The Best of Central Europe

Itinerary

Days 1-3 Vienna/Bratislava

From the gothic St Stephen's Cathedral to the neo-classical grandeur of the Graben, Vienna is rich with historical delights. Take a day trip to Slovakia's City of Fountains.

Days 4-5 Cesky Krumlov

There's no better way to see this fairytale town than by bicycle. Perhaps explore the whimsical castle that presides over Cesky.

Days 6-8 Prague

Discover the magic of the Old Town. Climb one of the towers for grand views or retire to a vaulted cellar for a pilsner.

Day 9 Teplice

Get some fresh air hiking through the beautiful Teplice National Park, studded with surreal sandstone pinnacles and canyons.

Days 10-11 Krakow

Take a sobering journey to Auschwitz to get an insight into the horrors of the war. Listen out for the Hejnal mariacki bugle call in Krakow.

Days 12-13 Tatra Mountains

Travel through rolling hills and tiny villages to a base in the Carpathians on the Polish-Slovakian border. Embark on a walk into the mountains for stunning views.

Days 14-16 Budapest

Enjoy free time to discover the Pearl of the Danube. Perhaps relax amid the grandeur of the Gellert Thermal Baths or hire a bike and pedal past the Chain Bridge for great views of the Parliament and the castle district.

Days 17-18 Novi Sad

Quaff Serbian wine at a local vineyard and peruse remarkable artworks at the Petrovaradin Fortress.

Days 19-20 Belgrade

Explore one of Europe's oldest cities and discover the history of what has been an important intersection between Eastern and Western Europe.

Days 21-23 Sarajevo/Mostar

Learn the story behind the town of Mostar and its famous bridge that crumbled during the war. Enjoy free time to explore Sarajevo or take a rural interlude.

Day 24 Ostrog Monastery

Hike to the magnificent Ostrog Monastery, a pilgrimage site for Orthodox Christians and those seeking a cure for ailments.

Days 25-26 Budva

Soak up the sun on the sandy beaches or climb the walls that surround the Old Town - nothing beats the seaside views from the top.

Day 27 Kotor

Be enchanted by the twisting alleyways and climb the hills behind the city to visit mysterious ruined castles.

Days 28-30 Dubrovnik

Look out over the Adriatic and enjoy the calm of this hilly, picturesque city.

Day 31 Ulcinj

Between the restaurants, galleries and beaches, there's something to delight every traveller in Ulcinj.

Days 32-33 Tirana

See the amazing frescoes outside the Et'hem Bey Mosque - depicting trees, waterfalls and bridges, they are a rarity in Islamic art.

Days 34-35 Berat

Wander through the well-preserved medieval citadel, which encloses dozens of churches and old houses.

Days 36-37 Gjirokastra

Perched high on a rocky slope, Gjirokastra is a rare example of a well-preserved Ottoman town. Learn about the city's tumultuous past at the brooding citadel.

Days 38-39 Saranda

Visit the beautiful Blue Eye Spring and discover the legends concealed within the ruins of Butrint.

Days 40-41 Corfu

With wildflowers and cypress groves scattered over the mountains, this Greek island is charming from every angle. Delve into the myths of ancient Greece at the Archaeological Museum.

Days 42-43 Athens

Celebrate the end of the journey in the city that started it all.