13 Day Itinerary
Day 1 - Sat: Arrive Vienna
Land in Vienna and reclaim your luggage. Then you will be met and transferred to your
hotel. After you check in you will have the remainder of the day to rest or
explore the city center a little on your own. In the evening meet your fellow
travelers and your tour director at a welcome dinner.
(D)
Day 2 - Sun: Viennese Sightseeing
This morning take a tour around the city center to
see the most important and imposing buildings. Visit the Hofburg Palace, the
huge Habsburg residential complex that was the seat of the Austro-Hungarian
Empire for over 640 years. Pass the elegant Belvedere Palace, the Prater
Amusement Park and the UN buildings. Also see St. Stephen's Cathedral with its
intricately-patterned tile roof and other vivid reminders of the city's imperial
history. The afternoon and evening are at leisure.
(BB)
Day 3 - Mon: Hungary & Budapest
Today travel east through the Austrian countryside and
cross the border to Hungary. Continue through the lovely scenery of the
Transdanubian region. Arrive in Budapest in time to relax before dinner.
(BB,D)
Day 4 - Tue: Budapest Touring
Situated on the opposite banks of the Danube River, the
former cities of Buda and Pest are linked by a series of graceful bridges. Your
morning sightseeing tour includes views of the outstanding Parliament buildings
sited on the banks of the Danube. Cross to the hilly region of Buda to view the
Royal Palace and the Castle Hill area, the Fisherman's Bastion and nearby
Matthias Church, and Gellert Hill with its Citadel. Return to Pest to see the
Heroes' Square with its imposing Millennium Monument. The rest of the day is at
leisure to explore this exciting city on your own.
(BB)
Day 5 - Wed: Slovakia & Cracow
Your drive today winds through the lovely hills and
countryside of Slovakia, past the Tatra Mountains and into the great plains of
Poland to Cracow. This was Poland's capital city up until 400 years ago and
today it is the country's intellectual and cultural center. After checking into
your hotel enjoy a relaxing dinner with your tour group.
(BB,D)
Day 6 - Thu: Cracow Monuments
Start your sightseeing tour with a visit to Wawel
Hill, important symbol of Polish independence. There has been a castle on this
hill since the beginning of recorded history. View the exterior of the present
Royal Castle, built in a variety of styles. Visit the Royal Cathedral where most
of Poland's rulers and important people have been entombed. Enjoy a walking tour
of the Old Town where you will visit the Main Market Square, Renaissance Cloth
Hall and St. Mary's Church. The afternoon is free for a stroll around the city.
(BB)
Day 7 - Fri: Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial & Warsaw
This morning visit one of the most somber memorials of the past at Auschwitz Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial,
world-famous location for war crimes. Later journey to Czestochowa to visit
Yasna Gora Monastery, known for the age-darkened picture of the Virgin Mary
popularly called the "Black Madonna." Drive through the Polish countryside to
arrive in Warsaw, Poland's capital city, in the late afternoon.
(BB,D)
Day 8 - Sat: Discover Warsaw
The 700-year-old capital is a symbol of the Polish nationhood and the will to
survive against great odds. A sightseeing tour includes a drive along the famous
Royal Route from the magnificent Castle Square to Lazienki Park and Palace, the
summer residence of the last king of Poland. Pass the Palace of Science and
Culture (called the "Wedding Cake"), the Saxon Gardens, the Tomb of the Unknown
Soldier, the Monument to the Warsaw Ghetto Heroes and the Barbican. Continue on
foot through the Old Town, Old Market Square and St. John's Cathedral. The rest
of the day is free to relax, shop or stroll through the city or enjoy an
optional late afternoon Chopin concert.
(BB)
Day 9 - Sun: Poznan & Berlin
Travel through the Polish countryside and
stop in Poznan for an orientation tour. One of Poland's oldest cities, it is an
important historical center. The impressive cathedral is the oldest in the
country and contains tombs of the first Polish rulers. Continue to Berlin,
today's final destination. Since the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the
reunification of Germany in 1990, Berlin has become a vibrant, thriving capital
city.
(BB, D)
Day 10 - Mon: Berlin's Highlights
Your morning sightseeing tour features the Reichstag,
seat of Germany's government. The building has undergone many changes since it
was built in the 1890's and today boasts a modern glass cupola. Next see the
lovely Schloss Charlottenburg, a Baroque Hohenzollern palace. Your tour
continues through the city to view famous sights such as the Opera, the Schiller
Theater and the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church. The afternoon is free to explore
this exciting city on your own. For a feeling of the 21st century, you may like
to spend time around Potsdamer Platz, a lively, modern complex.
(BB)
Day 11 - Tue: Dresden & Prague
This morning travel along one of Germany's highways to Dresden, renowned for its
dedication to the arts, beautiful Baroque buildings and the severity of the
city's destruction by Allied bombings in 1945. Take an orientation tour through
the Old Town to view the Zwinger Palace and Semper Opera House. Continue your
journey to Prague, the capital of Czech Republic.
(BB, D)
Day 12 - Wed: Tour Prague
Built on seven hills more than 1,000
years ago and spread over both banks of the river Vltava, Prague is one of
Europe's most attractive cities. Your city tour starts with a panoramic drive to
the famous Wenceslas Square, Strahov Stadium and Castle Square. Take a walking
tour to visit the Royal Castle of Hradcany, St. Vitus' Cathedral, the Royal
Palace and Loretto Church. Cross the Charles Bridge and walk through the old
quarter of Prague to view the Jewish Ghetto, the Town Hall with its world-famous
Astronomical Clock. The rest of the day is free. An optional visit to a cultural
performance will be available.
(BB)
Day 13 - Thu: Depart Prague
After breakfast, transfer to Prague Airport for your departure flight.
(BB)
BB:Buffet Breakfast; D:Dinner