Best of Eastern & Central Europe (4 Star Hotels)

Welcome to Bucharest, Romania's vibrant capital! Upon arrival at the airport, look for the Travel Talk sign for your transfer to the Hotel Mercure Unirii (or similar). At 7pm, join your guide and fellow travellers for an informal welcome meeting at the hotel. After receiving all the essential information about the tour, you'll have the option to join a group dinner at 8:15pm and explore the streets of Bucharest.

After a hearty breakfast at the hotel, we'll embark on a guided tour of Bucharest. We'll visit key landmarks such as the Revolution Square, Arc of Triumph, and Romania Athenaem, and learn about the city's unique culture and history. We'll also explore the Opera House, National Military Club, Dimitrie Gusti National Village, and the Palace of Parliament. After a day of discovery, you'll have some free time to explore the city at your own pace before returning to the hotel.

Today, we'll journey to the enchanting region of Transylvania. Our first stop is the beautiful neo-renaissance Peles Castle in Sinaia, nestled in the Carpathian mountains. From there, we'll visit the legendary Bran Castle, also known as Dracula's Castle, where legend and reality blend to create timeless vampire stories. We'll then continue to Brasov, a charming town surrounded by medieval Saxon walls and adorned with gothic and baroque architecture. We'll explore the cobble-stone Piața Sfatului, the Black Church, and the Muresenilor House Museum before checking into our hotel.

Today, we'll continue our journey to Sighisoara, where we'll stop at the Clock Tower and enjoy stunning views of the Sighisoara Citadel, the Dominican Monastery, The Church on the Hill, and Dracula's House. We'll then proceed to Cluj-Napoca, the unofficial capital of the Transylvania region. Join your tour leader for a sightseeing tour of the city, visiting the Union Square, St. Mihail Church, and Matthias Corvinus Monument. After a day of discovery, we'll check into our hotel and enjoy some free time.

After breakfast, we'll depart for the salt mines of Turda, a fascinating geological wonder that has been active since the 11th century. We'll then continue to Hunedeoara Castle, also known as Corvin Castle, where you'll learn about the vibrant history of this Transylvanian citadel. Our next stop is the fairytale-like town of Sibiu. After a day filled with cultural adventure, we'll check into our hotel and you'll have the rest of the evening to explore Sibiu at your own pace.

We'll start our day with a walking tour of charming Sibiu, a city known for its Germanic architecture and rich history dating back to the 12th century. We'll visit landmarks such as Brukenthal Palace, Piata Mare, Lutheran Cathedral, Holy Trinity Cathedral, and the Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul. In the afternoon, we'll return to Bucharest for our overnight stay.

Today, we'll say goodbye to Romania and fly to Budapest, Hungary's capital city, also known as the 'Pearl of the Danube'. Upon arrival, you'll have some free time to explore the city's famous landmarks at your own leisure.

After breakfast, join your tour leader for a walk around Budapest. This stunning city is known for its beautiful architecture, thermal baths, and rich cultural history. Explore the Castle District, take a dip in one of the thermal baths, and check out the local Christmas markets, where you can find everything from traditional Hungarian crafts to mulled wine and sweet treats.

Today, we'll travel to three different cities: Budapest, Bratislava, and Vienna. Explore the charming streets of Bratislava, Slovakia's capital, and then continue on to Vienna, Austria's capital. Take a walking tour with your tour leader to see some of Vienna's most famous landmarks, such as St. Stephen's Cathedral and the Hofburg Palace. In the evening, visit the Christmas markets, where you can sample local delicacies and buy unique gifts.

Spend the day exploring Vienna's many attractions, such as the Hofburg Palace, St. Stephen's Cathedral, and the Schönbrunn Palace. In the evening, head to one of the city's many Christmas markets, where you can enjoy festive treats and shop for unique gifts, including handmade crafts and traditional sweets.

Embark on a scenic journey from Vienna to Salzburg, a captivating city nestled amidst the breathtaking Austrian Alps. Take a guided tour through the highlights of Salzburg, visiting Mirabell Palace and Gardens, the iconic Hohensalzburg Fortress, the awe-inspiring Salzburg Cathedral, and the Mozart Residence. Later, we'll proceed towards Munich, the capital of Bavaria.

We begin the day with an introductory stroll led by your group leader to discover key attractions like Marienplatz, Frauenkirche, and Viktualienmarkt. Marvel at the iconic Marienplatz, the city's vibrant central square, adorned with historical landmarks and surrounded by picturesque architecture. Explore the awe-inspiring Frauenkirche, a symbol of Munich's rich history and a testament to its resilience. For the rest of the day, enjoy free time at your own pace, or choose to engage in the optional excursion to the enchanting Linderhof Palace and Oberammergau.

Embark on a picturesque morning journey from Munich to the charming city of Regensburg in Germany. Take your time to leisurely explore the enchanting delights of Regensburg, situated along the scenic Danube River. Renowned as one of Germany's largest and impeccably preserved medieval cities, Regensburg holds the prestigious designation of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Later on, ride to Prague and take a moment's rest to fuel up for a full day in Prague packed with popular sights.

Embark on a captivating day in Prague with a guided walking tour leading you through the picturesque Lesser Town, also known as the charming Little Quarter. As you traverse the iconic Charles Bridge, marvel at the breathtaking views that unfold before you, leading you to the heart of Prague's medieval center, the Old Town. Continue your journey into the Jewish Quarter, where you'll encounter the elegant white stucco St. Nicholas Church, the renowned Astronomical Clock, and the historic Town Hall. In the afternoon, embark on a guided tour to the hilltop Prague Castle complex, the former regal residence of Bohemian kings. Discover the magnificence of St. Vitus Cathedral, the hallowed space where kings were crowned, and be treated to spectacular vistas offering panoramic views of the entire city below.

After a hearty breakfast, travel from Prague to Dresden, renowned for its impressive artistic masterpieces and Baroque architectural wonders. Although significant portions of this city fell victim to wartime destruction, meticulous restoration efforts have restored its former splendor, notably showcased in landmarks such as the Royal Palace and its museum housing treasures dating back to the 1720s. Your guided walking tour will lead you to iconic sites such as the Zwinger Palace, the Semper Opera, and the unmistakable Dresden Frauenkirche, the Church of Our Lady, meticulously reconstructed from rubble. As the day comes to a close, travel on to the diverse Berlin and check in at your hotel.

Embark on a captivating morning exploration with a guided tour of Berlin, starting with a visit to the historic Reichstag building, which has housed the German Parliament since its construction in 1894. Proceed to the iconic Brandenburg Gate, a symbol once emblematic of the city's division during the Cold War era. Following the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, the gate has transformed into a powerful symbol of German unity, alongside the controversial Checkpoint Charlie. As you traverse the city, cruise along the elegant Unter den Linden Boulevard and Kurfurstendamm, a renowned avenue that has long been one of Berlin's most iconic thoroughfares. Pass by notable landmarks such as the German State Opera House and the Baroque Deutscher Dom, a magnificent structure dating back to the 1700s.

Today, after a delicious breakfast at the hotel, your unforgettable Central Europe tour comes to an end. Bid farewell to your fellow travellers and the magnificent Europe until next time!