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Take a journey of discovery to nations that were part of Europe's Eastern Bloc during the Cold War. With their independence reborn and now at their most vibrant, these lands combine countless medieval delights with a sense of joyfulness that will seize your imagination. Come with us on this memorable 12-day tour and visit buzzing Frankfurt and Munich; trace Germany's wondrous Romantic Road; relish the Baroque jewel of Salzburg; and admire the lovely cities of Ljubljana, Budapest, Vienna and Prague.
Itinerary at a glance
Board your flight and eagerly begin your long-awaited Eastern European journey, with the first stop in Germany's financial hub—Frankfurt.
Arrive in Frankfurt, Germany's most diverse city and the largest economic center in Europe. Upon arrival meet your guide and embark on a brief city tour of Frankfurt, admiring the elegant Baroque architecture, vibrant squares and the Cathedral with its towering 19th-century spire, before checking in to your hotel.
★★★★ Crowne Plaza Frankfurt Congress Hotel or Similar
After breakfast, depart for the Baroque town of Wurzburg, a gateway to the fabled Romantic Road. Admire this photogenic town including its rebuilt St. Kilian Cathedral, Old Main Bridge and City Hall and inside visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the restored Würzburg Residence*. Then, continue to the Bavarian capital of Munich, known for its imposing squares and monuments, and annual Oktoberfest beer festival. If time allows, take a city tour to see landmarks including the Old Town Hall at the Marienplatz and onion-domed Cathedral Church of Our Dear Lady. Tonight, enjoy a delicious German Dinner.
Included: Breakfast, Dinner at hotel
Today starts with a sightseeing tour of Munich, followed by a drive to the Romantic Road's southernmost point, the town of Fussen. Soak in the views of hilltop Neuschwanstein Castle*, a fairytale-like ensemble of towers and spires set against the white-capped Alps. Built in the 19th century by "mad" King Ludwig II, the castle inspired Disneyland's Sleeping Beauty Castle. Afterward, continue through gorgeous countryside to Austria and Mozart’s home town of Salzburg. Here, perhaps take our optional tour to the historic Bad Dürrnberg Salt Mines that brought wealth to Salzburg in medieval times. Ride a train into the salt tunnels, cruise on the salt lake, and learn about the trade before returning to Salzburg.
Included: Breakfast, Dinner at hotel
★★★★ Wyndham Grand Salzburg Conference Centre or Similar
Today, fall in love with Baroque Salzburg, Austria's "Sound of Music" city. Visit the ornamental Mirabell Gardens, home to the staircase where Maria and the Von Trapp children sang "Do-Re-Mi!", and admire the Mirabell Palace, both sights immortalized in the beloved Rodgers and Hammerstein musical. Afterward, explore Salzburg's charming Old Town. Enjoy free time to look round, perhaps enjoying the panoramic views from the Hohensalzburg Fortress, or visiting the townhouse where Wolfgang Mozart was born, now a museum. Alternatively, join our optional excursion to St. Gilgen and Lake Wolfgang in Austria's spectacular Lake District. Later, leave Salzburg and travel to Slovenia's capital, Ljubljana.
Included: Breakfast, Dinner at hotel
★★★★ Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel or Similar
Sometimes known as the "Much Loved City", olden Ljubljana never fails to delight. Flanked by snow-tipped mountains, the quaint city overflows with bridges, monuments, and Baroque architecture. Enjoy an orientation tour to see highlights including medieval Ljubljana Castle, and the Old Town where you tour the City Hall, Robba Fountain, St. Nicholas Cathedral, the Main Square and the Tromostovje "Triple Bridge". Then, continue to the Postojna Cave*, the world's biggest known karst cave network. Descend underground into the chambers filled with stalagmites and stalactites, before returning to the surface and traveling to Croatia.
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner at hotel
Today, visit Plitvice National Park*, a UNESCO-listed reserve famed for its glorious, interlinked lakes, mountains, waterfalls and forests, all awash with flora and fauna. As you discover this glorious park, watch for some of the 126 species of wild birds that make it their home. Having explored here, continue to the Hungarian capital of Budapest, arriving in time to relax and savor a Traditional Hungarian Dinner accompanied by musical entertainment.
Included: Breakfast, Dinner and show
★★★★ Ensana Thermal Margaret Island Health Spa Hotel or Similar
Budapest takes its name from two cities — Buda and Pest — each divided by the Danube River. Today, discover this magnificent city and its colorful culture on a sightseeing tour. View the fanciful turrets of the Fisherman's Bastion*, and see Matthias Church*, the Parliament Building, and Royal Palace, otherwise known as Buda Castle. Afterward, join a Danube River Cruise* to glide along the famous river to Pest. Here, board a coach to see Heroes' Square, with its vast monument to the Magyar chieftains who settled here in the 9th century. Then, continue to Vienna, and enjoy time free in Austria's capital, known as the "City of Music". Shop for souvenirs, relax at one of its grand coffee houses or explore St Stephen's Church. This evening, perhaps join us for an optional Vienna Concert.
Included: Breakfast, Dinner
★★★★ Renaissance Wien Hotel Vienna or Similar
Today, admire the architectural treasures of Vienna on a city tour. Visit the 18th-century Schonbrunn Palace*, once the summer residence of the Hapsburgs and see its gardens, statuary and Gloriette belvedere. Enjoy a drive around Vienna's sights, including the Vienna Opera House, Ringstrasse Boulevard, City Hall, Parliament Building and Hofburg Palace before continuing to Prague, the Czech Republic capital.
Included: Breakfast, Dinner at hotel
1,000-year-old Prague boasts a medley of historical buildings, churches, cobbled lanes and magnificent squares, all crowned by Prague Castle. Today, get acquainted with this beautiful city on a sightseeing tour around the palaces, churches and gardens of Prague Castle* including its Gothic St. Vitus Cathedral*. Cross statue-lined Charles Bridge to Old Town Square to see its splendid Astronomical Clock and explore the atmospheric Jewish Quarter, before enjoying the rest of the day at leisure. Be sure to cap your sightseeing with an optional cruise on the Vltava River, seeing highlights such as Prague Castle and Charles Bridge from the different perspective of the water.
Included: Breakfast, Dinner
★★★★ Hotel Royal Prague or Similar
Start today by traveling through West Bohemia to the spa town of Karlovy Vary. The ideal spot for winding down your adventure, this handsome town is named after Holy Roman Emperor Charles (Karl) IV, who reputedly discovered its springs in 1358. Enjoy a walking tour and learn how the springs’ much-vaulted healing powers have been used to treat ailments for centuries. Afterward, return to Frankfurt and reflect on your vacation with your fellow travelers at a Farewell Dinner this evening.
Included: Breakfast, Dinner at hotel
Transfer to Frankfurt airport and cherish the memories of your tour on your US-bound return flight.
Included: Breakfast
Excellent bilingual (Chinese and English speaking) tour manager throughout the tour in Europe.
Sightseeing with specialist local guides in selected cities.
European or buffet breakfast daily at hotel.
Lunches or dinners included as specified in the itinerary.
Admission fees for sightseeing attractions as denoted by an asterisk* in tour itinerary:
Wurzburg - Residence Palace
Fussen - Neuschwanstein Castle
Postojna - Postojna Cave
Plitvice - Sixteen Lake National Park
Budapest - Fisherman's Bastion, Matthias Church, Danube Cruise
Vienna - Schonbrunn Palace
Prague - Prague Castle, St. Vitus Cathedral
Deluxe air-conditioned tour coach with professional service of drivers.
Airport group transfers in Europe on arrival (Frankfurt) and departure (Frankfurt). (Land+Air Packages only).
Group identification badge, luggage tag and document holder provided for your convenience and easy recognition.
Create your ideal getaway with the following upgrade options. Extensions and upgrades can be added during the booking process or speak to one of our travel advisors to tailor your perfect trip.
Treat yourself to the most sought-after seats on our coaches — those in the first two or three rows. We assign 10 seats in the front rows on a first-come, first-served basis subject to availability. To pre-book these seats, select the front of coach seating option online in your account.
★ ★ ★ ★
The hotel is located in the district Niederrad, between Frankfurt International Airport, the fairground, and Deutsche Bank Park Arena. Thanks to its location, the hotel is easily accessible either by public transportation to train station Niederrad (700m) or by car (motorway 1km). The City Centre can easily be reached by public transport within two stops or 10 minutes drive.
★ ★ ★ ★
Holiday Inn® Munich - Unterhaching hotel is in the Unterhaching business park, close to Taufkirchen S-Bahn station. At this hotel you can enjoy inclusive Wi-Fi, Our inviting Open Lobby has a Coffeeshop with Dallmayr coffee and All Day Dining at Restaurant Leonardo. Watch sports on TV at charming Bistro Bar Alex, spend sunny days on the mountain-view roof terrace or savour a Bavarian beer in the garden.
★ ★ ★ ★
Located in central Salzburg, you can take a dip in our heated indoor pool, unwind in our Finnish sauna, or work out in our Fitness Center. Free WiFi and our BarRoque bistro and bar serve up trendy takes on Austrian classics.
★ ★ ★ ★
For a sophisticated place to stay in the heart of the city's business and shopping district, look no further than the contemporary Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel in Ljubljana. With a convenient location and with easy access to the city center via public transport, you'll be well-placed to explore this historic, green city. Ljubljana was awarded the title of Green Capital of Europe in 2016.
★ ★ ★ ★
Lyra, a brand new 4* design hotel with 58 rooms is located in the village of Ličko Petrovo Selo and directly on the border of the Plitvice National Park, just 16 km from the current entrance to the park. What makes Lyra special, is its unique location in the area that claims to have the smallest amount of light pollution in continental Europe.
★ ★ ★
Hotel Jezero is located right next to the entrance to Plitvice Lakes National Park and offers a calming experience of staying in the heart of nature. Hotel Jezero at Plitvice Lakes offers you the perfect opportunity to truly relax. Due to its prime central location, guests can conveniently explore the lakes and nearby hiking and walking trails without the need for a car. Enjoy the beauty of the park all day long, and fall asleep in the evening to the soothing sound of waterfalls.
★ ★ ★ ★
The location of the Thermal Margaret Island Health Spa is simply unique. Situated on beautiful Margaret Island, the quiet leisure paradise in the heart of thermal baths Budapest and a stone’s throw away from the bustling life of the Hungarian capital. The possibilities are endless in this up-and-coming metropolis and legendary spa destination.
★ ★ ★ ★
Experience eminent style at Renaissance Wien Hotel. Set in the exciting city center of Vienna, Austria, our hotel features 305 spacious guest rooms with plush bedding and fashionable decor, high-speed Wi-Fi access and 24-hour room service. Dine at Wunderkammer Drinking & Dining restaurant where you'll discover global cuisine, a bountiful Sunday brunch buffet, evening cocktails and lively music. Let our staff make your visit to Vienna memorable with our 4-star service here at Renaissance Wien Hotel.
★ ★ ★ ★
Royal Prague Hotel strategically located hotel in the Prague district of Karlín, right in the middle of the Business City. It is close to all major Prague landmarks and Prague Castle. Elegant and luxurious interiors are the guarantee of maximum comfort during your stay.
★ ★ ★ ★
Mövenpick Hotel Frankfurt City is ideally located next to the trade fairground with easy access to the charming old city of Frankfurt. So whether you are visiting for business or leisure Mövenpick Hotel Frankfurt City is a perfect choice.
