Today, I am doing something unusual. At least unusual for me.
In a few short weeks (well, two to be precise, and they’re the same length as every other week in town) I’ll be embarking upon an unusual journey through eastern Europe. My idea was to start in Berlin, where the powers of east and western Europe fought so long and so hard in the name of ideology, supremacy and appearances over one brick wall with a thousand and one ramifications.
From there, I planned to travel east until I reached that near mythical, near arbitrary divide between Europe and Asia that is the Bosphorus River in Istanbul.
A Journey Through Eastern Europe By Train
Well, like many a great idea (and ideology,) things just weren’t meant to be. At least not as I imagined them. A twist of fate and fortune, otherwise known as the eurozone crisis, has meant a few behind-the-scenes modifications to the original plan.
I’ll now, sadly, be missing Greece and instead be working backwards: from the eastern edge of Europe in Istanbul back towards the modern city of Berlin.
I’ll be travelling on a complimentary InterRail Pass provided by the conveniently named InterRail Company and writing for their site as I go. I’ll also, of course, be writing for Inside the Travel Lab and I’ll also, of course, have complete editorial control. (As ever, as usual, mwa ha ha ha haaa!)
So what’s so unusual?
Well, the biggest and most unusual part about this for me is that I’m writing about it here before I’ve been there. That’s not what I usually do.
Ideas Please
I’d love to hear from you if you’ve been to or know anything about the following cities in the following countries. I’m looking for something unusual, something cultural, something exciting and something special. I’d love to know what you think…
An Eastern Odyssey – The Route
Istanbul > Sofia > Skopje > Belgrade > Zagreb > Ljubljana > Budapest > Vienna > Bratislava > Prague > Berlin
View Rail Odyssey Through Eastern Europe in a larger map
Hi, I'm Abi, a journalist who swapped a career as a doctor for a life on the road. 
I want to do this with you!!! I have taken a near similar route, minus the stops in Sofia, Skopje, Belgrade, Ljubljana and Bratislava (so, yeah, half) — you are going to some spectacular places!!!! I can’t wait to read about your adventures.
Well, I had a reread of yours for the half you did do! Would love to have you travelling along with me…stay social media tuned!
Hi Abigail. Really jealous of you doing this! At the moment I live in Prague. If you’re interested in communism you have to visit the communist museum, located just off wenceslas square (http://travellingmanc.blogspot.com/2011/10/communism-in-czechoslovakia-you-couldnt.html), and theres a nice memorial to the victims of communism on Ujezd Street, Mala Strana. I visit Zagreb alot, and I always stay at the same place, Mali Mrak Hostel, they’re so friendly and its a cool place to stay. In the quiet season they will usually give you a private room for the price of a shared room. Also, the museum of broken relationships, as mentioned above is awesome! i wrote an article on it last month (http://travellingmanc.blogspot.com/2011/10/museum-of-broken-relationships-zagreb.html). If you’re in Croatia you should make time for seeing the Adriatic coast, its beutiful, I usuall stay in Pula, their Roman architechture is amazing (http://travellingmanc.blogspot.com/2011/10/roman-pula.html). Have a fun journey, I look forward to following it! :)
Thank you for the recommendations – particularly for the communist museum in Prague. No time for the coast on this trip, alas, but maybe later…
Hey. I live in Zagreb. It’s a neat little city, though not at its prettiest during the winter.
Like Philippa says the Mirogoj cemetery and the Museum of Broken Relationships is very interesting. Also hang around for the weekend coffee by the Main square and try the roasted chestnuts along the street corners. If you come this way, I’d love to say Hi!
Thanks for the tips! I’ll drop you a line, would be good to put a face to some good writing!
Fantastic, I wish you a great time…