Highlights of Eastern Europe (Classic, End Vienna, 14 Days)
Description
Summary
Description
Embark on a captivating 14-day journey through the heart of Eastern Europe, where history, culture, and natural beauty intertwine. This multi-day tour offers an immersive experience, taking you from the vibrant city of Budapest to the stately capital of Vienna. Along the way, you'll explore enchanting old towns, marvel at majestic castles, and delve into the rich history of this fascinating region. Enjoy mouthwatering local cuisine, attend enchanting music recitals, and visit iconic landmarks. Whether you're strolling through the cobbled streets of Český Krumlov or reflecting on history at Auschwitz, this tour promises a unique blend of discovery, relaxation, and adventure.
Included
6 Dinner (D)
13 Breakfast (B)
Budapest: Dine in elegance and savour Hungarian delicacies accompanied with specially selected Hungarian wine during your dinner.
Warsaw: Enjoy a demonstration of the traditional techniques of dumpling-making with an expert chef. Then enjoy a hearty Polish dinner with a variety of local delicacies and drinks.
Ceske Budejovice: Tour a local brewery to discover the secrets of how the golden vintage of beer is made, followed by a sampling.
Cesky Krumlov: For your dinner this evening, choose your own style of ambience and cuisine from a fine selection of restaurants in the atmospheric centre.
Vienna: Your Imperial Viennese dinner is regal splendour on a plate. Enjoy a delicious traditional meal with drinks at a local restaurant, before a concert of classical music that pays homage to the genius of Strauss and Mozart.
jain, vegetarian, vegan, halal, kosher, meat
Budapest: Corinthia Hotel Budapest blends classic hotel opulence with the finest five-star luxury. Located in the heart of the city, its refurbished Royal Spa is simply stunning.
Choose between two carefully selected activities
Prague: Stroll through the Jewish Quarter with your Local Expert to hear how the Jewish community has shaped the history of Prague.
Prague: Explore Prague with your local expert, walk the courtyards of the Castle and visit the imposing St. Vitus Cathedral. The city is then yours to explore. Maybe take a river cruise through the heart of the city or walk in the footsteps of kings along the Royal Route? Czechs are passionate about their beer, so be sure to try the local pilsners together with hearty Czech cuisine.
Vienna: Visit a traditional coffeehouse to enjoy Viennese specialities of coffee and Sachertorte.
Vienna: Listen to the musical masterpiece of Mozart and learn the Viennese Waltz, in an inclusive workshop designed to support the visually impaired community. Unique to Insight Guests, ‘Dancing without Barriers’ takes place in the dark, in a specially designed sensory studio, and will be a unique experience for all your senses. This specifically designed workshop focuses on inclusion and education around the topic of visual impairment. Through their foundation the organisation supports children from disadvantaged family and children with a visual impairment. This experience advances UN Sustainable Development Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities.
Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
Budapest: Enjoy a tour of the Liszt Music Academy with a student, followed by an enchanting recital. Producing incredible musical talent, the university was founded by piano virtuoso and composer Franz Liszt in 1875.
Budapest: Stroll through the alleys of the Old Town of Buda with a Local Expert.
Kraków: The medieval heart of Krakow is rich in legend, a kind of Polish Camelot. Join your Local Expert for an in-depth exploration of this historic Holy Grail. Cross the former Jewish Quarter of Kazimierz to Podgórze and see the Ghetto Square.
Kraków: Visit the cathedral atop Wawel Hill, see the castle and look for the iconic dragon, accompanied by your Local Expert.
Kraków: Visit the 14th-century St. Mary's Basilica, the most important church in the city.
Auschwitz: Experience a powerful and moving visit with a Local Expert. See the Auschwitz memorial and museum, which bears witness to the atrocities of the Holocaust.
Warsaw: Your Local Expert will show you the city's highlights. See the Old Town, Palace of Culture and visit the Chopin Memorial in the Lazienki Park before paying your respects at the Ghetto Heroes Memorial.
Berlin: You Local Expert provides a tour of this vibrant city. Drive along the Ku'Damm, passing the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church and through Tiergarten to the Reichstag building. See the Brandenburg Gate, State Opera House and visit Alexanderplatz.
Cesky Krumlov: Visit the fairytale castle considered to be the finest in the land. Let a Local Expert lead you through a medieval labyrinth of private chambers, courtyards, kitchens and dungeons of the castle, so rich in history.
Vienna: A private, guided exploration of Schönbrunn Palace will have all your senses tingling. Stand beneath frescoed ceilings, crystal chandeliers and gilded Rococo frames where Mozart performed as a child prodigy.
Vienna: Walk through the first district, Inner Stadt, as your Local Expert reveals why this is the historic core of the city. You will also tour the Ring Road to see the Hofburg Imperial Residence, Opera House, Parliament Building and Karlskirche.
Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.
From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
Dresden: During your orientation with your Travel Director, take a moment to admire the 'Procession of the Princes' mosaic on the Saxon wall of the castle. You'll also see Frauenkirche, Zwinger Palace and the opera house, Semperoper.
Cesky Krumlov: Your Travel Director will lead you on an orientation of the city as you explore the medieval streets of this fairy-tale town.
Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.
Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.
Destinations
Map
Attractions
Daily Itinerary
Day 1 – Day 1: Welcome to Budapest
- Budapest - Arrival day
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Begin your Eastern European adventure in the vibrant city of Budapest. Meet your Travel Director and fellow travelers for a delightful welcome dinner at a local restaurant, where you'll savor traditional Hungarian specialties paired with carefully selected wines.
Day 2 – Day 2: Exploring Budapest
- Budapest
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- The Church of Our Lady of Buda Castle
- Fisherman's Bastion
- Kovács Margit Ceramic Museum
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Immerse yourself in the rich culture of Budapest. Visit the renowned Liszt Academy of Music for a guided tour and a captivating recital. Wander through the charming alleys of Buda's Old Town with a local expert, admiring the stunning Matthias Church and the panoramic views from the Fisherman's Bastion. In the evening, you may choose to embark on a magical cruise along the Danube, complete with a delicious meal of Hungarian specialties.
Day 3 – Day 3: Journey to Kraków
- Budapest
- Donovaly
- Krakow
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Embark on a scenic drive into Slovakia, passing through the breathtaking Low Tatra Mountains and stopping at the picturesque village of Donovaly. Continue north to marvel at the stunning Oravský Hrad Castle, where traditional wooden houses still stand. Cross into Poland and arrive in the historic city of Kraków.
Day 4 – Day 4: Discovering Kraków
- Krakow
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- St. Mary's Basilica
- Wieliczka Salt Mine
- Wawel Cathedral
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Join a local expert to explore the city of Kraków. Ascend Wawel Hill to visit the cathedral and walk past the former residence of Pope John Paul II through the Old Town. Marvel at Europe's largest and most beautiful town square, the medieval Sukiennice Cloth Hall, and the 14th-century St. Mary's Basilica. Listen for the trumpeter in the tower and consider an optional visit to the 600-year-old Wieliczka Salt Mines, a subterranean world of salt sculptures and sunken lakes.
Day 5 – Day 5: From Kraków to Warsaw
- Krakow
- Warsaw
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- Memorial and Museum Auschwitz I
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Visit Auschwitz, a poignant reminder of the Holocaust. Spend time reflecting on the atrocities committed here and pay your respects at the memorials. Continue across the Polish plains to Warsaw, the country's capital. In the evening, enjoy a traditional dumpling demonstration and a delightful dinner featuring local specialties.
Day 6 – Day 6: Exploring Warsaw
- Warsaw
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- Chinese Garden
- Old Town Market Square
- Royal Route
- Palace of Culture and Science
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Join a local expert to explore Warsaw's Old Town, Royal Castle, and Palace of Culture. Visit the Chopin Memorial in the Łazienki Park and pay your respects at the Monument to the Ghetto Heroes. Enjoy a free afternoon to explore at your own pace. You may wish to attend a Chopin recital or delve deeper into Warsaw's inspiring past.
Day 7 – Day 7: Journey to Berlin
- Warsaw
- Berlin
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Travel westward across the central plains of Poland, crossing the Oder River to enter Germany. Arrive in the vibrant capital of Berlin, where you'll have the opportunity to try traditional Berliner cuisine.
Day 8 – Day 8: Discovering Berlin
- Berlin
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- Reichstag Building
- Brandenburg Gate
- Museum Island
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Embrace the spirit of Berlin with a local expert. Drive through the leafy Tiergarten to the refurbished Reichstag building and see the iconic Brandenburg Gate. On the eastern side, take Unter den Linden past the State Opera House to Museum Island.
Day 9 – Day 9: From Berlin to Prague
- Berlin
- Prague
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- Zwinger
- Frauenkirche Dresden
- The Grand Garden Palace
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Travel south to Dresden, a city beautifully reconstructed after being almost completely destroyed in 1945. See the reconstructed Frauenkirche and walk past the colossal 'Procession of the Princes' on the wall of the Royal Palace. Explore the area around the Catholic cathedral to view the tiered facades of the opera house and the Baroque Zwinger Palace. After some free time for lunch, head for the Czech border and continue to the capital city of Prague.
Day 10 – Day 10: Exploring Prague
- Prague
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- Castle Kokorin
- Jerusalem Synagogue
- St. Vitus Cathedral
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Explore Prague with a choice of two Insight Choices. Opt to walk the courtyards of the Castle and visit the imposing St. Vitus Cathedral, or join your Local Expert for a walk through the Jewish Quarter to learn about a different side of Prague's history. The rest of the day is yours to explore. You might want to walk along the Royal Route or try the local pilsners and Czech cuisine.
Day 11 – Day 11: Journey to Český Krumlov
- Prague
- České Budějovice
- okres Český Krumlov
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- Český Krumlov Castle Tower
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Travel through the green Bohemian countryside to České Budějovice. Enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour of a local brewery and sample the beer. Continue to the picturesque medieval town of Český Krumlov. Stroll through the narrow cobbled streets and visit the fairy-tale castle with a local guide. After the day trippers have left, soak up the unique atmosphere of this UNESCO World Heritage Site at a local restaurant, where you'll enjoy a traditional Czech Highlight Dinner.
Day 12 – Day 12: Journey to Vienna
- okres Český Krumlov
- Vienna
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Cross the border into Austria for a delightful journey to Vienna. The afternoon is free for you to explore this stately capital. Consider enjoying a traditional Austrian meal with the option to dine at a country mansion.
Day 13 – Day 13: Discovering Vienna
- Vienna
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- Burg Perchtoldsdorf
- Hundertwasser House
- Austrian Gallery Belvedere
- Schönbrunn Palace
- Bergkirche
- Burgruine Mödling
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Vienna's charm is largely due to the long reign of the Habsburgs. Join your Local Expert for a private visit to Maria Theresa's Schönbrunn Palace and its formal gardens. Take a photo tour of the famous Ring Road, showcasing many of the capital's architectural masterpieces, including the Opera House, magnificent Hofburg Imperial Residence, Austrian Parliament Building, and Karlskirche. Choose between a visit to a traditional Viennese café to enjoy local specialties of coffee and Sachertorte, or join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience during an inclusive workshop and take to the floor in a Viennese Waltz dance workshop designed to support the visually impaired community. Enjoy a delicious meal of traditional Austrian fare with drinks at a local restaurant, before sitting down to an extraordinary concert of Viennese classical music.
Day 14 – Day 14: Farewell Vienna
- Vienna - Departure day
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Your memorable journey through Eastern Europe comes to an end in Vienna. Spend the morning at your leisure before saying goodbye to your fellow travelers and heading home with wonderful memories.
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