Central Europe Experience

2010 has the makings of a big year for the Central Europe Experience with anniversaries, special events and new hotel openings. More than 20 years after the reunification of Germany, the Velvet Revolution in the Czech Republic and the fall of the Iron Curtain, the region is buzzing with one event highlight after another.

Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia make up the Central Europe Experience. For less than $100 a night, including accommodations, there is plenty to do, see and experience.

Here are some of the things happening this year:

2010 Event Highlights

Throughout the year — Gustav Mahler (1860-1911) anniversary in Vienna, Austria. He is a music pioneer of his time and influenced many composers. 2010 marks his 150^th birthday.

January — “Chopin,” a four-act opera based on the life of Polish composer Frédéric Chopin, takes place in Wroclaw, Poland.

February — Dogsled racing in Slovakia.

Feb. 5-16 — The Bohemian Carnevale in Prague, Czech Republic. Festival highlights include the Ballerian fashion party, Feb. 6; The masked Crystal Ball in 18^th-century dress Feb. 13 and the float-jammed Fat Tuesday Parade and fireworks finale on the medieval Charles Bridge Feb. 16.

March 19-April 9 — Pécs, Hungary Spring Festival. A celebration of classical and contemporary arts.

April — The Seventh Misteria Paschalia Festival, Krakow, Poland. Music linked thematically with the period of Holy Week and the Easter holidays.

April-May — International Festival of Ghosts and Monsters at Bojnice castle. The largest event of its kind in Slovakia.

May 12-June 4 — Prague Spring International Music Festival, Czech Republic. The annual Prague Spring International Music Festival has become a must-see for classical music lovers.

May 15-Oct. 3 — Oberammergau Passion Play, Germany. The Passion Play in the breathtaking town of Oberammergau in Bavaria dates back to 1633 and is held only once every 10 years.

May 20-24 — Budal Gourmet Wine, Champagne & Cheese Festival, Budapest, Hungary. At Budapest’s Millenåris Park, famous Hungarian, French, Italian and overseas top shelf wine producers, noted restaurants and cheese makers offer their best to entertain visitors, meanwhile, on stage, funky bands play the moodiest jazz in town.

June 11-20 — Bach Festival, Leipzig, Germany. The Bach Festival presents the immortal music of the great erstwhile cantor of St. Thomas’ Church in locations where he lived and worked.

July 17 — Life Ball, Vienna, Austria. It is one of Europe’s most fun and flamboyant AIDS charity events and has grown to be a renowned society gathering.

Aug. 13-15 — Grand Prix Motorcycles World Championship, Brno, Czech Republic. Brno, the Czech Republic’s second largest city, hosts the World Motorbike Championship. Since 1987, the newly built Masaryk Circuit has offered racing fans one of the premier venues in the work, which recently won the IRTA trophy for “Best Grand Prix” in 2007.

August-September — Jewish Summer Festival, Budapest, Hungary. The festival is one of Hungary’s most important, most visited and most interesting cultural art events.

September — Coronation celebrations, Bratislava, Slovakia. The Coronation celebrations are a spectacular three-day event, when a medieval atmosphere full of kings and queens, nobility, troubadours and thousands of curious spectators enlivens the city.

Oct. 2-23 — Fryderyk Chopin Competition, Warsaw, Poland. Sixth International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition. Renowned Jury, extraordinary concerts and — traditionally — great excitement at the Warsaw Philharmonic.

Oct. 12 — Munich: 200 Years of Oktoberfest. Oct. 12, 1810 marked the birth of Oktoberfest. Honoring the marriage of Crown Prince (later, king) Ludwig I and Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen, Oktoberfest began as a horse race. In 1811, a parade was added to the festivities. By the end of the 19^th century, brewers had erected the now-familiar beer tents. Now, Oktoberfest is arguably Germany’s most-anticipated event. People of all nationalities gather in Munich to experience this Bavarian tradition, have fun, guzzle overflowing steins and enjoy local delicacies. A bit of a misnomer, it’s held on the Wies’n fairground from mid-September to early October.

Oct. 19-31 — Festival of Lights, Berlin. Berlin will sparkle as a range of illuminations and projections light up landmarks and spaces, including Brandenburg Gate, Berlin Cathedral and the radio tower.

November-December — International Film Festival of the Art of Cinematography PLUS CAMERIMAGE, Lodz, Poland. This is an extraordinary event where art and technology meet creating a unique and unforgettable atmosphere at the Grand Theatre in the film capital of Poland.

Christmas Markets in all CEE countries. Usually the last week of November until Dec. 24. Sparkling Christmas lights and decorations adorn the streets of Central Europe’s cities and villages. Visitors can savor local specialties from thin potato pancakes to mulled wine.

Dec. 30 — New Year’s Eve Gypsy Concert, Budapest, Hungary. New Year’s Eve celebration starts early on Dec. 30 featuring the “Hundred Member” Gypsy Orchestra. Welcome the New Year with Gypsy and Hungarian folk music.

New Hotel Openings

Sofitel Vienna — October sees the opening of Vienna’s newest five-star hotel, close to the Schwedenbruecke, an important hub between the inner city and Vienna’s up-and-coming Second District. The 18th floor will house a top-tier restaurant with stunning views over the city, as well as a stylish bar. A Swarovski boutique opened in the city Dec. 2.

Kameha Grand Hotel — Opened in Bonn, Germany in November. It is a five-star hotel with 360-degree views. A postmodern wall of glass separates this hotel from the drop of the Rhine River and the rise of the Siebengebirge hills. It is just 15 minutes by car from the Cologne/Bonn Airport and 40 minutes by train from Frankfurt Airport.

Hotel President — It has been park of Budapest’s bustling heart since October.If it were not for the designer rooms, this place would be straight out of “Bourne Identity,” complete with a bulletproof Presidential Suite and a rooftop helicopter landing pad.

Hilton Garden Inn, Krakow — Two milestones at once. In the spring, Poland gets its first Hilton Garden Inn and the brand ticks off its 500th hotel. The Inn is in central Krakow and offers 154 rooms on six floors.

Kempinski Hotel River Park — Opening May 2010 in Bratislava, Slovakia. On the border of both Austria and Hungary, Bratislava is accustomed to being a hybrid. It has a rich history. The hotel is centrally located under Bratislava Castle and within easy walking distance of Old Town. The hotel also is on the banks of the Danube River.