12 Days Enchanting Eastern Europe (EVC12)

Tour Type: Group
Tour Guide Languages: Cantonese, English, Mandarin
Featuring: Austria, Hungary, Republic of Croatia, Slovenia,  Czech Republic, Germany
Guaranteed Dates: 8/1, 8/10, 9/3, 9/10, 9/18, 9/24
Hot Dates: 8/6, 8/13, 8/20
Departure: LAX / SFO / SEA / PDX / HOU / DFW
Summer: 7/23, 8/06, 8/13, 8/20, 9/03, 9/10, 9/24, 10/01, 10/08, 10/22

Day 1 - Home City - Vienna
Depart from home city to Vienna, the capital of Austria.

Day 2 - Vienna
In Vienna one can admire many architectural styles, starting with Romanesque through Baroque and classicist to modern architecture. The City of Music should also be another reason to attract large number of vistors. Upon arrival at airport, you will be transferred to hotel for rest and overnight.
Accomodations: Holiday Inn Vienna City or similar
   
Day 3 - Veinna (City Tour) - Budapest
After breakfast we start our city tour by visiting the Schönbrunn Palace. Schönbrunn Palace is one of the most important cultural monuments in the country, since the 1960s it has been one of the major tourist attractions in Vienna. The palace and gardens illustrate the tastes, interests, and aspirations of successive Habsburg monarchs.  We shall also stop by the Opera Parliament, Imperial Boulevards and Queen’s Square before heading to Budapest, the capital city of Hungary.
Meals: Breakfast Dinner
Accomodations: Ramada Plaza Budapest or similar
   
Day 4 - Budapest (City Tour) - Tihany - Hévíz
After breakfast we begin our city tour by visiting the Millennium Monument at the Heroes’ Square (Hősök tere) and the St. Stephen\'s Basilica, and then Parliament Building - it is in the Gothic Revival style; and has a symmetrical facade and a central dome. In the afternoon we shall first visit the Fishermen’s Bastion (Halászbástya) – designed and built between 1895 and 1902, the Fisherman\'s Bastion is a terrace in neo-Gothic and neo-Romanesque style situated on the Buda bank of the Danube. Afterward we shall pass by the Royal Square to enjoy a stunning panoramic view of the city. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant with traditional Goulash, and then visit Tihany, which is famous for its echo, existing since the 18th century. Afterward we move on to the largest hot spring area in Europe – Hévíz.
Meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Accomodations: Danubius Health Spa Resort Hévíz or similar
   
Day 5 - Hévíz - Zagreb - Plitvice
Proceeding to Zagreb this morning, the capital city of Croatia, a charming medieval city of exceptional beauty. Highlights of the city tour include the King Tomislav Square, Marulic Sqaure, St. Mark\'s Square, the Stone Gate, and the Cathedral. Then continue to Plitvice for overnight.  A Grilled Lamb Chops dinner will be served tonight.
Meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Accomodations: Jezero Hotel or similar
   
Day 6 - Plitvice Lake National Park - Ljubijana
After breakfast, excursion to UNESCO World Heritage Site, Plitvice Lakes National Park. Enjoy the day in the park to explore the 16 crystal-blue lakes cascading into 92 spectacular waterfalls. Walk on wooden promenades to view majestic and pristine waters where every turn leads to breathtaking scenery and yet another waterfall.  Lunch at local restaurant before leaving Croatia and arriving in the tiny country of Slovenia.  There will be a brief orientation tour of the capital city, Ljubljana and to explore the Ljubljana Castle. Enjoy onion soup and traditional pork chop for dinner tonight.
Meals: Breakfast Lunch  Dinner
Accomodations: Austria Trend Hotel Ljubljana or similar
   
Day 7 - Ljubijana - Postojna Caves - Lake Bled - Villach
Morning departure for Postojna to visit the world famous Postojna Caves. Here we will walk and take a narrow open train into the caves to gaze at their stalagmites and stalactites, as well as their subterranean waters. Afterwards, we continue the ride through Slovenia countryside to Lake Bled. Then our route takes us to Villach for an overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Accomodations: Holiday Inn Villach or similar
   
Day 8 - Villach - Salzburg - Český Krumlov
After Breakfast we are visiting Salzburg – the birthplace of 18th-century composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. In the mid-20th century, the city was the setting for parts of the American musical and film The Sound of Music, which features famous landmarks in Austria. With a tourist-per-capita ratio higher than Venice or Florence, the city is among the busiest places of Europe all year round. In the afternoon we proceed to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Český Krumlov\'s. It is a lively, cosmopolitan town with a unique atmosphere surrounded by unspoiled countryside. Dominated by a Castle stretching over the meandering Vltava River, Český Krumlov\'s narrow cobblestone streets wind along romantic nooks between patrician houses where you\'ll find attractive exhibits of world- renowned artists, music festivals and concerts, and theatre performances. The cozy inns, coffee shops, and ancient taverns entertain a diverse International crowd. After a brief city tour you can browse the magnificent city on your own accord.
Meals: Breakfast Dinner
Accomodations: Gold Hotel Cesky Krumlov or similar
   
Day 9 - Český Krumlov - Prague (City Tour)
Proceed to romantic Bohemian city – Prague, after breakfast.  Prague suffered considerably less damage during World War II than some other major cities in the region, allowing most of its historic architecture to stay true to form. It contains one of the world\'s most pristine and varied collections of architecture, from Art Nouveau to Baroque, Renaissance, Cubist, Gothic, Neo-Classical and ultra-modern.  Upon arrival please enjoy lunch on your own accord, and then we head to Hradčany to visit the Prague Castle. The castle is the largest coherent castle complex in the world according to the Guinness Book of World Records; a history of more than 1100 years speaks for itself. Afterward we move on to Charles Bridge. Its construction started in 1357 under the auspices of King Charles IV. As the only means of crossing the river Vltava until 1841, the Charles Bridge was the most important connection between Prague Castle and the city\'s Old Town and adjacent areas. Of course we shall cross the bridge and reach the Old Town Square to visit the Town Hall’s famous Astronomical Clock. A traditional Bohemian Roast Meat dinner with dark beer will be served for your dinner tonight. 
Meals: Breakfast Dinner
Accomodations: Angelo Hotel Prague or similar
   
Day 10 - Prague - Dresden - Berlin
Dresden is a very beautiful, light spirited city, especially in summer, when you can appreciate the serene setting of the historic center. Although Dresden is larger than Munich when measured by area, the historic center is quite compact. The city was completely destroyed by the controversial Allied aerial bombing towards the end of World War II. The impact of the bombing and 40 years of urban development during the East German socialist era have considerably changed the face of the city. Some restoration work has helped to reconstruct parts of the historic inner city. We shall have a traditional Sachsen German Knuckle lunch, before visiting the Zwinger Palace, Semper Opera, and Saxon Wall. Later in the afternoon we go to Berlin to visit the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church (Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtniskirche). The original church on the site was built in the 1890s, and was badly damaged in a bombing raid in 1943. The present building, which consists of a church with an attached foyer and a separate belfry with an attached chapel, was built between 1959 and 1963. The damaged spire of the old church has been retained and its ground floor has been made into a memorial hall.
Meals: Breakfast Lunch
Accomodations: Hotel Berlin or similar
   
Day 11 - Berlin - Potsdam - Berlin (City Tour)
Potsdam has several claims to national and international notability. It was the residence of the Prussian kings until 1918. Around the city there are a series of interconnected lakes and unique cultural landmarks, in particular the parks and palaces of Sanssouci, the largest World Heritage Site in Germany. The Potsdam Conference, the major post-World War II conference between the victorious Allies, was held at another palace in the area, the Cecilienhof. We are going to visit these landmarks one by one after breakfast. First we stop by Wannsee – on 1/20/1942, senior Nazi officials met at the Wannsee Villa to plan the extermination of the Jews of Europe. This event, presided over by Reinhard Heydrich and conducted by Adolf Eichmann, has since become known as the Wannsee Conference. Then we go to Schloss Cecilienhof, where Winston Churchill and Harry Truman issued the Potsdam Declaration defining the terms for Japanese surrender on 26 July 1945. Also visit the Sanssouci Park and the Glienicke Bridge, where the Soviet Union and the United States used to exchange captured spies during the Cold War.  In the afternoon we return to East Berlin to visit the famous Berlin Wall. We shall also stop by the Tiergarten, German State Opera House, Reichstag Building, Charlie Checkpoint, and Potsdam Platz. We have exclusively arranged a German steak feast with beer for you dinner this evening.
Meals: Breakfast Dinner
Accomodations: Hotel Berlin or similar
   
Day 12 - Berlin - Hometown
Transfers to the airport after breakfast for the flight home.
Meals: Breakfast

LAND + AIR:
Twin: $ 2739 / person
Child: $ 2329 / Person
Single Supplement: $ 899

SURCHARGE HIGH SEASON: $300 / person

SURCHARGE FUEL + TAX: $ 476 + $ 170

The above tour fares are based on US Dollar; “Fuel + Tax Surcharge” is only an estimate and will confirm upon ticket issuance.