Eastern Europe for 6-7 Days

Budapest is stunningly beautiful. You would also be remiss if you didn't visit Vienna or Salzburg.

There is a reason some of the most beautiful music in history came from Bavaria.

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Budapest is stunningly beautiful. You would also be remiss if you didn't visit Vienna or Salzburg.

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Is it possible to get buy in Budapest with just English or French?

I 2nd Budapest. A very cool city with lots of history and good nightlife. Extremely underrated European city

Have you ever been to Oktoberfest? Do you know anyone else going, like locals that can help you? I've been twice. If you are going on Friday or Saturday you need to get there when it opens literally to get a decent seat and I'd stay in one tent all day. I actually prefer to go on Monday and Tuesday because it is still packed at night but its manageable.

Friday and Saturday starting about 1 the entire Weisn (fairgrounds) will be literally shoulder to shoulder, literally like the student section in the first quarter of a huge game but you are in a foreign country. I can drink with almost anyone and I'm not small but it still made be uncomfortable being there with my wife because of so many drunk foreigners close together. Don't plan on going inside unless you pay someone at the door very well or you have a reservation. If you have more than 2 than even sitting outside is extremely hard. There is also a ton of very drunk people, don't wear anything super American those nights you don't want to risk a fight.

What we would generally do is get there when it opens and have lunch and 3 liters, then go do something fun in the city, take a nap in the park, and come back for dinner and a couple beers. Getting there when it opens is the most fun unless you know a local and get reservations because you can sit on the bottom floor right next to the band in even the biggest and best tents. You have no chance at this at night and don't even dream about it on the weekends.

ETA: The food is great in the fairgrounds and especially in the tent. Most tents have a food specialty, one is duck, one is cow, etc. I highly recommend getting a half duck for a meal and the Cow knuckle, both are fantastic.

ETA2: 2 years ago my wife and I returned to Oktoberfest and we did Oktoberfest/ munich for 4 nights then went to northern italy for 5 nights. Our honeymoon we did Oktoberfest/ Salzburg/ Venice. I highly recommend Lake Garda or any other northern italy lakes and Salzburg for a night or 2.

I'd recommend a day in the Alps in a smaller town. There is some absolutely stunning alpine lakes, and so much to do. I live on the beach, so there is nothing I'd rather do than vacation in the alps of Europe. Salzburg is a great smaller city, but its not "in the mountains". Many of the ski lifts operate during the summer, I've stayed at the ski towns and took the lift up to the top and hiked around with picnic lunch. A fantastic way to spend an afternoon.

As per Oktoberfest, that's probably worth its own thread. If you have never been to Munich, I'd recommend at least 3 full days for Oktoberfest/ Munich. I'd get up early go see a site in town, train over to the Weisn for the fest and lunch/ 3 steins, go do something in the afternooon, and then train or walk back to the fest until it closes at 10. Munich is one of my favorite European cities, especially for young single guys its really hard to beat during Oktoberfest. Its got a great down town, Dachau the concentration camp is there, and a lot of WW2 and Bavarian history right there in town.

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Any in particular you recommend?

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I would just recommend somewhere along your way. Look up ski resorts. Let me know your route and I may be able to help you.

I also really like using the old google earth to find places to go. What I do is look for large clusters of pictures and that will usually be something you want to see.

Flying in to Munich and out of Vienna. 8 days.

We're planning on stopping in Halstatt. Does that fit the bill?

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Have you ever been to Oktoberfest? Do you know anyone else going, like locals that can help you?

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Yes, my cousin and her German husband live there so I stay with them and they go probably every other night for the whole two weeks. It's pretty awesome. I go every other year.

Thanks everyone for the tips. Budapest is definitely near the top of my list. Just trying to figure out the best route to hit what I want to see in the time I have.

Agreed. RT flights in October to Split should be less than $200. No car needed, as ferries can take you to Hvar, other islands and even down the cost to Dubrovnik for fairly cheap. IMO October is the best time to visit Croatia. Water is still warm, it's not as hot, not crowded, and it's the start of the olive and grape harvest. Trust me, I'm Croatian.