Germany/Poland or Serbia/Slovakia with Older Teens

[Anonymous]

Which would you do with older teens (seasoned travelers)? 8-9 days in early summer. We all like food, culture, history, architecture. Way more into city stuff but maybe some outdoorsy nature things here and there.

Which would you choose and why?

[Anonymous]

I guess I would ask them since they’re old enough to go do some research and decide which sounds more interesting to them

[Anonymous]

Honestly only Germany is worth it on your list
Culture and history and it’s a developed country

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honestly only Germany is worth it on your list
Culture and history and it’s a developed country

What an absurd and ridiculous comment. Poland is an incredibly rich country and the hidden gem of Europe. Serbia and Slovakia are also well deserving of a visit. Living in Europe, I pass reminders of the Holocaust on a daily basis. Huge Jewish cemeteries in towns where there are no longer any Jewish residents. In one Jewish cemetery I visited this week, there was an urn containing soap made from human fat at a German death camp. As someone with family murdered by the Germans, I never forget. So why don’t you tell me more about this wonderful German “culture and history.”

[Anonymous]

With teens, I would certainly solicit their opinions.
I like less-popular destinations with teens because it seems everywhere is overrun.
I’d go to Slovenia, Montenegro, Bulgaria, or N Macedonia before I’d go to Serbia, sorry.

[Anonymous]

This is OP,
Of course the kids have provided input and of course we have done research online, so we came here to get opinions of people who have personal experience. Reading about something and looking at photos online and even talking to a
travel agent only tells you so much.

We’ve been to Slovenia and Bulgaria. And yes, they are lovely and interesting! We all talked and narrowed it down to these countries for various reasons.

Montenegro wasn’t on the list initially by Albania was. Haven’t been there so we’ll take a look!



I personally went to part of Germany (Munich), but that was decades ago when I went with my family as a teen. We were thinking Berlin and maybe one other city if we chose that option.

[Anonymous]

No

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No

Bwaaaa haaa haaa

You should become a travel agent

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No

I suppose you would recommend Paris. Some people are more adventurous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is OP,
Of course the kids have provided input and of course we have done research online, so we came here to get opinions of people who have personal experience. Reading about something and looking at photos online and even talking to a
travel agent only tells you so much.

We’ve been to Slovenia and Bulgaria. And yes, they are lovely and interesting! We all talked and narrowed it down to these countries for various reasons.

Montenegro wasn’t on the list initially by Albania was. Haven’t been there so we’ll take a look!



I personally went to part of Germany (Munich), but that was decades ago when I went with my family as a teen. We were thinking Berlin and maybe one other city if we chose that option.

I would avoid Germany. Most German cities are dirty and unpleasant these days, as are the people who are deeply rigid and unlikeable. Some of the smaller towns in Germany are OK, but honestly Austria is a much better choice for that kind of thing. Poland is a fascinating country. Most people just visit Krakow, which is nice, but a bit too touristy for my taste. I vastly prefer Warsaw and Gdansk. Other smaller cities such as Wrocław and Torun are very interesting also. Slovakia in my view is not the best choice. Bratislava is not very appealing, and the second city in the country (Kosice) is quite small, although there is a nice historic center and a few attractions. If you like hiking, you might enjoy a trip to the High Tatras in Slovakia. Serbia is quite nice, and Belgrade is interesting for a couple days. It’s walkable, and I would recommend a day trip to Novi Sad, which is very pretty and compact. There are also small wineries nearby. You may have been to Hungary already, but I would suggest you visit smaller places like Eger and Lake Balaton if you are visiting Slovakia and Serbia anyway. I also really like Albania, and you won’t find a nationality that is kinder and more welcoming to Americans. Seriously. Some places to visit there include Tirana, Shkoder, Sarande, Berat (a bit rundown but popular), and the “other side” of Lake Ohrid. I haven’t been to Kosovo yet, but want to visit. And it was a while ago that I was in Montenegro, and I liked it very much, but I do think places like Kotor are a lot more touristy these days.

[Anonymous]

Polish food isn’t great. And the political and social climate are very Catholic and borderline white supremacy. Plus: the Russia/Ukraine war.

Have you been to Norway? I’m watching a great show on Bergen on pbs right now.

[Anonymous]

^^PP with the suggestions here. I just want to add that I think it’s great you’re thinking outside the box and taking your kids beyond Portugal, Copenhagen and the usual drivel I see here .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No

Bwaaaa haaa haaa

You should become a travel agent

There’d be much happier teenagers being schlepped around the world by parents trying to preserve the little time they have left together.

[Anonymous]

As a polish person I'll suggest option C of Germany+Prague. Hamburg -> Berlin -> Prague. Poland is fine - you can go to GDansk! But if my family wasn't there it probably wouldn't be a place I'd choose for vacations

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Polish food isn’t great. And the political and social climate are very Catholic and borderline white supremacy. Plus: the Russia/Ukraine war.

Have you been to Norway? I’m watching a great show on Bergen on pbs right now.

Wow, have you been there? Or are you just stereotyping? Because Polish food is awesome, and the people are very kind and welcoming. And nothing against Bergen (it’s naturally stunning), but very expensive and pretty boring. But my guess is you’ve never been there either.