Collette
OFFER ID 1612671
Majestic Cities of Central & Eastern Europe featuring Berlin, Prague, Vienna, Budapest & Krakow
Explore a land where world history and fairy-tale charm come to life in the culturally rich cities of Central & Eastern Europe. Enjoy multi-night stays, immersive local deep-dives, and authentic, traditional flavors in Prague, Vienna, Budapest, and Krakow. Learn about life during the fall of the Berlin Wall from a Berliner who lived through it. Get a sweet taste of the relaxed Viennese coffee house culture. Travel aboard a train, like the locals, on the beautiful journey from Prague to Vienna. Make your journey unique when you choose to visit the House of Terror Museum to learn about Hungarian history or indulge in the famous Thermal Baths of Budapest, one of the largest spa baths in Europe. Discover Krakow on a walking tour through the Old Town. Step into history at Auschwitz during a poignant visit. This is a land where past and present coincide – embrace history, culture, and endless beauty in Central and Eastern Europe.
12 nights from $4,299 per person
Majestic Cities of Central & Eastern Europe featuring Berlin, Prague,
Day 1 Overnight Flight
Set out to experience the very best of Europe’s cultural capitals.
Day 2 Berlin, Germany
Hotel: Arcotel John F. Hotel
Arrive in Germany’s capital city of Berlin, a blend of deep-rooted history, modern flair and multi-cultural influences. Tonight, join your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner.(D)
Day 3 Berlin
Hotel: Arcotel John F. Hotel
This morning, head out with your local guide and get to know Berlin’s rich history by visiting the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, Schoenberg City Hall, Kurfürstendamm, and the Reichstag Building. Finish your morning city tour by meeting with a Berliner to learn about life in communist East Germany before the fall of the Berlin Wall. Later, enjoy some free time for lunch on your own in one of the neighborhood’s many restaurants. This afternoon, end your Berlin guided tour by visiting an area once known as “Checkpoint Charlie” where you will see the remains of the Berlin Wall and West Berlin. The rest of the day is yours to discover and explore at leisure.(B)
Day 4 Berlin - Dresden - Prague, Czech Republic
Hotel: Majestic Plaza Hotel
Depart for Prague this morning, the “City of a Thousand Spires.” En route, make a stop in Dresden, the capital of Saxony. Meet a local guide for a tour highlighting its’ baroque splendor and architectural treasures such as Frauenkirche, the Cathedral of our Lady and the Royal Palace. Enjoy time on your own to explore this lovely town on the banks of the River Elbe. After arriving in Prague, enjoy your evening savoring classic Czech cuisine in a local restaurant together with a folklore performance.(B, D)
Day 5 Prague
Hotel: Majestic Plaza Hotel
Your introduction to this fairy-tale city opens with a visit to the remarkable Prague Castle and the haunting St. Vitus Cathedral. Home to kings and emperors, the complex at Prague Castle is one of the most important sites in the Czech Republic and is easily the highlight of the city. Enjoy some free time for lunch in the afternoon before taking a leisurely walking tour through the Old Town. Visit the unique Astronomical Clock and the statue-lined Charles Bridge. Learn about the poignant history held in Prague’s Jewish Quarter when you pass the Old Jewish Cemetery and Synagogue. The rest of the afternoon is yours to enjoy Prague during your free time.(B)
Day 6 Prague - Vienna, Austria
Hotel: Hotel Erzherzog Rainer
This morning, hop on a train and depart for your next adventure to Vienna, the “musical city.” Upon arrival in Vienna, enjoy a short orientation drive through the city followed by our Impact Moment at a Viennese coffee house. At this café, the baked goods are authentically made by real grandmas. This social enterprise aims to give local retirees a chance to connect with locals and travelers around the world. Later, enjoy an evening in one of Vienna's most beloved restaurants with rich Viennese tradition where dinner mixes with local cultural flavor to create an unforgettable night.(B, D)
Day 7 Vienna
Hotel: Hotel Erzherzog Rainer
This morning, meet your local guide on a scenic walking tour to Vienna’s city center and behold the beautiful architecture, scenic parks, and gothic spires that fill the city. Learn more about Vienna’s sweet confectionary history when you visit a candy workshop where candies are still being made according to traditional recipes dating back over 150 years. Finish your day by participating in one of Vienna’s most treasured traditions during a Viennese Waltz lesson. Tonight, you may choose to explore the interiors at the magnificent Schönbrunn Palace and listen to a musical performance at the famous Orangerie where the past comes alive.(B)
Day 8 Vienna - Bratislava, Slovakia - Budapest, Hungary
Hotel: Up Hotel
Sit back, relax, and enjoy the picturesque countryside enroute to Budapest. Make a stop in Bratislava, Slovakia, the former Imperial capital of the Habsburg Empire. Get to know the city’s 4,000-year-old history during an orientation walking tour with your Tour Manager before taking time to enjoy lunch on your own. After lunch, head towards a true historical gem and UNESCO site – Pannonhalma. Get to know more about the history dating back a thousand years and present life in the Archabbey from one of the monks. The succession of history can be seen clearly in the various architectural styles of the monastic buildings. Top off your day in this region with a delicious meal in a local restaurant. Continue to lovely Budapest, a city divided by the Danube with historic Buda on one side and cosmopolitan Pest on the opposite bank.(B, D)
Day 9 Budapest
Hotel: Up Hotel
The beautiful city of Budapest is yours to discover. This morning a local expert provides an informative city tour featuring Fisherman's Bastion, Matthias Church, Old Buda, the New Parliament and Gellert Hill with a special stop at Heroes' Square, a unique monument to the many diverse leaders of Hungary. The rest of the afternoon is yours to explore how you like. This evening, perhaps you’ll take in the essence of the region during an optional dinner followed by a cruise to view Budapest’s stunning night skyline.(B)
Day 10 Budapest
Hotel: Up Hotel
This morning, it’s your choice! Choose to visit the House of Terror Museum and Memorial and gain an important perspective of 20th-century Hungarian history -OR- indulge in the famous Thermal Baths of Budapest,* one of the largest spa baths in Europe. This afternoon is yours to uncover “the Queen of the Danube” however you wish.(B)
Day 11 Budapest - Banská Bystrica, Slovakia - Krakow, Poland
Hotel: Mercure Krakow Old Town
Take in the picturesque landscapes en route to Poland. Make a stop for lunch in Banska Bystrica, a historic town nestled on the banks of the Hron River with architecture dating back to the Middle Ages. Your home for the next three nights is the lively city of Krakow, a historic city offering old world charm. This evening, get to know traditional Polish culture during a folklore show and dinner featuring local cuisine.(B, L, D)
Day 12 Krakow - Auschwitz - Krakow
Hotel: Mercure Krakow Old Town
Discover Krakow’s historic Old Town on a city tour complete with stops at the Market Square, St. Mary’s Church, and the university. In Market Square, marvel at the Gothic city hall tower and the beautiful palaces that surround you. You’ll also get an inside look at Wawel Castle, a former residence of Polish kings. This afternoon, embark on a poignant journey through history as you travel to the camps of Auschwitz.** A local expert guides you through the former concentration camp, where you will learn about the sobering history and resilience of the human spirit. The evening is yours to spend it as you wish.(B)
Day 13 Krakow
Hotel: Mercure Krakow Old Town
This morning, join a local guide and discover Krakow’s most known city district, Kazimierz. On a walking tour, you’ll visit many synagogues along with one of the most prominent ones – the Remuh Synogogue and Cemetery. Walk the former Jewish Market with your guide and connect with the Jewish history, culture, and religion along the way. The rest of the day is yours to explore the town on your own. Toast to the end of this memorable trip as you sit down with your fellow travelers at a Jewish restaurant, feeling connected to the cultures and traditions of Central and Eastern Europe.(B, D)
Day 14 Krakow - Tour Ends
Your tour comes to a close today.(B)
Budapest Shore Excursion: Private Half Day City Tour of Budapest, 4 hours
This privately guided tour shows you the major sights within on the Pest Side (e.g.the Opera House, St. Stephen's Basilica), as well the Buda Side (Castle Hill). One highlight of this tour is an inside visit of the Fishermen's Bastion and the impressive Matthias Church.
Highlights:
Budapest Shore Excursion: Private Full Day City Tour of Budapest, 8 hours
This extended privately guided full day basically covers all major sights and interesting locations within Budapest, also including inside visits of the Fishermen's Bastion, Matthias Church and the Parliament Building.
Highlights:
Budapest Shore Excursion: Private Half Day Tour Budapest Castle District, 4 hours
During this privately guided tour, you visit the Castle Hill of Budapest, with the Royal and Presidential Palaces, fascinating squares and medieval cobblestone streets. Highlights are inside visits of the Fishermen's Bastion and the impressive Matthias Church.
Highlights:
Vienna Shore Excursion: Private City Walk Vienna's Old Town, 2,5 hours
This interesting city walk offers you an initial overview of the history, culture and achitecture of Vienna, taking you through the most beautiful and elegant streets and passing by some of the most famous sights of the city.
At the end of this tour, you can continue exploring the city centre on your own.
Highlights:
Vienna Shore Excursion: Private City Walk Mozart in Vienna, 2,5 hours
During this city walk "On the Traces of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart", you discover Vienna's historic old town, passing by some of the most important locations of Mozart's life. This tour also includes a visit of the Mozart House. At the end of this tour, you can continue exploring the city centre on your own.
Highlights:
Vienna Shore Excursion: Private City Walk Imperial Palace, 2,5 hours
This privately guided walking tour through Vienna's historic old town takes you to the Imperial Palace ('Hofburg'), to visit the Imperial Apartments and the fascinating Sisi Museum.
Highlights:
Vienna Shore Excursion: Private City Tour of Vienna & Visit of Schoenbrunn Palace, 4 hours
This privately guided tour shows you the major historical sights along the Ringstrasse, before taking you to the magnificent Schoenbrunn Palace, former summer residence of the Habsburg family.
Highlights:
Vienna Shore Excursion: Private City Tour Art Nouveau and Viennese Architecture, 4 hours
In addition to the familiar Gothic and Baroque buildings, Art Nouveau has a fixed place in Viennese architecture. Naturally, this tour also covers further architecural epoques, such as modernity.
Highlights:
Vienna Shore Excursion: Private City Walk & the Lipizzaner Horses, 5 hours
From Tuesday to Friday (9am-1pm, excl. July), this package covers many interesting aspects of Vienna: Starting with a short Vienna Old Town City Walk, you follow your guide through the old town towards the Spanish Riding School, where you attend the Lippizaner's Morning Exercise, allowing an insight into the training of the Lipizzaner Horses and their riders. At the end of this tour, you can continue exploring the city centre on your own.
Highlights:
Walking tour of downtown Prague
This walking tour will lead us through the former commercial heart of the city where the ancient roads of the Czech Kingdom and from abroad used to cross. We will visit two ancient Prague districts - Old Town and New Town, briefly touching Prague Jewish Quarter. This tour is a perfect introduction to discover the entire city.
Exploring the puzzle of medieval streets we will soon reach the Old Town Square where we can admire most of the Prague Old Town monuments, the stunning Old Town Hall with its mysterious Astronomical Clock, vertical gothic beauty of the Tyn Church and many other historical houses and former noble family palaces.
The time is passing by and not only the Astronomical Clock offers a live view of the movements of the universe, but it also gives us a short spectacle of the twelve apostles marching every hour on the hour, while a skeleton and human vices are nodding their heads. From the Astronomical Clock our steps will take us to the Tyn Church where gothic verticality and relative austerity of the exterior meets with its opulent baroque interior. On our way to the former city entrance we will pass through the medieval miniature Tyn fortress – Ungelt where foreign merchants used to do their business. Passing by the St. James´ Church we will take a shortcut to get to Celetna Street which will lead us to the mighty Powder Tower, which was once one of the major entrances into the city. Yes, it used to be right there where the city walls with a deep moat protected the City of Prague and where king Vaclav IV. built his city palace. Many things have changed but the Powder Tower still stands here. The city walls are gone, the moat changed into a shopping street and where there used to be the king´s palace you will now find the flamboyant Municipal House, a real jewel of art nouveau architecture.
Returning to Old Town Square via Na Prikope Street we will make a short stop at Wenceslas Square, nowadays a commercial and shopping heart of the city. From there we will proceed to the Estates Theater where a young genius music composer W.A. Mozart conducted his operas, including the world premiere performance of Don Giovanni.
On our way to the Charles Bridge we will briefly touch the Jewish Quarter, which definitely deserves a special tour. Therefore we will only walk through seeing the monuments from the outside. We will pass by the famous Old New Synagogue, Old Jewish Town Hall and the Old Jewish cemetery. Along the Vltava embankment our steps will lead us towards the Charles Bridge, the most famous statue gallery in Central Europe which connects the two sides of Prague like a diamond ring offering unforgettable views of Prague Castle, Lesser Town and Old Town.
The tour takes about 3 hours and 30 minutes
Your private guide and driver will meet you in the lobby of your hotel and will take you for a half day tour with a vehicle support. You will see the Prague Castle complex with the famous St. Vitus cathedral, Royal palace and the Golden Lane as well as the Strahov Monastery. Short overview drive around Prague will get you oriented of the city layout and you will see a few more intersting sights such as the Dancing house, Rudolfinum concert hall, etc.
Berlin: Historic Berlin - 12 Hours
Explore Berlin’s eclectic mix of celebrated architecture, gritty history and edgy culture. Upon arrival at Warnemünde Port you are met by your driver and privately transferred to Berlin centre, where you receive a warm welcome from your guide.
Highlights of your absorbing tour include the impressive Reichstag, complete with its stunning Norman Foster dome and the new home of the German Parliament. Lunch can be arranged for you in the spectacular setting of its roof terrace restaurant*. This afternoon’s touring includes the Brandenburg Gate, together with the spectacularly redeveloped Potsdamer Platz and nearby Checkpoint Charlie, the famous crossing point between East and West Berlin. Time permitting also visit the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, whose ruin stands as a dramatic reminder of World War II. After your visit you are privately transferred back to your ship in Warnemünde.
Highlights:
Explore the Cultural Capital with focus on art (Full day excursion)
Highlights:
Experience the past, present and future of Berlin through its architecture, monuments and memorials
Excursion to be tailored to your interests, be it classical or contemporary art
Meet your Berlin expert and upon arrival in town and start with important cultural sites such as the Brandenburg Gate, the Berlin Dome, Unter den Linden, and Forum Fredericianum
Explore cultural highlights such as the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Museum Island for museum visits of your choice such as:
PERGAMON MUSEUM which houses one of the greatest historic works of architecture the Pergamon Altar or the
NEUES MUSEUM with Berlin’s Egyptian and papyrus collection, artifacts of Pre- and Early History and other antiquities. Must see: The Bust of Queen Nefertiti
Explore the ScheunenviertEl, Berlin's oldest and best preserved historic neighbourhoods, bustling with commercial galleries, boutiques and Berlin designer stores as well as site specific art hidden in courtyards
Optional further visit to other museum collections of interest such as the Jewish Museum, Hamburger Bahnhof- Museum of Contemporary Art, or other
Tour Duration: 10 hours
Tour can operate: Full day
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Physical Activity Level: Light
Inclusions:
Berlin visit with focus on Jewish heritage (Full day excursion)
Highlights:
Experience the past and present of Berlin through its architecture, monuments and memorials
Meet your Jewish Berlin expert upon arrival in town and start with a visit at the memorial of the ‘Murdered Jews of Europe’ a field of stelae located next to Brandenburg Gate
Tour the Baroque city centre of Berlin with its grand squares and boulevards built in the 17th and 18th century under the Hohenzollern Kings of Prussia
Walk through the Forum Fredericianum – site of the infamous book burning during the Nazi regime
Stroll the ‘Scheunenviertel’, the former Jewish quarter with its narrow alleys, hidden courtyards and the famous ‘Neue Synagoge’
Visit memorials and site specific art dedicated to Jewish heritage
See the former Jewish Nursing home turned into a collection point for deportation of Berlin´s Jews
See the Reichstag and the ‘Topography of Terror’ located close to remains of the Wall
Private guided tour of the Jewish Museum, in the award winning architecture designed by Daniel Libeskind
En route back to the port visit the memorial, ‘Track 17’, a deportation ramp at the former Grunewald train station
Tour Duration: 10 hours
Tour can operate: Full day
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Physical Activity Level: Light
Inclusions:
Explore Berlin with focus history and WWII (Full day excursion)
Highlights:
Experience Berlin´s past through its architecture, monuments and memorials
Day to be tailored to your interests
Experience Berlin´s past through its architecture, monuments and memorials
Day to be tailored to your interests
Tour the Baroque city center with its grand squares and boulevards built in the 17th and 18th century under the Hohenzollern Kings of Prussia
Explore Pariser Platz, site of the world-renowned Berlin landmark, the Brandenburg Gate
Visit important cultural sites such as Museum Island, the Berlin Dome, Unter den Linden, Forum Fredericianum, and the Reichstag
See the ‘Topography of Terror’ former site of the Nazi headquarters
Stop at the memorial, ‘Track 17’, a former deportation ramp at the Grunewald train station
Experience Bernauer Strasse memorial located on the former death strip and see remains of the Wall at East Side Gallery
Stroll through the Scheunenviertel, the former Jewish Quarter now filled with memorials and site specific art hidden in courtyards
Walk through the ‘Memorial of the Murdered Jews of Europe’
See Tempelhof Airport, heart of the Berlin airlift during the Cold War blockade
Tour Duration: 10 hours
Tour can operate: Full day
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Physical Activity Level: Light
Inclusions:
Highlights of Germany’s Capital City (Full day excursion)
Highlights:
Experience the past, present and future of Berlin through its architecture, monuments and memorials
Excursion to be tailored to your interests
Tour the Baroque city centre of Berlin with its grand squares and boulevards built in the 17th and 18th century under the Hohenzollern Kings of Prussia
Visit important cultural sites such as Brandenburg Gate, Museum Island, the Berlin Dome, Unter den Linden, Forum Fredericianum
Explore recent architectural developments since the Fall of the Wall, such as Potsdamer Platz and the new Government Quarter with the refurbished Reichsstag building
Witness Cold War sites such as remains of the Berlin wall, East Side Gallery, the former no-mans land, Checkpoint Charlie
Tour Duration: 10 hours
Tour can operate: Full day
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Physical Activity Level: Light
Inclusions:
All fares are quoted in US Dollars.
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