| 17 Days ~ Czech
Republic ~ Germany ~ Poland ~ Slovakia ~ Hungary ~ Austria
Tour Pace
Two-night stays in nearly all of the cities
featured on the coaching portion of this tour allows you to settle into your
hotel on arrival and enjoy a city sightseeing tour the next day. The tour
culminates with 7 relaxing nights aboard your luxurious River Cruise.
DAY
1 – THU – PRAGUE AT LEISURE
Welcome to the Czech
Republic! On arrival at Prague airport there are complimentary transfers
to your tour hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax or to
commence your exploration of 'Golden Prague'. Hotel: Diplomat. (dinner)
DAY 2 – FRI
– PRAGUE SIGHTSEEING
Sightseeing begins
within the 1000 year old walls of Prague Castle where a local guide takes
you inside St. Vitus' Cathedral. Time to gaze down upon the city below
before descending to the magnificent Old Town Square - don't miss the
chiming of the astronomical clock on the hour! This afternoon is at
leisure. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 3 – SAT
– PRAGUE – DRESDEN
A short drive from Prague
lies Nelahozeves castle, housing a world renowned art collection as well as
originalscores by Beethoven and Mozart. Adjacent to the museum is the
birthplace of Czech composer, Anton Dvorák. Continue high into the Ore
mountains to cross the German border and travel through picturesque Saxon
Switzerland en route to Dresden. Hotel: Maritim. (Buffet breakfast, dinner)
DAY 4 – SUN
– DRESDEN SIGHTSEEING
From the reconstructed
Frauenkirche your Tour Director walks you past the colossal 'Procession of
the Dukes' mosaic and around the Cathedral to view the Opera and baroque
Zwinger Palace. Now a highlight visit takes you inside the Royal Palace to
admire the fabulous treasures of the Green Vault collections. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 5 – MON
– DRESDEN – WROCLAW
Drive to the German
border this morning and admire the beautiful medieval border town of
Gorlitz before crossing into Poland. Then continue to the islands,
bridges, parks and graceful buildings of Wroclaw. Your guide shows you the
sights including the Main Square and University. Hotel: Sofitel.
(Buffet breakfast)
DAY 6 – TUE
– WROCLAW – WARSAW
Before leaving Wroclaw
visit the enormous Raclawicka Panorama – a 120 metre long painting
depicting the famous Polish victory over the Russians in 1794. Now cross the
farmlands of central Poland to reach the proud capital of Warsaw. Hotel
Hilton. (Buffet breakfast, dinner)
DAY 7 – WED
– WARSAW SIGHTSEEING
A panoramic tour of
Warsaw shows you neo-classical Lazienki Palace and the nearby Chopin
Memorial. Visit the poignant Ghetto Memorial, before a walk in the
reconstructed Old Town. The rest of the day is at leisure. Maybe visit one
of Warsaw’s palaces for a private recital of Chopin's music?
(Buffet breakfast)
DAY 8 – THU
– WARSAW – KRAKOW
Drive south to the
monastery at Czestochowa. This place of pilgrimage is home of the famous
'Black Madonna', thought to be painted by St. Luke. Before reaching Krakow
stop at Auschwitz to reflect amid the remains of the former concentration
camp. Hotel Sympozium. (Buffet breakfast, dinner)
DAY 9 – FRI
– KRAKOW SIGHTSEEING
Walk through the narrow
alleyways of old Krakow, to the vast square containing the Cloth Hall and
Mariacki Church, from which the 'trumpeter' sounds the hour. Ascend Wawel
Hill to visit the cathedral and see the 'Wawel dragon' (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 10 – SAT
– KRAKOW – BUDAPEST – CRUISE
Drive through the
foothills of the Tatra Mountains and cross into Slovakia. Continue south
to Hungary and the capital Budapest. Board your River Cruise and settle
into your lavishly appointed state room with private bathroom. Cruise
Ship: River Empress. (Buffet breakfast, dinner)
DAY 11 – SUN
– CRUISE BUDAPEST
Today is devoted to Budapest - 'Queen of the Danube'. Your city tour takes
you through the narrow medieval streets of Buda to the Fisherman's Bastion
and Matthias Church. Enjoy views over the magnificent Parliament building
and commercial centre of Pest. Tonight enjoy the Captain’s Welcome Dinner
on board. (Buffet
breakfast, Specialty Highlight dinner)
DAY 12 – MON
– CRUISE BRATISLAVA & VIENNA
Cruise the famous Danube
bend to arrive in Bratislava, capital of Slovakia. A tour into the city
centre will acquaint you with the city’s eclectic architecture and main
sights including Bratislava Castle, Michael’s Gate, Mirbach Palace and
Primatial Palace. Your cruise continues to Vienna. (Buffet breakfast, Lunch,
Dinner)
DAY 13 – TUE
– CRUISING – VIENNA
Travel along the stately
Ring Street on your includedcity tour - past the Opera, City Hall and
Parliament. You visit St Stephen’s Cathedral where Mozart was married in
1782 and then continue to Mozart House, where the maestro composed the
Marriage of Figaro! Maybe join an optional excursion to Schonbrunn Palace?
(Buffet breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
DAY 14 – WED
– CRUISE WACHAU VALLEY
Continue cruising to
the tiny village of Durnstein, nestled below the ruined castle where
Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned. Your guide will fill you in on all
the details during your walking tour. Now the river meanders below the
forested cliffs, vineyards, churches and castles of the scenic Wachau
Valley.
(Buffet breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
DAY 15 – THU
– CRUISING – LINZ
Your cruise ship slips
into Linz. On your guided tour of Linz explore the old town, with its
chateau, churches and early buildings surrounding the central Hauptplatz,
Austria’s largest medieval town square.
(Buffet breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
DAY 16 – FRI
– CRUISING – PASSAU
You reach Passau,
situated on the Austrian border at the confluence of the Rivers Inn, Danube
and Ilz. Your guided walk takes you through the medieval old town. Later
enjoy an organ concert on the world’s largest pipe organ in St Stephan’s
Cathedral.
(Buffet breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
DAY 17 – SAT
– PASSAU – MUNICH
Disembark &
transfer to Munich airport. (Buffet breakfast)
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