Touch down in Germany’s buzzing capital and get ready to kick off your adventure in serious style. After you’ve checked in and had a chance to explore on your own, you’ll meet your Travel Director and fellow travelers. It’s your first taste of what’s to come – new faces, new places and a whole lot of good times ahead. Ready to roll? Berlin’s just the beginning.
This city has endured more over the past century than most, and yet you can almost feel its ‘let the good times roll' mentality as you see many iconic sites on Unter den Linden. Sightseeing with a Local Guide includes views of the Reichstag, Brandenburg Gate and Tiergarten. Spend the rest of the day exploring the city your way or choose your own Berlin adventure with a Choice Experience or two. Dive deep into the city's past on a World War II and Cold War tour or walk the path of the Berlin Wall on a flavor-packed food and history tour through East Berlin. Prefer a quieter vibe? Head to the countryside for a hearty dinner of German specialties.
Head into Poland and stop off in picture-perfect Poznań for an orientation and some free time to explore the Old Town your way – think colorful streets, cozy cafes and a relaxed local vibe. This afternoon, roll into Warsaw where the past meets the present in bold style. Want to dive deeper? Join a Choice Experience that traces the city’s wartime history, from the ghetto bridge to secret escape routes and bustling market halls.
Kick off your day with a Choice Experience to the grand Wilanów Palace, where a Local Guide will reveal royal secrets and baroque brilliance. Later, uncover Warsaw’s rich past on a guided tour through the Old Town. Spot landmarks like St. John’s Cathedral and the Royal Palace, and reflect at the site of the former Warsaw Ghetto. This afternoon is yours to explore, or dive into a different side of the city with a Choice Experience through the edgy Praga district – complete with a visit to Poland’s first vodka museum. This evening, keep the culture going with an optional Chopin piano recital in a beautiful historic setting.
Today you'll travel south towards the former Royal Capital of Krakow. Pay your respects during a visit to the memorial site of the former concentration camp at Auschwitz, honoring the survivors and victims of the Holocaust.
Today is all about uncovering the legendary history of this beautiful city. You can kick things off with a Choice Experience exploring the UNESCO-listed Wieliczka Salt Mines, often referred to as the Underground Salt Cathedral of Poland. Then, your Local Guide will take you on a sightseeing tour, sharing the thrilling tale of the city’s origins as you trace its medieval walls and see Wawel Castle where the dragon once roamed in its dungeons. You’ll have the rest of the day to yourself - perhaps you’d like to spend the afternoon wandering the UNESCO-listed Old Town? This evening, why not enjoy a night out with an optional farmhouse dinner and Polka party where you'll swing around the dance floor after a meal of Polish specialties.
Head south through Poland, then travel through the pastoral heart of Slovakia bound for Hungary. Your final destination is Budapest, which sits straddled on either side of the beautiful Danube – two halves shaped by a captivating mix of Magyar, German, Slav, Jewish, Roma and Turkish settlers that have made Budapest into the cultural capital it is today. Begin your exploration of this 'Pearl of the Danube' on the water with an optional scenic cruise on a private boat along the Danube. Against an enchanting illuminated backdrop, you'll enjoy a dinner of Hungarian specialties while you sail underneath the famous Chain Bridge and past Budapest's majestic Parliament building.
Like all great capitals, Budapest's story begins with a legend, and your Local Guide will share all the exciting tales during your sightseeing. Then there's time to explore the 1000-year history of Budapest on your own or perhaps join an Optional Experience, including a goulash cooking demonstration, to the medieval town of Szentendre, set on the banks of the Danube.
All that glitters certainly is gold in Budapest. You'll see this first-hand during an optional visit to the Hungarian Parliament. The highlights of Bohemia just keep on coming as you continue our trip across the hilly landscapes of Transdanubia to Győr, a charming city which sits at the crossroads of Central Europe, midway between Budapest and Vienna. Wander the historic streets then continue across the Austrian border arriving in Vienna later today, a city where music literally surrounds you.
It’s entirely up to you how to explore this musical capital of the world. You could spend hours wandering the streets when you visit Vienna, or perhaps take a guided trip to Schönbrunn Palace, the former summer residence of the Habsburgs, one of the most influential royal families of Europe. You'll need no excuse to embrace the locals' love of the good life as you indulge in the city's coffee house culture with a heavenly slice of Sachertorte to tame your chocoholic tendencies. Meet your Local Guide, who will reveal the secrets and stories of this imperial city. See the Parliament, the Vienna Opera House, the Hofburg and the City Hall. This evening, the melodies of a musical Vienna are the order of the day if you join an optional dinner with traditional music.
Today we’ll say goodbye to Vienna's enchanting symphony and travel north to the Czech Republic on your Bohemia value tour. First stop is the medieval town of Brno and we'll pass through gorgeous green and gold landscapes, before arriving in Prague later today. The City of a Hundred Spires shines even brighter at night, so it’s only fitting to join an evening introduction to this fairy-tale city. Hit the town and try a local brew to quench your thirst, discovering the dry-hopped goodness for which Prague is renowned.
While other capitals of Central Europe smouldered, Prague was saved from a similar fate during World War II. You'll see why when you head out on a sightseeing tour with your Local Guide, with stops to see highlights including Prague Castle, the Cathedral of St. Vitus and the Old Town Square. With the rest of the afternoon free to explore Prague your way, why not see other beautiful sides of the city from the water, with an optional lunch cruise along the Vltava that will reveal the legends, myths and hidden secrets of this enchanting city.
It’s time to say goodbye to Prague, your Travel Director and travel mates. You’re heading home with new friends, big memories and stories worth sharing. Until next time!
