The 2006 comedy Borat seemed to reaffirm most of the negative assumptions the British public have about Eastern Europe- that it is a strange, backwards place with little other than dirt roads and donkeys. This is clearly, and categorically wrong. Another wrong assumption is that it is freezing cold, all year round. Looking at a map though, you wonder why. Romania shares it’s latitude with the south of France, and temperatures reach an enviable 79°F/26°C in late summer. Bulgaria shares a border with Turkey, so it would be a remarkable phenomenon if it was found to be snowy in August.

Many of us are also used to seeing pictures of abject poverty from our eastern cousins. It is easy to forget that most these pictures stem from the collapse of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) which was fully dissolved by the end of 1991. Most of the satellite states of the former USSR (Romania, Czech Republic and Poland) have recovered well post-occupation and have shown considerable economic growth over recent years. Poland has a rising upper class, evident in the growing levels of luxury in its capital, Krakow. There are stylish hotels and even sushi bars, slightly surprising given the fact that Krakow is 606 km/376 mi away from the sea. Most tourists looking for luxury will be tempted by more conventional tourist spots, but what the tourist boards of these countries are counting on is the lure of their rich culture, medieval architecture and the vast swaths of untouched countryside. Fans of good beer, pickles and sausages will obviously not be disappointed, although teetotal vegetarians may find the cultural emphasis on meat and alcohol a bit imposing at times.

The boom in Balkan music is also proving a draw for tourists. With bands such as Gogol Bordello and Balkan Beatbox headlining at many UK festivals in the last few years and packing out venues across Western Europe, fans are keen to see where the original inspiration came from. For those with less traditional taste in music there are thriving club scenes in many of the cities. Prague is fast becoming a party capital with its laissez-faire attitude to late licensing and all night partying and is picking up where Amsterdam left off in the wake of new legislation and smoking bans.

The assumption that these places are cheap is one of the only correct stereotypes around. Most eastern states still hold a very competitive exchange rate against the pound. Eating, drinking and hotels are far cheaper than in Western Europe so you may find that your budget stretches further and you can afford to do more sightseeing. So when looking for a holiday that is off the beaten track and still guarantees summer sun for far less, why not try a trip to the east and discover something more than beer and pickles.