TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
- Most compeeitinerary. No optional tours.
- Visit Austria’s oldest village – Hallstatt
- Ranch visit at the great Hungarian Plains
- Mesmerising visit to the Vieliczka Salt Mines
- See stunning rock formations at the Saxon Switzerland National Park
- Visit the 1000-year-old Prague Castle
- Gnomes searching fun
ITINERARY
Drive to Austria’s oldest and possibly, most photographed village, Hallstatt. Enjoy the delightful sight of traditional Alpine houses adorned with colourful flowers and a preserved historic charm. Its Alpine setting amidst the Dachstein Alps reflected on the glass-like Hallstatter See.
Continue to Austria’s capital, Vienna known for its grand architecture, classical music and rich imperial history.
Join our local guide for a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Schonbrunn Palance. This opulent palace was the summer residence of the Habsburgs and offers stunning gardens and grandeur rooms.
Drive around the Ring Boulevard to admire the stately Hofburg, Austrian Parliament, State Opera House, Museum of Fine Arts, the first public observatory Urania and Vienna University among others.
In the historic center, admire the Gothic masterpiece, St Stephen’s Cathedral with its iconic tiled roof. The city is famous for its coffeehouse culture. In the afternoon, why not enjoy the famous Sachertorte at a coffeehouse or explore the city at leisure?
Enjoy some time at a factory outlet which provides a vast selection of designer brands at a significantly discounted price compared to retail stores.
Travel through enchanting Austrian countryside, passing old village, steep vineyards and castle ruins in the Danube Valley as we travel to the Hungary and its capital, Budapest.
Enjoy some time at a factory outlet which provides a vast selection of designer brands at a significantly discounted price compared to retail stores.
From the conical towers of the Fisherman's Bastion, enjoy a perfect panorama of the beautiful Parliament building. Marvel at the superb murals in the St Matthias Church before we stroll to view the Royal Palace. Cross the Danube into Pest via one of the many bridges, with the Chain and Elisabeth being the 2 most regal ones. Stop for photos at the Millennium Monument in Heroes' Square, erected to commemorate the 1000th anniversary of Magyer settlement.
Drive out to the great Hungarian Plains (Puszta) dotted with fields of red paprika and thatched inns. Enjoy performances of the Hungarian Cowboys (Csikos) known for their prowess on horsebacks.
Enjoy some time at a factory outlet which provides a vast selection of designer brands at a significantly discounted price compared to retail stores.
Cross the border into Slovakia. Make a photo stop at one of the unique wooden churches built without the use of nails in Hronsek and represent a remarkable example of Baroque architecture in a wooden structure.
Break our journey in the Banska Bystrica Region.
Continue our journey to Krakow located in the south of Poland and often considered the country’s most beautiful and culturally significant cities.
Visit Oswiecim known for its association with the Auschwitz concentration camps. The camps are preserved as museums and memorials to honour the victims and educate visitors about the atrocities committed during the Holocaust.
Start our tour at the old town of Krakow. Admire well-preserved medieval architecture such as the Market Square which hosts the Renaissance-era Cloth Hall selling traditional Polish crafts, souvenirs and local artwork. The towers of St Mary’s Basilica are considered symbols of the city and are featured in many images and depictions of Krakow.
Stroll through the courtyard of Jagiellonian University, one of Europe’s oldest, where luminaries like Copernicus studied on the way to the Wawel Royal Castle, a symbol of Krakow’s royalty and a significant cultural site in Poland.
Visit the fascinating Wieliczka Salt Mine which has been in operation for over 700 years to admire stunning underground chambers, intricately carved chapels, sculptures and altarpieces all made from salt. A highlight is the beautiful St Kinga’s Chapel with its chandeliers and decorations.
Drive through diverse landscapes from Polish farmlands and rolling hills to Wroclaw, a dynamic city in southwestern Poland thanks to its large student population.
Admire the beautifully preserved Old Town centered around the Rynek, one of Europe’s largest market squares. Admire the colourful townhouses and the Gothic-style Town Hall with its ornate facade and astronomical clock. Embark on a unique adventure to spot as many of the city’s bronze dwarf statues in the given time as we can. These quirky figures are a beloved symbol of the city though they were originally a form of protest during the communist era.
Enjoy views of the rural Lower Silesian Region of Poland. Cross the Neisse River which forms the natural border between Poland and Germany. Continue on the Autobahn to the bustling capital of Germany, Berlin. The Autobahn is famous for sections without a speed limit
Start our guided tour at the Berlin Wall, an open-air gallery which used to mark the boundary of East and West Berlin for 28 years. Other monuments related to the cold war include Checkpoint Charlie, the former border crossing point between East and West Berlin and the Brandenburg Gate, an iconic symbol of Berlin and Germany’s reunification.
Other landmarks of Berlin include the Reichstag, the seat of the German parliament in 1999 after reconstruction and the 67 meters tall Victory Column in the vast Tiergarter Park. A golden statue of the Greek goddess of victory, Nike stands at the top of the column.
Spend some time at leisure to enjoy the charms of Berlin.
Make our way to Dresden, often referred to as the ‘Florence on the Elbe’ renowned for its stunning architecture and historical significance.
One of its most outstanding landmarks is the Semperoper, a grand opera house showcasing the city’s cultural prestige. The opera house is the venue where Wagner’s ‘Flying Dutchman’ was first performed.
The Baroque Frauenkirche was meticulously reconstructed after its destruction during World War II. Nearby is the magnificent Zwinger Palace known for its stunning Baroque architecture and art collections.
Visit the Saxon Switzerland National Park with sandstone cliffs, bizarre rock formations, deep valleys and lush forests. Stop at the Bastei Bridge where panoramic views of the Elbe River and the surrounding sandstone landscape can be admired (visit to this national park is subject to weather permitting).
End our day in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic and a city which has captured the hearts of visitors around the world.
Visit the thousand-year-old Hradcany Castle. Within its walls stands the enormous St Vitus Cathedral. Walk down the Golden Lane and cross the famous Charles Bridge, a historic stone bridge adorned with statues and offers a panoramic view of the Vltava River and the city.
Enter the Old Town Square which encapsulates the city’s rich history, architectural beauty and vibrant atmosphere. The medieval Astronomical Clock on the Old Town Hall puts on an hourly show with moving figurines and chimes.
Nearby is the Jan Hus Memorial honoring the Czech religious reformer and symbolizes Czech national identity. Dominating the square with its impressive Gothic spires, the Tyn Church is an iconic landmark of the city. Enjoy some time to relax or shop for souvenirs after the tour.
It is time to bid farewell to the Czech Republic and travel home with fond memories of the sights, sounds and stories we have collected on this incredible journey.
Price & Departure
