Beginning in Prague, a city that is often compared to Florence and Rome for its beauty and one that Goethe once called the prettiest gemstone in the crown of the world, we begin our Czech Republic leg of the tour basking in the glories of one of the most stunning and memorable metropolises on the planet. Prague’s diverse array of architectural style, its medieval cobbled lanes, its ancient palaces, and its spectacular cityscape bewitch and entice like no other destination.
We visit world-famous spa towns; take a ride up a funicular to admire striking vistas; and spend time in the UNESCO-designated historic center of Cesky Krumlov, perhaps the most exquisite city in the country. We travel through regions famous for orchards and vineyards in the Slovak Republic en route to Bratislava, the capital and often the most popular attraction in the country. After comprehensive exploration of the country’s largest urban center, we head to one of the most impressive areas of natural beauty in Central Europe at Pieniny National Park, before pressing on to Budapest, Hungary.
A country whose cities boast all the luxuries of Western Europe and whose countryside is sprinkled with rustic villages, Baroque towns and horse markets, Hungary displays a curious blend of modernity and antiquity. We pass through charming towns, visit Aggtelek Caves, see volcanic landscapes near Debrecen and admire historic monument by the dozen in Eger and Holloko. From Hungary, we cross into Romania, starting this leg of the adventure in Bucharest, once known as ‘The Paris of the East’. A historically fascinating destination, Romania is home to over 2,000 fresco-brimming monasteries, dozens of picture-perfect castles and countless fortified villages; there’s certainly no shortage of attraction and activity as we enjoy a week-long exploration of its bounties.
From the Bucovina Monasteries, to the Transylvanian plateau and to the ‘Pearl of the Carpathian Mountains’ at Sinaia, we leave no stone unturned as we discover the heritage and culture of this remarkable nation. Our last stop before heading home is Bulgaria, a country whose location at the crossroads of Europe has meant a long and often violent history. Sophia, one of the oldest capital cities in Europe, offers a wealth of historic and cultural sites within easy walking distance of one another and we also check out the famous Valley of the Roses, the grand citadel and 16th century houses of Veliko Turnovo and the Rila Monastery before we fly home.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Breakfast and dinner (hotels & local restaurants) daily
- All sightseeing and entrance fees for sites noted as 'visited' in the detailed itinerary
- Gratuities for local guides, drivers, restaurant staff, porters
- Airport transfers for land / air customers arriving / departing on tour dates.
Price Excludes:
- Tour Leader gratuities, lunches, drinks, personal items (phone, laundry, etc), domestic and international air taxes (if applicable), excursions referenced as 'optional'
- Airport transfers for early / late arrivals / departures or Land Only customers
- Our post-reservation trip notes offer further guidance on optional meal costs and shopping.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Czech Republic
Hungary
Bulgaria
Cultural Journey
Archeology/History
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