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Walking Key
Light = Two to four miles of mostly level walking.
Moderate = Four to six miles and/or up and down hills and/or some stairs.
Strenuous = Six to ten miles, lots of stairs, uneven terrain.
Best of Berlin, Prague & Vienna in 12 Days
$2,895 + air • 24-28 people • Begins in Berlin and ends in Vienna
A banquet of travel thrills awaits you in the historic heart of Europe. Our dozen-day tour begins in reunited, exuberant Berlin. The ominous Wall is long gone, and in its place has risen a people-friendly new downtown with an eye on the future, while honoring its hard fought past. To the south, Prague will dazzle you with the best beer in Europe, a year-round music-festival ambience, and a can-can of beautifully preserved facades from every architectural era. And a century after its waltz-filled Belle Époque, Vienna remains the romantic home of Brahms, decadent desserts, and the world's best café culture.
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Your day-by-day itinerary
Day 0: Depart USA
Remember, you'll arrive in Europe the day after you depart the USA.
Day 1: Meet in Berlin
We'll have a brief get-acquainted meeting at around 5 p.m. at our hotel. You'll meet your group and guide, and get a preview of the adventures ahead. After a neighborhood orientation walk, we'll enjoy dinner together. Sleep in Berlin (3 nights). No bus. Walking: light.
Day 2: Berlin's Historic Legacy
After climbing Berlin's glassy Reichstag dome, a local guide will lead us through the historic heart of Berlin's Nazi and Communist history — including the Brandenburg Gate. This afternoon we'll visit the fascinating Museum of the Wall at Checkpoint Charlie. The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy some of Berlin's many world-class museums, such as the stirring Jewish museum or the Gemäldegallerie for paintings by the masters. No bus. Walking: strenuous.
Day 3: Berlin's Eastern Heart
Today we'll meet a local guide for a walk through Berlin's Jewish sites and museum island. We'll end on the famous Unter den Linden and the rest of the day is free for more museums (Pergamon Museum for ancient Greece; Egyptian Museum for ancient Egypt), or for strolling, people-watching, and shopping. No bus. Walking: strenuous.
Day 4: Baroque Dresden
Today we head south to Dresden, where we'll see the art treasures in the Old Masters Gallery housed in the beautifully-Baroque Zwinger. You'll have free time to explore more of the city dubbed "Florence on the Elbe," and to visit the Frauenkirche, destroyed in WWII and now completely rebuilt. Sleep in Dresden (1 night). Bus: 3 hrs. Walking: light.
Day 5: Arrive in Prague
We'll cross into the Czech Republic and make our way to Prague, one of Europe's best-preserved and charming cities. We'll have a short orientation before dinner. Sleep in Prague (3 nights). Bus: 5 hrs. Walking: moderate.
Days 6 & 7: Timeless, Lively Prague
We have two days to settle into fun-loving Prague. You'll gape at the perfectly-preserved Old Town Square, explore the evocative Jewish Quarter, and tour the Prague Castle. In the evenings, you can refresh yourself with Europe's best beer, enjoy classical concerts, or experience the quirky and uniquely Czech Black Light Theater. No Bus. Walking: strenuous.
Day 8: Delightful Ceský Krumlov
Today we'll hop on our bus and head for charming Ceský Krumlov. Most of the day is yours to explore the delightful old town of shops and cobbled lanes, characteristic little restaurants, and easy canoeing options. Sleep in Ceský Krumlov (1 night). Bus: 3 hrs. Walking: light to strenuous (your choice).
Day 9: Danube River, Melk and Vienna
After an early morning drive along the prettiest stretch of the Danube, we visit the striking abbey at Melk. Then it's on to delightful Vienna, Europe's Waltz capital. Tonight your guide introduces you to the delights of Europe's waltz capital. Sleep in Vienna (3 nights). Bus: 5 hrs. Walking: moderate.
Day 10: Classy Vienna
We'll start our day with a walking tour of this refined, graceful city. After lunch we'll enjoy some of Europe's best art at the Kunsthistorisches Museum. The remainder of the day is free to explore more of Vienna's highlights. You can tour the world's best opera house (when available), conduct the Vienna philharmonic by computer wand, or savor every chocoholic's fantasy: Sachertorte. No bus. Walking: moderate.
Day 11: Hapsburg's Vienna
This morning we'll visit Maria Theresa's opulent Schonbrunn Palace. Afterward there is plenty of time to take in Europe's top treasury and ogle the legendary Hapsburg Empire's crown jewels. The afternoon is free to explore more of this romantic capital, such as its Hofburg Palace and world-class museums, or merely sip coffee in Europe's most classic café scene. Tonight we'll meet for our last dinner and celebrate our time together. No bus. Walking: moderate.
Day 12: Tour over after breakfast
It's a breeze to reach Vienna's airport by shuttle, bus or taxi.
Itinerary specifics subject to change.
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Favorite tour memories from a recent alum:
"I loved Prague. I guess the 'wow' moment was the first night and Marijan led us on an evening walk, where we stopped at an overlook that had such a wonderful view across the river to the castle. It was lit up and looked like a postcard picture. What a great sight! I also totally enjoyed meeting and visiting with the other members of the tour. They were a wonderful group of people.
— Norma in Boise, ID
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