14 day Highlights of Eastern Europe - tour of Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Poland, Slovakia & Hungary with Insight Vacations

Inclusions

• 13 nights in first class hotels
• 13 breakfasts, 7 dinners including a dine-around evening in Warsaw & highlight dinner with gypsy music in Budapest
• Travel by luxury 40-seat coach with more legroom
• Escorted by professional tour director
• Included sightseeing and premium highlights

Itinerary

Day 1    Vienna at leisure
Welcome to Vienna - a city rich in Imperial history and musical tradition! Hotel: Hilton.

Day 2    Vienna Sightseeing
A local guide reveals the Grandeur of the Schönbrunn Palace and there is time to wander in the formal gardens. Then past the baroque St Charles' Church to see the Opera, New Imperial Palace & Parliament lining the Ring Road. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Day 3    Vienna - Cesky Krumlov
Enjoy a delightful drive along the Danube through the Wachau Valley. Vineyards cover hillsides overlooked by ruined castles like Dürnstein, where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned. Join the motorway near the Monastery of Melk and continue to the Czech border. Your destination is the picturesque medieval town of Cesky Krumlov, nestled on the banks of the Vltava. Hotel: The Old Inn.

Day 4    Cesky Krumlov - Prague
Drive north through the green Bohemian countryside to the golden city of Prague. On a guided tour, visit St Vitus' Cathedral, later, cross the river to explore the vast cobblestoned expanse of the Old Town Square and see its famous Astronomical Clock. Hotel: Palace/President.

Day 5    Prague at leisure
A whole day at leisure in this most beautiful of cities. Stroll to the Charles Bridge or visit the Jewish Quarter where the world's oldest synagogue still operates.  

Day 6    Prague - Dresden - Berlin
Drive high into Ore Mountains and cross the German Border to arrive in Dresden. Walk from the Frauenkirche, risen once again from wartime destruction, to the Castle of the Electors of Saxony, stopping at the unique Saxon Wall overlaid with Meissen tiles. After some free time, head for the vibrant capital, Berlin. Hotel: Marriott.

Day 7    Berlin & Potsdam Sightseeing
A local expert shows you the highlights of this reunited city. Drive through the 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 the Alexander platz.

Day 8    Berlin - Pozan - Warsaw
Cross the border & head into Poland, passing the river port of Poznan. Take time for lunch en route before continuing to Warsaw.  Hotel: Hilton / Sofitel.

Day 9    Warsaw Sightseeing
On a guided tour, see the 'wedding cake' Palace of Culture & the Chopin Memorial in the Lazienki Park. Pay your respects at the emotive Monument of the Ghetto Heroes and, finally, see the reconstructed Old Town, including the Royal Palace.

Day 10    Warsaw - Czestochowa - Krakow
Cross the Polish Plains to reach Czestochowa. Visit the 14C Monastery of Jasna Gora, famous for the Black Madonna. Birkenau is also located nearby and you can climb the central watch tower, which overlooks the remains of the camp. Continue to historic Krakow. Hotel: Hotel: Sheraton.

Day 11    Krakow Sightseeing
Join a local guide to tour Krakow - for centuries the seat of Poland's kings. Ascend Wawel Hill to visit the cathedraland meet the 'Wawel Dragon'. Walk through the Old Town, past the courtyard of Jagiellonian University and medieval Cloth Hall, to visit the 14C St Mary's Church.

Day 12    Krakow - Budapest
Cross into Slovakia and stop for a photo at the Oravsky Hrad Castle. A gentle drive takes you through the Tatra Mountains, where peasants still live in traditional wooden houses. Head south to the Hungarian border and continue to Budapest. Hotel: Corinthia Grand Royal/Sofitel.

Day 13    Budapest Sightseeing
If you wish, join an included presentation about life with and without the Communists, about a childhood in the old regime and the changes since 1989. Then gaze across the Danube from the Citadel atop Gellert Hilland ascend Buda's Castle District to visit Matthias Church. Admire the immense Parliament building from the Fisherman's Bastion. Over in Pest, visit rassy Boulevard and Heroes' Square. The afternoon is at leisure before a fun evening of Hungarian cuisine & music.

Day 14    Budapest or Vienna Airport
Your departure transfer arrives at Budapest Airport at 08:00 and continues back to Vienna Airport arriving at 12.00 noon.

Departure dates and Prices*

Single supplement option is $130 per person.

Please an RACQ Travel consultant to find out about further discounts that may be available on 1300 096 166.

*Terms and Conditions

• Prices current as at 17 April 2012
• Prices are per person in AUD$ based on twin share, land only
• ^Members receive an additional 5% off departure dates in October when you book this 14 day tour. Discount has not been deducted from the price. The discount is available for all bookings where at least one person in the party is an RACQ member at the time of booking
• Prices are subject to change (eg due to currency fluctuation)
• Offer is subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time
• Single Supplements apply
• Further conditions apply please see Insight Vacations 2012 Europe & Britain brochure or speak to your RACQ Consultant