CENTRAL EUROPE
Day 1 KRAKOW arrival
Arrival to Krakow. Meet & greet followed by a private transfer to your hotel.
Day 2 KRAKOW
Walking tour of the ancient center of Krakow. This is, they say, Poland's most beautiful city. For almost 500 years it was the country's capital, and today it is without a doubt its cultural capital. The city which was totally undamaged during the World War II has been listed as UNESCO site. Your Old Town tour of Krakow will include Royal Route, Jagiellionian University-one of the oldest medieval Century University of Europe, Main Square-the biggest main square market in Europe, St. Mary’s Church. Royal Castle on Wavel Hill. Free time later to explore this interesting town at your own pace and mingle with the locals.
DAY 3 KRAKOW – WIELICZKA – AUSCHWITZ - KRAKOW
Breakfast. This morning, drive will take you to Auswitz - the concentration camp established by German Nazis on the outskirts of the town Oswiecim. The Auschwitz-Birkenau complex was established in 1940 and throughout the five years of its inglorious operation over 1.5 million Jews, Poles, Italians and Frenchman perished here. It should be emphasized that the prisoners of Auschwitz originated from every country in Europe. The museum was founded in 1947, combining the area of KL Auschwitz (Auschwitz I) in Oświęcim and the Birkenau camp (Auschwitz II) in Brzezinka; it comprises approximately 150 buildings and 300 ruins. The original roads, fences, watchtowers and railway ramps have been preserved. The buildings house the collection of original exhibits and documents. In 1979, the concentration camp was designated as one of the UNESCO's World Heritage Sites. Let’s wander along the remarkably beautiful undergrounds of the “Wieliczka” Salt Mine. In the past, the “Wieliczka” Salt Mine was the pride of kings and the source of the country’s wealth. Today, it is the wealth of Pole’s culture in which they take pride like kings of the past. In 1976, the “Wieliczka” Salt Mine was entered on the national register of historic monuments and already in 1978 it was entered on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Magnificent chambers chiseled out in rock salt. Amazing underground saline lakes, majestic timber constructions and unique statues sculpted in salt. Almost 3 kilometres of meandering corridors, 800 steps to climb of which 350 have to be descended to reach the depth of 135 meters underground. Thus it is no surprise that till now, the Tourist Route, the main visiting route of the mine has been visited by 38,000,000 tourists from around the whole world in search of adventures.
DAY 4 KRAKOW – BUDAPEST
A comfortable drive through three countries. First, south to the Tatra Mountains of Poland, then through a scenic part of Slovakia, and finally into Hungary. Your destination is Budapest, the most lively of Eastern European capitals. Accommodation in hotel. Free time. Transfer for a dinner cruise on the Danube, enjoying the city skyline illuminated at night.
DAY 5 BUDAPEST
City tour of Budapest. Begin in Pest and continue to view the Parliament, Heroes' Square, and Market Hall before crossing the Danube to the Buda Hills. There, see the Royal Palace, visit Matthias Church and continue to the Fishermen's Bastion for enthralling panoramic views of the city. In the aternoon join the tour to the Parliament with its stunning interior and to impressive St. Stephens Basilica, the largest church in Budapest. End the tour with a walk through the historic Great Market Hall with its over 100 market stalls and endless choices of regional products.
DAY 6 BUDAPEST - VIENNA
Depart Hungary and travel through the Austrian countryside to Vienna, former center of the Hapsburg Empire. Upon arrival in Vienna, enjoy a panoramic tour of the city that begins with a drive along the Ringstrasse, Vienna's main boulevard, to view Hofburg Palace, the Opera House, the monument of Empress Maria Theresia, Votive Church, City Hall, Belvedere Palace, Prater Amusement Park, and St. Stephen's Cathedral. After hotel check in enjoy walking tour of Vienna, European cultural capital. Vienna abounds with stunning palaces, historical monuments, fascinating museums, and some of the world's best concert performances, ranging from classical masterpieces to lively jazz fusion. View the Empress Maria Theresia Monument, Votive Church, City Hall and Parliament. Next, walk through the Hofburg courtyards to the State Opera House. Enjoy.
DAY 7 VIENNA
Breakfast. Tour Schonbrunn Palace today. Schönbrunn Palace is a World Cultural Heritage site and Austria's most-visited sight. The baroque total work of art consisting of palace and gardens was for centuries the property of the Habsburgs and is today largely in its original condition. Visitors will find numerous attractions here, from a tour through the authentically furnished residential and ceremonial rooms of the Imperial Family in the palace, to the maze and the labyrinth in the gardens and a separate Children's Museum.
Be sure to stop at a café to sample the famous Viennese Sacher Torte before returning to the hotel. Overinght Vienna.
DAY 8 VIENNA - PRAGUE
Breakfast. This morning, depart Austria for the Czech Republic. Enjoy the sights of Central Europe during your journey. Make your way through Southern Bohemia and on to the Czech capital city, Prague ("The City of a Thousand Spires"). Afternoon arrival to Prague. We will have a short panoramic tour of the city before we check in to our hotel. Dinner at hotel or typical restaurant.
DAY 9 PRAGUE
Half day tour to include a walking tour of Old Town Square, the Astronomical Clock, Wenceslas Square, the Charles Bridge, the Castle district, the Strahov Monastery. We have requested a Mass at the Chapel of our Lady Victorius where the Holy Infant of Prague (Santo Nino) is enshrined.
DAY 10 PRAGUE
Transfer to Prague airport.
Arrival to Krakow. Meet & greet followed by a private transfer to your hotel.
Day 2 KRAKOW
Walking tour of the ancient center of Krakow. This is, they say, Poland's most beautiful city. For almost 500 years it was the country's capital, and today it is without a doubt its cultural capital. The city which was totally undamaged during the World War II has been listed as UNESCO site. Your Old Town tour of Krakow will include Royal Route, Jagiellionian University-one of the oldest medieval Century University of Europe, Main Square-the biggest main square market in Europe, St. Mary’s Church. Royal Castle on Wavel Hill. Free time later to explore this interesting town at your own pace and mingle with the locals.
DAY 3 KRAKOW – WIELICZKA – AUSCHWITZ - KRAKOW
Breakfast. This morning, drive will take you to Auswitz - the concentration camp established by German Nazis on the outskirts of the town Oswiecim. The Auschwitz-Birkenau complex was established in 1940 and throughout the five years of its inglorious operation over 1.5 million Jews, Poles, Italians and Frenchman perished here. It should be emphasized that the prisoners of Auschwitz originated from every country in Europe. The museum was founded in 1947, combining the area of KL Auschwitz (Auschwitz I) in Oświęcim and the Birkenau camp (Auschwitz II) in Brzezinka; it comprises approximately 150 buildings and 300 ruins. The original roads, fences, watchtowers and railway ramps have been preserved. The buildings house the collection of original exhibits and documents. In 1979, the concentration camp was designated as one of the UNESCO's World Heritage Sites. Let’s wander along the remarkably beautiful undergrounds of the “Wieliczka” Salt Mine. In the past, the “Wieliczka” Salt Mine was the pride of kings and the source of the country’s wealth. Today, it is the wealth of Pole’s culture in which they take pride like kings of the past. In 1976, the “Wieliczka” Salt Mine was entered on the national register of historic monuments and already in 1978 it was entered on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Magnificent chambers chiseled out in rock salt. Amazing underground saline lakes, majestic timber constructions and unique statues sculpted in salt. Almost 3 kilometres of meandering corridors, 800 steps to climb of which 350 have to be descended to reach the depth of 135 meters underground. Thus it is no surprise that till now, the Tourist Route, the main visiting route of the mine has been visited by 38,000,000 tourists from around the whole world in search of adventures.
DAY 4 KRAKOW – BUDAPEST
A comfortable drive through three countries. First, south to the Tatra Mountains of Poland, then through a scenic part of Slovakia, and finally into Hungary. Your destination is Budapest, the most lively of Eastern European capitals. Accommodation in hotel. Free time. Transfer for a dinner cruise on the Danube, enjoying the city skyline illuminated at night.
DAY 5 BUDAPEST
City tour of Budapest. Begin in Pest and continue to view the Parliament, Heroes' Square, and Market Hall before crossing the Danube to the Buda Hills. There, see the Royal Palace, visit Matthias Church and continue to the Fishermen's Bastion for enthralling panoramic views of the city. In the aternoon join the tour to the Parliament with its stunning interior and to impressive St. Stephens Basilica, the largest church in Budapest. End the tour with a walk through the historic Great Market Hall with its over 100 market stalls and endless choices of regional products.
DAY 6 BUDAPEST - VIENNA
Depart Hungary and travel through the Austrian countryside to Vienna, former center of the Hapsburg Empire. Upon arrival in Vienna, enjoy a panoramic tour of the city that begins with a drive along the Ringstrasse, Vienna's main boulevard, to view Hofburg Palace, the Opera House, the monument of Empress Maria Theresia, Votive Church, City Hall, Belvedere Palace, Prater Amusement Park, and St. Stephen's Cathedral. After hotel check in enjoy walking tour of Vienna, European cultural capital. Vienna abounds with stunning palaces, historical monuments, fascinating museums, and some of the world's best concert performances, ranging from classical masterpieces to lively jazz fusion. View the Empress Maria Theresia Monument, Votive Church, City Hall and Parliament. Next, walk through the Hofburg courtyards to the State Opera House. Enjoy.
DAY 7 VIENNA
Breakfast. Tour Schonbrunn Palace today. Schönbrunn Palace is a World Cultural Heritage site and Austria's most-visited sight. The baroque total work of art consisting of palace and gardens was for centuries the property of the Habsburgs and is today largely in its original condition. Visitors will find numerous attractions here, from a tour through the authentically furnished residential and ceremonial rooms of the Imperial Family in the palace, to the maze and the labyrinth in the gardens and a separate Children's Museum.
Be sure to stop at a café to sample the famous Viennese Sacher Torte before returning to the hotel. Overinght Vienna.
DAY 8 VIENNA - PRAGUE
Breakfast. This morning, depart Austria for the Czech Republic. Enjoy the sights of Central Europe during your journey. Make your way through Southern Bohemia and on to the Czech capital city, Prague ("The City of a Thousand Spires"). Afternoon arrival to Prague. We will have a short panoramic tour of the city before we check in to our hotel. Dinner at hotel or typical restaurant.
DAY 9 PRAGUE
Half day tour to include a walking tour of Old Town Square, the Astronomical Clock, Wenceslas Square, the Charles Bridge, the Castle district, the Strahov Monastery. We have requested a Mass at the Chapel of our Lady Victorius where the Holy Infant of Prague (Santo Nino) is enshrined.
DAY 10 PRAGUE
Transfer to Prague airport.