For this trip, which Bina and I undertook in June 2026, we wanted to get a taste of Central Europe, which is usually defined as comprising nine countries: Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia and Poland. Look at a map and you’ll see how all these countries nestle together in the heart of the continent. 

Having previously visited Austria, Switzerland, Hungary and Slovenia, we came up with a plan to add Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Poland via one major city in each country: Bratislava, Prague and Krakow. The logistics appeared convenient: we could fly Ryanair directly from Faro in the Portuguese Algarve to Vienna, cross the Danube by ferry to Bratislava, take a train to Prague and then another one to Krakow before returning to Faro on a direct Ryanair flight from Krakow. 

Although these three cities differ from each other in many ways, they had all once been part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire (1867-1918), which provides some commonality in architecture, food and culture. This is a region where urban life clusters around central squares in good weather — quintessential European cafe culture.  

And this trip did expose us to Europe at its best — fine food, fabulous architecture and classical music performed in churches. But sadly, a tour of Auschwitz during the visit to Krakow also showed us Europe, and humanity, at its worst.