Discover the heart of Eastern Europe with us as we travel on local trains and buses and stay in simple, family run hotels, pensions and hostels. We roam the medieval streets of the historic cities of Krakow, Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna and Prague. We also enjoy walks in the Tatras Mountains and have the chance to raft through the beautiful Dunajec Gorge.
Itinerary
[+] Detailed Itinerary
Day 1:
Join tour Krakow; Late PM Orientation walk around old centre
Poland's former capital (until 1596) has a very distinctive character and is on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Its historic architecture came through the Second World War unscathed and the city has preserved its rich culture to the present day. It was the residence of Polish kings, and has nearly a hundred churches, as well as Poland's oldest university. Among its most important architectural treasures are St Mary's Church, which contains the world-famous altarpiece carved by Veit Stoss, the medieval buildings of the Jagiellonian University, and Wawel Castle with the Cathedral. Your tour leader will lead a short orientation around the city's Old Quarter in the late afternoon.
Overnight Basic Hotel (H)
Day 2:
In Krakow
Today is left free for you to explore Krakow and further afield if you wish. The Jewish Kazimierz district, the setting for the film ‘Schindler’s List’, has many points of interest including the Old Synagogue and the Museum of Jewish life. You may like to make an excursion by train to Oswiecim, the site of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp, a haunting reminder of the terrible atrocities which took place there during World War II. It is also possible to visit the Royal Castle, perched high on Wawel Hill, which overlooks both the Old Town and the Vistula River. Constructed in Renaissance style, the castle houses exquisite treasures collected through the ages by Polish monarchs. Next to the castle is Wawel Cathedral, the final resting place of Polish Kings. Another option is to visit the salt mines of Wieliczka.
Overnight Basic Hotel (H)
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 3:
Rafting in the Dunjec Gorge (optional) en route to High Tatras (Slovakia)
This morning we drive to Majere, for an optional wooden rafting trip on the Dunajec River to a point close to the Polish border near Lesnica. This river has been a famous attraction in this area since the middle of the 19th century, when tourists came here to raft down the gorge. Following in the footsteps of those early travellers we take to the waters for a rafting trip through this beautiful landscape. Following the Dunajec River we meander along the bottom of the spectacular gorge that bears its name, passing a landscape of towering limestone cliffs, blanketed in lush forests of fir, beech, larch and spruce. Part of the Pieniny National Park, the gorge is without doubt one of the most stunning in Europe and its verdant slopes attract a diverse collection of wildlife, including lynx, wolf, stag and some 14 species of bats. Birdlife includes eagle and pygmy owls, three toed woodpeckers and rare black storks can sometimes be spotted along the river’s edge. This is not a white water rafting trip, rather a gentle float through a beautiful landscape, so you do not need to worry about getting wet! In the aftrenoon we continue to Stary Smokovec in the High Tatras mountains of Slovakia. The High Tatras area of Slovakia can justly claim to be the Switzerland of the country. Snow-capped for most of the year, the compact High Tatras range is sliced by beautiful valleys and lakes. An ideal region for winter sports, in summer the network of well marked trails are a hiker’s delight.
Overnight Basic Hotel (H)
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 4:
Walks in the Tatras Mountains
Today we plan to take either the train or public bus to the cable car station at Tatranska Lominca and take cable car to the Skalnaté pleso halfway point. From here its an easy, mainly downhill walking tour to Hrebienok, Studenovodske waterfalls and back to Novy Smokovec (approx 2 hours). Anyone not wishing to walk can take the cable car and bus/train back to Novy Smokovec. In the afternoon we can pay a visit to the nearby impressive Spis Castle (optioanl).
Overnight Basic Hotel (H)
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 5:
Drive through rural Slovakia to Banska Bystrica; PM orientation stroll
The morning will be spent in delightful Novy Smokovec with further opportunity to enjoy the mountains. In the afternoon we will drive through rural Slovakia to Banská Bystrica. We hope to include a number of stops along the route to experience something of rural Slovakia. On arrival your tour leader will take an orientation walk of the town
Overnight Basic Hotel (H)
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 6:
Sightseeing from Banska Bystrica
Today we are free to explore the area by ourselves, alternatively you can take an optional full day sightseeing tour by bus with the aim of exploring some of the more off-the-beaten-track attractions of this part of rural Slovakia. The optioanl tour will include a visit to Hronsek Wooden church and Banska Stiavnica – a preserved medieval town that is a UNESCO world heritage site. The open air mining museum here dates back to the 17th century and offers a two kilometers long underground excursion! Other places that can be visited according to the weather and interests of the group include Skelne Teplice thermal spa, Kremnica Mint and Spania Dolina village (a traditional village with a mining history).
Overnight Basic Hotel (H)
Day 7:
Drive to Budapest; Explore this city on foot
This morning we drive to Budapest. Situated on a beautiful stretch of the Danube, Hungary’s capital consists of two parts: Buda and Pest. Buda seems today the older, more graceful part, with cobbled streets and medieval buildings, whilst the latter is the business centre. Utilising local transport, the afternoon's guided walking tour takes in the major sites of this impressive city. We discover the Basilica of St. Stephen and Parliament buildings before crossing Chain Bridge to the Castle District and Watertown. Here lie Buda’s most ancient gems – Castle Hill with the Old Town, Fisherman’s Bastion, and the Royal Palace. Enterance fees are not incucded on this tour and can be paid locally.
Overnight Basic Hotel (H)
Day 8:
In Budapest
Today in Budapest is left free for you to further explore its many attractions. You may want to visit one of the city’s famous thermal baths, or take a boat cruise on the Danube. Another recommended attractions is Szentendre, an artists town with a Serb minority located on the bank of the Danube with can be visited by train or bus.
Overnight Basic Hotel (H)
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 9:
Drive to Bratislava; PM orientation walk
Today we make our way to Bratislava, the largest and the capital city of Slovakia with stops en route at one of the most notable landmark in Pannonhalma and one of the oldest historical monuments in Hungary. Alternatively we can make a stop at Gyor town which was supposed to have been established in 5th Century BC and has a huge collection of historical buildings and sites. In the evening we will have a short orientation tour of Bratislava.
Overnight Basic Hotel (H)
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 10:
Train to Vienna and city tour
This morning we take a short train ride to Austria's capital, Vienna where we enjoy a walking tour of the old city with the Tour Leader which should offer a good initial overview of the history and the structure of the city. Sights during the walk will include the museum quarter, Heroes square, Hofburg (imperial palace complex), Imperial treasury, National Library, Spanish Riding school Jewish quarter, Vienna ancient housing estates, St.Stephens church and the Opera. We won't have the time to enter any of these places on our tour but afterwards you will be free to return to visit any that you wish.You can return to Bratislava by train at your leisure (we will provide a return ticket) or you may wish to take a boat along the Danube (optional).
Overnight Basic Hotel (H)
Day 11:
Train and bus to Mikulov; walking tour in the UNESCO listed area
Day 12:
Train to Prague; walking tour with tour leader
A train journey takes us to our final destination of Prague, capital of the Czech Republic.Twelve centuries have adorned it with a labyrinth of old streets and wonderful palaces and bridges. We enjoy a walk round the city with our Tour leader which will take in some of the main highlights including the Old Town Square and City Hall, set amid antique houses and arcades, the Astronomical Clock, Powder Tower and Prague Ghetto, which includes the Jewish Cemetery and Synagogues. We also see the Charles Bridge, the oldest and most handsome bridge over the Vltava river and the area of Hradcany with the castle of the Bohemian Kings.
Overnight Basic Hotel (H)
Day 13:
Free day in Prague
On our second day in Prague you are free to continue enjoying the city at your leisure. You may wish to head to the gothic Konopiste Castle, built in 1300, by local train. The castle was once owned by Archduke Ferdinand whose assassination in Sarajevo triggered the start of World War One. A boat trip on the Vltava river is another possibility. There are also many classical music concerts to be found, if the timing is right, you may be lucky to see a performance in one of the old atmospheric churches (optional).
Overnight Basic Hotel (H)
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 14:
Tour ends Prague
Included meals: Breakfast
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