Premium Central Europe - 12 Days

Ahoj! Welcome to Prague. When you arrive at Prague Airport, you’ll be met by a local representative and transferred to your hotel. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm to meet your local leader and fellow travellers. Until then, you can explore Czech Republic's capital city as you wish. Steeped in history, there’s plenty to see here – maybe check out the National Gallery, with Czech and international art on display, or the Franz Kafka Museum – a wonderful dedication to the life and work of the famous Prague writer. After your meeting, get to know your group over a traditional Czech dinner – look out for local favourites goulash (a beef stew) and svickova (roast beef) on the menu.

Get up and out this morning on a guided tour of the city with your leader. Start in the Old Town Square, where you’ll see the Old Town Hall and its astronomical clock that’s been ticking away since 1410, then pass by the Jan Hus Monument, Old New Synagogue and Pinkas Synagogue. Your leader will take you to a lesser-known viewpoint to see the medieval Charles Bridge. Cross over into Mala Strana to see St Nicholas Church and stroll through this historic district’s back streets and Baroque gardens. As you walk, you’ll probably spot Prague Castle – one of the largest ancient castles in the world, visible from different parts of the city. The rest of your day is free for you to continue exploring at your own pace. Maybe pay the castle a proper visit to walk through its gardens, courtyards and down Golden Lane, with its colourful houses where castle marksmen and goldsmiths once lived.

Hop on a train to Olomouc today, east of Prague. Although often overshadowed by the capital, this city has plenty to offer – like the Holy Trinity Column, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and Olomouc Castle, which dates back to the 12th century. Olomouc even has its own astronomical clock in its Old Town, offering an insight into how people kept time in the medieval period. Learn about these and more during a leader-led orientation walk. You’re then free to explore as you wish. Make sure to ask your leader for any restaurant recommendations in the city centre or go for a walk around Smetana Gardens.

This morning, you’ll drive across the border into Poland and on to Auschwitz – one of the trip’s most difficult but profoundly impactful experiences. As you walk around what once was the largest Nazi concentration camp with a guide, you’ll learn about the suffering of millions of Jewish people, as well as other persecuted groups, during the Holocaust. While visiting Auschwitz is incredibly emotional, it’s essential for understanding the past and ensuring such atrocities aren’t repeated in the future. Decompress after in Krakow, your next destination, and perhaps head to the Old Town for dinner.

Krakow is best known for its well-preserved medieval architecture, so take it all in as you tour the city with a local guide this morning. They’ll likely bring you to Main Market Square in the Old Town, one of the largest squares in Europe, and St Mary’s Basilica, a church known for its Gothic architecture. As you walk, learn about how Krakow changed during the Austro-Hungarian Empire and WWII. Then, get hands-on with Krakow’s culinary scene with a cooking class – learn how to make pierogi (Central European dumplings) and enjoy tucking into them after.

Make your way to central Slovakia today, stopping along the way for a guided tour of Orava Castle. This 13th-century castle blends Renaissance, Gothic and Romanesque architecture and wraps around a cliff high above the Orava River, giving it a whimsical appearance. Then, continue to your Feature Stay accommodation for the night – Hotel Grand Viglas. Feel like royalty in this converted castle that offers modern amenities like a swimming pool and spa, as well as an upscale restaurant for dinner.

Check out the nearby town of Banska Stiavnica today, which sits in the middle of a caldera created by the collapse of an ancient volcano, with the whole town declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. Start with a visit to the Slovak Mining Museum to see first-hand the role that mining precious metals has had in shaping this region and its communities. After, your leader will take you on a short but rewarding hike to Calvaria Church, which sits on a hill overlooking the city. You’ll start from the Calvaria Hill and take a well-marked trail with plenty of good views of the city. Finally, relax with a free evening back at your Feature Stay.

Pack up and head for Budapest today, stopping at Holloko on the way. This village, tucked away in the Cserhat Mountains, is a well-preserved representation of Paloc culture – an ethnic subgroup in Hungary. You might feel as though you're stepping back in time as you walk around Holloko, where residents often wear traditional clothing and crafts like pottery and weaving remain integral to village life. Walk around with a local guide and learn about these different traditional crafts at demonstrations – where you can even try on traditional clothing yourself! Sample brandy and cheese pie (a local delicacy) then continue to Budapest. When you arrive, you’ll take a private cruise along the Danube River in a rebuilt 19th-century steamship. Pass by the highlights that line the city’s waterfront including Hungarian Parliament, Gresham Palace and Buda Castle as you sip on a welcome drink and toast to your first night in Budapest.

Get your bearings in Hungary’s capital today with a guided walk with a local expert. Many associate Budapest with its thermal bath culture, which is why it’s also known as the City of Spas. You can opt to visit the Szechenyi Baths – one of the largest and most famous thermal baths in Budapest, featuring several outdoor pools. Buda Castle is also a highlight, standing tall on the west side of the Danube River. Join your leader for a bus ride to Buda Castle – this well-loved route allows you to see lots of historical parts of the city, like Chain Bridge, the bridge that connects Buda and Pest, and Matthias Church. Next, visit the Inner City Parish Church for a guided tour and a private organ concert with a local musician, followed by a short Q&A session. This special experience set in one of the oldest buildings in the city will give you a first-hand insight into Budapest's strong musical traditions. The church’s striking organ was built in 1932 and has more than 5000 pipes. Later, refuel with a langos (a popular local snack of deep-fried flatbread topped with garlic butter, sour cream or cheese).

Drive to Serbia this morning and stop off at Subotica. Enjoy a guided tour of the border city, where you’ll spot notable Art Nouveau architecture around the place, namely the City Hall and the Synagogue. Your leader can also explain how the Roman, Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian periods influenced the city. You’ll then drive to a local winery, where you’ll learn about the winemaking process in Serbia. Put your wine-tasting skills to the test by sampling various wines from their signature collection. After, continue to Belgrade, your last destination.

As Serbia’s capital, Belgrade has a rich history, and your leader will touch on this today on an orientation walk. Located where the Danube River and the River Sava meet, this city has been a centre of power for various empires over the centuries. Once you know your way around the city, the day is yours to explore as you wish. Perhaps check out Knez Mihailova Street if you’re in the mood to shop, or head to Kalemegdan Fortress for good views of the rivers converging. Maybe visit the Nikola Tesla Museum, where you can learn all about how the engineer shaped technological advancement in the 20th century. Then, get together with your group for a traditional Serbian dinner.

Say goodbye to your group over one last breakfast, then your adventure comes to an end. For those who wish to stay in Belgrade, reach out to your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.