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Highlights of Central Europe

Trip type: 
Cultural
Adventure level: 
2. Gentle
Max group size: 
16
Avg user rating: 
5
Austria, Czech Republic, Europe, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia | 14 days
Trip code: 
XVU
What's included: 

Transport - Public bus, train, minibus, on foot.

Accommodation - Hotel (13nts).

Meals - 13 breakfasts.

Trip Highlights: 
Visit the sights of Eastern Europe's historic cities
Walk through the beauty of the Tatra Mountains
Explore quaint baroque towns sampling their culinary delights
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You'll follow an itinerary which has been researched and planned by our experts, saving you all the hassle of organising the trip. The itineraries are designed to minimise the time spent travelling and maximise the variety of experiences.
We often have multiple itineraries so please check to see which itinerary is suitable for you, by selecting the relevant tab.
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Itinerary

(Departures in 2013-14)
  • Day 1 - Fly to Prague
  • Day 2 - Sightseeing in Prague
  • Day 3 - Cesky Kremlov
  • Day 4 - Telc & Mikulov
  • Day 5 - Into Slovakia
  • Day 6 - Bratislava
  • Day 7 - Vienna
  • Day 8 - Historic Vienna
  • Day 9 - Medieval Sopron
  • Day 10 - Budapest and the Danube
  • Day 11 - Tatra Mountains
  • Day 12 - Free Day
  • Day 13 - Krakow
  • Day 14 - Tour Ends
Extensions and Extras: Extend your holiday and see more of the world. View additional tours for this trip »
Day
1
Fly to Prague

Fly to Prague

Fly to Prague; transfer to your hotel for overnight stay Hotel - 2 nts.

Day
2
Sightseeing in Prague

Sightseeing in Prague

A full day to explore the wealth of attractions Prague has to offer, with some guided sightseeing in the morning and some free time. You will explore the Old Town, with the famous Wenceslas Square, and Prague Castle, the largest ancient castle in the world (entrance fees at additional charge). (B)

Day
3
Cesky Kremlov

Cesky Kremlov

You head south to the quaint town of Cesky Krumlov. En route you visit the picturesque village of Holasovice, a World Heritage site, which is one of the best places to see Baroque folk architectural style. Cesky Krumlov, whose chateau is perched delightfully on a hill overlooking the town, is one of Central Europe’s gems. The quintessential cobbled streets, red roofs and surrounding hills make this a popular day trip for many. For this reason, the town is best viewed in the early evening and morning. Hotel - 1 nt (B)

Day
4
Telc & Mikulov

Telc & Mikulov

Today you head to Mikulov. On the way you stop at Telc, another  World Heritage site, a lovely Renaissance town that was destroyed by  fire in the 16th century. The town has remained largely untouched since and represents a unique insight into this period of history. The next stop is Znojmo, where you will come across a number of fascinating places, including a castle perched on a rocky cliff, the Znojemska Rotunda Chapel and a 27km network of underground tunnels. Your day ends in the wine-growing town of Mikulov. Hotel - 1 nt (B)

Day
5

Into Slovakia

Set out on a tour of the Medieval town. Mikulov has a varied history, which has been greatly influenced by its location on the Austrian border. The large Jewish community that resided here after their expulsion from Austria in 1421, also had a major effect on the area, but today it is in the centre of the wine-production in Moravia. You move on to Lednice to visit the castle, which features a landscaped garden and park. At the end of the day you cross the border into Slovakia, ending up at the royal town of Skalica. Hotel - 1nt (B)

Day
6

Bratislava

Your tongue is in for a treat today. Your first stop is the Franciscan monastery to see how the traditional Trdelnik cake is made, along with the chance to try some. You then transfer to Straznice, an outdoor museum, where after lunch you will be taken through the unique village that showcases the way people lived in the mountains centuries ago. Plze wine cellars are next, where you will sample some of the local wines in the company of one of the producers and some lively folk music. Afterwards you transfer to Bratislava. Hotel - 1nt (B)

Day
7
Vienna

Vienna

Bratislava may be one of Europe's youngest capitals, but it has a long and rich history, as it was once the capital of the Kingdom of Hungary. They city features two castles: Devin Castle, which was destroyed by Napolean's troops in 1809 and Bratislava Castle with its distinctive four towers and wonderful views over the Danube. After lunch you'll visit the old town, the picturesque streets and baroque buildings, including the Grassalkovichov Palace. In the evening you transfer to Vienna. Hotel - 2nts (B)

Day
8
Historic Vienna

Historic Vienna

Full day’s sightseeing in the wonderful city of Vienna, including visits to the grand Schonbrunn Palace and St. Stephens Cathedral  and an optional visit to the Mozart Museum (additional charge). Late afternoon there will be some free time and an optional visit to an evening concert (this will need to be pre-booked and so will be explained by your leader on Day 1). (B)

Day
9
Medieval Sopron

Medieval Sopron

Today you drive to the quaint medieval town of Sopron in Hungary where Franz List had his residence: there will be time to have lunch here and explore the historic parts of the town. You continue to Budapest in the evening. Hotel - 2nts (B)

Day
10

Budapest and the Danube

The mighty Danube literally splits this great city into two halves, Buda, dominated by the Castle Hill Palace complex, high above the river, and Pest, the bustling and more cosmopolitan centre of trade. The morning is spent visiting the Castle Hill area, perched above the Danube and inner city area. In the afternoon you visit the charming riverside town of Szentendre, a short drive north of Budapest following the ‘Danube Bend’. Szentendre, traditionally an artists’ colony, is full of pretty houses painted in pastel shades and many small galleries. In the evening there is an optional boat cruise on the Danube (additional charge), offering close-up views of the spectacular Neo-Gothic Parliament building on the waterfront. (B)

Day
11
Tatra Mountains

Tatra Mountains

Leaving Hungary behind, today you journey into the Tatra Mountains in Slovakia, stopping en route in Banska Stiavnica. This town is now on the UNESCO World Heritage list and has a rich history thanks to its once prolific mines, which in the middle ages was the main supplier of gold and silver to the Kingdom of Hungary. You then move on to Vlkolinek in the Maly Fatra Mountains. The town dates back to 1372 and today is a Folk Architecture Monument Reserve. Your next stop is the highest settlement in the Tatras. Strbske Pleso Lake is a popular spot for both summer and winter sports enthusiasts and is a great place to sample the high-mountain atmosphere. Your final destination is Stary Smokovec, a pretty mountain town with good access to some lovely walking trails. Hotel - 1nt (B)

Day
12
Free Day

Free Day

The High Tatras National Park is among the best in Europe, with glacial valleys, mountain lakes and waterfalls. If you keep your eyes peeled you might be lucky enough to spot some of the wildlife that resides here, including brown bears, chamois, marmots and wolves. There are plenty of activities on offer here, or you can simply enjoy some of the fantastic walks that are right on your doorstep. In the evening you transfer to the Polish capital of Krakow. Hotel - 2nts (B)

Day
13
Krakow

Krakow

You take a short tour on foot of the main sights of the old city, including the Mariacki church, Old Market Square, the Jewish quarter and Wawel Hill. Wawel Castle is renowned as the best example of a renaissance style castle on the north side of Alps. The afternoon is free to explore, or an optional visit to the impressive and labyrinth like Wieliczka Salt Mine. This vast network of tunnels and rooms now covers 9 levels to a depth of 327m and was described by an eighteenth-century visitor as being ‘as remarkable as the Pyramids and more useful’. This huge medieval underground salt mine contains chambers, chapels and even concert halls all excavated from salt by hand. (B)

Day
14

Tour Ends

The tour ends in Krakow, where you transfer to the airport and fly home (B)