Multicountry

 Enjoy a wonderful tour through Central Europe to see amazing cities, beautiful castles and awe inspiring mountains in Slovakia, Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland.

 

 

Day 1 

Arrival at Prague airport and transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Prague.

 

Day 2  

Prague
This city with its wealth of gothic and baroque architecture perhaps inspired the Prague composers Dvorak and Smetana. Start the day with a half-day guided walking tour  through the Old Town,  around the Old Town Square to see the famous Astronomical Clock, the Tin Church, Powder Tower, Municipal House and the Jewish Quarter. Continue from there down toward the Vltava River and walk across Charles Bridge. Afternoon: Prague city tour II. : Cross the Vltava River over the Charles Bridge for the second part of the city tour and up the hill to the most massive castle complex in continental Europe: Prague Castle. We’ll tour the impressive Old Royal Palace, St. George’s Basilica and St. Vitus Cathedral. We finish the tour at Golden Lane, with  its amazing atmosphere of Kafka’s Prague. Evening: leisure time. Overnight in Prague.

 

Day 3   

Prague - Pernštejn Castle – Olomouc (284 km/3.10 min)
Pernstejn is one of the most preserved castles in the Czech Republic, mentioned in historical records as early as the second half of the 13th century. Originally Gothic style but specially modified  in the 16th century. The castle is very frequently used for filming of fairytales and various movies from middle-age times. Arrival in Olomouc.  Legend claims that the city was founded by Julius Caesar. It is described as a fortified castle guarded the important Morava river ford on the road between Krakow and Prague. Between the 16th and 19th centuries Olomouc served as a strategically important fortress. Overnight in Olomouc.

 

Day 4

Olomouc - Krakow(268 km/ 3.40 min)
Olomouc city tour:  The Holy Trinity Column in Olomouc (UNESCO site) dominates the city center and its grandiosity easily takes a visitor’s breath away. You simply should not miss the Olomouc castle site situated on  Wenceslas Hill! It was here in 1306, during the last Přemyslid dynasty that the Czech king Wenceslas III, was assassinated. You can admire the Bishop’s Palace with its famous Romanesque windows, the gothic St. Wenceslas Cathedral, today the seat of the Archbishop of Olomouc, or the Arch diocesem Museum, founded on the initiative of Pope John Paul II. After the city tour we depart for Kracow. Overnight in Kracow.

 

Day 5

Krakow
Half-day sightseeing in Krakow - The Wawel Hill, the Royal Castle and the Coronation Cathedral, the burial place of kings and famous Poles, the Old Town surrounded by defensive walls, the Barbican, the Market Square dominated by St. Mary’s Church with the famous XV th century linden wood altar and the Cloth Hall housing a multitude of souvenir shops. A special tour of Jagiellonian University, one of the oldest in Europe, and more  Overnight in Krakow.

 

Day 6

Krakow – Zakopane – Stary Smokovec – Strbske pleso (170 km/4 h)
On route we stop in Zakopane, which is the capital of the Tatra Mountains, the Polish winter capital and not to be missed pearl of the tourism world.  On the Slovakian side of the Tatra Mountains  is Stary Smokovec - the oldest tourist recreational area in the High Tatras. It is situated on the southern slope of the Slavkovský Peak and is an important starting point for hikes to the central part of the High Tatras. On arrival at the High Tatra, we will view the Štrbské Plesowith. Its large glacial mountain lake is the region's favorite ski, tourist, and health resort  and is part of  the Tatra National Park with a beautiful, 20-hectare alpine lake (pleso). Overnight in Strbske pleso.

 

Day 7

Strabske pleso – Banska Bisrica – Hronsek – Banska stiavnica (164 km/3 h)
First stop today is in Banska Bystrica, Slovakia. The town is a reminder of the 13th century start of the mining industry in the region and it was the birthplace of the Slovak National Uprising during  World War II. In Banská Bystrica you will find historical heritage in the center of town, the Castle area - national culture monument or Clock tower with the splendid outlook. Near Banska Bistrica, there is a small village Hronsek with a famous wooden church, the only wooden church in Slovakia which exhibits Scandinavian architectural influences, for instance in the beam connections and the arrangement of the columns. How these features, which have contributed significantly to the structure's longevity, arrived in Hronsek is still a mystery. Arrival in Banska Stiavnica. Over the centuries, the town of Banská Štiavnica was visited by many outstanding engineers and scientists who contributed to its fame. The old medieval mining center grew into a town with Renaissance palaces, 16th-century churches, elegant squares and castles. The urban centre blends into the surrounding landscape, which contains vital relics of the mining and metallurgical activities of the past. Overnight in Banska Stiavnica.

 

Day 8

Banska Stiavnica – Esztergom (106 km/2.20 min) – Visegrad (23 km/40 min) – Budapest (45 km/1.15 min)
Today we enter Hungary through Esztergom, considered to be the Northern gate of Budapest and the center of the Catholic church. Visit Hungary`s largest cathedral, the resting place of famous Hungarian cardinals. Explore Hungary`s history along the Danube river. Visit Visegrád and the 750 year old ruins of the formal Royal Residence. Learn about life in the Middle Ages and enjoy the panorama of the Danube Valley. Afternoon arrival in Budapest. Overnight in Budapest.

 

Day 9

Budapest
Discover Budapest: The city, called The Pearl of the Danube, and the Paris of the East.  Todays tour will include the Castle district, the gothic Matthias church, and Fishermen’s Bastion. The next stop is the Citadel on the Gellért Hill, where the best panoramic view of Budapest can be seen. Go back to the Pest side of the Elizabeth Bridge to the Heroes’ Square, with the Museum of Fine Art and a city park with Széchenyi Bath. Enjoy a walk along the Andrássy Avenue, which is a World Heritage site. See the Opera house and Budapest’s biggest church, the St Stephens Basilica and the unforgettable House of Parliament. Overnight in Budapest.

 

Day 10

Budapest – Gödöllő (30km/40 min) - Budapest
A summer palace of princess Sissi – breath of the Hungarian-Austrian Monarchy. The royal palace – a beautiful Baroque building - and its large park with horse stables and Riding school was built in 1800’s for the wife of Austrian emperor. Afternoon – return to Budapest and free time. Optional: Parliament house inside tour, Museum of Fine Art entrance. Overnight in Budapest.

 

Day 11

Budapest – Bratislava (200 km/2 h) – Vienna (79 km/1.10 min)
Explore the Capital of the Slovak Republic BRATISLAVA. The symbol of rich history and  typically dominant in the city is the Castle of Bratislava. One can view not only the magnificent city but also the neighboring Austria and Hungary bordering Bratislava , from the courtyard or  windows of the Castle. The most attractive part of Bratislava is the Old Town where the most historical sights as well as cultural institutions are concentrated. Evening – arrival in Vienna. Overnight in Vienna.

 

Day 12

Vienna
Vienna – Discover the capital of Austria during a Vienna City tour, which will introduce you to the most important sights of the Austrian capital.  As we drive around the famous 'Ringstrasse', Vienna's main boulevard, we shall see the State Opera, the Museums of Fine Art, the Parliament building, the National Theatre, the City Hall, the University and City Park. We also visit Hofburg – the royal palace in Vienna, then walk to the beautiful Gothic St. Stefans cathedral. Rest of the day at leisure.  Overnight in Vienna.

 

Day 13

Treasures near Vienna(240 km/3.10 min)
Today we visit the residence of the Austrian Emperor, Schönbrunn Palace near Vienna, where we take a tour of some of the most magnificently decorated rooms. In the afternoon we will tour the Danube Valley and Melk.  During this half-day excursion to the Danube Valley near Vienna you will see many interesting old towns near the Danube river: You will view amongst other things the town of Dürnstein, with castle ruins above it. King Richard of England was held for ransom here when returning from the Crusades. We will also visit Krems, a 1000 year old town with  a museum of changing exhibits called Kunsthalle Krems.  Also a pleasant look at the old buildings and streets of Krems  from Renaissance times – old and impressive. Later we visit Melk Abbey. This beautiful fully restored 18th century Benedictine Abbey goes back about 1000 years. Many say the most beautiful Baroque abbey in the world - part palace, part monastery, part opera set with a beautiful library,  a very nice garden and  a commanding view of the Danube. Overnight in Vienna.

 

Day 14   

Vienna – Linz (185 km/2,30 min) – Cesky Krumlov (73 km/1.30 min)
On the way to Cesky Krumlov there will be a  pleasant stop in Linz, the third-largest city in Austria and capital of the state of Upper Austria. It is located in the  centre north of Austria, approximately 30 km south of the Czech border, on both sides of the river Danube. A city with rich history and culture. Arrival in Cesky Krumlov. A unique historical town with castle complex, overlooking the town, one of the largest in central Europe. Its Baroque Theatre is a pearl of world heritage.  The amazing historical centre of the town with medieval, Renaissance and Baroque architecture is registered as a UNESCO World heritage site. Overnight in Cesky Krumlov.

 

Day 15

Cesky Krumlov – Prague (180 km/3.10 min)
Free time in Prague. Overnight in Prague.

 

Day 16

Prague – final departure