Itinerary at a Glance
DAY 1 - Departure from USA
The adventure begins
The day of departure has arrived. Keep your departure instructions handy, for they will guide you through the check-in
process of your overnight flight across the Atlantic Ocean.
DAY 2 - GERMANY
Frankfurt . . Eisenach
Upon arrival at Frankfurt Airport, meet your tour manager for the transfer to your hotel in Eisenach, situated on the
northwestern slopes of the Thuringian Forest. Eisenach is best known as the site of Wartburg Castle, where Luther hid upon
his return from the Diet of Worms in 1521 and completed his German translation of the New Testament. Adding to its renown,
it was also the birthplace of Johann Sebastian Bach. Dinner this evening will be at your hotel in Eisenach.
DAY 3 - GERMANY
Erfurt . . Leipzig . . Berlin
After breakfast at the hotel, travel to charming Erfurt on the Gera River. In the 16th century, Erfurt was one of the
larger cities in Europe and became known as "Little Rome" because of its many churches. Your next stop this morning is
Leipzig, birthplace of Richard Wagner and the home of Johann Sebastian Bach from 1723 until his death in 1750. Following an
independent lunch, you may wish to visit the Thomaskirche, where Bach is buried, or the New Town Hall, site of the old
citadel on the Burgplatz. Martin Luther held a momentous speech here in 1519. Mid-afternoon, board the motor coach for the
vibrant German capital, Berlin, where you will arrive at your hotel in time for dinner.
DAY 4 - GERMANY
Berlin
Begin your day in Berlin with a sightseeing tour accompanied by a local guide. The tour features such landmarks as the
Reichstag Building, the Olympic Stadium, Brandenburg Gate, Rathaus Schöneberg, and the site of Checkpoint Charlie. The
bombed tower ruin of the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church stands as a reminder of the war on the citys famous
Kurfürstendamm, affectionately called Kudamm. Spend your free time this afternoon shopping, visiting one of the outstanding
museums, or enjoying the 'Potsdam & Sanssouci Palace' optional excursion. For your independent dinner, there are many
world-class restaurants from which to choose, or you may join your tour manager for the optional 'Berlin Dinner'.
DAY 5 - GERMANY
Dresden . . Görlitz
Depart Berlin for Dresden on the River Elbe. Upon arrival, the city sightseeing tour will introduce you to both Dresden's
Old and New Towns, including sights such as the Renaissance Royal Palace, the Cathedral, and the Golden Horse statue of
Augustus the Strong. During your free time this afternoon take time to relax over lunch at a sidewalk café, do some
shopping, or visit one of the enthralling museums. Depart Dresden in the late afternoon and continue to Görlitz, Germany's
easternmost city, for dinner and overnight stay.
DAY 6 - POLAND
Wroclaw . . Krakow
Crossing the Polish border takes you into the southwestern province of Lower Silesia and to Wroclaw, one of the oldest
towns in Poland. Wroclaw consists of numerous canals, 12 islands and 112 bridges. Enjoy an independent lunch in this unique
and picturesque town, then depart in the early afternoon for Krakow. This European cultural gem of a city is your home for
the next two nights. Dinner this evening will be at your hotel in Krakow.
DAY 7 - POLAND
Krakow
After breakfast, a local guide will take you through Krakow, pointing out sites such as the beautiful Market Square, the
Jagiellonian University, and Wawel Castle. Become further acquainted with Krakow after lunch, or your tour manager will
invite you on an optional excursion to 'Auschwitz'. Dinner this evening is independent, providing an opportunity to sample
traditional Polish cooking. Or, you may wish to join your tour manager for the optional 'Polish Country Dinner'
excursion.
DAY 8 - SLOVAKIA & HUNGARY
The Tatras . . Banska Bystrica . . Budapest
Todays drive is filled with more scenic beauty. Soon after crossing into Slovakia, you will be in the High Tatras, one of
the world's smallest mountain ranges. Stop for an independent lunch in Banska Bystrica, one of seven towns founded by German
miners who mined copper and silver from the nearby hills. Directly past the Slovak-Hungarian border, begin to follow the
Danube Bend to Hungary's capital, Budapest, sprawled on two banks of the fabled river. Dinner is served at your hotel in
Budapest.
DAY 9 - HUNGARY
Budapest
Open the day with sightseeing of both Buda, on the Danubes west bank, and Pest on its east bank. In Buda, your local guide
introduces you to the Castle Hill, with its much-photographed Fisherman's Bastion. In Belvaros, the inner city of Pest,
your guide points out the romantic concert hall, the Vigado, and Gresham Palace, a splendid example of Art Nouveau. After
the city tour, you may want to join the 'Parliament Visit & Lunch' optional, or take the opportunity to explore Budapest on
your own. Your tour manager will offer an optional 'Danube Dinner Cruise' this evening.
DAY 10 - HUNGARY & AUSTRIA
Györ. . Vienna
Board the motor coach to your first stop this morning in the ancient city of Györ, an historic city which played a
strategic role against Turkey in the 13th century. From Györ, it's on to Austria, and its capital, Vienna. This afternoon
features a guided tour of Vienna with highlights such as St. Stephan's Cathedral and the Opera House, one of Vienna's most
beloved buildings. For your independent dinner, be adventurous in sampling the Austrian cuisine, or choose the 'Vienna
Schönbrunn Palace Dinner' excursion.
DAY 11 - AUSTRIA
Vienna
A full day in Vienna provides the opportunity to see more of the fascinating landmarks the city has to offer. Take a
leisurely stroll along the Ringstrasse to see some of the city's magnificent edifices, or stroll through one of the museums
in the new, highly-touted Museumsquartier (MQ). Otherwise, for exploration of Vienna's surroundings, come along on the
full-day 'Melk Abbey & Dürnstein' optional excursion. Return to the hotel for dinner.
DAY 12 - SLOVAKIA & CZECH REPUBLIC
Bratislava . . Brno . . Prague
From Vienna it is less than a two-hour drive to Bratislava, capital of Slovakia. Your independent time in Bratislava can be
spent exploring the old town (Stare Mesto) or visiting Bratislava's hilltop castle. Continue across the border into the
Czech Republic, where you will stop in Brno for an independent lunch. A good spot is a restaurant on namesti Svobody, the
main square. If you have time afterward, you may want to admire the Peter and Paul Cathedral of Brno. Another short drive
takes you to Prague, where you will arrive in time for dinner at the hotel.
DAY 13 - CZECH REPUBLIC
Prague
This morning, meet your local guide for a sightseeing tour of beautiful Staromestske namesti, probably the most
photographed square in the city; the Old Town Hall; and the Church of St. Nicholas in the Little Quarter (Malá Strana).
During free time, consider taking a stroll near the Vltava (Moldau) River and the spectacular Charles Bridge. From higher
banks across the river, the enormous Prague Castle overlooks the city, contributing to the mysterious atmosphere that is
inescapable in Prague. Dinner tonight is on your own. The food in Pragues restaurants is good and plentiful. Or, you may
wish to join your tour manager for the evening optional 'Czech Folklore Show & Dinner'.
DAY 14 - CZECH REPUBLIC & GERMANY
Plzen . . Nuremberg
Enjoy a mid-morning stop in Plzen, the fourth largest city of the Czech Republic and center of West Bohemia since its
foundation in 1295. Continue to Nuremberg, location of the famous Nuremberg War Trials, where you will arrive in the early
afternoon for check-in at the hotel and an independent lunch. Your tour manager will take you on a walking tour though the
city center and point out some of Nuremberg's outstanding landmarks. During subsequent free time, you may wish to visit
Kaiserburg (the imperial castle), or the Germanic National Museum, the largest museum of German art and culture. Transfer
to your hotel before dinner.
DAY 15 - GERMANY
Würzburg . . Frankfurt
Board the motor coach this morning for Würzburg, one of the loveliest baroque cities in Germany and the starting point of
the Romantic Road. Your visit begins with a walking tour which is sure to take you past the Residenz, the Palace of the
Prince Bishops. Following an independent lunch in Würzburg, continue to your hotel near Frankfurt Airport. This evening
enjoy a festive farewell dinner with your fellow tour participants.
DAY 16 - Daytime Flight back to the USA
This morning, transfer to Frankfurt Airport for the return flight home.
