The Best of Eastern Europe

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Vienna

Arrive in Vienna at any time.

Day 2 Vienna (B)

Enjoy a walking tour along the most beautiful and elegant streets, to the most famous sights in Vienna. The tour will focus on the Hofburg, residence of the Habsburg family for nearly 650 years and St. Stephen´s Cathedral, the landmark of Vienna. There will be no lack of tales about the Habsburgs - e.g. Sisi and Franz Joseph - the marriage and burial rites, or the stories concerning the Sachertorte coffee houses and the oldest cake shop in Vienna. The afternoon is yours to explore at your leisure. You could marvel at the Hofburg, the lippazaner horses of the famous Vienna Riding School, or experience a joyful mass with the Vienna Boys Choir.

Day 3 Cesky Kurmlov (B)

Estimated Travel Time: 5 hoursWe depart Vienna by local train to our first stop in the Czech Republic, the charming town of Cesky Krumlov.The city of Krumlov, first reference in 1253 as „Crhumbenowe“, had a mixed population of Czechs and Germans until 1938. Its name comes from an old German term:“krumben ouwe“ (crooked shaped meadow), which later evolved to Krumlov. In the 15th century Cesky (Czech) was added. The inclusion of Český Krumlov on UNESCO's List of Natural and Cultural Heritage was undoubtedly a turning point in the modern history of the town. The act of including the town itself sent a clear signal to the rest of the cultural world that South Bohemia has something unique to offer. After arrival, we will check in, then will explore the town at night with a special „night sightseeing tour“.

Day 4 Cesky Krumlov (B)

After breakfast, we will take a boat trip of approx. 2 to 3 hours, on the river that winds right through the centre of Cesky Krumlov - a favorite summer past-time here. Afterwards, you might want to have lunch in one of the many beautiful restaurants offering fantastic local or international cuisine, sitting on a terrace overlooking the fairytale of this medieval town. The afternoon is free for your exploration: discover the history and architecture of this charming town. Don´t miss the castle, which is one of the largest in central Europe. It is a complex of forty buildings and palaces, situated around five castle courts and a castle park spanning an area of seven hectares.Check out the Jewish synagogue built in Nouveau-Romanesque style in 1909 by the local Jewish community, featuring an eight-sided tower with Torah-shaped windows. Enjoy the local architecture, small museums or local galleries and much more....

Day 5-7 Prague (3B)

Today we head to the capital of the Czech Republic – “Golden” Prague - by private bus. Prague is regarded by many as the unspoilt jewel in Europe’s historic crown. As well as visiting all the major sights of the OldTown and Hradcany (the Castle of the Bohemian Kings), we have time to simply soak up the atmosphere of a unique community where every street, ghetto, inn or theatre tells a story. We take a sightseeing tour of Prague's Old Town with a professional local guide.

Day 8 Teplice nad Metuji (B)

Estimated Travel Time: 4.5 hoursExchange city life for the quiet village of Teplice nad Metuji. We depart Prague by local train (approx. 4 hours), to arrive at Teplice nad Metuji, our base for exploring the bizarre rock formations of this region. After checking-in to our family-run pension and a short lunch break we spend the afternoon hiking through some of the weird and wonderful sandstone pinnacles and canyons. The rock forest only covers a small area but we easily spend the afternoon letting our imaginations run wild....

Day 9-10 Poland/Krakow (2B)

Today we leave the Czech Republic and begin our exploration of Poland. A private transfer will pick us up after breakfast and whisk us of to our first stop, Oswiecim (approx 4 hours). This is the site of one of history's most horrific crimes, Auschwitz-Birkenau embodies tragedy, inhumanity and the survival of will. Today the museum stands testament to the inconceivable atrocities of the Second World War, whilst paying tribute to the thousands oflives unjustly taken within. The tour duration is approx 4 hours. After the guided visit we continue to Krakow, our home for the next 2 days. This evening will be free for you to have a rest after our long journey.

Day 11-12 Tatranska Lomnica (B)

Today we say goodbye to lovely Krakow and head to Slovakia by private transfer (2.5 hours). First stop is in Červeny Klastor, where we do some rafting on the Dunajec River. The Dunajec forms the border between Poland and Slovakia and gives us the chance to admire the beauties of Pieniny National Park. The 5 km journey onwooden rafts beneath the towering walls of the gorge takes around one hour. The river is quite calm except for a few shallow rapids – great fun, but you won´t get wet. You could have lunch at a typical Slovak restaurant at the end of the rafting before continuing on to the High Tatras - Tatranska Lomnica. We will check-in to our pension and after a bit of relaxation, take a short orientation walk in the village with your tour leader.The following day, after breakfast will be a free day for you to choose from one of the many options for exploring this beautiful mountain range. Take a cable car up to the Skalnate Pleso (The Rocky Tarn). The cablecar station is only 5 min on foot from our hotel. From here you can walk for about 1.5 hours to Hrebienok, past the spectacular Studenovodske Waterfalls. For the descent to Stary Smokovec village you can take a funicular and from there a narrow-gauge train back to Tatranska Lomnica. For a more relaxing day, take a gentle walk around the Strbske lake, accessible by train.

Day 13 Bratislava (B)

Estimated Travel Time: 6 hoursOur journey through central Europe continues to the capital of Slovakia – Bratislava. We leave High Tatra by local bus to Poprad where we change to a train to continue on to Bratislava. After lunch you can enjoy an afternoon walking orientation tour of the Bratislava Old Town and spend the rest of the day in this charming and vibrant city full of very good restaurants, bars and clubs.

Day 14 Budapest (B)

Goodbye Slovakia, Hello Hungary! This morning we travel by private transfer (approx 3 hours) to the “Queen of the Danube” – Budapest.After checking-in to our hotel and lunch in a nice centrally located restaurant we will meet with our guide for a walking sightseeing tour. Situated on a beautiful stretch of the Danube, Budapest consists of two parts: Buda and Pest. Buda seems today the older and more historical part with old narrow little streets and medieval buildings. You discover the Chain Bridge, Castle District and Water Town. Here you can find Buda’s mostancient parts: the Royal Palace, St. Matthias Church, Fisherman’s Bastion and Castle Hill with its old town. Then we cross the Danube again and you could have a dinner in a nice restaurant at Váci utca, which is the mainshopping street in Budapest.