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DAY 1, Friday - Depart for Poland
Depart for Poland
DAY 2, Saturday - Arrive in Warsaw
Arrive in Warsaw, Poland's capital city and transfer to your hotel. Balance of the day is at leisure. This evening at approximately 6 PM, enjoy a Welcome Drink and orientation meeting with your Tour Manager and fellow travelers, followed by a Welcome Dinner. We recommend that you select flights which arrive in your destination no later than 4 PM on Day 2 of the itinerary, or earlier if possible
Overnight: Warsaw
Meals: Dinner
DAY 3, Sunday - Warsaw City Tour
This morning, a tour of Warsaw includes both banks of the Vistula River. Visit Lazienki Park to view Chopin's Monument, then travel along the Royal Route with its historic monuments and residences toward the Warsaw Ghetto. Walk through the cobbled streets to the Market Square. View the Cathedral of St. John and the Royal Castle. Balance of the day is at leisure or join the optional tour to Wilanow Palace.* This former summer residence of the Polish kings is situated just outside of Warsaw. The tour of the palace makes Polish history come alive. Wilanow was built at the end of the 17th century for King Jan III Sobieski
*Advance purchase is highly recommended for this tour. Tickets are limited and may not be available for purchase locally.
Optional: Wilanow Palace (PM)
Overnight: Warsaw
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 4, Monday - Jasna Gora Monastery
Travel south to Czestochowa to see the Paulite Monastery at Jasna Gora, a place of devout pilgrimage by Polish Catholics and home of the Black Madonna, a portrait of Our Lady that is said to have miraculous powers. Drive to Krakow, former residence of the Polish kings. Remainder of the day is at leisure or join the optional Wieliczka Salt Mine tour. The mine's historical importance, as well as the amazing works of art carved into the walls by miners, have earned the Wieliczka Salt Mine a place on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list
Optional: Wieliczka Salt Mine
Overnight: Krakow
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 5, Tuesday - Krakow City Tour, Auschwitz-Birkenau Tour
This morning, take a tour of medieval Krakow, including a visit to the 16th century Wawel Royal Castle District. Tour the Jewish Quarter. Continue to the Old Town and Market Square to view St. Mary's Church and the Renaissance Cloth Hall. In the afternoon tour Auschwitz-Birkenau, the infamous network of concentration camps from World War II. It has since been turned into a museum by the Polish government and is on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Overnight: Krakow
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 6, Wednesday - Scenic Drive to Budapest
This morning, travel to the small, quaint village of Orawka to view St. John the Baptist Church, the oldest existing wooden church in the Upper Orava region in Poland. It was built in 1651-1656 from top quality knot-free larch timber using the horizontal log technique. Continue through the scenic Tatra Mountains and the wooded countryside of Slovakia before reaching the Danube Valley and Hungary's capital city of Budapest with its world-class classical music scene and pulsating nightlife. The remainder of the day is at leisure
Overnight: Budapest
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 7, Thursday - Budapest City Tour
Take a morning city tour of Budapest. Begin in Pest and continue to view the Parliament, Heroes' Square, and Market Hall before crossing the Danube to the Buda Hills. There, see the Royal Palace, visit Matthias Church and continue to the Fisherman's Bastion for enthralling panoramic views of the city. Afternoon is at leisure, or join the optional tour* to the Parliament with its stunning interior and the impressive St. Stephen's Basilica, the largest church in Budapest. End the tour with a walk through the historic Great Market Hall with its over 100 market stalls and endless choices of regional products. This evening, perhaps join the optional Danube dinner cruise and take in the spectacular skyline from the comfort of a private boat
*Be advised that you might not be able to book this optional tour locally, due to certain restrictions regarding the Parliament.
Optional: Parliament, St. Stephen's & Great Market Hall (PM)
Optional: Danube Dinner Cruise (PM)
Overnight: Budapest
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 8, Friday - Vienna City Tour
Depart Hungary and travel through the Austrian countryside to Vienna, former center of the Hapsburg Empire. Upon arrival in Vienna, enjoy a panoramic tour of the city that begins with a drive along the Ringstrasse, Vienna's main boulevard, to view Hofburg Palace, the Opera House, the monument of Empress Maria Theresia, Votive Church, City Hall, Parliament, St. Charles' Church, the monument of Johann Strauss, the Museum of Art History, the Natural History Museum, and Musikverein, the music hall of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. Afterwards, continue to magnificent Schonbrunn Palace for a highlight tour. Tonight, don’t miss the optional evening of Viennese culture in the "City of Music” featuring the classical masterpieces of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Johann Strauss, two of Vienna's most famous citizens
Optional: Mozart and Strauss Concert (PM)
Overnight: Vienna
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 9, Saturday - Full Day in Vienna
Enjoy a full day to explore Vienna independently. As European cultural capital, Vienna abounds with stunning palaces, historical monuments, fascinating museums, and some of the world's best concert performances, ranging from classical masterpieces to lively jazz fusion. Perhaps, participate in the optional morning tour to Bratislava, capital of Slovakia, one of Europe’s newest capitals with time to explore the historic center of this charming city before returning to Vienna. Tonight, feel the spirit of imperial Vienna in a cozy wine tavern in the Vienna woods including a hearty meal, local wines and music
Optional: Half Day Bratislava (AM)
Overnight: Vienna
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 10, Sunday - Arrive in Prague
This morning, depart Austria for the Czech Republic. Enjoy the sights of Central Europe during your journey. Make your way through Southern Bohemia and on to the Czech capital city, Prague "The City of a Thousand Spires"
Overnight: Prague
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 11, Monday - Prague City Tour
A morning sightseeing tour of Prague includes a visit to the Royal Castle District at Hradcany, former residence of the Bohemian kings. Enjoy magnificent views of the city and Charles Bridge below as well as a visit to St. Vitus Cathedral. Following your visit, view St. George's Basilica, the oldest church in the Castle complex and best preserved Romanesque basilica in Prague. This evening, dinner is at a local restaurant in this gorgeous city known for its stunning Gothic and Renaissance architecture
Overnight: Prague
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 12, Tuesday - Dresden en Route to Berlin
Today, cross Saxony to the Baroque art city of Dresden, also known as "the Florence on the Elbe River." Take a walking city tour to view sights including the ornate Zwinger Palace, the world-famous Semper Opera and the newly rebuilt Frauenkirche with its magnificent baroque dome. Continue to Berlin, proud capital of reunited Germany. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure
Overnight: Berlin
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 13, Wednesday - Berlin City Tour
This morning's guided tour of Berlin includes the city's major sights, the Reichstag building, Brandenburg Gate and Checkpoint Charlie, remaining symbols of the former Berlin Wall. View Unter den Linden Street and Kurfurstendamm as well as the State Opera House and Cathedral before an afternoon at leisure. Perhaps, join the optional Berlin's Hidden Past tour and delve beneath the surface to see what remains of the city of the latter part of the 20th century - the defeat of the Nazis, the liberation, destruction and division of Germany’s capital by the hated "Berlin Wall" that brought to focus the East/West division of Europe by the Cold War. This evening, enjoy a Farewell Dinner with your fellow travelers
Optional: Berlin's Hidden Past (PM)
Overnight: Berlin
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 14, Thursday - Depart Germany
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast
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DAY 1, Tuesday - Depart for Poland
Depart for Poland
DAY 2, Wednesday - Arrive in Warsaw
Arrive in Warsaw, Poland's capital city and transfer to your hotel. Balance of the day is at leisure. This evening at approximately 6 PM, enjoy a Welcome Drink and orientation meeting with your Tour Manager and fellow travelers, followed by a Welcome Dinner. We recommend that you select flights which arrive in your destination no later than 4 PM on Day 2 of the itinerary, or earlier if possible
Overnight: Warsaw
Meals: Dinner
DAY 3,Thursday - Warsaw City Tour
This morning, a tour of Warsaw includes both banks of the Vistula River. Visit Lazienki Park to view Chopin's Monument, then travel along the Royal Route with its historic monuments and residences toward the Warsaw Ghetto. Walk through the cobbled streets to the Market Square. View the Cathedral of St. John and the Royal Castle. Balance of the day is at leisure or join the optional tour to Wilanow Palace.* This former summer residence of the Polish kings is situated just outside of Warsaw. The tour of the palace makes Polish history come alive. Wilanow was built at the end of the 17th century for King Jan III Sobieski
*Advance purchase is highly recommended for this tour. Tickets are limited and may not be available for purchase locally.
Optional: Wilanow Palace (PM)
Overnight: Warsaw
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 4, Friday - Jasna Gora Monastery
Travel south to Czestochowa to see the Paulite Monastery at Jasna Gora, a place of devout pilgrimage by Polish Catholics and home of the Black Madonna, a portrait of Our Lady that is said to have miraculous powers. Drive to Krakow, former residence of the Polish kings. Remainder of the day is at leisure or join the optional Wieliczka Salt Mine tour. The mine's historical importance, as well as the amazing works of art carved into the walls by miners, have earned the Wieliczka Salt Mine a place on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list
Optional: Wieliczka Salt Mine
Overnight: Krakow
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 5, Saturday- Krakow City Tour, Auschwitz-Birkenau Tour
This morning, take a tour of medieval Krakow, including a visit to the 16th century Wawel Royal Castle District. Tour the Jewish Quarter. Continue to the Old Town and Market Square to view St. Mary's Church and the Renaissance Cloth Hall. In the afternoon tour Auschwitz-Birkenau, the infamous network of concentration camps from World War II. It has since been turned into a museum by the Polish government and is on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Overnight: Krakow
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 6, Sunday - Scenic Drive to Budapest
This morning, travel to the small, quaint village of Orawka to view St. John the Baptist Church, the oldest existing wooden church in the Upper Orava region in Poland. It was built in 1651-1656 from top quality knot-free larch timber using the horizontal log technique. Continue through the scenic Tatra Mountains and the wooded countryside of Slovakia before reaching the Danube Valley and Hungary's capital city of Budapest with its world-class classical music scene and pulsating nightlife. The remainder of the day is at leisure
Overnight: Budapest
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 7, Monday - Budapest City Tour
Take a morning city tour of Budapest. Begin in Pest and continue to view the Parliament, Heroes' Square, and Market Hall before crossing the Danube to the Buda Hills. There, see the Royal Palace, visit Matthias Church and continue to the Fisherman's Bastion for enthralling panoramic views of the city. Afternoon is at leisure, or join the optional tour* to the Parliament with its stunning interior and the impressive St. Stephen's Basilica, the largest church in Budapest. End the tour with a walk through the historic Great Market Hall with its over 100 market stalls and endless choices of regional products. This evening, perhaps join the optional Danube dinner cruise and take in the spectacular skyline from the comfort of a private boat
*Be advised that you might not be able to book this optional tour locally, due to certain restrictions regarding the Parliament.
Optional: Parliament, St. Stephen's & Great Market Hall (PM)
Optional: Danube Dinner Cruise (PM)
Overnight: Budapest
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 8, Tuesday Vienna City Tour
Depart Hungary and travel through the Austrian countryside to Vienna, former center of the Hapsburg Empire. Upon arrival in Vienna, enjoy a panoramic tour of the city that begins with a drive along the Ringstrasse, Vienna's main boulevard, to view Hofburg Palace, the Opera House, the monument of Empress Maria Theresia, Votive Church, City Hall, Parliament, St. Charles' Church, the monument of Johann Strauss, the Museum of Art History, the Natural History Museum, and Musikverein, the music hall of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. Afterwards, continue to magnificent Schonbrunn Palace for a highlight tour. Tonight, don’t miss the optional evening of Viennese culture in the "City of Music” featuring the classical masterpieces of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Johann Strauss, two of Vienna's most famous citizens
Optional: Mozart and Strauss Concert (PM)
Overnight: Vienna
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 9, Wednesday - Full Day in Vienna
Enjoy a full day to explore Vienna independently. As European cultural capital, Vienna abounds with stunning palaces, historical monuments, fascinating museums, and some of the world's best concert performances, ranging from classical masterpieces to lively jazz fusion. Perhaps, participate in the optional morning tour to Bratislava, capital of Slovakia, one of Europe’s newest capitals with time to explore the historic center of this charming city before returning to Vienna. Tonight, feel the spirit of imperial Vienna in a cozy wine tavern in the Vienna woods including a hearty meal, local wines and music
Optional: Half Day Bratislava (AM)
Overnight: Vienna
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 10, Thursday - Arrive in Prague
This morning, depart Austria for the Czech Republic. Enjoy the sights of Central Europe during your journey. Make your way through Southern Bohemia and on to the Czech capital city, Prague "The City of a Thousand Spires"
Overnight: Prague
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 11, Friday - Prague City Tour
A morning sightseeing tour of Prague includes a visit to the Royal Castle District at Hradcany, former residence of the Bohemian kings. Enjoy magnificent views of the city and Charles Bridge below as well as a visit to St. Vitus Cathedral. Following your visit, view St. George's Basilica, the oldest church in the Castle complex and best preserved Romanesque basilica in Prague. This evening, dinner is at a local restaurant in this gorgeous city known for its stunning Gothic and Renaissance architecture
Overnight: Prague
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 12, Saturday- Dresden en Route to Berlin
Today, cross Saxony to the Baroque art city of Dresden, also known as "the Florence on the Elbe River." Take a walking city tour to view sights including the ornate Zwinger Palace, the world-famous Semper Opera and the newly rebuilt Frauenkirche with its magnificent baroque dome. Continue to Berlin, proud capital of reunited Germany. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure
Overnight: Berlin
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 13, Sunday - Berlin City Tour
This morning's guided tour of Berlin includes the city's major sights, the Reichstag building, Brandenburg Gate and Checkpoint Charlie, remaining symbols of the former Berlin Wall. View Unter den Linden Street and Kurfurstendamm as well as the State Opera House and Cathedral before an afternoon at leisure. Perhaps, join the optional Berlin's Hidden Past tour and delve beneath the surface to see what remains of the city of the latter part of the 20th century - the defeat of the Nazis, the liberation, destruction and division of Germany’s capital by the hated "Berlin Wall" that brought to focus the East/West division of Europe by the Cold War. This evening, enjoy a Farewell Dinner with your fellow travelers
Optional: Berlin's Hidden Past (PM)
Overnight: Berlin
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 14, Monday - Depart Germany
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast
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