Highlights of Eastern Europe - 14 Days

Delve behind the former 'Iron Curtain' to find medieval charm, a rich culture infused with religious devotion and some confronting reminders of WWII.

This tour is perfectly paced with two-night stays in each of the six cities, allowing ample time for sightseeing and leisure. All driving days are of a reasonable length with frequent stops for refreshments and photos.

INCLUDED FIRST CLASS SERVICES

• Escorted by a professional Tour Director

• Headsets for all guided visits and walking tours

• Enjoy the unique comfort of Insight’s luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with extended leg room and on-board restroom

• Insight Hotels include all service charges, taxes and porterage

• Insight Traveller Welcome pack

• Airport arrival and departure transfers at scheduled times on Day 1 and Day 14 (Should your flights not coincide with these transfers, please make your own way to/from the airport)

Day 1 - BUDAPEST AT LEISURE

Welcome to Hungary, unique in Europe for its language and culture! Transfers to your hotel depart from Budapest Ferihegy International Airport at 10:00, 13:00, 15:30. For those arriving into Vienna Airport, your transfer departs at 13.00 to go to the hotel in Budapest. Later, join your Tour Director for a Welcome reception with drink and a light meal, followed by time to relax and explore.

Hotel: Sofitel Budapest Chain Bridge/Corinthia Grand Royal

Meals: Welcome Reception

Day 2 - BUDAPEST SIGHTSEEING

Join your local guide for a drive up to Gellert Hill. Gaze out over the Danube dividing Buda from Pest - the two sides linked by the Chain and Elizabeth Bridges. Then ascend Buda’s Castle District to visit Matthias Church. Admire the immense facades of the Parliament building from the Fisherman’s Bastion. Over in Pest, drive down Andrassy Boulevard and visit Heroes’ Square. The afternoon is yours to relax, shop or explore.

Meals: Buffet Breakfast

Day 3 - BUDAPEST – KRAKOW

Enjoy a gentle drive into Slovakia and through the breathtaking Tatra Mountains, where peasants still live in traditional wooden houses. See the picturesque Oravsky Hrad Castle before crossing into Poland and continuing to historic Krakow.

Hotel: Sheraton/Andels

Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Dinner

Day 4 - KRAKOW SIGHTSEEING

Join a local guide to tour Krakow – for centuries the seat of Poland’s kings. Ascend Wawel Hill to visit the cathedral and meet the ‘Wawel Dragon’. Walk through the Old Town, past the courtyard of Jagiellonian University and medieval Cloth Hall, to visit the 14C St Mary’s Church (keep your eyes and ears peeled for the trumpeter in the tower). Then you are at leisure.

Meals: Buffet Breakfast

Day 5 - KRAKOW – CZESTOCHOWA – WARSAW

First stop today is to the city of Oświęcim, better known throughout the world by its German name, Auschwitz, the most infamous site of the Holocaust. Spend some reflective moments amid the remains of the concentration camp and the memorials to those who died. Travel north to Czestochowa to visit the 14th century Monastery of Jasna Gora, famous for the Black Madonna, said to have been painted by St Luke. Continue across the Polish Plains to the country’s capital, Warsaw.

Hotel: Radisson Blu/InterContinental

Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Dinner

Day 6 - WARSAW SIGHTSEEING

On a guided tour, see the ‘wedding cake’ Palace of Culture and the Chopin Memorial in the Lazienki Park. Pay your respects at the emotive Monument of the Ghetto Heroes and, finally, see the reconstructed Old Town, including the Royal Palace. Tonight you are offered a selection of restaurants for your dining pleasure.

Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Dine Around

Day 7 - WARSAW – POZNAN – BERLIN

Your route now leads towards the west, across rolling farmlands and past Poznan, often called the ‘cradle of the Polish State’. Cross the Oder river to enter Germany and continue to its vibrant capital, Berlin.

Hotel: Marriott

Meals: Buffet Breakfast

Day 8 - BERLIN SIGHTSEEING

A local expert shows you the highlights of this reunited city. Drive through the Tiergarten to the refurbished Reichstag building and see the Brandenburg Gate. On the eastern side, take the Unter den Linden past the State Opera House to the Alexanderplatz. This afternoon is at leisure. Why not check out the Checkpoint Charlie museum or drive to historic Potsdam to visit the Cecilienhof, where the 1945 Treaty was signed?

Meals: Buffet Breakfast

Day 9 - BERLIN – DRESDEN – PRAGUE

Drive south to Dresden where a walking tour introduces you to the Frauenkirche, risen once again from wartime destruction. See the Castle of the Electors of Saxony, including the unique Saxon Wall overlaid with Meissen tiles, the courtyards of the Zwinger Palace and the Opera House. After some free time, head for the Czech border high in the Ore Mountains and continue to the capital City of Prague.

Hotel: Palace

Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Dinner

Day 10 - PRAGUE SIGHTSEEING

Prague has blossomed since the ‘Velvet Revolution’, but its unique character remains unchanged. On a guided tour, visit the amazing St Vitus’ Cathedral, which is set inside the 1,000-year-old Prague Castle. Later, cross the river to explore the vast cobblestoned expanse of the Old Town Square and see its famous Astronomical Clock. As night falls, why not enjoy Prague’s exciting night life?

Meals: Buffet Breakfast

Day 11 - PRAGUE – CESKY KRUMLOV

Enjoy a delightful drive through the green Bohemian countryside to Cesky Krumlov, a picturesque medieval town nestled on the banks of the Vltava. Walk through the narrow cobbled streets and arch covered footpaths, past colourful townhouses and centuries old inns, cafes and shops. Enjoy a guided visit to the fairy-tale red roofed castle, considered by many to be the finest in the land.

Hotel: The Old Inn

Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Dinner

Day 12 - CESKY KRUMLOV – VIENNA

Cross the border into Austria and enjoy a delightful drive along the Danube through the Wachau Valley. Vineyards cover hillsides overlooked by ruined castles like Dürnstein, where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned. join your local guide for a private tour of Maria Theresa’s Schönbrunn Palace and formal gardens. Then get your cameras ready for a drive around the famous ring road. This grand boulevard, built along the lines of the old city walls, show-cases many of the capital’s architectural masterpieces, including the Opera House, magnificent Hofburg Imperial Residence and Parliament building.

Hotel: Hilton/Hilton Vienna Plaza

Meals: Buffet Breakfast

Day 13 - VIENNA AT LEISURE

A day to discover the regal grandeur of Vienna at your own pace. Perhaps visit the Imperial Treasury to see the crown jewels of the Hapsburg Empire or tour the imperial apartments in the Winter Palace? Admire the superb collections in the Fine Art Gallery? Browse among the tempting window displays on the Graben or bustling Kärntnerstrasse? This evening join us at a Viennese restaurant for an end-of-tour Celebration Dinner with wine.

Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Celebration Dinner

Day 14 - VIENNA OR BUDAPEST AIRPORT

Your departure transfer arrives at Vienna Airport at 08:00 and continues back to Budapest Airport arriving at 12.00 noon.

Meals: Buffet Breakfast
 

Your Insight tour already includes a host of bonus highlights and comprehensive sightseeing. However, there is an exciting array of optional excursions which will turn an already amazing experience into the trip of a lifetime! These are entirely optional and can be booked through your Tour Director/Local Representative at the commencement of your tour. All prices are quoted in local currency. Payment can be made in cash or by Visa, Mastercard or American Express. To help your pre-tour budgeting we suggest you allow approximately EURO 45 per person per day for optional excursions.

VIE01 - IMPERIAL VIENNA
A visit to see the fabulous Imperial Treasury of the Austrian and Holy Roman Empire or the Crypts and Vaults of the Imperial Family and the world famous Opera House (when accessible). EURO 36

VIE06 - DINNER IN A COUNTRY MANSION
We see the famous Prater Amusement Park, then cross the Danube to arrive at one of the most famous restaurants in Austria. Former patrons include Napoleon, the Emperor Franz Joseph, Luciano Pavarotti, Liz Taylor and Arnold Schwarzenegger. In this historic country mansion we will enjoy a delicious dinner in one of the elegant dining rooms. Choose your main dish from various Austrian specialties and enjoy the live music and unlimited drinks. EURO 60

VIE14 - GALA VIENNESE CONCERT
A wonderful concert of Viennese Classical music including some of the most famous works of Johann Strauss and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, performed by highly acclaimed soloists and dancers. A glass of champagne is also included during this special evening. EURO 47

PRG03 - ROMANTIC PRAGUE BY NIGHT
Enjoy your introduction to Prague. Start with an evening river cruise through the old city with drinks included. We then explore the narrow medieval streets either by miniature motorized train or minibus. (Occasionally this excursion may be operated without the river cruise at EURO 33). EURO 45

PRG12 - JEWISH PRAGUE
his tour shows us an aspect of Prague's history that has had a significant impact on the city's development since the medieval era. We visit two of the many synagogues as well as Europe's oldest surviving Jewish cemetery, all in the heart of the old town. EURO 31

BRL01 - HIGHLIGHTS OF FORMER EAST BERLIN
We visit the iconic 'Reichstag' dome for panoramic views of the city from this futuristic structure atop the historic parliament building. Afterwards, we visit the remains of the Berlin Wall, and finally drive to Checkpoint Charlie and visit the museum documenting nearly 30 years of dramatic escape attempts across the 'Iron Curtain'. EURO 33

BRL03 - BERLINER DINNER & ENTERTAINMENT
Enjoy traditional Berliner cuisine in a lively local restaurant with live music and unlimited drinks included. EURO 47

WAW04 - VILANOV PALACE & GARDENS
A guided visit to the 17th century baroque summer residence of the Polish King John III Sobieski. Within the palace you will find a collection of royal furniture, portraits and china which forms part of the National Museum. An interesting and informative visit. EURO 31

WAW01 - CHOPIN CONCERT
The spirit of Warsaw and the music of Chopin go hand in hand. This exclusive private recital of his music will be performed for you by a celebrated Polish pianist in a concert venue located in the centre of Warsaw. Champagne will be served during the intermission. EURO 42

KRK01 - SALT MINES EXCURSION
A visit to the 600 year old salt mines on the outskirts of Krakow, where we view an underground world of chambers filled with absolutely unique sculptures, sculpted from salt by the miners themselves (placed by UNESCO on the World Heritage list). EURO 46

KRK03 - POLISH DINNER WITH FOLKLORE SHOW
Enjoy a generous selection from the traditional Polish cuisine in a restaurant in the countryside. A local, beautifully dressed folk group and a live band will entertain you with songs and dances during your dinner. Drinks included. EURO 51

BUD04 - DANUBE CRUISE DINNER & DRINKS
The most leisurely way to discover this fairy-tale city is a guided cruise on the Danube. You will see Margaret Island, the Parliament Building, Castle Hill with the Fisherman's Bastion, the Royal Palace, the Citadel and the University while enjoying a sumptuous buffet and fine Hungarian wine. EURO 55

BUD9A - TREASURES OF BUDAPEST
The Hungarian Parliament building is one of the largest and most ornate parliamentary buildings in the world. On a private guided tour of this Gothic-revival marvel we see the Hungarian crown jewels along with the Crown of St. Stephan. The next stop is recently restored St. Stephen's Basilica dedicated to the patron saint of Hungary, with its imposing renaissance-inspired dome. Our tour concludes with a visit to the atmosphericCentral Market Hall with time for strolling and shopping. EURO 38