Croatian & Eastern Delights

Welcome to Munich! After meeting up with your tour leader at the hotel this morning, embark on an orientation tour of the city. The city of Munich showcases both luxury as well as cosiness. But these contradictions are what make Munich a delightful travel experience. On top of the advanced industry and high-end designers, you’ll also find a wealth of cultural attractions in Munich. Choose to join today’s optional excursion and follow a local guide to learn more about Munich’s top sights and taste delicious Bavarian cuisine! Tonight, enjoy an entertaining and informative evening at a traditional German beer hall to get a taste of German culture and cuisine. Prost!

Heading for the Slovenian capital, stop in Salzburg, Austria, on the way. Featuring gorgeous architecture, a formidable cliff-top fortress and imposing cliffs in the distance, visiting Salzburg feels like stepping into a fairy tale! This was also Mozart’s hometown – see if a little of the genius rubs off! Next, stop at Lake Bled in Slovenia for a photo stop. Admire the views of Bled Island, medieval Bled Castle and the Julain Alps! On arrival in Ljubljana, embark on a walking tour of this gem of a city. Despite its small size, you’re sure to be entranced by the beauty of Ljubljana. This evening, why not sample some traditional Slovenian cuisine with our Ljubljana Food & Wine Tour?

Today, you will be treated to some of the most picturesque natural landscapes in the whole of Europe! It’s time to visit the world-famous Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia. Stroll along the boardwalks and marvel at the incredible natural scenery of Croatia’s largest national park. Filled with waterfalls, lush vegetation and countless lakes, this is one of the most beautiful stops on the tour, so keep your cameras handy! Once you’ve got an eyeful, and a camera full of shots, the tour will head to the hotel in a beach resort near Split, for an included dinner and relaxing evening.

Today the tour travels on to Dubrovnik. On the way, enjoy a visit to Split on the Dalmatian coast. Here, enjoy an orientation tour and some free time to explore the historic old town. En route to Dubrovnik, stop in Ston, known for its impressive town walls and delectable oysters! Enjoy some free time for lunch and perhaps try some of these famous oysters. Later, arrive in Dubrovnik and set off on a guided tour of the city with an expert local guide. Dubrovnik is a tapestry of spectacular architecture - including churches, monasteries, fountains and museums. Afterwards, why not join the optional excursion for a magical sunset cruise on a historic ship followed by a delicious local dinner?

Explore Dubrovnik further today. With most of the main attractions located within the city walls in the ‘old town’, it is very easy to plan your day and navigate the streets. Want the best views of the ‘old town’ and islands? Catch the cable car to the top of Mount Srd! It is highly recommended for a scenic sunset photo or two. For those who really want to explore further afield, choose our optional excursion to Montenegro. Take a full day to experience one of Europe’s lesser-visited gems. Discover the natural beauty and rich history as we drive through charming countryside to the UNESCO Heritage-listed town of Kotor. This day trip also includes a photo stop at Verige and a visit to Perast.

Leaving Dubrovnik behind, travel onwards to Sarajevo, stopping on the way in the enchanting Balkan town of Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Mostar is a beautiful and historical destination, which offers numerous religious buildings and churches, and a vast collection of Roman, Greek, Croatian and Ottoman influences. Sarajevo is the capital city of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and has returned from the brink of destruction in the 90s, becoming famed for its east-meets-west atmosphere. Learn all about the city’s troubled past in a walking tour of this fascinating city later today.

Saying goodbye to Sarajevo, the tour makes its way to Belgrade, capital of Serbia. Enjoy a tour of the city with a local guide, who will introduce the group to the city's highlights, including Republic Square, Kalemegdan park and Belgrade fortress. A fascinating place, Belgrade radiates gritty exuberance in its many architectural contrasts with socialist blocks set amongst more grandiose buildings. After the walking tour, sit down for an included dinner before enjoying some free time to explore the city.

Travel to Hungary today, and make a stop at a farm in the traditional homeland of the Hungarian horse lords. Upon arrival, enjoy a delicious lunch of Hungary’s national dish - Goulash, a rich and hearty beef stew! Then, watch a traditional horse show where the locals demonstrate their equestrian skills. Next, travel onwards to Budapest. With a mix of natural beauty and art nouveau architecture, this is a city to behold! Embark on an evening driving tour to get an overview of the city. See top sights like the Parliament Building and St. Stephen’s Basilica. Take note of all the spots to revisit tomorrow on your free day! Later, enjoy an included dinner at a quaint local restaurant.

Discover the beauty of Budapest on this free day. Look out for remnants of the conflicts of WWII and the uprising of 1956, try Hungarian cuisine (there is so much more to it than just goulash!), sample world-renowned wines, and soak your weary rambler’s bones in one of the city’s bath-houses. The best way to spend this free day is by joining the Budapest+ optional excursion which offers fascinating history, architecture, culture and food! Experience Budapest’s most famous sights including St. Stephen’s Basilica, Central Market Hall and more on an immersive guided tour. Next, choose to visit the Szechenyi Baths to experience the healing thermal waters. Tonight, enjoy the city at dusk with an optional evening cruise along the Danube.

The grandeur of Vienna is calling today! Along the way, stop off in Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. Embark on an orientation tour with your tour leader to see some of the main sights. Catch a glimpse of Bratislava Castle, which overlooks the city. On arrival in Vienna, take a driving tour of the city. Vienna boasts cultural and historical splendour while maintaining a profile as an exciting, modern city! Along with a musical past that includes luminaries like Mozart, Beethoven and Brahms, and artworks by masters like Klimt, Schiele and Kokoschka, Vienna has a buzzing modern culinary scene, and vibrant live music venues. Look forward to dinner in a special location tonight during a group meal in a Viennese wine cellar.

Today it’s time to travel to the Czech Republic. En route, the group will learn about a dark chapter of Europe’s history during a visit to Mauthausen concentration camp. Afterwards, travels onwards to Český Krumlov in the Czech Republic for a comfort stop. This picturesque city is blessed with a spectacular castle and a wealth of Renaissance and Baroque architecture. Arrive in Prague later today and take a guided walking tour of the city. Famous for its art, architecture, cobbled lanes and ancient chapels, this city is also home to some of Europe’s finest beer. See highlights such as the ‘Old Town’, Primatial Palace, Slovak National Theatre and the Main Square. For dinner, experience authentic Czech cuisine at a local restaurant on your first night in Prague.

Today, take the time to explore Prague, perhaps revisiting some of the sights from yesterday’s walking tour. Walk across Charles Bridge, leave your mark on the John Lennon wall, sample the local cuisine (including the much-lauded and hugely varied beers), visit art galleries, admire the weird and witty sculptures that adorn the city’s public spaces, and marvel at the soaring gothic and baroque architecture. The Prague+ excursion is a great way to get to know the city - visit top attractions including Prague Castle and the Malá Strana neighbourhood, and enjoy a lunch cruise along the Vltava River. For an exciting night filled with great food and entertainment, join the Traditional Czech Folk Music & Dance evening optional!

On the way back to Munich, make a stop in Nuremberg. Bavaria’s second-largest city, Nuremberg is home to incredible architecture, most of which has been painstakingly restored using original stone after the bombings of the Second World War. Tonight is the last night of the tour and the group is back in Munich with the evening free for you to enjoy as you see fit. Why not choose to get together with your new-found travel friends for an optional farewell dinner at a local beer hall? This is the best way to make the most of the last night on tour!

After two weeks spent seeing incredible destinations in Croatia and several eastern European countries, the tour concludes today after breakfast. Don’t forget to swap details with your fellow travellers before your onward journey home!