|
Day 01, Tuesday: U.S. to Munich.
Board overnight transatlantic flight
to Munich (if
air and land are booked). If Land only is booked - tour begins on Day
02.
Day 02, Wednesday: Arrive Munich
We will be met and transferred to
our hotel. Time to relax before meeting our fellow travelers and our Tour
Director at the welcome dinner. (D)
Day 03, Thursday: Munich
After breakfast, take a morning city
tour of downtown Munich, featuring the Koenigsplatz, old and new
Pinakothek, the Isartor (city gate), the royal palace, the angel of freedom and
Odeonsplatz. View also the Olympic park, site of the 1972 summer Olympics and
which, today, has become an attractive sports and leisure center. The platform
on the Olympic tower provides a superior view over the city of Munich. Enjoy a scenic
drive through the city where we'll see such sights as the baroque Nymphenberg
palace, the former summer residence of the Wittlesbach dynasty, and the
Marienplatz with its famous glockenspiel clock. This afternoon venture into the
densely forested mountains of southwest Bavaria. Here we'll visit the dream-like
Castle of
Neuschwanstein. This castle
was built by the ‘Mad king' Ludwig and is known for its extraordinary architectural
feats. Return to Munich late in the afternoon and reminder of
the day enjoy at leisure. (B)
Day 04, Friday: To Oberammergau 
Morning travel by motor coach to
Oberammergau.
Upon arrival we have lunch and in the afternoon The Passion Play begins at 2.30
pm. We will be served dinner during the 3-hour interval in a restaurant in
Oberammergau. At
the end of the play, at around 10.30 pm, transfer to our hotel.
(B,L,D)
Day 05, Saturday: To Vienna
After breakfast we leave Germany
behind, as we head to Austrian capital. On the way stop in Salzburg, for a short
panoramic sightseeing tour that shows us the Getriedergasse with its colorful
shops, the majestic Cathedral, as well as the birthplace of the great composer,
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. In the afternoon drive along the Valley of the River
Danube, past Melk to Vienna, the city of waltz. Dinner and
overnight. (B,D)
Day 06, Sunday: Vienna
During our morning sightseeing tour,
visit the Hofburg Palace, once the seat of the Austro-Hungarian Empire,
and view the Belvedere Palace, Prater amusement park, the UN
buildings, St. Stephen's Cathedral and other vivid reminders of the city's
imperial history. Afternoon is at leisure. (B)
Day 07, Monday: To Budapest
Today, travel east and cross the
border to Hungary. Continue through the
Transdanubian region, reaching Budapest just in time to relax before dinner.
(B, D)
Day 08, Tuesday: Budapest
Situated on the opposite banks of
the Danube River, the former cities of Buda and Pest are linked by a series of graceful bridges. Our
morning sightseeing tour includes views of the outstanding Parliament, the
Royal Palace and the Castle Hill area, the Fisherman's
Bastion, Matthias
Church, the Heroes' Square
and Gellert Hill with its Citadel. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore
this exciting city on our own. (B)
Day 09, Wednesday: To Krakow
The road to Krakow winds through the
lovely hills and countryside of Slovakia, past the Tatras Mountains and into the great plains of Poland.
A relaxing dinner in Krakow is planned upon
arrival. (B, D)
Day 10, Thursday: Krakow
Our sightseeing tour starts with a
visit to the Wawel Hill, viewing the Royal Castle and visiting the Royal Cathedral.
Enjoy a walking tour of the Old Town where we will visit the Main Market Square,
Renaissance Cloth Hall and St. Mary's Church. The afternoon is free for a stroll
around the city. (B)
Day 11, Friday: To Warsaw
This morning perhaps join an
optional trip to one of the most somber memorials of the past, Auschwitz
Concentration Camp. Later, journey to Czestochowa and visit the Yasna Gora Monastery,
known for the blackened picture of the Virgin Mary popularly called the “Black
Madonna”. In the late afternoon, arrive in Poland's capital city, Warsaw. (B,
D)
Day 12, Saturday: Warsaw
The 700 years old capital is a
symbol of the Polish nationhood and the will to survive against great odds. A
sightseeing tour here includes a drive along the famous Royal Route from the
magnificent Castle
Square to Lazienki Park
and Palace, the summer residence of the last king of Poland. Pass by
the Palace of Science and Culture (known as the “wedding cake”), the
Saxon
Gardens, the Tomb of the
Unknown Soldier, the Monument to the Heroes of the Warsaw Ghetto and the
Barbican. Continue with the walking tour of the Old Town, the
Old Market
Square and St. John's Cathedral. The rest of the day is
free for relaxing, shopping, a stroll through the city or an optional late
afternoon Chopin concert. (B)
Day 13, Sunday: To Berlin
Stop in Poznan for an orientation tour, and then continue to
Berlin,
today's final destination. (B, D)
Day 14, Monday: Berlin
Our morning sightseeing tour
features the Reichstag, the Renaissance building that once housed Germany's Parliament, and the lovely
Schloss Charlottenburg. The tour continues through the city to view famous
sights such as the Opera, the Schiller Theater and the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church. The afternoon is free to explore
this once divided city on our own. (B)
Day 15, Tuesday: To Prague
This morning, continue our journey
via Dresden, the
beautiful Saxony Baroque city. On our orientation tour, view Zwinger Palace and Semper Opera House. Afterwards,
continue to Prague, the Capital of Czech Republic. (B,
D)
Day 16, Wednesday: Prague
Built on seven hills more than 1000
years ago and spread over both banks of the river Vltava, Prague is one of the most attractive cities in Europe. Our city tour starts with a panoramic drive to the
famous Wenceslas
Square, the Strahov Stadium and the Castle Square. On a
walking tour, visit the Royal Castle of Hradcany, St. Vitus Cathedral, the
Royal Palace and Loretto Church. Cross the Charles Bridge and walk through the old quarter of Prague to view the Jewish
Ghetto, the Town Hall and the world famous Astronomical Clock. The rest of the
day is free. An optional visit to a cultural performance will be available.
(B)
Day 17, Thursday: Depart Prague
After
breakfast, transfer to the airport for our departure flight.
(B)
|