Croatian & Eastern Delights - 14 Days

Welcome to Munich! Meet up with your tour leader in the morning at the hotel before heading out on an orientation tour of the city. Munich as a city exhibits both prosperity and a certain amount of comfort and cosiness. Munich’s apparent contradictions will delight the avid explorer. Along with modern high-powered industry, designer shopping districts and sleek BMWs, you’ll find a wealth of cultural hotspots in Munich. Even with all its smart sophistication, Munich has a certain charm that visitors find irresistible. Tonight, join your tour leader and fellow travellers at a traditional German beer hall to get a taste of German culture and cuisine. Prost!

Heading for the Slovenian capital, stop in Salzburg, Austria, on the way. Featuring gorgeous architecture, a formidable cliff-top fortress and imposing cliffs in the distance, visiting Salzburg feels like stepping into a fairy tale! This was also Mozart’s hometown – see if a little of the genius rubs off! Next, stop at Lake Bled in Slovenia for a photo stop. Admire the views of Bled Island, medieval Bled Castle and the Julain Alps! On arrival in Ljubljana, embark on a walking tour of this gem of a city. Despite its small size, you’re sure to be entranced by the beauty of Ljubljana, which features a wealth of cultures, activities and sights. Ljubljana Castle overlooks the city, and dates back many centuries.

Today, you will be treated to some of the most picturesque natural landscapes in the whole of Europe! It’s time to visit the world-famous Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia. Stroll along the boardwalks and marvel at the incredible natural scenery of Croatia’s largest national park. Filled with waterfalls, lush vegetation and countless lakes, this is one of the most beautiful stops on the tour, so keep your cameras handy! Once you’ve got an eyeful, and a camera full of shots, the tour will head to the hotel in a beach resort near Split, for an included dinner and relaxing evening.

Today the tour travels on to Dubrovnik. On the way, enjoy a visit to Split on the Dalmatian coast. Here, stroll around the historic old town and see the sprawling Diocletian’s Palace complex. Later, arrive in Dubrovnik and set off on a guided tour of the city with an expert local guide. Become acquainted with this stunning walled city, which has a maritime history dating back to the Middle Ages. Dubrovnik is a tapestry of spectacular architecture - including churches, monasteries, fountains and museums. Learn about the city’s history, stroll the marble streets, take a walk along the ancient city walls or try one of the many charming restaurants. Get an idea of what you’d like to explore on the free day tomorrow!

Explore Dubrovnik further today. With most of the main attractions located within the city walls in the ‘old town’, it is very easy to plan your day and navigate the streets. Want the best views of the ‘old town’ and islands? Catch the cable car to the top of Mount Srd! It is highly recommended for a scenic sunset photo or two. For those who really want to explore further afield, choose our optional excursion to Montenegro. Take a full day to experience one of Europe’s lesser-visited gems. Discover the natural beauty and rich history as we drive through charming countryside to the UNESCO Heritage-listed town of Kotor. This day trip also includes photo stops at Verige and Perast, and a stop at the picturesque coastal town of Budva.

Leaving Dubrovnik behind, travel onwards to Sarajevo, stopping on the way in the enchanting Balkan town of Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Mostar is a beautiful and historical destination, which offers a splattering of numerous religious buildings and churches, and a vast collection of Roman, Greek, Croatian and Ottoman influences. Sarajevo is the capital city of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and has returned from the brink of destruction in the 90s, becoming famed for its East-meets-West atmosphere. Learn all about the city’s troubled past in a walking tour of this fascinating city later today.

Saying goodbye to Sarajevo, the tour makes its way to Belgrade, capital of Serbia. Enjoy a tour of the city with a local guide, who will introduce the group to the city's highlights, including Republic Square, Kalemegdan park and Belgrade fortress. A fascinating place, Belgrade radiates gritty exuberance in its many architectural contrasts with socialist blocks set amongst more grandiose buildings. After the walking tour, sit down for an included dinner before enjoying some free time to explore the city.

Travel to Hungary today, and make a stop at a farm in the traditional homeland of the Hungarian horse lords. Watch a traditional horse show where the locals demonstrate their equestrian skills. Here, choose to try delicious Hungarian goulash, a rich and hearty beef stew, at an optional lunch hosted by the farm. Next, travel onwards to Budapest. With a mix of natural beauty and art nouveau architecture, this is a city to behold! Embark on an evening driving tour to get an overview of the city. Travel across the mighty Danube and make a stop at the Fisherman’s Bastion for spectacular views across the river to the Parliament Building and St Stephen’s basilica. Take note of all the spots to revisit tomorrow on your free day!

With traces of the past evident in the interesting and unusual details, this is your chance to get up close and personal with Budapest. Look out for remnants of the conflicts of WWII and the uprising of 1956, try Hungarian cuisine (there is so much more to it than just goulash!), sample world-renowned wines, and soak your weary rambler’s bones in one of the city’s bath-houses. Budapest has been a famed “spa town” since Roman times, with some 123 thermal and 400 mineral springs from 14 different sources running through the city. Tonight, enjoy the city at dusk with an optional evening cruise along the Danube.

The grandeur of Vienna is calling today! Along the way, stop off in Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. Embark on an orientation tour with your tour leader to see some of the main sights, including a photo stop at Bratislava Castle, which overlooks the city. On arrival in Vienna, take a driving tour of the city. Vienna boasts cultural and historical splendour while maintaining a profile as an exciting, modern city! Along with a musical past that includes luminaries like Mozart, Beethoven and Brahms, and artworks by masters like Klimt, Schiele and Kokoschka, Vienna has a buzzing modern culinary scene, and vibrant live music venues. Look forward to dinner in a special location tonight during a group meal in a Viennese wine cellar.

Today it’s time to travel to the Czech Republic. En route, the group will learn about a dark chapter of Europe’s history during a visit to Mauthausen concentration camp. Afterwards, travels onwards to Český Krumlov in the Czech Republic for a comfort stop. This picturesque city is blessed with a spectacular castle and a wealth of Renaissance and Baroque architecture. Arrive in Prague later today and take a guided walking tour of the city. Famous for its art, architecture, cobbled lanes and ancient chapels, this city is also home to some of Europe’s finest beer. See highlights such as the ‘Old Town’, Primatial Palace, Slovak National Theatre and the Main Square. For dinner, experience authentic Czech cuisine at a local restaurant on your first night in Prague.

Today, take the time to explore Prague, perhaps revisiting some of the sights from yesterday’s walking tour. Walk across Charles Bridge, leave your mark on the John Lennon wall, sample the local cuisine (including the much-lauded and hugely varied beers), visit art galleries, admire the weird and witty sculptures that adorn the city’s public spaces, and marvel at the soaring gothic and baroque architecture. The Prague+ excursion is a great way to get to know the city - visit top attractions including Prague Castle and the Malá Strana neighbourhood, and enjoy a lunch cruise along the Vltava River. For an exciting night filled with great food and entertainment, join the Traditional Czech Folk Music & Dance evening optional!

On the way back to Munich, make a comfort stop in Nuremberg. Bavaria’s second-largest city, Nuremberg is home to incredible architecture, most of which has been painstakingly restored using original stone after the bombings of the Second World War. Tonight is the last night of the tour and the group is back in Munich with the evening free for you to enjoy as you see fit. Relax in your hotel, get together with your new-found friends from the tour for a farewell dinner, or maybe revisit one of the beer halls for a memorable final evening in Germany!

After two weeks spent seeing incredible destinations in Croatia and several eastern European countries, the tour concludes today after breakfast. Don’t forget to swap details with your fellow travellers before your onward journey home!