Eastern Europe may for many people conjure up thoughts of Russia's old imperialism and Winston Churchill's iconic reference to an "Iron Curtain" drawing across Europe.
However, the Eastern Europe of today is a far cry from the old Communist-dominated territories which emerged from the Second World War and the majority of the region is enjoying a resurgence in the post-Communist era. Cities such as Prague, in the Czech Republic, have emerged as vibrant new cities, with many tourists flocking from across the world to see their history and enjoy their current resurgence. Prague is perhaps the most obvious example of this. The city is littered with historical buildings and sights, but is also an attractive venue for thousands of younger tourists because of its strong club scene and a constantly impressive line-up of live music.
Hungary and Turkey are full of history, with remnants of their empires strewn across the countries. But while the years of Communist rule may have resulted in an end to economic growth during the second half of the 20th century, they are both now reviving themselves and emerging as prosperous nations with much to do for travellers.
Many people from Western Europe are being enticed to visit their eastern cousins these days, with the exchange rate very much favouring Westerners. As a result, Eastern Europe can be a useful destination for those that want to keep check on their spending, as a holiday there can prove far cheaper than one in other parts of Europe.
The culinary delights of the region are also something that makes the area popular, with traditional Turkish food such as baklava and even Russian goulash proving to be an attractive pull for visitors.
Bulgaria is one of the fastest-growing tourist destinations in the world at the moment and is building a reputation as a favourite among holiday-home investors due to its stylish status. Its ski resorts are well-documented and they are fast becoming a favourite and cheaper alternative to the traditional skiing haunts of Western Europe.
Croatia, Serbia-Montenegro and Bosnia-Herzegovina, may be well known to many people because of the wars of independence which occurred in the region during the 1990s, but they are no longer war-torn and much has been done to improve them since that time. Indeed, the countries have risen phoenix-like from the flames and modern developments have replaced those areas damaged by the war, resulting in contemporary and chic creations with a growing reputation.
Romania remains synonymous with the legend of Dracula and hosts the grave of the man on whom the vampire myth is based: Vlad the Impaler. The man responsible for leaving a bloody trail across the region centuries ago lived in Snagov and remains buried there to this day, although if legend is to be believed, he does not rest in peace.
Eastern Europe offers a wealth of new experiences for visitors, now more than ever before. As the region continues to prosper in its post-Communist era, the interests and experiences for visitors to the region are quite different from anywhere else in the world, especially when viewed in the context of their turbulent history.
