Warsaw To Vienna

( 5 Star )

Visit: Warsaw - Krakow - Prague - Vienna

Itinerary
Inclusion / Exclusion
Dates Pricing

You will be met and transferred to your hotel. There’s time to relax before meeting your fellow travelers and Tour Director for a Welcome Dinner. (D)

The 700-year-old capital of Poland is a symbol of nationhood and the will to survive against great odds. A sightseeing tour here includes a drive along the famous Royal Route from grand Castle Square to Lazienki Park and Palace, summer residence of the last king of Poland. See the Palace of Science and Culture (known as a “wedding cake”), the Saxon Gardens, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Monument to the Heroes of the Warsaw Ghetto, and the Barbican. Then a walking tour shows you Old Town, Old Market Square, and St. John’s Cathedral. The rest of the day is free. You might want to attend an optional late afternoon Chopin concert. (B)

Journey to Czestochowa, known for the blackened picture of St. Mary in the Yasna Gora Monastery, popularly called the "Black Madonna." This afternoon tour haunting Auschwitz-Birkenau, the notorious World War II concentration camp. It is now on the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites. End the day in Krakow. (B, D)

The sightseeing tour today starts with a visit to Wawel Hill, viewing the Royal Castle and visiting the Royal Cathedral. Enjoy a walking tour of the Old Town, where you will see the Main Market Square, Renaissance Cloth Hall, and St. Mary's Church. The afternoon is free for a stroll around the city, shopping, or maybe sample some bigos or pierogi in a little café. (B)

Drive across the unspoiled Polish countryside, then on over the borders of Slovakia and the Czech Republic. End the day in Prague, with its Baroque churches, promenades, parks, and ancient city walls. (B, D)

Prague has a long and colorful history, from its early days as a bishopric, to becoming the residence of the Bohemian kings, and later the capital of both Bohemia and the Holy Roman Empire. Built across seven hills on both banks of the Vltava River more than 1000 years ago, it is one of the most attractive cities in Europe. Your sightseeing starts with panoramic drive to famous Wenceslas Square, Strahov Stadium, and Castle Square. Then, on a walking tour, visit the Royal Castle of Hradcany with the Cathedral of St. Vitus, the Old Royal Palace, St. George's Basilica and the Golden Lane with the Daliborka Tower. Cross the Charles Bridge and walk through the old quarter of Prague to view the Jewish Ghetto, Town Hall and world famous Astronomical Clock. The rest of the day is at leisure. You might want to attend an optional cultural performance. (B)

Travel into Austria and on to Vienna, the "City of Waltz." Your time is free to begin exploring or perhaps savor a Viennese pastry or two. (B)

On a morning sightseeing tour, visit Hofburg Palace, once the center of the Habsburg monarchy, and see Belvedere Palace, Prater Amusement Park, the UN Buildings, St. Stephen's Cathedral, and other remnants of the city's imperial history. The afternoon is free for last-minute shopping. Celebrate tonight with a Farwell Dinner at a popular restaurant. (B, D)

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Vienna’s airport for your flight home. (B)

Inclusion

Centrally located 4-star hotels
Buffet breakfast daily
4 dinners (coffee or tea included)
Airport transfers
Touring by modern air-conditioned motor-coach
Professional English Speaking Tour Director throughout
Licensed Local Guides
Entrance fees included where indicated in bold letters
Luggage handling at hotels
Complimentary whispers with sightseeing tours
Service charges and hotel taxes

Exclusion

International airfares
Optional activities
Other meals, drinks, tips and other personal expenses or services not specified on the program
Personal equipment
Travel insurance
Gratuities
Voluntary tips for guides or drivers
Travel and medical insurance
Any items not mentioned as included

Note

HOTELS

Warsaw: Mercure Grand
Krakow: Mercure Old Town
Prague: Angelo by Vienna House Prague / Vienna House Andel’s Prague
Vienna: Hilton Vienna

OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS - Supplement cost is available on request

WARSAW / WILANOW PALACE

This splendid baroque palace, as impressive as Versailles, was built in the late 17th century as a summer residence for King Jan Sobieski III and owned later by most important polish noble families. The main building consisting of 3 wings, housed the oldest museum established in Poland in 1805 to preserve the memory about Sobieski family and spectacular national history moments of that time, including Battle of Vienna in 1683 against the Ottoman Empire. The residence complex extended by a large garden and lakeside promenade, fortunately, avoided deeper destruction in 1939-1945. After detailed renovations in 2010-11, Wilanow Palace presents its valuable collection of royal furniture, portraits, and China.

WARSAW / CHOPIN CONCERT

It was the genius of Frederic Chopin that made Poland’s music world famous. The Mazurkas, Etudes, Polonaises, and Scherzos became a test and measure of any pianist’s talent. Enjoy a Chopin piano recital, performed just for you in a setting fit for a king. A glass of champagne is served during intermission.

PRAGUE / VLTAVA RIVER CRUISE

Transfer to the Vltava River where an air-conditioned boat awaits you. During a one-hour long cruise along the Vltava River, with coffee and cake served, you will enjoy fantastic views of Prague. See its famous buildings and historic monuments, such as St. Agnes Monastery, the Rudolfinum, and Charles Bridge, majestic Prague Castle, the National Theatre, Vysehrad and more.

PRAGUE / DINNER WITH FOLKLORE SHOW

Experience an evening of typical Czech hospitality, with dinner, wine, music, and dance. Wine is served from special glass pipes, which are used in the wine cellars of Southern Moravia. You will listen to folk music from different parts of the country, starting with traditional music, and followed by a program of Bohemian, Moravian, and Slovakian folk songs and dances, as well as gypsy songs and dances. You will have an opportunity to see typical folk instruments, such as the hammer-dulcimer, fujara (shepherds-whistle) and bag-pipe. After a break, the musicians will play international music according to the guests‘ wishes and at the end of the evening, you will listen to some famous compositions of classical music.

VIENNA / SCHÖNBRUNN PALACE

The Imperial Palace of Schönbrunn, with its adjacent buildings and vast gardens, is among the most important baroque structures of its type in Europe. Enjoy the visit of the residential palace with its furniture, fixtures, and fittings that impressively reflect the lifestyle of the imperial family. The attractiveness of Schönbrunn Palace lies in its largely original interior from the 18^th century, as well as in the baroque garden landscape which remains scarcely altered.

VIENNA / VIENNA PALACE CONCERT

A wonderful concert of Viennese classical music including some of the most famous works of Johann Strauss and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, performed by some of the highly acclaimed soloists and dancers in Austria. A glass of champagne is included during the interval.