Italy Vacations

France Vacations

Greece Vacations

United Kingdom Vacations

Europe Vacations

Austria Vacation Packages

Day 1: Depart U.S. for Austria
Depart on an overnight flight to Vienna, Austria's charming capital city.

Day 2: Arrive Vienna
Land in Vienna and reclaim your luggage. Then you will be met and transferred to your hotel. After you check in you will have the remainder of the day to rest or explore the city center a little on your own. In the evening meet your fellow travelers and your tour director at a welcome dinner. (D)

Day 3: Viennese Sightseeing
This morning take a tour around the city center to see the most important and imposing buildings. Visit the Hofburg Palace, the huge Habsburg residential complex that was the seat of the Austro-Hungarian Empire for over 640 years. Pass the elegant Belvedere Palace, the Prater Amusement Park and the UN buildings. Also see St. Stephen's Cathedral with its intricately-patterned tile roof and other vivid reminders of the city's imperial history. The afternoon and evening are at leisure. Perhaps spend some time in the Museum Quarter, a complex of many collections open to the public. You may like to walk or take a tram ride along the Ringstrasse where Habsburg rulers erected many important and highly decorated buildings in the 19th century. In the evening you can admire the beautifully floodlit architecture. (BB)

Day 4: Hungary & Budapest
Today travel east through the Austrian countryside and cross the border to Hungary. Continue through the lovely scenery of the Transdanubian region. Arrive in Budapest in time to relax before dinner. (BB, D)

Day 5: Budapest Touring
Situated on the opposite banks of the Danube River, the former cities of Buda and Pest are linked by a series of graceful bridges, the most famous of which is the Chain Bridge. On a sightseeing tour this morning see lovely views of the outstanding Parliament buildings sited on the banks of the Danube. Cross to the hilly region of Buda to view the Royal Palace and the Castle Hill area, the Fisherman's Bastion and nearby Matthias Church. Stop on Gellert Hill to see the impressive Citadel and admire wonderful views across the Danube to Pest. Return to Pest to see the Heroes' Square with its imposing Millennium Monument. The rest of the day is at leisure. You may like to visit the Museum of Fine Arts or the Art Gallery, both located near Heroes' Square or walk along Vaci Street with its elegant shops and cafés. (BB)

Day 6: Slovakia & Cracow
Your drive today winds through the lovely hills and countryside of Slovakia, past the Tatra Mountains and into the great agricultural plains of Poland to Cracow. This was Poland's capital city up until 400 years ago and today it is the country's intellectual and cultural center with many art exhibitions, concerts and performances taking place throughout the city. After checking into your hotel enjoy a relaxing dinner with your tour group. (BB, D)

Day 7: Cracow Monuments
Start your sightseeing tour with a visit to Wawel Hill, important symbol of Polish independence. There has been a castle on this hill since the beginning of recorded history and over the centuries many buildings of different architectural styles have been added. View the exterior of the present Royal Castle, built in a variety of styles. Visit the Royal Cathedral to view the impressive monuments to the many Polish rulers, political figures, writers and artists who have been entombed there. Enjoy a walking tour of the Old Town where you will visit the Main Market Square, the Renaissance Cloth Hall and St. Mary's Church. The afternoon is free for a stroll around the city. (BB)

Day 8: Czestochowa & Warsaw
This morning you may wish to join an optional trip to one of the most somber memorials of the past at Auschwitz Concentration Camp, world-famous location for war crimes. Later journey to Czestochowa to visit Yasna Gora Monastery, known for the age-darkened picture of the Virgin Mary popularly called the "Black Madonna." Drive through the Polish countryside to arrive in Warsaw, Poland's capital city, in the late afternoon. (BB, D)

Day 9: Discover Warsaw
The 700-year-old capital is a symbol of the Polish nationhood and the will to survive against great odds. A sightseeing tour includes a drive along the famous Royal Route from the magnificent Castle Square to Lazienki Park and Palace, the summer residence of the last king of Poland. Pass the Palace of Science and Culture (called the "Wedding Cake"), the Saxon Gardens, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Monument to the Warsaw Ghetto Heroes and the Barbican. Continue on foot through the Old Town, Old Market Square and St. John's Cathedral. The rest of the day is free to relax, shop or stroll through the city or enjoy an optional late afternoon Chopin concert. (BB)

Day 10: Poznan & Berlin
Travel through the Polish countryside and stop in Poznan for an orientation tour. One of Poland's oldest cities, it is an important historical center. The impressive cathedral is the oldest in the country and contains tombs of the first Polish rulers. Continue to Berlin, today's final destination. Since the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the reunification of Germany in 1990, Berlin has become a vibrant, thriving capital city. (BB, D)

Day 11: Berlin's Highlights
Your morning sightseeing tour features the Reichstag, seat of Germany's government. The building has undergone many changes since it was built in the 1890's and today boasts a modern glass cupola. Next see the lovely Schloss Charlottenburg, a Baroque Hohenzollern palace. Your tour continues through the city to view famous sights such as the Opera, the Schiller Theater and the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church. The afternoon is free to explore this exciting city on your own. For a feeling of the 21st century, you may like to spend time around Potsdamer Platz, a lively, modern complex. (BB)

Day 12: Dresden & Prague
This morning travel along one of Germany's highways to Dresden, renowned for its dedication to the arts, beautiful Baroque buildings and the severity of the city's destruction by Allied bombings in 1945. Take an orientation tour through the Old Town to view the Zwinger Palace and Semper Opera House. Continue your journey to Prague, the capital of Czech Republic. (BB, D)

Day 13: Tour Prague
Built on seven hills more than 1,000 years ago and spread over both banks of the river Vltava, Prague is one of Europe's most attractive cities. Your city tour starts with a panoramic drive to the famous Wenceslas Square, Strahov Stadium and Castle Square. Take a walking tour to visit the Royal Castle of Hradcany, St. Vitus' Cathedral, the Royal Palace and Loretto Church. Cross the Charles Bridge and walk through the old quarter of Prague to view the Jewish Ghetto, the Town Hall with its world-famous Astronomical Clock. The rest of the day is free. An optional visit to a cultural performance will be available. (BB)

Day 14: Depart Prague
After breakfast, transfer to Prague Airport for your departure flight. (BB)

B=Breakfast, CB=Continental Breakfast, D=Dinner

See Eastern Europe's Vibrant Capital Cities
Vienna's Hofburg Palace
Fisherman's Bastion in Budapest
Tatra Mountain Scenery in Slovakia
Cracow's Royal Cathedral
Dresden's Old Town
Prague's Magnificent Architecture
Royal Castle of Hradcany

Your Accommodations: Stay at the following (or similar):

Renaissance Wien - Vienna - 2 night(s)
Mercure Korona Hotel, Budapest - Budapest - 2 night(s)
Radisson SAS Hotel Cracow - Cracow - 2 night(s)
Radisson SAS Warsaw - Warsaw - 2 night(s)
Hotel Berlin - Berlin - 2 night(s)
Diplomat Hotel Prague - Prague - 2 night(s)

-14 days/12 nights/18 meals
-12 buffet breakfasts (BB)
-Round trip flights from U.S. to Vienna & return from Prague
-6 dinners (D)
-Group transfers on arrival and departure
-6 half-day sightseeing tours with local guides in Vienna, Budapest, Cracow,Warsaw, Berlin and Prague
-Sightseeing by luxury coach as specified
-Visits and admissions to Hofburg Palace, St. Stephen's Cathedral, Fisherman's Bastion, Matthias Church, Royal Cathedral, St. Mary's Church, Yasna Gora Monastery, Royal Castle of Hradcany and St. Vitus' Cathedral
-Services of a professional tour director throughout
-Deluxe flight bag, ticket wallet, luggage tags & strap
-Superior & first class hotels with private bath/shower for 12 nights
-All local taxes, hotel service charges & porterage for one suitcase per person

10/08

Austria or Vacations

Book or Plan your Austria Tour or Vacation Here