Spend every day exploring UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the historic districts of Warsaw, Prague, Cracow, Vienna, and Budapest, plus the Wieliczka Salt Mine, Auschwitz, and Schonbrunn Palace.
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Day 1: Warsaw
Tour begins at 6 p.m. at your hotel in Warsaw, Poland. A transfer is included from Warsaw Frederic Chopin Airport to your first night's hotel. Meet travel companions and your Tauck Director at the welcome dinner. Overnight: Lel Meridien Bristol. (D)
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Day 2: Warsaw
Tour city sights, including the Palace of Culture, Radziwill Palace, and the Jewish Ghetto Memorial. Visit Old Town, meticulously re-constructed after WWII. Enjoy a free afternoon to pursue your own interests. In the evening, attend a private piano recital featuring the music of native Frederic Chopin. Overnight: Le Royal Meridien. (B,D)
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Day 3: Czestochowa, Jasna Gora, Cracow
Travel through Poland's countryside, stopping in the city of Czestochowa to visit the monastery of Jasna Gora. Inside is a painting of the Black Madonna, which draws Catholic pilgrims from around the world. Arrive in Cracow, considered one of the finest medieval cities in Europe. (B,L,D)
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Day 4: Cracow, Auschwitz
Take a walking tour of Cracow's historic center, a 13th-century merchants' town with Europe's largest medieval market square. It's now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit Royal Wawel Castle, the seat of Polish kings from the 11th to 17th centuries. In the afternoon, choose to explore Cracow on your own, or join the excursion to the memorial at Auschwitz.. (B)
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Day 5: Wieliczka
Visit the Wieliczka Salt Mine, a subterranean labyrinth of passages, caverns, chapels, and statues carved into crystalline salt. Worked for 800 years, the mine is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tour the former Jewish Quarter, and Remu Synagogue and museum. Enjoy some free time in the afternoon. (B,D)
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Day 6: Budapest
Travel through the scenic Tatra Mountains en route to Hungary. Arrive in Budapest; your hotel is located along the Danube River promenade. Overnight: Budapest Marriott Hotel. (B,L)
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Day 7: Danube River
Tour landmarks on the eastern side of the Danube. See the embassy district, City Park, and Heroes' Square, and the opulent State Opera House. Choose among many sights and museums in your free afternoon. In the evening, admire the city's illuminated architecture on a special dinner cruise on the Danube River. Overnight: Budapest Marriott Hotel. (B,D)
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Day 8: Budapest, Vienna
Visit the Parliament building, a Neo-Gothic masterpiece; and Fishermen's Bastion, with Neo-Romanesque design. Explore the cobblestone streets of Castle Hill with nice views over the city. Admire the frescoes and stained glass windows in Matthias Church, where the final two Hungarian kings were crowned. Journey to Austria in the afternoon to launch your Vienna tour adventure. Overnight: Hotel Bristol. (B,L,D)
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Day 9: Vienna
See the sights around the Karlsplatz, then take a guided tour of the Museum of Fine Arts to see the imperial Habsburg collections. At Schönbrunn Palace, enjoy lunch and a gourmet cooking demonstration on how to make strúdel. Take a guided tour of the State Apartments and formal gardens. The palace was built to rival Versailles with 1,400 rooms, including a Hall of Mirrors, and served as the summer residence for Austria's emperors. Overnight: Hotel Bristol. (B,L)
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Day 10: Vienna
Your Vienna tour takes in the city's medieval architectural highlights. Explore Hofburg Palace, also known as the Imperial Palace, featuring impressive art and armor, imperial treasuries, and six museums. Enjoy free time in the afternoon to pursue your own passions. In the evening, attend a private concert by the Vienna Residence Orchestra featuring the music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Johann Strauss, held in a palace. Overnight: Hotel Bristol. (B,D)
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Day 11: Prague
Journey to Prague, Czech Republic. Go on a walking tour of Old Town, linked to the castle district by the ornate Charles Bridge. Take in the astronomical clock, Jan Palach Square, and Rudolfinum Philharmonic Hall. Overnight: InterContinental Praha. (B,L,D)
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Day 12: Prague
Explore the Hradcany castle district. Tour Prague Castle, one of the largest ancient castles in the world. Built in the 9th century, it is the country's traditional seat of power, and incorporates palaces, museums, monasteries, and halls for knighthood ceremonies. See the Cathedral of St. Vitus, the coronation site for Czech kings and queens. View the ceiling frescoes and impressive library at Strahov Monastery. Spend your free afternoon as you like. Overnight: InterContinental Praha. (B)
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Day 13: Prague
Visit the Estates Theatre, the Jewish Quarter, and the Old-New Synagogue, founded in the 13th century. In the evening, attend the exclusive farewell event at Nelahozeves Castle. Meet a member of Czech nobility at a reception featuring wine from the family vineyards, get a private tour of the family art collection amassed over six centuries, and enjoy the gala dinner. Overnight: InterContinental. (B,D)
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Day 14: Prague
Tour ends in Prague, Czech Republic. A transfer is included from your hotel to Prague Ruzyne International Airport. (B)