Guide

From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination. Dresden: During your orientation with your Travel Director, take a moment to admire the ’Procession of the Princes’ mosaic on the Saxon wall of the castle. You’ll also see Frauenkirche, Zwinger Palace and the opera house, Semperoper. Cesky Krumlov: Your Travel Director will lead you on an orientation of the city as you explore the medieval streets of this fairy-tale town.

Meals

6 Dinner (D) 13 Breakfast (B) Budapest: Dine in elegance and savour Hungarian delicacies accompanied with specially selected Hungarian wine during your dinner. Warsaw: Enjoy a demonstration of the traditional techniques of dumpling-making with an expert chef. Then enjoy a hearty Polish dinner with a variety of local delicacies and drinks. Ceske Budejovice: Tour a local brewery to discover the secrets of how the golden vintage of beer is made, followed by a sampling. Cesky Krumlov: For your dinner this evening, choose your own style of ambience and cuisine from a fine selection of restaurants in the atmospheric centre. Vienna: Your Imperial Viennese dinner is regal splendour on a plate. Enjoy a delicious traditional meal with drinks at a local restaurant, before a concert of classical music that pays homage to the genius of Strauss and Mozart.

Transport

Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available). If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport. Enjoy the comfort of Insight’s luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.

Accommodation

13 night accommodation

Others

Choose between two carefully selected activities Vienna: Visit a traditional coffeehouse to enjoy Viennese specialities of coffee and Sachertorte. Vienna: Listen to the musical masterpiece of Mozart and learn the Viennese Waltz, in an inclusive workshop designed to support the visually impaired community. Unique to Insight Guests, ‘Dancing without Barriers’ takes place in the dark, in a specially designed sensory studio, and will be a unique experience for all your senses. This specifically designed workshop focuses on inclusion and education around the topic of visual impairment. Through their foundation the organisation supports children from disadvantaged family and children with a visual impairment. This experience advances UN Sustainable Development Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities. Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert’s fascinating commentary. Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you’ll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels. We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door. Budapest: Enjoy a tour of the Liszt Music Academy with a student, followed by an enchanting recital. Producing incredible musical talent, the university was founded by piano virtuoso and composer Franz Liszt in 1875. Budapest: Stroll through the alleys of the Old Town of Buda with a Local Expert. Kraków: The medieval heart of Krakow is rich in legend, a kind of Polish Camelot. Join your Local Expert for an in-depth exploration of this historic Holy Grail. Cross the former Jewish Quarter of Kazimierz to Podgórze and see the Ghetto Square. Kraków: Visit the cathedral atop Wawel Hill, see the castle and look for the iconic dragon, accompanied by your Local Expert. Kraków: Visit the 14th-century St. Mary’s Basilica, the most important church in the city. Auschwitz: Experience a powerful and moving visit with a Local Expert. See the Auschwitz memorial and museum, which bears witness to the atrocities of the Holocaust. Warsaw: Your Local Expert will show you the city’s highlights. See the Old Town, Palace of Culture and visit the Chopin Memorial in the Lazienki Park before paying your respects at the Ghetto Heroes Memorial. Berlin: You Local Expert provides a tour of this vibrant city. Drive along the Ku’Damm, passing the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church and through Tiergarten to the Reichstag building. See the Brandenburg Gate, State Opera House and visit Alexanderplatz. Prague: Explore Prague with your local expert, walk the courtyards of the Castle and visit the imposing St. Vitus Cathedral. The city is then yours to explore. Maybe take a river cruise through the heart of the city or walk in the footsteps of kings along the Royal Route? Czechs are passionate about their beer, so be sure to try the local pilsners together with hearty Czech cuisine Cesky Krumlov: Visit the fairytale castle considered to be the finest in the land. Let a Local Expert lead you through a medieval labyrinth of private chambers, courtyards, kitchens and dungeons of the castle, so rich in history. Vienna: A private, guided exploration of Schönbrunn Palace will have all your senses tingling. Stand beneath frescoed ceilings, crystal chandeliers and gilded Rococo frames where Mozart performed as a child prodigy. Vienna: Walk through the first district, Inner Stadt, as your Local Expert reveals why this is the historic core of the city. You will also tour the Ring Road to see the Hofburg Imperial Residence, Opera House, Parliament Building and Karlskirche. Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.

Hygieneprotocol

All guests travelling with Insight Vacations through December 31, 2022 are required to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19, which may include a booster shot to keep the vaccination status current and valid, depending on the travel destination. Children not eligible for vaccination and/or booster at the time of travel must provide a verifiable and negative Covid-19 test result, taken within 72 hours prior to the start of the tour (taking time zones into consideration) for all tours departing until December 31, 2022. While highly recommended, COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters are no longer required for guests traveling with us from January 1, 2023 onward. It is your client’s responsibly to comply with specific vaccine and/or booster requirements imposed by airlines and/or authorities in the destinations visited, as well as requirements for accessing restaurants and venues, which may be more restrictive than the above. No refunds will be given if they are unable to undertake some or all of their vacation due to failure to comply with these requirements.

Not included:

Insurance

Insurance is not included

Others

Other activities and services are not included

Optional

Other activities and services are not included

Flights

Flights are not included

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Welcome To Budapest
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Welcome To Budapest

Budapest sets the scene for a memorable journey around Eastern Europe. Join your Travel Director and fellow travellers at a local restaurant for dinner, a treat of mouth-watering Hungarian specialities.
Day 2 Day 2: Delve Into Budapest Relaxed Start
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Delve Into Budapest Relaxed Start

Visit the *Liszt Academy of Music for a guided tour followed by an enchanting recital. Stroll through the alleys of the Old Town of Buda with a local expert to admire the façade of Matthias Church and take in the views from the Fisherman’s Bastion. In the evening, perhaps choose an optional experience to see this fairy-tale city as you cruise along the Danube and enjoy a meal of Hungarian specialities? (*on occasions the Liszt Academy will be replaced by an organ recital at the Matthias Church).
Day 3 Day 3: The Mountains To Kraków
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: The Mountains To Kraków

Take a gentle drive into Slovakia and through the breathtaking Low Tatra Mountains. Stop at scenic Donovaly. Continue north to see the picturesque Oravský Hrad Castle, where villagers still live in traditional wooden houses, before crossing into Poland and continuing to historic Kraków.
Day 4 Day 4: The Damsels And Dragons Of Kraków Relaxed Start
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: The Damsels And Dragons Of Kraków Relaxed Start

Join a Local Expert to ascend Wawel Hill and visit the cathedral. Walk past the former residence of Pope John Paul II through the Old Town, to Europe’s largest and most beautiful town square. See the medieval Sukiennice Cloth Hall and visit the 14th-century St. Mary’s Basilica, the most important church in the city. Keep your eyes and ears peeled for the trumpeter in the tower. Why not join an Optional Experience and journey into a glistening subterranean world at the 600-year-old Wieliczka Salt Mines? In a maze of tunnels deep below the surface, witness unique salt sculptures, sunken lakes and even a glorious cathedral carved entirely out of rock salt by the miners. Alternatively, enjoy time at leisure.
Day 5 Day 5: Auschwitz And On To Warsaw
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Auschwitz And On To Warsaw

Join a Local Expert at Oświęcim, better known throughout the world by its German name, Auschwitz, infamous for its role during the Holocaust. Spend reflective moments amid the remains of the concentration camp and the memorials to those who died. Continue across the Polish plains to the country’s capital, Warsaw for the night. Dumplings are an Eastern European tradition, so in the evening enjoy a dumpling demonstration and delightful dinner.
Day 6 Day 6: The Polish Capital Of Warsaw Relaxed Start
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: The Polish Capital Of Warsaw Relaxed Start

Join a Local Expert in the morning to see the Old Town, Royal Castle and Palace of Culture. Visit the Chopin Memorial in the Łazienki Park. Pay your respects at the Monument to the Ghetto Heroes and then enjoy a free afternoon to explore at your own pace. Perhaps attend a Chopin recital or delve into Warsaw’s inspirational past?
Day 7 Day 7: Wielkopolska To Berlin
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Wielkopolska To Berlin

Your route leads westward, across the rolling farmlands of the central plains, over the Oder River to enter Germany. Your destination is the vibrant capital of Berlin where you can try traditional Berliner cuisine.
Day 8 Day 8: The Spirit Of Berlin Relaxed Start
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: The Spirit Of Berlin Relaxed Start

Prepare to embrace the rejuvenated spirit of Berlin. Join a Local Expert for a drive through the leafy Tiergarten to the refurbished Reichstag building and see the Brandenburg Gate. On the eastern side, take the Unter den Linden past the State Opera House to Museum Island.
Day 9 Day 9: Dresden And Golden Prague
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: Dresden And Golden Prague

Journey south to Dresden. Almost totally destroyed by horrific air raids in 1945, Dresden has now risen again from the ashes in a blend of old and new. See the reconstructed Frauenkirche and walk past the colossal ‘Procession of the Princes’ on the wall of the Royal Palace. Explore around the Catholic cathedral to view the tiered facades of the opera house and the Baroque Zwinger Palace. After free time for lunch, head for the Czech border, high in the Ore Mountains and continue to the capital city of Prague.
Day 10 Day 10: Prague, City Of A Hundred Spires
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 10: Prague, City Of A Hundred Spires

Explore Prague with your local expert, walk the courtyards of the Castle and visit the imposing St. Vitus Cathedral. The city is then yours to explore. Maybe take a river cruise through the heart of the city or walk in the footsteps of kings along the Royal Route? Czechs are passionate about their beer, so be sure to try the local pilsners together with hearty Czech cuisine.
Day 11 Day 11: Bohemian Český Krumlov Relaxed Start
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 11: Bohemian Český Krumlov Relaxed Start

A journey through the green Bohemian countryside will bring you to České Budějovice. Enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour of a local brewery to sample the beer and discover the secrets of how this golden vintage is made. Continue on to Český Krumlov, a picturesque medieval town nestled on the banks of the Vltava. Walk the narrow cobbled streets and arch-covered footpaths, past colourful townhouses and centuries-old inns. With a Castle Guide, visit the fairy-tale, red-roofed castle, considered by many to be the finest in the land. After the day trippers have left, soak up the unique atmosphere of this UNESCO World Heritage Site at a local restaurant. Enjoy a traditional Czech dinner of local specialities.
Day 12 Day 12: Stately Vienna Relaxed Start
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 12: Stately Vienna Relaxed Start

Cross the border into Austria and enjoy a delightful journey to Vienna. The afternoon is free for you to explore this stately capital and later why not enjoy a delightful Austrian meal with the option to dine at a country mansion?
Day 13 Day 13: The Habsburgs Of Vienna
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 13: The Habsburgs Of Vienna

Vienna owes much of its present-day charm to the long reign of the Habsburgs. Join your Local Expert for a private visit of Maria Theresa’s Schönbrunn Palace and its formal gardens. Then, take some great photos on a circuit of the famous Ring Road. This grand boulevard, built along the lines of the old city walls, showcases many of the capital’s architectural masterpieces, including the Opera House, magnificent Hofburg Imperial Residence, Austrian Parliament Building and Karlskirche. Explore Vienna with Insight Choice. Choose between a visit to a traditional Viennese café to enjoy local specialities of coffee and Sachertorte or alternatively, join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience during an inclusive workshop and take to the floor in a Viennese Waltz dance workshop designed to support the visually impaired community. Enjoy a delicious meal of traditional Austrian fare with drinks at a local restaurant, before sitting down to an extraordinary concert of Viennese classical music.
Day 14 Day 14: Depart Budapest
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 14: Depart Budapest

A transfer arrives at Budapest airport in the early afternoon. For those extending their stay, a stop is also made at the Kempinski Hotel Budapest.

+11

14 days tour

Highlights Of Eastern Europe (Small Groups, End Budapest, 14

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Highlights Of Eastern Europe (Small Groups, End Budapest, 14

Day 1: Welcome To Budapest

Day 2: Delve Into Budapest Relaxed Start

Day 3: The Mountains To Kraków

Day 4: The Damsels And Dragons Of Kraków Relaxed Start

Day 5: Auschwitz And On To Warsaw

Day 6: The Polish Capital Of Warsaw Relaxed Start

Day 7: Wielkopolska To Berlin

Day 8: The Spirit Of Berlin Relaxed Start

Day 9: Dresden And Golden Prague

Day 10: Prague, City Of A Hundred Spires

Day 11: Bohemian Český Krumlov Relaxed Start

Day 12: Stately Vienna Relaxed Start

Day 13: The Habsburgs Of Vienna

Day 14: Depart Budapest

Experience Style

Accomodation level

Experience Type

Physical Rating

Age range

Who talk about us:

Best cities to travel to

America

Europe

Asia

Africa

Oceania