Starting at $2080

AVAILABILITY: Yearround

ACCOMMODATIONS: 4-Star Hotels/Traditional Cottages

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Visit the beautiful cities of Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest, Krakow, Prague and countryside. This unique tour will show you all the highlights of this area including castles, history and traditional rural life.

 

ITINERARY

• DAY 1: Arrive and overnight in Vienna.

• DAY 2: We will start with a walking tour of Vienna’s historic backbone, engaging with the relics of the Habsburg Empire’s 640-year rule, with highlights including Stephansplatz, the Opera House, Hofburg, Parliament and City Hall, stopping in the city center to savor an authentic chocolate Viennese Sacher Torte. We can arrange a classical Mozart at your request. Overnight in 4-star hotel.

• DAY 2: The day begins with a visit to the nearby Schonbrunn castle, it’s Baroque palace and gardens having been in possession of the Habsburgs for centuries remain largely in their original historical condition. After lunch, we’ll board our coach for Budapest. Once there, we’ll take a walking tour, viewing Europe’s largest parliament building and exploring some of the city’s hidden courtyards and Fisherman's Bastion. We’ll visit St. Istvan’s elaborate cathedral, the city’s Great Market Hall, and more. Overnight in 4-star hotel.

• DAY 3: Spend the morning relaxing in the spa, or take the opportunity to visit a local museum, such as the Hungarian National Museum, which houses Hungary’s most important collection of historical relics such as Beethoven’s piano and a coronation robe stitched by nuns in 1031 BCE. Another popular museum is the House of Terror, which relates the experiences of fascist and communist dictatorial regimes in the country. After lunch, we will begin our journey to Bratislava, where you’ll tour the beautiful Slovak capital by train along its historic railways. Overnight in 4-star hotel.

• DAY 4: After breakfast we will visit the Cachtice Castle ruins, former residence of Countess Elizabeth Bathory, also known as the Blood Countess. Continuning the castle theme, we will make our way to the fairytale Bojnice castle. Finally we’ll visit Orava castle, where much of the 1922 silent movie Nosferatu was filmed. We’ll spend the night at a traditional Slovak cottage in Zazriva where you can enjoy a spa and hot tub.

• DAY 5: We will transfer to Vlkolinec, a folk village hidden in the mountains and UNESCO Heritage site. Enjoy a traditional lunch at a sheep farm, where you will have the opportunity to taste traditional Slovak meals. After lunch we will descend into the ice cave in Demanovska Valley, then take a cable car to Lomnicky Peak, where you’ll enjoy the scenery of the High Tatras mountain range. Overnight here.

• DAY 6: This day we will travel north to Poland, where you’ll first visit Krakow, the cultural center of the country. Spend today on a guided tour of the Grand Place, Hall of Flags and a bevy of gothic, baroque and Renaissance palaces and churches.

• DAY 7: After a free morning enjoying the delights of Krakow, you’ll spend the afternoon on a more sombre note at two of Europe’s most moving memorials to the Holocaust, touring the concentration camps at Auschwitz and Birkenau with a local guide. You’ll return to Krakow in the evening, with the opportunity to savor the city’s bustling restaurant scene. Overnight in 4-star hotel.

• DAY 8: This morning we’re leaving Poland to journey through Eastern Europe’s scenic countryside, over historic dissolved borders, to the Czech Republic. First we will stop at the national park of Moravsky kras, where we will enjoy the scenes of its caves and countryside. We will take a small train ride to the cave, boat ride and up to the top by a cable car. Overnight at local water mill in Sarovec.

• DAY 9: After breakfast we will transfer to the historical town of Trebic, seeing the UNESCO World Heritage Site of St. Procopius Basilica and the Jewish Quarter. Overnight in Trebic.

• DAY 10: Visit the Prague castle, St. George’s Basilica and St. Vitus Cathedral. Transfer to a UNESCO heritage site, the medieval Bohemian city of Cesky Krumlov and its Italian Rennaissance Castle.

• DAY 11: After breakfast, we will head to the vibrant city of Prague for a guided tour to the old town square, Staromestke namesti, to see the astronomical clock. We’ll also visit the Jewish Quarter of Josefov, see the Charles Bridge, the National Theatre and more. Refresh yourself at the oldest pub in Prague, U Fleku, established in 1499. Overnight in 4-Star Hotel.

• DAY 12: After breakfast we will depart for Prague International Airport.

 

Program includes: Tour guide, driver, lodging, internal transfers, entrance fees to attractions mentioned in the itinerary, airport and hotel pick-up and drop-off

 

Program excludes: Drinks, meals, personal items, tips, attractions not mentioned in itinerary, concert tickets, international flights