EUROPE

Austria and Central Europe
Ellison Poe, Poe Travel, Little Rock, Arkansas
Recommended Generalist
Poe used to live in Vienna, returns to Austria at least three times a year, speaks the language, and calls the country her "home away from home." She has the clout to get you the royal treatment in Central Europe's finest hotels, yet she will also point you toward inexpensive must-dos, such as colorful vegetable markets and free concerts (800-727-1960; epoe@poetravel.com).

Belgium and the Netherlands
Harmina Mulder, The Travel Society, Denver
Mulder, who visits her native Holland at least once a year, sends travelers to both the highlights and the lesser-known gems, such as Giethoorn, the Venice of the Netherlands. Under her care you'll be biking to the Keukenhof Gardens to see the tulips in April and ordering bulbs to be shipped to your home five months later, just before planting time (303-337-8262; harmina@travelsociety.com).

Bulgaria, Romania, and the Balkans
Alexander Datsev, Exeter International, Tampa, Florida
The knowledge that Datsev gained as a tour guide in his home country of Bulgaria will help you navigate the region's relatively undeveloped infrastructure and sometimes Communist-style customer-service mentality. He'll have you taking classes in traditional Bulgarian woodcarving or visiting the private cellars of a Romanian monastery for wine tasting and a chat with the monks (813-251-5355; alex@exeterinternational.com).

Croatia
Wanda S. Radetti, Tasteful Croatian Journeys, New York City
Radetti returns to her native Croatia four or five times a year to continue exploring the 1,185 islands off the country's coast. She can point you toward Istria's most savory truffles, introduce you to the lamplighter who uses a long wick to illuminate the gaslights of Zagreb's Old Town, and wrangle invites to the Grand Masked Ball in the carnival city of Rijeka (718-932-6893; wandasradetti@visitcroatia.com).

Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland
Gwen Kozlowski, Exeter International, Tampa, Florida
Thanks to the 500 travelers she sends to these countries annually, Kozlowski has clout with the most charming designer hotels and the best English-speaking guides—those who know how to bypass every line. In Prague she can pull strings to get you inside the Strahov Monastery's library (yes, behind the velvet rope), and in Kraków she can arrange for lessons with local artists in traditional Easter egg painting and other folk crafts (813-251-5355; gwen@exeter international.com).