10 Days Christmastime In Berlin & Eastern Europe Tour Package
Duration: 10 Days / 9 Nights
Priced From: $1,499 pp Dbl. Occ
Dates: Dec
Visit Berlin as well as the popular cities of Prague, Budapest, and Vienna. Enjoy 2-night stays in each city, where sightseeing with a Local Guide is included. In Berlin, take pictures of Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church with its bomb-damaged tower and drive by Checkpoint Charlie. Also visit Prague's Hradcany Castle grounds and St. Vitus Cathedral, Budapest's Matthias Coronation Church, and Vienna's St. Stephen’s Cathedral. En route stops are also made in Dresden, once belonging to the “other part" of Germany, and Bratislava, capital of Slovakia. There’s time to enjoy the Christmas markets and festive atmosphere in each city.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1
Board your overnight transatlantic flight.
Day 2 Arrive in Berlin
The Brandenburg Gate in Berlin serves as a symbol of peace and reunification of the city, Germany
Time to rest or to start exploring the capital, decked out in traditional German Adventszeit (Advent season) decorations! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)
Day 3 Berlin
Guided sightseeing in the once-divided metropolis features the elegant Ku’Damm, the restored Reichstag, Charlottenburg Palace, the 210-foot Victory Column in the vast Tiergarten Park, take pictures of monumental Brandenburg Gate
The Brandenburg Gate is a former city gate and a main symbol of Berlin and Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church Story aboutKaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church with its bomb-damaged tower, and drive past the State Opera House and Checkpoint Charlie Story aboutCheckpoint Charlie. The afternoon is free to explore the Christmas markets, and an optional excursion to historic Potsdam Story aboutPotsdam – Sanssouci is available. (B)
Day 4 Berlin–Dresden
Dresden, Germany, situated along the River Elbe–Prague Czech capital of Prague, Czech Republic
South through the area that used to belong to the “other part” of Germany. Stop in Dresden and admire the architecture of the Zwinger Palace and Semper Opera during your walking tour. Be sure to sample some Stollen, the traditional Christmas cake that originated here, and perhaps buy some festive decorations handmade in the nearby Erzgebirge Mountains. Then, head for Bohemia and the Czech capital of Prague. (B,D)
Day 5 Prague
Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide reveals why Prague is considered one of Europe’s most attractive capitals. Visit the HRADCANY CASTLE GROUNDS and ST. VITUS CATHEDRAL St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague contains the tombs of many Bohemian kings, and see the Old Town, the Jewish ghetto, and the ASTRONOMICAL CLOCK
The historic Astronomical Clock in Prague has been operating for over six centuries, once the envy of all Europe. Afterwards, stroll through the Christmas market. Christmas is the most important family holiday of the year in most Eastern European countries, and the Czechs begin their preparations and celebrations on December 4 with the feast of St. Barbara. (B)
Day 6 Prague–Bratislava, Slovakia–Budapest
The Széchenyi Chain Bridge spanning the River Danube in Budapest, Hungary
Into Moravia, where Napoleon established his headquarters during the Battle of Austerlitz. Stop for a short visit of Bratislava, capital of Slovakia. Later, follow the course of the Danube River to Budapest Story aboutBudapest. (B,D)
Day 7 Budapest
Your Local Guide takes you 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 Fishermen’s Bastion, enjoy a panoramic view of the sprawling city. Then, visit the 13th-century ST. MATTHIAS CORONATION CHURCH and Heroes’ Square. Afternoon at leisure. Christmas preparations in Hungary begin on the first Sunday of Advent, when candles are lit and wreaths appear in offices, schools, and homes. See the Christmas market and try the beiglie, a Christmas cookie made of walnuts and regional spices. Tonight, why not enjoy a delectable optional Hungarian specialty dinner? (B)
Day 8 Budapest–Vienna
The Vienna City Hall, Austria
A church on an Austrian mountaintop
This morning, drive through the Hungarian plains to Vienna, once the center of the mighty Habsburg Empire. Meet your Local Guide and start your afternoon sightseeing with vistas of Prater Park
Visit Vienna's famous ferris wheel, also known as the Riesenrad 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 CATHEDRALView the Romanesque and Gothic architecture of St. Stephen’s Cathedral. (B)
Day 9 At Leisure in Vienna
A whole day at leisure gives you an opportunity to discover the various Christmas markets located throughout the city. Hear well-loved Christmas carols and marvel at the local festive decorations! Then, join the Viennese in one of their famous coffee houses—don’t forget to savor Sachertorte and watch the jolly crowd. Tonight, enjoy an included farewell dinner with your traveling companions. (B,D)
Day 10
Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (B)
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12/09
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