Majestic Cities of Central & Eastern Europe

Set out to experience the very best of Europe’s cultural capitals.
Hotel Name: Radisson Red Hotel

Arrive in Germany’s capital city of Berlin, a blend of deep-rooted history, modern flair and multi-cultural influences. With no scheduled sightseeing today, spend the day as you wish, exploring the city independently. Tonight, join your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner.
Dinner Included

Visit Area: Berlin
Berlin is the capital and the largest city in Germany. Berlin is located in northeastern Germany on the banks of the River Spree. Berlin dates back to the 13th century. Throughout history Berlin has played a major role in several wars including World War II and the Cold War. After the Cold War ended, the Berlin wall, which divided East and West Berlin, fell. Part of the wall is still intact and visible today, and serves as a reminder of an important part of Berlin’s history. Today, modern Berlin is known for its many cultural attractions, architecture and its high quality of living.

This morning, head out with your local guide and get to know Berlin’s rich history while passing by the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, Schoenberg City Hall, Kurfürstendamm, and the Reichstag Building. Finish your morning city tour by meeting with a Berliner to learn about life in communist East Germany before the fall of the Berlin Wall. Later, enjoy some free time for lunch on your own in one of the neighborhood’s many restaurants. Later this afternoon, set out on a panoramic tour into historic West Berlin, seeing the former border crossing known as Checkpoint Charlie and remnants of the Berlin Wall. The rest of the day is yours to discover and explore at leisure.

Breakfast Included
Hotel Name: Majestic Plaza Hotel

Visit Area: Dresden
This city is located on the Elbe River in Saxony, not far from the Czech border, and has a population of about one million. It is known as the “Jewel Box” for the baroque and rococo architecture in the city center, created by the Kings of Saxony who were based here. In the 20th century it was most famous as one of the cities that were firebombed by the Allies in 1945 near the end of WWII. In 3 days over 90% of the city center was destroyed by incendiary bombs and the firestorm which followed, and Kurt Vonnegut’s book “Slaughterhouse Five” was based on this raid. Dresden was in East Germany until the reunification in 1989, and the city center has been well restored.

Depart for Prague this morning, the “City of a Thousand Spires.” En route, make a stop in Dresden, the capital of Saxony. Meet a local guide for a tour highlighting its’ baroque splendor and architectural treasures such as Frauenkirche, the Cathedral of our Lady and the Royal Palace. Enjoy time on your own to explore this lovely town on the banks of the River Elbe. After arriving in Prague, enjoy your evening savoring classic Czech cuisine in a local restaurant together with a folklore performance.

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included

Visit Area: Prague
Prague is the capital of the Czech Republic and of the state of Bohemia, with a population of about 2 million in the metro area. Because it received very little damage in WWII, it is has many beautifully preserved sights from several eras and its historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It was capital of the Holy Roman Empire and a center of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and it was the site of the Velvet Revolution in 1989 when citizens peacefully took Czechoslovakia back from the Communists. It is known for music (composers Dvorak, Smetana and Mozart lived here), literature (Franz Kafka) and for having almost as many kinds of Pilsner beer as it has bars and restaurants.

Your introduction to this fairy-tale city opens with a visit to the remarkable Prague Castle and the haunting St. Vitus Cathedral. Home to kings and emperors, the complex at Prague Castle is one of the most important sites in the Czech Republic and is easily the highlight of the city. Continue on a leisurely walking tour through the Old Town and see the unique Astronomical Clock and the statue-lined Charles Bridge. Learn about the poignant history held in Prague’s Jewish Quarter when you pass the Old Jewish Cemetery and Synagogue. The rest of the afternoon is yours to enjoy Prague during your free time.

Breakfast Included
Hotel Name: Imperial Riding School Hotel

Admittance: Prague Castle
Prague Castle is a complex of intrigue based in 9th century stone – an ancient symbol of the Czech State and one of the world’s most significant cultural landmarks. The largest castle complex in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the castle serves as the official home of the President of the Czech Republic, and the residence of princes and kings since the 10th century. This age-old, ageless landmark hides a different kind of stone, or stones – Prague Castle is home to the Bohemian Crown Jewels. The crown, the scepter, and the coronation cloak of St. Wenceslas is protected behind a chamber door, an iron safe, and seven locks – the keys to which only seven people possess.

This morning, hop on a train and depart for your next adventure to Vienna, the “musical city.” Upon arrival in Vienna, enjoy a short orientation drive through the city. Learn about Vienna’s sweet confectionary history at a candy workshop, where candies are still made according to traditional recipes dating back over 150 years. Then, enjoy an Impact Moment at a Viennese coffee house connecting generations, because at this café, the baked goods are lovingly crafted by grandmas. This social enterprise aims to give local retirees a chance to engage with locals and travelers around the world. Later, enjoy an evening just outside of Vienna at a beloved, folksy Viennese restaurant, where dinner intertwines with local culture and flavor to create an unforgettable night.

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included

Admittance: Pannonhalma Archabbey

This morning, meet your local guide for a scenic walking tour to Vienna’s city center and take in the beautiful architecture, scenic parks, and gothic spires that fill the city followed by some free time to make your own discoveries. Later this afternoon, participate in one of Vienna’s most treasured traditions during a Viennese Waltz lesson. Tonight, perhaps you’ll choose to explore the interiors at the magnificent Schönbrunn Palace and listen to a musical performance at the famous Orangerie where the past comes alive.

Breakfast Included
Hotel Name: Up Hotel

Visit Area: Vienna
This is the capital city of Austria, located on the Danube, with a population of over 2 million in the metro area. It is known as the “City of Music” because of the numerous famous composers who have lived and worked here, such as Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven and Brahms, and also as the “City of Dreams” as it was home to Sigmund Freud. Some of its primary sights are Schonbrunn Palace, Hofburg Palace, Opera House, Belvedere and St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Vienna is also known for its coffee houses and restaurants.

Sit back, relax, and enjoy the picturesque countryside en route to Budapest. Make a stop in Bratislava, Slovakia, the former Imperial capital of the Habsburg Empire. Get to know the city’s 4,000-year-old history during an orientation walking tour with your Tour Manager before taking time to enjoy lunch on your own. Next, head towards a true historical gem and UNESCO site: Pannonhalma. Hear about the abbey’s history dating back a thousand years and present life in the Archabbey from one of the monks. The succession of history can be seen clearly in the various architectural styles of the monastic buildings. Top off your day in this region with a delicious meal in a local restaurant. Continue to lovely Budapest, a city divided by the Danube with historic Buda on one side and cosmopolitan Pest on the opposite bank.

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included

Admittance: Viennese Coffee House

The beautiful city of Budapest is yours to discover. This morning, a local expert provides an informative city tour featuring Fisherman's Bastion, Matthias Church, Old Buda, the New Parliament, and Gellert Hill with a special stop at Heroes' Square, a unique monument to the diverse leaders of Hungary. The rest of the afternoon is yours to explore as you like. This evening, perhaps you’ll take in the essence of the region during an optional dinner followed by a cruise to view Budapest’s stunning night skyline.

Breakfast Included

Visit Area: Budapest
This city on the Danube is actually two cities: Buda and Pest, divided by the river. In its history, it has been Celtic, Roman, invaded by Mongols and Turks, second capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and now the capital Hungary, with about 1.8 million people. Its varied architecture from so many cultures helped make Budapest a UNESCO World Heritage site, and it is known for its coffee houses, traditional Hungarian restaurants and working Turkish baths from the 16th century.

This morning, it’s your choice! Choose to visit the House of Terror Museum and Memorial and gain an important perspective of 20th-century Hungarian history -OR- indulge in the famous Thermal Baths of Budapest,* one of the largest spa baths in Europe. This afternoon is yours to uncover “the Queen of the Danube” however you wish.

Breakfast Included
Hotel Name: Mercure Krakow Old Town

Visit Area: Kraków
A city that has grown from a Stone Age settlement to Poland’s second most important city, Kraków is one of the oldest cities in Poland, dating back to the 7th century. The historic city has traditionally been one of the leading centers of Polish academic, cultural and artistic life and is one of Poland’s most important economic hubs. The 15th and 16th centuries were known as Poland’s Golden Age, when many works of Polish renaissance art and architecture were created. In 1978, UNESCO placed Krakow Old Town on the first-ever list of World Heritage Sites. In Kraków visitors will see notable renaissance buildings, synagogues, as well as modern buildings featuring new architectural styles.

Take in the picturesque landscapes en route to Poland. Make a stop for lunch near Donovaly, a small village situated within Low Tatras National Park. Your home for the next three nights is the lively city of Krakow, a historic city offering old world charm. This evening, get to know traditional Polish culture during a folklore show and dinner featuring local cuisine.

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Lunch Included
Dinner Included

Admittance: Wawel Castle
This 14th century Gothic castle is in Krakow, Poland’s 2nd largest city, and was built by Casimir III, and is considered the most important cultural site in Poland. It was the residence of the Kings of Poland, and the sword called Szczerbiec, which was used in the royal coronation ceremonies, is on display in the castle. It is now used as an important art museum, with collections of Italian Renaissance paintings, textiles, tapestries and armor. Before WWII it was the official residence of the Polish President, and since has become a national museum. A fragment of a column from Wawel Castle is incorporated in the Tribune Tower in Chicago as a tribute to the large Polish population of Chicago.

Discover Krakow’s historic Old Town on a city tour complete with stops at the Market Square, St. Mary’s Church, and the university. In Market Square, marvel at the Gothic city hall tower and the beautiful palaces that surround you. You’ll also get an inside look at Wawel Castle, a former residence of Polish kings. This afternoon, embark on a poignant journey through history as you travel to the camps of Auschwitz.** A local expert guides you through the former concentration camp, where you will learn about the sobering history and resilience of the human spirit. The evening is yours to spend it as you wish.

Breakfast Included

Admittance: Auschwitz
This town was called Oswiecim by the Poles, and in 1940 the Nazi occupiers of Poland established a camp here to house Polish political prisoners, part of a network of concentration camps which began to appear in the 1930s. It was part of a large network of camps by the end of the war. In 1941, the Nazis began a second camp, Birkenau, nearby to house the ever-increasing number of prisoners. Also in 1941, Auschwitz-Birkenau became the largest of the Nazi death camps, when mass exterminations began using Zylon B gas. The exact death toll will never be known, but it is estimated to be between 1.5 and 2 million dead, with as many 900,000 Jews in that number. The SS destroyed most records, and the estimates have been put together from many other sources, such as train records. Joseph Mengele conducted numerous medical experiments here, especially on twins and dwarfs. The camp was liberated in January of 1947 by the Red Army.

This morning, join a local guide and discover Krakow’s most known city district, Kazimierz. On a walking tour, you’ll visit many synagogues along with one of the most prominent ones – the Remuh Synogogue and Cemetery. Walk the former Jewish Market with your guide and connect with the Jewish history and culture along the way. The rest of the day is yours to explore the town on your own. Toast to the end of this memorable trip as you sit down with your fellow travelers at a Jewish restaurant, feeling connected to the cultures and traditions of Central and Eastern Europe.

Breakfast Included
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Your tour comes to a close today.

Breakfast Included