Real Central Europe

Guten Tag! Welcome to Germany. Your adventure kicks off with a welcome meeting at 6 pm where you’ll meet your tour leader and travel group. There are no other activities planned for today, but why not get to know your new travel crew a bit better and head out for currywurst (hot dogs covered in a mixture of ketchup, Worcester sauce and curry powder) and a stein. If you arrive early, make sure to get out and explore this dynamic city. Berlin is packed with poignant historic sites, cutting-edge galleries and iconic architecture. The city also boasts a party scene that makes NYC’s nightlife seem tame. If you’re keen to see what Berlin is all about, we highly recommend you arrive a couple of days earlier to fully explore Berlin.

This morning, say goodbye to Germany and hop on a train to Wroclaw, Poland (approximately 4 hours). Wroclaw is the cultural centre of southwest Poland, sitting on the banks of River Oder for over 1000 years and shaped by influences of Czech, German and Polish rule. Arrive in the early afternoon and settle into your hotel, then follow your leader on an orientation walk around this city that makes it feel as though you’ve stepped back in time. The rest of the day is free for your own discoveries. You may like to check out Ostrów Tumski (Cathedral Island), the Old Town Square and the Four Denominations District, where the city’s incredible architecture and history is on full display. Don’t miss out on appreciating Wroclaw from River Oder or experiencing the vibrant cultural scene – your leader will be on hand to give recommendations on local hotspots.

This morning, board a train bound for Krakow (approximately 3.5 hours), your base for the next two nights. As you stroll the pretty streets of the World Heritage-listed Old Town, you’ll soon discover this is a place that seems frozen in time. Get a glimpse of its gorgeous medieval architecture, castles, churches and sprawling squares with your leader, as well as the chance to try zapiekanka. This beloved street snack consists of a baguette topped with mushroom and cheese. Later, strike out on your own. Maybe visit Wawel Royal Castle, which sits atop a hill next to the Vistula River or glimpse the impressive St Mary's Basilica and its extraordinary wood-carved Gothic altarpiece. If churches are your thing, the neo-Gothic St Francis' Basilica is worth a visit.

Today is free day for you to explore Krakow at your own pace. Walking the ‘Royal Route’ – the former path of Polish monarchs – takes you past most of the Old Town’s greatest treasures including Florianska Gate (a Gothic gateway tower where streets musicians tend to play and local artists often display their work), the Barbician, a grand Baroque theatre, as well as some impressive churches and museums. You could easily spend the whole day leisurely exploring this historic stretch. If you can tear yourself away from Krakow, a number of interesting daytrips are available. Maybe head to Wieliczha to visit its 700-year-old Salt Mine. Buried 135-metres underground, this mind-boggling complex is a vast network of tunnels, pits and chambers – all hewn by hand from solid salt! You’ll also find chapels with elaborate salt chandeliers and lakes deep underground. After a full day of sightseeing, why not hit one of Krakow’s cellar restaurants for plate of pierogis and a cold drink.

The journey kicks on to country number three today: the Czech Republic - as you take a bus to the town of Ostrava, then board the train to Prague.  After checking into your hotel, your leader will show you some of Prague’s best sites on an orientation walk. Afterwards, you are free to explore on your own. Maybe wander the streets of the Jewish Quarter and check out the oldest surviving synagogue in Europe or learn about Prague’s favourite son at the Franz Kafka Museum. Make sure to take a scenic stroll along the Charles Bridge and watch the Astronomical Clock in action as it ticks over.

Enjoy more free time in Prague to visit the sites you missed yesterday. Prague Castle has a great viewpoint that provides sweeping views of the city’s red rooftops and Medieval architecture. Consider a day-trip to Kutna Hora where you can visit Sedlec Ossuary, an eerie chapel decorated with human skeletons, or St Barbara Church and its medieval frescoes. Prague’s Old Town becomes particularly magical at night. Return for an evening stroll to soak up the atmosphere before checking out some of the town’s cosy cellar hangouts or underground absinthe bars. If you’re into jazz, Prague also boasts one of the best scenes in Europe. Ask your tour leader for suggestions if you’re not sure where to head out tonight.

Bid farewell to Prague and travel about 4 hours south to the fairytale-like town of Cesky Krumlov. Dating back to the 13th century, this tiny town closely resembles Prague with its gorgeous castle across the river and pretty mix of Renaissance and Baroque architecture. And it’s extremely walkable. Your tour leader will lead a walk around town, providing insight into architectural symbolism and Old Town mysteries along the way. Afterwards, use free time to head to the top of the Castle Tower for a great view of the town’s red rooftops and distant rolling green hills, explore the castle and its gardens or browse the shops that line the riverfront. If you’re feeling active, ask your tour leader about rafting and canoeing activities on offer (time and weather permitting).

Hop onto your private transfer and travel across the border to Austria and the Baroque city of Vienna. A perennial favourite for world’s most liveable city, Vienna is also a dream for starry-eyed travellers looking for delicious coffee and pastries (sachertorte, in particular), classical music and grand palaces. Get acquainted with the city on a leader-led walking tour before free time to explore on your own. Art-lovers have their pick of museums to explore. Perhaps check out modern Austrian art at the Leopold Museum, paintings by Monet, Degas and Picasso at the neo-classical Albertina or the world’s largest collection of paintings by Austrian painter Gustav Klimt at Belvedere Palace. This evening, why not sample Vienna’s incredible musical heritage and catch a performance at one of the city’s historic venues such as the Vienna State Opera House. Your tour leader can help if you need advice or help booking tickets.

Spend another day exploring Vienna’s rich artistic and intellectual heritage. Maybe head to Schloss Belvedere (Belvedere Palace), Schoenbrunn Palace or the Hofburg palace complex to discover Austria’s symmetrical take on over-the-top grandeur. Exploring some of the city’s more specific museums such as the Schnapps Museum, the Sigmund Freud Museum or the Globe Museum, which is located inside the impressive Austrian National Museum. Climb the tower of St Stephen’s Cathedral, take a spin on the Prater Ferris Wheel or catch a dressage show at the Spanish Riding School. If you didn’t head out last night, maybe cap off a culture-filled day with a spot of Mozart Bach or Schubert at the opera house.

Continue your exploration of Europe’s opulent past in Budapest today. It’ll take 3 hours to get here by train. Upon arrival, your leader will show you around the city on an orientation walk. Later, visit the cavernous Great Market Hall to check out Hungarian specialties like langos (fried dough) and Mangalica (an endemic pig) meat and enjoy a delicious market lunch with plenty of tasty local recommendations from your leader. More than just fairy-tale-like ode to the past, Budapest is also a bustling city with hip bars, trendy cafes and plenty of cheap eats. Your evening is free and your leader will make sure that you're equipped on all of the insider-knowledge when it comes to which are the best (and best-kept secret) ruin bars.

Enjoy a free day to further explore Budapest. Visible from pretty much everywhere in the city, the 13th-century Buda Castle is a must-see – literally. Why not imagine how Hungarian kings used to live by touring the palace complex, which houses the Hungarian National Gallery and the Budapest History Museum. Or you could head to Fisherman’s Bastion for the best view of the city before taking a leisurely stroll along the cobbled streets of the Castle District. Another option is a boat trip along the Danube River where you’ll get a different view of the Parliament buildings, the Castle District and the bridges that link Buda and Pest. Chat to your leader about your options.

Get ready for a long day of travel as you make the journey to Ljubljana. From there, you’ll travel to Bled, an impossibly scenic lakeside town tucked at the foothills of the Julian Alps. You visit plenty of pretty towns on this trip but Bled truly is out of a fairy-tale. Arrive in the late afternoon and head to its gorgeous lake. Here your leader will point out the town’s best attractions, like its 11th-century clifftop castle and the small island located in the lake’s centre. Use the rest of the day to search for Bled’s famous cream cake (which shouldn’t be hard, every cafe in town claims to make the best one) or choose to join the group for an optional dinner of Slovenian specialties.

Postcard-perfect Bled is also tailor-made for adventure. And as today is a free day, it’s up to you how (and if) you’d like to get active. Hiking, biking, canoeing and rafting are all on the cards. Choose to hire a bike and explore the surrounds, head to Vintgar Gorge for a walk through its natural canyon or go rafting along the Soca River. If you’d like to keep it more lowkey, head to Bled Castle for some exploration or take a plenta (small wooden boat) to the church on the island in the middle of the lake to ring the wishing bell. You could even venture further afield and take a daytrip to Bohinj, another pretty lakeside town. As always, your leader is there for a reason! Grill them about the options.

This morning take a private transfer to the station and then a local train and brace yourself for some amazing scenery on the way to Venice (approximately 5.5 hours). Venice is one of a kind, built over a hundred small islands connected by 400 bridges. As well as all those romantic canals, it has all the hallmarks of a fine old Italian city: world-class food, performance, art and architecture. Use your free time to explore – the best way to go is on foot. Try to take in all the famous sights, like the Grand Canal, the shops of the Rialto Bridge, the Palace of the Doge (ruler of Venice), the Piazza San Marco and its golden basilica, and the Bridge of Sighs. Don't even think about leaving until you've eaten some tiramisu. This is where the dish was born, and they know how to do it just right.

The trip comes to an end today after breakfast. As there is much to see here, you maybe want to book an extra couple of days in Venice to give yourself more time to explore. Our reservations team can help (subject to availability).