Costsaver: Highlights of Bohemia
Day 1 - Arrive Frankfurt
Don’t let the glass and steel skyscrapers deceive you. At its heart, Frankfurt’s high-powered business hub communes with a warm medieval center where half-timbered buildings and tiny taverns line cobbled lanes and the aroma of apple cider lingers around every turn. Here ‘Mainhattan’ meets medieval charm. This afternoon, your Travel Director will lead an orientation tour around the city’s dynamic financial center and medieval Römerberg. See the Römer, which has served as Frankfurt’s city hall since the 15th century and admire the architecture that has been lovingly restored after World War II.
Day 2 - Frankfurt – Berlin
Leaving the high-rises behind, you’ll journey across the North German Plain to the dynamic and energetic capital that is Berlin. This bold capital wears its grittiness for all to see – edgy street art adorns the city’s ever-evolving façades and street food markets reveal a cosmopolitan line-up of cultures and cuisines that make Berlin an exhilaratingly diverse city to explore. Consider this evening to join an Optional Experience with good food, wine, beer and music followed by a twilight tour of some of Berlin's beautiful illuminations.
Accommodations: Amber Econtel Charlottenburg
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 - Berlin sightseeing and free time
There's never a dull moment in Berlin. This city has endured more over the past century than most and yet you can almost feel its characteristic philosophy of ‘let the good times roll' as you see the many iconic sites on Unter den Linden. Spend the rest of the day exploring the city your way or join an Optional Experience to uncover the secrets of the city's World War II and Cold War past. You could even choose to venture beyond the city for a dinner of German specialties in the countryside.
Accommodations: Amber Econtel Charlottenburg
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 - Berlin – Poznan – Warsaw
Close the curtain on your spirited encounter with Berlin and head east into Poland. Stop first in Poznan, one of the oldest cities in Poland and birthplace of the Polish nation. View its colorful market square and town hall. Then head to Poland’s modern metropolis of Warsaw which has risen with all the invigorating spirit of a phoenix after a recent tragic past.
Accommodations: Ibis Warsaw Centrum
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5 - Warsaw sightseeing and free time
This morning, perhaps enjoy an optional visit to the 17th-century Baroque Wilanów Palace, once the summer home of King Jan Sobieski III. Then, dive into Warsaw's turbulent past with a Local Guide. Your sightseeing tour across this historic capital will reveal how the resilient Poles rebuilt their city after the destruction of World War II. Among others you'll see St. John's Cathedral and the Royal Palace in the Old Town as well as the site of the Warsaw Ghetto. With the rest of the afternoon free to explore your way, why not embark on an exploration of the Praga-Pólnoc district, one of Europe's coolest neighborhoods, including a visit to Poland's first vodka museum.
Accommodations: Ibis Warsaw Centrum
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 - Warsaw – Auschwitz – Kraków
Today we travel south towards the former Royal Capital of Krakow. We pay our respects to the survivors and victims of the Holocaust by visiting the memorial site of the former concentration camp at Auschwitz.
Accommodations: Ibis Stare Miasto
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7 - Kraków sightseeing and free time
Today is all about uncovering the legendary history of this beautiful city. You’ll kick things off with a sightseeing tour with your Local Guide who will share the thrilling tale of the city’s origins as you trace its medieval walls and see Wawel Castle where the dragon once roamed in its dungeons. You’ll have the rest of the day to yourself and perhaps you’d like to spend the afternoon wandering the UNESCO-listed Old Town, or choose an optional experience that would see you exploring the UNESCO-listed Wieliczka Salt Mines, often referred to as the Underground Salt Cathedral of Poland. This evening, why not enjoy a night out with an optional farmhouse dinner and Polka party where you'll swing around the dance floor after a meal of Polish specialties.
Accommodations: Ibis Stare Miasto
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8 - Kraków – Budapest
Head south through Poland, then travel through the pastoral heart of Slovakia bound for Hungary. Your final destination is Budapest, which sits straddled on either side of the beautiful Danube – two halves shaped by a captivating mix of Magyar, German, Slav, Jewish, Roma and Turkish settlers that have made Budapest into the cultural capital it is today. Begin your exploration of this 'Pearl of the Danube' on the water with an optional scenic cruise on a private boat along the Danube. Against an enchanting illuminated backdrop, you'll enjoy a dinner of Hungarian specialties while you sail underneath the famous Chain Bridge and past Budapest's majestic Parliament building.
Accommodations: Ibis Styles City
Meals: Breakfast
Day 9 - Budapest sightseeing and free time
Like all great capitals, Budapest's story begins with a legend, and your Local Guide will share all the exciting tales during your sightseeing. Then there's time to explore the 1000-year history of Budapest on your own or perhaps join an Optional Experience, including a goulash cooking demonstration, to the medieval town of Szentendre, set on the banks of the Danube.
Accommodations: Ibis Styles City
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 10 - Budapest – Gyor – Vienna
All that glitters certainly is gold in Budapest. You'll see this first-hand during an optional visit to the Hungarian Parliament. The highlights of Bohemia just keep on coming as we continue our trip across the hilly landscapes of Transdanubia to Gyor, a charming city which sits at the crossroads of Central Europe, midway between Budapest and Vienna. Wander the historic streets then continue across the Austrian border arriving in Vienna later today, a city where music literally surrounds you.
Accommodations: Ibis Wien Mariahilf
Meals: Breakfast
Day 11 - Vienna sightseeing and free time
Meet your Local Guide, who will reveal the secrets and stories of this imperial city. See the Parliament, the Vienna Opera House, the Hofburg and the City Hall, before heading out on your own. It’s entirely up to you how to explore this musical capital of the world. You could spend hours wandering the streets when you visit Vienna, or perhaps take a guided trip to Schönbrunn Palace, the former summer residence of the Habsburgs, one of the most influential royal families of Europe. You'll need no excuse to embrace the locals' love of the good life as you indulge in the city's coffee house culture with a heavenly slice of Sachertorte to tame your chocoholic tendencies. This evening, the melodies of a musical Vienna are the order of the day if you join an optional dinner followed by a concert of Strauss and Mozart masterpieces.
Accommodations: Ibis Wien Mariahilf
Meals: Breakfast
Day 12 - Vienna – Brno – Prague
Today we’ll say goodbye to Vienna's enchanting symphony and travel north to the Czech Republic on your Bohemia value tour. First stop is the medieval town of Brno and we'll pass through gorgeous green and gold landscapes, before arriving in Prague later today. The City of a Hundred Spires shines even brighter at night, so it’s only fitting to join an evening introduction to this fairy-tale city. Hit the town and try a local brew to quench your thirst, discovering the dry-hopped goodness for which Prague is renowned.
Accommodations: Ibis Praha Wenceslas Square
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 13 - Prague sightseeing and free time
While other Central European Capital's smouldered, Prague was saved from a similar fate during World War II. You'll see why when you head out on a sightseeing tour with your Local Guide, with stops to see highlights including Prague Castle, the Cathedral of St. Vitus and the Old Town Square. With the rest of the afternoon free to explore Prague your way, why not see other beautiful sides of the city from the water, with an optional lunch cruise along the Vltava that will reveal the legends, myths and hidden secrets of this enchanting city.
Accommodations: Ibis Praha Wenceslas Square
Meals: Breakfast
Day 14 - Prague – Rothenburg – Frankfurt
Take a step back in time during your stop in Rothenburg ob der Tauber along Bavaria’s Romantic Road this morning. Your orientation tour will reveal an exquisite medieval center encircled by a fortified town wall that was built in the 13th century. Continue to Frankfurt, where we will enjoy a final toast and a farewell dinner to reminisce over an epic journey across the Bohemian countryside and capital cities.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 15 - Depart Frankfurt
Great empires created the enchanting land which you’ve explored over the past 15 days. You’ve encountered legends, tales of bravery and unforgettable masterpieces that span the centuries. All that’s left is to bid your new friends a fond farewell as you prepare to close the curtain on an exhilarating encounter with Central Europe.
Meals: Breakfast
Prague
Amid Prague's cobblestone streets and gold-tip spires, galleries, cafes, and clubs teem with young Czechs and "expatriates." New shops and restaurants have opened, expanding the city's culinary reach beyond the traditional roast pork and dumplings. The arts and theater also thrive in Prague. Young playwrights regularly stage their works, weekly poetry readings are standing room only, and classical music maintains famous standards, while the clubs are jammed. The arts - nonverbal theater, "installation" art, world music - are as trendy in Prague as in any European capital but possess distinctive Czech flavor. All of this is set against a stunning backdrop of towering churches and centuries-old bridges and alleyways. Prague achieved much of its glory in the 14th century, during the long reign of Charles IV, king of Bohemia and Moravia and Holy Roman Emperor. Charles established a university in the city and laid out the New Town, charting Prague's growth. Prague Castle is the most popular sight and is the largest ancient castle in the world with three courtyards.
Vienna
Vienna is dominated by imperial castles and places: Schonbrunn, the magnificent summer residence, the Imperial Coach Collection, the Palm House, the Butterfly House, Belvedere Palace, magnificent state rooms in Hofburg, and the imperial crown in the Treasury. Stop by Ringstraße - the showplace of the monarchy built where Emperor Franz Joseph ordered the demolition of city walls. Important buildings include the State Opera, the Museums of Fine Arts and Natural History, Parliament, City Hall and Vienna University. The world capital of music. A long line of great composers Johann Strauss, Haydn and Mozart, Beethoven and Schubert, Mahler and Schonberg all worked here. A city with splendid concert halls, such as the Golden Hall, from which the Philharmonic's New Year's Day concert is broadcast annually. International stars love to appear here in the State Opera, Volksoper, Konzerthaus, and at festivals like the Vienna Festival, the Klangbogen concerts during the Musical Summer, the Jazz Festval and the Haydn, Mozart and Schubert festivals.
Excursions
Vienna Shore Excursion: Private City Walk Vienna's Old Town, 2,5 hours
Vienna Shore Excursion: Private City Walk Vienna's Old Town, 2,5 hours
This interesting city walk offers you an initial overview of the history, culture and achitecture of Vienna, taking you through the most beautiful and elegant streets and passing by some of the most famous sights of the city.
At the end of this tour, you can continue exploring the city centre on your own.
Highlights:
- The Imperial Palace, residence of the Habsburgs for nearly 650 years (outside)
- St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Vienna's landmark (outside)
- State Opera House (outside)
- the Ringstrasse ('ring road')
Your private guide is always flexible and adapts the tour to your special interests.
Tour Duration: 2,5-3 hours
Tour can operate: Morning or Afternoon
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Physical Activity Level: Light to Moderate
Inclusions:
- Pick up at the landing stage of the cruise ship in Vienna
- One way transfer in private car from the pier to the city centre
- Private licensed English speaking guide (other languages available, but on request)
Not included:
- Meals
- Gratuities and personal expenses
- Entrances
- Return transfer to the ship (optional service upon extra charge)
Vienna Shore Excursion: Private City Walk Mozart in Vienna, 2,5 hours
Vienna Shore Excursion: Private City Walk Mozart in Vienna, 2,5 hours
During this city walk "On the Traces of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart", you discover Vienna's historic old town, passing by some of the most important locations of Mozart's life. This tour also includes a visit of the Mozart House. At the end of this tour, you can continue exploring the city centre on your own.
Highlights:
- Vienna's historic old town and former addresses of Mozart (outdoor)
- Visit of the Mozart House Vienna (indoor visit)
- St. Stephen's Cathedral (outdoor)
Your private guide is always flexible and adapts the tour to your special interests.
Tour Duration: 2,5-3 hours
Tour can operate: Morning or Afternoon
Physical Activity Level: Light to Moderate
Inclusions:
- Pick up at the landing stage of the cruise ship in Vienna
- One way transfer in private car from the pier to the city centre
- Private licensed English speaking guide (other languages available, but on request)
- Entrance fee Mozart House (visit with audio-guide)
Not included:
- Meals
- Gratuities and personal expenses
- Entrances other than stated above
- Return transfer to the cruise ship (optional service upon extra charge)
Vienna Shore Excursion: Private City Walk Imperial Palace, 2,5 hours
Vienna Shore Excursion: Private City Walk Imperial Palace, 2,5 hours
This privately guided walking tour through Vienna's historic old town takes you to the Imperial Palace ('Hofburg'), to visit the Imperial Apartments and the fascinating Sisi Museum.
Highlights:
- Visit of the Imperial Palace and the Imperial Apartments (indoor visit)
- Visit of the Sisi Museum (indoor visit)
- Augustinian Church
Your private guide is always flexible and adapts the tour to your special interests.
Tour Duration: 2,5-3 hours
Tour can operate: Morning or Afternoon
Physical Activity Level: Light to Moderate
Inclusions:
- Pick up the landing stage of the cruise ship in Vienna
- One way transfer in private car from the pier to the city centre
- Private licensed English speaking guide (other languages available, but on request)
- Entrance fee for the Imperial Palace (Imperial Apartments and the Sisi Museum)
Not included:
- Meals
- Gratuities and personal expenses
- Entrances other than stated above
- Return transfer to the ship (optional service upon extra charge)
Vienna Shore Excursion: Private City Tour of Vienna & Visit of Schoenbrunn Palace, 4 hours
Vienna Shore Excursion: Private City Tour of Vienna & Visit of Schoenbrunn Palace, 4 hours
This privately guided tour shows you the major historical sights along the Ringstrasse, before taking you to the magnificent Schoenbrunn Palace, former summer residence of the Habsburg family.
Highlights:
- Main sights along the Ringstrasse: e.g. Imperial Palace, National Museums, State Opera, Burgtheater, City Hall, Parliament etc. (outside)
- Visit of the Schoenbrunn Palace, privately guided tour (indoor visit)
Your private guide is always flexible and adapts the tour to your special interests.
Tour Duration: 4 hours
Tour can operate: Morning or Afternoon
Physical Activity Level: Light
Inclusions:
- Pick up and drop off at the landing stage of the cruise ship in Vienna
- Transfer in a private car
- Private licensed English speaking guide (other languages available, but on request)
- Entrance fee for Schoenbrunn Palace (Highlight Tour)
Not included:
- Meals
- Gratuities and personal expenses
- Entrances other than stated above
Vienna Shore Excursion: Private City Tour Art Nouveau and Viennese Architecture, 4 hours
Vienna Shore Excursion: Private City Tour Art Nouveau and Viennese Architecture, 4 hours
In addition to the familiar Gothic and Baroque buildings, Art Nouveau has a fixed place in Viennese architecture. Naturally, this tour also covers further architecural epoques, such as modernity.
Highlights:
- Architecturally interesting sights along the Ringstrasse: e.g. Imperial Palace, National Museums, State Opera, City Hall, Parliament etc. (outside)
- Visit of the Vienna Secession (inside visit)
- Visit of the Kunst Haus Wien (insde visit)
- St. Charles's Church (outside)
- Hundertwasserhaus (outside)
Your private guide is always flexible and adapts the tour to your special interests.
Tour Duration: 4 hours
Tour can operate: Tuesday to Sunday; Morning or Afternoon
(Vienna Secession is closed on Monday!)
Physical Activity Level: Light to Moderate
Inclusions:
- Pick up and drop off at the landing stage of the cruise ship in Vienna
- Transfer in a private car
- Private licensed English speaking guide (other languages available, but on request)
- Entrance fee for Vienna Secession
- Entrance fee for Kunst Haus Wien
Not included:
- Meals
- Gratuities and personal expenses
- Entrances other than stated above
Vienna Shore Excursion: Private City Walk & the Lipizzaner Horses, 5 hours
Vienna Shore Excursion: Private City Walk & the Lipizzaner Horses, 5 hours
From Tuesday to Friday (9am-1pm, excl. July), this package covers many interesting aspects of Vienna: Starting with a short Vienna Old Town City Walk, you follow your guide through the old town towards the Spanish Riding School, where you attend the Lippizaner's Morning Exercise, allowing an insight into the training of the Lipizzaner Horses and their riders. At the end of this tour, you can continue exploring the city centre on your own.
Highlights:
- Overview of the history, culture and architecture of Vienna
- Vienna's historic old town (outside)
- Attendance of the Morning Exercise at the Spanish Riding School (inside visit)
- Coffee break at the famous Café Central
Your private guide is always flexible and adapts the tour to your special interests.
Tour Duration: 4 hours
Tour can operate: Tuesday to Friday, 9am - 1pm (excluding July)
Physical Activity Level: Light to Moderate
Inclusions:
- Pick up at the landing stage of the cruise ship in Vienna
- One way transfer in private car from the pier to the city centre
- Private licensed English speaking guide (other languages available, but on request)
- Entrance fee for the Morning Exercise at the Spanish Riding School
- Coffee break at Café Demel (1 hot drink, 1 piece of cake)
Not included:
- Meals
- Gratuities
- Personal expenses
- Entrances other than stated above
- Return transfer to the ship (optional service upon extra charge)
Budapest
Caught between eastern and western Europe, Budapest has a character uniquely its own. It's also the last cheap, civilised city in Europe. Budapest can seem like one big sight, with each phase in its history, from the Ottoman period until the Communist days and from renaissance to revolution, leaving its mark on the city. For the tourist, a trip to Hungary's capital is dominated by the majestic sights of Buda. In the summer, there are open-air festivals at Szeged, Diosgyor Castle in Miskolc, Gyor and Pecs. Visit the former Royal Palace complex, the Matyas templom and the Belvaros. Margaret Island is a giant recreational park and feels pleasantly separated from the city bustle. Hungarian National Gallery houses Hungarian art since the birth of the nation. Although Esztergom is Hungary's most sacred city, home of the Archbishop and the nation's biggest church, it has a real-life edge. The first-time visitor to Szeged is invariably struck by its space and grandeur. One's immediate impressions of Hungary's third largest provincial city are of greenery and plazas, of broad.
Excursions
Budapest Shore Excursion: Private Half Day City Tour of Budapest, 4 hours
Budapest Shore Excursion: Private Half Day City Tour of Budapest, 4 hours
This privately guided tour shows you the major sights within on the Pest Side (e.g.the Opera House, St. Stephen's Basilica), as well the Buda Side (Castle Hill). One highlight of this tour is an inside visit of the Fishermen's Bastion and the impressive Matthias Church.
Highlights:
- Heroe's Square, Vajdahunyad Castle (outside)
- State Opera (outside)
- St. Stephen's Basilica (outside)
- Parliament Buidling (outside)
- Fishermen's Bastion (entry to upper terrace)
- Matthias Church (indoor visit)
Your private guide is always flexible and adapts the tour according to your special interests.
Tour Duration: 4 hours
Tour can operate: Morning or Afternoon
Physical Activity Level: Light
Inclusions:
- Pick up and drop off at the landing stage of the cruising ship in Budapest
- Transfer in a private car
- Private licensed English speaking guide (other languages available, but on request)
- Entrance fees for Fishermen's Bastion and Matthias Church
Not included:
- Meals
- Gratuities and personal expenses
- Entrances other than stated above
Budapest Shore Excursion: Private Full Day City Tour of Budapest, 8 hours
Budapest Shore Excursion: Private Full Day City Tour of Budapest, 8 hours
This extended privately guided full day basically covers all major sights and interesting locations within Budapest, also including inside visits of the Fishermen's Bastion, Matthias Church and the Parliament Building.
Highlights:
- Main sights, e.g. National Museum, State Opera, Heroe's Square, Great Synagogue, Central Market Hall, Gellért Hill, Citatel, Vajdahunyad Castle etc. (outside visits)
- Various Bridges above the Danube, e.g. Chain Bridge, Liberty Bridge, Elisabeth Bridge etc.
- Matthias Church (inside visit)
- Fishermen's Bastion (inside visit)
- Parliament Building (inside visit)
Your guide is always flexible and adapts the tour according to your special interests.
Tour Duration: 8 hours
Tour can operate: Full Day
Physical Activity Level: Moderate
Inclusions:
- Pick up and drop off at the landing stage of the cruising ship in Budapest
- Transfer in a private car
- Private licensed English speaking guide (other languages available, but on request)
- Entrance fees for Fishermen's Bastion, Matthias Church, Parliament
Not included:
- Meals
- Gratuities and personal expenses
- Entrances other than stated above
Budapest Shore Excursion: Private Half Day Tour Budapest Castle District, 4 hours
Budapest Shore Excursion: Private Half Day Tour Budapest Castle District, 4 hours
During this privately guided tour, you visit the Castle Hill of Budapest, with the Royal and Presidential Palaces, fascinating squares and medieval cobblestone streets. Highlights are inside visits of the Fishermen's Bastion and the impressive Matthias Church.
Highlights:
- Budapest's Castle Hill
- Royal and Presidential Palaces (outside)
- Holy Trinity Square
- Hess András Square
- Fishermen's Bastion (entry to upper terrace)
- Matthias Church of Our Lady (indoor visit)
Your private guide is always flexible and adapts the tour according to your special interests.
Tour Duration: 4 hours
Tour can operate: Morning or Afternoon
Physical Activity Level: Light
Inclusions:
- Pick up and drop off at the landing stage of the cruising ship in Budapest
- Transfer in a private car
- Private licensed English speaking guide (other languages available, but on request)
- Entrance fees for Fishermen's Bastion and Matthias Church
Not included:
- Meals
- Gratuities and personal expenses
- Entrances other than stated above
5970 Guilford Rd.
Rockford, IL 61107
USA