Best of Central Europe Itinerary

Touch down in Vienna and soak up the splendour of Austria's capital on a walking tour. Pass the Gothic St Stephen's Cathedral and the enchanting Hofburg Palace before continuing around the Ringstrasse. In free time, get lost in the marbled halls of the Sisi or Leopold museums and stop to fill up on local delights like Sachertorte or a Wiener wurste. Head out on a day trip to Bratislava to uncover the history of this captivating Slovakian capital, which boasts over 50 fountains in the city centre.

Cross into the Czech Republic and travel to bohemian Cesky Krumlov. With its cobblestone alleys and impressive old buildings, this is a city straight out of a fairytale. Discover the surrounding countryside on a two-wheeled excursion and if time permits, pay an optional visit to a local brewery or enjoy a guided castle tour.

Travel to Prague, the 'City of a Hundred Spires', which never fails to charm with its gorgeous architecture, crooked streets and internationally renowned jazz scene. Mosey through the Old Town for a slice of Bohemia, visit Prague Castle, check out restaurants hidden away in old vaulted cellars and take a day trip out to the World Heritage-listed Sedlec Ossuary, or ‘Bone Church’.

See how the locals live in rural areas while on a stay at a family-run pension. Pass the afternoon contemplating the weird and wonderful sandstone formations in the Teplice National Park or, if feeling adventurous, clamber up steep stairs and ladders to a lookout point.

Cross the border into Poland and stop to pay respects at the sombre Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and State Museum before continuing on to Krakow. Wander through the streets of the atmospheric Old Town that once housed Polish kings, see St Mary's Church and be sure to indulge in some traditional pierogi.

Limber up for trekking in the Tatra Mountains, where the crisp air and lush mountainscape makes for an unforgettable experience. When the terrain becomes too challenging, give muscles a rest aboard the funicular railway. Enjoy warm hospitality at the small alpine resort of Tatranska Lomnica.

Arrive in Budapest, the eclectic capital of Hungary. Budapest is a city of two halves - literally. Buda, on the west bank, features rolling hills while Pest, on the east bank, has a grid-like layout. Linking the two is the Chain Bridge, spanning the sparkling River Danube. Marvel at the Castle District, see former communist monuments at Statue Park and trawl through a host of museums and galleries. Then, why not end the adventure at one of the thermal baths scattered around the city, complete with whirlpools, submerged seats and chessboards.