Real Central Europe
15 days
From
$ 2250
Duration15 days
Experience bohemian Europe from Germany to Italy. Beginning in Germany and ending in Italy, this adventure-filled tour of seven countries includes plenty of historic landmarks, medieval squares, hilltop castles, romantic canals and memories that will last a lifetime. Beginning in trendy Berlin, walk the ‘Royal Route’ in Krakow, soak up the terracotta views of Prague and Cesky Krumlov, explore Vienna’s artist legacy, be charmed by Lake Bled and finish up amongst the canals of Venice. Packed with plenty of free time to choose your own adventure in each city and a knowledgeable local leader to provide plenty of useful tips, this trip offers just the right amount of structure for a truly unforgettable adventure.
This tour is operated by
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Duration: 15 daysService level: Basic
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Starts in: BerlinPhysical Grading: Light
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Ages: 18+
Tour Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1: Berlin
Start place: Berlin
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 after this important meeting 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 all the fuss is about, make sure to head out tonight as tomorrow night, you’ll be on an overnight train bound for Poland.
Day 2: Berlin
Today is a free day to explore ever-changing Berlin and its many sites. Evidence of its turbulent past are present everywhere you look. This is a city that was destroyed by World War II, and rebuilt. It was divided in two, and staged a revolution. It’s also a city with a thriving art scene and incredible architecture. Maybe wander through the Brandenburg Gate, swing by Checkpoint Charlie to see where the main gate between East and West Berlin used to stand, and witness the crumbling remnants of the Berlin Wall that are scattered all over the city. Reflect on the past and pay visits to the Jewish Memorial, the empty shelves of Bebelplatz and the confronting Topography of Terror. In the late afternoon, meet back up with the group and board an overnight train for Krakow. Don’t be late!
Meals: B
Day 3: Krakow
Arrive into Krakow and stretch your legs on an orientation walk with your leader. As you stroll the pretty streets of the World Heritage-listed Old Town, you’ll soon discover this is a town that seems frozen in time. Get a glimpse of its gorgeous medieval architecture, castles, churches and sprawling squares with your leader, then enjoy free time to delve deeper on your own. Maybe visit Wawel Royal Castle, which sits atop a hill next to the Vistula River; check out Rynek Glowny, the largest market square in Europe; 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. This city is also home to the second oldest university in Central Europe, Jagiellonian University, which counts Copernicus and Pope John Paul II among its alumni.
Day 4: Krakow
Today is a free day 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, though if you can teach yourself away from Krakow, a number of interesting day-trips 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 underground lakes deep underground here. Alternatively, you might like to take a sobering day trip out to Auschwitz and Birkenau, the sites of some of the Holocaust's worst atrocities. After a full day of sightseeing, why not hit one of Krakow’s cellar restaurants for plate of pierogis and a cold drink.
Day 5: Prague
The journey kicks on to country number three today: the Czech Republic. First, travel by minivan to Ostrava, then board a train bound for Prague. Then entire journey should take about six hours. After checking into your hotel, your leader will show you some of Prague’s best sites on an orientation walk. Afterwards, the rest of the day is free to explore on your own. Give yourself plenty of time to explore Prague Castle; dating back to the 9th century, it’s the largest intact castle complex in the world. Maybe wander the streets of the old Jewish Quarter and check out the oldest surviving synagogue in Europe, learn about Prague’s favourite son at the Franz Kafka Museum or add a hopeful message to the John Lennon Wall. Make sure to take a scenic stroll along the Charles Bridge and watch the Astronomical Clock in action as the clock ticks over to a new hour.
Day 6: Prague
Enjoy more free time in Prague to visit the sites you missed yesterday. Maybe grab your camera and head out in search of the best lookout spots. 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.
Day 7: Cesky Krumlov
Bid farewell to Prague and travel about four hours south to the fairytale-like town of Cesky Krumlov. Dating back to the 13th-century, this tiny town actually closely resembles Prague: it has an old town square, a gorgeous castle across the river and a pretty mix of Renaissance and Baroque architecture. And it’s extremely walkable. A local guide will leader a walk around town, providing insight into the 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 distance 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 available (time an weather permitting).
Day 8: Vienna
Hop into a minivan and travel across the border into Austria. Your destination: 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 Viennese coffee and pastries (sachertorte, in particular), classical music and ultra-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 masterpiece-filled museums to explore: check out modern Austrian art of the Leopold; 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 point you in the right direction if you need advice or help booking tickets.
Meals: B
Day 9: Vienna
Spend another day exploring Vienna’s rich artistic and intellectual heritage. 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.
Day 10: Budapest
Continue your exploration of Europe’s opulent past in Budapest today. It’ll take three hours to get here by train. Upon arrival, your leader will show you around the city on an orientation walk. With its grand architecture (a mix of Baroque, neo-classical, and art nouveau), elegant boulevards and a glorious river, it won’t take long for you to discover why Budapest is often called the ‘Pearl of the Danube’. More than just fairytale-like ode to the past, Budapest is also a bustling city with hip ruin bars, trendy cafes and plenty of cheap eats. Make sure to explore both parts of the city – Buda, which lies to the west of the Danube, and Pest, which lies to the east – in your free time. And don’t miss a soak in one of the city’s many hot thermal baths.
Day 11: Budapest
Enjoy a free day to further explore the Pearl of the Danube. Visible from pretty much everywhere in the city, the 13th-century Buda Castle is a must-see. Imagine how Hungarian kings used to live while touring the palace complex, which houses the Hungarian National Gallery and the Budapest History Museum. 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. In the evening, why not discover the city’s love affair with paprika while chowing down on a bowl of hearty goulash before checking out a ruin bar or two.
Meals: B
Day 12: Bled
Get ready for a long day of travel as you board a train and make the eight-hour journey to Ljubljana. From there, you’ll board a bus bound for 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 fairytale. Arrive in the late afternoon and head to its gorgeous lake. Here, your tour leader will point out the towns best attractions, like its 11th-century clifftop castle and the small island located in Lake Bled’s centre, topped with a small church. 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.
Meals: B
Day 13: Bled
Postcard-perfect Bled is also tailor-made for adventure. And as today is a free day, it’s up to you how you’d like to get active. Hiking, biking, canoeing and rafting are all available in and around town. 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 island in the middle of the lake to ring the wishing bell. Venture further afield and take a day-trip to Bohinj, another pretty lakeside town. Or simply seek out another delectable slice of cream cake. You can never go wrong with cake.
Day 14: Venice
Board the 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. Take in all the famous sights, like the Grand Canal, the old-world 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 taken a gondola ride and eaten some tiramisu. This is where the dish was born, and they know how to do it just right.
Day 15: Venice
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).
Inclusions
Included
- Budapest market visit and picnic
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Transport
Train, Metro, Overnight sleeper train, Private vehicle, Public bus, Taxi -
Accommodation
Hotel (3 nights) Simple hotel (3 nights) Guesthouse (5 nights) Overnight train (1 night) Hostel (2 nights)