This fascinating adventure covers central and eastern Europe, focusing on the monumental architecture, history, and traditions of the former Prussian and Austro-Hungarian Empires. Begin with two overnights in London, then ferry across the English Channel and join your motorcoach to Brussels, capital of Belgium. Pass through the Duchy of Luxembourg to enter Germany with a stop in ancient Trier. Overnight in Frankfurt and travel through Bavaria, visiting Nuremberg, and arriving in Mozart’s hometown of Salzburg in Austria. Included sightseeing in Vienna shows off the State Opera, Hofburg Palace, Parliament, and St. Stephen’s Cathedral. On to Hungary for two overnights in Budapest, where you’ll admire the Parliament Building, Fishermen’s Bastion, Matthias Coronation Church, and more. Stop in the Slovakian capital of Bratislava, then encounter the brilliant gothic and baroque architecture in Prague, including the Charles Bridge and the Astronomical Clock. Back in Germany, visit Dresden, Berlin, and medieval Hamelin to hear the story of the Pied Piper. Continue to the Rhineland for the night. Then ferry back across the English Channel to England for a final night in London.
Highlights:
Scenic Highlights: Moselle Valley, Salzkammergut, Rhineland, Lake Balaton, Bohemia
Itinerary:
Day #1 Arrive in London, England. Check into your hotel. In the afternoon you may want to start exploring the lively British capital. Uniformed hosts are available to help you make the most of your stay.
Day #2 London. A full day to savor our rich program of optional activities: take a panoramic tour of London’s landmarks, visit the Tower of London, or choose an excursion to Windsor Castle. Tonight, maybe a leisurely cruise on the River Thames? (B)
Day #3 London–Brussels, Belgium. Leave London in the early morning and head through the lush English countryside to the Channel port, where you board your ferry for the Continent. Here, meet your Tour Director and board your luxury coach for the drive to Brussels. (B)
Day #4 Brussels–Luxembourg–Trier, Germany–Frankfurt Area. Drive south this morning into the Duchy of Luxembourg. Cross the German border and make a stop in ancient Trier before continuing through the splendid scenery of the Moselle Valley. A choice this afternoon of the included scenic drive along the shores of the Rhine or, even more thrilling, the optional Rhine cruise with vistas of the Lorelei rock, hilltop castles, half-timbered wine villages, and terraced vineyards. Just a few more miles by coach to the overnight in the Frankfurt area. (B,D)
Day #5 Frankfurt Area–Nuremberg–Salzburg, Austria. Journey through the heart of Germany on the highway to reach Nuremberg, at one time Germany’s most beautiful city and, much later, famed for the war criminal trials that took place in 1945. Stop for a short visit. Drive south this afternoon through Bavaria, across the German-Austrian border, and head towards Salzburg for an overnight. (B)
Day #6 Salzburg–Vienna. A morning to enjoy some optional sightseeing in Salzburg, Mozart’s hometown. In the afternoon, journey through the Salzkammergut Lakelands, of The Sound of Music fame, past Mondsee to follow the Danube almost all the way to Vienna. (B)
Day #7 Vienna. Start the morning with an included sightseeing tour featuring the State Opera, Parliament, and the Town Hall. Stop for a stroll in Heroes’ Square to view the Hofburg. Finally, an inside visit of St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Complete the day by joining the optional excursion to Schönbrunn Palace. (B)
Day #8 Vienna–Lake Balaton, Hungary–Budapest. East today into Hungary through the historic city of Györ. Next, the vast stretch of Lake Balaton unfolds as you drive through some of its summer resorts. Reach Budapest by way of Martonvasar, where Beethoven wrote his Appassionata. Tonight, an optional cruise on the Danube to enjoy the fascinating city illuminations. (B,D)
Day #9 Budapest. Buda Castle dominates the twin cities of Buda and Pest, separated by the broad ribbon of the Danube. Heroes’ Square typifies the modern capital, while along the riverbank you find the old inns and wine cellars. Included sightseeing takes in the Parliament building, Margaret Island, Fishermen’s Bastion, the Royal Castle, and Matthias Coronation Church. (B)
Day #10 Budapest–Bratislava, Slovakia–Prague, Czech Republic. Start the day by traveling into Slovakia. Once across the border, have a break in Bratislava, its capital. Drive north to cross yet another border into the Czech Republic. The highway will take you through Bohemia, an enchanted land of castles, spa towns, and picket-fenced villages. Evening arrival in Prague. (B,D)
Day #11 Prague. The wealth of gothic and baroque architecture here perhaps inspired Dvorak and Smetana, both Prague composers. Included sightseeing features landmarks such as the Jewish Quarter, Charles Bridge, and the Old Town Square with the Astronomical Clock. (B)
Day #12 Prague–Dresden, Germany–Berlin. Discover more of Bohemia as you journey towards the German frontier. Next, the mountains and fortresses of the Erzgebirge range. Today’s highlight is a stop in Dresden, a magnificently restored city after its almost total destruction in World War II. In the afternoon, travel north across the River Elbe to reach Berlin for two overnights. (B)
Day #13 Berlin. Included sightseeing focuses on the Reichstag, Brandenburg Gate, and the Europa Center. Reunited Berlin has regained not only its territorial integrity but also the status of a German capital. Afternoon at leisure or join an optional excursion. (B)
Day #14 Berlin–Hamelin–Rhineland. Back on the Autobahn this morning past Brunswick on the way to Hamelin. Stop and hear the story of the Pied Piper. Next, the grand scenery of the Teutoburger Forest and into the Ruhr, then farther west to the Rhineland for an overnight. (B,D)
Day #15 Rhineland–London, England. A comfortable drive this morning to the Channel port for your ferry crossing from the Continent to England. Through Kent, return to London for an evening arrival. (B)
Day #16 London. Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
Hotels:
LONDON Novotel London West (F)
BRUSSELS Golden Tulip Brussels Airport (F) at Diegem
FRANKFURT AREA Mercure (F) at Friedrichsdorf or Holiday Inn (F) at Frankfurt
SALZBURG Ramada (F)
VIENNA Kavalier (ST) or Bellevue (F)
BUDAPEST Budapest (F)
PRAGUE Clarion (F)
BERLIN Abba (F)
RHINELAND Holiday Inn (F) at Cologne-Bonn Airport or Art (F) at Aachen
LONDON Jurys Inn Chelsea (F)