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BEST CENTRAL EUROPE TOUR - 16 DAYS IN ROYAL CITIES

 Join us on a fascinating tour of central Europe travelling through Slovakia, Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland for a magical sixteen days of pure pleasure.

 

 

Day 1

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

 

Day 2  

Prague
The wealth of gothic and baroque architecture perhaps inspired Dvorak and Smetana, both Prague composers. Half-day guided tour:  Walk down through the Old Town,  around Old Town Square and see the famous Astronomical Clock at the edge of the old Town. See the Tin Church, Powder Tower, Municipal House, Jewish Quarter. Continue from there down toward the Vltava River and walk across Charles Bridge. This morning's tour finishes at Charles Bridge. Afternoon – Half day tour of Karlstejn Castle 70 km/1.30 min)  Built on a seemingly impregnable hillside in the 14th century by Charles IV, the Roman Emperor and King of Bohemia, the medieval  castle housed treasures of the Holy Roman Empire, including the Czech coronation jewels. Overnight in Prague.

 

Day 3  

Prague
Go again to Charles Bridge for a second part of a city tour. Across the Vltava River and up to 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 a tour at Golden Lane, with the amazing atmosphere of Kafka’s Prague. Afternoon: Free time to explore Prague on your own. Overnight in Prague.

 

Day 4

Prague – Konopiste Castle – Cesky Krumlov(180km/2.40 min)
Konopiste, the former seat of the successor to the Habsburg throne Franz Ferdinand d’Este, was originally a castle from the 14th century. Ferdinand used it as his family’s seat until his assassination in Sarajevo, which launched World War I. Konopiste Chateau contains  Ferdinand’s art collection as well as his hunting trophies. We arrive at Cesky Krumlov, which is a unique historical town overlooked by one  of the largest castle complexes in central Europe.  Its Baroque Theatre is a pearl of world heritage. The stunning historic centre of the town with medeival, Renaissance and Baroque architecture is registered as a UNESCO World heritage site. Overnight in Cesky Krumlov.

 

Day 5

Cesky Krumlov – Vienna (203 km/3.30 min)
Vienna – Discover the capital of Austria.  Vienna City tour 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 will also visit Hofburg – the royal palace in Vienna, then walk to the beautiful Gothic St. Stefan’s cathedral. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Vienna.

 

Day 6

Treasures near Vienna (240 km/3.10 min)
Today we visit Schönbrunn Palace near Vienna,  the residence of Austrian Emperor,  where we will view some of the most magnificently decorated rooms. In the afternoon we take a tour to the Danube Valley and Melk  During this half-day excursion in the Danube Valley near Vienna  you will see many interesting old towns near the Danube river: You will see among 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.There is a Kunsthalle Krems- a museum of changing exhibits Also a lively look at the old buildings and streets of Krems which are from Renaisance times – old and impressive. Later there will be a visit to Melk Abbey. It goes back about 1000 years - a beautiful 18th-century Benedictine Abbey now fully restored. Many say the most beautiful Baroque abbey in the world - part palace, part monastery, part opera set as well as a beautiful library, a very nice garden and  a commanding view of the Danube. Back to Vienna, Overnight in Vienna.

 

Day 7   

Vienna – Budapest (240 km/2.40 min)
Discover Budapest: This city is called "The Pearl of the Danube" and the "Eastern Paris". If You have seen only one postcard from Budapest you will want to see it in reality! Today's tour will show the Castle district, the gothic Matthias church and Fisherman’s Bastion. Take pictures and look around. 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 over the Elizabeth Bridge to the Heroes’ Square, with  the Museum of Fine Art and the 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 Stephen’s Basilica., as well as the not to be forgotten Parliament.   Optional: Visit the Museum of Fine Art and House of Parliament tour. Overnight in Budapest.

 

Day 8

Budapest – Gödöllő (30km/40 min) – Budapest (30km/40min)
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 Ausrtrian emperor. Make pictures in cotenporary dress/suits Afternoon – Walk down on Váci street – You will get unforgivable memories from The Hurt of Budapest, and visit the Vasarcsarnok /Great Market Hall with its culinary delights and souvenirs/ - possibility to buy a souvenirs. Overnight in Budapest.

 

Day 9  

Budapest - Visegrád (45km/50min) - Esztergom (23km/20min) - Bratislava ( km/h)
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. Continue to Esztergom, considered the Northern gate of Budapest and the center of the Catholic church. Visit Hungary`s largest cathedral, a resting place of famous Hungarian cardinals. Afternoon – short informal city tour in Bratislava. Overnight in Bratislava.

 

Day 10

Bratislava – Cerveni Kamen - Bratislava
Begin the day with sightseeing in Bratislava old town and a visit to the Cerveny Kamen castle. Explore the Capital of the Slovak Republic Bratislava. The symbol of rich history and dominating  the city is the Castle of Bratislava. One can observe not only the magnificent view of the city but also the bordering neighbors of Bratislava (Austria and Hungary)  from the courtyard or the windows of the Castle. The most attractive part of Bratislava is the Old Town where the most historic sights as well as cultural institutions are concentrated. Continue to Cerveny Kamen, not only one of the most beautiful castles in the Little Carpathians but also one of the best preserved Slovak Castles. It is situated just several tens of kilometres from the Capital Bratislava and  In the 16th century, it was rebuilt into a bulky fortress with a fortification system that was then one of the top military-defensive systems. Because of its unique charm, the Castle has become the location for filming various films and fairy tales like The Princess Fantagiro, the Dragon Heart or Cinka Panna.  Overnight in Bratislava.

 

Day 11

Bratislava – Spis Castle – Levoca (366 km/4.20 min)
Transfer to the historic town of Levoca. On your way you will stop to visit the largest medieval castle of Slovakia called the Spis castle. The Spis castle dates back to 1113 and was built as a royal castle located on the important trade route to the Baltic sea. Levoca was the main center of the Spis region and it is the most stunning town in the Slovak Republic. The ancient town is located at the foot of the Levocske Vrchy mountain range with its famous Gothic Church of St. Jacob- the most significant pilgrimage place in Slovakia. Overnight in Levoca.

 

Day 12

Levoca – Kracow (190 km/3.40 min)
Half-day sighseeing in Kracow - The Wawel Hill, the Royal Castle and the Coronation Cathedral, the burial place of kings and famous Poles, the Old Town surrounded by defense walls, the Barbican, the Market Square dominated by St. Mary’s Church with the famous XV th century linden wood altar, the Cloth Hall housing a multitude of souvenir shops. A special tour of Jagiellonian University, one of the oldest in Europe. Overnight in Kracow.

 

Day 13

Kracow - Wieliczka - Kracow
Visit the Wieliczka Salt Mine near Kracow. This 800 year old salt mine is the oldest in Europe. Walk through the underground salt stone world: the splendid St. Kinga’s Chapel with salt sculptures and relics, corridors housing the original constructions and post excavation chambers as well as the subterranean salt lakes.. Rest of the day – leisure time in Kracow. Overnight in Kracow.

 

Day 14

Kracow – Hradec Kralove (372 km/5.30 min)
One of the oldest and most important cities in Bohemia, Hradec Králové evolved in the 12th century from a riverside fortress that stood on the site for at least three centuries before that. Today we have a city tour and overnight stay in this beautiful town. Overnight in Hradec Kralove.

 

Day 15

Hradec Kralove – Kutna Hora (58 km/1.20 min) - Prague (75 km/1.40 min)
On the way we stop in Kutna Hora for a city tour. Kutna Hora was one of the most important royal towns from the 13th to 16th century because of its silver mines. The Cathedral of St. Barbara, built in 1348-1420 is a Gothic jewel of Kutna Hora.. Overnight in Prague.

 

Day 16

Prague – final departure