16 Day Capitals of Central Europe Tour

DAY 1 - Overnight Flight to Europe.
The Trip Documents will provide guidance for airport check-in. Relax on your transatlantic flight with the assurance that Image Tours has taken care of all the details.

DAY 2 - GERMANY . . Arrival at Frankfurt Airport - Eisenach.
Upon arrival, clear passport control and collect your luggage. Refer to the “Arrival Instructions” in the Trip Documents for directions on where and when to meet your tour manager. Transfer to your hotel in Eisenach, situated in the Thuringian Forest. Eisenach is best known as the site of Wartburg Castle, where Martin Luther hid upon his return from the Diet of Worms in 1521 and completed his German translation of the New Testament. Adding to its renown, it is also the birthplace of Johann Sebastian Bach. The hotel hosts a “Welcome to Europe” dinner this evening. (Dinner)

DAY 3 - GERMANY . . Leipzig - Wittenberg - Berlin.
After breakfast at the hotel, travel to Leipzig, birthplace of Richard Wagner and the home of Johann Sebastian Bach from 1723 until his death in 1750. Following an introduction to the city by your tour manager, you may wish to visit the Thomaskirche, where J. S. Bach is buried. The New Town Hall, on the Burgplatz, is the site of the old citadel where Martin Luther delivered his momentous speech in 1519. After an independent lunch, board the motor coach and make your way to Wittenberg. It is here that Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the All Saints' Church (aka Schlosskirche), beginning the Protestant Reformation. Continue to the vibrant German capital of Berlin, where you will arrive at your hotel in time for dinner. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 4 - GERMANY . . Berlin.
Start your day in Berlin with an informative sightseeing tour. The tour features such landmarks as the Reichstag Building, Brandenburg Gate and the site of Checkpoint Charlie. The focal point of the city's famous Kurfürstendamm Avenue, affectionately called Ku’damm, is the bombed tower of the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, a reminder of World War II. The rest of the day is for personal interests, allowing time to visit one of Berlin’s outstanding museums. Dinner is independent tonight, providing the opportunity to enjoy Berlin’s world-class restaurants. (Breakfast)

DAY 5 - GERMANY . . Dresden & POLAND . . Legnica.
Depart Berlin for Dresden, situated on the River Elbe. An orientation tour will provide insight into the city’s history as a residence to royals, a leading European center of art and culture, and a military garrison. Dresden was nearly destroyed during bombing raids in February of 1945. Although large areas of the city were reconstructed in a socialist modern style, many important and historic buildings have been rebuilt in their original design, including the Semper Opera House, the Zwinger Palace and, as recently as 2005, the Dresden Frauenkirche. In the late afternoon, depart Dresden and continue into Poland. You will have dinner at the hotel in Legnica. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 6 - POLAND . . Krakow.
A morning drive brings you to Krakow, known as the leading scientific, cultural and artistic center of Poland. You will arrive and check in to your Krakow hotel just after lunch, leaving the afternoon available to begin your visit with independent sightseeing and dinner. Or for a unique experience, join your tour manager on the optional Krakow Salt Mines & Dinner excursion. (Breakfast)

DAY 7 - POLAND . . Krakow.
During an informative city tour this morning, a local guide points out such sites as the beautiful Market Square, Jagiellonian University and Wawel Castle. Use the afternoon to discover the interesting museums, art galleries, churches, cafés and shops in Krakow’s Old Town. Another choice for your afternoon is to accompany your tour manager on the optional Auschwitz-Birkenau excursion. Return to your Krakow hotel for dinner. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 8 - SLOVAKIA . . Banská Bystrica & HUNGARY . . Budapest.
Today's drive is filled with scenic beauty. Soon after crossing into Slovakia, you will be in the High Tatras, one of the world’s smallest mountain ranges. Your afternoon stop is in Banská Bystrica, one of seven towns founded by German settlers who mined copper and silver from the nearby hills. Directly beyond the Slovak/Hungarian border, follow the Danube Bend to Hungary’s sprawling capital city of Budapest, which claims both banks of the river. Dinner is served at your hotel. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 9 - HUNGARY . . Budapest.
The day begins with sightseeing of both Buda on the Danube’s west bank and Pest on its east bank. In Buda, your local guide introduces you to the much-photographed Fisherman’s Bastion on Castle Hill. In Belvaros, the inner city of Pest, your guide points out the Vigadó (romantic concert hall) and the Gresham Palace (a splendid example of Art Nouveau architecture). After the city tour, you may choose to join the optional Parliament Visit excursion, or use this time to explore Budapest on your own. Your tour manager will offer an optional Danube Dinner Cruise excursion this evening. (Breakfast)

DAY 10 - SLOVAKIA . . Bratislava & AUSTRIA . . Vienna.
From Budapest travel to Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, where you will have time to enjoy an independent lunch in the old town (Stare Mesto). Depart Bratislava for the short drive to the Austrian capital of Vienna. A mid-afternoon arrival at your hotel provides the opportunity to step out for a relaxing independent dinner or join the optional Schönbrunn Palace & Dinner excursion. (Breakfast)

DAY 11 - AUSTRIA . . Vienna.
An informative tour of Vienna with a local guide provides insight into this unconventional and avant-garde city of dramatic imperial palaces, cobbled alleyways and cozy coffeehouses. Sightseeing is at your own pace for the remainder of the day. Take a leisurely stroll along the Ringstrasse for a closer look at some of the city’s magnificent landmarks or venture into one of the museums in the highly popular Museumquartier (MQ). An independent dinner presents the flexibility to pursue individual interests. (Breakfast)

DAY 12 - AUSTRIA . . Melk & CZECH REPUBLIC . . Ceske Budejovice - Prague.
Along the banks of the Danube River lies the impressive Melk Abbey. Begin the day with a guided tour of this former Roman fortress turned abbey by 11th century monks. From Melk, travel north into the Czech Republic and make a mid-afternoon stop in Ceske Budejovice. As this is home to the original "Budweiser" brewery, you might wish to order the Czech beer to accompany your independent lunch. Dinner will be served upon arrival at your hotel in Prague. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 13 - CZECH REPUBLIC . . Prague.
This morning, meet your local guide for a sightseeing tour of Prague, including beautiful Staromestské Námesti (the most photographed square in the city), the Old Town Hall and the Church of St. Nicholas in the Little Quarter (Malá Strana). Following the city tour, consider taking a stroll along the Vltava River (also referred to as the Moldau River) and to the spectacular Charles Bridge. From the higher banks across the river, the enormous Prague Castle overlooks the city, contributing to the mysterious atmosphere that is inescapable in Prague. Dinner tonight is independent, or join your tour manager for the optional Traditional Czech Evening excursion offering dinner and entertainment. (Breakfast)

DAY 14 - GERMANY . . Nuremberg - Franconian Wine Region.
Today’s destination is Nuremberg . A mid-day arrival provides time to see the medieval architecture of the Old Town and the site of Hitler’s Nazi Party Rally Grounds. Transfer to your hotel in the Franconian Wine Region for an authentic German dinner. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 15 - GERMANY . . Würzburg – Rüdesheim.
Stop in Würzburg, one of the loveliest baroque cities in Germany and the starting point of the Romantic Road. Continue to your hotel in Rüdesheim, situated along the Rhine River. Known for its fine wines and festive atmosphere, this is a fitting location for tonight’s “Farewell Dinner.” (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 16 - Daytime flight back to U.S.A. Transfer to the Frankfurt Airport for the return flight home. (Breakfast)