14 days -September 2-17, 2009
$2995 ppdo Includes Roundtrip Air
from Los Angeles
Day 1: Your exciting vacation begins today as you board your overnight flight from LAX to Austria.
Day 2: Welcome to Vienna! Transfer to your 1 st Class hotel and enjoy a welcome dinner. RENAISSANCE HOTEL (D)
Day 3: VIENNA, AUSTRIA. On your morning sightseeing tour, 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 Imperial treasures. Afternoon is at leisure. (B)
Viennese Street Violinists
Day 4: VIENNA/BUDAPEST, HUNGARY. Today, travel east and cross the border to Hungary. Continue through the Transdanubian region, reaching the capital, Budapest, just in time to relax before dinner. MERCURE KORONA (B,D)
Day 5: 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. Your 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 6: BUDAPEST/KRAKOW, POLAND. The road to Krakow, Poland, winds through the lovely hills and countryside of Slovakia, past the Tatras Mountains. A relaxing dinner in Krakow is planned upon arrival. RADISSON SAS (B,D)
Budapest
Day 7: KRAKOW. Your 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 8: KRAKOW/WARSAW, POLAND. This morning perhaps join an optional excursion 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 afternoon, arrive in Poland’s capital city, Warsaw. RADISSON SAS (B,D)
Day 9: WARSAW. The 700 year-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 the 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, or an optional late afternoon Chopin concert.(B)
Day 10: WARSAW/POZNAN/BERLIN, GERMANY. Stop in Poznan for an orientation tour, and then continue to Berlin, today’s final destination. HOTEL BERLIN (B,D)
Day 11: BERLIN. Your 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 12: BERLIN/PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC. This morning, continue your 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 the Czech Republic. HOTEL DIPLOMAT (B,D)
Day 13: PRAGUE. Built on seven hills more than 1,000 years ago and spread over both banks of theriverVltava, 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 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 in this favorite city of Mozart will be available as a farewell treat. (B)
Day 14: After breakfast, your memorable trip ends when you transfer to the airport for your flight back to the U.S.A.(B)
