Pick-up from the airport or the railway station and private limousine transfer to your hotel.

Evening: Arrival in Krakow. First, dinner with the other participants and tour leader; accommodation in a centrally located hotel.

Day 2 KRAKOW

Morning: After breakfast, you’ll have a whole day to discover Krakow. We’ll use the services of an expert local guide for an introductory tour of the Old Town. We’ll show you the most important and fascinating places, such as the Market Square, Wawel Castle and Sukiennice (the Cloth Hall).

Afternoon: At 12:00 sharp, you’ll have the chance to observe the opening of the world’s biggest wooden altar in St. Mary’s Church. Free afternoon for shopping and simply strolling around.

Evening: Dinner at a famous Krakow restaurant.

Day 3 AUSCHWITZ, WIELICZKA

Morning: A day to explore Krakow’s surroundings. We’ll start with Auschwitz, the site of extermination for around 1,500,000 people, mainly European Jews. The area of the Nazi concentration camps is a place of pilgrimage for people who want to learn more and partly experience the tragedies of people and entire nations during World War II. Guided tours and movie about the Holocaust.

Afternoon: The marvellous and world-renowned salt mine in Wieliczka. A UNESCO Heritage Site since 1980, the Medieval mines (started in the 13th Century, 327 metres deep and 300 metres long) with dozens of interesting chambers, chapels and halls hewn into salt will bring another life experience in just one day.

Evening: Dinner one hundred meters underground, and return to Krakow for an overnight stay.

Day 4 PRIBOR, STRAMBERK, OLOMOUC

Morning: After breakfast, we leave Krakow and drive to the Moravia region of the Czech Republic. A short stop in Pribor to see where Sigismund Freud, the founder of psychoanalysis, was born in 1856 and spent three very important years of his life.

Afternoon: Beer and lunch in a pretty brewery in the lovely mountain town of Stramberk – our first occasion to explore the famous Czech beer and the small but fascinating world of historical Czech towns. You’ll also try the sweet local speciality, “Stramberk ears”, named in remembrance of the Tartar raids of the 13th Century. Transfer to the fertile Hana region plains and the city of Olomouc.

Evening: An afternoon tour of Olomouc, the ancient capital of Moravia and one of the best-kept secrets of Europe (Communist-era Astronomical Clock, the largest Baroque statue in Europe, six beautiful Baroque fountains with statues of Roman gods, a Romanesque palace, and the place where Mozart wrote his Sixth Symphony, the second-oldest university in the Czech Republic). Olomouc is a town which has charmed both L.N. Tolstoi and Micheal Stipe from REM, and we firmly believe that you’ll like it too. Dinner (speciality: fragrant local tvaruzky cheese) and accommodation in the centre of Olomouc.

Day 5 PRAGUE

Morning: We’ll drive directly to Prague to enjoy an evening sightseeing tour around this fascinating metropolis. On the way, we’ll make a short stop in Brno, the second-largest city of the Czech Republic, dominated by the mighty fortress of Spilberk and the steep spires of the Petrov Church.

Afternoon: Late afternoon introductory scenic drive around Golden Prague, one of the most beautiful and most visited towns in Europe. A chance to see the town from several perspectives.

Evening: Early dinner in a pleasant Czech-themed restaurant (another occasion to try Czech beer, and Prague dinner specials) and accommodation at a 4-star boutique hotel next to the Old Town Square.

Day 6 PRAGUE

Morning: A day full of great experiences, starting with a guided tour of the most famous places in Prague: Franz Kafka’s Josefov, the enormous Old Town, Wenceslas Square, the unforgettable Charles Bridge spanning the Vltava River (with its great exposition of Baroque statues), and the entrance to the striking Baroque St. Nicolas’ Church in the Mala Strana quarter.

Afternoon: After a complimentary lunch, admission to the Prague Castle, probably the most imposing royal castle worldwide, along with the national shrine of St. Vitus Cathedral, the palace of Bohemian kings, and the Golden Lane, which still reminds one of the old legends about 17th-Century Prague alchemists.

Evening: Free evening.

Day 7 PRAGUE

Morning: This is a day for you to spend in Prague as you desire. We’ll be happy to provide you with several suggestions, such as art exhibitions. You’ll be able to explore the fascinating town as you like.

Afternoon: Free time.

Evening: In the evening, we’ll invite you to dinner and on to Laterna Magica, the legendary Czech theatre combining acting with sound and lights, or alternatively the Jazz Boat on the Vltava River (according to availability).

Day 8 CESKY KRUMLOV

Morning: After breakfast, we’ll set off for southern Bohemia. A place worthy of such a detour is Cesky Krumlov, in our opinion arguably the most stunning mid-sized old town in this part of Europe. The historical city perfectly preserved in the meanders of the Vltava, will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression.

Afternoon: The city tour will also include the huge Rozmberk Castle with its Masquerade Hall, famous for its illusionist paintings. We won’t miss the unique Baroque theatre on the castle courtyard, one of a kind in the world. It’s a great experience to see the original decorations and functional mechanic stage dating back to the 17th Century.

Evening: Tasty dinner and overnight stay in the centre of Cesky Krumlov.

Day 9 TELC, MORAVSKY KRUMLOV, MIKULOV

Morning: After breakfast, get ready for another very special day: the Renaissance UNESCO Heritage Site of Telc. Telc is a small town located by artificially created ponds. Great sights here include its unique long plaza and large castle.

Afternoon: The off-the-beaten-path Renaissance castle of Moravský Krumlov, housing the life’s work of famous painter Alfons Mucha (creator of the Parisian ornamental Art Nouveau style): the Slav Epic, monumental paintings on ship sails depicting the history of the Eastern European nations. Amazing!

Evening: Afterwards, a trip to the beautiful small town of Mikulov. In the scenic setting of fertile vineyards, you’ll visit one of the local wine cellars and have a private folk party with a five-piece local band. The wine cellars in this area are cut out under the ground, consist of several rooms and are full of wooden tubs of various wines. Evenings there are a favourite national pastime. Expect to taste various wines, discover interesting folklore and melodic melancholy songs which are easy to learn. A great amount of fun.

Day 10 BRATISLAVA, BUDAPEST

Morning: Today, after breakfast we begin the final Hungarian part of the tour, but first, a short visit to Bratislava.

Afternoon: After 1993, the capital of Slovakia underwent a great facelift and is becoming a buzzing, attractive European metropolis. This town of a half-million people is close to Vienna and Budapest, and not to stop there for at least a few hours would be a great travel sin. Bratislava Castle, symbol of Slovakian statehood, St. Martin's Cathedral, site of coronation for several Hungarian kings, the picturesque Old Town district and beautiful views of the Danube River.

Evening: Later on, we’ll cross the border to reach Budapest, Hungary, where you’ll spend your final three nights. Dinner – an introduction to spicy Hungarian cuisine and accommodation in the centre of the city.

Day 11 BUDAPEST

Morning: The whole day in Buda and Pest. In Pest, accompanied by a local guide, you’ll see the palaces on beautiful Andrássy Avenue, the House of Parliament and the always impressive St. Stephen’s Basilica. Climb Gellért Hill in Buda to enjoy a wonderful view of the city.

Afternoon: Complimentary lunch. In Buda on the other Danube river bank, we’ll visit the impressive royal castle area, with the Hungarian kings’ palace and Matthias Church.

Evening: Free evening.

Day 12 BUDAPEST, SZENTENDRE

Morning & Afternoon: We understand you might feel the need for some free time after the rich programme, and this day is devoted to this. Absorb the atmosphere of Budapest, have fun and enjoy your time in your own way.

If you want to relax, we recommend one of the famous Budapest baths and historical spa centres. The medicinal springs have been famous since Roman times, and flourished under the Turkish occupation. Thus, you can visit an original Turkish bath, luxurious Art Nouveau spa centre or a super-modern wellness establishment.

If you feel like something more energetic, we can arrange a river trip to Szentendre, a lovely town to the north of Budapest. Local colour at it's best, this Medieval town has a distinct Mediterranean character and the enormous beauty of the Danube River (the second-longest in Europe). The town has mixed Hungarian, Austrian, Italian, Slavonic and Armenian influences, making it a popular day trip from Budapest. You’ll have a chance to try the best langoshe in Hungary.

Evening: Dinner with great Hungarian music, food and delicious wine. Time to contemplate and review our tour, and spend a few more great moments in Budapest.

Day 13

Your tour comes to an end, although we can arrange for you to prolong your stay in Budapest, return to Krakow or help you with travel arrangements to other destinations, such as Vienna or Slovenia.

(StayPoland tour in cooperation with local partners in the Czech Republic – Czechstay)