As its name suggests, Central Europe lies between Western and Eastern Europe, and represents not so much a geographical center as a historical one.
Central Europe stretches from the Alps to the Baltic Sea, which insures that the landscape is varied and dazzling.
The countries of Central Europe are Germany, Austria, Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Slovenia.
Some History
The Visegrád Group (also known as the Visegrád 4 or V4) is a group uniting four Central European countries: Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary. The purpose for these politically and economically weak countries to unite, immediately after gaining their independence, was to establish a close partnership in order to accelerate the process of integration into Europe and to reinforce their common positions.
Other links for the Visegrád Group: www.visegradfund.org
www.visegrad.info
Points in Common: Natural and Cultural Treasures
Germany shares its borders with nine European countries! Its central and strategic position in the European Union is clearly evident. The country encompasses snowy summits in the Alps, enormous, thick forests, such as the Black Forest, significant rivers (e.g the Danube, the Rhine and the Elbe), fascinating coastlines on the North Sea and the Baltic, and dynamic, modern cities (think of Berlin, Cologne, Hamburg, Munich, Stuttgart and Dresden!). You can explore fairytale castles and picturesque villages and enjoy the traditional Christmas markets or the world-famous Oktoberfest. You’ll have many opportunities to take advantage of Germany’s welcome and experience its varied and unique natural and cultural riches.
Austria has made the construction of Europe the center of its foreign policy. It is endowed with magnificent scenery, whether in the Alps or in the Wachau region. Austria is a paradise for hikers and cyclists. Music is omnipresent, in particular in Salzburg, birthplace of Mozart, and on the banks of the Danube, which always reminds us of the famous waltz composed by Strauss. And there is Austria’s marvelous capital, Vienna, steeped in history and culture.
Slovenia has a nickname and a slogan that are equally charming and characterize the country perfectly: “the green heart of Europe” invites you to come to “the sunny side of the Alps”! Slovenia lies at the crossroads of four different topological landmarks: the Alps, the Panonnian Plane, the Dinaric Alps, and the Mediterranean. This blend of dramatic geography gives the country its distinct character. The north of the country lies on the slopes of the Julian Alps and offers skiing and hiking (for example, in Triglav National Park), and a jewel: the town of Bled, on the edge of the lake by the same name. The karst formations in the southwest are full of caves, such as the famous Postojna Cave and the Skocjan Caves, which are a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site. In the south, in wine country along the Krka, you’ll find enchanting castles, monasteries, and abbeys.
The Countries of the Visegrád Group have also combined forces to promote their touristic and cultural attributes. Under the poetic name “European Quartet – One Melody”, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Poland present a united front to tourists. These four countries share cultural and intellectual values. Take off! Discover charming cities where culture, tradition, and folklore are still cherished, see exquisite architecture, seek out the heart of cities replete with churches, castles and majestic parks. Follow the tracks of special places on the UNESCO World Heritage List. And be sure to enjoy the benefits of a spa, a longtime tradition in these countries, known for centuries as health centers. Celebrities such as Goethe, Strauss, and Pierre Le Grand made visits in their time; now it’s your turn!
But let’s slow down in each one of these four countries:
Hungary offers its sublime capital, Budapest, as your point of entry, with its display of magnificent monuments, such as the Parliament and the Castle, on the banks of the Danube. But you should also go outside the city to seek out the lush natural beauty of Lake Balaton and the curving Danube in the Visegrád region, which gives its name to the group.
Poland has a veritable treasure trove on reserve. Warsaw, which lies along the banks of the Vistule, suffered terribly during WWI, but the old city has since been completely reconstructed according to the original plans. It is listed with UNESCO. Warsaw well deserves to be known as a cultural capital, with twenty museums and numerous art galleries and theaters. In the foothills of the Tatras Mountains, Krakow is the second city of Poland and has been able to preserve its medieval flavor. Gdansk (formerly Danzig), is still a very important port on the Baltic.
Today the Czech Republic is visited mostly for its magnificent capital, Prague. However, the country boasts many other treasures that beg to be enjoyed: medieval towns, fabulous chateaux, verdant countryside, and a rich and varied cuisine (and arguably, one of the world’s best beers, the famous Pils!). The names of composers such as Smetana, Dvořák and Janáček illustrate the reputation Czech music has the world over.
Slovakia offers unforgettable hikes in the wild, unspoiled natural beauty of the Tatras national parks. A paradise for ramblers, this country provides not only abundant nature but impressive castles, churches, and palaces both Gothic and Baroque. Don’t miss seeing the architectural specialty of Slovakia, the wooden churches in the east of the country.
The European Quartet suggests two routes to explore this fabulous pan-European region. Follow their lead and you won’t miss a thing!