14-Nights Central Europe from $2,399

Cosmos

OFFER ID 1475313

Learn about Central Europe’s rich history and see its historical sites as you travel through the heart of Germany, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Austria, and the Czech Republic. Starting from Germany, visit the eclectic capital Berlin and Weimar, where culture has been thriving through names like Goethe and Schiller, Bach and Liszt, Modernism and Bauhaus. In Poland, discover Jasna Góra Monastery in Czestochowa, an important pilgrimage spot. Visit Warsaw and Krakow, and stop in Auschwitz to see what is left of the concentration camp, a chilling reminder of the Holocaust. Explore the Imperial city of Vienna, Austria, the city of waltz, elegant cafés and the Hapsburg heritage. Get to know Budapest, Hungary, with its predominantly Art Nouveau city center and imposing Parliament building. Prague, in the Czech Republic, boasts Charles Bridge, one of Europe’s oldest stone bridges, and Bratislava, Slovakia, built on the bank of the Danube, features a castle and a charming old town. Before returning to your starting point in Germany, spend some time in Nuremberg, the Bavarian city that, in spite of its troubled past, is keeping the best traditions alive, such as brewing beer, grilling sausages and enjoying life. Sightseeing with a Local Guide-a local expert who knows the history, culture, and secrets of the city-is included in Berlin, Warsaw, Kraków, Budapest, Vienna, and Prague. This is a comprehensive Central Europe tour, ideal for smart travelers who want to turn their travel dreams into reality.

14 nights from $2,399 per person

Itinerary

Central Europe

Day 1 ARRIVE IN FRANKFURT AREA, GERMANY Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and travel companions.

Day 2 FRANKFURT AREA–WEIMAR–BERLIN Our first stop today is in Weimar, one-time intellectual heart of Germany and host to such luminaries as Martin Luther, Cranach, Bach, Liszt, Schiller, and, of course, Goethe himself. It was at one time rightly known as the “Athens of Germany.” Continue through Thuringia and Saxony-Anhalt all the way to Germany’s capital city, Berlin.
Today’s Distance: 357 mi/ 575 km (B)

Day 3 BERLIN On this morning’s included guided tour, learn how the city is no longer divided but every bit as fascinating. Once the city of contrasts with its West and East side separated into two different worlds by a wall, Berlin has developed into a harmonious blend of old and new. It has preserved the old buildings, such as the State Opera House and Brandenburg Gate; its Neoclassic-style boulevards, such as the Kurfürstendamm and Unter den Linden. This is now complemented by brand new buildings in the most daring, contemporary architectural styles. It is once again Germany’s capital and one of Europe’s most lively and interesting cities. (B)

Day 4 BERLIN–POZNAN, POLAND–WARSAW Drive east to Poznan, one of Poland’s oldest trading districts, and admire its Renaissance market square. Continue to Warsaw, capital of Poland.
Today’s Distance: 367 mi/ 590 km (B)

Day 5 WARSAW The included sightseeing tour is an excellent introduction to Warsaw, magnificently reconstructed after wartime destruction. Today, its wide avenues contrast strikingly with the narrow lanes of the old section. (B,D)

Day 6 WARSAW–JASNA GÓRA–AUSCHWITZ–KRAKÓW Two encounters with history on your southbound journey today. First, Jasna Góra in Czestochowa, the monastery that withstood the repeated onslaught of overwhelming Swedish forces during the religious wars of the 17th century. Since then, its Black Madonna has become the country’s national symbol. In the afternoon, visit what is left of the Auschwitz Concentration Camp, a chilling reminder of the Holocaust. Evening arrival in Kraków.
Today’s Distance: 289 mi/ 465 km (B,D)

Day 7 KRAKÓW This, they say, is Poland’s most beautiful city. For almost 500 years it was the country’s capital, and today, it is without a doubt its cultural capital. Join the included morning sightseeing in ancient Kraków, for centuries the residence of Polish kings. See the Market Square, the Jewish Quarter, St. Mary’s Church, and visit Wawel Cathedral. Free time later to explore this interesting town at your own pace and mingle with the locals. (B)

Day 8 KRAKÓW–BUDAPEST, HUNGARY Travel through three countries today. First, south to the Tatra Mountains of Poland, then through scenic Slovakia, and finally into Hungary. Your destination is Budapest, the liveliest Eastern European capital.
Today’s Distance: 245 mi/ 395 km (B,D)

Day 9 BUDAPEST Budapest is a treasure trove of architectural wonders, from Gothic to Baroque; Neoclassical to Art Nouveau, but also full of history, a food capital, and surprisingly rich in thermal waters. Discover all of this and more during the included guided city tour. (B)

Day 10 BUDAPEST–BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA–VIENNA, AUSTRIA Journey northwest and cross the border into nearby Slovakia. Stop in Bratislava, its intriguing capital on the banks of the Danube, to explore the medieval Old Town. Continue west and enter Austria, arriving in magical Vienna.
Today’s Distance: 174 mi/ 280 km (B)

Day 11 VIENNA Join the included city sightseeing tour for an introduction to the major sights: the State Opera, Parliament, the ornate Rathaus (Town Hall), and views of the Hofburg Imperial Palace from Heroes’ Square. You’ll have plenty of time to discover Vienna on your own. (B)

Day 12 VIENNA–PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC Morning at leisure or join an optional excursion. This afternoon, cross the Czech border into Moravia, then through the rich farmlands of Bohemia to Prague.
Today’s Distance: 208 mi/ 335 km (B,D)

Day 13 PRAGUE The wealth of Gothic and Baroque architecture perhaps inspired Dvorak and Smetana, both Prague composers. The included guided sightseeing features landmarks such as the Jewish Quarter, Charles Bridge, and the Old Town Square with the astronomical clock. Your Tour Director may suggest an optional evening excursion with traditional Czech music and entertainment. (B)

Day 14 PRAGUE–NUREMBERG–GERMANY, FRANKFURT AREA This morning visit Nuremberg with its pretty market square and Our Lady’s Church before heading towards the Frankfurt Area.
Today’s Distance: 323 mi/ 520 km (B,D)

Day 15 FRANKFURT AREA Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

Featured Destinations

Krakow

Frankfurt

Warsaw

Berlin

Berlin is without doubt the most fascinating city in Germany. Covering around 341 square miles Berlin is a unique landscape. With its numerous parks, lakes and wooded areas it is sometimes easy to forget that Berlin is the capital of Germany. The troubled history of this celebrated capital has for many years attracted tourists from around the world. It is estimated around 80% of Berlin was destroyed during the Second World War; landmarks like the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church stand as a lasting reminder of the mass destruction this city once endured. Perhaps one of Berlin's most famous landmarks is the Berlin Wall, the 'iron curtain' that divided this great city into two halves between 1961 and 1989. The East was governed by communism while the West was allowed to flourish under a democratic capitalist government. Even now, over a decade after the fall of the Berlin Wall, the differences between the former East and West are still very apparent. Berlin has an undeniable air of mystery that has always been and always will be a major draw for tourists from around the world.

Excursions

Berlin: Historic Berlin - 12 Hours

Explore the Cultural Capital with focus on art (Full day excursion)

Berlin visit with focus on Jewish heritage (Full day excursion)

Explore Berlin with focus history and WWII (Full day excursion)

Highlights of Germany’s Capital City (Full day excursion)

Vienna

Vienna is dominated by imperial castles and places: Schonbrunn, the magnificent summer residence, the Imperial Coach Collection, the Palm House, the Butterfly House, Belvedere Palace, magnificent state rooms in Hofburg, and the imperial crown in the Treasury. Stop by Ringstraße - the showplace of the monarchy built where Emperor Franz Joseph ordered the demolition of city walls. Important buildings include the State Opera, the Museums of Fine Arts and Natural History, Parliament, City Hall and Vienna University. The world capital of music. A long line of great composers Johann Strauss, Haydn and Mozart, Beethoven and Schubert, Mahler and Schonberg all worked here. A city with splendid concert halls, such as the Golden Hall, from which the Philharmonic's New Year's Day concert is broadcast annually. International stars love to appear here in the State Opera, Volksoper, Konzerthaus, and at festivals like the Vienna Festival, the Klangbogen concerts during the Musical Summer, the Jazz Festval and the Haydn, Mozart and Schubert festivals.

Excursions

Vienna Shore Excursion: Private City Walk Vienna's Old Town, 2,5 hours

Vienna Shore Excursion: Private City Walk Mozart in Vienna, 2,5 hours

Vienna Shore Excursion: Private City Walk Imperial Palace, 2,5 hours

Vienna Shore Excursion: Private City Tour of Vienna & Visit of Schoenbrunn Palace, 4 hours

Vienna Shore Excursion: Private City Tour Art Nouveau and Viennese Architecture, 4 hours

Vienna Shore Excursion: Private City Walk & the Lipizzaner Horses, 5 hours

Budapest

Caught between eastern and western Europe, Budapest has a character uniquely its own. It's also the last cheap, civilised city in Europe. Budapest can seem like one big sight, with each phase in its history, from the Ottoman period until the Communist days and from renaissance to revolution, leaving its mark on the city. For the tourist, a trip to Hungary's capital is dominated by the majestic sights of Buda. In the summer, there are open-air festivals at Szeged, Diosgyor Castle in Miskolc, Gyor and Pecs. Visit the former Royal Palace complex, the Matyas templom and the Belvaros. Margaret Island is a giant recreational park and feels pleasantly separated from the city bustle. Hungarian National Gallery houses Hungarian art since the birth of the nation. Although Esztergom is Hungary's most sacred city, home of the Archbishop and the nation's biggest church, it has a real-life edge. The first-time visitor to Szeged is invariably struck by its space and grandeur. One's immediate impressions of Hungary's third largest provincial city are of greenery and plazas, of broad.

Excursions

Budapest Shore Excursion: Private Half Day City Tour of Budapest, 4 hours

Budapest Shore Excursion: Private Full Day City Tour of Budapest, 8 hours

Budapest Shore Excursion: Private Half Day Tour Budapest Castle District, 4 hours

Prague

Vacation Details

Valid Date Ranges

12/08/2024 - 12/22/2024

from $2,399 per person *

* This departure has been designated a guaranteed departure by the operator, meaning that the minimum number of guests has been met, although still subject to weather and other conditions.

Prices Start At

from $2,399 per person

Length

14 Nights

Air City

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Vacation Rating

Moderate
Moderate facilities have modest enhancements to amenities and décor. These hotels or resorts are dependable, comfortable and some may offer standard features, such as select business services, Continental breakfast or coffee service and may have a swimming pool or small fitness center on-site. Guestrooms are comfortable, moderately spacious, in-room telephones, televisions and limited amenities. Moderate establishments provide suitable accommodations and service for budget-minded travelers.

Remarks

All fares are quoted in US Dollars.

OFFER ID

1475313

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Ford's Travel

10738 W. Bell Road
Sun City, AZ 85351
USA

(623) 933-8256
(844) 827-3721