Nathan's Insights

My upcoming big trip with Darby (niece) is rapidity approaching with our first flight leaving Friday 5 April 2024 which is only ten days away.

While Darby has been overseas before to Bali and Hawaii both times was staying mostly in one location. However, this trip we see us on the move every few days as we get a taste of Europe and the Balkans so a very different experience for Darby. Add in this being Darby’s first overseas trip as a young adult and it should be a unique experience.

With ten days to go I’ve completed my research on the history, culture, and uniqueness in the six countries I’m visiting for the first time: Poland, Hungary, Serbia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Croatia.

Some of the expected highlights for this lovely trip include; getting to know Darby better, experiencing the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial (Poland), visiting Wawel Royal Castle (Poland), visiting Prague Castle (Czech Republic), hopefully seeing a performance at the Vienna State Opera House (Austria), visiting the Petrovaradin Fortress (Serbia), floating down the Danube River (Serbia), trying to learn history at the Times of Misfortune Tour & Tunnel Museum (Bosnia & Herzegovina), Sea Kayaking off the coast of Montenegro, enjoying the picturesque city of Dubrovnik (Croatia), swimming in the Adriatic Sea (Croatia).

While this is what I’m most looking forward to from my planning it is the unexpected that usually inspires the most, that and experiencing local cultures, food, and landscapes on this amazing planet.

Trip Logistics

So over the 33 days of this trip we will be visiting 11 countries, with 6 being new to me: Finland, Germany, Czech Republic, Austria, Poland (new), Hungary (new), Serbia (new), Bosnia & Herzegovina (new), Montenegro (new), Croatia (new), Singapore.

During the trip we will be visiting 16 cities; Helsinki (1 day), Berlin (2 days), Krakow (3 days), Prague (3 days), Český Krumlov (1 day), Vienna (2 days), Budapest (3 days), Novi Sad (1), Belgrade (2 days), Sarajevo (2 days), Mostar (1 day), Kotor (2 days), Dubrovnik (2 days), Hvar (2 days), Split (2 days), Singapore (1 day).

This trip will include planes, trains, buses, private vehicles and ferries a real mix!

There will be 6 economy class flights scheduled to take 46 hours and 40 minutes and flying 30,431 kilometres. We will be flying Jetstar from Melbourne to Singapore and back at the end of the trip, so 2 Jetstar flights, my first international flights on them for 15 hours and 10 minutes covering 12,050 kilometres. The return Singapore to Melbourne flight is an overnight flight on this no thrills budget airline.

Hopefully the 4 Finnair economy class flights taking 31 hours and 30 minutes covering 18,381 kilometres will be a little easier given entertainment and food is included.

We will also travel by private vehicle 8 times covering 1,800 kms and estimate time of 29.5 hours. A lot of time to see the landscape. There will also be 2 train trips the cover 748 kms and should take an estimated 12 hours, apparently both are very scenic (Krakow to Prague and then Vienna to Budapest. We will mix with local on a bus trip covering 380 kms and estimated to take 5 hours. And finally, 2 ferry trips taking an hour each time in Croatia.

The Europe countdown is on!