One of my favorite places in Central Europe is the Konigssee. Billed as Germany’s deepest and cleanest lake, Konigsee is an alpine lake tucked away in the southeastern corner of Bavaria where it pokes into Austria. The name, Konigssee, appropriately means King’s Lake and this little slice of Bavaria is certainly fit for a king. Because of the steep, sheer mountain walls surrounding this long, narrow lake, it is not possible to hike around it. But you can take a boat ride on the lake, which stops at the picturesque, much-photographed Baroque church known as St. Bartholoma.
The Konigssee Lake in Bavaria, Germany
Close to Salzburg and Berchtesgaden
Konigssee is just a stone’s throw away from two additional must-see destinations in Central Europe. Just a few miles away is the infamous, but beautiful World War Two mountaintop hangout of Adolph Hitler and Eva Braun known as Berchtesgaden. After a harrowing bus ride up the steep, winding road clinging to the mountainside you can tour the historic Eagle’s Nest. From there you’ll enjoy a spectacular 360 degree view of the Bavarian Alps and can actually see both the Konigsse and the fabulous city of Salzburg, Austria off in the distance.
Salzburg, Austria from the Hohensalzburg Castle
A Central Europe Itinerary
Excellent train and bus service to this region make it easy to travel independently to many of the interesting tourist destinations in Central Europe. You should plan on ten days to two weeks to explore this area and I recommend using Frankfurt, Germany as the perfect gateway city for your round trip flight. From there you can make a circuit that includes some of the highlights of three countries, Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic. Depending on how much time you have, stops along the way might include Rothenburg, Nurnberg, Munich, Konigssee, Berchtesgaden, Salzburg and Prague. This is just one suggested itinerary for your next visit to the heart of Europe. Be sure to check out our recent articles on each of these destinations by using the search box above.
The Medieval Walled Town of Rothenburg, GermanyOld Town Square at Night, Prague, Czech Republic
Along with warmer weather and burgeoning wildlife activity, colorful flowers are the universal harbingers of Spring. Japan may have its cherry blossoms and Holland may have its tulips, but Russia certainly gives them a run for their money with its spectacular lilacs. I found them all across Russia in many varieties and colors, whether in well-groomed city parks, the rural countryside or the front yard of a private home. The lilac’s scientific name, Syringa vulgaris, doesn’t sound very flattering, but it actually just means ‘common lilac’. In Russia the lilacs are anything but common. They bloom in May, a little later than in the United States, and if you’re fortunate enough to be there when they are out in full glory, you can enjoy mingling with the locals as they delight in the beauty and fragrance of these gorgeous blossoms.
Unique Pattern of Lilac Blossoms in RussiaSpectacular Profusion of Lilacs in RussiaLilacs in St. Petersburg, Russia
Many Westerners will enter Russia for the first time on the Allegro Train arriving in St. Petersburg from Helsinki, Finland. This is also a common land excursion for Baltic Sea cruise ship passengers for whom the Russian visa process is expedited. For independent travelers like myself, you must obtain a regular Russian visa before entering the country. I got my three year visa through a private visa agency, Visa HQ, which made the otherwise complicated procedure easy.
St. Petersburg Across the Neva River
The Allegro Train
The three and a half hour ride on this modern, comfortable train goes through some beautiful countryside and you will get to mingle with some real Russian people for the first time. Border formalities, such as customs, passport and visa checks are conducted by border agents onboard the train so that you’re ready to hit the deck running as soon as you arrive in St. Petersburg. Rather than the stereotyped intimidating officers of yore, the border agents on the train were polite, respectful and friendly, giving me a good impression of the Russian people right from my very first day in this beautiful country.
The Allegro Train from Helsinki, Finland to St. Petersburg, Russia
Friendly Folks
As much as I enjoy an adventure, I must say, it was with some trepidation that I made my foray into the Russian Federation for the first time. After all the years of the Cold War standoff between East and West, I wasn’t sure just how an American would be received there and I really wasn’t looking forward to the grey concrete ambiance that Russia was supposedly known for. Boy, was I in for a pleasant surprise! The Russian people were friendly and nice right from the get-go and the surroundings that I found myself in on that beautiful spring day were anything but grey. The kaleidoscope of colors that awaits those fortunate enough to visit St. Petersburg is almost sensory overload.
The Canals of St. Petersburg, Russia
The Language Barrier
Before leaving home I had made reservations for three nights at the Comfitel Alexandria Hotel in the heart of the city. I set out to find it as soon as I stepped off the train, anxious to unload my heavy backpack. With map in hand I embarked on what would turn out to be an exhausting four hour search that would take me in circles before finding the tiny sign for this otherwise great little hotel. This episode was my first introduction to one of the main challenges of traveling in Russia…the language barrier. I found that very few Russians speak or understand English, even in a big metropolitan city like St. Petersburg. That’s not to say they didn’t try. I stopped to ask directions numerous times and each person knocked themselves out trying to help with sign language. I finally ran into some students who spoke English and knew right where the hotel was located.
St. Petersburg, Russia
The Comfitel Alexandria Hotel
I had a nice room with ensuite bathroom for $85 per night at the Comfitel Alexandria Hotel, which included a great breakfast. The staff were very friendly and helpful and took care of the required country registration for an additional $8. In spite of the difficulty finding it, I would definitely recommend this hotel because of its great, central location, just a short walk from The Hermiage. In addition, it was clean, safe and comfortable, rounding out all of my requirements for an awesome accommodation. And right across the street is a wonderful little café, Café Boge, where I cooled off with a beer and enjoyed mingling with the locals.
Comfitel Alexandria Hotel, St. Petersburg, Russia
Both a Beautiful and a Walkable City
For the next three days I would walk from one end of St. Petersburg to the other, taking in all the sights and sounds and meeting the friendly people who live there. Although it is known for having one of the world’s greatest museums, The Hermitage, there are many other important points of interest. For any traveler who is reasonable fit, the main sights of St. Petersburg can be seen on foot. If you need a break, you can step into one of the many beautiful cathedrals for a respite along the way or sit on a bench in one of the numerous parks to catch your breath. If you visit in Spring, you will have the extra treat of seeing the lilacs out in full bloom and Russia has the most beautiful lilacs I have ever seen throughout the world.
Astute visitors to Finland can’t help but notice the recurring theme of red and yellow colors throughout this beautiful country. Rather more of a ‘katchup and mustard’ combination, these striking hues are featured on everything from houses and buildings to trains and boats and even to flower beds and the clothing fashions worn by the Finns themselves.
Red and Yellow Tulips in Helsinki, Finland
The origin of this tradition is difficult to trace, but could be related to the colors of the unofficial flag of the Swedish-speaking Finns or the temporary state flag used from 1917-1918. The red and yellow color scheme is so pervasive that it even extends to an area near Las Vegas, Nevada called Little Finland, which is known for its red and yellow rock formations.
Porvoo, Finland
Enjoy this gallery featuring shades of red and yellow captured with my camera around Helsinki, Porvoo and Suomenlinna Sveaborg.
Whether you plan on heading north to explore Scandinavia, south to visit the Baltic States or southeast to visit Russia, Helsinki is a great starting point for your trip. The Helsinki Airport makes it a major transportation hub for the region and with convenient bus service from the airport to the Helsinki city center just 9 miles away (30 minutes, 4.5 Euros), visitors should definitely set aside a few days to explore this beautiful city. From the modern bus terminal at the Kamppi Center in the city, you can choose from an array of side trips outside Helsinki, such as the day trip I took to the medieval town of Porvoo 30 miles east. If you’re heading on to St. Petersburg, Russia I recommend the comfortable, albeit expensive Allegro Train for the three and a half hour ride. Customs and other border formalities, such as passport and visa checks are conveniently carried out on board the Allegro Train by friendly, efficient customs officers. Helsinki is also a major stop for cruise ships plying the waters of the Baltic Sea, many of which can be seen moored in the harbor.
The Esplandi or Esplanade in the Helsinki City CenterUspenski Cathedral, Helsinki, Finland
What to See and Do in Helsinki
Much more than just a gateway city, Helsinki, Finland is a popular destination in itself. Despite being the capital and largest city in Finland, Helsinki is very walkable for reasonably fit travelers, especially if you divide your forays into different regions, explored over several days. Some of the main sights include the Finnish National Opera, the Sibelius Monument, the Parliament House, and the Olympic Stadium, site of the 1952 Summer Olympics. You will not want to miss the unique and spectacular Temppeliaukio Church or Church of the Rock in the same region. The city has many other churches worth visiting, including St. John’s Church, Mikael Agricola Church, Helsinki Cathedral and Uspenski Cathedral. During your walking tour of Helsinki be sure to stop and enjoy the many architecturally interesting homes and buildings along the way. One of my favorites is the glass Palm House arboretum built in 1889 in the University of Helsinki Botanical Gardens. Finally, be sure to set aside several hours to take the ferry (5 Euros round trip) to Suomenlinna Sveaborg, a park-like fortress covering six islands off the coast, which is also designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Suomenlinna SveaborgTemppeliaukio Church or Church of the Rock, Helsinki, Finland
The Rivoli Jardin Hotel, A Great Place to Stay
Located just a short walk from the Central Railway Station where the airport bus lets you off, the Rivoli Jardin Hotel was the ideal place to stay for my three day sojourn in Helsinki. The full buffet breakfast was one of the finest spreads I have ever had the pleasure of enjoying in my travels. Since Helsinki is known as one of the most expensive cities in the world, I was not surprised that my hotel costs came in over my usual budget. My average nightly charge was $137.00. For that I got a clean, comfortable, safe room, a great location and a friendly, helpful front desk staff. The Rivoli Jardin is located just a few blocks from the Helsinki Esplanade and the center of town and has a convenient market almost right across the street. The Rivoli Jardin Hotel met all my criteria for an Awesome Accommodation and I can highly recommend it for your next visit to Helsiki, Finland.
The Rivoli Jardin Hotel, Helsinki, FinlandThe Buffet Breakfast at the Rivoli Jardin Hotel in Helsinki, Finland
