Highlights of Eastern Europe 2009
Day 1 - Depart USA Overnight flight to Vienna.
Day 2 - Arrive Vienna Welcome to Vienna, capital of Austria. After check-in we learn about the Habsburg dynasties and their enormous empire on our afternoon sightseeing tour which includes a walking tour of Old Vienna featuring St. Stephen's Cathedral and "Am Hof". Later, we will enjoy a Welcome Drink with our Tour Director and fellow travelling companions.
Day 3 - Vienna — Ljubljana — Lake Bled (2 nights) This morning we head for the Karawanken Mountains and over the Loiblpass into the green hills of Slovenia. We drive to the capital Ljubljana where sightseeing with a local guide highlights the Opera House, cathedral, National Museum, castle and the numerous parks of this Roman founded city. Then we continue to the place that has been nicknamed an earthly paradise, Lake Bled, where we will enjoy a relaxing two-night stay. (Buffet breakfast)
Day 4 - Lake Bled at leisure Today we have the whole day to relax or perhaps take a boat trip on the lake or visit the incredible maze of underground caves at Postojna. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)
Day 5 - Lake Bled — Zagreb (2 nights) 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, the 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)
Day 7 - Zagreb — Budapest (2 nights) Today we cross the border into Hungary pausing on the shores of Lake Balaton which is the largest lake in Central Europe and affectionately known as the "Hungarian Sea"! From here we continue to the twin towns of Buda and Pest, where our Tour Director will show us a Hidden Treasure of the city during our stay! (Buffet breakfast)
Day 8 - Budapest sightseeing and at leisure After breakfast our morning sightseeing tour with a local guide includes a walking tour of Old Buda featuring stunning views from the Fishermen's Bastion over the Danube and Parliament, we also view the Great Synagogue and visit Heroes' Square. This evening, we will enjoy an included Hungarian Highlight Dinner, accompanied by local musicians. (Buffet breakfast / Highlight dinner)
Day 9 - Budapest — Slovakia — Krakow (2 nights) This morning our journey brings us to the Slovakian border and on to Poland and the foothills of the Tatra Mountains. Soon we are in Krakow where we spend the next two nights. Tonight, why not enjoy a Polish polka party" (Buffet breakfast)
Day 10 - Krakow sightseeing and at leisure The castle and cathedral on Wawel Hill, plus a walking tour through the old town to visit the Cloth Hall and the Mariacki Church all feature on our morning sightseeing tour. This afternoon, there is the chance to visit the unique Wieliczka Salt Mine, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Monument, where you can see the underground chambers hewn out of the salt rock! This evening, we will enjoy dinner at our hotel. (Buffet breakfast Dinner)
Day 11 - Krakow — Auschwitz — Czestochowa — Warsaw (2 nights) This morning 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. Then 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, we make our way to Warsaw for our two-night stay. (Buffet breakfast)
Day 12 - Warsaw sightseeing & at leisure Today's morning sightseeing tour with a local guide includes a visit to the old town, the site of the Warsaw ghetto, seeing the sites evoked in Polanski's The Pianist, and viewing the Palace of Culture and Science. Later, don't miss a trip to the Wilanow Palace, the residence of Polish King Sobieski - Victor of Vienna. Tonight after dinner at our hotel, why not attend a Chopin recital" (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)
Day 13 - Warsaw — Poznan — Berlin (2 nights) Today's drive takes us across the central plains of Poland to Poznan with its charming City Hall and Gothic churches. Then off 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 and 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 your day is at leisure, perhaps to visit nearby Potsdam or Pergamon on Museum Island. Tonight, why not try out some of this city's lively nightlife" (Buffet breakfast)
Day 15 - Berlin — Dresden — Prague (2 nights) We travel through the Spreewald Forest to 'Florence on the Elbe', beautiful Dresden. On our arrival an orientation tour includes the Saxon Wall, Semper Opera and 18th century cathedral. We will learn about the massive restoration work that has taken place since the extensive bombing of the city in Worl War II. Next we cross into the Czech Republic. From here we make our way to the astonishing city of Prague which has been the political, cultural and economic centre of the Czech state for over 1100 years, for our two-night stay. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)
Day 16 - Prague sightseeing and at leisure Today our Tour Director will show us another Hidden Treasure but first our sightseeing tour shows us the Prague Castle regarded as the largest ancient castle in the world, the Astronomical Clock, Charles Bridge, the old town square and visits the Cathedral of St. Vitus. This evening, we will enjoy a Highlight Dinner of local specialities at a characteristic restaurant. (Buffet breakfast / Highlight dinner)
Day 17 - Prague — Tabor — Vienna This morning we leave Prague and make our way to Tabor, once the headquaters of the 15th century religious reformer, John Huss. Then we drive through Southern Bohemia passing the town of Schrems. We continue to the Imperial city of Vienna. Tonight we enjoy a Farewell Dinner with our Tour Director and fellow travelers. (Buffet breakfast / Farewell dinner)
Day 18 - Vienna — USA This morning, it is time to bid farewell to our Tour Director and new-found friends as our vacation comes to an end. Airport transfers are available, conditions apply. (Buffet breakfast)
Free airport transfer Transfers on Day2 at Vienna Airport will operate at 09.00, 12.00 and 15.00. Passengers arriving later should make their own way to the first hotel. Return transfers on the last touring day will arrive at Vienna Airport at 06.30 and 09.00.
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