TOP
A Room With a View

Enticing Eastern European Holiday Retreats

Prague, Czechia

Prague “The City of a Hundred Spires” is the capital of the Czech Republic. It has a compact historical area full of Baroque, Medieval and Art Nouveau churches and buildings. Our favorite place to walk is the remarkable Charles Bridge- a beautiful quarter mile amble among tourists, locals, street vendors and roaming performers.

On our five days in Prague, we stayed in a charming apartment above the Shakespeare Bookstore near the bridge. The apartment is well-furnished in a contemporary style. Parking is difficult in Prague (and in most busy east European cities), but the host gave us a link to a secure lot a few minutes walk through a park. The location is perfect–a short stroll to many restaurants, shops and the John Lennon wall. The view out our bedroom window of the Vltava River and the bridge is unforgettable! So too are the views out the front windows of the bustling city and street which kept us entertained. The elevator, washer-dryer and internet TV were welcome extras.  Plus the owner was very helpful.


Cesky Krumlov, Czechia

My favorite town on our east European trip is a unique gem which has preserved its 16th century origins. First buildings on the site dated from 1253.

The Ultra Premium Apartments in Cesky Krumlov is a fabulous place to stay. The view of the river from the private balcony was very fine, and the location is a short walk from the town’s main attractions.

The contemporary design and furnishings are quite attractive and functional. Welcome extras are a well-stocked, complimentary mini-bar (which will be restocked on request), the washing machine (no dryer, but a heated drying rack) and NETFLIX. Great welcome gifts on arrival—a beautiful bottle of wine and a book about Cesky Krumlov. The parking too is close and inexpensive.

AND!!! Free breakfast at the excellent and adjacent Cafe Topinka is included with the room. The breakfast is amazing as is the service. See my review on TripAdvisor.


Vienna

With its monumental Baroque and Art Nouveau architecture, Vienna is a dream, teeming with vibrant rich history, cultural life and an amazing café culture. From the Habsburg palaces to the Mozarthaus to the Café Central which in 1912 Sigmund Freud, Josef Stalin, Adolf Hitler, and Leon Trotsky frequented

In Vienna, my husband and I stayed in a 7th floor apartment overlooking Stephan Platz, the square surrounding St. Stephan’s Basilica. Our floor-to-ceiling windows faced the cathedral. The view was stunning!  The Sacher brothers are without doubt the most attentive and caring (without being intrusive) hosts we have ever had. Dominick was especially helpful! He insisted on carrying our luggage when we arrived and when we left. The apartment is well and comfortably furnished, with washer and cable TV. For history buffs this is known the Kennedy Building, where Kennedy and Khrushchev met right after the 1962 Cuban Missile crisis. This apartment is a great location for walking and reaching public transportation that will take you all over Vienna, great shopping and restaurants are within walking distance.

The apartment was cozy and comfortable and very well maintained and this is the best area from which to see the historic sights. A big plus if you are driving is that there is convenient parking nearby, but it is expensive. There are cheaper options further away, which may require a taxi or bus to reach.

Pula, Croatia

This town in on the scenic peninsula of Istria, Croatia is full of gorgeous beaches, an endless variety of historic architectural treasures Roman, Byzantine Venetian and more. The blend of cultures creates a unique character and zest. It is a region not to be missed!

From this lavish apartment built in the 1870s is perhaps this most impressive view we’ve ever experienced from a vacation home. From our windows, we could not only see the ancient Roman amphitheater, a UNESCO World Heritage site, but also see into it. We felt like the gladiators would march in any minute! The apartment itself is attractively furnished three bedrooms, three bath. Beautifully decorated in a modern style with exquisite bathrooms. There is a private wrap around balcony with unforgettable views of the amphitheater as well as views of the Adriatic Sea.

Free parking in a lot across the street, NETFLIX, a bottle of wine and chocolates as a welcome gift, and a washer/dryer all added to the enjoyment of our stay. Mr. Andrea was so helpful. He carried our luggage upstairs and gave us a full description of the house and area. We were very impressed with all of the laminated descriptions of how to work each of the appliances (quite necessary in figuring out washing machines). Everything was fully explained and clear. We thoroughly enjoyed Istria, and this was the perfect spot to explore this region.

Lake Bled, Slovenia

Located below the Julian Alps, Bled is the perfect spot to experience the natural beauty of this region. Daytrips into nature areas are not to be missed.

This cozy cottage is full of windows and natural light with vintage charm and many antique pieces. The location on Lake Bled is perfect. The views of the lake and the Assumption of Maria Church located on a tiny island are outstanding. So too are the views of the castle. I loved the wood stove in the primary living space. The hosts provided the wood. It is the perfect location to explore Slovenia, or to relax in a beautiful setting. A parking spot right outside our door was most welcome, especially considering as parking can be scarce in Eastern European towns.

All venues are available through Airbnb

 

Click here to view full gallery