|
Your journey to Central
and Eastern Europe begins in the “Golden City” of Prague
in the Czech Republic. You’ll enjoy a panoramic tour
through the city, highlighting the amazing Hradcany
Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral. Stroll across Charles
Bridge, where the silhouettes of the statues lining the
6-centuries-old crown jewel of Czech heritage hover like
ghosts, en route to the narrow winding streets of Old
Town Square. The trip recalls the route taken by the
carriages of the Bohemian kings, while today it is lined
with quirky galleries, shops, and cafes. In Vienna,
Austria, a city tour showcases architectural marvels
like the gothic St. Stephan’s Cathedral and the lavish
Schoenbrunn Palace, the summer retreat of the Habsburg
dynasty for more than 200 years. Budapest, Hungary, your
home for two nights is often referred to as “the Paris
of eastern Europe.” Your tour includes visits to many
famous sites like Old Buda, the New Parliament and
Gellert Hill. In Poland, the lively city of Krakow
includes a tour highlighting Wawel Castle and Market
Square, as well as a visit to the Wieliczka Salt Mines,
in operation since the 13th century. A moving visit to
the former concentration camp of Auschwitz is followed
by a visit to the hallowed shrine of the Jasna Gora
Monastery where you will see the Black Madonna, a sacred
icon. Your trip concludes in Warsaw where you will be
entertained with local fare and folklore.
- Jewish history and culture
comes to life when you visit Prague's Old Jewish Quarter,
its cemetery and museum.
- Explore the amazing Wieliczka Salt Mines,
operating since the 13th century and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Local experts provide informative guided
tours of Berlin, Potsdam, Prague, Vienna, Budapest, Krakow and Warsaw
 Day
1: Overnight Flight
Your journey to Central and Eastern Europe begins with
an overnight flight to Germany.
Day 2: Arrive Berlin, Germany - Tour Begins
Your tour begins today in Berlin. Tonight, join your
fellow passengers for a welcome dinner. (D)
Day 3: Berlin - Potsdam - Berlin
Begin the day with a trip to Potsdam where you will see
the impressive Sans Souci Palace. Return to Berlin for a
comprehensive tour featuring Brandenburg Gate,
Charlottenburg Palace, Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church,
Schoenberg City Hall, Kurfuerstendam and the Reichstag
Building. You will then pass through the area which was
once "Check Point Charlie," and see what remains of the
Berlin Wall. (B)
Day 4: Berlin - Prague, Czech Republic
Depart Berlin for the "Golden City" of Prague. This
afternoon you will have the opportunity to visit the Old
Jewish Quarter, its historic cemetery and museum. (B, D)
Day 5: Prague
Your introduction to this fairy tale city begins with a
visit to the amazing Hradcany Castle and St. Vitus
Cathedral. Continue with a leisurely walking tour
through the old town, showcasing the unique astronomical
clock and the statue-lined Charles Bridge. The afternoon
is at leisure to independently explore the city, shop
for famous Bohemian Crystal, or visit one of the city's
many fine museums. (B)
Day 6: Prague - Vienna, Austria
Leaving the Czech Republic you arrive in colorful and
vibrant Vienna, Austria, the "musical city." Tonight's
dinner is in one of Vienna's great local restaurants.
(B, D)
Day 7: Vienna
A tour of the city showcases some of its architectural
marvels, including the magnificent St. Stephan's
Cathedral and the lavish Schoenbrunn Palace, the summer
retreat of the Habsburg dynasty. While in Schoenbrunn
Palace, one of the pastry chefs will demonstrate their
unique techniques creating Vienna strudel. The remainder
of the day is yours to experience all that Vienna has to
offer. This evening you may choose to enjoy an optional
dinner, followed by classical music performed at the
Schoenbrunn Palace Orangerie. (B)
Day 8: Vienna - Budapest, Hungary
Sit back, relax and enjoy the picturesque Hungarian
countryside en route to historic Budapest. You will
discover Budapest is divided by the Danube with the
historic Buda on one side and the cosmopolitan Pest on
the opposite side. (B, D)
Day 9: Budapest
The beautiful city of Budapest is often referred to as
"the Paris of Eastern Europe." Today, a local expert
provides an informative city tour featuring Fishermen's
Bastion, Mathias Church, Old Buda, the New Parliament
and Gellert Hill. A special stop is made at Heroes
Square, a unique monument where you will learn about the
many diverse leaders of Hungary. Later, you will have
some free time to explore Budapest on your own. (B)
Day 10: Budapest - Slovakia - Krakow, Poland
Enjoy a scenic drive along the Low Tatra mountain range
of Slovakia en route to Poland. Your home for the next
two nights is the lively city of Krakow, which still
offers an old world charm. Tonight's dinner is at the
time-honored Wierzynek Restaurant in the heart of the
old city. (B, D)
Day 11: Krakow
A city tour of Krakow's historic Old Town features
Market Square, St. Mary's Church, the University and
Wawel Castle, a former residence of Polish kings. Later,
join a former miner in exploring the amazing Wieliczka
Salt Mines. Operating since the 13th century, these
spectacular mines offer a maze of unique rooms, tunnels,
chapels and salt statues, and have been declared a
UNESCO World Heritage Site. (B)
Day 12: Krakow - Auschwitz - Czestochowa - Warsaw
A local expert guides you through the former
concentration camp of Auschwitz. See first hand the
various prison cells and learn the history of the prison
and many of the hardships that occurred within those
walls. Next, travel north to the spiritual center of
Poland and the hallowed shrine of the Jasna Gora
Monastery in Czestochowa. One of the monastery's own
clergy conducts an enriching tour of Jasna Gora and the
famous Black Madonna, a sacred icon. The Black Madonna
is world-renowned with more than 5 million pilgrims
flocking to Czestochowa yearly to pay their respects.
Later this afternoon you will arrive in the capital city
of Warsaw. (B)
Day 13: Warsaw
The moving history of Warsaw, both joyous and tragic, is
yours to embrace as you embark on a special city tour of
this capital city. Tonight, join your fellow travelers
for a farewell dinner celebrating the end of a memorable
trip. (B, D)
Day 14: Warsaw - Tour Ends
(B)
Stay another night -
Add a pre night stay in Berlin or a post night stay in
Prague.
Prices start at $130 per
person, double.
|
Uniquely For You
The Black Madonna |
| For
more than 600 years, millions of people
have been making pilgrimages to
Czestochowa, Poland to see a 4-foot by
2-foot painting depicting the Virgin
Mary and the Christ child. Legend says
the image, better known as the "Black
Madonna," was actually a portrait
created by St. Luke, painted on a top of
a table located in Mary's home. Art
Scholars, however, believed that the
painting was created sometime between
the sixth and ninth centuries. During a
robbery in 1430, bandits slashed the
face of Madonna with a sword and threw
the painting on the ground, breaking it
in three places. The picture had to be
repainted but the sword slashes were
kept to remember the outlaw's outrage.
Since the 1600s the painting has been
dressed with ornate coverings, depicting
diamond robes and golden crowns. To this
day, the covering is changed on a
regular basis and on religious holidays.
When you see the painting in person with
Collette Vacations, you'll notice that
Mary's face dominates the canvas,
appearing to gaze right into your eyes.
The city of Czestochowa and the Jasna
Gora Monastery, where the painting
resides, have seen their share of
turmoil - including attacks by Bohemians
in the 1400's the Swedish siege of 1656,
the occupation of Napoleon, two world
wars and communist rule. Miraculously,
the monastery and its beloved painting
have remained nearly unscathed. A trip
to Jansa Gora will offer a fascinating
look into the religious history of
Poland and give you an opportunity to
see one of the world's most famous
painting. |
Base Rates Per Person
|
Departure Date |
Tour Rate – Twin |
Tour and Air Rate |
|
Apr 19 2006 |
$1789 |
$2399 from NYC |
|
Jun 11 2006 |
$2049 |
$3019 from NYC |
|
Jul 09 2006 |
$1999 |
$2969 from NYC |
|
Aug 06 2006 |
$1999 |
$2969 from NYC |
|
Sep 10 2006 |
$2099 |
$2759 from NYC |
|
Oct 01 2006 |
$2099 |
$2759 from NYC |
|
Oct 29 2006 |
$2099 |
$2759 from NYC |
|
Apr 08 2007 |
$1999 |
$2659 from NYC |
*Tour and air prices are lead-in rates from a
specific gateway based on twin occupancy and are subject to change. Rates do not
include inter-air flights. Please call for triple or child occupancy rates.
Tours departing BEFORE 4/30/06 may follow a different itinerary than what is
listed here. Please confirm your specific itinerary at the time of booking. For
tours that feature a cruise, port taxes are not included in the prices above.
Additional tour dates
may be available, please call us for information.
14 days, 18 meals
12 Buffet Breakfasts, 6 Dinners
Day 1 - Overnight Flight
Day 2, 3 - Hotel Schweizerhof, Berlin, Germany
Day 4, 5 - Diplomat Hotel, Prague, Czech Republic
Day 6, 7 - Renaissance Wien, Vienna, Austria
Day 8, 9 - Mercure Korona, Budapest, Hungary
Day 10, 11 - Novotel Bronowice, Krakow, Poland
Day 12, 13 - Westin, Warsaw, Poland
On some dates alternate hotels may be used
NOTES:
- On some dates, Sans Souci
Palace is not available and will be substituted with a visit to
the New Palace.
- Prague's Jewish Quarter,
cemetery and museum are closed on Saturday.
Back to Itinerary Page
|
