A JOURNEY OF CLASSICAL EASTERN EUROPE A cultural tour of Austria,
Hungary, Poland, Germany & Czech Republic
Eastern
Europe offers a distinct and varied picture of Europe - one of magnificent
castles, majestic palaces, beautiful mountains, rivers, lakes, gardens in addition
to a unique variety of distinct cultures and friendly people. This tour covering
six World Heritage Sites provides one with an enriched understanding of the
people, architecture, delicious cuisines and rich medieval and post medieval
history in Eastern Europe.
Day
01 Sat: Arrive Vienna Welcome to Vienna - the “City of Waltz”. We are warmly received
and transferred to our hotel. Plenty of time to relax before meeting our fellow
travelers and the Tour Director at the welcome dinner.
Overnight: Hotel Renaissance, Vienna (2 nights) (D)
Day 02 Sun: Vienna
On our morning sightseeing tour, we will visit the Hofburg Palace, once the
seat of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and view the Belvedere Palace, Prater
amusement park, the UN buildings, St. Stephen's Cathedral and other vivid
reminders of the city's imperial history. Afternoon is at leisure. (B)
Day 03 Mon: Vienna / Budapest
Today, travel east and cross the border to Hungary. Continue through the Transdanubian
region, reaching Budapest just in time to relax before dinner.
Overnight: Mercure Korona, Budapest (2 nights) (B, D)
Day
04 Tue: Budapest
Situated on the opposite banks of the Danube River, the former cities of Buda
and Pest are linked by a series of graceful bridges. Our morning sightseeing
tour includes views of the outstanding Parliament, the Royal Palace and the
Castle Hill area, the Fisherman's Bastion, Matthias Church, the Heroes' Square
and Gellert Hill with its Citadel. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore
this exciting city on your own. (B)
Day 05 Wed: Budapest / Krakow
The road to Krakow winds through the lovely hills and countryside of Slovakia,
past the Tatras Mountains and into the great plains of Poland. A relaxing
dinner in Krakow is planned upon arrival.
Overnight: Hotel Radisson SAS or Holiday Inn (2 nights) (B, D)
Day 06 Thu: Krakow
Our sightseeing tour starts with a visit to the Wawel Hill, viewing the Royal
Castle and visiting the Royal Cathedral. Enjoy a walking tour of the Old Town
where you will visit the Main Market Square, Renaissance Cloth Hall and St.
Mary's Church. The afternoon is free for a stroll around the city. (B)
Day 07 Fri: Krakow / Warsaw
This morning we have an option to join a trip to one of the most somber memorials
of the past, Auschwitz Concentration Camp. Later, journey to Czestochowa and
visit the Yasna Gora Monastery, known for the blackened picture of the Virgin
Mary popularly called the "Black Madonna". In the late afternoon,
arrive in Poland's capital city, Warsaw.
Overnight: Hotel Radisson SAS, Warsaw (2 nights)
(B, D)
Day 08 Sat: Warsaw
The 700 years old capital is a symbol of the Polish nationhood and the will
to survive against great odds. A sightseeing tour here includes a drive along
the famous Royal Route from the magnificent Castle Square to Lazienki Park
and Palace, the summer residence of the last king of Poland. Pass by the
Palace of Science and Culture (known as the “wedding cake”),
the Saxon Gardens, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Monument to the Heroes
of the Warsaw Ghetto and the Barbican. Continue with the walking tour of
the Old Town, the Old Market Square and St. John’s Cathedral. The rest
of the day is free for relaxing, shopping, and a stroll through the city
or an optional late afternoon Chopin concert. (B)
Day 09 Sun: Warsaw / Berlin
Stop in Poznan for an orientation tour, and then continue to Berlin, today's
final destination.
Overnight: Hotel Berlin or Excelsior, Berlin (2 nights) (B, D)
Day
10 Mon: Berlin
Our morning sightseeing tour features the Reichstag, the Renaissance building
that once housed Germany's Parliament, and the lovely Schloss Charlottenburg.
The tour continues through the city to view famous sights such as the Opera,
the Schiller Theater and the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church. The afternoon
is free to explore this once divided city on your own. (B)
Day 11 Tue: Berlin / Prague
This morning, continue our journey via Dresden, the beautiful Saxony Baroque
city. On your orientation tour, view Zwinger Palace and Semper Opera House.
Afterwards, continue to Prague, the Capital of Czech Republic.
Overnight: Hotel Diplomat, Prague (2 nights) (B, D)
Day 12 Wed: Prague
Built on seven hills more than 1000 years ago and spread over both banks
of the river Vltava, Prague is one of the most attractive cities in Europe.
Your city tour starts with a panoramic drive to the famous Wenceslas Square,
the Strahov Stadium and the Castle Square. On a walking tour, visit the Royal
Castle of Hradcany, St. Vitus Cathedral, the Royal Palace and Loretto Church.
Cross the Charles Bridge and walk through the old quarter of Prague to view
the Jewish Ghetto, the Town Hall and the world famous Astronomical Clock.
The rest of the day is free. An optional visit to a cultural performance
will be available. (B)
Day 13 Thu: Depart Prague
After an interesting journey through Austria, Hungary, Poland, Germany & Czech
Republic we bid farewell as we are transferred to the airport for our departure.
(B)
Departure
Dates
2010
English Speaking Departures May 08 - Closed,
22 & 29, Jun
05 - Closed, 12 & Jun
26 - Closed,
Jul 10 & 24, Aug 14 & 28, Sep 11 &
25, Oct 09
Inclusions
Tour
Price Includes
Tour
Price Does Not Include
Accommodation
as mentioned or similar
International airfare & Airport taxes
Meals
as mentioned (B=Breakfast,
D=Dinner)
Visa
fees & Insurance
All
transfers and sightseeing as per the itinerary
Tips
& Gratuities
Services
of local English speaking guides
Entrance
fees to sites
Tour
Price
We
accept payment in US $ (US Dollars), CA
$ (Canadian Dollars) or equivalent EURO (for
clients outside North America).
Bestway
Tours & Safaris offers conversion rate protection.
Once full payment has been received, and no modification
has been made to the tour itinerary, we will honour
that rate.
Estimated
International Airfare - International
airfare is NOT included in this tour
Canada
- West Coast
N/A
USA
- West Coast
US
$ 1400
Canada
- East Coast
N/A
USA
- East Coast
US
$ 1000
Participants
This
tour operates on a minimum of 02 and average group
size of 25 participants.
Note:
This
tour is not part of our small group journeys
Customised
Itinerary
If you would like to have a tour on dates other
than the above ones or with a customised itinerary,
please contact us and we will be happy to work out
an exclusive program for you.
Foreign Language Departures
Please contact us for information on French,
German,
Italian and Spanish
speaking departures.
You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com
or call us at 604.264.7378. Residents of
U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1.800.663.0844.