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ITINERARY Insight Vacations - Highlights of Eastern Europe
Tour Pace
This tour is perfectly paced with two night stays in each of the six cities visited, allowing ample time for sightseeing & leisure. All the driving days are of a reasonable length with frequent stops.
DAY 1 – VIENNA AT LEISURE
Complimentary transfers depart from Vienna Airport to the tour hotel. Relax or explore this afternoon. Why not take a stroll through the leafy Stadtpark to see the gilded statue of Strauss? Tonight, join your fellow travellers for a Welcome Drink. Hotel: Crowne Plaza /Vienna Hilton/Sofitel.
DAY 2 – VIENNA – BUDAPEST
Today we follow the Danube Valley to vibrant Budapest. On arrival, we view the spectacular bridges across the Danube from Gellert Hill. Later, we visit Matthias Church and admire the views of the ornate Parliament from the Fisherman's Bastion. Then we visit Heroes' Square in Pest. Tonight, we enjoy a highlight evening of Hungarian music and dinner. Hotel: Sofitel Atrium /Danubius Grand Hotel Margitsziget. (Buffet breakfast, Speciality Highlight Dinner)
DAY 3 – SZENTENDRE EXCURSION
We enjoy some 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 the shops before we return to Budapest. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 4 – BUDAPEST – KRAKOW
A gentle drive today into Slovakia and through the breathtaking Tatra Mountains, where peasants still live in traditional wooden houses. We see the picturesque Oravsky Hrad Castle, then we cross into Poland and continue to historic Krakow. Hotel: Sheraton. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 5 – KRAKOW SIGHTSEEING
We tour historic Krakow with a local guide - for centuries the seat of Poland's kings! We ascend Wawel Hill, with its castle and legendary dragon, to visit the cathedral. Then we 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! (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 6 – KRAKOW – WARSAW
This morning we make a rather sombre visit with a local guide to the Auschwitz concentration camp and we see nearby Birkenau. Then 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. We continue across the Polish Plains to Poland's capital, Warsaw. Hotel: Sheraton Hotel & Towers /Sofitel. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 7 – WARSAW SIGHTSEEING
Warsaw was almost totally destroyed during WWII and it was only the detail in Canaletto's paintings of the city that allowed the authentic reconstruction we see today. On our guided tour, we see the 'wedding cake' Palace of Culture and the Chopin Memorial in the Lazienki Park. We also pay our respects at the emotive Monument of the Ghetto Heroes and finally, we see the reconstructed Old Town, including the Royal Palace. This afternoon, why not enjoy a special Chopin concert? (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 8 – WARSAW – BERLIN
We leave Warsaw this morning and head over the fertile plains to the historic river port of Poznan. There's time for lunch in the charming Old Town Square before we cross the German frontier at the River Oder on our way to the capital, Berlin. Hotel: Concorde Hotel. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 9 – BERLIN & POTSDAM SIGHTSEEING
This morning a local expert, shows us the Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag building (symbol of Hitler's rise to power) and Germany's Parliament building. We drive along Unter den Linden seeing the beautifully restored State Opera House and Alexanderplatz. This afternoon we enjoy a highlight excursion to historic Potsdam to visit the Cecilienhof, where the 1945 Treaty was signed. We also visit the Gardens of Frederick the Great's Sans Souci Palace. Tonight, why not enjoy an evening out in a lively local restaurant? (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 10 – BERLIN – PRAGUE
Today we drive south to Dresden. A walking tour here shows us the Frauenkirche, now rising once again from wartime destruction. We also see the Castle of the Electors of Saxony, including the unique Saxon Wall overlaid with Meissen tiles and the courtyards of the Zwinger Palace and the Opera House. After some free time, we continue over the border to the Czech Republic, and to its capital, Prague. Hotel: Diplomat/Crowne Plaza. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 11 – PRAGUE SIGHTSEEING
Prague has blossomed since the 'Velvet Revolution', but its unique character remains unchanged. On our guided tour today we visit the amazing St Vitus' Cathedral set inside the 1,000 year old Prague Castle. We also walk to the spectacular Old Town Square with its incredible Astronomical Clock. Tonight, why not enjoy some of Prague's exciting night life? (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 12 – PRAGUE – VIENNA
Leaving Prague, we enjoy a delightful drive through the green Bohemian countryside. We stop in medieval Cesky Krumlov, with its ancient town and Renaissance castle on either side of the River Vltava. After some free time we return to Vienna. Hotel: Vienna Hilton/Sofitel. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 13 – VIENNA SIGHTSEEING
With our expert local guide we venture inside the glorious State Apartments of Schönbrunn Palace! Time also to admire the gardens and Gloriette, before we see the baroque St Charles' Church. We drive around the famous 'Ring' passing the Opera House, the Hofburg Imperial Residence and Parliament. This afternoon is at leisure. Tonight, why not enjoy a farewell dinner? (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 14 – VIENNA
Our tour ends today with a complimentary transfer from your tour hotel to Vienna Airport. (Buffet breakfast)
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