We’re rapidly approaching the midway point of our adventure, and at the moment, I’m sat in a Budapest youth hostel.

I’ve not had much of a chance to blog all of my experiences so far, though I’m noting them down religiously so I’ll have a better account to upload once we’re done.

So far, we’ve experienced Istanbul, Sofia, Varna, Bucharest, Belgrade, Novi Sad (and Exit Festival) and now Budapest. It’s been a bit of a whistle stop tour and I’m thoroughly knackered: sleeping on trains is an economical and effective method of travelling, though for a nights sleep, it isn’t the best.

The Balkans and the other parts of Eastern Europe we’ve visited certainly are an interesting collection of nations, all relatively recently formed though with incredibly rich histories. There are perhaps however three defining charachteristics of each area however; Austro-Hungarian influence, Ottoman Turk influence and (bar Istanbul) Communist influence.

The Communist influences of each of the countries we have visited so far has been without a doubt the most prevalent, perhaps particularly so as we are visiting capital cities and large provincial cities. However, once you scratch the surface of a nation, a whole plethora of other characteristics come shining through.

Budapest is probably the best example. In the centre, near where we are staying, massive 19th century neo-classical buildings dominate, and there is a renascent feeling of imperial affluence across much of the city. You still can’t escape the towering grey tenement blocks and an inner city dominated by dilapidated industrial megaliths.

Sofia was the blandest place we visited along the way, with just a smattering of attractive buildings in the centre. Bucharest gave us a glimpse of the worst architectural atrocities of the communist system; with Nicolae Cecesceau’s gigantic (second largest building in the world, behind the Pentagon) Palace of the Parliament and ‘fake’ Champs Elysee. The dictator demolished most of historic Bucharest to construct the road, which is deliberately two metres wider and six metres longer than its Parisian counterpart; and the building, which simply dominates an otherwise bland city.

Varna was a fantastic new approach to sun sea and sand holidays, and had great views, cheap alcohol in exotic beach-side bars and fantastic sand in spades.

Novi-Sad’s Petrovaradin fortress dominates a perfect vantage point over the river Danube and is an extraordinary setting for bands and djs at Exit Festival. The fortress was constructed to keep the invading Turks at bay in the 18th century.

Belgrade, for a city which just ten years ago was being bombed to smithereens by NATO forces, is surprisingly beautiful. You can still find bomb damaged buildings, though in the centre, a hilltop park and citadel give great views and summer time ambience. The pedestrianised streets nearby, lined with cafes and shops, also have collections of avante garde artworks adorning windows and sculptures stand in the streets.

Next stop after a brief stay in Hungary, we’re off to Germany for Melt Festival, for more late night djs and big name bands.

So far, it’s been nothing short of an amazing trip.