Highlights of Eastern Europe: Budapest to Krakow

Arrival in Warsaw and transfer to the hotel.

Overnight in Warsaw (B)

After breakfast, sightseeing tour of Warsaw, Poland’s capital city. Visit the well-known Old Town and the Royal Route. Imagine standing in the Royal Castle Square after WWII when it was nothing but ruins. It was rebuilt thanks to the efforts of Warsaw residents. Examine the city center, which symbolizes the communist regime's plan to transform the city into a socialist utopia. The Palace of Culture and Science, a gift from Joseph Stalin, and the socialist-realist apartment buildings bear witness to this.

In the afternoon, unwind at the lovely Lazienki Park, the historic summer house of Poland's last monarch, Stanislaw August Poniatowski. Finish the day with a Frederic Chopin concert.

Overnight in Warsaw (B)

In the morning, transfer to the train station. Fast train Warsaw – Krakow takes about 3 hours. Upon arrival, private transfer to the hotel. Leave your luggage with the concierge if the room is not available for early check-in. 

In the afternoon, a 5-hour city tour of Old Town. Krakow was the capital of Poland for hundreds of years, serving as the focus of Polish political, cultural, and scientific life. The city, with its distinct aura, is one of Eastern Europe's most magnificent showpieces, which is why its historic core was added to the first UNESCO World Heritage List in 1978. It is a city of exquisite monuments, cobblestone streets, palaces, works of art, and, last but not least, the city of Polish monarchs. 

Visit Wawel Castle, a magnificent Renaissance king's home, as well as the Cathedral, where monarchs were crowned and buried. Take a stroll to the Main Market Square. It is famous for the anthem that is performed every day at noon from the tower of St. Mary's Church. A wooden altar from the 15th century may be found inside the church. Souvenirs can be found in the Cloth Hall, the Renaissance equivalent of a shopping mall. See the Barbican and the beautiful Floriaska Gate while exploring the Old Town. 

Overnight in Krakow (B)

In the morning, stop by the Kazimierz Jewish Quarters and continue to the Holocaust Memorial, which is made up of two former Nazi death camps near the town of Oswiecim in eastern Silesia. These are Auschwitz I, which is now a museum, and Birkenau II, which is a huge area that used to be a work and death camp. The memorial is there to remind us all of a terrible time in our history. 

On our way back to Krakow visit the Wieliczka Salt Mines, descending into the unforgettable underground tourist attraction with grottos, chambers, and chapels carved from rock and salt deposits. Nowhere else in the world is there anything like it. 

The tour ends at the train station where you board a sleeper train to Prague around 10:00 pm.

Overnight on the train (B)

Arrival in Prague around 8:00 am. Private transfer to the hotel. Leave your luggage with the concierge if the room is not available for early check-in. 

Your guide will meet you in the lobby for a 5-hour sightseeing Prague. During the tour, you will visit the Prague Castle on the hill across the Vltava River. Prague Castle is the biggest castle complex in the continental Europe. We'll go on a tour of the Old Royal Palace, St. George's Basilica (if it's open), the Golden Lane, and the impressive St. Vitus Cathedral, which has beautiful stained glass by Alfons Mucha. After the visit we will explore the city. In the evening – free time to explore on your own.

Overnight in Prague (B)

Our journey today will take us to Josefov, a district in Prague that was formerly the Jewish Ghetto and is now one of the most fascinating Jewish communities in all of Europe. For a thousand years, this area has served as a focal point for Jews throughout. It is home to numerous museums, synagogues, and a cemetery straight out of a Kafka novel. After lunch, we'll explore the city's Municipal House, home to opulent salons and performance rooms (when available). 

Overnight in Prague (B)

In the morning, take a private transfer to the train station, Day train to Budapest takes about 5-6 hours. Upon arrival in Budapest, transfer to the hotel and the rest of the day free to explore on your own.

Overnight in Budapest (B)

Budapest walking tour starts on Buda Castle Hill where you learn about Budapest's gilded Matthias Church and the nearby Fisherman's Bastion, which has great views of "twin city" Pest across the river, admire the World Heritage sights of Buda Castle and the Castle District, ride on the Funicular, then walk across the Chain Bridge to take a river cruise.

You will also see the Hungarian State Opera. Built in the 1880s, when Budapest was the co-capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Hungarians took every opportunity to make their opera house more opulent than anything the Viennese could muster, and they have definitely succeeded. Then you will ride the oldest metro in continental Europe on your way to Heroes' Square 

Overnight in Budapest (B)

This tour will take you to the most notable landmarks on the Pest side of the capital.  This side of the city is still a reflection of the golden age and prosperous times, that Hungary experienced between 1867 and 1918, as part of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy. We will drive to Heroes' Square, and learn about Hungarian history in a nutshell by viewing the monuments of the most important historical personalities.

Later, we pay a visit to St. Stephen Basilica, Budapest's largest and most beautiful church. Walk around the administrative district, view many memorials from World War II, the 1956 anti-communist revolt, and the cold war, and see the amazing and stunning Hungarian Houses of Parliament.

In the afternoon, you can stroll through City Park, visit Széchenyi Spa, and view Vajdahunyad Castle, which was built for the World's Fair in 1896. Return to the hotel on your own.

Overnight in Budapest (B)

Private transfer to the airport (B)