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 Having seen much of western Europe on an Interail ticket in my youth I decided to try and see the rest on another Interail trip. Flying to Prague (Czech Rep) I took the train to Krakow (Poland). The town square there was beautiful and there was a free live music festival each  evening. Near Krakow I visited the Auschwitz concentration camp, where millions of Jews were exterminated. Very sobering. Further south to more ex-Soviet states: Budapest (Hungary), Zagreb (Croatia), Bratislava (Slovenia) and Belgrade (Serbia). These capital cities were a little too bland and similar for me, the exception being the pretty city of Ljubljana (Slovakia) with its cute bridges, castle, cobbled streets and friendly people. In Romania I travelled to Transylvania and the castle where the Dracula myth is said to have started. Dull Sofia (Bulgaria) was next and then a long train trip to Istanbul (Turkey). This was a lively and fascinating place with lots to see, including some stunning mosques - a  real contrast to the drab eastern bloc countries. Skopje (Macedonia) was the ugliest city I’ve seen in ages, but ending my trip in Greece offered me with plenty to see and do, even if it was relatively expensive. Athens was unfortunately in pre-Olympic chaos with many sights closed, lots of scaffolding and building works everywhere. Crete however was very attractive and peaceful. It was nice to spend a couple of relaxing days with friends by the beach and swimming pool before flying home. Overall, a tiring trip - not one of the most exciting - but plenty of new countries visited and interesting sights seen.
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