Vienna Budapest, Krakow, Warsaw, Prague - Highlights of Eastern Europe

Day 1- Depart USA
Overnight flight to Vienna.

Day 2 - Arrive Vienna
On arrival at Vienna airport you are met and transferred to your hotel. After check-in we learn about the Hapsburg dynasties and their enormous Empire on our afternoon sightseeing tour which includes a walking tour of Old Vienna featuring St Stephen’s Cathedral and ‘Am Hof’. Later, we will enjoy a Welcome Drink with our Tour Director and fellow travelling companions.

Hotel: Hilton Danube

Day 3 - Vienna – Ljubljana – Lake Bled (2 nights)
This morning we head for the Karawanken mountains and over the Loiblpass into the green hills of Slovenia. We drive to the capital Ljubljana where sightseeing with a local guide highlights the Opera House, Cathedral, National Museum, Castle and the numerous parks of this Roman founded city. Then we continue to the place which has been nicknamed an earthly paradise – Lake Bled, where we will enjoy a relaxing two night stay. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)

Hotel: Park (2 nights)

Day 4 - Lake Bled at leisure
Today we have the whole day to relax or perhaps take a boat trip on the lake or visit the incredible maze of underground caves at Postojna. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)

Day 5 - Lake Bled – Zagreb (2 nights)
After breakfast we make our way to Croatia and its capital, Zagreb. This afternoon our sightseeing tour includes the lower and upper town and shows us the majestic Cathedral, Archbishop's Palace, St. Mark's Church, the Opera House and more! (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)

Hotel: Westin (2 nights) Map

Day 6 - Zagreb at leisure
Enjoy a full day at leisure. Perhaps visit the museums and art galleries of this culturally rich city. Later, you may wish to take a trip to the very picturesque Croatian Hinterland visiting the Plitvice Lakes National Park. (Buffet Breakfast)

Day 7 - Zagreb – Budapest (2 nights)
Today we cross the border into Hungary pausing on the shores of Lake Balaton. From here we continue to the twin towns of Buda and Pest, where our Tour Director will show us a Hidden Treasure of the city during our stay! (Buffet Breakfast)

Hotel: Danubius Helia (2 nights)

Day 8 - Budapest sightseeing & at leisure
After breakfast our morning sightseeing tour with a local guide includes a walking tour of Old Buda featuring stunning views from the Fishermen's Bastion over the Danube and Parliament, we also view the Great Synagogue and visit Heroes' Square. This evening, we will enjoy an included Hungarian dinner, accompanied by local musicians. (Buffet Breakfast / Highlight Dinner)

Day 9 - Budapest – Slovakia – Krakow (2 nights)
This morning our journey brings us to the Slovakian border and on to Poland and the foothills of the Tatra Mountains. Soon we are in Krakow, where we spend the next two nights. Tonight, why not enjoy a Polish Polka Party? (Buffet Breakfast)

Hotel: Sympozjum (F) (2 nights)

Day 10 - Krakow sightseeing & at leisure
The castle and Cathedral on Wawel Hill, plus a walking tour through the Old Town to visit the Cloth Hall and the Mariacki Church all feature on our morning sightseeing tour. This afternoon, a visit to the Wieliczka salt mine is a must! This evening, we will enjoy dinner at our hotel. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)

Day 11 - Krakow – Auschwitz – Czestochowa – Warsaw (2 nights)
This morning we step back into recent history when we visit the Concentration Camp at Auschwitz, so chillingly evoked in 'Schindler's List', reminding us of the World War II Holocaust. Then in contrast, the beautiful Paulite Monastery at Jasna Gora is our next stop with its portrait of Our Lady 'The Black Madonna', supposedly painted by St. Luke the Evangelist. Finally, we make our way to Warsaw for our two-night stay. (Buffet Breakfast)

Hotel: Westin (2 nights)

Day 12 - Warsaw sightseeing & at leisure
Today's morning sightseeing tour with a local guide includes a visit to the Old Town, the site of the Warsaw ghetto, seeing the sites evoked in Polanski's 'The Pianist', and views 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 our hotel, why not attend a Chopin recital? (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)

Day 13 - Warsaw – Poznan – Berlin (2 nights)
Today's drive takes us 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 we are soon in the re-instated capital, Berlin. (Buffet Breakfast)

Hotel: Hilton (2 nights)

Day 14 - Berlin sightseeing & at leisure
Today's sightseeing tour features a united Berlin and includes a visit to the Checkpoint Charlie Museum and views 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 to visit nearby Potsdam or Pergamon on Museum Island. Tonight, why not try out some of this city's lively nightlife? (Buffet Breakfast)

Day 15 - Berlin – Dresden – Prague (2 nights)
We travel through the Spreewald Forest to 'Florence on the Elbe', beautiful Dresden. On our arrival an orientation tour includes the Saxon Wall, Semper Opera and 18th century Cathedral. Next we cross into the Czech Republic. From here we make our way to the astonishing city of Prague for our two-night stay. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)

Hotel: Crowne Plaza (2 nights)

Day 16 - Prague sightseeing & at leisure
Today our Tour Director will show us another Hidden Treasure but first our sightseeing tour shows us the Hradcany Castle, the Astronomical clock, Charles Bridge, the Old Town Square and visits the Cathedral of St Vitus. This evening, we will enjoy a dinner of local specialities at a characteristic restaurant. (Buffet Breakfast / Highlight Dinner)

Day 17 - Prague – Lednice – Vienna
After breakfast, we drive via Brno and Southern Moravia to visit the gardens of the castle of Lednice, one time home of the Liechtenstein family. We return to Vienna and enjoy a Farewell Dinner tonight with our Tour Director and fellow travellers. (Buffet Breakfast / Farewell Dinner)

Hotel: Courtyard by Marriott

Day 18 - Depart Vienna
Farewell as we transfer to the airport for our return flight to America with memories of a vacation you will never forget! (Buffet Breakfast)

Sightseeing Highlights

    * Vienna: Sightseeing shows us the Hofburg and Imperial Boulevards.
    * Ljublijana: Sightseeing includes the Opera House, Castle, Cathedral and much more.
    * Lake Bled: Visit this lake resort.
    * Zagreb: Sightseeing includes the Cathedral, Archbishop's Palace, St. Mark's church and Opera House.
    * Budapest: Sightseeing including the Fishermen's Bastion, a visit to Heroes' Square and views of the Great Synagogue.
    * Krakow: Sightseeing includes the Royal Castle on Wawel Hill.
    * Auschwitz: Visit the Concentration Camp.
    * Jasna Gora: See the 14th century Paulite Monastery with its portrait of Our Lady 'The Black Madonna'.
    * Warsaw: Sightseeing including the Old Town, Warsaw Ghetto evoking Polanski's 'The Pianist' and the Palace of Culture and Science.
    * Poznan: See the town known as the 'Cradle of the Polish State'.
    * Berlin: Sightseeing includes a visit to the Checkpoint Charlie Museum, plus views the Reichstag, Tiergarten, Brandenburg Gate and more.
    * Dresden: Orientation includes the Zwinger Palace and Cathedral.
    * Prague: Sightseeing including a visit to St. Vitus' Cathedral and the Old Town Square.
    * Lednice: View the castle and visit the gardens of the former home of the Liechtenstein family.
    * Scenic drives: Karawanken Mountains, Green Hills of Slovenia, Danube Valley, Great Hungarian Plain, foothills of the Tatra Mountains, central Polish plains, Spreewald Forest, Southern Moravia.

Dining Highlights

    * 1 Welcome Drink with your Tour Director in Vienna
    * 16 Hot Buffet breakfasts
    * 6 three-course dinners in hotels
    * 2 local speciality restaurant dinners in Budapest and Prague
    * Farewell Dinner with wine in Vienna

25 meals in total (see day-by-day itinerary)

First Class Travel Highlights

    * The services of top professional multi-lingual Tour Directors.
    * A qualified local city guide in Vienna, Ljublijana, Zagreb, Budapest, Krakow, Warsaw, Berlin and Prague.
    * Chauffeur driven on luxury air-conditioned coaches with onboard washroom.
    * Stay in twin-bedded rooms with private facilities.
    * All hotel service charges, tips, baggage handling fees and local taxes included.
    * A stylish wallet, tour documents and map book journal.

Airport Transfers
Vienna Airport Transfers will be provided on Days 2 and 18. Group transfers on arrival at Vienna Airport will operate at 10.30 and 13.30. Return transfers from the last hotel will arrive at Vienna Airport at 06.30 and 09.00.

    * London Gateways: Transfers can be expensive, particularly between the Airport and central London. When you book your tour with Tour Operator your transfers to and from the airport are included. It's that simple. The Tour Operator has included a Free transfer to and from your airport and Central London.
    * Important – Please Note: Passengers will only be entitled to transfers to and from London Airports providing the following conditions are met:
    * You are staying at a London hotel, on the night of your arrival and the night prior to the date of your departure.
    * Flights are either booked by the Tour Operator or detailed information on flights is provided by your Travel Agent not less than 21 days prior to departure.
    * Only one included transfer both inbound and outbound per tour is included by Tour Operator. Transfers are by express train to a Central London Rail Station.
    * Heathrow Airport: Inbound transfers operate between 06.00-21.30. Outbound transfers are timed to connect with scheduled flights departing between 08.00-23.00. Transfers will be by coach. Gatwick Airport: Inbound transfers operate between 06.00-12.30. Outbound transfers are timed to connect with scheduled flights departing between 08.00-23.00. Transfers will be by express train and coach. Transfers outside these times will be at the passengers own expense.
    * In the event of unforeseen events (road or rail works, demonstrations, strikes) Tour Operator will not be held responsible for delayed or cancelled transfers.
    * No refund is available for passengers not utilising this service.
    * Why not upgrade to a Hotelink transfer from the Airport to-the-door of your London hotel? (please ask your travel agent of the additional upgrade price per person when booking)
    * European Gateways: With Tour Operator all passengers will receive complimentary arrival and departure transfers on the scheduled arrival and departure day of their tour at the times specified below. Please ensure your Travel Agent reserves your flight to co-ordinate with the transfer times shown.
    * Tour Operator Bonus - Passengers who book the Tour Operators Land+Air package and who arrive or depart outside of these specified times on the scheduled arrival and departure day of the tour will also be provided with a transfer.
    * Passengers arriving before or leaving after the scheduled tour days are not entitled to a transfer but may book and purchase one through Tour Operator providing that they also purchase the additional pre and/or post tour hotel night(s) from Tour Operator. Please ask for prices of transfers at the time of booking your extra night accommodation.
    * Land only passengers arriving or departing on the scheduled tour arrival or departure days but whose flights don't coincide with the listed transfer times below may also book and purchase these transfers. Flight details must be provided to Tour Operator not less than 21 days before the flight departure.
    * Click here to see scheduled transfer times.

Additional Visa Requirements

    * Visas are required for most Eastern European countries. Please consult your Embassy to establish the specific requirements for your tour.
    * Note: No visa can be issued at borders in Europe.