Cold weather, ice, snow and blizzard force winds continue to wreak havoc with those attempting to travel on the “Continent”, particularly those traveling in Eastern Europe. Section of the Danube River in Romania have been closed to traffic and other sections have frozen over for the first time in twenty-five years. See this detailed review at CNN for more information. These articles from the UPI and France24 provide details on various aspects of the continued weather troubles plaguing Europe.

It has been a tough week for travelers in Spain, Hungary and Eastern Europe.

Earlier this week Spanair, the fourth largest air passenger carrier in Spain, suddenly ceased operation, stranding thousands of travelers. See this article at the Avionics Intelligence web site for more information. Yesterday, Malev, Hungary’s leading airline, “collapsed” due to funding difficulties. Malev was Hungary’s official airline and carried substantial passenger traffic mainly within the country.

On top of the airline problems, dramatically cold temperatures and winter weather in Eastern Europe have contributed to a number of deaths and additional transportation delays.

It appears that this was a good week not to be in Europe.

EUbusiness.com is reporting that trade unions will protest in Budapest, Hungary on April 9, 2011 (see the article for more details). The Saturday protest, which is aimed at the growing wave of austerity measures being enacted by the governments of various member countries of the European Union, will coincide with the meeting of European Union finance ministers in Budapest.

As violence has become something of a hallmark of recent demonstrations of this type in other European countries, we advise any tourist planning to visit Hungary to avoid the demonstration in Budapest on April 9.