Old World Charms of Eastern Europe

Day 1

ARRIVE BUDAPEST, HUNGARY (D)

Your Adventure in Eastern Europe begins in Budapest today (flight not included) in a part of the world that has been bursting into the light of freedom over the past two decades. We'll be looking forward to observing the results of their democratic accomplishments and sampling many of their Old World Charms.

Day 2

ACTIVITIES IN BUDAPEST (B,D)
Budapest, Queen of the Danube Walk 10 km, rated 2

Our Budapest walk takes us past the massive Parliament, onto garden-like Margaret Island, and through a multitude of other Budapest highlights along the Blue Danube. An afternoon guided coach tour offers stops at Heroes' Square and the Millennium Monument, Castle Hill with the elaborate Fishermen's Bastion, and beautiful Matthias Church. This evening's special dinner offers a chance to celebrate Hungarian folk culture in a fun and atmospheric environment.

Day 3

BUDAPEST-BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA (B,D)
Tata Between the Lakes Walk 10 km, rated 1

Following a pleasant drive along "The Bend" in the Danube, today's walk is a lovely lakeside stroll with our hospitable hosts in Tata, "the town of waters." From Tata, we'll dip back across the border into Slovakia for an evening in the capital, Bratislava, another jewel of the Danube, set along the river at the foot of the Little Carpathian Mountains. The after-dinner activity will be a guided walking tour of Bratislava's charming old town.

Day 4

BRATISLAVA-RUST, AUSTRIA (B,D)
Devin Castle Nature Walk 10 km, rated 3

We'll begin our day with a lovely nature walk offering splendid views over the Danube River and Devin Castle, a picturesque ruin that served as a frontier outpost of the Roman Empire's northern border. After a lunch break in Bratislava, we'll continue west through the Carpathian Basin into Austria (watch for storks atop the chimneys!) to the charming lakeside village of Rust.

Day 5

RUST-VIENNA, AUSTRIA (B)
Mörbisch Vineyards & Villages Walk 10 km, rated 1+

The friendly club in Mörbisch has arranged a walk among vineyards overlooking Neusiedler Lake, and into neighboring Hungary. From Mörbisch, our coach heads north to Vienna, the imperial court of the Hapsburg Dynasty for six centuries. Our hotel is within walking distance of its famous coffee shops, the National Opera House (Staatsoper), the expansive Hofburg, St. Stephen's Cathedral, and a host of enchanting shops and stately 19th century architecture.

Day 6

ACTIVITIES IN VIENNA (B,D)

This morning's first activity is a guided walking tour featuring the heart of old Vienna. Following time for lunch and more exploring on your own, we'll visit Schönbrunn Palace, marveling at just a portion of the palace's 1,440 rooms and strolling through the expansive, beautifully manicured grounds.

Day 7

VIENNA-CESKÝ KRUMLOV, CZECH REP. (B,D)

We'll return to the Czech Republic today, and South Bohemia, a lovely region of lakes, forests, farms, and fields. Our destination is Ceský Krumlov, a World Heritage Site that is considered one of Europe's most beautiful medieval towns. After checking into our hotel, we'll explore this fascinating setting with a tour of picturesque Krumlov Chateau.

Day 8

CESKÝ KRUMLOV-PRAGUE, CZECH REP. (B,D)
Ceský Krumlov Heritage Walk 10 km, rated 2+/3

After a walk through Ceský Krumlov with stunning views from surrounding hilltops, we'll pass through more pastoral Bohemian countryside en route to Prague, capital of medieval Bohemia and the modern-day Czech Republic. We'll spend the next three nights in this fascinating city described by German poet Goethe as "the prettiest gem in the stone crown of the world."

Day 9

ACTIVITIES IN PRAGUE (B)
Prague Castles and Vistas Walk 12 km, rated 2+

Our excellent Prague walking route explores Lesser Town and Hradcany, offering panoramic views over the Vltava River, with the tile roofs and copper domes of Lesser Town in the foreground and the medieval skyline of Old Town, New Town, and the Jewish Quarter in the background. After the walk, you'll have the afternoon free to enjoy the sights and shopping of Old Town.

Day 10

ACTIVITIES IN PRAGUE (B,D)

Today's highlight is a visit to Hradcany Castle: the imposing, 14th century St. Vitus' Cathedral, the Royal Palace with expansive Vladislav Hall and Horseman's Staircase, and picturesque Golden Lane, once occupied by castle guards, craftsmen, and the poor. The afternoon is free to finish any final shopping and pack your bags for tomorrow's flight home before joining us for tonight's Farewell Dinner.

Day 11

PRAGUE-USA (B)
Optional Game Walk 8 km, unrated and not IVV sanctioned

Our Adventure draws to a close today. The flight home from Prague (not included) returns us to the West with fond memories of our experiences together and a new appreciation for the Old World Charms of Eastern Europe.

Day 1

ARRIVE WARSAW, POLAND (D)

We'll arrive in Warsaw today (flight not included) to begin our exploration of the proud and ancient heritage of Poland. Poland's capital city rebuilt from the ground up after a systematic campaign of nearly total devastation by the Nazis at the close of World War II.

Day 2

WARSAW-KRAKOW, POLAND (B,D)
Warsaw-Phoenix of Poland Walk 10 km, rated 1+

This morning, a memorable walk featuring beautiful Lazienki Park, Wilanow Palace, the Royal Way, the Jewish Ghetto, and the Royal Castle provides a delightful and thought-provoking introduction to Poland's largest and most important city. From Warsaw, we continue south through pastoral farmland to a Polish capital from another era. Our hotel is just on the edge of old town.

Day 3

ACTIVITIES IN KRAKOW (B)
Krakow, City of Kings Walk 10 km, rated 1+

We'll enjoy an outstanding sightseeing walk today through venerable Krakow, one of a handful of large European cities left relatively undamaged by World War II. The route features the largest medieval square in Europe; the fabled church tower where a 14th-century trumpeter alerted the people to the Tartar invasion; majestic Wavel Castle, and Europe's second oldest university. The bulk of the afternoon will be free to explore this charming town on your own.

Day 4

ACTIVITIES FROM KRAKOW (B,D)

Our day begins with an intriguing tour of nearby Wieliczka Salt Mine, a World Heritage Site where food-preserving salt has been extracted from over 300 kilometers of galleries for the past 700 years. Following free time for lunch back in Krakow, the optional afternoon excursion (admission not included) honors the memory of Nazi victims at Auschwitz, the infamous concentration camp. Our lodgings this evening are in a romantic country palace in the remote area near Krakow.

Day 5

KRAKOW-ZAKOPANE, POLAND (B,D)
Tatrzanski Park Narodowy Nature Walk 10 km, rated 2

A trek through the pristine mountain pathways of the rugged Tatra Mountains this morning offers a sharp contrast to soft rolling plains covering the rest of Poland. This afternoon, we'll enjoy the pedestrian shopping area of the lovely ski- resort village of Zakopane. Later this evening, join us for a folklore dinner with the traditional dance and music of Poland's Tatra Mountains.

Top

Day 6

ZAKOPANE-BUDAPEST, HUNGARY (B,L,D)
Tatra Mountains Nature Walk 10 km, rated 2+/3

The first event of the day is a nature walk on the Slovakian side of the Tatras. After lunch with our walking friends in their mountain chalet, we'll continue south across Slovakia and over the border into Hungary. Our destination is Budapest, “Queen of the Danube,” where we'll rendezvous with travelers who are joining us to explore the rest of the Old World Charms of Eastern Europe. EASTERN WORLD CHARMS OF WALKING THE OLD