Highlights of Eastern Europe
Day 1 - Depart USA Overnight flight to Vienna.
Day 2 - Arrive Vienna On arrival at Vienna airport you are met and transferred to your hotel. After check-in we learn about the Hapsburg dynasties and their enormous Empire on our afternoon sightseeing tour which includes a walking tour of Old Vienna featuring St Stephen's Cathedral and "Am Hof". Later, we will enjoy a Welcome Dinner and drink in an Viennese restaurant with our Tour Director and fellow travelling companions. (Welcom Dinner)
Day 3 - Vienna — Lake Bled (2 nights) This morning we head for the Karawanken mountains and over the Loiblpass into the green hills of Slovenia. Soon we arrive in the place which has been nick-named an earthly paradise — Lake Bled, where we will enjoy a relaxing two-night stay. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 4 - Lake Bled — Excursion to Ljubljana Today we will drive to the nearby Slovenian capital Ljubljana, where sightseeing with a local guide highlights the Opers house, Cathedral, National Museum, Castle and the numerous parks of this Roman founded city. The rest of the day is at leisure - perhaps to take a boat trip on the lake or to visit the caves at Postonja. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 5 - Lake Bled — Zagreb (2 nights) After breakfast we make our way to Croatia and its capital, Zagreb. This afternoon our sightseeing tour includes the lower and upper town and shows us the majestic Cathedral, Archbishop's Palace, St. Mark's Church, the Opera House and more! Tonight dinner is served at our hotel.(Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 6 - Zagreb at leisure Enjoy a full day at leisure. Perhaps visit the museums and Art galleries of this culturally rich city. Later, you may wish to take a trip to the very picturesque Croatian Hinterland visiting the Plitvice Lakes National Park. Tonight dinner is served at our hotel. (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 7 - Zagreb — Budapest (2 nights) Today we cross the border into Hungary pausing on the shores of Lake Balaton. From here we continue to the twin towns of Buda and Pest. Tonight, don't miss the chance to take an optional illuminated dinner cruise along the Danube! (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 8 - Budapest sightseeing & at leisure After breakfast our morning sightseeing tour with a local guide includes a walking tour of Old Buda featuring stunning views from the Fishermen's Bastion over the Danube and Parliament, we also view the Great Synagogue and visit Heroes' Square. This evening, we will enjoy an included Hungarian dinner, accompanied by local musicians. (Buffet Breakfast/ Highlight Dinner)
Day 9 - Budapest — Slovakia — Krakow (2 nights) This morning our journey brings us to the Slovakian border and on to Poland and the foothills of the Tatra Mountains. Soon we are in Krakow, where we spend the next two nights. Tonight, why not enjoy a Polish Polka Party" (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 10 - Krakow sightseeing & at leisure The castle and Cathedral on Wawel Hill, plus a walking tour through the Old Town to visit the Cloth Hall and the Mariacki Church all feature on our morning sightseeing tour. This afternoon, a visit to the Wieliczka salt mine is a must! Tonight dinner is at our here. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 11 - Krakow — Auschwitz — Czestochowa — Warsaw (2 nights) This morning we step back into recent history when we visit the Concentration Camp at Auschwitz, so chillingly evoked in 'Schindler's List', reminding us of the World War II Holocaust. Then in contrast, the beautiful Paulite Monastery at Jasna Gora is our next stop with its portrait of Our Lady 'The Black Madonna', supposedly painted by St. Luke the Evangelist. Finally, we make our way to Warsaw for our two-night stay. (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 12 - Warsaw sightseeing & at leisure Today's morning sightseeing tour with a local guide includes a visit to the Old Town, the site of the Warsaw ghetto, seeing the sites evoked in Polanski's 'The Pianist', and views the Palace of Culture and Science. Later, don't miss a trip to the Wilanow palace, the residence of Polish King Sobieski - Victor of Vienna. Tonight after dinner at our hotel, why not attend a Chopin recital" (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 13 - Warsaw — Poznan — Berlin (2 nights) Today's drive takes us across the central plains of Poland to Poznan, with its charming City Hall and Gothic churches. Then off to the border town of Frankfurt-an-der-Oder and into Germany, where we are soon in the re-instated capital, Berlin. (Buffet Breakfst)
Day 14 - Berlin sightseeing & at leisure Today's sightseeing tour features a united Berlin and includes a visit to the Checkpoint Charlie Museum and views the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag Building, Unter den Linden Boulevard, and the German State Opera House. The rest of your day is at leisure, perhaps to visit nearby Potsdam or Pergamon on Museum Island. Tonight, why not try out some of this city's lively nightlife" (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 15 - Berlin — Dresden — Prague (2 nights) We travel through the Spreewald Forest to 'Florence on the Elbe', beautiful Dresden. On our arrival an orientation tour includes the Saxon Wall, Semper Opera and 18th century Cathedral. Next we cross into the Czech Republic. From here we make our way to the astonishing city of Prague for our two-night stay. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 16 - Prague sightseeing & at leisure Our morning sightseeing tour of this golden University city includes a walking tour featuring Hradçany Castle, the Cathedral of St. Vitus, the Astronomical clock, Charles' Bridge and the Old Town Square. Then there's time at leisure perhaps to enjoy a lunch cruise on the Vltava River. This evening, we will enjoy a dinner of local specialities at a characteristic restaurant. (Buffet Breakfast / Highlight Dinner)
Day 17 - Prague — Lednice — Vienna Vienna After breakfast, we drive via Brno and Southern Moravia to visit the gardens of the castle of Lednice, one time home of the Liechtenstein family. From here it's only a short drive back into Austria and Imperial Vienna, for the last night of our tour. (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 18 - Depart Vienna Farewell as we transfer to the airport for our return flight to America. (Buffet Breakfast)
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