Germany and Eastern Europe

Day 1 FRANKFURT

Upon your arrival to Frankfurt, your assistant will meet your group and help guide you to your hotel. The remainder of the day will be at your leisure to relax and explore Frankfurt on your own.

Day 2 FRANKFURT

After breakfast you will enjoy a half day tour of Frankfurt which includes the most interesting sites of the “European financial capital,” the seat of the European Central Bank. This city on the banks of the Main river it’s often called “Mainhattan” because of its ultra-modern skyscrapers. During your tour you will admire the Römerplatz square with its Old City Hall and the Gothic Church of St. Bartholomew with its imposing tower. You will pass the famous Opera building destroyed in the World War II and reopened in the post-war period, as well as the birthplace of the famous German writer Goethe. Finally, you will admire the Sachsenhausen neighborhood with its main boulevard – Schweizer Strasse – where are located the typical taverns and restaurants. Your afternoon and evening will be free for your leisure.

Day 3 FRANKFURT – KOLBENZ – NEUWIED – COLOGNE

After your breakfast you will depart to Cologne, passing by Koblenz and Neuwied. During your tour you will admire the beautiful Rhine river valley, a region of vineyards and small medieval towns. The city of Koblenz is located at the junction of two major rivers, the Rhine and Moselle. This location is known as “Deutsches Eck” and it is flagged by an imposing monument of the Emperor Wilhelm, listed by UNESCO. After a brief tour of the historical center, you will have free time for your leisure and lunch. In the afternoon you will continue to Neuwied, where you will enjoy the boat trip on the river Rhine, which beauty was discovered by many writers, poets and painters reviving ancient legends and myths of Lorelei, the Nibelungs, among others. Your evening will be at your leisure to relax and explore Cologne. You will overnight at a hotel in Cologne.

Day 4 COLOGNE – DORTMUND – HANNOVER

The highlight of this day will be a half day tour of Cologne, which is often called the “City of Churches.” You will enjoy its historical center with narrow streets and medieval houses, Romanesque churches and monasteries and as well the famous Cathedral dated back to the XIV century, with its towers of 157 meters height, considered the largest church in Germany. Later, you will admire the former Town Hall and the seat of the Philharmonic Orchestra, among others. In the afternoon you will continue to Dortmund, during your sightseeing tour you will admire the old city center, like: the Protestant Church of St. Peter of XIV century, which preserves an important and famous work of art from the year 152, called “Golden Miracle of Dortmund”, a set of 30 reliefs and 633 oak carved figures, representing the Passion of Christ. After the lunch you will continue to Hannnover, where you will overnight at a hotel. The evening will be completely free for you leisure.

Day 5 HANNOVER – GOSLAR – BERLIN

This day you will have breakfast in Hannover before departing for a tour in Goslar. Goslar is the typical small medieval town in the Harz Mountains, also known by the cruel witch trials in the past. You will have free time to stroll around the city center, with its typical wooden houses. The mining history of the city is remembered every day by a presentation of its astronomical clock. After the lunch you will continue to Berlin. The evening will be free for your leisure.

Day 6 BERLIN

After breakfast you will enjoy the first half of the day on a sightseeing tour of the capital city Berlin. The tour will highlight both East and West Berlin with points of interest including: the public squares Alexander Platz square and Potsdamer Platz; the Brandenburg Gate, known as the symbol of the city since 1999; the Reichsta, a historical edifice housing the new seat of German parliament; Unter den Linden, a majestic boulevard between two carriageways lined with trees and a pedestrian mall sure to be admired; the palaces of the Opera and the University; the remains of the Berlin Wall; and finally you will pass the Checkpoint Charlie, which was the former border between East and West Berlin. The afternoon and evening will be free for your leisure. You will stay overnight in Berlin. Optional activity: Tour to Potsdam, a college town and tourist resort located between lakes and rivers, 30 km from Berlin. Potsdam is home to many magnificent palaces, none more famous than Cecilienhof Palace, where the Potsdam Conference took place in 1945, which resulted in the division of postwar Germany. During your sightseeing tour you will enjoy a walk through the marvelous gardens of Sanssouci Palace, which belonged to the king Frederick William IV. You will also see famous sights like the New Palace, the Palace New Chambers, the Historic Windmill, the Charlottenhof Palace, the Roman Baths, the Orangery Palace and more. On the way back to Berlin, you will pass by the Dutch and Russian Quarter with its typical summer residences.

Day 7 BERLIN – WARSZAW

After the breakfast you will depart from Berlin to Warsaw. The evening will be free for your leisure.

Day 8 WARSZAW

After breakfast you will enjoy a half day tour of Warsaw, the capital of Poland. On your tour of the historic center you will find a place largely destroyed during the bombings of World War II then rebuilt in the postwar years. You will admire the Palace of Science and Culture, the city symbol of the communist era and the Lazienki Park’s grand monument to Chopin, the famous Polish composer. The tour continues along the Royal Road, flanked by palaces and churches such as the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist and the Church of the Holy Cross, the Royal Palace and the Market Square. Your afternoon and evening will be at your leisure to relax and explore Warsaw on your own.

Day 9 WARSZAW – NEPOKALANOW – CZESTOCHOWA – KRAKOW

Breakfast, departure to Krakow passing through Niepokalanow and Czestochowa. The minority of the Niepokalanow convent was founded in the year 20 of the last century, by Father Maximiliano Kolbe, who was executed in Auschwitz by the Nazis for helping thousands of people escape from Nazi persecution during World War II. After the brief visit It will continue to Czestochowa, considered the spiritual capital of Poland. Let’s go to visit the monastery of Jasna Gora, where the image of Our Lady is preserved Lady of Czestochowa, a painting of the “Black Madonna”, according to the legends made by Saint Luke on the wood of a table used by the Holy Family. In the afternoon arrival in Krakow, hotel accommodation.

Day 10 KRAKOW – LAGIEWNIKI – KRAKOW

Breakfast and departure for the panoramic visit, which start at Wawel Hill, visiting the Castle and the Cathedral itself first name. Then, in the Rynek Glowny Square we will see the churches of the Virgin Mary and San Wojciech, the Town Hall Tower and the old textile market. Near Rynek Glowny Square, the old Jewish Quarter and the University of Krakow, where Copernicus and John Paul II studied. Free time to have lunch. In the afternoon we went to visit the Sanctuary of the Divine Mercy in Lagiewniki, an important destination of pilgrimage. Return to Krakow and free time in the afternoon.

Day 11 KRAKOW – AUSCHWITZ – WADOWICE – KRAKOW

Breakfast, departure to the old concentration camp Auschwitz – Birkenau, which is the sad testimony of the horrors of World War II. The largest Nazi extermination camp It was founded in 1942 initially as a prison for political prisoners Polish After the field visit we will continue to Wadowice, the city Birth of Pope John Paul II, a small town surrounded by mountains. Here We can see the birthplace of the Pope and visit the Church of the Virgin Mary, where the Little Karol Wojtyla was baptized. Free time to have lunch. In the afternoon return to Krakow.

Day 12 KRAKOW – WIELICZKA – PRAGUE

Breakfast, departure towards Prague with the visit to the salt mines in Wieliczka, known as the Cathedral of Sal, registered in the Unesco list, we will know the famous salt mine of Wielicka, the chapel where cults, concerts, weddings and a exposition. The famous salt mine of Wiezlicka, is a true labyrinth underground tunnels, passages, stairs, lakes, splendid halls and chapels. Throughout the centuries miners have carved many statues and even a chapel with the altar and all the biblical images – all of salt, we will descend on foot 800 steps that lead us to the depths, a fascinating experience. The Mine air is harnessed for medical treatment of problems respiratory Next, departure to Prague, Czech Republic.

Day 13 PRAGUE

Breakfast, panoramic visit. Let’s start at the Castle of Prague, the largest castle in the world, visiting its gardens and the cathedral of San Vito Passing through the Plaza del Barrio del Castillo we arrive at the neighborhood of the Small Town walking along Nerudova Street, and through the Church of Ours Lady of Victory, where is the miraculous image of the Child Jesus of Prague After visiting this important sanctuary we will cross the Bridge of Carlos, which is a Gothic bridge decorated with 30 baroque statues of saints Catholics The tour ends at the Old Town Square, just in front of the Astronomical clock. Afternoon and evening. Optional activity: At night we suggest see the spectacle of the Black Theater of Prague. Black Theater, the phenomenon emerged in Prague during the days of communism, when the Czechs had no right to the free expression of their opinions and ideas. Thus a new form was created dramatic in which fantasy overcomes reality.

Day 14 PRAGUE – ČESKÝ KRUMLOV – VIENNA

After the breakfast you will depart to Český Krumlov city, which was the former residence of noble families of Rozemberk, Eggenberk and Schwarzenberg. Český Krumlov is a picturesque medieval town located on a valley of the Vltava River, which historic center is included on the UNESCO list. During your sightseeing tour you will admire the castle of Český Krumlov and its gardens and theatre, the old town with its unique historical center in Renaissance style and its unforgeteble atmosphere. Do not forget to taste the original Budweiser beer or Eggenberg dark beer produced in this city. You can also visit the Cultural Center of Egon Schiele, the famous expressionist painter. After the lunch we will continue to Viena, the former capital of Holy Roman – German Empire.

Day 15 VIENNA

After the breakfast you will discover Viena highlights during you sightseeing tour. Passing through the famous Ringstrasse, you will admire the magnificent monuments built in the second half of the nineteenth century, as the State Opera, the Burgtheater, Biology and History Museum, among others. You will explore the Hofburg, the former residence of the royal court, and St. Stephen’s Square with the Gothic cathedral of the same name, which is the most important church in Vienna. The afternoon and evening will be free for your leisure. Optional Activity: At night you can enjoy the concert of the classical music. The program consists of the most famous waltz and operetta melodies by Johann Strauss and Franz Lehár and arias from operas of Mozart.

Day 16 VIENNA – BUDAPEST

fter the breakfast you will depart from Vienna to Budapest. The highlight of this day will be a half day tour of Budapest .You will enjoy the city divided by the Danube river into two parts: “Buddha”, where the old part of the city is situated and filled with the residences of high society and embassies; and “Pest” the commercial and administrative center. During the tour you will admire the Heroes Square with the Millennium Memorial, Szechenyi Park and the Andrássy Avenue. Later you will discover the Buda Castle, with the Cathedral of St. Matthew and the Fishermen’s Bastion, from where you can admire the panoramic city views. The tour finishes on Vaci Street, the most popular shopping street of Budapest. The evening will be free for your leisure. Optional Activity: Illuminations of Budapest. This tour includes a champagne cruise on the Danube River and a visit to Mount of St. Gerard, with its fortress and panoramic view of illuminated Budapest.

Day 17 BUDAPEST

Breakfast, transfer from Vienna to Budapest. Arrival at hotel and accommodation. In the afternoon walk. Let’s look at Buda and Pest, the two previous parts of the city. We visited the Heroes’ Square with the Millennium Memorial Park and continue through Szecheny Avenue Andrássy. We will get to Buda Castle, with the Cathedral of San Mateo and the Bastion of the Fishermen, from where you can make the best photos of the city. The tour ends at Vaci Street, the most popular shopping street in Budapest Afternoon and free night. Optional activity: Lights of Budapest. It is suggested, a romantic cruise on the Danube with a glass of champagne included, We will also visit the Monte de San Gerardo from where a view opens up Wonderful of the illuminated city.

Day 18 BUDAPEST – ORIGIN

After breakfast you will be transferred to the BUDAPEST airport for your return flight. End of our services.

FRANKFURT

4 */2 nights / Leonardo Frankfurt City or similar

COLOGNE

4 */1 night / Leonardo Hotel Koln, BW Premier Hotel Park Consul or similar

HANNOVER

4*/1 night / Inter City Hotel Hannover, Mercure Hotel Hannover City or similar

BERLIN

4 */2 nights / Hotel Berlin Berlin, Park Inn Alexander Platz or similar

WARSZAW

4 */2 nights / Hotel Radisson Blu Sobieski or similar

KRAKOW

4 */3 nights /Hotel Crown Piast, Novotel Centrum or similar

PRAGUE

4 */2 nights, NH Prague, International or similar

VIENNA

4 */2 nights / Park Hotel Schonbrunn, Moods or similar

BUDAPEST

4*/2 nights / BW Hungaria, Novotel City or similar