Highlights of Bohemia

Don’t let the glass and steel skyscrapers deceive you. At its heart, Frankfurt’s high-powered business hub communes with a warm medieval center where half-timbered buildings and tiny taverns line cobbled lanes and the aroma of apple cider lingers around every turn. Here ‘Mainhattan’ meets medieval charm. This afternoon, your Travel Director will lead an orientation tour around the city’s dynamic financial center and medieval Römerberg. See the Römer, which has served as Frankfurt’s city hall since the 15th century and admire the architecture that has been lovingly restored after World War II.

Leaving the high-rises behind, you’ll journey across the North German Plain to the dynamic and energetic capital that is Berlin. This bold capital wears its grittiness for all to see – edgy street art adorns the city’s ever-evolving façades and street food markets reveal a cosmopolitan line-up of cultures and cuisines that make Berlin an exhilaratingly diverse city to explore. Consider this evening to join an Optional Experience with good food, wine, beer and music followed by a twilight tour of some of Berlin's beautiful illuminations.

There's never a dull moment in Berlin. This city has endured more over the past century than most and yet you can almost feel its characteristic philosophy of ‘let the good times roll' as you see the many iconic sites on Unter den Linden. Spend the rest of the day exploring the city your way or join an Optional Experience to uncover the secrets of the city's World War II and Cold War past. You could even choose to venture beyond the city for a dinner of German specialties in the countryside.

Close the curtain on your spirited encounter with Berlin and head east into Poland. Stop first in Poznań, one of the oldest cities in Poland and birthplace of the Polish nation. View its colorful market square and town hall. Then head to Poland’s modern metropolis of Warsaw which has risen with all the invigorating spirit of a phoenix after a recent tragic past.

This morning, perhaps enjoy an optional visit to the 17th-century Baroque Wilanów Palace, once the summer home of King Jan Sobieski III. Then, dive into Warsaw's turbulent past with a Local Guide. Your sightseeing tour across this historic capital will reveal how the resilient Poles rebuilt their city after the destruction of World War II. Among others you'll see St. John's Cathedral and the Royal Palace in the Old Town as well as the site of the Warsaw Ghetto. With the rest of the afternoon free to explore your way, why not embark on an exploration of the Praga-Północ district, one of Europe's coolest neighborhoods, including a visit to Poland's first vodka museum.

Today we travel south towards the former Royal Capital of Krakow. We pay our respects to the survivors and victims of the Holocaust by visiting the memorial site of the former concentration camp at Auschwitz.

Today is all about uncovering the legendary history of this beautiful city. You’ll kick things off with a sightseeing tour with your Local Guide who will share the thrilling tale of the city’s origins as you trace its medieval walls and see Wawel Castle where the dragon once roamed in its dungeons. You’ll have the rest of the day to yourself and perhaps you’d like to spend the afternoon wandering the UNESCO-listed Old Town, or choose an optional experience that would see you exploring the UNESCO-listed Wieliczka Salt Mines, often referred to as the Underground Salt Cathedral of Poland. This evening, why not enjoy a night out with an optional farmhouse dinner and Polka party where you'll swing around the dance floor after a meal of Polish specialties.

Head south through Poland, then travel through the pastoral heart of Slovakia bound for Hungary. Your final destination is Budapest, which sits straddled on either side of the beautiful Danube – two halves shaped by a captivating mix of Magyar, German, Slav, Jewish, Roma and Turkish settlers that have made Budapest into the cultural capital it is today. Begin your exploration of this 'Pearl of the Danube' on the water with an optional scenic cruise on a private boat along the Danube. Against an enchanting illuminated backdrop, you'll enjoy a dinner of Hungarian specialties while you sail underneath the famous Chain Bridge and past Budapest's majestic Parliament building.

Like all great capitals, Budapest's story begins with a legend, and your Local Guide will share all the exciting tales during your sightseeing. Then there's time to explore the 1000-year history of Budapest on your own or perhaps join an Optional Experience, including a goulash cooking demonstration, to the medieval town of Szentendre, set on the banks of the Danube.

All that glitters certainly is gold in Budapest. You'll see this first-hand during an optional visit to the Hungarian Parliament. The highlights of Bohemia just keep on coming as we continue our trip across the hilly landscapes of Transdanubia to Győr, a charming city which sits at the crossroads of Central Europe, midway between Budapest and Vienna. Wander the historic streets then continue across the Austrian border arriving in Vienna later today, a city where music literally surrounds you.

Meet your Local Guide, who will reveal the secrets and stories of this imperial city. See the Parliament, the Vienna Opera House, the Hofburg and the City Hall, before heading out on your own. It’s entirely up to you how to explore this musical capital of the world. You could spend hours wandering the streets when you visit Vienna, or perhaps take a guided trip to Schönbrunn Palace, the former summer residence of the Habsburgs, one of the most influential royal families of Europe. You'll need no excuse to embrace the locals' love of the good life as you indulge in the city's coffee house culture with a heavenly slice of Sachertorte to tame your chocoholic tendencies. This evening, the melodies of a musical Vienna are the order of the day if you join an optional dinner followed by a concert of Strauss and Mozart masterpieces.

Today we’ll say goodbye to Vienna's enchanting symphony and travel north to the Czech Republic on your Bohemia value tour. First stop is the medieval town of Brno and we'll pass through gorgeous green and gold landscapes, before arriving in Prague later today. The City of a Hundred Spires shines even brighter at night, so it’s only fitting to join an evening introduction to this fairy-tale city. Hit the town and try a local brew to quench your thirst, discovering the dry-hopped goodness for which Prague is renowned.

While other Central European Capital's smouldered, Prague was saved from a similar fate during World War II. You'll see why when you head out on a sightseeing tour with your Local Guide, with stops to see highlights including Prague Castle, the Cathedral of St. Vitus and the Old Town Square. With the rest of the afternoon free to explore Prague your way, why not see other beautiful sides of the city from the water, with an optional lunch cruise along the Vltava that will reveal the legends, myths and hidden secrets of this enchanting city.

Take a step back in time during your stop in Rothenburg ob der Tauber along Bavaria’s Romantic Road this morning. Your orientation tour will reveal an exquisite medieval center encircled by a fortified town wall that was built in the 13th century. Continue to Frankfurt, where we will enjoy a final toast and a farewell dinner to reminisce over an epic journey across the Bohemian countryside and capital cities.

Great empires created the enchanting land which you've explored on this 15-day Europe tour. You’ve encountered legends, tales of bravery and unforgettable masterpieces that span the centuries. All that’s left is to bid your new friends a fond farewell as you prepare to close the curtain on an exhilarating encounter with Central Europe.