Day 1: Board your overnight flight.
Day 2: Arrival in Berlin, Germany.
Time to rest or to explore the capital of reunited Germany. At 6 p.m. meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. CG. (D)
Day 3: Berlin.
Sightseeing with a Local Guide in the once-divided metropolis includes the Kudamm, the restored Reichstag, monumental Brandenburg Gate, Charlottenburg Palace, and the 210-foot Victory Column in the vast Tiergarten Park. Visit the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church (except on Sundays), drive along Unter Den Linden Boulevard, pass the German State Opera House and Checkpoint Charlie. The afternoon is free, and an optional excursion to historic Potsdam is available. Tonight is your chance to sample Berlins fine restaurants and nightlife. (BB)
Day 4: Berlin-Poznan - Warsaw, Poland.
Cross the Polish border, enjoy vistas of rural life in the fertile central plains, and take a break in the historic river port of Poznan on your way to Warsaw. (BB, D)
Day 5: Warsaw.
Your Local Guide will tell you about the tormented, often tragic history of this important gateway city between East and West. See the medieval Stare Miasto (Old Quarter) with its market square and 14th-century Cathedral of St. John the "wedding cake" Palace of Culture and Science, neoclassical Lazienki Palace, and the remnants of the Jewish ghetto. In the Historical Museum a moving film shows the city before and after wartime destruction. Afternoon at leisure. How about tonights optional Polish dinner and folklore show at a typical Warsaw restaurant? (BB)
Day 6: Warsaw-Czestochowa-Auschwitz-Krakow.
This morning visit Jasna Gora, the monastery near Czestochowa, and admire its Black Madonna, which is venerated as the "Queen of Poland" and has become the countrys national symbol. Next, stop in Auschwitz to visit what is left of the concentration camp, a chilling reminder of the Holocaust. Evening arrival in Krakow. (BB, D)
Day 7: Krakow.
Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide in ancient Krakow, for centuries the residence of Polish kings. See the Market Square, the 14th-century Jagiellonian University, St. Mary's Church, and Wawel Royal Castle. Free time later to explore this interesting town at your own pace. Tonight you can try out one of Krakows traditional inns. (BB)
Day 8: Krakow-Slovakia-Budapest, Hungary.
A scenic day taking you right through the heart of mountainous and densely wooded Slovakia, where brown bears still roam free. Approach Budapest soon after arriving in the wide open valley of the Danube River. Why not join an optional folklore performance tonight? (BB, D)
Day 9: Budapest.
Your Local Guide takes your through Eastern Europe's most cosmopolitan city. See elegant Andrassy Avenue, the Thermal Baths, and the world's second-largest Jewish Synagogue. From the lacy lookout towers of Fishermens Bastion enjoy a panoramic view of the sprawling city. Then visit the 13th-century Matthias Coronation Church and Heroes Square. Afternoon at leisure. Tonight a delectable optional Hungarian specialty dinner can be arranged (BB)
Day 10: Budapest-Vienna, Austria.
Drive through the Hungarian plains to Vienna, once the center of the mighty Habsburg Empire. Meet your Local Guide and start your sightseeing with vistas of Prater Park with its giant Ferris wheel, and the United Nations City on the banks of the Danube River. Then drive along Ring Boulevard, pass the State Opera House, the Jewish quarter, and stop at the Hofburg Palace, winter residence of the Austrian Imperial family. Marvel at the impressive courtyards and famous Heldenplatz, and visit awesome St. Stephen's Cathedral. (BB)
Day 11: At Leisure in Vienna.
A whole day at leisure offers you the opportunity to join exciting optional excursions to the Vienna Woods, historic Schonbrunn Palace, a concert, or to just explore this magnificent city on your own. (BB)
Day 12: Vienna-Brno, Czech Republic-Prague.
Across the Czech border and into Moravia. In Brno, the countries second-largest city and Napoleons headquarters during the "Battle of the Three Emperors" at nearby Austerlitz, time for an orientation tour and lunch. In the afternoon drive through the rich farmlands of Moravia and Bohemia to Prague. This evening maybe attend a concert featuring Mozart, Dvorak, or Smetana, all of whom found inspiration here. (BB, D)
Day 13: Prague.
Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide features 1,000-year-old Hradcany Castle, the former residence of Bohemian kings; ST. Vitus Cathedral (on Sundays no inside guiding permitted), the Old Town, the Jewish ghetto, and the Astronomical Clock, once the envy of all Europe. Afterwards, you may wish to mix with the locals in Wenceslaus Square. Tonight, why not join an optional dinner outing.(BB)
Day 14: Prague-Dresden, Germany-Berlin.
Turn back to Germany and stop in Dresden, the former capital of Saxony. Badly damaged by Allied bombing in February 1945, the city has since been restored to it baroque splendor. You'll love the architecture of the Zwinger Palace and Semper Opera. Next, return to Berlin and enjoy a farewell dinner in a local restaurant. (BB, D)
Day 15: Berlin to home
Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (BB). This is the end of your Eastern Europe escorted tour.
|
