Your journey to Central and Eastern Europe includes the "Golden City" of Prague in the Czech Republic where you'll enjoy a panoramic tour through the city, highlighting the amazing Hradcany Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral. Stroll across Charles Bridge, where the silhouettes of the statues lining the 6-centuries-old crown jewel of Czech heritage hover like ghosts, en route to the narrow winding streets of Old Town Square. The trip recalls the route taken by the carriages of the Bohemian kings, while today it is lined with quirky galleries, shops, and cafes. In Vienna, Austria, a city tour showcases architectural marvels like the gothic St. Stephan's Cathedral and the lavish Schoenbrunn Palace, the summer retreat of the Habsburg dynasty for more than 200 years. Budapest, Hungary, your home for two nights is often referred to as "the Paris of eastern Europe." Your tour includes visits to many famous sites like Old Buda, the New Parliament and Gellert Hill. In Poland, the lively city of Krakow includes a tour highlighting Wawel Castle and Market Square, as well as a visit to the Wieliczka Salt Mines, in operation since the 13th century. A moving visit to the former concentration camp of Auschwitz is followed by a visit to the hallowed shrine of the Jasna Gora Monastery where you will see the Black Madonna, a sacred icon. Your trip concludes in Warsaw where you will be entertained with local fare and folklore.
Itinerary:
Day #1 Overnight Flight - Your journey to Central and Eastern Europe begins with an overnight flight to Germany.
Day #2 Arrive Berlin, Germany - Your tour begins today in Berlin. Tonight, join your fellow passengers for a welcome dinner.
Day #3 Berlin - Potsdam - Berlin - Begin the day with a trip to Potsdam to see the impressive Sans Souci Palace*. Return to Berlin for a comprehensive tour featuring Brandenburg Gate, Charlottenburg Palace, Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, Schoenberg City Hall, Kurfuerstendam and the Reichstag Building. Then pass through the area which was once “Check Point Charlie,” and see what remains of the Berlin Wall.
Day #4 Berlin - Prague, Czech Republic - LANGUAGE DISCOVERY: Your Tour Manager helps you discover the origin and history of the language(s) you will experience on your tour along with key words and phrases to help you communicate. Depart Berlin for the “Golden City” of Prague. Your afternoon is at leisure to explore this wonderful city.
Day #5 Prague - Your introduction to this fairy tale city begins with a visit to the amazing Hradcany Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral. Continue with a leisurely walking tour through the old town, showcasing the unique astronomical clock and the statue-lined Charles Bridge. The afternoon is at leisure to independently explore the city.
Day #6 Prague - Vienna, Austria - Leaving the Czech Republic, arrive in colorful and vibrant Vienna, Austria, the "musical city." Tonight's dinner is in one of Vienna's great local restaurants.
Day #7 Vienna - A tour of the city showcases some of its architectural marvels, including the magnificent St. Stephan’s Cathedral and the lavish Schoenbrunn Palace, the summer retreat of the Habsburg dynasty. The remainder of the day is yours to experience all that Vienna has to offer.
Day #8 Vienna - Budapest, Hungary - Sit back, relax and enjoy the picturesque Hungarian countryside en route to historic Budapest. Here, you’ll discover Budapest, divided by the Danube with the historic Buda on one side and the cosmopolitan Pest on the opposite side.
Day #9 Budapest - The beautiful city of Budapest is often referred to as "the Paris of Eastern Europe." Today, a local expert provides an informative city tour featuring Fishermen's Bastion, Mathias Church, Old Buda, the New Parliament and Gellert Hill. A special stop is made at Heroes Square, a unique monument to the many diverse leaders of Hungary. Later, enjoy free time to explore Budapest on your own.
Day #10 Budapest - Slovakia - Krakow, Poland - Enjoy a scenic drive along the Low Tatra mountain range of Slovakia en route to Poland. Your home for the next two nights is the lively city of Krakow, which still offers an old world charm.
Day #11 Krakow - A city tour of Krakow’s historic Old Town features Market Square, St. Mary’s Church, the University, and Wawel Castle, a former residence of Polish kings. The afternoon is at leisure for you to enjoy the city on your own.
Day #12 Krakow - Auschwitz - Czestochowa - Warsaw - A local expert guides you through the former concentration camp of Auschwitz. See first hand the various prison cells and learn the history of the prison and many of the hardships that occurred within those walls. Next, travel north to the spiritual center of Poland and the hallowed shrine of the Jasna Gora Monastery in Czestochowa. One of the monastery's own clergy conducts an enriching tour of Jasna Gora and the famous Black Madonna, a sacred icon. The Black Madonna is world-renowned with more than 5 million pilgrims flocking to Czestochowa yearly to pay their respects. Later this afternoon you will arrive in the capital city of Warsaw.
Day #13 Warsaw - The moving history of Warsaw, both joyous and tragic, is yours to embrace as you embark on a special city tour of this capital city. Tonight, join your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner celebrating the end of a memorable trip.
Day #14 Warsaw - Tour Ends -
