Day 1
Arrival in Krakow. Our guide greets the group at the airport. Private coach transfer to the hotel Dinner. Overnight stay in Krakow.
Day 2
After breakfast we enjoy the walking tour in the Old Town of Krakow (UNESCO). We discover all the highlights: Main Market Square (the largest medieval square in Europe), splendid St. Mary’s Basilica (with the biggest medieval altar of Europe!), the Cloth Hall (famous among the souvenir hunters) and the Wawel Hill with the magnificent Royal Castle and the Cathedral – the main Coronation church of Polish kings. We also drop into the students’ quarter to see the oldest Polish university – the Jagiellonian University and marvellous courtyard of Collegium Maius building. After lunch break we head to Wieliczka to see one of the oldest and biggest Salt Mines in Europe (UNESCO). During the underground tour we discover treasures of the mine: chambers, lakes, chapels, including famous St. Kinga’s Chapel with its magnificent decoration carved in salt. Return to Krakow. Dinner, overnight stay.
Day 3
After breakfast we enjoy some free time – to explore the city on our own. In the afternoon we go to Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum. We visit the area of the former concentration and extermination camp in Auschwitz. We stop to look at the exhibition in the brick blocks (where the prisoners were kept), the gas chamber and the crematorium. After a short break we go to Birkenau (Auschwitz II), the largest Nazi extermination camp. Here we see the Gate of Death, the wooden barracks, the unloading ramp and the Victims’ Memorial. Return to Krakow, dinner at your own expense, overnight stay.
Day 4
We leave for Budapest (340 km). In the evening we have dinner on the boat, admiring Budapest by night from the Danube River.
Day 5
After breakfast we start the sightseeing of Budapest. We visit the Buda Castle district (UNESCO) with its numerous courtyards of the Royal Palace and a picturesque old town area. We also see St. Mathias Church and the famous Fishermen’s Bastion. Afterwards, we visit Pest – the famous Vaci Street, The Square of the Heroes and the Basilica of St. Istvan, the patron saint of Hungary. In the afternoon we take a trip to Szentendre, beautifully located at the bend of the Danube River, about 25 km from Budapest. Szentendre is a wonderful town of artists and craftsmen, founded in the 14th c by the refugees from the Balkans. Strolling around we look at the old orthodox churches, tiny streets with numerous boutiques and workshops of the local artists. Here we enjoy some free time. Return to Budapest. Overnight stay.
Day 6
After breakfast we set off for Vienna. In the afternoon we enjoy the sightseeing of the city Historical Centre. We go along the famous Ring Strasse lined up with the impressive monuments: the Parliament, Opera House, the Town Hall and the Museums Quartier. We walk around the Hofburg Palace quarter with its numerous courtyards and statues, following the imperial history of the capital. We also discover the highlights if the Old Town: the Main Square and St. Stephen’s Cathedral. In the evening we have dinner in one of the local restaurants in Grinzing district , known for its famous traditional taverns serving good food and Heuriger wine!
Day 7
After breakfast we visit the Schoenbrunn Palace which used to serve as the summer residence to the famous Habsburg family. It is considered one of the most beautiful baroque palaces in Europe. During our guided tour we admire the impressive interiors: the state chambers and the private elegant apartments which bring the atmosphere of imperial court. We also take a walk around the magnificent garden with the palm-house, orangerie and Glorietta – the best viewpoint on the whole palace complex.Afternoon at leisure to explore the city on your own! You can visit one of the countless museums or the Belvedere Palace with its beautiful garden and art gallery. Overnight stay.
Day 8
Breakfast. Transfer to the airport.