Eastern European Panorama


13 days from Vienna to Budapest, Krakow, Warsaw, Berlin and Prague


Included Features

• First class hotels, rooms with private facilities

• Service charges and hotel taxes

• Breakfast daily and 6 dinners

• Airport transfers

• Touring by modern air-conditioned motor coach

• Professional Tour Director throughout

• Luggage handling

Sightseeing

• Vienna

• Budapest

• Krakow

• Warsaw

• Berlin

• Prague

Hotels

• Vienna, Reinassance

• Budapest, Mercure Korona

• Krakow, Radisson SAS

• Krakow, Holiday Inn

• Warsaw, Radisson SAS

• Berlin, Abba

• Prague, Diplomat
  

Itinerary

Day 1, (Sat) arrive in Vienna
You will be met and transferred to your hotel. Plenty of time to relax before meeting your fellow travelers and your Tour Director at the welcome dinner.

Day 2, (Sun) in Vienna
On your morning sightseeing tour, visit the Hofburg Palace, once the seat of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and view the Belvedere Palace, Prater amusement park, the UN buildings, St. Stephen's Cathedral and other vivid reminders of the city's imperial history. Afternoon is at leisure.

Day 3, (Mon) to Budapest
Today, travel east and cross the border to Hungary. Continue through the Transdanubian region, reaching Budapest just in time to relax before dinner.

Day 4, (Tue) in Budapest
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, the Royal Palace and the Castle Hill area, the Fisherman's Bastion, Matthias Church, the Heroes' Square and Gellert Hill with its Citadel. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore this exciting city on your own.

Day 5, (Wed) to Krakow
The road to Krakow winds through the lovely hills and countryside of Slovakia, past the Tatras Mountains and into the great plains of Poland. A relaxing dinner in Krakow is planned upon arrival.

Day 6, (Thu) in Krakow
Your sightseeing tour starts with a visit to the Wawel Hill, viewing the Royal Castle and visiting the Royal Cathedral. 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.

Day 7, (Fri) to Warsaw
This morning perhaps join an optional trip to one of the most somber memorials of the past, Auschwitz Concentration Camp. Later, journey to Czestochowa and visit the Yasna Gora Monastery, known for the blackened picture of the Virgin Mary popularly called the "Black Madonna". In the late afternoon, arrive in Poland's capital city, Warsaw.

Day 8, (Sat) in Warsaw
The 700 years old capital is a symbol of the Polish nationhood and the will to survive against great odds. A sightseeing tour here 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 by the Palace of Science and Culture (known as the "wedding cake"), the Saxon Gardens, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Monument to the Heroes of the Warsaw Ghetto and the Barbican. Continue with the walking tour of the Old Town, the Old Market Square and St. John's Cathedral. The rest of the day is free for relaxing, shopping, a stroll through the city or an optional late afternoon Chopin concert.

Day 9, (Sun) to Berlin
Stop in Poznan for an orientation tour, and then continue to Berlin, today's final destination.

Day 10, (Mon) in Berlin
Your morning sightseeing tour features the Reichstag, the Renaissance building that once housed Germany's Parliament, and the lovely Schloss Charlottenburg. The 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 once divided city on your own.

Day 11, (Tue) to Prague
This morning, continue your journey via Dresden, the beautiful Saxony Baroque city. On your orientation tour, view Zwinger Palace and Semper Opera House. Afterwards, continue to Prague, the Capital of Czech Republic.

Day 12, (Wed) in Prague
Built on seven hills more than 1000 years ago and spread over both banks of the river Vltava, Prague is one of the most attractive cities in Europe. Your city tour starts with a panoramic drive to the famous Wenceslas Square, the Strahov Stadium and the Castle Square. On a walking tour, 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 and the world famous Astronomical Clock. The rest of the day is free. An optional visit to a cultural performance will be available.

Day 13, (Thu) depart Prague
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your departure flight.