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CENTRAL
EUROPE - 2010
16
days incl. air, or 15 days from Frankfurt to Frankfurt (CO-6070)Return to Italy
Vacations & Tours
 Return to
France, Spain, Portugal and Morocco Vacations & Tours Vacation
Overview
This comprehensive
and popular vacation takes in the heart of Central Europe. Starting and
ending in Frankfurt, this trip features two overnights each in Berlin,
Warsaw, Krakow, Budapest, and Prague. It covers the main German cities,
including the one-time intellectual hub of Weimar; reunified Berlin; and
Munich, the lively and hospitable Bavarian capital. From Germany it’s on
to the highlights of Poland: charming Poznan, magnificent Warsaw, the
historic Jasna Gora Monastery, the concentration camp of Auschwitz, and
romantic Krakow. As you travel to Hungary, admire the majestic Tatra
Mountains and pass through some of the most scenic parts of Slovakia. The
legendary Danube welcomes you to Budapest with its Buda Castle,
Fishermen’s Bastion, and Matthias Coronation Church. Austria’s capital of
Vienna beckons next—the elegant city known for the waltz, delectable
pastries, and awe-inspiring Habsburg residences. Continue to Prague with
its Charles Bridge, Jewish Quarter, and world-famous Astronomical Clock.
Travel south through the Bohemian Forest and into Bavaria to Munich, then
along the famous Romantic Road with its fairytale towns and villages.
Among these are Nördlingen and Rothenburg, well-preserved medieval jewels
with traditional 16th-century half-timbered houses. This Central Europe
vacation offers you sightseeing tours in the famous cities, beautiful
scenery, historic places, and free time to tour on your own. If you want
to see Central Europe, this is the trip for you!
Itinerary
Day
1 Sat. BOARD YOUR OVERNIGHT TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT
Day
2 Sun. ARRIVAL IN FRANKFURT AREA, GERMANY
Check
into your hotel. The rest of the day is free. Tonight, meet your Tour
Director and fellow travelers.
Day
3 Mon. FRANKFURT-WEIMAR-BERLIN Berlin
Northeast
today using the Autobahn for a stop in Weimar, one-time intellectual
heart of Germany and host to such luminaries as Luther, Cranach, Bach,
Liszt, Schiller, and, of course, Goethe himself. It was at one time
rightly known as the “Athens of Germany.” Journey past Jena, home to the
world-famous Zeiss Optics Factory. Over the River Elbe for a few more
miles into Germany’s capital city, Berlin. (B)
Day
4 Tue. BERLIN
No
longer divided but every bit as fascinating. Once the city of contrasts
with its West and East side separating two different worlds, since the
wall came down, Berlin has developed into a harmonious blend of old and
new, preserving the old buildings such as the State Opera House and the
Brandenburg, its neoclassic-style boulevards such as the Kurfürstendamm
and “Unter den Linden,” as well as creating brand new buildings in the
most daring up-to-date architectural styles. It is once again Germany’s
capital and one of Europe most lively and interesting cities, from a
cultural point of view. In the afternoon, there's an optional excursion
to historic Potsdam. (B)
Day
5 Wed. BERLIN-WARSAW, POLAND
Drive
east to Poznan, one of Poland’s oldest trading centers and now an
international marketplace during its industrial fairs. See more of the
Polish countryside on the way to Warsaw. (B,D)
Day
6 Thu. WARSAW
The
included sightseeing tour is an excellent introduction to Warsaw,
magnificently reconstructed after wartime destruction. Today its wide
avenues contrast strikingly with the narrow lanes of the old section.
(B,D)
Day
7 Fri. WARSAW-KRAKOW Krakow Square
Two
encounters with history on your southbound journey today. First, Jasna
Gora near Czestochowa, the monastery that withstood the repeated
onslaught of overwhelming Swedish forces during the religious wars of the
17th century. Since then, its Black Madonna is venerated as the “Queen of
Poland” and has become the country’s national symbol. In the afternoon,
visit what is left of the Auschwitz concentration camp, a chilling
reminder of the Holocaust. Evening arrival in Krakow. (B,D)
Day
8 Sat. KRAKOW
This
is, they say, Poland’s most beautiful city. For almost 500 years it was
the country’s capital, and today it is without a doubt its cultural
capital. Optional morning sightseeing in ancient Krakow, for centuries
the residence of Polish kings. See the Market Square, the 14th-century
Jagiellonian University, St. Mary’s Church, and Wawel Royal Castle. Free
time later to explore this interesting town at your own pace and mingle
with the locals. Tonight’s optional folklore dinner might be the way to
round off your stay in this city. (B)
Day
9 Sun. KRAKOW-BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
A
comfortable drive through three countries. First, south to the Tatra
Mountains of Poland, then through a scenic part of Slovakia, and finally
into Hungary. Your destination is Budapest, the most lively of Eastern
European capitals. (B,D)
Day
10 Mon. BUDAPEST
Included
sightseeing features Buda Castle, which dominates the twin cities of Buda
and Pest, separated by the broad ribbon of the Danube. Also see Heroes’
Square, which typifies the modern capital, as well as the old inns and
wine cellars along the riverbank, Parliament, Margaret Island,
Fishermen’s Bastion, the Royal Castle, and Matthias Coronation Church.
(B)
Day
11 Tue. BUDAPEST-VIENNA, AUSTRIA
Head
for the Austrian border by way of Györ. You’ll be in Vienna in time to
enjoy your first afternoon and evening in this lively capital. Enjoy the
included sightseeing tour with Local Guide: the State Opera, Parliament,
and the Town Hall. Stop for a stroll in Heroes’ Square to view the
Hofburg and an inside visit of St. Stephen’s Cathedral. (B)
Day
12 Wed. VIENNA-PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC
Morning
optional excursion to Schönbrunn Palace. This afternoon, cross the Czech
border into Moravia, then through the rich farmlands of Bohemia to
Prague. (B,D)
Day
13 Thu. PRAGUE
The
wealth of gothic and baroque architecture perhaps inspired Dvorak and
Smetana, both Prague composers. The included guided sightseeing features
landmarks such as the Jewish Quarter, Wenceslas Square Charles Bridge,
and the Old Town Square with the Astronomical Clock. Your Tour Director
may suggest an evening optional excursion with traditional Czech music
and spectacular entertainment. (B)
Day
14 Fri. PRAGUE-MUNICH, GERMANY
Into
the landscape of the Bohemian Forest before reaching the Czech-German
border. Drive south, enjoying the Bavarian scenery, to Munich, the
“secret capital,” for an overnight. (B)
Day
15 Sat. MUNICH-ROMANTIC ROAD-FRANKFURT AREA
The
highlight today is undoubtedly the Romantic Road, which runs north to
south as far as the Alps. First to lovely medieval Nördlingen, then
Rothenburg with its ramparts and towers, cobbled streets, and
16th-century houses before heading towards the Frankfurt area. (B,D)
Day
16 Sun. YOUR HOMEBOUND FLIGHT ARRIVES THE SAME DAY
(B)
AIRPORT
TRANSFERS
Airport transfers
may be included when you make your international flights arrangements.
Dates
and Prices
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Departure
Details
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Departure
Date
|
Tour
Start Date
|
Return
Date
|
Land/Cruise
Price Only
|
Status
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
3/6/2010
|
3/7/2010
|
3/21/2010
|
$1,619.00
|
Available
|
|
3/13/2010
|
3/14/2010
|
3/28/2010
|
$1,619.00
|
Sold Out
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
3/20/2010
|
3/21/2010
|
4/4/2010
|
$1,619.00
|
Available
|
|
3/27/2010
|
3/28/2010
|
4/11/2010
|
$1,679.00
|
Sold Out
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
4/3/2010
|
4/4/2010
|
4/18/2010
|
$1,679.00
|
Available
|
|
4/10/2010
|
4/11/2010
|
4/25/2010
|
$1,729.00
|
Available
|
|
4/17/2010
|
4/18/2010
|
5/2/2010
|
$1,729.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
4/24/2010
|
4/25/2010
|
5/9/2010
|
$1,729.00
|
Available
|
|
5/1/2010
|
5/2/2010
|
5/16/2010
|
$1,729.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
5/8/2010
|
5/9/2010
|
5/23/2010
|
$1,729.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
5/15/2010
|
5/16/2010
|
5/30/2010
|
$1,729.00
|
Available
|
|
5/22/2010
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5/23/2010
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6/6/2010
|
$1,729.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
5/29/2010
|
5/30/2010
|
6/13/2010
|
$1,729.00
|
Available
|
|
6/5/2010
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6/6/2010
|
6/20/2010
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$1,729.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
6/12/2010
|
6/13/2010
|
6/27/2010
|
$1,729.00
|
Available
|
|
6/19/2010
|
6/20/2010
|
7/4/2010
|
$1,729.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
6/26/2010
|
6/27/2010
|
7/11/2010
|
$1,729.00
|
Available
|
|
7/3/2010
|
7/4/2010
|
7/18/2010
|
$1,729.00
|
Available
|
|
7/10/2010
|
7/11/2010
|
7/25/2010
|
$1,729.00
|
Available
|
|
7/17/2010
|
7/18/2010
|
8/1/2010
|
$1,729.00
|
Available
|
|
7/24/2010
|
7/25/2010
|
8/8/2010
|
$1,729.00
|
Available
|
|
7/31/2010
|
8/1/2010
|
8/15/2010
|
$1,729.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
8/7/2010
|
8/8/2010
|
8/22/2010
|
$1,729.00
|
Available
|
|
8/14/2010
|
8/15/2010
|
8/29/2010
|
$1,729.00
|
Available
|
|
8/21/2010
|
8/22/2010
|
9/5/2010
|
$1,729.00
|
Available
|
|
8/28/2010
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8/29/2010
|
9/12/2010
|
$1,729.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
9/4/2010
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9/5/2010
|
9/19/2010
|
$1,729.00
|
Available
|
|
9/11/2010
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9/12/2010
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9/26/2010
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$1,729.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
9/18/2010
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9/19/2010
|
10/3/2010
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$1,729.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
9/25/2010
|
9/26/2010
|
10/10/2010
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$1,729.00
|
Available
|
Popular
Departure - due to itinerary and time of year, this departure
historically sells out quickly. Early booking is encouraged.
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