Highlights of Eastern Europe

Inclusions:

• Our highly-skilled Travel Director will ensure your journey is seamless, serving as your expert guide, consummate organiser, and friend overseas. 
• Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary. 
•  We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door. 
• Hotel and restaurant tips are included 
• You'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels. Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available). 
• From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
• If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with insight Vacations you may purchase transfer or make your own way from/ to the airport. 

Itinerary: 

Day 1: 07 June 2025 - WELCOME TO BUDAPEST

On arrival at Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport, there are complimentary transfers to your hotel at 10:00, 13:00 and 15-30 Join your Travel Director at 18:00 and travel to a local restaurant. Your Welcome Dinner is a treat of mouthwatering Hungarian specialities, accompanied by specially selected wine Meals): Dinner with Wine Hotel (s): Kempinski Hotel Corvinus Budapest 

Day 2: 08 June 2025 - DELVE INTO BUDAPEST

Visit the *Liszt Academy of Music for a guided tour followed by an enchanting recital Stroll through the alleys of the Old Town of Buda with a local expert to admire the façade of Mathias Church and take in the views from the Fisherman's Bastion, In the evening, perhaps choose an optional experience to see this fairy-lale city as you cruise along the Danube and enjoy a meal of Hungarian specialities? (ton occasions the List Academy will be replaced by an organ recital ar the Matthias Church) Meal (s): Breakfast Hotel (s): Kempinski Hotel Corvinus Budapest 

Day 3: 09 June 2025 - THE MOUNTAINS TO KRAKÓW

Take a gentle drive into Slovakia and through the breathtaking Low Tatra Mountains, where villagers stil live in traditional wooden houses Stop at scenic Donovaly Continue north to see the picturescue Oraysky Frad Castle before crossing into Poland and continuing to historic Krakow Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner with Wine Hotel(s): Mercure Krakow Stare Miasto 

Day 4: 10 June 2025 - THE DAMSELS AND DRAGONS OF KRAKOW

Join a Local Expert to ascend Wawel Hill and visit the cathedral Walk past thei former residence of Pope john Paul I through tha Old Town, to Europes largest and mest beautiful town square See the medieval Sukiennice Cloth Hall and visit the 14th-century St. Mary's Basilica, the most important church in the city. Keep your eyes and ears peeled for the trumpeter in the tower. This afternoon, why not join an Optional Experience and journey into a glistening subterranean world at the 600-year-old Wieliczka Salt Mines? In a maze of tunnels deep below the surface, witness unique salt sculptures, sunken lakes and even a glorious cathedral carved entirely out of rock salt by the miners. Alternatively, enjoy time at leisure. Meals): Breakfast. Hotels): Mercure Kraków Stare Miasto 

Day 5: 17 June 2025 - AUSCHWITZ AND ON TO WARSAW

Join a Local Expert at Oswiecim, better known throughout the world by its German name, Auschwitz, infamous for its role during the Holocaust Spend reflective moments amid the remains of the concentration camp and the memorials to those who died. Continue across the Polish plains to the country's capital. Warsaw for the night. Dumplings are an Eastern European tradition, so in the evening enjoy a dumpling demonstration and delightful Highlight Dinner Meals): Breakfast, Dinner with Wine Hotel (s): The Westin Warsaw. 

Day6: 12 June 2025 - THE POLISH CAPITAL OF WARSAW

Join a Local Expert in the morning to see the Old Town, Royal Castle and Palace of Culture Visit the Chopir Memorial in the tazienki Park Pay your respects al the Monument to the Ghetto Heroes and then enjoy a free afternoon to explore at your own pace Perhaps altend a Chopin rectal or delve into Warsaw's inspirational past? Meal(s): Breakfast Hotel(s): The Westin Warsaw

Day 7: 13 June 2025 - WIELKOPOLSKA TO BERLIN

Your route leads westward, across the rolling farmlands of the central plains, over the Oder River to enter Germany. Your destination is the vibrant capital of Berlin where you can try traditional Berliner cuisine. Meals): Breakfast. Hotel(s): Hotel NH Collection Berlin Mitte am Checkpoint Charlie, Berlin. 

Day 8: 14 June 2025 - THE SPIRIT OF BERLIN

Prepare to embrace the rejuvenated spirt of Berlin. Join a Local Expert for a drive through the leafy 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 Museum Island Meals): Breakfast Hotel(s): Hotel NH Collection Berlin Mitte am Checkpoint Charlie, Berlin 

Day 9: 15 June 2025 - DRESDEN AND GOLDEN PRAGUE

Journey south to Dresden. Almost totally destroyed by horrific air raids in 1945. Dresden has now risen again from the ashes in a blend of old and new. See the reconstructed Frauenkirche and walk past the colossal "Procession of the Princes' on the wall of the Royal Palace. Explore around me Catholic cathedral to view the tiered facades of the opera house and me Baroque Zwinger Palace After free time for lunch, head for the Czech border, high in the Ore Mountains and continue to the capilal city of Prague Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner with Wine Hotel(s): Hermitage Hotel Prague 

Day 10: 16 June 2025 - PRAGUE, CITY OF A HUNDRED SPIRES

Explore Prague with Insight Choice. Choose to walk the courtyards of the Castle and visit the imposing St. Vitus Cathedral Alternatively, join your Local Expert for a walk through the jewish Quarter and learn about a different side of the history of Prague and laste Trdelnik, a traditional Czech pastry The city is then yours to explore. Perhaps walk in the footsteps of kings along the Royal Route? Czechs are passionate about their beer, so be sure to try the local pilsners, alongside the Czech cuisine. Meals): Breakfast. Hotel (s): Hermitage Hotel Prague 

Day 11: 17 June 2025 - BOHEMIAN CESKÝ KRUMLOV A journey through the green Bohemian countryside will bring you to Ceské Budejovice Enjoy a behind-the scenes tour of a local brewery to sample the beer and discover the secrets of how this golden vintage is made Continue on to Ceský Krumlov, a picturesque medieval town nestled on the banks of the Vitava. Walk the narrow cobbled streets and arch-covered footpaths, past colourful townhouses and centuries-old inns With a Castle Guide, visit the fairy-tale, red-roofed castle, considered by many to be the finest in the land After the day trippers have left, soak up the unique atmosphere of this UNESCO World Heritage Site at a local restaurant Enjoy a traditional Czech Highlight Dinner of local specialities Meals): Breakfast, Dinner with Wine. Hotel(s): Hotel Old Inn, Cesky Krumlov. 

Day 12: 18 June 2025 - STATELY VIENNA

Cross the border into Austria and enjoy a delightful journey to Vienna The afternoon is free for you to explore this stately capital and later why not enjoy a delightful Austrian meal with the option to dine at a country mansion? Meals): Breakfast Hotel (s): Hilton Vienna Park.

Day 13: 19 June 2025 - THE HABSBURGS OF VIENNA

Vienna owes much of its present-day charm to the long reign of the Habsburgs. Join your Local Expert for a private visit of Maria Theresa's Schönbrunn Palace and its formal gardens. Then, take some great photos on a circuit of the famous Ring Road. This grand boulevard, built along the lines of the old city walls, showcases many of the capital's architectural masterpieces, including the Opera House, magnificent Hofburg Imperial Residence, Austrian Parliament Building and Karlskirche Explore Vienna with Insight Choice. Choose between a visit to a traditional Viennese café to enjoy local specialities of coffee and Sachertorte or alternatively, join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience during an inclusive workshop and take to the floor in a Viennese Waltz dance workshop designed to support the visually impaired community Enjoy a delicious meal of traditional Austrian fare with drinks at a local restaurant, before sitting down to an extraordinary concert of Viennese classical music Meals): Breakfast, Dinner with Wine. Hotel(s): Hilton Vienna Park 

Day 14: 20 June 2025 - DEPART BUDAPEST

A transfer arrives at Budapes airport in the early afternoon, For those extending their stay, a stop is also made at the Kempinski Hotel Budapest. Meals): Breakfast.