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Days
18
Price from
4020GBP
Map of Central Europe Unveiled including Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary and Poland

From to castles to villages, discover the mysteries of Central Europe

From their Bohemian roots to the best of Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Art Nouveau, these Central European countries offer such a rich tapestry of culture and history – to say nothing of the world-class cuisine and breathtaking natural beauty. Explore mysterious castles, visit colourful small villages, tackle mountain trails and taste exquisite local food and wine on this winding detour from Prague to Berlin.

Start
Prague, Czech Republic
Finish
Berlin, Germany
Destinations
Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia
Style
Peregrine
Code
PEHA
Physical rating
Trip rating
20 reviews
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 12

Why you'll love this trip

  • Dine on regional flavours with a sommelier-guided tasting in the cellar of Buda Castle, a sampling of smoked Oscypek cheese near the Polish border, vodka tasting in Krakow and more.

  • Delve deeper into history in Cesky Krumlov during a storytelling session at a secret location, where you can sip wine as you listen to tales of medieval intrigue.

  • Discover vistas of waterfalls and wildflowers during a guided hike in the High Tatras Mountains, then return to your luxurious Alpine hotel to relax.

  • The cobblestone streets and winding alleys of Central Europe are perfect for exploring in a small group. Let a local guide you through cities like Prague, Vienna, Krakow and more.

  • Spend a day exploring Ksiaz Castle on a guided tour, including parts of the tunnel system that was intended to connect it to a top-secret Nazi military compound.

Is this trip right for you?

  • This tour visits the Tatra Mountains. The region is best discovered on foot and the itinerary includes a guided hike. If you do not wish to hike you are welcome to avail yourself of the facilities at our luxurious feature stay hotel.

  • On Day 11 you travel from Tatra Mountains in Slovakia to Krakow in Poland. The road is good but winds through mountain passes, making it a challenge for those prone to motion sickness.

  • It's important not to exceed the luggage weight and size recommendations found in the Essential Trip Information. Soft bags are recommended, as wheeling bags can be difficult to carry across cobblestones.

  • Don’t let the heat keep you from exploring the world! Summer temperatures can be very high in some of the regions we visit, which can make things uncomfortable. It’s important to use sun protection, wear layers to combat the heat, and drink plenty of water.

  • As accommodation on this trip is twin-share, solo travellers will share a room with other travellers of the same gender. At some locations you may be able to pay a single supplement to secure your own room. Rooms are often small, but usually the central location makes up for that. For those travelling as a duo, hotels in Europe often don't have double beds, but rather two single beds that can be pushed together. In some cases, bathroom facilities will be shared rather than ensuite.

  • On several days there is planned free time for you to make your own discoveries. We have a list of optional activities that can be arranged should you wish to take part in them. Speak to your trip leader for planning, advice and booking.

  • A visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum is not included but can be done in free time on day 13. Pre-booking is recommended.

Prague - View of city
poland_tatra-mountains_group-trekking-landscape
Cesky_Krumlov-Saxon.jpg
Prague bridge
poland_krakow_food-market-oscypek
wroclaw_city_view
krakow_main_square
Chocholow_wooden_houses

Itinerary
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This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 Jan 2020 to 31 Dec 2020.
 View the 2019 itinerary

Ahoj! Welcome to Prague. A complimentary transfer is included with your trip. There are no activities planned on your first day other than a welcome meeting at 6 pm and group dinner that follows. Get to know your fellow travellers and leader over a meal.
Accommodation
  • Hotel Clement or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Dinner
Special Information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

Take the opportunity to explore the City of a Hundred Spires on a guided tour and experience its melange of narrow streets, churches, halls and cathedrals. Note the contrast between the grand Middle Ages architecture and buildings like Frank Gehry’s Dancing House – also known as Fred and Ginger – on the banks of the Vltava. Afternoon and evening are free for you to enjoy as you please, whether it be exploring the collection of historic buildings, museums and galleries inside Prague Castle, wandering through the Jewish Quarter or strolling over the beloved Charles Bridge after sunset. As night falls, you'll see a completely different side of Prague. After dark, you'll see a completely different side of Prague as the Old Town comes alive with underground taverns and other nightlife.
Accommodation
  • Hotel Clement or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Guided tour of Prague
Optional Activities
  • National Museum - CZK120
  • Kafka Museum - CZK200
  • Museum of Communism - CZK190
  • Town Hall Clock Tower - CZK250
  • Urban Adventure - Bohemian Tastes and Neighborhoods - EUR58
  • Urban Adventure - Prague Beer and Czech Tapas Tour - EUR68
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Depart Prague by private minibus today and travel to another Bohemian town – Cesky Krumlov (approximately 3 hours). The name of the town translates literally to 'crooked meadow', thanks to the town’s location in the sharp bend of the Vltava River. This 13th-century city is a feast for the eyes, with a fairytale-like castle perched on a hill that looms over the town below. Explore its winding cobbled lanes and Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture on a guided walking tour. In the late afternoon or early evening, you will enjoy a storytelling session at a hidden location. Sip on sparkling wine while listening to thrilling legends of murders, plots and romances in medieval Cesky Krumlov.
Accommodation
  • Pension Familia or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Story telling in Cesky Krumlov
  • Evening walking tour of Cesky Krumlov
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Today is free for you to enjoy as you please. Perhaps have another walk around the town and extend it by climbing the castle's tower for expansive views or even go on an optional guided tour of the castle. Alternatively, explore the surrounding countryside by bicycle, visiting tiny hamlets and crossing rolling hills (approximately 2 hours). If there is time, and if the weather holds, an equally enticing option is a canoe or raft trip on the portion of the Vltava that winds through town (approximately 2–3 hours).
Accommodation
  • Pension Familia or similar (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Egon Schiele Art Centrum - CZK160
  • Raft/canoe trip per person - CZK1200
  • Cesky Krumlov - Canoe Trip - CZK700
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Travel to Vienna by minivan (approximately 3.5 hours). Vienna is a cosmopolitan city with the air of a rich cultural heritage and golden past. It is also known for its delicious culinary delights. Enjoy a guided walking tour of the city. This will take you from the Gothic splendour of St Stephens Cathedral to the neo-classical grandeur of the Graben, and then on to Hofburg Palace, where Habsburg emperors once resided in winter. You will have the opportunity to rest and enjoy the beauty of the monument dedicated to Empress ‘Sisi’ Elizabeth in the Volksgarten. From here you will journey on to the Ringstrasse. Your walking tour will come to an end at the State Opera House, one of the most important opera institutions in the world, home to the heart of classical Viennese culture. The rest of the afternoon is yours.
Accommodation
  • Hotel Bellvue or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Guided tour of Vienna
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Today is free for you to explore Vienna's many possibilities, aided by your included 24-hour transport ticket. Art enthusiasts can choose from several great museums, from the Albertina to the vast array found in the Museum Quarter. You might like to climb the 343 steps to the top of the tower of St Stephen's Cathedral. Schoenbrunn Palace is well worth a visit and has a guided audio tour. Another excellent way to enjoy the afternoon is to take a spin on the Prater Ferris Wheel. Regroup in the evening to share anecdotes over an included dinner in a traditional Viennese wine tavern.
Accommodation
  • Hotel Bellvue or similar (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Vienna - Prater Ferris Wheel - EUR10
  • Vienna - Spanish Riding School Practice - EUR28
  • Vienna - Belvedere Lower Gallery - EUR13
  • Vienna - Schoenbrunn Palace - EUR14
  • Hofburg Palace and Sisi Museum - EUR14
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Special Information
You can avoid the queues at Schoenbrunn Palace by pre-booking tickets at www.schoenbrunn.at.

Leave Vienna and head to Budapest by private minivan (approximately 4 hours). Budapest has truly come into its own since the collapse of the Iron Curtain. Its beautiful grand boulevards and opulent architecture evoke an old-world charm, while the plethora of new-age stores and restaurants lend it an air of cosmopolitan elegance. In the late afternoon, take part in an included guided tour of Budapest; visit a cellar underneath Buda Castle and enjoy a wine tasting tour in this spectacular location. Allow a sommelier to guide you through a variety of wines, including Hungary’s famous Tokaji dessert wine.
Accommodation
  • Museum Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Guided tour of Budapest
  • Faust Wine Cellar tasting
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

Enjoy free time to bask in the delights of Budapest. Walking is great, but cycling is perhaps the best way to see the city. A boat trip down the Danube is also a fine option. History buffs will enjoy a visit to Statue Park, to see some of the important fallen legends immortalised. The thermal baths that are dispersed around the city are not to be missed – you can indulge in anything from opulent indoor pools to more simple outdoor baths. Epicureans may like to take the opportunity to try some classic goulash, or one of the more modern dishes of this veritable food capital.
Accommodation
  • Museum Hotel or similar (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Hungarian State Opera House Tour - HUF3000
  • Hungarian National Museum - HUF1600
  • Great Synagogue - HUF4850
  • House of Terror - HUF3000
  • Thermal Bath - Starting from - HUF4500
  • Bike Ride - HUF6000
  • Urban Adventures - Buda Castle Explorer - EUR52
  • Urban Adventures - Bites & Sights - EUR74
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Head for Slovakia, on private transport, to spend a night in the beautiful Tatra Mountains. Stop at Godollo Palace en route. This imperial and royal Hungarian palace was a favourite place of Queen Elisabeth of Hungary. Move forward through the windy roads of Tatra Mountains, the Alps of the East. Today’s route may take several hours, but we will make several stops along the way to break up the journey. Make sure your camera is ready to capture the beauty of this land. In the late afternoon, arrive at the feature stay for this evening – the Grand Hotel Stary Smokovek. With manicured grounds, Art Nouveau design, luxurious rooms and award-winning restaurant the Grand Hotel is the ideal base for exploring the surrounding mountains.
Accommodation
  • Grand Hotel Smokevec (feature stay) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Royal Palace of Godollo entrance
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Wake up and take a crisp clear breath of fresh air by the Tatra Mountains. Forming a border between Slovakia and Poland, the Tatras form the highest range in the Carpathian Mountains. Enjoy a day out discovering surroundings bursting with waterfalls and flowers as you embark on a guided walk with your experienced leader. The walk is about six kilometres in length and is normally completed in 3 hours, including stops on the way. You'll arrive back at your accommodation in the early afternoon, and the remainder of the day is free for you to enjoy. Perhaps continue exploring the area on foot, avail yourself of the on-site spa (at your expense) or grab a cocktail.
Accommodation
  • Grand Hotel Smokevec (feature stay) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Tatranska Lomnica Gondola
  • Smokovec Funicular
  • StareSmoke Electric train
  • Walk in Tatra Mountains
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s walk is not particularly challenging, but a basic level of fitness will help you to enjoy it to the fullest. The route includes gradual hill ascents and descents and walking on gravel and uneven rocky surfaces with some slippery sections. The route itself will be decided on the day, depending on weather and group abilities. Parts of it will involve traveling by funicular, gondola and electric train. A snack lunch will be supplied during the hike. An alternative, easier route can be suggested by the tour leader to those who wish to hike unguided. We recommend a good pair of comfortable walking shoes and layered clothes for unpredictable mountain weather.

Set off across the border to Poland. Make a stop on the Polish side of the mountains, where a delicious regional delicacy awaits. Oscypek is a local smoked cheese which is made from sheep's milk. It comes in the form of a spindle shape and can be served freshly sliced or fried. As you’ll taste, it’s delicious no matter how you have it. Next up is the tiny, traditional village of Chocholow, where you will wander streets lined with wooden houses and visit a similarly rustic church. Enjoy a traditional lunch in town and then continue to Krakow. Arrive in Poland’s second-largest city in the early evening.
Accommodation
  • Hotel Polski pod Bialym Orlem or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Oscypek cheese tasting
  • Chocholow village walk
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

Head out on a guided walking tour of Krakow in the morning and spend an afternoon as you wish. Be prepared to encounter a staggering amount of history; the medieval Old Town alone is home to about 6000 historic sites and over 2000 works of art. The Wawel Royal Castle, where many historic Polish kings are buried, is one of the most historically and culturally important sites in Poland. In the early evening, regroup with your leader and fellow travellers for an included vodka tasting. Vodka is part of Poland’s DNA, and this tasting will teach you a little about making and imbibing this revered spirit.
Accommodation
  • Hotel Polski pod Bialym Orlem or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Guided tour of Krakow
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Enjoy a free day in Krakow to explore at your own pace. No visit is complete without seeing Kazimierz, the Old Jewish district. Historically the centre of the city’s Jewish social and religious life, the area has since enjoyed a renaissance as a Bohemian quarter. Besides art cafes, galleries and antique shops there’s Schindler’s Factory, a museum devoted to the German occupation of Krakow in WWII housed in the former enamel factory of Oskar Schindler, who famously saved the lives of Jewish workers during the Holocaust. If the weather’s nice visit Kosciuszko Mound for panoramic views of Krakow.
Accommodation
  • Hotel Polski pod Bialym Orlem or similar (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Galicia Jewish Museum - PLN15
  • St. Mary's Basilica - PLN10
  • Wawel Royal Castle - PLN25
  • History Museum - PLN8
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
A visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum is not included today, however there will be plenty of time to visit if you wish. Pre-booking is recommended, so speak to your travel agent at the time of booking, or your local leader at the start of your trip.

Travel towards Wroclaw, taking an important stop along the way at Nowa Huta – a relic of Poland's communist past. This former town, now a district of Krakow, is one of only two planned socialist realist settlements ever built and serves as one of the most renowned examples of deliberate social engineering on the globe. Join in on a guided tour of the district and learn about a part of Polish history often overlooked – a tragic time for locals and the country's entire history. Arrive in Wroclaw in the late afternoon and enjoy a wander around one of the most beautiful main squares in this part of Europe.
Included Activities
  • Guided tour of Nowa Huta
  • Vodka tasting
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Enjoy a morning guided tour with a local guide. Along the way you will visit Panorama Raclawicka, a spectacular and rare example of 19th-century mass culture depicting a famous episode of the Kosciuszko Insurrection. The 15 x 114 metre cycloramic painting is lauded as a lasting tribute to the fight for Polish independence. For lunch, enjoy a traditional meal at Spiz Brewery in the cellars of the Town Hall. The afternoon is at your leisure.
Included Activities
  • Guided Tour of Wroclaw
  • Panorama Raclawicka
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

Spend a morning at your leisure before being transferred to Ksiaz Castle. A guided tour will reveal the many mysteries surrounding its history, from construction in the 13th century to Hitler’s plans to use it strategically when Nazi headquarters moved from northeastern Poland to Ksiaz in 1944. At least two kilometres of tunnels dug beneath the castle were meant to connect it to a top-secret Nazi military compound hidden beneath the surrounding Sowie Mountains. Ultimately abandoned, this costly project remains one of WWII's greatest mysteries, and many of the vast underground tunnels are open to the public.
Accommodation
  • Ksiaz Castle Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Ksiaz Castle tour
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Travel to Berlin and stopover in Boleslawiec, home of famous polish pottery. Manual manufacturing based on a traditional technology and openness to new decorative elements made Boleslawiec pottery famous around the world. The durable and functional white and blue stoneware pieces are unique and easily identifiable. Take part in an exclusive guided tour of one of the cooperative factories and perhaps buy one of these unique pieces to take home. Continue to Berlin for a late arrival and dinner with your group. Please note there is no time to discover Berlin today, so the orientation walk will be held on a last day of the trip after the breakfast.
Accommodation
  • Hotel Zoe (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Boleslawiec pottery factory visit
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

After breakfast you will have the chance to join your leader on an orientation walk around Berlin. This walk will be complete by midday, marking the end of your Peregrine tour. If you’d like to stay on in Berlin, we can help arrange additional accommodation for you on request at the time of booking. If you have the time why not soak up all historic Berlin has to offer on an immersive Urban Adventure tour? Visit www.urbanadventues.com for more details.
Optional Activities
  • Urban Adventures - Storyline of Berlin - EUR61
  • Reichstag (time slot must be booked online in advance) - Free
  • Story of Berlin Museum - EUR12
  • Urban Adventures - Hidden Berlin - EUR51
  • Checkpoint Charlie Museum - EUR14
  • Jewish Museum - EUR8
  • Berlin TV Tower - EUR16
  • Urban Adventures - Food and Art in Funky Kreuzberg - EUR78
  • Schloss Charlottenburg - EUR21
  • Pergamon Museum - EUR13
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Meals

17 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 4 dinners

Transport

Private minibus, Metro, Taxi

Accommodation

15 nights comfortable hotel, 2 nights feature stay

Included Activities

  • Guided tour of Prague
  • Story telling in Cesky Krumlov
  • Evening walking tour of Cesky Krumlov
  • Guided tour of Vienna
  • Guided tour of Budapest
  • Faust Wine Cellar tasting
  • Royal Palace of Godollo entrance
  • Tatranska Lomnica Gondola
  • Smokovec Funicular
  • StareSmoke Electric train
  • Walk in Tatra Mountains
  • Oscypek cheese tasting
  • Chocholow village walk
  • Guided tour of Krakow
  • Guided tour of Nowa Huta
  • Vodka tasting
  • Guided Tour of Wroclaw
  • Panorama Raclawicka
  • Ksiaz Castle tour
  • Boleslawiec pottery factory visit

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Important notes

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
A single supplement is bookable on this trip, subject to availability at the time of booking. Please note that due to the small properties we use in Europe there is only a limited amount of single supplements available per trip departure. If you would like to book a single supplement and enquire about availability please speak to your booking agent.

FINISHING POINT
This itinerary finishes in Berlin, but spent hardly any time in this city. You will arrive in Berlin late, in time for farewell dinner and the trip finishes the next day. Our leader will take you for an orientation walk after the breakfast on day 18. The walk will be finished by midday. It is highly recommended to book an extra night in Berlin in order to discover it fully.

ARRIVAL TRANSFER
An arrival transfer from the airport to the start point hotel is included in the price of the trip. Please advise your travel agent of your flights times at least 2 weeks before your departure date. If you are planning to reach the destination by train or bus, please enquire the possibility of re-scheduling the transfer with your travel agent at the time of booking.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

View Essential Trip Information

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