I grew up in Europe, and my parents gave me wide latitude with my wanderings. In college, however, I found myself rooted to one place, perhaps for the first time ever. I couldn’t roam the countryside of other countries, because I had deadlines to meet and responsibilities to fulfill. It’s been six years since I moved to the States to go to college, and I had summer vacation coming up in grad school and decided to go on a motorcycle tour of Eastern Europe. I was inspired by an old school mate from secondary school in London, who had gone on a similar trip the year before.
My motorcycle, a sleek Honda that was my graduation gift upon completion of my undergraduate studies, had fallen into slight disrepair, but after I ordered the necessary motorcycle parts and had a mechanic friend make all necessary repairs, I was ready to go. Because I was on a budget, I forewent joining an organized tour; instead, I found a few itineraries online and amalgamated them to create the one I eventually used. I visited my local AAA office to secure my International Driving Permit and arranged overseas insurance and shipping for my bike, and I was ready to go.
My route took me from Austria to the Czech Republic to Germany, then back through the Czech Republic on my way through Poland. After a brief layover in Kraków, I traveled south through Slovakia, and ended up in Hungary. In all, I was in eastern Europe for fifteen days, thirteen of which were spent on the open road, touring this historic and scenic part of the world. Below are some highlights:
Prague, Czech Republic
Prague has been the capital of the Czech Republic for more than 1,100 years, and its perfectly preserved Gothic, Baroque, Romanesque and Art Nouveau architecture is worthy of a trip of its own. During my time in Prague, I spent time on the Charles Bridge, enjoying the musicians and vendors located there; watched the procession of the twelve apostles and marveled at the medieval sculpture on the Astronomical Clock; and sought out the John Lennon Wall, a graffiti-covered wall that endorses Lennon’s message of peace. I also visited the Museum of Medieval Torture Instruments, a museum dedicated to torture practices.
Dresden, Germany
I made my way to Dresden, where I enjoyed an additional day of rest. Dresden is the clean, quiet capital of the State of Saxony in Germany, and is known as the one-time home of composer Richard Wagner. Located along the banks of the Elbe River, Dresden is known for its architecture and is frequently called “the Florence of the Elbe.” A must-see sight in Dresden is the Dresden Frauenkirche (literally Church of Our Lady), which was rebuilt after World War II and is now considered a symbol of reconciliation. Legend has it that it is the location of one of seven energy centers scattered around the globe, and that by leaning against the wall of the Crypt of St. Jerome, you can absorb some of that energy for yourself.
Kraków, Poland
Kraków us the former capital of Poland, and is known for St. Mary’s Basilica and Wawel cathedral and castle. Because I had an extra day to spend in this city, I spent a long afternoon on Floriańska Street, where I ate at a kebab stand, had my caricature drawn, and bought a sheepskin hat and amber necklace. In addition to this, I also spent a while walking around the Planty, and people-watching in the Market Square. Located by St. Mary’s Basilica, visitors to Market Square can hear hourly trumpet signals played by firefighters that is cut short to commemorate the death of a 13th century trumpeter who was shot in the throat while warning of a Mongol attack on Kraków.
Budapest, Hungary
My final destination was Budapest, dubbed by many as “one of the most beautiful cities in the world.” This city is home to numerous castles and churches, and the skyline is graced with breathtaking gothic architecture. My favorite place to visit was the Fisherman’s Bastion, which is probably the closest to a fairytale castle you can find in eastern Europe. My hostel overlooked the Chain Bridge, which was the first bridge to span the Danube River into Budapest, and when I awoke, I was fortunate to see this bridge enshrouded in fog—a very impressive sight. The whole city is impressive, for that matter, from Buda Castle to the Great Market Hall, and everything in-between
My motorcycle tour was an unforgettable experience. I saw parts of Europe that I had never seen before, and I was reminded of the importance of learning and understanding the history and culture of other countries. Eastern Europe is chock-full of historic landmarks and beautiful architecture that will keep even the most ardent of history lovers busy for weeks. There were many places I would have liked to explore, but was unable to due to self-imposed time constraints, which means that I have my work cut out for me the next time I plan a motorcycle tour of eastern Europe.
Author: Alexa Thomas