10 Days Eastern European Explorer Tour Package
Duration: 10 Days / 9 Nights
Priced From: $ 1,428 pp Dbl. Occ. - Land Only
Dates: Jun - Oct
Tour Itinerary
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 reminders of World War II at Auschwitz Concentration Camp, world-famous location for war crimes. Originally built as a soldiers' camp, the brick buildings have been preserved as a memorial to the thousands who passed through its gates. Later journey to Czestochowa to visit Yasna Gora Monastery, known for the age-darkened picture of the Virgin Mary popularly called the "Black Madonna." The Byzantine figure dates from the 13th century and in 1434 it was painted virtually anew due to extensive damage caused by vandalism. Many legends abound as to the origin of the figure and its miraculous properties. Drive through the Polish countryside to arrive in the late afternoon in Warsaw, Poland's capital city located on the banks of the Vistula River. The 700-year-old capital is a symbol of the Polish nationhood and the will to survive against great odds. (BB, D)
Day 9: Discover Warsaw
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 Old Town is both a physical and symbolic expression of the city's spirit and determination to come back from the brink of annihilation at the end of World War II. The rest of the day is free to relax, shop or stroll through the city, especially the Old Town, where you can find many other attractions and a number of cafés, bars and restaurants. Or you may choose to enjoy an optional late afternoon Chopin concert. (BB)
Day 10: Depart Warsaw
After breakfast, transfer to Warsaw Airport for your departure flight. (BB)
B=Breakfast, CB=Continental Breakfast, D=Dinner
Highlights
See Habsburg Monuments in Vienna & Budapest
Vienna's Hofburg Palace
Fisherman's Bastion in Budapest
Tatra Mountain Scenery of Slovakia
Cracow's Royal Cathedral & St. Mary's Church
Black Madonna of Czestochowa
Warsaw Ghetto & Old town
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)
What's Included
-10 days/8 nights/12 meals
-8 buffet breakfasts (BB)
-Round trip flights from U.S. to Vienna & return from Warsaw
-4 dinners (D)
-Group transfers on arrival and departure
-4 half-day sightseeing tours with local guides in Vienna, Budapest, Cracow and Warsaw
-Sightseeing by luxury coach as specified
-Visits and admissions to Hofburg Palace, St. Stephen's Cathedral, Fisherman's Bastion, Matthias Church, Royal Cathedral and Yasna Gora Monastery
-Services of a professional tour director throughout
-Deluxe flight bag, ticket wallet, luggage tags & strap
-First class hotels with private bath/shower for 8 nights
-All local taxes, hotel service charges & porterage for one suitcase per person
Save time, money and stress!
For reservations: Fill out the vacation planner to be contacted by our Austria Vacation specialist
Contact: Travelwizard.com
Phone: 1-800-330-8820 or 1-415-446-5252
10/08
|
