Central Europe Discovery

Welcome to Vienna! Once you have arrived at Vienna International Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Vienna.

The Habsburgs of Vienna, then on to Budapest Vienna owes much of its present-day charm to the long reign of the Habsburgs, so after a relaxed breakfast, join your local expert for a private visit to Maria Theresa’s Schönbrunn Palace and formal gardens. Then, get your cameras ready for a circuit of the famous Ring Road. This grand boulevard, built along the lines of the old city walls, showcases many of the capital’s architectural masterpieces, including the Opera House and the magnificent Hofburg Imperial Residence. This afternoon, set off for the grand boulevards of Budapest, the former second city of the mighty Habsburg Empire! Overnight in Budapest.

In the morning, stroll through the alleys of the old town of Buda with a local expert. Admire the incredible interior decoration of Matthias Church and take in the view from the Fisherman’s Bastion. Back in Pest, see the grand Parliament Building and visit Heroes’ Square. Now enjoy time in the Central Market Hall, its three stories packed with aromatic food stalls offering Hungarian salamis, spicy paprika, and sweet Tokaji wines. The rest of the day is yours to browse the boutiques of Vaci Street. Overnight in Budapest.

Enjoy a gentle drive into Slovakia and through the breathtaking Tatra Mountains, where villagers still live in traditional wooden houses. See the picturesque Oravsky Hrad Castle before crossing into Poland and continuing to historic Krakow. Overnight in Krakow.

Join a local expert for a morning visit to Krakow – for centuries the seat of Poland’s kings. Ascend Wawel Hill to visit the cathedral. Walk past the courtyard of Jagiellonian University through the Old Town, to Europe’s largest and most beautiful town square. See the medieval Cloth Hall and visit the 14th-century St. Mary’s Church (keep your eyes and ears peeled for the trumpeter in the tower). Then, enjoy free time to explore. Maybe visit the Renaissance Trading Hall, host to many merchant stalls, with the Gallery of the National Museum upstairs. Or you could choose to visit the 600-year-old salt mines. Overnight in Krakow.

The Black Madonna of Częstochowa, and Warsaw First stop today is the city of Oświęcim, better known throughout the world by its German name, Auschwitz, the most infamous site of the Holocaust. Spend some reflective moments amid the remains of the concentration camp and the memorials to those who died. Travel north to Częstochowa to visit the 14th-century Monastery of Jasna Gora, famous for the Black Madonna, said to have been painted by St. Luke. Continue across the Polish Plains to the country’s capital, Warsaw, for the night. Dumplings are an Eastern European tradition, so this evening, enjoy a dumpling degustation and demonstration at a local restaurant. Once this culinary high art has been mastered, you are treated to a delicious dinner featuring succulent local dishes plus beer or wine, tea, or coffee. Overnight in Warsaw.

Exploring the Proud Polish Capital of Warsaw On morning sightseeing, see the ‘wedding cake’ Palace of Culture and visit the Chopin Memorial in Lazienki Park. Pay your respects at the Monument of the Ghetto Heroes before a walk in the reconstructed Old Town to see the Renaissance mansions in the Market Square and the Royal Castle. The afternoon is free to enjoy at your own pace. Suggestions include a Chopin recital or a visit to the Baroque Wilanów Palace. Overnight in Warsaw.

Through Rural Wielkopolska to Berlin Your route leads westwards today, across the rolling farmlands of the central plains, past Poznan, the ‘cradle of the Polish State,’ and continuing over the Oder River to enter Germany. Your destination is the vibrant capital of Berlin. Maybe try traditional Berliner cuisine tonight. Overnight in Berlin.

Wake up ready to embrace the rejuvenated spirit of Berlin. Join a local expert for a drive along the Ku’Damm, past the Memorial Church. Continue through the leafy Tiergarten to the refurbished Reichstag building and see the Brandenburg Gate. On the eastern side, take the Unter den Linden past the State Opera House to Alexanderplatz. Spend the afternoon at leisure, shopping in the KaDeWe Department Store or exploring the new vibrant Potsdamer Platz. Overnight in Berlin.

Drive south to Dresden. Almost totally destroyed by horrific air raids in 1945, Dresden has now risen again from the ashes in a blend of old and new. See the reconstructed Frauenkirche and walk past the colossal ‘Procession of the Dukes’ on the wall of the Royal Palace. Round the Catholic Cathedral to view the tiered facades of the Opera and Baroque Zwinger Palace. After free time for lunch, head for the Czech border, high in the Ore Mountains, and continue to the capital city of Prague. Overnight in Prague.

Prague has blossomed since the ‘Velvet Revolution,’ but its unique character remains unchanged. In the morning, a local expert shows you the amazing St. Vitus’ Cathedral, which is set inside the 1,000-year-old Prague Castle. Later, cross the river to explore the vast cobblestoned expanse of the Old Town Square and see its famous Astronomical Clock. As night falls, why not head for a local restaurant to sample tasty Czech cuisine as well as the famous local beer? Overnight in Prague.

Enjoy a delightful drive through the green Bohemian countryside to Český Krumlov, a picturesque medieval town nestled on the banks of the Vltava. With a local expert, walk the narrow cobbled streets and arch-covered footpaths, past colorful townhouses and centuries-old inns. Enjoy a guided visit to the fairytale red-roofed castle, considered by many to be the finest in the land. The tradition of brewing beer in Český Krumlov dates right back to the origins of the town. Take a behind-the-scenes tour of a local brewery to sample some beer and discover the secrets of how this golden vintage is made. Your hotel, one of the most charming in the Czech Republic, is set in a former 16th-century Jesuit dormitory in the historic town center. When all the day-trippers have gone home, soak up the unique atmosphere of this UNESCO-listed site on your Dine-Around evening. You are offered a selection of restaurants amid the tangle of streets, high-gabled houses, and old squares. Overnight in Cesky Krumlov.

Cross the border into Austria and enjoy a delightful drive through the agricultural region of Waldviertel before arriving in Austria’s great Imperial capital, Vienna. As night falls, get together for a Celebration Dinner with wine and good cheer at a prized local restaurant. Overnight in Vienna.

DEPARTURE After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your departure flight.