Highlights of Eastern Europe 15 days
About This Experience
Experience Eastern Europe in all of its complexity–from imperial palaces to World War II sites to cool clubs and cafes. Start in the lovely two-sided city of Budapest. Then journey west along the Danube, stopping in the art-inspired village of Szentendre. Continue on to Vienna, unrivaled for its beauty and majesty. Head north to see the castles and cathedrals of Prague. End your journey in Poland, with visits to medieval Krakow and modern Warsaw.
Your Tour Includes
Round-trip airfare & transfers
13 nights in handpicked hotels
Breakfast daily, 5 three-course dinners with beer or wine
Private deluxe motor coach
Multilingual Tour Director
Select entrance fees
Why You'll Love It
Dark coffee & flaky pastries in bohemian cafes
Age-old architecture & modern art
The opulent Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna
Austrian wine & Czech beer
Fairytale castles in Prague & Krakow
The ever-present legacy of World War II history
Overnight Flight1 night
Budapest3 nights - hotel info
Day2
Introducing Budapest—Pearl of the Danube
Breakfast (in flight), Dinner
Welcome to Budapest, a city divided by the Danube River into its old and new sections (Buda and Pest). A Go Ahead representative greets you at the airport after you clear customs and then escorts you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax or begin acquainting yourself with this fascinating city. At an included dinner this evening, meet your fellow travelers.
Day3
Explore the city’s highs and lows, from Castle Hill to Heroes Square
Breakfast
Parliament, Matthias Church
This morning’s included tour highlights the major landmarks of both Buda and Pest. Trace the stormy history of this fiercely independent nation on your stop at Heroes Square. Tour the lavishly decorated interior of the Parliament building, modeled on London’s Houses of Parliament. Then cross the Danube and arrive in Buda, where you will ascend imposing Castle Hill. The castle has witnessed several invasions, the most recent having occurred during World War II. After taking in the breathtaking views from Fisherman’s Bastion, visit the medieval Matthias Church, once the site of Hapsburg coronations.
Day4
Take a walk behind the Iron Curtain
Breakfast
During your free day in Budapest, continue your personal exploration of the city. You might choose to browse through the shops on Budapest’s sophisticated pedestrian shopping streets, take a short journey outside of the city to the Vadaskert (Game Park) or tour the Jewish Museum. You may also opt to explore Budapest’s communist legacy on a Walk Behind the Iron Curtain.
Optional Excursions
Budapest: A Walk Behind the Iron Curtain $69* pp
Discover the turbulent, tragic and heroic history of the communist period in Budapest on A Walk Behind the Iron Curtain. The first stop is the Parliament building, starting place of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution, where damage from the Soviet invasion is still visible. Visit the nearby statue of Imre Nagy, Hungary’s Prime Minister during the revolution, who is an enduring symbol of freedom. Liberty Square is just a stroll away, home to the U.S. Embassy, a statue of Ronald Reagan and the only remaining monument to Communist troops. From St. Stephen’s Basilica, take the historical Metro Line 1 up the iconic Andrassy Ave. Stop for an included coffee amidst the the Neo-Renaissance splendor of Book Café, the regular meeting place of the intelligentsia during the Soviet occupation. End the day at the House of Terror, where you will take a guided tour through this chilling museum and moving monument to the victims of communism and fascism in Hungary.
Vienna3 nights - hotel info
Day5
Cruise along the Danube to the artsy outpost of Szentendre
Breakfast, Dinner
Travel west through the Danube basin, stopping in Szentendre en route, for a short journey to Vienna, home of chocolates, cafes, parks and pastries. After hotel check-in, you’ll have time to begin exploring the Austrian capital on your own. Dinner is included this evening.
Day6
Experience delightful, delicious Vienna in all of its imperial majesty
Breakfast
Schönbrunn Palace
Included this morning is a comprehensive tour of Vienna, led by a professional local guide. Highlights include views of the Opera House, the majestic monuments of the Ringstrasse, and the Hofburg, once the hub of Imperial power. Inside the regal Schönbrunn Palace, where Marie-Antoinette spent her childhood, view the private chambers of the Empress Maria Theresa and the lavishly decorated public rooms. Your afternoon is free for a stroll through the Stadtpark or a horse-drawn carriage ride to St. Stephan’s Cathedral. Tonight, opt to attend our traditional Viennese Heurigen evening. At this optional event, you’ll take a ride on the world-famous Prater Ferris Wheel and dine at a local restaurant where you’ll enjoy wine made by the people serving your dinner.
Optional Excursions
Traditional Viennese Heurigen Evening $99* pp
After a brief drive, your first stop is Vienna's Prater Ferris Wheel. Take a breezy ride to the top, which offers a one-of-a-kind view of the city. Next, continue to the picturesque village of Grinzing. At a local restaurant, you'll indulge in a festive night of music and food. Dinner will feature dishes typical of traditional Austrian Heurigens, or wine taverns. During your meal, you'll have the chance to try some of the tavern's own locally made wine—the perfect addition to your cozy Old-World setting.
Day7
Eat, drink, shop, play, wander, get lost and get found in Vienna
Breakfast
Spend the day at your leisure. You might wish to take a stroll through Vienna’s pedestrian zone, stopping at the Hotel Sacher for a taste of its world-famous Sachertorte, or view the elegant Lippizzaner horses at the Spanish Riding School. Another popular Viennese attraction is the enormous Ferris wheel in the Prater, once a royal park. Or join an optional excursion to historic Bratislava, capital of Slovakia.
Optional Excursions
Bratislava $95* pp
Walk through Bratislava’s Old Town on a guided tour of the Slovakian capital. Stroll along cobblestone streets in the shadow of Brastislavsky Hrad, the hilltop 18th-century castle overlooking the Old Town. Then, tour the famous Hall of Mirrors inside the pink Primates’ Palace, where Napoleon and the Austrian emperor signed the Peace of Pressburg of 1805. Lunch is included. Please note: Depending on the day of the week, you may visit St. Martin's Cathedral instead of the palace.
Prague3 nights - hotel info
Day8
Day9
See the City of 100 Spires, from Hradcany Castle to St. Vitus Cathedral
Breakfast
Hradcany Castle, St. Vitus' Cathedral
On this morning’s guided sightseeing tour, discover why Prague is known as the City of A Hundred Spires. The pinnacles of the city’s churches and palaces create one of Europe’s most majestic skylines. Visit the spectacular Castle of Hradcany, from which Charles IV governed the Holy Roman Empire and Vaclav Havel restored democracy. Later, admire the soaring Gothic vaults of St. Vitus' Cathedral. During your free time this afternoon, you may choose to wander through the medieval lanes of the Old Town. Discover Wenceslas Square, Prague’s cosmopolitan heart, or cross elegant Charles Bridge and enjoy breathtaking views of the city. Later, opt for an optional walking tour of Prague’s fascinating Jewish Quarter, home to Europe’s oldest synagogue. Lunch is included on this optional excursion.
Optional Excursions
Walking Tour of Prague's Jewish Quarter $79* pp
Follow a local guide on a walking tour of Josefov, Prague’s Jewish Quarter, nestled between the Vltava River and Old Town Square. Discover the Quarter's remains, which survived devastation during World War II and oppression during the Communist era. Afterward, pay a visit to the Jewish Museum of Prague, housed in a collection of former synagogues, one of which displays the names of all the Czechs sent to concentration camps. Along your tour, learn about the Golem myth, a story forever entwined with Prague’s Jewish history. You’ll also see sights once frequented by Franz Kafka, the enigmatic author of The Trial and Metamorphosis, who made his home in Prague. Lunch is included.
Day10
Imagine yourself an exiled French aristocrat at Chateau Sychrov
Breakfast
With a free day in Prague, you might choose to relax at a welcoming sidewalk cafe or take a walk along the riverbanks. In the afternoon, choose to journey into the countryside for an optional excursion to the Château Sychrov for a concert and dinner.
Must be booked 20 days before departure
Optional Excursions
Château Sychrov $139* pp
Visit Château Sychrov, a 17th-century Baroque estate north of Prague. Take a guided tour through the estate, paying special attention to the elaborate carvings along the stairway, in the chapel and in the dining room. Then, tour the gallery of French kings and the château's gardens. Later, attend a private concert of classic Czech music and an included dinner.
Krakow2 nights - hotel info
Day11
Day12
Wander within the ancient walls of Wawel Hill and Old Town Krakow
Breakfast
Wawel Cathedral
Today’s guided sightseeing tour of Krakow introduces you to Wawel Hill, perched high above the Vistula River. Visit Wawel Cathedral, where Polish kings were crowned. Pope John Paul II once served as archbishop here. Stroll through Glowny Square, passing beautiful Sukiennice Cloth Hall and the Jagiellonian University. This afternoon, opt to visit the former concentration camp of Auschwitz.
Optional Excursions
Auschwitz $39* pp
This tour takes you to some of the most chilling sites in Europe: the concentration camps at Auschwitz and Birkenau. More than 4 million people were systematically exterminated in these camps by the Third Reich during World War II. Liberated by the Red Army in 1945, Auschwitz has been turned into a poignant memorial to the victims of the Holocaust. Take a guided tour which includes views of chambers and prisoner buildings. Afterward, drive to nearby Birkenau, the second portion of the larger Auschwitz concentration camp complex. Embark on a guided tour before returning to Kraków.
Warsaw2 nights - hotel info
Day13
Day14
Admire Polish perseverance in the revived capital
Breakfast
A local guide leads a fascinating sightseeing tour of Warsaw, a city all but destroyed during World War II but painstakingly rebuilt since 1944. At Lazienki Park, behold the Chopin monument and the palace of Stanislaw Poniatowski, Poland’s last king. A guided walk through the Old Town brings you to Starego Miasta Square, lined with Renaissance facades and baroque townhouses. This evening, opt to attend a traditional Polish dinner in a Warsaw restaurant followed by a Chopin recital.
Optional Excursions
Chopin Recital & Dinner $99* pp
This evening, enjoy a private concert recital featuring the music of Frédéric-François Chopin. Born in 1810, Chopin is widely considered the world's best composer for piano, an instrument that featured prominently in his compositions. Tonight, experience Chopin’s genius firsthand as pianists play some of his greatest masterpieces. Then, sample local specialties at one of Warsaw’s finest restaurants during an included dinner.
Extend Your Stay
Add Berlin $439*
Twenty years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, this city pulses with life. The cobbled streets of the German capital date back 750 years; yet a fresh vibrancy pervades the boulevards, the markets, the hundreds of trendy night spots and the thousands of pubs and restaurants. This revitalized Berlin—also known as the "New York City" of Europe—is an essential destination for every traveler.
Berlin3 nights - hotel info
Day15
Kick back and just say “ja, bitte” to all Berlin has to offer
Breakfast, Dinner
Board your train to Berlin, once the gateway to Eastern Europe and now capital of reunified Germany. A Go Ahead representative greets you at the train station and then escorts you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to begin exploring this historic city. Enjoy an included dinner this evening.
Day16
Walk through history, from Checkpoint Charlie to Brandenburg Gate
Breakfast
Pergamon Museum
A local guide leads today’s sightseeing tour. Stop at the infamous Checkpoint Charlie border crossing and see the scant remains of the once-towering Berlin Wall. View the Brandenburg Gate and the Rathaus Schöneberg, where President Kennedy gave his famous “Ich bin ein Berliner” speech. Behold the Reichstag Building, seat of the German Parliament, and the shell-scarred tower of the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church. Then visit the impressive Pergamon Museum, home to the world’s finest collection of Babylonian antiquities. Later this afternoon, join a half-day optional World War II walking tour.
Optional Excursions
World War II Walking Tour $59* pp
Take a walk through history on this insider’s tour of Berlin during World War II, detailing the rise and fall of Hitler and the Third Reich. You’ll start in the Wilhelmstraße area and see the building that once housed the headquarters of Hermann Goering’s Luftwaffe. You'll also view the former headquarters of the infamous SS and Gestapo, the massive Reich Chancellery and the Propaganda Ministry. Finally, stand directly above Hitler’s Führerbunker as your guide details the last days of World War II in Europe. Lunch is included.
Day17
Browse boutiques, marvel at museums, camp out at cafes
Breakfast, Dinner
Enjoy Berlin at your own pace today. Stroll along the glittery Kurfürstendamm, lined with upscale boutiques and inviting cafes. Choose to visit the acclaimed Egyptian Museum or explore the recently restored Potsdamer Platz. Alternatively, join an optional excursion to Potsdam. Here, you’ll visit either the rococo Neues Palais or Cecilienhof Castle, where the Potsdam Conference took place in 1945, reshaping Europe in the wake of World War II.
Must be booked 20 days before departure
Optional Excursions
Potsdam $59* pp
Travel to Potsdam, the residence of Prussian Kings and German Kaisers until 1918. Once the royal playground of Prussian King Frederick the Great, Potsdam was also the location where American, British and Soviet leaders drew up plans for the postwar administration of Germany at the Potsdam Conference in 1945. A local guide will escort you through Cecilienhof Palace, built by Emperor Wilhelm II of Germany in the early 1900s and the site of the Potsdam Conference’s iconic photograph of Truman, Churchill and Stalin. After exploring the palace, your guide will introduce you to the historic center of Potsdam.
About This Experience
Experience Eastern Europe in all of its complexity–from imperial palaces to World War II sites to cool clubs and cafes. Start in the lovely two-sided city of Budapest. Then journey west along the Danube, stopping in the art-inspired village of Szentendre. Continue on to Vienna, unrivaled for its beauty and majesty. Head north to see the castles and cathedrals of Prague. End your journey in Poland, with visits to medieval Krakow and modern Warsaw.
Your Tour Includes
Round-trip airfare & transfers
13 nights in handpicked hotels
Breakfast daily, 5 three-course dinners with beer or wine
Private deluxe motor coach
Multilingual Tour Director
Select entrance fees
Why You'll Love It
Dark coffee & flaky pastries in bohemian cafes
Age-old architecture & modern art
The opulent Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna
Austrian wine & Czech beer
Fairytale castles in Prague & Krakow
The ever-present legacy of World War II history
Overnight Flight1 night
Budapest3 nights - hotel info
Day2
Introducing Budapest—Pearl of the Danube
Breakfast (in flight), Dinner
Welcome to Budapest, a city divided by the Danube River into its old and new sections (Buda and Pest). A Go Ahead representative greets you at the airport after you clear customs and then escorts you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax or begin acquainting yourself with the city. At an included dinner this evening, meet your fellow travelers.
Day3
Explore the city’s highs and lows, from Castle Hill to Heroes Square
Breakfast
Parliament, Matthias Church
This morning’s included tour highlights the major landmarks of both Buda and Pest. Trace the stormy history of this fiercely independent nation on your stop at Heroes Square. Tour the lavishly decorated interior of the Parliament building, modeled after London’s Houses of Parliament. Then cross the Danube and arrive in Buda, where you’ll ascend imposing Castle Hill. The castle has witnessed several invasions, the most recent having occurred during World War II. After taking in the breathtaking views from Fisherman’s Bastion, visit the medieval Matthias Church, once the site of Hapsburg coronations.
Day4
Take a walk behind the Iron Curtain
Breakfast
During your free day in Budapest, continue your personal exploration of the city. You might choose to browse through the shops on Budapest’s sophisticated pedestrian shopping streets, take a short journey outside of the city to the Vadaskert (Game Park) or tour the Jewish Museum. You may also opt to explore Budapest’s communist legacy on our optional excursion, A Walk Behind the Iron Curtain.
Optional Excursions
Budapest: A Walk Behind the Iron Curtain $69* pp
Discover the turbulent, tragic and heroic history of the communist period in Budapest on A Walk Behind the Iron Curtain. The first stop is the Parliament building, starting place of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution, where damage from the Soviet invasion is still visible. Visit the nearby statue of Imre Nagy, Hungary’s Prime Minister during the revolution, who is an enduring symbol of freedom. Liberty Square is just a stroll away, home to the U.S. Embassy, a statue of Ronald Reagan and the only remaining monument to Communist troops. From St. Stephen’s Basilica, take the historical Metro Line 1 up the iconic Andrassy Ave. Stop for an included coffee amidst the the Neo-Renaissance splendor of Book Café, the regular meeting place of the intelligentsia during the Soviet occupation. End the day at the House of Terror, where you will take a guided tour through this chilling museum and moving monument to the victims of communism and fascism in Hungary.
Vienna3 nights - hotel info
Day5
Cruise along the Danube to the artsy outpost of Szentendre
Breakfast, Dinner
Travel west through the Danube basin, stopping in Szentendre en route, for a short journey to Vienna, home of chocolates, cafes, parks and pastries. After hotel check-in, you’ll have time to begin exploring the Austrian capital on your own. Dinner is included this evening.
Day6
Experience delightful, delicious Vienna in all of its imperial majesty
Breakfast
Schönbrunn Palace
This morning join a comprehensive tour of Vienna, led by a local guide. Highlights include views of the Opera House, the majestic monuments of the Ringstrasse and the Hofburg, once the hub of Imperial power. Inside the regal Schönbrunn Palace, where Marie-Antoinette spent her childhood, view the private chambers of the Empress Maria Theresa and the lavishly decorated public rooms. Your afternoon is free for a stroll through the Stadtpark or a horse-drawn carriage ride to St. Stephan’s Cathedral. Tonight, opt to attend our traditional Viennese Heurigen evening. At this optional event, you’ll take a ride on the world-famous Prater Ferris Wheel and dine at a local restaurant, where you’ll enjoy wine made by the people serving your dinner.
Optional Excursions
Traditional Viennese Heurigen Evening $99* pp
After a brief drive, your first stop is Vienna's Prater Ferris Wheel. Take a breezy ride to the top, which offers a one-of-a-kind view of the city. Next, continue to the picturesque village of Grinzing. At a local restaurant, you'll indulge in a festive night of music and food. Dinner will feature dishes typical of traditional Austrian Heurigens, or wine taverns. During your meal, you'll have the chance to try some of the tavern's own locally made wine—the perfect addition to your cozy Old-World setting.
Day7
Eat, drink, shop, play, wander, get lost and get found in Vienna
Breakfast
Spend the day at your leisure. You might wish to take a stroll through Vienna’s pedestrian zone, stopping at the Hotel Sacher for a taste of its world-famous Sachertorte, or view the elegant Lippizzaner horses at the Spanish Riding School. Or, join an optional excursion to historic Bratislava, capital of Slovakia.
Optional Excursions
Bratislava $95* pp
Walk through Bratislava’s Old Town on a guided tour of the Slovakian capital. Stroll along cobblestone streets in the shadow of Brastislavsky Hrad, the hilltop 18th-century castle overlooking the Old Town. Then, tour the famous Hall of Mirrors inside the pink Primates’ Palace, where Napoleon and the Austrian emperor signed the Peace of Pressburg of 1805. Lunch is included. Please note: Depending on the day of the week, you may visit St. Martin's Cathedral instead of the palace.
Prague3 nights - hotel info
Day8
Day9
See the City of 100 Spires, from Hradcany Castle to St. Vitus Cathedral
Breakfast
Hradcany Castle, St. Vitus' Cathedral
On this morning’s guided sightseeing tour, discover why Prague is known as the City of A Hundred Spires. The pinnacles of the city’s churches and palaces create one of Europe’s most majestic skylines. Visit the spectacular Hradcany Castle, from which Charles IV governed the Holy Roman Empire and Vaclav Havel restored democracy. Later, admire the soaring Gothic vaults of St. Vitus Cathedral. During your free time this afternoon, you may choose to wander through the medieval lanes of the Old Town. Discover Wenceslas Square, Prague’s cosmopolitan heart, or cross elegant Charles Bridge and enjoy breathtaking views of the city. Later, opt for an optional walking tour of Prague’s fascinating Jewish Quarter, home to Europe’s oldest synagogue. Lunch is included on this optional excursion.
Optional Excursions
Walking Tour of Prague's Jewish Quarter $79* pp
Follow a local guide on a walking tour of Josefov, Prague’s Jewish Quarter, nestled between the Vltava River and Old Town Square. Discover the Quarter's remains, which survived devastation during World War II and oppression during the Communist era. Afterward, pay a visit to the Jewish Museum of Prague, housed in a collection of former synagogues, one of which displays the names of all the Czechs sent to concentration camps. Along your tour, learn about the Golem myth, a story forever entwined with Prague’s Jewish history. You’ll also see sights once frequented by Franz Kafka, the enigmatic author of The Trial and Metamorphosis, who made his home in Prague. Lunch is included.
Day10
Imagine yourself an exiled French aristocrat at Chateau Sychrov
Breakfast
With a free day in Prague, you might choose to relax at a welcoming sidewalk cafe or take a walk along the riverbanks. In the afternoon, choose to journey into the countryside for an optional excursion to the Château Sychrov for a concert and dinner.
Must be booked 20 days before departure
Optional Excursions
Château Sychrov $139* pp
Visit Château Sychrov, a 17th-century Baroque estate north of Prague. Take a guided tour through the estate, paying special attention to the elaborate carvings along the stairway, in the chapel and in the dining room. Then, tour the gallery of French kings and the château's gardens. Later, attend a private concert of classic Czech music and an included dinner.
Krakow2 nights - hotel info
Day11
Day12
Wander within the ancient walls of Wawel Hill and Old Town Krakow
Breakfast
Wawel Cathedral
Today’s guided sightseeing tour of Kraków introduces you to Wawel Hill, perched high above the Vistula River. Visit Wawel Cathedral, where Polish kings were crowned. Pope John Paul II once served as archbishop here. Stroll through Glowny Square, passing beautiful Sukiennice Cloth Hall and the Jagiellonian University. This afternoon, opt to visit the former concentration camp of Auschwitz.
Optional Excursions
Auschwitz $39* pp
This tour takes you to some of the most chilling sites in Europe: the concentration camps at Auschwitz and Birkenau. More than 4 million people were systematically exterminated in these camps by the Third Reich during World War II. Liberated by the Red Army in 1945, Auschwitz has been turned into a poignant memorial to the victims of the Holocaust. Take a guided tour which includes views of chambers and prisoner buildings. Afterward, drive to nearby Birkenau, the second portion of the larger Auschwitz concentration camp complex. Embark on a guided tour before returning to Kraków.
Warsaw2 nights - hotel info
Day13
Day14
Admire Polish perseverance in the revived capital
Breakfast
A local guide leads a fascinating sightseeing tour of Warsaw, a city all but destroyed during World War II but painstakingly rebuilt since 1944. At Lazienki Park, behold the Chopin monument and the palace of Stanislaw Poniatowski, Poland’s last king. A guided walk through the Old Town brings you to Starego Miasta Square, lined with Renaissance facades and baroque townhouses. This evening, opt to attend a traditional Polish dinner in a Warsaw restaurant followed by a Chopin recital.
Optional Excursions
Chopin Recital & Dinner $99* pp
This evening, enjoy a private concert recital featuring the music of Frédéric-François Chopin. Born in 1810, Chopin is widely considered the world's best composer for piano, an instrument that featured prominently in his compositions. Tonight, experience Chopin’s genius firsthand as pianists play some of his greatest masterpieces. Then, sample local specialties at one of Warsaw’s finest restaurants during an included dinner.
Extend Your Stay
Add Berlin $399*
Twenty years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, this city pulses with life. The cobbled streets of the German capital date back 750 years; yet a fresh vibrancy pervades the boulevards, the markets, the hundreds of trendy night spots and the thousands of pubs and restaurants. This revitalized Berlin—also known as the "New York City" of Europe—is an essential destination for every traveler.
Berlin3 nights - hotel info
Day15
Kick back and just say “ja, bitte” to all Berlin has to offer
Breakfast
Board your train to Berlin, once the gateway to Eastern Europe and now capital of reunified Germany. A Go Ahead representative greets you at the train station and then escorts you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to begin exploring this historic city.
Day16
Walk through history, from Checkpoint Charlie to Brandenburg Gate
Breakfast
Pergamon Museum
A local guide leads today’s sightseeing tour. Stop at the infamous Checkpoint Charlie border crossing and see the scant remains of the once-towering Berlin Wall. View the Brandenburg Gate and the Rathaus Schöneberg, where President Kennedy gave his famous “Ich bin ein Berliner” speech. Behold the Reichstag Building, seat of the German Parliament, and the shell-scarred tower of the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church. Then visit the impressive Pergamon Museum, home to the world’s finest collection of Babylonian antiquities. Later this afternoon, join a half-day optional World War II walking tour.
Optional Excursions
World War II Walking Tour $59* pp
Take a walk through history on this insider’s tour of Berlin during World War II, detailing the rise and fall of Hitler and the Third Reich. You’ll start in the Wilhelmstraße area and see the building that once housed the headquarters of Hermann Goering’s Luftwaffe. You'll also view the former headquarters of the infamous SS and Gestapo, the massive Reich Chancellery and the Propaganda Ministry. Finally, stand directly above Hitler’s Führerbunker as your guide details the last days of World War II in Europe. Lunch is included.
Day17
Browse boutiques, marvel at museums, camp out at cafes
Breakfast
Enjoy Berlin at your own pace today. Stroll along the glittery Kurfürstendamm, lined with upscale boutiques and inviting cafes. Choose to visit the acclaimed Egyptian Museum or explore the recently restored Potsdamer Platz. Alternatively, join our half-day optional excursion to Potsdam. Here, you’ll visit either the rococo Neues Palais or Cecilienhof Castle, where the Potsdam Conference took place in 1945, reshaping Europe in the wake of World War II.
Must be booked 20 days before departure
Optional Excursions
Potsdam $59* pp
Travel to Potsdam, the residence of Prussian Kings and German Kaisers until 1918. Once the royal playground of Prussian King Frederick the Great, Potsdam was also the location where American, British and Soviet leaders drew up plans for the postwar administration of Germany at the Potsdam Conference in 1945. A local guide will escort you through Cecilienhof Palace, built by Emperor Wilhelm II of Germany in the early 1900s and the site of the Potsdam Conference’s iconic photograph of Truman, Churchill and Stalin. After exploring the palace, your guide will introduce you to the historic center of Potsdam.
Passport & Visa
This tour includes the following countries: Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary and Germany (on the extension). In order to enter these countries, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport. The expiration date must extend at least six months beyond the date of your return home. No visa is required for U.S. or Canadian citizens. If you’re not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.
Health
There are no major health risks associated with traveling to Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary or Germany. Be sure to check with your doctor or health care provider for the latest updates and overseas travel requirements.
Transportation / Walking on tour
Round-trip flights arrive in Budapest and depart from Warsaw. Included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach (and by train on the extension to Berlin). In your free time, you may wish to explore the cities by public transportation. Budapest has an all-inclusive transportation system, with links between the metro, “green trains,” yellow trams and red trolley buses. Purchase tickets from newspaper stands, vending machines or metro entrances. Vienna has a similar system and is even more efficient. You can purchase tickets in singles or in bulk for S-bahn (above ground), Ubahn (underground), tram and bus lines. The waiting time for trains and subways is usually no more than five to 10 minutes. Prague, Warsaw and Kraków are all well-served by trams, local buses and taxis, if you need to explore beyond the main attractions. Otherwise, they’re best accessed on foot. In Berlin, an extensive system of S-bahn, Ubahn, tram, train and bus lines serve every corner of the city. One ticket covers all types of transportation.
Clothing & Packing Tips
To ensure you’re comfortable while out exploring, we recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered. For sightseeing, we suggest bringing a sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers, as well as a lightweight sports jacket or rainwear. If you’re planning a visit to a high-end restaurant or performance, you may also want to bring dressier attire. Also, please remember that it’s preferable to avoid showing bare legs or shoulders during visits to churches or other religious sites (entrance may be denied on this basis).
Baggage Allowance
Airlines have varying weight restrictions on luggage. Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage. Please contact your airline or refer to its website for detailed information regarding your airline’s checked baggage policies. Bear in mind that your luggage will probably weigh more on your return trip due to souvenir shopping. We allow only one suitcase per person. One carry-on bag is also permitted, provided that it does not exceed 45 inches (length + width + height). There may be times when you will have to handle your own bags, and you’ll find that lightweight luggage provides a distinct advantage. Make sure you label your baggage and carry valuables, medication and documents in your carry-on luggage.
Cuisine
In Austria, thick soups of paprika and onion, veal, beef and venison with cranberries are popular, as is the renowned Wiener Schnitzel. Fish lovers will find excellent wild trout, carp and crayfish. But perhaps the most memorable aspect of Austrian cuisine are the desserts—strudels made with all kinds of fruit and nuts, soufflés and elegant chocolate cakes, such as the world-famous Sachertorte. Hungary boasts goulash as its national dish, but also is known for its excellent salamis, cheeses, nut-flavored pancakes, freshwater fish and preserved fruits. Czech food is hearty, and you’ll find large portions of veal, beef and potato dishes. Some of the world’s finest beers are produced here, including the original Budweiser and Pils. German food is hearty and substantial. Among the specialties are rich dumpling stews and sauerkraut cabbage, tasty thick sausages and smoked cheeses, dark breads and tempting chocolate cakes. Germany also produces some of the world’s finest and purest beers, while white German wines are exceptionally good.
Currency
The euro (in Austria, as well as Germany on extension), Polish zloty, Czech crown and Hungarian forint are the currencies you’ll be using on your tour. Better rates of exchange are usually available in your destination countries, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive. We advise that you take credit cards and ATM/bank cards. All are widely accepted in the major cities, with some exceptions. We suggest that you inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans, so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
Tipping
At the conclusion of your tour, it is customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity. We recommend tipping in your tour country’s currency, the equivalent of $3USD/CAD per person per day for your driver and $6USD/CAD to $9USD/ CAD per person per day for your Tour Director. If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD/CAD per local guide. Tips can only be paid in cash. Please keep current local currency exchange rates in mind when tipping.
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A Brush With History
This trip was unbelievably educational and enjoyable, if not a bit too rigorous. There was plenty to see and do and Paul, our tour director, provided even more opportunities. Budapest, Vienna, Krakow and Warsaw were highlights for us with Prague being a bit "oversold." Fortunately and unfortunately we signed up for all of the optionals and participated in the additional ones Paul suggested. While this made for a jam-packed trip, it was a bit exhausting due to the amount of walking involved. Among the best highlights for us are always the fellow Go Ahead travelers. We met and enjoyed drinks and dinners with very interesting, fun people - you know you are!! Another highlight was the deep understanding we gained of the WWII and Communist eras in these countries and people suffered through. This will remain in our memory for sure. We also were surprised and delighted by the concerts we attended - the musicians were top notch and we could not resist purchasing their CDs - a great way to preserve the memory. Paul was an excellent tour director with a vast amount of knowledge of each of the areas as well as adding his own experiences living under the Communist regime. With the exception of Krakow, the hotels were comfortable, safe and conveniently located. On the flip side the long bus trip from Prague to Krakow should be replaced by a rail trip. Why not? European rail travel is reasonable and readily available. Another improvement would be the included group dinners. The food was mediocre at best and extremely SALTY. Not being used to that diet, we had adverse effects about three quarters of the way through the 2-week trip. Even food in local restaurants seemed to have been over-seasoned with salt. Be warned. Finally, while Vienna and Budapest back to back presented a nice portrait of the Hapsburgs, that bit of history distracted from the WWII and Communist themes. Vienna is a destination on many Go Ahead trips. In our opinion it should be dropped in favor of an additional two days in Warsaw - a city that was surprisingly interesting despite its newness. And the people there were welcoming and very friendly with much more to do there than time allowed. We love Go Ahead and recommend it highly, but we will be looking at optionals with a more experienced eye on our next (8th) trip.
Great Trip Through Eastern Europe
Great tour director (Paul), wonderful driver (Pawel), comfortable bus, nice-sized group (26, with 18 taking the Berlin extension), experienced local guides (except for Budapest), well-located hotels, and enjoyable extras made this trip everything we hoped it would be. We got to see more of Eastern Europe than most tours, and we took advantage of our free time to attend an opera performance in Vienna and a wonderful concert in Prague. Our tour director had good suggestions for places to visit and places to eat in each city. We enjoyed the private Chopin piano concert in Warsaw and the World War II Walk in Berlin. Luckily, the weather cooperated, and we only had one day of rain - our last day in Berlin. We will most certainly go on a future Go Ahead tour.
Awesome
I would like to start out to say that this tour focuses on the Jewish history, however I loved it. Finding out the history behind and learning new things I didn't learn in school about these countries is what I went on this tour for. It is a lot of walking and the terrain is not always the best but I had no problem. Just make sure to bring good walking shoes. My tour director ( Paul) was amazing. He has great knowledge about the former communist countries we attended because he lived through it. I met so many amazing people on this tour. Thank you for this option. I will definitely be traveling through you again.
Highlights of Eastern Europe
overall the trip was wonderful. But as with most trips there are highs and lows. The cities we visited are beautiful and the people were fantastic. My biggest highlight was being able to see the Royal Lipizzans preform in Vienna. Perhaps this could be an option that Go Ahead could look into. It was expensive but well worth the price. Prague simply takes your breath away. The time in Poland was to short. I would love to have had one more day in Warsaw, just for the food and beer.
Food
The food,dinners, when we arrived at the new city was terrible. Each meal was pork. Even when we were in the Jewish Ouarter in Warsaw, they served pork! Would like to have had food from the region- Poland -perogies etc. Americans do not want to just eat "Americn "food when trveling abroad.
Eastern Europe
Paul was a great tour guide! His personal stories enhanced this tour.
Highlights of Easten Europe
My wife and I just returned from our trip. It was wonderful in many ways, and it met our expectations to a great degree. We really enjoyed the people in our group.
Superb in every way !!!
Our Highlights of Eastern Europe tour 9-29-12 to 10-13-12 was fantastic !! Paul (tour director) was phenomenal in every way. We really liked his knowledge, personality, and top notch professionalism. The tour was so well planned. We really liked the idea of several nights in the same hotel, a "together" dinner close to the hotel the night of arrival in a city, and especially the "city overview tour" first thing in each city followed by optional tours events etc. and free time. This gave everyone time to get acquainted with the city, gain confidence and then go off on our own at our own pace. Paul was always available to provide advice on various points of interest and we really loved the extra events he planned along the way. The evening dinner cruise in Budapest was wonderful, even in the rain which actually made it unique. Every detail was planned well even including the "rest or technical" stops on the bus travel days. The hotels were better than we expected, extra clean, comfortable and modern. We would highly recommend this tour.
Keep records while gaining an insight to history.
Recommend that those taking this very educational tour maintain a journal or at least have a notebook and pen to keep track of: Value of the 5 currencies (to USA money) Significant info given by tour director Necessary details (ATM locations, meeting places after general tours, etc) Questions one thinks of when tour guide or other informed local guide isn't there Key historical locations (palaces, churches, etc.) in each visited city What the main foods of each country are, and what they consist of Which locations one can drink the tap water; which has best wine, beer, etc. More specific details for those who want to remember if the architectural style is baroque,rocco, new Renaissance, etc.
Things to consider
I have been on several GAT and had found each to be very exciting and worth the trip. However, after returning home and reflecting on this tour, I have had a little change in opinion from what I had initially stated in my opinion sheet. It seems that, though the trip has been on the offered list for some time, it is a package where it appears you have tried to make it interesting with optionals and side trips. There are 9 and 5 hour bus rides, stops at locations like Szentendre and Esztergom to break up the drive and hopefully make it interesting. It was a very strenuous trip -- a lot of walking and on cobblestone. Many of the members on tour were commenting on the quantity of walking required. Though the pace of travel was rated as a 3, this is very deceiving in that the tour is very physically challenging. In fact, I had called in prior to my departure to verify the amount of walking and was told that the hardest part was the walking thru the Jewish quarters. It turned out that part was much easier than the others. For some reason, I came back with the majority of my memories being the change in the culture from the time of the Nazi occcupation, thru Russian rule, and now with some form of democracy, old architecture and an emphasis on the struggles of the Jewish people. I could only recommenf this tour to those who are interested mainly in the struggles of the Jewish people and to visit the center of classical music.
