Highlights of Eastern Europe
18 Days
Featuring: Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Hungary, Slovakia,
Poland, Germany and Czech Republic
Day 1 Depart
North America Overnight flight to Vienna.
Day 2 Arrive Vienna You are met at
Vienna airport and transferred to your hotel. After check-in we
learn about the Hapsburg dynasties and their enormous Empire on
our afternoon sightseeing tour. Later, we will enjoy a welcome
drink with our Tour Director.
Day 3 Vienna - Ljublijana This morning
we head for the Karawanken mountains and over the Loiblpass into
the green hills of Slovenia. Soon we arrive at the Slovenian capital,
Ljublijana where our sightseeing tour highlights the Opera House,
Cathedral, National Museum, Castle and the numerous parks of this
Roman founded city. Dinner is at our hotel this evening. (Buffet
Breakfast/ Dinner)
Day 4 Ljublijana - Lake Bled This
morning, don't miss the chance to visit the world-famous Lipizza
Stud Farm and the awe-inspiring Postojna Caves. Then time for
last-minute shopping at Ljublijana's colourful open-air market
before our short drive to the charming resort of Lake Bled. Later,
why not enjoy a leisurely stroll along the lake shoes before dinner
at the hotel tonight?
(Buffet Breakfast/ Dinner)
Day 5 Lake Bled - Zagreb (2nights)
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!
(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? (Buffet Breakfast/ Dinner)
Day 7 Zagreb - Budapest (2nights)
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, we will enjoy an included Hungarian dinner,
accompanied by local musicians.
(Buffet Breakfast/ Restaurant dinner in Budapest)
Day 8 Budapest sightseeing & at leisure
After breakfast our morning sightseeing with a local guide
includes stunning views from the Fishermen's Bastion over the
Danube and Parliament, we also view the Great Synagogue and visit
Heroes' Square. Tonight, don't miss the chance of an illuminated
dinner cruise along the Danube!
(Buffet Breakfast)
Day 9 Budapest - Slovakia - Krakow (2nights)
This morning we drive to the Slovakian border and on to Poland
and the foothills of the Tatra Mountains. Soon we are in Krakow.
Tonight, we enjoy an included speciality dinner accompanied by
the music of violins.
(Buffet Breakfast/ Restaurant dinner in Krakow)
Day 10 Krakow sightseeing & at leisure
The castle and Cathedral on Wawel Hill, plus a stroll through
the Old Town to visit the Cloth Hall and the Mariacki Church all
feature on our morning sightseeing. This afternoon, a visit to
the Wieliczka salt mine is a must! Tonight, why not enjoy a Polish
Polka Party? (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 11 Krakow - Auschwitz - Czestochowa
- Warsaw (2nights) 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.
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, on to
Warsaw for our two-nights stay. (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 12 Warsaw sightseeing and at leisure
Today's morning sightseeing 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 Sobeiski - Victor of Vienna. Tonight after dinner at our
hotel, why not attend a Chopin recital? (Buffet Breakfast/ Dinner)
Day 13 Warsaw - Poznan - Berlin (2nights)
Today we cross the central plains of Poland to Poznan, with its
charming City Hall and Gothic churches. Then to the border town
of Frankfurt-an-der-Oder and into Germany, where we are soon in
the re-instated capital, Berlin. (Buffet Breakfast)
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 the day is at leisure.
(Buffet Breakfast)
Day 15 Berlin - Dresden - Prague (2nights)
Our morning drive takes us through the Spreewald forest to 'Florence
on the Elbe', beautiful Dresden. Here an orientation 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 and at leisure
Our sightseeing tour of this golden University city features
Hradçany Castle, the Cathedral of St. Vitus, the Astronomical
clock, St. Charles' Bridge and the Old Town Square. Then time
at leisure perhaps to enjoy a lunch cruise on the Vltava River.
Tonight we will enjoy dinner at our hotel. (Buffet Breakfast/
Dinner)
Day 17 Prague - Lednice - Vienna
This morning 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 a short drive back into Austria and Imperial
Vienna. (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 18 Vienna - North America We transfer you
to the airport for our return flight to America with memories
of a vacation you will never forget! (Buffet Breakfast)
Additional Visa Requirements
Visas may be required for EASTERN EUROPE and can be obtained by
your Travel Agent for a fee, prior to leaving home. Note:
that separate visas are needed for the Slovak Republic and Czech
Republic. No Visa can be issued at borders in Europe.
2002