Cafe Sperl

A traditional cafe serving well priced breakfast and coffee. Central and open from 7AM.

Tranditional Midrange Breakfast
Visit Website | Menu | Location

Cafe Central

Another traditional cafe, open from 8am, Freuds favourite.

Tranditional Pricey Breakfast
Visit Website | Menu | Location

Zum weissen rauchfangkehrer

Higher end, traditional dishes

Austrian Higher end (~€30pp) Michelin recommended
Visit Website | Menu | Location

Bier und Bierli

Beer place for lunches

Austrian Mid range Beer
Visit Website | Menu | Location
03/06 - 04/06
BRATISLAVA
fill in
RUNDOWN

Accommodation

Airbnb in Old Town - check in 3pm, check out 10am

Local Transport

Good public transport - free on first day w/ticket. Use this to get to devins castle. 2nd day should only need 1 ticket to get to station.

Things To Do

  • Devín Castle
  • Primates Palace

Good To Know

Safe and quiet. No major risk. Political protests may occur, keep eyes on news.

Arrive

From Vienna - Whenever (exp 2pm) on 03/06 to Bratislava Petrzalka

Depart

To Budapest - 12:05 04/06 from Bratislava Hlavna

Day 1 - 3rd June

Arrive in bratislava and head to the airbnb, grab some food from a shop (for breakfast). Then check in, put washings on, etc. * Head to devins castle (approx 30 mins bus) and spend time there * Go for dinner in Bratislava * Head over to airbnb for a chill evening - maybe a bar, explore city

Day 2 - 4th June

Not loads of time here, so well get up early enough and head over to bratislava castle - couple hours to see the whole thing. They have a free bag drop. Will look something like: * Wake up 8am * Leave 8:30am * Head to castle w/ bags * Leave castle around 11am, 30 mins public transport to the train station

Restaurants

to fill in

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Tranditional Midrange Breakfast
Visit Website | Menu | Location
04/06 - 05/06
BUDAPEST
Budapest is the capital city of Hungary. With a unique, youthful atmosphere, world-class classical music scene, a pulsating nightlife increasingly appreciated among European youth, and last but not least, an exceptional offer of natural thermal baths, Budapest is one of Europe's most delightful and enjoyable cities. Due to the exceedingly scenic setting, and its architecture, it is nicknamed "Paris of the East".
RUNDOWN

Accommodation

Airbnb GDE Holló Apartment 210, Holló utca 3 A 110, Budapest, 1075, Hungary - check in 3pm, check out 11am

Local Transport

Public Transport including Metro + Buses

Things To Do

  • Castle tour
  • River cruise
  • Ruin bars

Good To Know

Keep in mind, pickpockets operate here. Stay frosty.

Arrive

From Bratislava Hlavna - 14:28 04/06 | Into Budapest-Nyugati

Depart

To Zagreb - 15:35 05/06

Day 1 - 4th June
  • 14:28 - Arrive into Budapest-Nyugati.
  • 14:30 - Do some self-guided exploration.
  • 16:00 - Check out Margaret Island. Grab dinner.
  • 19:15 - Evening river cruise.
  • Late - Ruin Bars - Szimpla Kert.
Day 2 - 5th June
  • 11:00 - Guided tour of Budapest Castle.
  • ~12:30 - Lunch.
  • 13:00 - Castle in the rock tour.
  • 15:35 - Leave from Budapest Deli.
Restaurants

to fill in

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Tranditional Midrange Breakfast
Visit Website | Menu | Location
05/06 - 08/06
ZAGREB
Croatia
RUNDOWN

Accommodation

Accom in zagreb at HI hostel, camping korona in plitvice national park

Local Transport

Car rental, local transport with busses and trams, walkable

Things To Do

  • lakes

Good To Know

Bears are dangerous

Arrive

From Budapest - 21:59 05/06

Depart

To Bled - 07:05 08/06

Day 1 - 5th June

Arrive at train station, go to hostel (4 min walk) and sleep.

Day 2 - 6th June

Wake up, and head to Amelie for breakfast (10mins walk). Then, head to the funicalar railway (10 mins walk) before riding up, and walk about 5 minutes to St Marks Church, and explore the square. Finally, head to Dolac Market (for snacks, and food for lunch when we arrive in the natinoal park) and then take the tram to the car pick up spot Car wiz. The car is an estate. Booking ref is HR123486030. Then take 2 hours to drive to the lakes, arriving for lunch. Set up, eat, and then go for a hike, etc. There are boats, etc and we can plan more of this on the route and on the day. Tickets for the lakes are booked. TODO - add tickets here. We are staying in 3 cabins at camping korona. This camp site has an on site restaurant.

Day 3 - 7th June

There are 2 options for this day, to be decided based on how cool we find the lakes. Either - We can, for free, enter the lakes for the second day - Head in the car over to the coast, around a 1 hour drive, and spend the day there Either way, we will head back around 16:30 to zagreb, to drop the car off around 19:00 - then go out for some dinner, before staying at hostel HI for another night.

Day 4 - 8th June

Wake up by 6am to leave for Bled

Restaurants

Amelie

Amelie is a small cafe in zagreb, with great cakes, for the morning

Tranditional Midrange Breakfast
Visit Website | Menu | Location
08/06 - 09/06
BLED
The lovely Lake Bled is located in the beautiful Julian Alps of the Upper Carniolan region of north-western Slovenia, where it adjoins the town of Bled. It is a small town, northwest of Slovenia’s capital city, Ljubljana. The entire area is a very popular tourist destination due to its amazing history and scenery.
RUNDOWN

Accommodation

Bled Hostel II

Local Transport

Contactless tap in busses and trams operate. Free Now is the main and dominant taxi app, also including electric scooters (illegal if over drink driving limit)

Things To Do

  • Stand-up paddleboarding
  • Swimming
  • Vintgar Gorge walk
  • Explore the city and local foods

Good To Know

Bring swimming gear. Insect repellent is paramount.

Arrive

From Zagreb - 10:20 08/06

Depart

To Rome - 23:15 09/06 from Ljubljana

Day 1 - 8th June

Stand-up paddleboarding (12:00) Go for a swim (??:??) Walk up to Ojstrica viewpoint (??:??)

Day 2 - 9th June

Walk Vintgar Gorge (10:00) Chill by the lake (??:??) Have a bite to eat at Oštarija Peglez'n (??:??)

Restaurants

Oštarija Peglez'n

A cozy restaurant serving delicious seafood and famous slovenian cream cakes!

Visit Website | Menu | Location
10/06 - 11/06
ROME
Ancient Rome, officially established in 753 BCE, evolved into a great empire that spanned from Spain to the Middle East. It is renowned for its impressive public works, formidable military, and enduring alphabet, which continues to shape our communication today. Additionally, Christianity emerged within the heart of Ancient Rome, eventually becoming the dominant religion of the empire.
RUNDOWN

Accommodation

Staying in the Hotel Igea near to Roma Termini station

Local Transport

Contactless on buses and metro - €1,50 per ride (+100 mins on buses)

Things To Do

  • Colosseum
  • Pantheon
  • Vatican City
  • Castel Sant'Angelo

Good To Know

You must wear trousers on day 2

Arrive

From Ljubljana - 09:10 10/06

Depart

To Palermo - 22:36 11/06

Day 1 - 10th June
  • 9:10 Arrival, go on Metro B to Termini
  • Luggage Storage
  • 10:00-12:00 (accounting for flexibility) Brunch
  • 13:30-14:30 Pantheon
  • 15:30-17:00ish Colosseum
  • Check in to hotel
  • 19:45 Leave hotel
  • 20:30 Dinner - Seu Pizza Illuminati - 40 minute bus from hotel
  • Explore in evening and throughout day
Day 2 - 11th June
  • Late start - lie in - breakfast included in hotel
  • Castel Sant'Angelo - is closed on Mondays
  • Lunch
  • 14:30 - Go to Vatican - booking is at 15:00
  • Sistine Chapel
  • Basilica Papale di Santa Maria Appears no booking without guide, 7am-7pm free
  • St Peter's Basilica no skip the line, long (2-3h) q - better v early or in evening
  • Explore + Dinner
Restaurants

Ciampini Bistrot

Pizza, pasta & other classic fare served in a distinctive spot with wood, leather & marble accents.

Traditional Midrange Dinner
Visit Website | Menu | Location

Ciampini Cafe (Roma)

Pizza, pasta & other classic fare served in a distinctive spot with wood, leather & marble accents.

Traditional Midrange Lunch
Visit Website | Menu | Location

Giano Restaurant

Somewhat expensvie but nice looking restaurant, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Fuses Sicilian and Italian cuisine.

Fusion Lunch Dinner
Visit Website | Menu | Location

Seu Pizza Illuminati

Extremely based sounding pizza including classic and very out-there options at reasonable prices. Also has a 6 course tasting menu for 45 eur p/p. Not open on Tuesday, so Monday evening only.

Pizza Dinner
Visit Website | Menu | Location
15/06 - 15/06
PALERMO
Palermo is a city that dances between history and modernity, where ancient architecture coexists with lively markets and bustling streets. Nestled along the northern coast of Sicily, this captivating city has been shaped by centuries of diverse influences—from Phoenicians and Romans to Arabs and Normans. We are actually staying in San Vito Lo Capo near the beach.
RUNDOWN

Local Transport

Car rental from Galdieri - pick up at 7pm on day 1

Things To Do

  • Explore Palermo
  • San Vito Lo Capo Beech
  • Zingaro Nature Reserve

Good To Know

None

Arrive

From Rome - 09:10 12/06

Depart

To London Luton - 11:10 15/06

Day 1 - 12th June

TL;DR: Arrive in Palermo, spend most of the day there. Grab car from Airport, drive to villa in San Vito Lo Capo. Buy food from supermarket.

In Palermo:

  1. Palermo is the street food capital of Europe - we should profit therefrom. Backup option is FUD
  2. Then take a walking tour, estimated duration 2h.
  3. Quattro Canti (fountain place) -> Fontana Pretoria -> Santa Maria dell'Ammiraglio -> Cattedrale of Palermo
  4. From a website: Pro tip: enter Palazzo Pretorio, the Town Hall of Palermo, for a view of Fontana Pretoria from up above. You can also climb the Cathedral for a view from the roof. For an even better view of the city though, climb up the Cupola of San Salvatore - you'll see all the domes of Palermo and the sea in the distance.
Day 2 - 13th June
  • Mostly chill on beach
  • Many grottas which are cool in the ends
Day 3 - 14th June

Zingaro Nature Reserve

Day 4 - 15th June

Leave by 7:30 at the latest to get to the airport for 09:00

Restaurants

to fill in

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Tranditional Midrange Breakfast
Visit Website | Menu | Location