DAY 1

Welcome to Vienna.
Your complimentary, private transfer takes you to your local departure airport. At Vienna airport, transfers to your hotel will leave at 10:00, 13:00 and 15:00. The Austrian capital is famous for coffee and delicious pastries, so why not stroll to a local cafe? At 17:30, meet your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a drink, followed by a pleasant Welcome Dinner served with wine at a local restaurant.
Hotel: Hilton Vienna.
Meal: Dinner with Wine

DAY 2

Charming Český Krumlov and Golden Prague.
Once over the Czech border, head for picturesque Český Krumlov where you’ll start with a brief orientation tour of this fairy-tale town, straight out of the Middle Ages. Enjoy some free time to explore and appreciate views of the Vltava River. Wander through the cobblestone, traffic-free streets, past colourful houses that lead up to the finest castle in the land. In the afternoon, continue through the green Bohemian countryside to Golden Prague.
Hotel: Hotel Royal Prague.
Meal: Breakfast

DAY 3

Prague, City of a Hundred Spires.
Join a Local Expert for a tour of one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Start with the historic Prague Castle where you’ll admire the stained glass of St. Vitus Cathedral and appreciate amazing views of the Old Town. Continue to Old Town Square where the mechanical antics of the Astronomical Clock’s glockenspiel delight onlookers each hour. The afternoon is free for you to explore at your leisure.
Hotel: Hotel Royal Prague.
Meal: Breakfast

DAY 4

Reflect on Auschwitz then on to Kraków.
Enjoy a gentle drive through the stunning Czech landscapes before crossing into Poland where you will stop at Oświęcim, better known by its German name of Auschwitz. Join a guided tour of the memorial and museum of Auschwitz and stop at Birkenau, which bore witness to the terrible atrocities of the Holocaust.
Hotel: Vienna House Andel’s Cracow, Kraków.
Meal: Breakfast,Dinner with Wine

DAY 5

The Damsels and Dragons of Kraków.
In the morning 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 a morning at leisure before joining 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. In the evening, choose from a selection of hand-picked local restaurants on your Dine-Around Evening.
Hotel: Vienna House Andel’s Cracow, Kraków.
Meal: Breakfast,Dinner with Wine

DAY 6

Through Sleepy Slovakia to Budapest.
Journey into the Slovakian region of Orava, where villagers still live in traditional wooden houses. See the picturesque Oravský Hrad Castle before continuing through the breathtaking Low Tatra Mountains. Cross into Hungary to arrive in Budapest where in the evening, you are treated to a Highlight Dinner at the elegant Gundel restaurant. Savour mouthwatering Hungarian specialties, accompanied by specially selected Hungarian wine, as you dine in sophisticated style.
Hotel: Corinthia Hotel Budapest.
Meal: Breakfast,Dinner with Wine

DAY 7

Budapest, the Queen of the Danube.
Venture into the heart of Buda’s medieval Castle District with a Local Expert to visit Matthias Church and take in the vista from the Fisherman’s Bastion. Cross the Danube to the Pest district to visit Heroes’ Square and drive down elegant Andrássy Boulevard. Enjoy time in the foodie’s paradise of the Central Market Hall. Wander across its three levels brimming with aromatic food stalls offering delicious salamis, spicy paprika, Hungarian wines and an array of flavoured Pálinkas, a traditional Hungarian fruit brandy. The rest of the day is at your leisure to relax by the Danube or browse the boutiques of Vaci Street.
Hotel: Corinthia Hotel Budapest.
Meal: Breakfast

DAY 8

Stately Vienna and the Habsburgs.
Cross the border, continuing to stately Vienna to join a Local Expert for a private tour of Maria Theresa’s magnificent Schönbrunn Palace and it’s formal gardens. Be transported to a time of opulence and extravagance as you marvel at the intricacies of gilded Rococo frames, frescoed ceilings and crystal chandeliers. Then get your camera ready for a drive around the Ring Road, a grand boulevard built along the lines of the old city walls showcasing many of the capital’s architectural masterpieces, including the Opera House, magnificent Hofburg Imperial Residence, Austrian Parliament Building and Karlskirche. As night falls, experience an extraordinary concert of Viennese classical music. The best-loved works of Johann Strauss and Mozart, performed by highly acclaimed soloists and dancers, are complemented with a delicious meal of traditional Austrian fare, accompanied with wine for your Celebration Dinner. This is an incredible way to toast your adventures with newfound friends.
Hotel: Hilton Vienna.
Meal: Breakfast,Dinner with Wine

DAY 9

Depart Vienna.
Your Bohemian journey concludes after breakfast with transfers arriving at Vienna airport at 07:00 and 09:00. On arrival at your home airport, your driver will greet and escort you to your waiting car for your private transfer home.
Meal: Breakfast

Authentic Dining

• Krakow: For your Dine-Around Evening, choose you style of dining from a selection of hand-picked local restaurants, unique in Polish flavour.
• Budapest: Tonight you are in for a treat with your Highlight Dinner at Gundel, one of Budapest’s most renowned restaurants for over a hundred years. Dine in elegance as you savour hearty, Hungarian delicacies accompanied with specially-selected Hungarian wine.
• Vienna: For your Celebration Dinner, savour a delicious meal of Austrian fare with drinks included, while being entertained by acclaimed soloists and dancers.
• Dining Summary: 8 Breakfasts (B) and 5 Dinners with Wine (DW) all with tea or coffee.

Stay in style

• Krakow: The very trendy and centrally-located andel’s by Vienna House Cracow is designed to provide luxury comforts with a home-away-from-home feel.
• Budapest: Located in the heart of the city, the Corinthia Hotel Budapest blends classic opulence with the finest five-star luxury. Its refurbished Royal Spa is simply stunning!

Top Rated Highlights

• Český Krumlov: Your Travel Director will lead you an orientation of the city as you explore the medieval streets of this fairy-tale town.
• Prague: Bewitched by the gargoyles of St. Vitus Cathedral and ghosts of Bohemian Kings, this majestic city is where you’ll experience a private tour with a Local Expert, through the atmospheric courtyards of the historic Prague Castle.
• Prague: Led by your Local Expert, explore the delightful Old Town Square and see the detailed Astronomical Clock that delights onlookers each hour.
• Auschwitz: Accompanied by your Local Expert, experience a powerful and moving visit to the memorial and museum of Auschwitz and a stop at Birkenau, which bears witness to the terrible atrocities of the Holocaust.
• Kraków: The medieval heart of Kraków is rich in legend, a kind of Polish Camelot. Join your Local Expert for an in-depth exploration of this historic Holy Grail. Walk past Jagiellonian University, through the Old Town to the town square and see the medieval Sukiennice Cloth Hall.
• 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.
• Budapest: Join a Local Expert and visit the colourful Matthias Church. From the heights of the Fisherman’s Bastion, gaze out over the Danube to the beautiful facades of the giant-domed Hungarian Parliament Building.
• Budapest: See Heroes’ Square and Andrássy Boulevard. Spend time in the popular pedestrian shopping street of Váci Utca and see the mighty Danube with its many bridges linking Buda and Pest.
• Budapest: Visiting the Central Market Hall is a foodie’s dream. Wander across three levels of stalls, brimming with mouthwatering salamis, spicy paprika, sumptuous Hungarian wines and a whole lot of Pálinka.
• Vienna: Led by your Local Expert, indulge your senses at the Schönbrunn Palace as you stand beneath frescoed ceilings, crystal chandeliers and gilded Rococo frames where Mozart performed as a six-year-old prodigy.
• Vienna: Travel along the Ring Road to see the Hofburg Imperial Residence, Opera House, Parliament Building and Karlskirche.
• Scenic Drives: Admire the passing scenery as you travel through the Vienna Woods, Bohemia, the Orava region and Low Tatra Mountains.

Included Insight Services

• Our highly-skilled Travel Director will ensure your journey is seamless, serving as your expert guide, consummate organiser, and friend overseas.
• Enjoy the comfort of Insight’s luxury, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom.
• Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert’s fascinating commentary.
• We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
• 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.
• Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
• From time to time, your Travel Director will enchant you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
• 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.