18-Day Highlights of Eastern Europe Escorted Tour

Day 1: Depart USA
Overnight flight to Vienna.

Day 2: Arrive Vienna
Welcome to Vienna, capital of Austria. After check-in, learn about the Habsburg dynasties and their enormous empire on your afternoon guided sightseeing tour, which features a walking tour of Old Vienna including views of St. Stephen's Cathedral and 'Am Hof'. Later, enjoy a Welcome Drink with your Tour Director and fellow travelling companions.TF. Stay at the Hilton Danube.

Day 3: Vienna - Lake Bled
This morning head for the Karawanken Mountains and over the Loibl Pass into the green hills of Slovenia. Then continue to Lake Bled which has been nicknamed an ‘earthly paradise’ and where you will enjoy a relaxing two-night stay. This beautiful glacial lake is a popular tourist destination in the Julian Alps. The lake is 1,380m wide and 2,120m long and situated in a picturesque environment with forests and mountains. On arrival there is time to visit a nearby medieval castle or take a boat ride to visit the island on the lake.(Buffet Breakfast / Dinner) Stay at the Park Hotel.

Day 4: Lake Bled at Leisure
Today you have the whole day to relax in this delightful setting. You could consider visiting the incredible and extensive maze of underground caves at Postojna.(Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)

Day 5: Lake Bled - Ljubljana - Zagreb
After breakfast make your way to the Slovenian capital, Ljubljana. Here sightseeing with a local expert guide highlights the Opera House, Cathedral, National Museum, Castle and the Three Bridges Square of this Roman founded city. Then continue to the Croatian capital of Zagreb where you stay for the next two nights.(Buffet Breakfast / Dinner). Stay at the Westin Hotel.

Day 6: Zagreb Sightseeing and at Leisure
Your guided sightseeing tour includes the lower and upper town and shows you the majestic Cathedral, the Archbishop’s Palace, St. Mark’s Church and the Opera House. The balance of the day is at leisure to visit the museums and galleries of this culturally rich city or perhaps visit Kumrovec, the birthplace of the former leader of Yugoslavia, Marshall Tito.(Buffet Breakfast)

Day 7: Zagreb - Budapest
Today cross the border into Hungary pausing on the shores of Lake Balaton. This is the largest lake in Central Europe and is affectionately known to locals as the ‘Hungarian Sea’! From here continue to the twin towns of Buda and Pest for a two-night stay. The nation's capital is a world class city of culture. You will enjoy wonderful views of the romantic Danube River as it dramatically splits Budapest in two.(Buffet Breakfast). Stay at the Novotel Congress.

Day 8: Budapest Sightseeing and at Leisure
After breakfast your morning sightseeing tour with a local expert guide includes a walking tour of Old Buda featuring stunning views from the Fishermen's Bastion over the Danube and Parliament. See the Great Synagogue and visit Heroes' Square. This evening, enjoy an included Hungarian 'Be My Guest' dining experience.(Buffet Breakfast / Be My Guest dinner)

Day 9: Budapest - Slovakia - Krakow
This morning your journey brings you to the Slovakian border and on to Poland and the foothills of the Tatra Mountains. Picturesque Krakow awaits you and this is where you will spend the next two nights. Tonight, enjoy dinner at your hotel.(Buffet Breakfast / Dinner). Stay at the Park Inn Hotel.

Day 10: Krakow Sightseeing and at Leisure
The Castle and Cathedral on Wawel Hill, as well as a walking tour through the old town to visit the Cloth Hall and the Mariacki Church all feature on your included guided sightseeing tour. This afternoon, there is the chance to visit the unique Wieliczka Salt Mine, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Monument, where you can see the underground chambers hewn out of rock salt! This evening, why not enjoy a polka party and dinner.(Buffet Breakfast)

Day 11: Krakow - Auschwitz - Czestochowa - Warsaw
This morning step back into recent history when you visit the concentration camp at Auschwitz, which was so chillingly evoked in 'Schindler's List' and is left preserved as a reminder of the World War II Holocaust. Then in contrast, the beautiful Paulite Monastery at Jasna Gora is the next stop with its portrait of Our Lady 'The Black Madonna', supposedly painted by St. Luke the Evangelist. Finally, make your way to Warsaw for a two-night stay.(Buffet Breakfast / Dinner). Stay at the Westin Hotel.

Day 12: Warsaw Sightseeing and at Leisure
This morning's sightseeing tour with a local expert guide includes a visit to the Old Town and the site of the Warsaw ghetto. You will see the areas where Polanski's 'The Pianist' was set and view the Palace of Culture and Science. Later, don't miss a trip to the Wilanow Palace, the residence of Polish King Sobieski - Victor of Vienna. Tonight after dinner at the hotel, why not consider attending a Chopin recital.(Buffet Breakfast)

Day 13: Warsaw - Poznan - Berlin
Today's drive takes you across the central plains of Poland to Poznan with its charming City Hall and Gothic churches. Then off to the border town of Frankfurt-an-der-Oder and into Germany where you are soon in the reinstated capital, Berlin. Without doubt this is one of Europe's most exciting cities as well as being the capital city of Germany. On 3 October 1990 the two parts of Germany were reunited after the Berlin Wall came down in 1989.(Buffet Breakfast). Stay at the Hilton Hotel.

Day 14: Berlin Sightseeing and at Leisure
Today's included guided sightseeing tour features a united Berlin and includes a visit to the Checkpoint Charlie Museum and views of the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag Building, Unter den Linden Boulevard, and the German State Opera House. The rest of your day is at leisure. Perhaps visit the new Reichstag parliament building or the Pergamon on Museum Island. Tonight, why not try out some of this city's lively nightlife?(Buffet Breakfast)

Day 15: Berlin - Dresden - Prague
Travel through the Spreewald Forest to 'Florence on the Elbe', beautiful Dresden. On arrival an orientation tour includes the Saxon Wall, Semper Opera and 18th century Cathedral. Learn about the massive restoration work that has taken place since the extensive bombing of the city in World War II. Next cross into the Czech Republic. From here make your way to the magnificent city of Prague which has been the political, cultural and economic centre of the Czech state for over 1100 years. Enjoy a relaxing two night stay.(Buffet Breakfast / Dinner). Stay at the Hilton Hotel.

Day 16: Prague Sightseeing and at Leisure
Today your guided sightseeing tour shows you Prague Castle - regarded as the largest ancient castle in the world. You will also see the Astronomical Clock, Charles Bridge, the Old Town square and will visit the Cathedral of St. Vitus. This evening, enjoy a Highlight Dinner of local specialities in a characteristic restaurant.(Buffet Breakfast / Highlight Dinner)

Day 17: Prague - Tabor - Vienna
This morning leave Prague and make your way to Tabor, once the headquarters of the 15th century religious reformer, John Huss. Then drive through Southern Bohemia passing the town of Horn and continue to the Imperial city of Vienna. Tonight enjoy a Farewell Dinner with your Tour Director and fellow travellers.(Buffet Breakfast / Farewell Dinner). Stay at the Hilton Danube

Day 18: Vienna - USA
Time to bid farewell as your vacation comes to an end. Airport transfers are available. Conditions apply.(Buffet Breakfast)