Day 1 (Sun.) Board your overnight transatlantic flight.
Day 2 Arrive in Berlin, Germany. (Mon.) Time to rest and start exploring the capital of reunified Germany. At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)
Day 3 Berlin. (Tue.) Sightseeing with a Local Guide in the once-divided metropolis includes the Ku’damm, the restored Reichstag, Charlottenburg Palace, the 210-foot Victory Column in the vast Tiergarten Park, a picture stop at monumental Brandenburg Gate, and a visit to the KAISER WILHELM MEMORIAL CHURCH. Drive along Unter Den Linden Boulevard, pass the German State Opera House and Checkpoint Charlie. The afternoon is free and an optional excursion to historic Potsdam is available. Tonight is your chance to sample Berlin’s fine restaurants and nightlife! (B)
Day 4 Berlin–Dresden–Prague, Czech Republic. (Wed.) South through the area that used to belong to the “other part” of Germany. Enjoy a walk through Dresden, the former capital of Saxony. Badly damaged by Allied bombing in February 1945, the city has since been restored to its baroque splendor. You’ll love the architecture of the Zwinger Palace and Semper Opera! Then, head for Bohemia and the Czech capital of Prague. This evening, why not join an optional outing to explore Prague by night? (B,D)
Day 5 Prague. (Thu.) Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide features a visit to the 1,000-year-old HRADCANY CASTLE GROUNDS, ST. VITUS CATHEDRAL, the Old Town, the Jewish ghetto, and the ASTRONOMICAL CLOCK, once the envy of all Europe. Afterwards, you may want to mix with the locals in Wenceslaus Square. This evening, why not join an optional dinner outing? (B)
Day 6 Prague–Bratislava, Slovakia–Budapest, Hungary. (Fri.) Into Moravia, where Napoleon established his headquarters during the Battle of Austerlitz. Around lunchtime you reach Bratislava, the economic and political center of the Slovak Republic. Later, follow the course of the Danube River to Budapest. (B,D)
Day 7 Budapest. (Sat.) Your Local Guide takes you through Eastern Europe’s most cosmopolitan city. See elegant Andrassy Avenue, the Thermal Baths, and the world’s second-largest Jewish synagogue. From the lacy lookout towers of Fishermen’s Bastion, enjoy a panoramic view of the sprawling city. Then, visit the 13th-century MATTHIAS CORONATION CHURCH and Heroes’ Square. Afternoon at leisure. Tonight, a delectable optional Hungarian specialty dinner can be arranged. (B)
Day 8 Budapest–Vienna, Austria. (Sun.) This morning, drive through the Hungarian plains to Vienna, once the center of the mighty Habsburg Empire. Meet your Local Guide and start your afternoon sightseeing with vistas of Prater Park with its giant Ferris wheel, and the United Nations City on the banks of the Danube River. Then, drive along Ring Boulevard, pass the State Opera House, the Jewish quarter, and stop at the Hofburg Palace, winter residence of the Austrian Imperial family. Marvel at the impressive courtyards and famous Heldenplatz and visit awesome ST. STEPHEN’S CATHEDRAL. (B)
Day 9 At Leisure in Vienna. (Mon.) A whole day at leisure gives you the opportunity to join optional excursions to the Vienna Woods, historical Schönbrunn Palace, or to just explore this magnificent city on your own. An optional farewell dinner may be the perfect way to celebrate the success of your vacation! (B)
Day 10 (Tue.) Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (B)
Hotels
Berlin Hilton Berlin (SF), Prague Yasmin (F), Budapest Radisson Blu Beke (SF), Vienna Mercure Grand Hotel Biedermeier (F)
Included Features
Berlin:
Welcome dinner; guided sightseeing, take pictures of the Brandenburg Gate and visit Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church
Dresden:
Walking tour
Prague:
Guided sightseeing, Astronomical Clock, visit the Hradcany Castle grounds and St. Vitus Cathedral
Bratislava:
Visit the capital of Slovakia
Budapest:
Guided sightseeing, panoramic view from Fishermen’s Bastion, visit Matthias Coronation Church
Vienna:
Guided sightseeing, visit St. Stephen’s Cathedral
Notes:
- Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.
Inside visits
Inside visits and special features are shown in the description, including admission charges when applicable.
