Croatian & Eastern Delights

Welcome to Munich! Meet up with your tour leader in the morning at the hotel before heading out on an orientation tour of the city. Munich as a city exhibits both prosperity and a certain amount of comfort and cosiness. Munich’s apparent contradictions will delight the avid explorer. Along with modern high-powered industry, designer shopping districts and sleek BMWs, you’ll find a wealth of cultural hotspots in Munich. Even with all its smart sophistication, Munich has a certain charm that visitors find irresistible. Tonight, join your tour leader and fellow travellers at a traditional German beer hall to get a taste of German culture and cuisine. Prost!

Discover Munich on an orientation tour: Join your tour leader on an orientation tour of Munich to get you acquainted with this wonderful German city. Munich is the capital of Bavaria, and is home to centuries-old buildings and modern culture. It’s also famous for being the home of Oktoberfest!

Welcome dinner in a German beer hall: Tonight, we’ll take you to a traditional German beer hall. Sample excellent German beer, along with traditional German 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, which features a wealth of cultures, activities and sights. Ljubljana Castle overlooks the city, and dates back many centuries.

Visit Salzburg: Experience the wonderful city which was once home to Mozart - Salzburg! Divided by the Salzach River, the west side of Salzburg’s city centre is characterised by the medieval and baroque architecture of the World Heritage Listed Old City (Altstadt), which faces the 19th century New City (Neustadt). A fairytale castle overlooks the city upon a steep hill and against a background of scenic Alpine mountains.

Visit Lake Bled: Enjoy a photo stop at Lake Bled which is situated in the Julian Alps, surrounds Bled Island located in the middle of the lake, and is overlooked by the medieval Bled Castle on the north shore.

Guided walking tour of Ljubljana: Join an expert local guide for a tour of Ljubljana - the City of Dragons! Encounter the inimitable scenery of the medieval old town, Preseren Square, City Centre, the Riverfront, Dragon Bridge and Cobblers Bridge. When the formal tour is done, there will still be some time to explore on your own. We recommend that you make your way to the 13th-century St. Nicholas Church - it's Baroque architecture is truly spectacular!

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.

Explore Plitvice Lakes National Park: Visit the world-famous Plitvice Lakes National Park. Filled with waterfalls, lush vegetation and countless lakes, this is one of the most beautiful stops on the tour.

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 Game of Thrones walking tour and see how this walled city inspired the fictional world of Westeros?

Guided walking tour of Dubrovnik: This morning a local guide will take you on a walking tour of Dubrovnik, where you will be acquainted with this stunning medieval walled city. The city is a tapestry of spectacular architecture - including churches, monasteries, fountains and museums all of which you can explore further during your free time. See sites including the Franciscan Monastery, Dominican Monastery, Cathedral, Onofrio Fountain, Orlando’s Column, Sponza Palace, Rector’s Palace, Stradun and the City Walls.

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.

Visit Mostar: Enjoy free time to explore this charming medieval Balkan city located in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The famous Stari Most is a must see!

Explore Sarajevo: On arrival in Sarajevo, join a local guide for a walking tour of the city. Learn more about Sarajevo’s top destinations, its local culture and rich history.

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.

Guided walking tour of Belgrade: A fascinating place, Belgrade radiates gritty exuberance in its many architectural contrasts with socialist blocks set amongst more grandiose buildings. Belgrade is where the Sava River meets the Danube. Knez Mihailova (Prince Mihailo Street) is a pedestrian street with historical buildings on either side, with many grand coffee houses, and is protected by law as one of the oldest and most valuable landmarks of the city.

Travel to Hungary today, and make a stop at a farm in the traditional homeland of the Hungarian horse lords. Watch a traditional horse show where the locals demonstrate their equestrian skills. Here, choose to try delicious Hungarian goulash, a rich and hearty beef stew, at an optional lunch hosted by the farm. 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!

Visit a Hungarian horse farm: Located on the Great Hungarian Plain, this farm has more than 100 horses as well as bison, sheep and donkeys. Enjoy the show as man and beast perform together in a spectacular horse show. These traditional techniques stretch back hundreds of years to when the Hungarians were nomadic horsemen.

Driving tour of Budapest: Meet up with a local guide who will accompany the group on a driving tour of the city and point out all the best-loved sights. Learn more about Hungarian culture and language and the city's fascinating history. Drink in incredible views from atop Gellert Hill and the Citadel, take a stop at Heroes Square and get an eyeful of other must-see attractions like Budapest Parliament, St Stephen's Basilica, the State Opera, the castle district, and more.

With traces of the past evident in the interesting and unusual details, this is your chance to get up close and personal with Budapest. 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. Budapest has been a  famed “spa town” since Roman times, with some 123 thermal and 400 mineral springs from 14 different sources running through the city. 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.

Bratislava orientation tour: Join your tour leader on an orientation tour to see some of the landmarks and historic sights of the city, including a photo stop at Bratislava Castle, which overlooks the city.

Walking and driving tour of Vienna: Vienna is known as the 'City of Music’ due to its classical heritage and the prodigies that worked there including Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert and Brahms to name a few. The tour starts at the Golden Mile on the RingStrasse (Parliament, City Hall, Burgtheater). Then, discover the courtyards and passages around the Hofburg (Imperial Castle) and St. Stephen’s Cathedral which is Vienna’s geographic and historic centre.

Dinner in a Viennese wine cellar: Enjoy dinner in a special location tonight! Tuck into a delicious meal in a historic 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.

Visit Mauthausen concentration camp: On the way to Prague today, we will be visiting Mauthausen concentration camp, where we’ll learn about a darker chapter in Europe’s history. A labour camp during the Second World War, this was where hundreds of thousands of political prisoners lost their lives.

Enjoy a stop in Český Krumlov: Visit Český Krumlov for a comfort stop and enjoy the local scenery which includes Renaissance and Baroque style architecture as well as a spectacular castle! The city is often described as being a “mini Prague”! 

Explore Prague: Once in Prague we'll take in the sights and sounds of the city with a guided walking tour. Prague has grown monumentally in popularity and joins other European jewels like Paris, Rome and Amsterdam to take its place as one of Europe’s most fascinating destinations.

Enjoy a group dinner in Prague: Experience authentic Czech cuisine at a local restaurant on your first night in Prague. You will also have the option to try some famous Czech Beer!

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 a farewell dinner? Or revisit one of the beer halls for a memorable final evening in Germany - the choice is yours!

Orientation tour of Nuremberg: Join your tour leader and see the medieval castle in Nuremberg and get a chance to explore the old town and shop at the markets in the town square. Nuremberg is home to incredible architecture, painstakingly restored using original stone after the bombings of the Second World War.

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!