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. Stay at the Dorint Sofitel Schweizerhof Berlin. CL. Stay at the Pullman Berlin Schwiezerhof Hotel.
Day 3: Berlin - Potsdam - Berlin
Begin the day with a trip to Potsdam where you will 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. You will 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
Today, your Tour Manager will help you discover the origin and history of the language(s) you will experience on your tour along with key words and phrases that will help you communicate with the locals. Depart Berlin for the “Golden City” of Prague. Your afternoon is at leisure. You may want to visit Prague’s Old Jewish Quarter*, its historic cemetery and museum. Stay at the Hotel Century Old Town
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, shop for famous Bohemian Crystal, or visit one of the city's many fine museums.
Day 6: Prague - Vienna, Austria
Leaving the Czech Republic you arrive in colorful and vibrant Vienna, Austria, the "musical city." Tonight's dinner is in one of Vienna's great local restaurants. Stay at the Arcotel Kaiserwasser Hotel.
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. This evening you may choose to enjoy an optional dinner, followed by classical music performed at the Schoenbrunn Palace Orangerie.
Day 8: Vienna - Budapest, Hungary
Sit back, relax and enjoy the picturesque Hungarian countryside en route to historic Budapest. You will discover Budapest is divided by the Danube with the historic Buda on one side and the cosmopolitan Pest on the opposite side. Stay at the Art Otel Budapest
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 where you will learn about the many diverse leaders of Hungary. Later, you will have some 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. Stay at the Andel's Hotel Cracow
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. This afternoon is at leisure for you to enjoy the city on your own. You may choose to take an optional excursion to the amazing Wieliczka Salt Mines, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
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. Stay at the Westin 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. Return home or extend your trip
Prague's Old Jewish Quarter: Prague’s Jewish quarter, the historic Josefov, tells the moving and powerful stories of a community with roots in Prague dating back to the 10th century. This history comes alive on a guided tour of the neighborhood where Jewish residency was confined by law in the 13th century. Hear stories of success, heartbreak, perseverance, and persecution. Learn about the golom, the automaton of ancient Jewish legends which protected 16th century Jews. Visit the Old Jewish Cemetery, where the more than 12,000 graves are carefully fit into the tiny space, the oldest dating back to 1439. Explore the Jewish Museum and its synagogues and learn of their significance. $57
Folklore Dinner Show: Step into a rural Czech celebration perfectly recreated in the outskirts of Prague. Immerse yourself in an evening of Czech culture, cuisine and spirit. Savor a hearty, three-course dinner featuring Czech favorites, accompanied by local wine and beer. Lively folkloric dances and music are performed by talented professionals in colorful, traditional costumes, with lots of gregarious encouragement for audience participation. Don’t miss this unforgettable night of fun that will have you completely enchanted by the Czech culture by the evening’s end. $60
Bratislava Imperial City Excursion: Today, travel to the capital of Slovakia, Bratislava, former Imperial capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Upon arrival, tour the Old Town, the most beautiful part of the city. Your locally guided tour takes you back to the rich history and grandeur of the heart of old Bratislava. You will see the oldest and most beautiful parts of the city including: Primatial Square – Old Town Hall – Main Square – Franciscan´s Square – Michael´s Gate – Ventúrska Street – Panská Street – St. Martin´s Cathedral. Later enjoy free time to sample the local cuisine in the city's quaint old town. $69
Viennese Evening- Dining Experience & Classical Music Concert: Begin your night with a fabulous dining experience at one of Vienna’s most popular and traditional restaurants. After enjoying dinner, experience classical music in true Imperial style during an unforgettable performance at the Schoenbrunn Palace Orangerie. Built in 1755, the imperial court held many elaborate festivities here among the exotic citrus and plants protected in the glittering, baroque Orangerie. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart debuted many pieces here, and it was here that he lost the legendary competition to court composer, Antonio Salieri, judged by the Emperor Joseph II himself. Delight to a concert of favorites by Mozart and Johann Strauss.$95
Puszta and Hungarian Horse Farm: Strike out from the confines of Budapest into the heart of the Hungarian countryside. Miles of famous Puszta scenery awaits as you travel to a local farm for an unforgettable experience. Enjoy a spectacular horse show which brings to life the traditions of the Hungarian horsemanship. Afterwards, sit down to a family-style traditional Hungarian lunch complete with wine and Goulash in the country house setting of this family-run establishment. $99
Budapest by Night: Live, spirited gypsy music fills the air at one of Budapest’s historic landmark restaurants. Sit down to a dinner of creative Hungarian cuisine in a traditional Hungarian setting. Enjoy complimentary wine and coffee. After dinner, embark on a romantic evening cruise on the Danube. Discover the beauty of Budapest’s beautiful landmarks illuminated by the evening sky, sipping on a glass of wine as you glide down the river's beautiful waters. A selection of beverages is included on board. $80
Wieliczka Salt Mines: Venture outside of Krakow to one of Poland's most fascinating locations, the magical Wieliczka Salt Mines. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the only mining site in the world that has been functioning continuously since the Middle Ages. Lying on nine levels, its original excavations (longitudinals, traverses, chambers, lakes, as well as minor and major shafts) stretch for an incredible 300 kilometers. Meet a miner guide who will take you down into this spectacular maze of unique rooms, tunnels, chapels and salt statues. It's an adventure unlike any other. $50
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