Itinerary

1. Overnight Flight

   Set out to experience the very best of Europe’s cultural capitals.

   Accommodation: Arcotel John F. Hotel

2. Berlin, Germany - Tour Begins

   Arrive in Germany’s capital city of Berlin, a blend of deep-rooted history, modern flare and multi-cultural influences. Tonight, join your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner.

   Meal included: Dinner
   Accommodation: Majestic Plaza Hotel

3. Berlin

   This morning, head out with your local guide and get to know Berlin’s rich history by visiting the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, Schoenberg City Hall, Kurfürstendamm, and the Reichstag Building. Finish your morning city tour by meeting with a Berliner to learn about life in communist East Germany before the fall of the Berlin Wall. Later, enjoy some free time for lunch on your own in one of the neighborhood’s many restaurants. This afternoon, end your Berlin guided tour by visiting an area once known as “Checkpoint Charlie” where you will see the remains of the Berlin Wall and West Berlin. The rest of the day is yours to discover and explore at leisure.

   Meal included: Breakfast
   Accommodation: Majestic Plaza Hotel

4. Berlin - Dresden - Prague, Czech Republic

   Depart for Prague this morning, the “City of a Thousand Spires.” En route, make a stop in Dresden, the capital of Saxony. Meet a local guide for a tour highlighting its’ baroque splendor and architectural treasures such as Frauenkirche, the Cathedral of our Lady and the Royal Palace. Enjoy time on your own to explore this lovely town on the banks of the River Elbe. After arriving in Prague, enjoy your evening savoring classic Czech cuisine in a local restaurant.

   Meal included: Breakfast & Dinner
   Accommodation: Hotel Erzherzog Rainer

5. Prague

   Your introduction to this fairy-tale city opens with a visit to the remarkable Prague Castle and the haunting St. Vitus Cathedral. Home to kings and emperors, the complex at Prague Castle is one of the most important sites in the Czech Republic and is easily the highlight of the city. Enjoy some free time for lunch in the afternoon before continuing on a leisurely walking tour through the Old Town. Visit the unique Astronomical Clock and the statue-lined Charles Bridge. Learn about the poignant history held in Prague’s Jewish Quarter when you pass the Old Jewish Cemetery and Synagogue. The rest of the afternoon is yours to enjoy Prague during your free time.

   Meal included: Breakfast
   Accommodation: Hotel Erzherzog Rainer

6. Prague - Vienna, Austria

   This morning, hop on a train and depart for your next adventure to Vienna, the “musical city.” Upon arrival in Vienna, enjoy a short orientation drive through the city followed by an afternoon at leisure. Later, enjoy an evening in one of Vienna's most beloved restaurants, the Marchfelderhof – an iconic restaurant with rich Viennese tradition where dinner mixes with local cultural flavor to create an unforgettable night.

   Meal included: Breakfast & Dinner
   Accommodation: Up Hotel

7. Vienna

   This morning, experience the city of Vienna on a tour highlighting some of its architectural marvels, including the lavish Schönbrunn Palace, a summer retreat of the Habsburg dynasty. Learn more about Vienna’s sweet confectionary history when you visit a candy workshop where candies are still being made according to traditional recipes dating back over 150 years. After time for lunch on your own in this beautiful city, join our Impact Moment at a Viennese coffee house. At this café, the baked goods are authentically made by real grandmas. This social enterprise aims to give local retirees a chance to connect with locals and travelers around the world. Finish your day by participating in one of Vienna’s most treasured traditions during a Viennese Waltz lesson.

   Meal included: Breakfast
   Accommodation: Up Hotel

8. Vienna - Bratislava, Slovakia - Budapest, Hungary

   Sit back, relax and enjoy the picturesque countryside enroute to Budapest. Make a stop in Bratislava, Slovakia, the former Imperial capital of the Habsburg Empire. Get to know the city’s 4,000-year-old history during a short walking tour before taking time to enjoy lunch on your own. Continue through the Hungarian countryside to the Village of Dunaalmas. Connect with the villagers and learn all about traditional Hungarian goulash soup and how to make a traditional strudel before joining a community-hosted dinner. Continue on to lovely Budapest, a city divided by the Danube with historic Buda on one side and cosmopolitan Pest on the opposite bank.

   Meal included: Breakfast & Dinner
   Accommodation: Up Hotel

9. Budapest

   The beautiful city of Budapest is yours to discover. This morning a local expert provides an informative city tour featuring Fisherman's Bastion, Matthias Church, Old Buda, the New Parliament and Gellert Hill with a special stop at Heroes' Square, a unique monument to the many diverse leaders of Hungary. The rest of the afternoon is yours for free time. This evening, perhaps you’ll take in the essence of the region during an optional dinner followed by a cruise to view Budapest’s stunning night skyline.

   Meal included: Breakfast
   Accommodation: Mercure Krakow Old Town

10. Budapest

    This morning, it’s your choice! Choose to visit the House of Terror Museum and Memorial and gain an important perspective of 20th-century Hungarian history -OR- indulge in the famous Thermal Baths of Budapest,* one of the largest spa baths in Europe. This afternoon is yours to uncover “the Queen of the Danube” however you wish.

    Meal included: Breakfast
    Accommodation: Mercure Krakow Old Town

11. Budapest - Banská Bystrica, Slovakia - Krakow, Poland

    Take in the picturesque landscapes en route to Poland. Make a stop for lunch in Banska Bystrica, a historic town nestled on the banks of the Hron River with architecture dating back to the middle ages. Your home for the next three nights is the lively city of Krakow, a historic city offering old world charm. This evening, get to know traditional Polish culture during a folklore show and dinner featuring local cuisine.

    Meal included: Breakfast, Dinner & Lunch
    Accommodation: Mercure Krakow Old Town

12. Krakow - Auschwitz - Krakow

    Discover Krakow’s historic Old Town on a city tour complete with stops at the Market Square, St. Mary’s Church, and the university. You’ll also view Wawel Castle, a former residence of Polish kings. This afternoon, embark on a poignant journey through history as you travel to the camps of Auschwitz.** A local expert guides you through the former concentration camp, where you will learn about the sobering history and resilience of the human spirit. The evening is yours to spend it as you wish.

    Meal included: Breakfast

13. Krakow

    The morning is yours to enjoy the city on your own. Consider joining an optional walking tour to discover stories related to Jewish Krakow. Enjoy free time in the afternoon before tonight’s farewell dinner. Toast to the end of this memorable trip as you sit down with your fellow travelers at a Jewish restaurant, feeling connected to the cultures and traditions of Central & Eastern Europe.

    Meal included: Breakfast & Dinner

14. Krakow - Tour Ends

    Your tour comes to a close today.

    Meal included: Breakfast