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Day 1 - DEPART CANADA |
Board your overnight flight. |
Day 2 - VIENNA AT LEISURE |
Welcome to Vienna - a city rich in Imperial history and musical tradition! On arrival at Vienna Airport, your airport shuttle service leaves for the tour hotel at 09:00, 12:00 & 15:00. Then you are at leisure. Perhaps stroll through the Stadtpark to see the statue of Strauss? Later, join your fellow guests for a Welcome Drink.
Hotel: Hilton Vienna. |
Day 3 - VIENNA - BUDAPEST |
Follow the Danube Valley to vibrant Budapest. On arrival, take in the view across the Danube from the lofty Citadel atop Gellert Hill. Ascend Buda's Castle District to visit Matthias Church and look out over the immense Parliament building from the Fisherman's Bastion. Finally, visit Andrassy Boulevard and Heroes' Square in Pest. Tonight, enjoy a highlight evening of Hungarian music and cuisine.
Hotel: Corinthia Grand Royal. (BB,HD) |
Day 4 - SZENTENDRE EXCURSION |
Enjoy time at leisure this morning before driving past the remains of the Roman settlement of Aquincum to the picturesque riverside village of Szentendre. Stroll through the cobbled streets to admire the brightly coloured houses and quaint churches. There's time to browse in the shops for embroidery or pottery before returning to Budapest. (BB,D) |
Day 5 - BUDAPEST - KRAKOW |
Enjoy a gentle drive into Slovakia and through the breathtaking Tatra Mountains, where peasants still live in traditional wooden houses. See the picturesque Oravsky Hrad Castle before crossing into Poland and continuing to historic Krakow.
Hotel: Sheraton (BB,D) |
Day 6 - KRAKOW SIGHTSEEING |
Join a local guide to tour historic Krakow - for centuries the seat of Poland's kings. Ascend Wawel Hill, to visit the cathedral, burial place of generations of Polish heroes, and meet the 'Wawel Dragon'. Walk through the Old Town, past the courtyard of Jagiellonian University and medieval Cloth Hall, to visit the 14th century St Mary's Church (keep your eyes and ears peeled for the trumpeter in the tower). (BB) |
Day 7 - KRAKOW - CZESTOCHOWA - WARSAW |
Drive to Auschwitz to spend some reflective moments amid the remains of the concentration camp and the memorials to those who died there. Birkenau is located nearby and you can climb the central watch tower overlook the camp. Travel north to Czestochowa to visit the 14th century Monastery of Jasna Gora, famous for the Black Madonna, said to have been painted by St Luke. Continue across the Polish Plains to the country's capital, Warsaw.
Hotel: Sheraton. (BB,D) |
Day 8 - WARSAW SIGHTSEEING |
Warsaw was almost totally destroyed during World War Two and only the detail in Canaletto's paintings of the city enabled an authentic reconstruction to take place. On a guided tour, see the 'wedding cake' Palace of Culture and the Chopin Memorial in the Lazienki Park. Pay your respects at the emotive Monument of the Ghetto Heroes and, finally, see the reconstructed Old Town, including the Royal Palace. This year marks the 200th anniversary of Chopin's birth, so perhaps enjoy a concert tonight? (BB,D) |
Day 9 - WARSAW - POZNAN - BERLIN |
Cross fertile plains to the historic river port of Poznan. There's time for lunch in the charming Old Town Square before crossing the German frontier at the River Oder on your way to the vibrant capital, Berlin.
Hotel: Marriott Berlin (BB) |
Day 10 - BERLIN & POTSDAM SIGHTSEEING |
A local expert shows you the highlights of this reunited city. Drive through the Tiergarten to the refurbished Reichstag building and see the Brandenburg Gate. On the eastern side, drive along the Unter den Linden, past the beautifully restored State Opera House to the Alexanderplatz. Later, a highlight excursion takes you to historic Potsdam to visit the Cecilienhof, where the 1945 Treaty was signed, and visit the Gardens of Frederick the Great's Sans Souci Palace. Consider enjoying an evening out in a lively local restaurant. (BB) |
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Day 11 - BERLIN - DRESDEN - PRAGUE |
Drive south to Dresden where a walking tour introduces the Frauenkirche, risen once again from wartime destruction. See the Castle of the Electors of Saxony, including the unique Saxon Wall overlaid with Meissen tiles, the courtyards of the Zwinger Palace and the Opera House. After some free time, head for the Czech border high in the Ore Mountains and continue to the capital City of Prague.
Hotel: Palace (BB,D) |
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Day 12 - PRAGUE SIGHTSEEING |
| Prague has blossomed since the 'Velvet Revolution', but its unique character remains unchanged. On a guided tour, visit the amazing St Vitus' Cathedral, which is set inside the 1,000-year-old Prague Castle. Later, cross the river to explore the vast cobblestoned expanse of the Old Town Square and see its famous Astronomical Clock. As night falls, why not enjoy Prague's exciting night life? (BB,D) |
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Day 13 - PRAGUE - CESKY KRUMLOV - VIENNA |
Enjoy a delightful drive through the green Bohemian countryside to Cesky Krumlov, a picturesque medieval town nestled on the banks of the Vltava. Time here to explore the narrow cobbled streets, little back lanes and arch covered footpaths. You also see the outstanding castle which overlooks the town - considered by many to be the finest in the land. After some free time to explore, cross back in to Austria and return to Vienna.
Hotel: Hilton Vienna. (BB) |
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Day 14 - VIENNA SIGHTSEEING |
| Venture inside the glorious State Apartments of Schonbrunn Palace with an expert local guide and take in the opulence. There is also time to admire the formal gardens before seeing the baroque St Charles' Church. Drive around the famous 'Ring', passing the Opera House, the Hofburg Imperial Residence and Parliament. Cafes are an institution in Vienna; your guide points out some of the most famous and explains the history and important role they play in local culture. The rest of the day is at leisure: why not celebrate your final night on tour with a farewell dinner? (BB) |
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Day 15 - RETURN TO CANADA |
After breakfast, departure transfers arrive at Vienna Airport at 07:00 & 09:00. (BB) |
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