Capitals of central europe

Day 1  Overnight flight

Day 2  Berlin

Day 3  Berlin

Meet your local guide and enjoy a half day guided city tour of Berlin. You will see the most important sights in this once divided city, starting at the Alexanderplatz. In the former Eastern part of the city you will see the Berliner Dom, Deutsche Staatsoper, Platz der Akademie and the Berliner Staatsoper (Opera House). You will make stop at the ‘Haus am Checkpoint Charlie’. It is a reminder of the former border crossing, during the Cold War and the partition of Berlin. Checkpoint Charlie was the setting for many thrillers and spy novels, from James Bond in Octopussy to The Spy Who Came In From The Cold. The famous avenue Unter den Linden will lead you to the most recognisable landmarks of Berlin; the Brandenburger Gate and the glass constructed Reichstag (Houses of Parliament) in former West-Berlin. Your drive continues through the vast Tiergarten, a park situated in the central part of the city. The tour ends at the Kurfürstendam, Berlin’s most famous avenue. This is where you find many of the best shops and department stores. In the afternoon, enjoy a guided tour of the Baroque Palace Charlottenburg, just outside Berlin. Overnight in Berlin.

Day 4  Berlin – Dresden – Prague

After breakfast depart to Prague with an on route stop in Dresden, attractively located on the Elbe River. After lunch on your own you will enjoy a city tour with a local professional guide. You will see the highlights of this beautiful city such as the Augustus Bridge, the Brüchlsche Terrace, the Green Vault and the Zwinger Museum, one of the most important museums in Europe. The collection contains works by Raphael, Rembrandt, Holbein, Titian and many others. Pass the Semper Opera House and the Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady), built in Italian Renaissance and Baroque-style. The journey continues to Prague, were you will arrive in the late afternoon. Tonight enjoy a boat tour on the Vltava River to have a wonderful first impression of ‘the City of a Thousand Spires’.
Overnight in Prague.

Day 5  Prague

Your day starts with a guided walking tour of Prague. You will visit the Castle District, or Hradčany, and see Prague Castle, Hradčany Square, the St. Vitus Cathedral, the picturesque Golden Lane, the Royal Palace and the Royal Gardens. You will stroll through Malá Strana (Lesser Quarter) with Baroque houses. The winding cobblestone streets here are lined with romantic Baroque and Renaissance architecture. Charming pastel buildings, ornate palaces and gardens showcase the wealthy history of this district. Remainder of the afternoon at leisure. Tonight you will enjoy a Czech Folklore dinner show.
Overnight in Prague.

Day 6  Prague

Enjoy a guided walking tour of Prague’s Old Town this morning. You will see the Charles Bridge, Wenceslas Square, the Nicolas Church and the Astronomical Clock. The Renaissance building “U Minuty” near the clock is the house where the famous novelist Franz Kafka lived and worked. Your local guide will show you the Jewish Quarter as well. The quarter once was the largest Jewish ghetto in Europe and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1922.  It is definitely one of the most impressive sights in Prague. Not only as a reminder of a tragic part of the world’s history but also for its unfaired beauty. You will see the Old-New Synagogue, the oldest synagogue in Europe and visit the Old Jewish Cemetery. Leisurely afternoon and evening in Prague.
Overnight in Prague.

Day 7  Prague – Český Krumlov – Vienna

Today you will leave the Czech Republic for Austria, with an on route stop in Český Krumlov. A well-preserved town where gothic, renaissance and baroque elements form an attractive unity. Český Krumlov is regarded as the second most important tourist destination in the Czech Republic, after Prague. The entire city centre is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1992. Before arriving in Vienna, you will visit the wine growing village of Nussdorf afterwards you will have a typical Austrian dinner in one of the many Heurigers (traditional wine tavern) in this wine growing area. Arrival in Vienna and check-in at your hotel.
Overnight in Vienna.

Day 8  Vienna

After breakfast you will enjoy a city tour of Vienna, the glittering city of the Habsburg Emperors. Here you will find the gently rhythm of the Waltz, the clatter of horse-drawn carriages, and the fin-de-siècle atmosphere of the Ringstrasse. You pass the Vienna State Opera House, the Hofburg Palace, the Museums of Fine Arts and Natural History, the Parliament, Stefans Kirche with tile roof, the City Hall and University, Prater park with its giant Ferris wheel and the famous Hundertwasserhaus. Afternoon at leisure to explore Vienna on your own.
Overnight in Vienna.

Day 9  Vienna – Wachau Valley – Melk Abbey – Vienna

Spend a day discovering Austria’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed Wachau Valley. Your driver will bring you from Vienna to Spitz through a breathtaking landscape dotted with vineyards, medieval castles and grand monasteries. You will pass the small villages of Krems and Wachau and you will see the ruins of Dürnstein castle. In Spitz you will board a river boat and cruise the Danube River to Melk. Upon arrival in Melk, your driver will transfer you to the town centre to have lunch together. Afterwards you will have a tour of the renowned Melk Abbey. The Abbey is a striking and imposing UNESCO World Heritage-listed landmark. Return to Vienna and evening at leisure.
Overnight in Vienna.

Day 10 Viennna – Bratislava

It is only a short journey from Switzerland’s capital to the capital of Slovakia, Bratislava. Upon arrival enjoy a city tour coach to see the highlights of the city, such as the Slovak National Theater, the Ganymede fountain, Michael’s Gate, Bratislava statues and the palaces once visited by the famous composers Ludwig von Beethoven, Franz Liszt and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. You will drive up to Bratislava Castle where you can marvel the baroque garden and enjoy the view of Bratislava and the mighty Danube River. Afternoon free for independent activities.
Overnight in Bratislava.

Day 11 Bratislava – Budapest

Today you will follow the Danube River, travelling south to Budapest. Upon arrival your local professional guide will take you on a city tour to see the capital of Hungary. The most cosmopolitan city of Central Europe compromises the two individual parts of historic Buda and commercial Pest. During the tour you will see the famous Chain Bridge, the Banks of the river Danube (UNESCO World Heritage-listed) Parliament Building, Heroes Square, the Opera House, elegant Andrássy Avenue (UNESCO World Heritage-listed) and visit the St. Stephen’s Basilica. Also see Budapest’s Castle Hill District (UNESCO- World Heritage-listed) including the Matthias Church with its colorful tile roof.  Walk up to the Fisherman’s Bastion, a structure that offers great views on the Danube River and Parliament Building. Afterwards there will be enough time to spend leisurely in this city of grandeur.
Overnight in Budapest.

Day 12 Budapest – Gödöllő Palace – Lazar Equestrian Park – Budapest

Following breakfast you will travel to Gödöllő and Lazar Equestrian Park. The Royal Palace of Gödöllő is considered the Hungarian equivalent of the Palace of Versailles. The Royal Palace is the second largest Baroque castle in the world and it has been the summer residence of Emperor Frans Jozef 1 and Empress Elisabeth, commonly known as Empress Sissi. Together with your local guide you will learn about the castle and walk the same corridors, the same steps and through the same park as Empress Sissi once did. Travel onwards to Lazar Equestrian Park where you will have lunch together and afterwards learn all about the Hungarian Equestrian traditions and horse park. Your visit ends with a horse theatre show. Travel back to Budapest. Your trip through Central Europe will be concluded with an unforgettable Danube Dinner River Cruise.
Overnight in Budapest.

Day 13 Departure

After breakfast transfer to Budapest International Airport for your flight back home