| Highlights of Eastern Europe - Itinerary |
DAY
1 – UK – VIENNA
After your scheduled flight to Vienna Airport, there are complimentary
transfers to your hotel at 09.00, 12.00 & 15.00hrs. The afternoon is at leisure. Later, join your Tour
Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Drink. Hotel: NH Danube City/Hilton. |
DAY
8 – WARSAW – BERLIN
Cross fertile plains
to the historic river port of Poznan. There’s time for
lunch in the charming Old Town Square before crossing the
German frontier at the River Oder on your way to the capital,
Berlin. Hotel: Concorde. (BB) |
DAY
2 – VIENNA – BUDAPEST
Follow the Danube Valley to vibrant Budapest. On arrival, view
the spectacular bridges across the Danube from Gellert Hill. Visit Matthias Church, admire the views of
the ornate Parliament from the Fisherman’s Bastion and visit Heroes’ Square in Pest. Enjoy a highlight
evening of Hungarian music and cuisine. Hotel: Corinthia Grand Royal. (BB,HD) |
DAY
9 – BERLIN & POTSDAM SIGHTSEEING
A local expert introduces
the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag building (symbol of Hitler’s
rise to power) and Germany’s Parliament building. Drive
along Unter den Linden, seeing the beautifully restored State
Opera House and Alexanderplatz. Enjoy a highlight excursion
to historic Potsdam to visit the Cecilienhof, where the 1945
Treaty was signed, and visit the Gardens of Frederick the
Great’s Sans Souci Palace. Consider enjoying an evening
out in a lively local restaurant. (BB) |
DAY
3 – SZENTENDRE EXCURSION
Enjoy time at leisure
before driving past the remains of the Roman settlement of
Aquincum to the picturesque riverside village of Szentendre,
with its brightly coloured houses and quaint churches. There’s
time to browse in the shops before returning to Budapest.
(BB,D) |
DAY
10 – BERLIN – PRAGUE
Drive south to Dresden
where a walking tour introduces the Frauenkirche, now rising
once again from wartime destruction. See the Castle of the
Electors of Saxony, including the unique Saxon Wall overlaid
with Meissen tiles, the courtyards of the Zwinger Palace and
the Opera House. After some free time, head for the Czech
border high in the Ore Mountains and continue to the capital
of Prague. Hotel: Crowne Plaza Castle. (BB,D) |
DAY
4 – BUDAPEST – KRAKOW
Enjoy a gentle drive
into Slovakia and through the breathtaking Tatra Mountains,
where peasants still live in traditional wooden houses. See
the picturesque Oravsky Hrad Castle before crossing into Poland
and continuing to historic Krakow. Hotel: Sheraton. (BB,D) |
DAY
11 – PRAGUE SIGHTSEEING
Prague has blossomed
since the ‘Velvet Revolution’, but its unique
character remains unchanged. On a guided tour, visit the amazing
St Vitus’ Cathedral, which is set inside the 1,000-year-old
Prague Castle. Later, cross the river to explore the cobblestoned
Old Town Square and see its famous Astronomical Clock. As
night falls, why not enjoy Prague’s exciting night life?
(BB,D) |
DAY
5 – KRAKOW SIGHTSEEING
Join a local guide to
tour historic Krakow – for centuries the seat of Poland’s
kings. Ascend Wawel Hill, with its castle and legendary dragon,
to visit the cathedral. Walk through the Old Town, past the
courtyard of Jagiellonian University and Cloth Hall, to visit
the 14th century St Mary’s Church (keep your eyes and
ears peeled for the trumpeter in the tower). (BB) |
DAY
12 – PRAGUE – VIENNA
Enjoy a delightful drive
through the green Bohemian countryside to medieval Cesky Krumlov,
with its ancient town and Renaissance castle on either side
of the River Vltava. After some free time to explore, return
to Vienna. Hotel: Hilton. (BB) |
DAY
6 – KRAKOW – WARSAW
Make a sombre visit
with a local guide to the Auschwitz concentration camp and
see nearby Birkenau. Travel north to Czestochowa to visit
the 14th century Monastery of Jasna Gora, famous for the Black
Madonna, said to have been painted by St Luke. Continue across
the Polish Plains to the country’s capital, Warsaw.
Hotel: Sheraton Hotel & Towers/Hilton. (BB,D) |
DAY
13 – VIENNA SIGHTSEEING
Venture inside the glorious
State Apartments of Schönbrunn Palace during a tour with
an expert local guide. There is also time to admire the gardens
and Gloriette before seeing the baroque St Charles’
Church. Drive around the famous ‘Ring’, passing
the Opera House, the Hofburg Imperial Residence and Parliament.
The rest of the day is at leisure: why not enjoy a farewell
dinner? (BB) |
DAY
7 – WARSAW SIGHTSEEING
Warsaw was almost totally
destroyed during World War Two and only the detail in Canaletto’s
paintings of the city enabled an authentic reconstruction
to take place. On a guided tour, see the ‘wedding cake’
Palace of Culture and the Chopin Memorial in the Lazienki
Park. Pay your respects at the emotive Monument of the Ghetto
Heroes and, finally, see the reconstructed Old Town, including
the Royal Palace. As night falls, why not enjoy a Chopin concert?
(BB,D) |
DAY
14 – VIENNA – UK
The tour ends with complimentary
transfers to Vienna Airport at 07.00 & 09.00 hours. (BB) |
