15 days Bohemian Highlights
Don your walking shoes for a leisurely ramble across the cities of Bohemia - exploring historic city centres like Berlin, Warsaw and Vienna that have seamlessly merged the tradition of old and new. Follow in the footsteps of emperors, generals and composers, the colourful folklore of Central Europe, and tragedy of a war that left its mark on the Polish landscape.
| Day | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive Frankfurt | Welcome to Frankfurt. Check-in this afternoon and enjoy an orientation drive through this fascinating city. Meet your Travel Director and companions later for a Welcome Reception. Hotel Sheraton Offenbach Meals Welcome Reception |
| 2 | Frankfurt – Leipzig – Berlin (2 Nights) | Journey through the lush landscapes of Saxony to Leipzig, which for centuries has been at the crossroads of two ancient trade routes. The city was once home to such greats as Goethe, Mendelssohn and Johann Sebastian Bach. This afternoon, we travel to Berlin, whose once-turbulent history has shaped its rebirth as a charismatic capital city. Hotel Hilton Meals Buffet Breakfast |
| 3 | Berlin Sightseeing and Free Time | Explore an iconic landmark of a unified Berlin and reunified Germany. 'Dive into Culture' at the Berlin TV Tower from which you'll enjoy inspiring 360° views of the city and Spree River. See the neo-Renaissance Reichstag, Tiergarten, Brandenburg Gate and Unter den Linden Boulevard with a Local Specialist during your included sightseeing tour. Enjoy some free time this afternoon exploring the city on your own. Perhaps see the remnants of the Berlin Wall, visit the infamous Checkpoint Charlie and enjoy a Fassbrause on the Friedrichstrasse. Meals Buffet Breakfast |
| 4 | Berlin – Poznań – Warsaw (2 Nights) | We travel through patchwork farm landscapes stopping in Poznań, before arriving in the elegant Polish capital, Warsaw, where we'll spend the next two nights. Embrace the youthful verve of a city that has triumphed over repeated conquests and the shackles of communism, then spend the evening at leisure exploring the sights. Hotel Leonardo Royal Meals Buffet Breakfast Dinner |
| 5 | Warsaw Sightseeing and Free Time | Join a Local Specialist this morning to explore Warsaw's colourful historic centre, including the Old Town, which the Nazis destroyed in retaliation against the brave Warsaw Uprising. We'll also see the Warsaw Ghetto, where hundreds of thousands of Polish Jews were imprisoned during the German occupation, tragically immortalised in the poignant Roman Polanski film - 'The Pianist'. Spend the rest of the day exploring the city's sights on your own. Consider a visit to the Wilanow Palace, a priceless testimony to the splendour of Poland's royal past, or treat yourself to a Chopin recital, before joining your travel companions this evening for a delicious Regional Meal at a local restaurant. Meals Buffet Breakfast Regional Meal |
| 6 | Warsaw – Czestochowa – Auschwitz – Kraków (2 Nights) | Rub shoulders with Catholic pilgrims, who for centuries have journeyed to pay homage to Czestochowa's Black Madonna at the Jasna Góra Monastery. Continue to Auschwitz Memorial Site for a poignant reminder of one of the greatest tragedies of World War II. We continue to the enchanting city of Krakow where we stay at one of Trafalgar's 'Stays With Stories', the Golden Tulip Hotel, just a short walk from the historic Old Town. Hotel Golden Tulip Kazimierz Meal Buffet Breakfast Dinner |
| 7 | Kraków Sightseeing and Free Time | We take to the beautiful streets of Kraków, joining a Local Specialist for a walking tour of the medieval Old Town and its expansive town square. Visit the Mariacki Church, with its hourly trumpet call. See Wawel Castle, for centuries the residence of Polish royalty, then enjoy panoramic views of the city from Wawel Hill. The rest of the day is yours to explore the sights on your own. Consider joining an Optional Experience to the Wieliczka Salt Mine, renowned as the Underground Salt Cathedral of Poland and home to an entire chapel carved from rock salt, as well as dozens of sculptures. Enjoy a slice of Polish Sernik Babci on the Old Town Square, visit a traditional milk bar or enjoy an evening of Polish folklore. Meals Buffet Breakfast |
| 8 | Kraków – Slovakia – Budapest (2 Nights) | Drive south through the Carpathians and across the border into Slovakia with its green and golden rolling landscapes. We journey to Hungary and arrive later in the majestic capital of Budapest. Spend this evening exploring the Castle District with its centuries-old façades or perhaps consider a scenic river cruise along the beautiful Danube. Hotel NH City Meals Buffet Breakfast |
| 9 | Budapest Sightseeing | Delve into a tale of two cities, unified only in the 19th century as bridges were built to straddle the waters of the Danube. We join a Local Specialist for a sightseeing tour, featuring views of the famous Chain Bridge and the UNESCO-listed Castle Hill district with a visit to the Fisherman's Bastion. See Hero's Square to pay tribute to the Magyar Chieftains who founded the Hungarian nation. Spend the rest of the day exploring on your own. Soak up the sounds of the Great Market Hall or consider a trip to Szentendre, a lively riverside town renowned for its art life. This evening, we 'Connect With Locals' and join the Schieszl family for a Be My Guest dinner and the story of their winery. Meals Buffet Breakfast Dinner with Wine |
| 10 | Budapest – Győr – Vienna (2 Nights) | Before leaving beautiful Budapest, perhaps take a guided tour of the imposing Gothic Parliament Building, the home of Hungary's Holy Crown. Cross the hilly Transdanubia region - its orchards and vineyards providing a picturesque backdrop for a leisurely drive to the Roman town of Győr. Amble along Baross Gábor utca and admire the Baroque façades, before departing to Vienna, your home for the next two nights. Hotel Hilton Danube Meals Buffet Breakfast |
| 11 | Vienna Sightseeing and Free Time | Tread in the footsteps of Mozart, Haydn and Strauss, admiring Vienna's imperial elegance on an included sightseeing tour with a Local Specialist. See the Parliament Building with its marble statues, the 13th-century Hofburg Palace, State Opera House and St. Stephen's Cathedral. Spend the rest of the day discovering the city at your own pace. Indulge in Vienna's Kafee culture, enjoying a slice or two of delicious sachertorte, ramble through the Gardens of Schönbrunn or join an Optional Experience to a famous local hostelry for traditional Austrian cuisine and a musical performance. Meals Buffet Breakfast |
| 12 | Vienna – Tabor – Prague (2 Nights) | Travel north into the Czech Republic and visit Tabor, once a Hussite stronghold. This afternoon, arrive in Prague on the banks of the Vltava. Hotel NH City Meals Buffet Breakfast Dinner |
| 13 | Prague Sightseeing and Free Time | Join a Local Specialist this morning for an exploration of the city's labyrinthine lanes, and beautiful squares. Visit the impressive St. Vitus Cathedral, set within the 1,000-year-old Prague Castle, cross the Vltava to Old Town Square and view the 14th-century Astronomical Clock, with its magical hourly Walk of the Apostles. Spend the rest of the day wandering the streets of the Old Town or take a relaxing lunch cruise on the Vltava. Meals Buffet Breakfast |
| 14 | Prague – Frankfurt | We leave the picture-perfect city of Prague behind and journey west across the German border today, before arriving in cosmopolitan Frankfurt for your final night. Spend the last evening of your Bohemian adventure with your travel companions and Travel Director at a Farewell Dinner. Hotel Sheraton Offenbach Meals Buffet Breakfast Farewell Dinner |
| 15 | Depart Frankfurt | Our time together has come to an end. We say farewell to our newfound friends at the end of a memorable holiday. Transfers are available to Frankfurt Airport. Conditions apply. Meals Buffet Breakfast |