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 2008 Eastern European Explorer
Highlights
See Habsburg Monuments in Vienna & BudapestVienna's Hofburg PalaceFisherman's Bastion in BudapestTatra Mountain Scenery of SlovakiaCracow's Royal Cathedral & St. Mary's ChurchBlack Madonna of CzestochowaWarsaw Ghetto & Old town
What's Included
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| Call (800) 237-0301 for more information or to book today! Mention code 7186813 | | CIE Tours | | Offer valid through 9/30/2008 | | | | Day | Destination | Description | | Day 1 | Depart U.S. for Austria | Depart U.S. for Austria : Depart on an overnight flight to Vienna, Austria's charming capital city. | | Day 2 | Vienna | Arrive Vienna : Land in Vienna and reclaim your luggage. Then you will be met and transferred to your hotel. After you check in you will have the remainder of the day to rest or explore the city center a little on your own. In the evening meet your fellow travelers and your tour director at a welcome dinner. (D) | | Day 3 | Vienna | Viennese Sightseeing : This morning take a tour around the city center to see the most important and imposing buildings. Visit the Hofburg Palace, the huge Habsburg residential complex that was the seat of the Austro-Hungarian Empire for over 640 years. Pass the elegant Belvedere Palace, the Prater Amusement Park and the UN buildings. Also see St. Stephen's Cathedral with its intricately-patterned tile roof and other vivid reminders of the city's imperial history. The afternoon and evening are at leisure. Perhaps spend some time in the Museum Quarter, a complex of many collections open to the public. You may like to walk or take a tram ride along the Ringstrasse where Habsburg rulers erected many important and highly decorated buildings in the 19th century. In the evening you can admire the beautifully floodlit architecture. (BB) | | Day 4 | Budapest | Hungary & Budapest : Today travel east through the Austrian countryside and cross the border to Hungary. Continue through the lovely scenery of the Transdanubian region. Arrive in Budapest in time to relax before dinner. (BB, D) | | Day 5 | Budapest | Budapest Touring : Situated on the opposite banks of the Danube River, the former cities of Buda and Pest are linked by a series of graceful bridges, the most famous of which is the Chain Bridge. On a sightseeing tour this morning see lovely views of the outstanding Parliament buildings sited on the banks of the Danube. Cross to the hilly region of Buda to view the Royal Palace and the Castle Hill area, the Fisherman's Bastion and nearby Matthias Church. Stop on Gellert Hill to see the impressive Citadel and admire wonderful views across the Danube to Pest. Return to Pest to see the Heroes' Square with its imposing Millennium Monument. The rest of the day is at leisure. You may like to visit the Museum of Fine Arts or the Art Gallery, both located near Heroes' Square or walk along Vaci Street with its elegant shops and cafes. (BB) | | Day 6 | Cracow | Slovakia & Cracow : Your drive today winds through the lovely hills and countryside of Slovakia, past the Tatra Mountains and into the great agricultural plains of Poland to Cracow. This was Poland's capital city up until 400 years ago and today it is the country's intellectual and cultural center with many art exhibitions, concerts and performances taking place throughout the city. After checking into your hotel enjoy a relaxing dinner with your tour group. (BB, D) | | Day 7 | Cracow | Cracow Monuments : Start your sightseeing tour with a visit to Wawel Hill, important symbol of Polish independence. There has been a castle on this hill since the beginning of recorded history and over the centuries many buildings of different architectural styles have been added. View the exterior of the present Royal Castle, built in a variety of styles. Visit the Royal Cathedral to view the impressive monuments to the many Polish rulers, political figures, writers and artists who have been entombed there. Enjoy a walking tour of the Old Town where you will visit the Main Market Square, the Renaissance Cloth Hall and St. Mary's Church. The afternoon is free for a stroll around the city. (BB) | | Day 8 | Warsaw | Czestochowa & Warsaw : This morning you may wish to join an optional trip to one of the most somber reminders of World War II at Auschwitz Concentration Camp, world-famous location for war crimes. Originally built as a soldiers' camp, the brick buildings have been preserved as a memorial to the thousands who passed through its gates. Later journey to Czestochowa to visit Yasna Gora Monastery, known for the age-darkened picture of the Virgin Mary popularly called the "Black Madonna." The Byzantine figure dates from the 13th century and in 1434 it was painted virtually anew due to extensive damage caused by vandalism. Many legends abound as to the origin of the figure and its miraculous properties. Drive through the Polish countryside to arrive in the late afternoon in Warsaw, Poland's capital city located on the banks of the Vistula River. The 700-year-old capital is a symbol of the Polish nationhood and the will to survive against great odds. (BB, D) | | Day 9 | Warsaw | Discover Warsaw : A sightseeing tour includes a drive along the famous Royal Route from the magnificent Castle Square to Lazienki Park and Palace, the summer residence of the last king of Poland. Pass the Palace of Science and Culture (called the "Wedding Cake"), the Saxon Gardens, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Monument to the Warsaw Ghetto Heroes and the Barbican. Continue on foot through the Old Town, Old Market Square and St. John's Cathedral. The Old Town is both a physical and symbolic expression of the city's spirit and determination to come back from the brink of annihilation at the end of World War II. The rest of the day is free to relax, shop or stroll through the city, especially the Old Town, where you can find many other attractions and a number of cafes, bars and restaurants. Or you may choose to enjoy an optional late afternoon Chopin concert. (BB) | | Day 10 | Depart Warsaw | Depart Warsaw : After breakfast, transfer to Warsaw Airport for your departure flight. (BB) |
| | | Renaissance Wien - Vienna - 2 night(s) | | Mercure Korona Hotel, Budapest - Budapest - 2 night(s) | | Radisson SAS Hotel Cracow - Cracow - 2 night(s) | | Radisson SAS Warsaw - Warsaw - 2 night(s) |
| | Coach Tour and River Cruise prices are based on two people sharing rooms; for single prices, click on preferred travel date below to view next screen.Taxes, security fees and fuel surcharges are not included. This list indicates brochure rates and dates. If your date of choice is marked "On Request" or appears in the brochure but not on this page please contact your travel agent for information.Air price is based on departures from New York. Additional add-on airfares from other cities will be available after clicking on Book Now! The air inclusive prices below are for general information only and not a reflection of current seat availability.Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage. Please contact your airline or refer to its website for detailed information regarding your airline's checked baggage policies.We highly recommend that you review our general conditions page for full details on terms, conditions, and penalties. |
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