Getting ready

We spent two weeks preparing for our trip. We planned our route, did research, collected ideas and organized interviews. Also important: packing the right equipment from different cameras to chargers, more chargers, microphones and lights. So much equipment means lots of responsibility. But it also means we can produce quality content for you — here and also on DW Travel's social media channels.

Start and end point: Berlin

DW's Shabnam Surita (left) and Laila Abdalla (right) started their two-week tour of Central and Eastern Europe in Berlin on September 19. Their journey will take them to Wroclaw in Poland, Prague in the Czech Republic, Bratislava in Slovakia, Budapest in Hungary and Timisoara in Romania. They'll post an update every day about their trip here.

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Day 1: Arriving in Wroclaw

Finally the day has arrived! We woke up in Berlin, feeling as excited as we were anxious, and hopped onto the train for our first stop: Wrocław! The city greeted us with some amazing sights, and we felt really welcome. We took a stroll across the medieval Main Market Square, or 'Rynek', and soaked up the splendor. It's one of the largest market squares in Europe, and so very beautiful!

Day 2: Inside Wroclaw’s Zoo!

Did you know that the world’s largest collection of African flora and fauna is actually in Wroclaw, Poland? That made us curious, so we explored the "Afrykarium" at the Wroclaw Zoo and yes — it was great! We experienced many firsts: Laila enjoyed seeing marine life and and grew really fond of Manatees. Shabnam saw her first giraffe and was not at all scared of the shark as she had expected.

Day 3: Looking back at Wroclaw

Wroclaw not only welcomed us with open arms, but we learned that it has been doing so for many others, especially Ukrainians displaced by the war -190,000 Ukrainians live here now. Everywhere we went, we saw blue-yellow flags, restaurants displaying messages of solidarity and even people singing Ukrainian songs. After two days, it is time for us to move on by bus to our next stop.

Authors: Laila Abdalla, Shabnam Surita

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