Cosmos
OFFER ID 1566740
Learn about Central Europe’s rich history and its highlights as you travel through the heart of Germany, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Austria, and the Czech Republic. Starting from Germany, visit Berlin, the eclectic capital, and Weimar, where culture has been thriving through names like Goethe and Schiller, Bach and Liszt, Modernism and Bauhaus. In Poland, discover Jasna Góra Monastery in Czestochowa, an important pilgrimage spot. Visit Warsaw and Krakow, and stop in Auschwitz to see what is left of the concentration camp, a chilling reminder of the Holocaust. Explore the Imperial city of Vienna, Austria, the city of waltz, elegant cafés and the Hapsburg heritage. Get to know Budapest, Hungary, with its predominantly Art Nouveau city center and imposing Parliament building. Prague, in the Czech Republic, boasts Charles Bridge, one of Europe’s oldest stone bridges. Bratislava, Slovakia, built on the bank of the Danube, features a castle and a charming old town. Before returning to your starting point in Germany, spend some time in Nuremberg, the Bavarian city that, in spite of its troubled past, is keeping the best traditions alive, such as brewing beer, grilling sausages and enjoying life. Sightseeing with a Local Guide-a local expert who knows the history, culture, and secrets of the city-is included in Berlin, Warsaw, Kraków, Budapest, Vienna, and Prague. This is a comprehensive Central Europe tour, ideal for smart travelers who want to turn their travel dreams into reality.
14 nights from $2,939 per person
Central Europe
Day 1 ARRIVE IN FRANKFURT AREA, GERMANY Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and travel companions.
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Day 2 FRANKFURT AREA–WEIMAR–BERLIN Our first stop today is in Weimar, one-time intellectual heart of Germany and host to such luminaries as Martin Luther, Cranach, Bach, Liszt, Schiller, and, of course, Goethe himself. It was at one time rightly known as the “Athens of Germany.” Continue through Thuringia and Saxony-Anhalt all the way to Germany’s capital city, Berlin.
Today’s Distance: 357 mi/ 575 km (B)
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Day 3 BERLIN On this morning’s included guided tour, learn how the city is no longer divided but every bit as fascinating. Once the city of contrasts with its West and East side separated into two different worlds by a wall, Berlin developed into a harmonious blend of old and new. It has preserved the old buildings, such as the State Opera House and Brandenburg Gate; its Neoclassic-style boulevards, such as the Kurfürstendamm and Unter den Linden. This is now complemented by brand new buildings in the most daring, contemporary architectural styles. It is once again Germany’s capital and one of Europe’s most lively and interesting cities. (B)
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Day 4 BERLIN–POZNAN, POLAND–WARSAW Drive east to Poznan, one of Poland’s oldest trading districts, and admire its Renaissance market square. Continue to Warsaw, capital of Poland.
Today’s Distance: 367 mi/ 590 km (B)
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Day 5 WARSAW The included sightseeing tour is an excellent introduction to Warsaw, magnificently reconstructed after wartime destruction. Today, its wide avenues contrast strikingly with the narrow lanes of the old section. (B,D)
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Day 6 WARSAW–JASNA GÓRA–AUSCHWITZ–KRAKÓW Two encounters with history on your southbound journey today. First, Jasna Góra in Czestochowa, the monastery that withstood the repeated onslaught of overwhelming Swedish forces during the religious wars of the 17th century. Since then, its Black Madonna has become the country’s national symbol. In the afternoon, visit what is left of the Auschwitz Concentration Camp, a chilling reminder of the Holocaust. Evening arrival in Kraków.
Today’s Distance: 289 mi/ 465 km (B,D)
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Day 7 KRAKÓW This, they say, is Poland’s most beautiful city. For almost 500 years it was the country’s capital, and today, it is without a doubt its cultural capital. Join the included morning sightseeing in ancient Kraków, for centuries the residence of Polish kings. See the Market Square, the Jewish Quarter, St. Mary’s Church, and visit Wawel Cathedral. Enjoy free time later to explore this fascinating town on your own or go underground with an optional excursion to the Wieliczka salt mines. Descend to the first level of the mine for a sensory experience of beauty, color, and sound, and taste of salt on your lips. (B)
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Day 8 KRAKÓW–BUDAPEST, HUNGARY Travel through three countries today. First, south to the Tatra Mountains of Poland, then through scenic Slovakia, and finally into Hungary. Your destination is Budapest, the liveliest Eastern European capital.
Today’s Distance: 245 mi/ 395 km (B,D)
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Day 9 BUDAPEST Budapest is a treasure trove of architectural wonders, from Gothic to Baroque; Neoclassical to Art Nouveau, but also full of history, a food capital, and surprisingly rich in thermal waters. Discover all of this and more during the included guided city tour. Or discover a new perspective on an optional cruise on the Danube River with a drink to toast the timeless views of the Parliament, Fishermen’s Bastion, and Castle Hill. (B)
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Day 10 BUDAPEST–BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA–VIENNA, AUSTRIA Journey northwest and cross the border into nearby Slovakia. Stop in Bratislava, its intriguing capital on the banks of the Danube, to explore the medieval Old Town. Continue west and enter Austria, arriving in magical Vienna.
Today’s Distance: 174 mi/ 280 km (B)
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Day 11 VIENNA Join the included city sightseeing tour for an introduction to the major sights: the State Opera, Parliament, the ornate Rathaus (Town Hall), and views of the Hofburg Imperial Palace from Heroes’ Square. You’ll have plenty of time to discover Vienna on your own. (B)
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Day 12 VIENNA–PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC Morning at leisure. This afternoon, cross the Czech border into Moravia, then through the rich farmlands of Bohemia to Prague.
Today’s Distance: 208 mi/ 335 km (B,D)
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Day 13 PRAGUE The wealth of Gothic and Baroque architecture perhaps inspired Dvorak and Smetana, both Prague composers. The included guided sightseeing features landmarks such as the Jewish Quarter, Charles Bridge, and the Old Town Square with the astronomical clock. If you wish to delve deeper into Czech history and culture, join the optional walking tour through Prague's Castle District. (B)
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Day 14 PRAGUE–NUREMBERG–GERMANY, FRANKFURT AREA This morning visit Nuremberg with its pretty market square and Our Lady’s Church before heading towards the Frankfurt Area.
Today’s Distance: 323 mi/ 520 km (B,D)
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Day 15 FRANKFURT AREA Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
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Vienna Shore Excursion: Private City Walk Vienna's Old Town, 2,5 hours
This interesting city walk offers you an initial overview of the history, culture and achitecture of Vienna, taking you through the most beautiful and elegant streets and passing by some of the most famous sights of the city.
At the end of this tour, you can continue exploring the city centre on your own.
Highlights:
Vienna Shore Excursion: Private City Walk Mozart in Vienna, 2,5 hours
During this city walk "On the Traces of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart", you discover Vienna's historic old town, passing by some of the most important locations of Mozart's life. This tour also includes a visit of the Mozart House. At the end of this tour, you can continue exploring the city centre on your own.
Highlights:
Vienna Shore Excursion: Private City Walk Imperial Palace, 2,5 hours
This privately guided walking tour through Vienna's historic old town takes you to the Imperial Palace ('Hofburg'), to visit the Imperial Apartments and the fascinating Sisi Museum.
Highlights:
Vienna Shore Excursion: Private City Tour of Vienna & Visit of Schoenbrunn Palace, 4 hours
This privately guided tour shows you the major historical sights along the Ringstrasse, before taking you to the magnificent Schoenbrunn Palace, former summer residence of the Habsburg family.
Highlights:
Vienna Shore Excursion: Private City Tour Art Nouveau and Viennese Architecture, 4 hours
In addition to the familiar Gothic and Baroque buildings, Art Nouveau has a fixed place in Viennese architecture. Naturally, this tour also covers further architecural epoques, such as modernity.
Highlights:
Vienna Shore Excursion: Private City Walk & the Lipizzaner Horses, 5 hours
From Tuesday to Friday (9am-1pm, excl. July), this package covers many interesting aspects of Vienna: Starting with a short Vienna Old Town City Walk, you follow your guide through the old town towards the Spanish Riding School, where you attend the Lippizaner's Morning Exercise, allowing an insight into the training of the Lipizzaner Horses and their riders. At the end of this tour, you can continue exploring the city centre on your own.
Highlights:
Berlin: Historic Berlin - 12 Hours
Explore Berlin’s eclectic mix of celebrated architecture, gritty history and edgy culture. Upon arrival at Warnemünde Port you are met by your driver and privately transferred to Berlin centre, where you receive a warm welcome from your guide.
Highlights of your absorbing tour include the impressive Reichstag, complete with its stunning Norman Foster dome and the new home of the German Parliament. Lunch can be arranged for you in the spectacular setting of its roof terrace restaurant*. This afternoon’s touring includes the Brandenburg Gate, together with the spectacularly redeveloped Potsdamer Platz and nearby Checkpoint Charlie, the famous crossing point between East and West Berlin. Time permitting also visit the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, whose ruin stands as a dramatic reminder of World War II. After your visit you are privately transferred back to your ship in Warnemünde.
Highlights:
Explore the Cultural Capital with focus on art (Full day excursion)
Highlights:
Experience the past, present and future of Berlin through its architecture, monuments and memorials
Excursion to be tailored to your interests, be it classical or contemporary art
Meet your Berlin expert and upon arrival in town and start with important cultural sites such as the Brandenburg Gate, the Berlin Dome, Unter den Linden, and Forum Fredericianum
Explore cultural highlights such as the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Museum Island for museum visits of your choice such as:
PERGAMON MUSEUM which houses one of the greatest historic works of architecture the Pergamon Altar or the
NEUES MUSEUM with Berlin’s Egyptian and papyrus collection, artifacts of Pre- and Early History and other antiquities. Must see: The Bust of Queen Nefertiti
Explore the ScheunenviertEl, Berlin's oldest and best preserved historic neighbourhoods, bustling with commercial galleries, boutiques and Berlin designer stores as well as site specific art hidden in courtyards
Optional further visit to other museum collections of interest such as the Jewish Museum, Hamburger Bahnhof- Museum of Contemporary Art, or other
Tour Duration: 10 hours
Tour can operate: Full day
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Physical Activity Level: Light
Inclusions:
Berlin visit with focus on Jewish heritage (Full day excursion)
Highlights:
Experience the past and present of Berlin through its architecture, monuments and memorials
Meet your Jewish Berlin expert upon arrival in town and start with a visit at the memorial of the ‘Murdered Jews of Europe’ a field of stelae located next to Brandenburg Gate
Tour the Baroque city centre of Berlin with its grand squares and boulevards built in the 17th and 18th century under the Hohenzollern Kings of Prussia
Walk through the Forum Fredericianum – site of the infamous book burning during the Nazi regime
Stroll the ‘Scheunenviertel’, the former Jewish quarter with its narrow alleys, hidden courtyards and the famous ‘Neue Synagoge’
Visit memorials and site specific art dedicated to Jewish heritage
See the former Jewish Nursing home turned into a collection point for deportation of Berlin´s Jews
See the Reichstag and the ‘Topography of Terror’ located close to remains of the Wall
Private guided tour of the Jewish Museum, in the award winning architecture designed by Daniel Libeskind
En route back to the port visit the memorial, ‘Track 17’, a deportation ramp at the former Grunewald train station
Tour Duration: 10 hours
Tour can operate: Full day
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Physical Activity Level: Light
Inclusions:
Explore Berlin with focus history and WWII (Full day excursion)
Highlights:
Experience Berlin´s past through its architecture, monuments and memorials
Day to be tailored to your interests
Experience Berlin´s past through its architecture, monuments and memorials
Day to be tailored to your interests
Tour the Baroque city center with its grand squares and boulevards built in the 17th and 18th century under the Hohenzollern Kings of Prussia
Explore Pariser Platz, site of the world-renowned Berlin landmark, the Brandenburg Gate
Visit important cultural sites such as Museum Island, the Berlin Dome, Unter den Linden, Forum Fredericianum, and the Reichstag
See the ‘Topography of Terror’ former site of the Nazi headquarters
Stop at the memorial, ‘Track 17’, a former deportation ramp at the Grunewald train station
Experience Bernauer Strasse memorial located on the former death strip and see remains of the Wall at East Side Gallery
Stroll through the Scheunenviertel, the former Jewish Quarter now filled with memorials and site specific art hidden in courtyards
Walk through the ‘Memorial of the Murdered Jews of Europe’
See Tempelhof Airport, heart of the Berlin airlift during the Cold War blockade
Tour Duration: 10 hours
Tour can operate: Full day
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Physical Activity Level: Light
Inclusions:
Highlights of Germany’s Capital City (Full day excursion)
Highlights:
Experience the past, present and future of Berlin through its architecture, monuments and memorials
Excursion to be tailored to your interests
Tour the Baroque city centre of Berlin with its grand squares and boulevards built in the 17th and 18th century under the Hohenzollern Kings of Prussia
Visit important cultural sites such as Brandenburg Gate, Museum Island, the Berlin Dome, Unter den Linden, Forum Fredericianum
Explore recent architectural developments since the Fall of the Wall, such as Potsdamer Platz and the new Government Quarter with the refurbished Reichsstag building
Witness Cold War sites such as remains of the Berlin wall, East Side Gallery, the former no-mans land, Checkpoint Charlie
Tour Duration: 10 hours
Tour can operate: Full day
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Physical Activity Level: Light
Inclusions:
Budapest Shore Excursion: Private Half Day City Tour of Budapest, 4 hours
This privately guided tour shows you the major sights within on the Pest Side (e.g.the Opera House, St. Stephen's Basilica), as well the Buda Side (Castle Hill). One highlight of this tour is an inside visit of the Fishermen's Bastion and the impressive Matthias Church.
Highlights:
Budapest Shore Excursion: Private Full Day City Tour of Budapest, 8 hours
This extended privately guided full day basically covers all major sights and interesting locations within Budapest, also including inside visits of the Fishermen's Bastion, Matthias Church and the Parliament Building.
Highlights:
Budapest Shore Excursion: Private Half Day Tour Budapest Castle District, 4 hours
During this privately guided tour, you visit the Castle Hill of Budapest, with the Royal and Presidential Palaces, fascinating squares and medieval cobblestone streets. Highlights are inside visits of the Fishermen's Bastion and the impressive Matthias Church.
Highlights:
All fares are quoted in US Dollars.