Real Central Europe

Day 1 Berlin    
Guten Tag! Welcome to Germany. Your adventure kicks off with a welcome meeting at 6 pm where you’ll meet your tour leader and travel group.    

Day 2 Berlin to Krakow    
Today morning and early afternoon is free to explore ever-changing Berlin’s many sites. Evidence of its turbulent past are present everywhere you look. Maybe wander through the Brandenburg Gate, swing by Checkpoint Charlie to see where the main gate between East and West Berlin used to stand and witness the crumbling remnants of the Berlin Wall that are scattered all over the city. Or you could reflect on the past and pay visits to the Jewish Memorial, the empty shelves of Bebelplatz and the confronting Topography of Terror. In the afternoon, meet back up with the group and board an overnight train for Krakow.    

Day 3 Krakow
Arrive into Krakow and stretch your legs on an orientation walk with your leader. As you stroll the pretty streets of the World Heritage-listed Old Town, you’ll soon discover this is a place that seems frozen in time. Get a glimpse of its gorgeous medieval architecture, castles, churches and sprawling squares with your leader, as well as the chance to try zapiekanka. This beloved street snack consists of a baguette topped with mushroom and cheese. Later, strike out on your own.    

Day 4 Krakow    
Today is free day for you to explore Krakow at your own pace. Walking the ‘Royal Route’ – the former path of Polish monarchs – takes you past most of the Old Town’s greatest treasures including Florianska Gate (a Gothic gateway tower where streets musicians tend to play and local artists often display their work), the Barbician, a grand Baroque theatre, as well as some impressive churches and museums. After a full day of sightseeing, why not hit one of Krakow’s cellar restaurants for plate of pierogis and a cold drink.  

Day 5 Krakow to Prague    
The journey kicks on to country number three today: the Czech Republic. First, travel by minivan to Ostrava, then board a train bound for Prague. Then entire journey should take about 6 hours. After checking into your hotel, your leader will show you some of Prague’s best sites on an orientation walk.

Day 6 Prague    
Enjoy more free time in Prague to visit the sites you missed yesterday. Prague Castle has a great viewpoint that provides sweeping views of the city’s red rooftops and Medieval architecture. Consider a day-trip to Kutna Hora where you can visit Sedlec Ossuary, an eerie chapel decorated with human skeletons, or St Barbara Church and its medieval frescoes. Prague’s Old Town becomes particularly magical at night. Return for an evening stroll to soak up the atmosphere before checking out some of the town’s cosy cellar hangouts or underground absinthe bars. If you’re into jazz, Prague also boasts one of the best scenes in Europe.    

Day 7 Prague to Cesky Krumlov
Bid farewell to Prague and travel about 4 hours south to the fairytale-like town of Cesky Krumlov. Dating back to the 13th century, this tiny town closely resembles Prague with its gorgeous castle across the river and pretty mix of Renaissance and Baroque architecture. And it’s extremely walkable. Your tour leader will lead a walk around town, providing insight into architectural symbolism and Old Town mysteries along the way.    

Day 8 Cesky Krumlov to Vienna    
Hop into a local bus and travel across the border to Austria and the Baroque city of Vienna. Get acquainted with the city on a leader-led walking tour before free time to explore on your own. This evening, why not sample Vienna’s incredible musical heritage and catch a performance at one of the city’s historic venues such as the Vienna State Opera House.

Day 9 Vienna    
Spend another day exploring Vienna’s rich artistic and intellectual heritage. Maybe head to Schloss Belvedere (Belvedere Palace), Schoenbrunn Palace or the Hofburg palace complex to discover Austria’s symmetrical take on over-the-top grandeur. Exploring some of the city’s more specific museums such as the Schnapps Museum, the Sigmund Freud Museum or the Globe Museum, which is located inside the impressive Austrian National Museum.

Day 10 Vienna to Budapest    
Continue your exploration of Europe’s opulent past in Budapest today. It’ll take 3 hours to get here by train. Upon arrival, your leader will show you around the city on an orientation walk. Later, visit the cavernous Great Market Hall to stock up on Hungarian specialties like langos (fried dough) and Mangalica (an endemic pig) meat and then enjoy a picnic with a view at one of the city’s picturesque parks or viewpoints.

Day 11 Budapest    
Enjoy a free day to further explore Budapest. Visible from pretty much everywhere in the city, the 13th Century Buda Castle is a must-see – literally. Why not imagine how Hungarian kings used to live by touring the palace complex, which houses the Hungarian National Gallery and the Budapest History Museum. Or you could head to Fisherman’s Bastion for the best view of the city before taking a leisurely stroll along the cobbled streets of the Castle District.    

Day 12 Budapest to Bled    
Get ready for a long day of travel as you board a train and make the 8 hour journey to Ljubljana. From there, you’ll board a bus bound for Bled, an impossibly scenic lakeside town tucked at the foothills of the Julian Alps. You visit plenty of pretty towns on this trip but Bled truly is out of a fairy-tale. Arrive in the late afternoon and head to its gorgeous lake. Here your leader will point out the town’s best attractions, like its 11th century clifftop castle and the small island located in the lake’s centre.

Day 13 Bled    
Postcard-perfect Bled is also tailor-made for adventure. And as today is a free day, it’s up to you how (and if) you’d like to get active. Hiking, biking, canoeing and rafting are all on the cards. Choose to hire a bike and explore the surrounds, head to Vintgar Gorge for a walk through its natural canyon or go rafting along the Soca River.

Day 14 Bled to Venice    
Board the train and brace yourself for some amazing scenery on the way to Venice (approximately 5.5 hours). Venice is one of a kind, built over a hundred small islands connected by 400 bridges. Use your free time to explore – the best way to go is on foot. Try to take in all the famous sights, like the Grand Canal, the shops of the Rialto Bridge, the Palace of the Doge (ruler of Venice), the Piazza San Marco and its golden basilica, and the Bridge of Sighs.    

Day 15 Venice    
The trip comes to an end today after breakfast.