Get immersed in culture on this two-week journey amidst the palaces, castles, art, architecture, and music of Old World Europe. Hear Strauss waltzes and Mozart’s music performed by an orchestra at a palace in Vienna, and a piano recital of Chopin’s music in Warsaw on this Eastern Europe and Poland tour. Enjoy a dinner cruise on the Danube River, a strudel-making demonstration, and a private castle evening of wine tasting and gourmet cuisine with a member of the former Czech nobility. 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 Schönbrunn Palace.

2008 Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome to Warsaw
Your Poland tour begins at 6 p.m. at Le Royal Méridien Bristol. A transfer is included from Warsaw Frederic Chopin Airport to Le Royal Méridien Bristol, your landmark hotel on Warsaw's fashionable "Royal Route." Meet travel companions and your Tauck Director at tonight's welcome reception and dinner.
Meals: Dinner
Lodging: Le Royal Méridien Bristol, Warsaw, Poland

Day 2: Explore Warsaw
On your first full day in Poland tour the sights of Warsaw, including the Palace of Culture 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 Warsaw native Frederic Chopin.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Le Royal Méridien Bristol, Warsaw, Poland

Day 3: Czestochowa and the Black Madonna
While in Poland tour the countryside, stopping in the city of Czestochowa for a guided visit to the fortified 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.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Sheraton Krakow Hotel, Cracow, Poland

Day 4: Medieval Cracow and poignant Auschwitz
Take a walking tour of Cracow’s historic center, a 13th-century merchants' town with Europe's largest medieval market square, and a highlight of any Poland tour; it’s now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit 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 an excursion to the poignant memorial at Auschwitz.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Sheraton Krakow Hotel, Cracow, Poland

Day 5: Historic salt mine
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 and a fascinating experience on your Poland tour. Back in Cracow, explore the former Jewish Quarter (the Kazimierz) and Remu Synagogue and museum (holidays permitting), then spend the rest of the day exploring as you please.
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: Lodging: Sheraton Krakow Hotel, Cracow, Poland

Day 6: Bound for Hungary
Travel from Poland through the scenic Tatra Mountains, stopping for lunch in Slovakia en route to Hungary. Arrive in Budapest; your hotel is located along the Danube River promenade. In the evening, admire the city’s illuminated architecture on a special dinner cruise on the Danube River.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Budapest Marriott Hotel, Budapest, Hungary

Day 7: Stunning architecture in Pest
Today, your Eastern Europe and Poland tour reveals landmarks in Pest, 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.
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: Budapest Marriott Hotel, Budapest, Hungary

Day 8: A day in Budapest
Sightsee Buda today, visiting 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 overlooking the city. Admire the frescoes and stained glass windows in Gothic Matthias Church, where the final two Hungarian kings were crowned. Depart this amazing city in the afternoon and travel to another – Vienna, Austria – for a three-night stay.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Hotel Bristol, Vienna, Austria

Day 9: Schönbrunn Palace and the sights of Vienna
In glorious Vienna, see the sights around the Karlsplatz, then view the imperial Habsburg collections on a guided visit to the Museum of Fine Arts. At Schönbrunn Palace, enjoy lunch and a gourmet cooking demonstration on how to make strüdel; 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.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Lodging: Hotel Bristol, Vienna, Austria

Day 10: Music and more in Vienna
A walking tour takes in Vienna's diverse architectural highlights today. Explore the grounds of the Hofburg, also known as the Imperial Palace, housing imperial treasuries and six museums. Enjoy free time in the afternoon to pursue your own passions, in this extraordinary city that's home of some of Europe's finest art museums. This evening, attend a private concert by the Vienna Residence Orchestra featuring the music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Johann Strauss, held in a historic palace.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Hotel Bristol, Vienna, Austria

Day 11: Discover Prague
Your Eastern Europe and Poland tour continues as you journey to Prague, ancient capital of today's 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.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: InterContinental Praha, Prague, Czech Republic

Day 12: Prague's Castle District
Explore the Hradcany (castle) district today; tour the remarkable complex of Prague Castle, one of the largest 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. Visit the Cathedral of St. Vitus, the coronation site for Czech kings and queens, and the libraries of Strahov Monastery before spending a free afternoon as you like.
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: InterContinental Praha, Prague, Czech Republic

Day 13: Art, wine & nobility in Prague
Today your Prague sightseeing includes the Estates Theatre, the Jewish Quarter (Josefov), and the Old-New Synagogue, founded in the 13th century, followed by an afternoon to explore on your own. In the evening, attend our exclusive farewell event at Nelahozeves Castle. Meet a member of the former Czech nobility at a reception featuring wine from the family vineyards, and enjoy a gala dinner complete with live music.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: InterContinental Praha, Prague, Czech Republic

Day 14: Journey home
Tour ends in Prague, Czech Republic. A transfer is included from the InterContinental Praha to Prague's Ruzyne International Airport.
Meals: Breakfast

Hear Strauss waltzes performed in a palace and much more–book this Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary and Poland tour today!

Departure Dates

Apr 26
May 3, 7, 10, 17, 21, 24, 31
Jun 4, 7, 25
Jul 5, 9, 12, 19, 26
Aug 2, 6, 9, 16, 23, 30
Sep 1, 3, 10, 13, 17, 20, 22, 27
Oct 4, 8, 11

Prices

14 Days from $4,990 plus airfare

27 meals included.

Select dates offer Small Group Departures with no more than 26 Tauck guests, specially priced from $5690 per person double; inquire at time of booking.

International Airfare is additional. Call Tauck for special rates on international air for travel originating in the U.S. (subject to availability).

Please ask at time of booking about additional hotel nights before your tour begins and about our comprehensive Guest Protection Plan.

All prices are per person in U.S. dollars.