Explore Eastern Europe: Budapest, the High Tatras, Krakow & More
- Duration
- 10 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ On Request
DELUXE | SMALL GROUP: Venture through a land of ancient cities, time-honored culinary traditions, and ever-changing landscapes on this Eastern European vacation. Journeying from Budapest to Krakow to Prague, you’ll discover the highlights of four Eastern European countries and explores some of Europe’s loveliest cities.
This 13-day European vacation takes you across Eastern Europe, stopping in major cities like Budapest, Krakow, and Prague.
Your trip to Eastern Europe begins in Budapest, the capital of Hungary and one of the former centres of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. While the city is still recovering from the turmoil of the 20th century, it remains one of Europe’s most striking cities. A grand circle tour will showcase many of its greatest architectural masterworks, from the Chain Bridge that crosses the Danube to the State Opera House, Fisherman’s Bastion, and the Hungarian Parliament Building, which is the largest building in the country. That evening, enjoy a romantic candlelight dinner along the Danube, feasting on gourmet cuisine as you admire the city from the water.
From Budapest, head to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Holloko, where you’ll dine on a delicious lunch as you enjoy a performance of the Holloko Women’s Choir. Continue to Eger and Tokaj, where you’ll try some of the world’s sweetest wines. Cross the border into Slovakia and explore Spis Castle before passing into the stunning Tatras Mountains. After enjoying the picturesque mountain landscapes, pass into Poland and explore Wieliczka Salt Mine, one of Europe’s largest salt mines. Descend hundreds of metres underground and explore the mine’s many caverns, including St. Kinga’s Chapel, an entire church sanctuary carved from the salt.
Reach Krakow, Poland’s prettiest city and one of the most comfortable centres in Eastern Europe. Explore the Main Square and peruse the shops of the old Cloth Hall at its centre before heading on a guided city tour to see Wawel Castle, which towers over the city. That evening, learn to make pierogi before dining on your own delicious creations. The next day, head to nearby Oswiecim, where you’ll tour the Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp and learn about the darkest chapter in human history.
Cross the border into Czechia and spend the night in Olomouc, known for its baroque foundations and St. Wenceslas Cathedral. Pass through Brno, the second largest city in the country, and Trebon, where you’ll visit the 17th century chateau, before reaching Cesky Krumlov, where you’ll stroll its cobblestoned streets, explore the castle, and enjoy a farewell dinner and beer tasting. The last stop on your Eastern European vacation is Prague, the City of a Hundred Spires and the capital of Czechia. Head on a grand circle tour to see Wenceslas Square, where the Velvet Revolution precipitated the end of national communism, the stark Charles Bridge, and Prague Castle, the largest castle in the world and home to St. Vitus Cathedral. After enjoying Prague’s famous architecture and sampling a pint of Pilsner Urquell, head to the airport to end your trip to Eastern Europe.
- Duration
- 10 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ On Request
Itinerary View Trip Map
Budapest
A city filled with vibrance and culture - we’ll meet the group in grand Budapest. After settling into our accommodation, we’ll get to know our travel companions better over a sumptuous welcome dinner. Here’s to the historic adventure ahead!
Accommodation: Hotel Museum Budapest (or similar).
Meal Plan | Dinner |
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Duration | 1 Night |
Budapest - Hollóko - Eger
After breakfast, we’ll make our way to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Hollóko. Here we’ll be welcomed by members of the Hollóko Women’s Choir and enjoy a traditional folk performance. Following the atmospheric experience, we’ll have the opportunity to enjoy some Hungarian hospitality and sit down to a delicious homemade lunch with a local family. Later this afternoon, we’ll move on to enchanting Eger – where we’ll have the rest of the evening free to wander through the cobbled streets past beautiful Baroque buildings, quaint wine cellars and preserved Ottoman minarets.
Accommodation: Hotel Korona (or similar).
Meal Plan | Breakfast and Lunch |
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Duration | 1 Night |
Eger - Tokaj and Košice (Slovakia) - High Tatras
Today our road will carry us to Tokaj, where we’ll have the opportunity to taste some of the region’s world-famous wines. This relatively small wine region in north-eastern Hungary has been producing Tokaji Aszú for centuries – earning it a UNESCO World Heritage listing since 2002. Following our visit, we’ll move on to the city of Košice in Slovakia. After a photo stop at the grand Spiš Castle, we’ll set a course for our hotel in the heart of the magnificent High Tatras region. Tonight will be free to enjoy relaxing at our hotel or exploring the surrounding area at our leisure.
Accommodation: Grand Hotel Praha (or similar)
Meal Plan | Breakfast |
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Duration | 2 Nights |
High Tatras
After breakfast it’s onwards to the mountain slopes, where we’ll take in some marvellous views on a morning cable car ride. The High Tatras is the tallest range in the Carpathian Mountains and we’ll enjoy the panoramic return journey to its second highest peak - Lomnický štít, with incredible views from the summit of course. When we’re back on terra firma, we’ll hit the road to a local farm - where a homemade cheese tasting session and light lunch await us. Then: it’s back to the hotel for an evening spent at our leisure.
Meal Plan | Breakfast and Lunch |
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High Tatras - Wieliczka (Poland) - Kraków
Today we’ll visit the extraordinary Wieliczka Salt Mine. Dating back to the 13th century, its otherworldly chandelier-lit chambers and chapels are all carved from salt. After emerging back into the daylight, our final stop for the day will be Kraków: our home for the next two nights. A city filled with magnificent architecture and culinary delights, you’ll have the evening to explore this historic city at your leisure – perhaps seeking out a local restaurant serving up steaming plates of kielbasa (sausage) or sampling a tipple of Polish vodka in a Gothic cellar.
Accommodation: Hotel Polski pod Bialym Orlem (or similar)
Meal Plan | Breakfast |
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Duration | 2 Nights |
Kraków
Today we’ll give Kraków our full attention on a locally guided city tour - taking in the likes of Wawel Royal Castle, the medieval St Mary’s Basilica and historic Cloth Hall. Heads full of newfound knowledge, we’ll have the afternoon to explore at our own pace – and lunch at a restaurant of our choosing. This evening we’ll be treated to a pierogi making class, where we’ll learn how to cook classic Polish dumplings - and sample our creations for this evening's dinner.
Meal Plan | Breakfast and Dinner |
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Kraków - Auschwitz-Birkenau - Olomouc (Czech Republic)
We’ll take a guided tour of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp today - a sobering reminder of the atrocities committed by the Nazis in WWII. After a moving visit, we’ll continue on to the Czech city of Olomouc - a majestic city dotted with Baroque fountains, 18th-century religious sculptures and remarkable historic buildings. We’ll have the evening free to explore the city’s highlights, including the Romanesque Bishop’s Palace, St Wenceslas Cathedral and Town Hall, before seeking out a local restaurant for dinner at our leisure.
Accommodation: Hotel Arigone (or similar).
Meal Plan | Breakfast |
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Duration | 1 Night |
Olomouc - Brno and Trebon - Ceský Krumlov
This morning we’ll continue our journey to Brno, the Czech Republic’s second largest city - where our Tour Leader will show us the sights. Following that, we’ll move on to charming Trebon - a town that’s home to a 17th-century Renaissance château complex. We’ll round off the day in the picturesque town of Ceský Krumlov - where we’ll have the evening to explore at our own pace or enjoy some relaxation time back at our hotel.
Accommodation: Hotel Grand (or similar)
Meal Plan | Breakfast |
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Duration | 2 Nights |
Ceský Krumlov
his morning we’ll explore Ceský Krumlov’s cobbled streets on a walking tour with a local guide - taking in the vast castle and its spectacular interiors as we go. Built in the 13th century, Ceský Krumlov Castle features a stunning mix of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture - as well as panoramic views over the Old Town and Vltava River below. Following our in-depth tour, we’ll have the afternoon to take in the town’s historic sites at our own pace. This evening, we’ll come together for our last hurrah - a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. What better way to toast our incredible tour?
Meal Plan | Breakfast and Dinner |
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Ceský Krumlov - Tábor - Prague
The last day of the tour will begin with a visit to Tábor - where a decadent tasting at the Museum of Chocolate and Marzipan awaits. We’ll have the opportunity to observe the confectioners at work and create our very own gourmet souvenir, before we move on to captivating Prague - where we’ll say our goodbyes this afternoon.
Meal Plan | Breakfast |
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Other Information
DEPARTURES:
2023: May 31; July 5; August 2; September 6, 27; December 13
PRICE INCLUDES:
- 9 nights in first-class accommodations
- 10 day small group tour including;
- Experienced English-speaking driver and tour leader
- Premium mini-coach transportation with air conditioning
- Entrance included to all attractions in the itinerary including:
- Wawel Royal Castle
- Wieliczka Salt Mines
- Auschwitz-Birkenau
- Breakfast daily (excluding day one), 2 lunches, 3 dinners
PRICE EXCLUDES:
- Travel insurance
- International and domestic airfare & airfare taxes
- Meals and beverages not mentioned
- Gratuities
- Items of a personal nature
- Visa fees if applicable
TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
Prices are "from" per person based on twin/double share accommodation and for travel in low season. Seasonal surcharges and blackout dates may apply. Limited seat/spaces and all pricing is subject to change and availability. Rates for single or triple travellers are available on request - please inquire
13 Dec 2023