Highlights of New Europe

Tour Duration: 16 days

Day 2
Arrive Frankfurt You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. After check– in this afternoon, we enjoy an orientation tour of Germany's dynamic financial centre and medieval Römerplatz. (Dinner)

Day 3
Frankfurt – Berlin (2nights) Today's journey takes us north into eastern Germany via Kassel, the Grimm brothers' home town, to Berlin for our two–night stay. On arrival experience the excitement of this city.

Day 4
Berlin sightseeing & at leisure Our morning sightseeing features highlights of a united Berlin including the Reichstag Building, Tiergarten, the Brandenburg Gate, Unter den Linden Boulevard and the German State Opera House. Later there's time at leisure, to perhaps join an optional excursion exploring Berlin's secret past? (Continental breakfast)

Day 5
Berlin – Warsaw (2nights) First we head to the German border town of Frankfurt–an–der–Oder. We continue on to Poland, make a stop at the commercial centre of Poznan, with its City Hall and gothic churches. Later, we cross the central plains of Poland to its capital, Warsaw. (Continental breakfast/ Dinner)

Day 6
Warsaw sightseeing & at leisure Our morning sightseeing tour reveals Warsaw's historic centre where much of the Old Town was rebuilt after the war. Also included is the site of the Warsaw Ghetto. At leisure don't miss the opportunity to take an excursion to Wilanow Palace, the residence of Polish King Sobieski – saviour of Vienna. This evening before dinner at our hotel, why not enjoy a private Chopin piano recital?
(Continental breakfast/ Dinner)

Day 7
Warsaw – Krakow (2nights) After breakfast, our journey takes us south to Czestochowa, site of the 14th century Paulite monastery at Jasna Gora. This place of pilgrimage is the home of a world famous portrait of Our Lady – the 'Black Madonna', thought to be painted by St. Luke. From here it's on to Krakow for two nights. Later, on our arrival why not take a trip to see the famous sculptures in the nearby salt mines?
(Continental breakfast/ Dinner)

Day 8
Krakow sightseeing & at leisure Our morning sightseeing tour reveals the city's medieval walls and buildings, highlighting the castle and Cathedral on Wavel Hill, echoes of Poland's royal heritage. With time at leisure perhaps take a stroll through the medieval Old Town. Later maybe visit Auschwitz, a chilling reminder of the wartime holocaust. (Continental breakfast/ Dinner)

Day 9
Krakow – Budapest (2nights) Beautiful scenery awaits us as we drive through the foothills of the Tatra Mountains. Here we cross into the Slovak Republic and on to Hungary en route to Budapest on the romantic River Danube where we spend the next two nights. (Continental breakfast/ Dinner)

Day 10
Budapest sightseeing & at leisure After breakfast, the main sights of the twin cities included on our sightseeing tour are the Fishermen's Bastion, Heroes' Square and the Church of St. Matthias, plus a panoramic view of the city from Gellert Hill. Then with time on your own, maybe take a trip to Szentendre or visit the Parliament buildings. After dark, why not discover Eastern Europe's liveliest nightlife? (Continental breakfast)

Day 11
Budapest – Vienna (2nights) Today's journey through the region of Transdanubia, dotted with orchards and vineyards, brings us to the town of Györ. Founded by the Romans, Gyor has retained much of its medieval and baroque charm. From here, we cross the Austrian border en route to Imperial Vienna for our two–night stay. (Continental breakfast)

Day 12
Vienna sightseeing & at leisure From the Parliament to the Opera, the Hofburg to the City Hall, our guided sightseeing tour reveals the splendour of the Austrian capital. This evening, why not join an optiona excursion and head for the city's outskirts one of Austria's many wine villages for dinner at a lively 'heurige' inn?
(Continental breakfast)

Day 13
Vienna – Prague (2nights) This morning we cross the border into the Czech Republic to see Lednice Castle, former home of the Liechtenstein family. From here we continue our journey through the historic Bohemian countryside to the golden city of Prague for two exciting nights. (Continental breakfast/ Dinner)

Day 14
Prague sightseeing & at leisure Spanning the River Vltava, Prague ranks as one of the most beautifully preserved cities in Europe. Our guided sightseeing tour features Hradçany Castle, the Cathedral of St. Vitus and the Old Town Square. At leisure, why not enjoy a lunch cruise on the Vltava River or visit a royal castle outside the city? (Continental breakfast/ Dinner)

Day 15
Prague – Frankfurt Today we leave the Czech Republic, making a stop at the beer–brewing town of Pilsen. We cross the border into Germany to charming Rothenburg. Here an orientation of the city explores its medieval streets and fortified walls. There's time to shop for Christmas ornaments before we drive north back to Frankfurt. (Continental breakfast)

Day 16
Frankfurt – USA Today there's time to bid farewell as you are transferred to Frankfurt Airport for your return flight to the USA. (Continental breakfast)
Additional Visa Requirements
Visas are required for EASTERN EUROPE and can be obtained by your Travel Agent for a fee, prior to leaving home. Note: Separate visas are needed for the Czech Republic and Slovak Republic. No visas can be issued at borders in Europe.