Best of Central Europe
Description
Summary
Description
Embark on a captivating 15-day journey through the heart of Europe, exploring the rich history, diverse cultures, and stunning landscapes of Austria, the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary. This multi-day tour offers a unique blend of iconic landmarks, local experiences, and hidden gems. From the grandeur of Vienna's architecture to the fairy-tale charm of Cesky Krumlov, the vibrant jazz scene of Prague to the medieval allure of Krakow, and the alpine beauty of Tatranska Lomnica to the thermal baths of Budapest, every day promises a new adventure. Enjoy comfortable accommodations, delicious meals, and the companionship of like-minded travelers as you immerse yourself in the wonders of these remarkable destinations.
Included
12 breakfasts
vegetarian, vegan, halal, kosher, meat
All Intrepid group trips in Europe are accompanied by one of our local European group leaders. ’Local’ in this context means a leader who is European or lives in Europe. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Intrepid endeavours to provide the services of an experienced leader however, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your leader is new to a particular region or training other group leaders. Your leader takes care of logistics, will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects.
At Intrepid we also aim to support local guides in the individual cities or locations we travel to. If you are interested in delving deeper into the local culture at a specific site or location then your leader can recommend an optional local guide service in most of the main destinations of your trip.
OCCASIONAL ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION:
The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline. On rare occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our usual accommodation. A similar standard of accommodation will be used in these instances.
TWIN SHARE BASIS:
Accommodation on this trip is on a twin/multishare basis. We pair up solo travellers with another traveller of the same gender as per the gender marker on each of their passports. Please note there may be times where facilities will be shared rather than ensuite and rare occasions when you share a room with passengers travelling on different Intrepid trips than your own.
CHECK-IN TIME:
Throughout the trip we request that our hotels prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination.
PRE/POST TRIP ACCOMMODATION:
If you've purchased pre-trip or post-trip accommodation (if available), you may be required to change rooms from your trip accommodation for these extra nights.
FACILITIES:
Your accommodation may not always have private en suite facilities or air-conditioning. European hotels generally don't provide kettles or fridges.
Hotel (12 nights), Pension (2 nights)
hotel: 12 night(s), guesthouse: 2 night(s);
TRANSPORT IN EUROPE:
Half the fun of travel is the travelling itself, that's why we like to travel the local way – whether that means mingling with commuters on a local train, watching the scenery roll by from the window of a long distance bus, arriving on a high speed train in the city centre of your next destination, or navigating each city's public transport system. In Europe, you are guaranteed to travel by genuine local public transport wherever possible, which puts you right in the centre of the action.
PUBLIC BUSES:
This trip covers some distances by public buses. Buses in Central Europe can range from high standard coaches with reclining seats and air-conditioning to Soviet era vehicles for shorter distances.
TRAINS:
European trains are comfortable and often decked out with air-conditioning. Toilets are always available. Some of the trains have snack bars (or vending machines) and power points next to the seats but that cannot be guaranteed on every journey. Train travel is a fast way to traverse long distances, allowing you to avoid traffic jams and arrive right into the city centre.
LONG TRAVEL DAYS:
As we cover lots of ground on this trip, expect some long travel days on local trains and buses. This is an opportunity to mix with the locals and enjoy the scenery out the window. Travel schedules are known to change with little notice. Not all transport may have air conditioning.
Train , Public bus , Private vehicle , Bicycle , Metro , Taxi
Vienna - Kaffee and Kuchen Experience
Cesky Krumlov - guided tour
Wroclaw - Orientation walk
Swidnica - Church of Peace visit
Oswiecim - Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum join in guided tour
Tatranska Lomnica - Tatra Mountains Hike (not between Nov and Mar)
Tatra Mountains - Hrebienok Funicular
Tatra Mountains - Tatranska Lomnica Gondola
Destinations
Map
Attractions
Daily Itinerary
Day 1 – Day 1: Arrival in Vienna
- Vienna - Arrival day
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- Viennese Giant Ferris Wheel
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Welcome to Vienna, Austria! Your journey begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, take a stroll around the city or enjoy a bird's eye view from the famous Prater Ferris Wheel. Your home for the next two nights is Magdas Hotel (or similar), a social enterprise dedicated to supporting refugees. After the meeting, why not get to know your fellow travelers over dinner?
Day 2 – Day 2: Exploring Vienna
- Vienna
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- Hundertwasser House
- Schönbrunn Palace
- Albertina
- St. Stephen's Cathedral
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Join your guide for a morning walk through Vienna's compact center. Visit the gothic St Stephen's Cathedral, the neo-classical Graben, and the grand Hofburg Palace. Continue along the Ringstrasse and finish your city tour at the State Opera House. Enjoy a coffee break at Vollpension, a local cafe that empowers older community members. Spend the afternoon exploring the city's rich art scene or take a guided audio tour of the grand summer palace, Schoenbrunn.
Day 3 – Day 3: Vienna to Cesky Krumlov
- okres Český Krumlov
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- Český Krumlov Castle Tower
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Depart Vienna by minivan and cross the border into the Czech Republic. Arrive in the picturesque medieval town of Cesky Krumlov. Take a guided tour of the town, starting in the main square. Wander through the Old Town, see the city's oldest pharmacy, and visit the Cesky Krumlov Castle for panoramic views of the town below.
Day 4 – Day 4: Free Day in Cesky Krumlov
- okres Český Krumlov
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- Egon Schiele Art Centrum
- Cloak Bridge
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Today is yours to enjoy as you please. You may opt for a guided castle tour, visit the Egon Schiele Art Centrum, or embark on a canoe adventure on the Vltava River for a different perspective of the town.
Day 5 – Day 5: Cesky Krumlov to Prague
- Prague
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- Old Town Square
- Charles Bridge
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Leave Cesky Krumlov and travel by bus to Prague. Upon arrival, join your leader for an orientation walk. Spend your free afternoon and evening exploring the city's vibrant jazz scene or capturing magical photos at Charles Bridge or Old Town Square.
Day 6 – Day 6: Free Day in Prague
- Prague
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- Old Town Square
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Today is yours to explore Prague. Consider a walk around the Jewish Quarter, visit the Old Jewish Cemetery, or learn about the struggles of many European countries at the Museum of Communism. In the evening, join your group for dinner and drinks in one of the city's renowned beer halls.
Day 7 – Day 7: Prague to Wroclaw
- Wroclaw
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- Museum of Old Trade
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Travel by train and bus to Wroclaw, Poland, stopping en route in Swidnica to visit the intriguing Lutheran Church of Peace. Arrive in Wroclaw in the early afternoon and join your leader for an orientation walk around this city that feels like a step back in time. The rest of the day is yours to explore.
Day 8 – Day 8: Exploring Wroclaw
- Wroclaw
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- Museum of Natural History
- Wrocław Market Square
- Ostrów Tumski, Wrocław
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Spend another day exploring Wroclaw at your leisure. Consider visiting Ostrów Tumski (Cathedral Island), the Old Town Square, and the Four Denominations District. Don't miss the chance to appreciate Wroclaw from the River Oder or experience the city's vibrant cultural scene.
Day 9 – Day 9: Wroclaw to Krakow
- Krakow
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- Wawel Royal Castle-State Art Collection
- St. Mary's Basilica
- Rynek Główny
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Travel by train to Krakow, one of Poland's most well-known cities. Join your leader for an orientation walk and discover the city's rich history. Visit the Wawel Royal Castle, the 13th-century town square of Rynek Glowny, and the stunning St Mary's and St Francis' Basilicas. Explore the second oldest university in Central Europe, Jagiellonian University. Spend the evening in the laidback Jewish Quarter, enjoying local cuisine.
Day 10 – Day 10: Exploring Krakow
- Krakow
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- Zywiec Brewery Museum
- Wieliczka Salt Mine
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Travel to Oswiecim to visit the sobering Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum. Spend the afternoon exploring Krakow or visit the Wieliczka Salt Mines, a World Heritage-listed site. In the evening, enjoy a plate of pierogi and a few beers to celebrate another day of exploration.
Day 11 – Day 11: Krakow to Tatranska Lomnica
- Krakow
- Tatranská Lomnica
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- Góralski Ślizg
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Bid farewell to Krakow and travel by bus through the rolling hills and tiny villages of southern Poland to Slovakia. Arrive in Tatranska Lomnica, a small alpine resort at the base of the High Tatra Mountains. Spend the evening soaking up the atmosphere of this beautiful mountainous region.
Day 12 – Day 12: Hiking in the High Tatra Mountains
- Tatranská Lomnica
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- Tatra Gallery
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Embark on a guided hike in the High Tatra Mountains. The route includes gradual hill ascents and descents and walking on gravel and uneven rocky surfaces. After the hike, return to your accommodation and enjoy the rest of the day in this beautiful location.
Day 13 – Day 13: Tatranska Lomnica to Budapest
- Budapest
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- Buda Castle
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Start early for the long journey to Budapest, Hungary. Upon arrival, take a brief walk around the neighborhood to get your bearings. The city's grand architecture, café culture, and interesting laneways make it one of Europe's truly great cities. Spend the evening relaxing or explore the city's eclectic 'ruin' bars in the Jewish Quarter.
Day 14 – Day 14: Exploring Budapest
- Budapest
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- Király Fürdő
- Buda Castle
- City Park
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Enjoy a full day to explore 'The Pearl of the Danube'. Take a boat trip along the river, visit Buda Castle for spectacular views, or head to Statue Park to see the communist monuments. Don't miss the chance to soak in Budapest's hot thermal baths. You might also like to join one of our Urban Adventure day tours.
Day 15 – Day 15: Departure Day
- Budapest - Departure day
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Your adventure ends after breakfast today. You're free to depart the accommodation at any time, provided you comply with the hotel's check-out time.
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