Four Highlights of Central Europe

Itinerary

1. Day 1 Arrival in Budapest

   The Paris of Central Europe, Budapest is the Queen of the Danube, a sprawling, regal city split in two halves by the mighty river. The city’s two UNESCO-listed halves, ancient Buda and modern Pest both have their charms and are linked by numerous picturesque bridges. From the Buda Castle to the Danube Embankment and the sprawling Andrassy Avenue, with its impressive architecture, there is plenty to keep you busy here, exploring and discovering this atmospheric city. It’s a little too big to explore only on foot, but the Pest side of the city is well laid out with broad avenues of the Parisian system, so it’s hard to get lost, and the public transportation, including the world's second oldest subway system, works well. Budapest has all the charm of Western Europe at a fraction of the price. Here you can taste excellent wines produced throughout the region, and even enjoy Michelin-star dining in various locations. We can offer you more than enough exciting activities in the city, from a visit to the incredible Parliament building to a boat cruise with dinner, or an exploration of Budapest’s communist past. The city also has a rich Jewish heritage, so you’ll find the perfect balance of history and modern culture here. Voted Best City in Europe in 2013 by Condé Nast Traveler readers and a regular in their top 3, Budapest really is a special city with activities to cater to every interest.

   When you arrive at Budapest’s Ferenc Liszt Airport, a private driver will greet you and take you to your centrally located accommodation.

   

   Evening Sightseeing Group Cruise

   You're invited for a panoramic boat ride at night, when the city will be beautifully lit up for your pleasure. Glass in hand, you will be able to experience how the legends of Budapest come alive. Look behind the walls of the Royal Palace, the Parliament, the bridges, and other splendid sights all bathed in light.

   • Activity Level : Easy
   • Duration : 1 hour

   Included in your vacation package price

2. Day 2 Your First Full Day in Budapest

   

   Pest Private Walking Tour

   When arriving at a new capital for the first time, it's best to have a knowledgeable local show you around. On this tour, an expert local guide will take you around the Pest side of Budapest, home to most of the city's landmarks and history, showing you not just the big-name sights, but introducing you into the everyday lives of the city's citizens.

   • Activity Level : Moderate
   • Duration : 3 hours

   Included in your vacation package price

   

   Walk on the Buda Side

   If you've seen enough of the Pest side of the city, walk across the river and explore the Buda side of Hungary's capital. In hilly Buda, you'll find several amazing baths, such as the famous Gellert Baths or the more hidden and local Kiraly Baths. Visit the Matthias Church, where Franz Joseph I and Elisabeth were coronated and stop at the Royal Palace, the home of Hungarian National Gallery. Don't forget to take a ride on the Buda Castle Funicular!

   • Activity Level : Moderate
   • Duration : 3 hours

   Please ask your travel advisor for the cost to add this to your package

3. Day 3 Your Second Full Day in Budapest

   

   Culinary Walk: Food and Wine Tasting Small Group Tour

   On this walking tour you will be introduced to the drinking and eating habits of the Hungarian people, shown why the Hungarian cuisine is one of a kind. We provide insights into the latest local food trends, and food shops of Budapest, as well as tasting some of the traditional drinks and food. We show you old and historical, but also new and hipster. Between the stops we spice up the tour with interesting historical facts and legends, and by the end of the tour you will be familiar with some great Hungarian inventions as well.
   

   • Activity Level : Moderate
   • Duration : 5 hours

   Included in your vacation package price

   

   Bathe with the Locals

   Is there anything more quintessentially Budapest than a visit to one of the legendary baths? With more hot springs than any other capital, the city lets you take your pick of various styles, from the old school Turkish Rudas Baths to the Art Nouveau Gellert Baths on the Buda side of the city, or even the Neo-Baroque Szechenyi Baths with a large outdoor pool in Pest’s City Park. These are very much for locals, don't expect day-spa luxury! We've written a handy roundup of Budapest's best baths here.
   

   Suggestion to explore on your own

   Explore Hungary's Communist Past

   If you're into the 20th century or World War II history, the best way to learn about this dark period in the country's history is to take a tour with a private guide who will show you the most significant sights from the period and recount the stories of the era. You can continue the experience with a self-guided visit to the House of Terror museum on Andrassy boulevard and if the weather permits, a visit to Memento Park will provide you plenty of opportunities to get up close to statues and busts of the regime's key figures.

   Suggested activities for an additional cost, depending on your choice

   

   Pest Side Private Walking Tour with Communist History Highlights

   This excursion takes you back to the “good old days” when Big Brother ruled everyday life. While exploring the Pest side of Budapest, you’ll gain a deeper insight into the city’s communist past - a time of East German Trabants, block flats, no television on Mondays, and no freedom of speech any day of the week. The tour includes key landmarks such as Heroes’ Square, Liberty Square, and the Hungarian Parliament, where the layers of 20th-century history come vividly to life. A themed visit to the city’s most famous café and chocolate museum is also included, adding a nostalgic and flavorful glimpse into this remarkable era.

   • Activity Level : Moderate
   • Duration : 3 hours

   Suggested activities for an additional cost, depending on your choice

   

   Retro Trabant Private Tour to Memento Park

   Chug along the streets of Budapest in a tiny, idiosyncratic East German Trabant car. You'll visit Memento Park, a famous collection of communist statues, where you'll spend an hour with an expert guide, and drive to the panoramic Citadel, high above the Danube, which offers perhaps the best views of Budapest.

   • Activity Level : Light
   • Duration : 4 hours

   Suggested activities for an additional cost, depending on your choice

   Watch the video

4. Day 4 Traveling to Vienna by Train / Arrival in Vienna

   

   The impressive, imperial city of Vienna is waiting for you today. Thanks to the great train connections between Budapest and Vienna, you can choose a convenient departure time; we will have arranged second class tickets with seat reservations for the roughly 3-hour journey. Our driver will take care of bringing you to the Budapest train station. If you'd prefer, first class tickets can be arranged as well for additional fee. To save time and enjoy a relaxing ride, we recommend door-to-door service with our private transfer option. For an additional fee, a driver will pick you up in Budapest at your convenience and bring you directly to your accommodation in Vienna.

   

   You can upgrade your transfer

   Vienna by Private Transfer with a Stop and Guided Tour in Bratislava

   Upgrade for an additional cost

   Vienna is a timeless city of high culture, grand cafes, breathtaking architecture and more, all set on the banks of the majestic Danube River. The moment you set foot in the city you’ll see why Vienna’s center is on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Often regarded as the world capital of music, Vienna is the place where Beethoven and Mozart made history. Even today a visit to the opera or a classical music performance at one of the city’s sublime concert halls is an unforgettable experience. Stephansplatz, Vienna's main square, is dominated by the impressive eponymous gothic St. Stephen's Cathedral. Inside you’ll find a rich collection of artistic treasures, and the view from the tower is well worth the climb, offering amazing views over the city. But the cathedral is only one of the most visible attractions in Vienna. You won’t want to miss the magnificent Schonbrunn Palace and the imperial Hofburg Palace. Explore the city on foot, in a car, or by bike: the choice is yours. If you’d like to go farther afield you can even take a river cruise to nearby Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, or a bike trip to local wineries. But you don’t have to leave Vienna to have a wonderful time. Simply strolling through the pedestrian zones in the city center and stopping for a coffee and a slice of cake make for a truly enjoyable vacation.

   A driver will greet you at Vienna's Hauptbahnhof Train Station and take you to your accommodations.

   Visit a Traditional Wine Tavern

   Have you just arrived and are ready to discover? Vienna's layout is based on Paris', with a system of grand boulevards and avenues that make it hard to get lost, so venture down one of its rings and start making discoveries! When it's time for a break, visit a "heuriger." These traditional taverns exclusively offer local wines, generally produced themselves earlier in the same year, alongside classic local dishes, and some even have musical entertainment. Your local JayWay contact will recommend several places to visit, based on the time of year.

   Suggestion to explore on your own

5. Day 5 Your First Full Day in Vienna

   

   Vienna Private Walking Tour

   Map out Vienna's Old Town with an insider! The personalized route starts from your hotel and takes you to all the must see sights of the Austrian capital. You'll enjoy a pleasant walk through the Hofburg (Imperial Palace) and its gardens, along the famous Ring Street, then passing by and entering magnificent ecclesiastic edifices like the Stephansdom. The tour will be spiced with stories, fun facts, and recommendations for places to eat, drink, and explore further. By the end, you'll feel like a local.

   • Activity Level : Light
   • Duration : 2 hours 30 minutes

   Included in your vacation package price

   

   Schonbrunn Palace Self-Guided Grand Tour

   The Schönbrunn Palace sits atop many people's list of must-see sights within Vienna. Join the self-guided Grand Tour and learn about the lives of the royals who lived within the Schönbrunn's walls with skip-the-line tickets, which come with a 60-minute audio guide tour and entrance to 40 rooms. After the tour we recommend continuing to explore the palace's sprawling grounds on your own.
   

   • Activity Level : Easy
   • Duration : 50 minutes

   Included in your vacation package price

6. Day 6 Traveling to Prague by Train / Arrival in Prague

   

   The magical capital of the Czech Republic will be your final destination today. The train journey through the Austrian and Czech countryside takes a little under 5 hours. There are several departure throughout the day, and we'll book tickets with seat reservations based on your preferred departure time. We'll also arrange for a transfer from your accommodation to the train station. We can also arrange first class tickets for an additional fee though in our experience there is little difference, other than proximity to the dining car if available, between the two types of carriage. If you'd like a bit more comfortable and flexibility, we suggest a private transfer which can be arranged for an additional fee. This will save a bit of travel time and offers door-to-door service. You would also have the option of stopping to visit the famous Austrian wine region of the Wachau Valley.

   

   You can upgrade your transfer

   Prague by Private Transfer with a Stop in Wachau Valley

   Upgrade for an additional cost

   “The Golden City,” “The City of 100 Spires,” “The Mother of Cities,” Prague has no shortage of nicknames paying homage to its charm and beauty. Prague’s winding cobblestone streets, gorgeous architecture and atmospheric bridges are fabled. Get up early and stroll across the statue-lined Charles Bridge. Soak it from the magnificent Old Town Square with its 600-year old astronomical clock. From exploring history and modern culture on foot, to traveling farther afield to take in the picturesque countryside and fairytale villages, you’ll have an itinerary full of adventure and relaxation. Besides the city’s history, evident on every street, especially in the beautifully preserved former Jewish Quarter, you can delve into the city’s gastronomy. You can literally dive into some of Europe’s best beers by visiting a beer spa, or explore its beloved breweries with walking tours, or enjoy a dinner cruise. Day-trip destinations include scenic castles, the perfect spa town, and Kutna Hora with its “bone church” and gothic cathedral. Prague is a city of history that comes to life for every visitor, no matter their interests.

   When you arrive at Prague's train station, we will have a driver there to meet you and take you to your accommodation.

   

   Get Lost Amid Medieval Streets

   On your first night in Prague, we recommend strolling around the center's side streets. It's easy to get lost there, but the river and signage make it easy to find your way to the hotel. With so many buildings lit up, we think this romantic walk will help you fall in love with Prague right away. If you arrive before sunset, visit the House of the Black Madonna - the home of a small Cubism museum, and the only surviving Cubist café in the world – the Grand Café Orient (where even the věneček cream puffs are squares instead of donut-shaped). If you are thirsty after a long journey, grab a beer at Mlejnice, a restaurant famous for its cozy and stylish atmosphere and tasty cuisine.

   Suggestion to explore on your own

7. Day 7 Your First Full Day in Prague

   

   Prague Private Walking Tour

   This three-hour walking tour of the Golden City is the ideal way to get to know the beautiful historic center of Prague. You will walk the Royal Route, originally used for the king's coronation procession. The walk takes you through the center of Old Town, where you'll see all of the most famous sights, and also learn about the fascinating history that has made Prague a unique destination throughout the ages. Crossing Charles Bridge, your guide will tell you all the stories of the past as you head up to Lesser Town, where the tour finishes.

   • Activity Level : Light
   • Duration : 3 hours

   Included in your vacation package price

   

   Experience the Life Monastic

   One of the most breathtaking interiors in the city is to be found at the Strahov Monastery. The halls of the library here have featured in several Hollywood films. After feasting your eyes you'll have the chance to feast on some Czech classics and brewed on-site beer at the monastery brewery, then head to New World, a charming, quiet part of Prague Castle.

   • Activity Level : Light
   • Duration : 3 hours

   Please ask your travel advisor for the cost to add this to your package

8. Day 8 Your Second Full Day in Prague

   

   Prague Castle Private Tour with Interiors

   This tour of Prague Castle is the best way to quickly and easily take in the main star of the city's skyline. Your guide will pick you up at your accommodation and take you to the castle by tram. Once inside the castle grounds, you'll see the most impressive sites while your guide fills you in on the vibrant history of the area and its importance for the Czech nation. Highlights of the tour include the Basilica of St. George, the Golden Lane, Daliborka Tower, the Royal Gardens and the Old Royal Palace, to name just a few. In three hours you'll take in all the must-sees at the castle, as well as a few hidden gems.

   • Activity Level : Light
   • Duration : 3 hours

   Included in your vacation package price

   

   Prague Private Scrumptious Food Tour

   Experience authentic food that reflects Czech culture and tradition, at independent, locally owned spots where food and beverages are served with love. During this tour beyond the beaten path, you'll learn that there is far more to Czech cuisine than just bread dumplings. Your local guide will give you tips on the best hidden foodie spots, so you will be able to enjoy your Prague food experience after the tour as well.
   

   • Activity Level : Moderate
   • Duration : 4 hours

   Please ask your travel advisor for the cost to add this to your package

9. Day 9 Traveling to Krakow by Private Car / Arrival in Krakow

   

   The historic capital of Poland, Krakow, is next on your itinerary. We'll have a driver pick you up from your accommodations in Prague based on your preferred departure time and drive you to Krakow. The direct drive takes around 5.5 hours. If you'd like to discover more of the Czech Republic along the way, we can also arrange for a mid-drive stop in the city of Olomouc. It's a good opportunity to have some lunch, discover a very nice town and stretch your legs before continuing on to Krakow. If a visit to Auschwitz was not in your travel plans, this is also an opportunity to stop and visit this historic site. Either stop can be added for an additional fee. The vehicle used for your transfer will be a standard sedan, station wagon, or minivan. We can arrange for an upgrade to a more luxurious class of vehicle for an extra fee.

   Krakow may not be the largest city in Poland, but it is by far the most popular with travelers. Less industrial than Warsaw, Krakow was once Poland’s royal capital, and unlike the rest of the country, came out of World War II with its gorgeous architecture mostly unscathed. One glance at the city’s perfectly preserved and restored Old Town and it will be abundantly clear why Krakow is on the UNESCO World Heritage list. This compact historical district houses the largest square in Europe, where you can stroll, shop from the market, and sample some tasty Polish delicacies. Krakow’s cultural life is rich and there are more than enough classical and jazz concerts to attend during your stay. Just walk through Old Town any evening and you’ll find warmly lit cafes, restaurants and bars. Some of the most prominent sites in and around the city are linked with the grim, albeit highly important historical facts, as evidenced by the memorials in the Jewish Kazimierz district and the Auschwitz concentration camp located nearby - chilling and vivid reminders of World War II. You can also explore Poland’s natural wonders from Krakow, with visits to the atmospheric Wieliczka Salt Mine, and the Tatra Mountains all comfortable day trips.

   When you arrive in Krakow, your driver will bring you straight to your centrally located accommodation.

   

   Settle in and Enjoy

   If you've just arrived, before starting on tours, head out and get a feel for this unique city. If you're staying near the main square ("Rynek,") take a leisurely stroll, visit the Cloth Hall, and have a coffee with a view at Cafe Szal. If you start near the Kazimierz district, treat yourself to a delicious dinner at Starka restaurant. Either way, let yourself get charmed by Krakow.

   Suggestion to explore on your own

10. Day 10 Your First Full Day in Krakow

    

    Krakow Private Walking Tour

    Today you’ll get a feel for the story of the city with a private tour with a local expert. There's much to discover as you walk the famed Royal Route through the city's heart, on this tour filled to the brim with historical facts and anecdotes. You'll wander from the Barbican and St. Florian's Gate to the spectacular royal hilltop Wawel Castle, visiting the Main Square with its Cloth Hall and St. Mary's Basilica along the way.
    

    • Activity Level : Moderate
    • Duration : 3 hours

    Included in your vacation package price

    

    Ghetto and Schindler's Factory Private Tour

    This three-hour tour with an expert local guide will give you an immersion into Krakow's Jewish culture, centering around the tragic events of World War II. From the Jewish Ghetto to Schindler's Factory, you'll see all of the most significant sites of Jewish history here. Along the way your guide will answer your questions and tell you everything you need to know about the life, times and tragedies of the Jewish people in Krakow.
    

    • Activity Level : Moderate
    • Duration : 3 hours

    Please ask your travel advisor for the cost to add this to your package

    

    Classical Krakow: Chopin Concert

    Music is one of the most important elements of Polish culture. Tonight you’ll have the opportunity to appreciate the genius of the Polish composer Chopin in a unique atmosphere. You’ll listen to Chopin’s most famous piano pieces performed by talented and award-winning young pianists. The concert will be held in the old town's Chopin Concert Hall. Located in the former home of the Royal Hunter, you'll take a richly ornamented 19th century staircase to the concert hall.

    • Activity Level : Easy
    • Duration : 1 hour

    Included in your vacation package price

    Watch the video

11. Day 11 Your Second Full Day in Krakow

    

    Wieliczka Salt Mine Group Tour

    This Salt Mine is one of the oldest in the world and was established in the 13th century. Today salt is no longer mined in Wieliczka, but this original underground complex is preserved in a great condition, making it a world-class monument. This astonishing place was recognised in the UNESCO’s World Cultural and Natural Heritage List due to its breathtaking underground chambers carved entirely in salt. Wieliczka Salt Mine tours rank among the most popular day trips from Krakow and draws attention of over one million visitors each year.
    

    • Activity Level : Moderate
    • Duration : 4 hours

    Included in your vacation package price

    Watch the video

    

    Auschwitz-Birkenau Group Tour

    See in person the place where some of the most gruesome atrocities of World War II were carried out. Auschwitz was the biggest Nazi concentration and death camp in occupied Europe. On July 2, 1947 Memorial Museum was created on its site by an act of the Polish parliament. Situated about an hour from Krakow, the Auschwitz Memorial Museum is included in UNESCO's World Heritage List.

    • Activity Level : Moderate
    • Duration : 6 hours

    Please ask your travel advisor for the cost to add this to your package

    Watch the video

12. Day 12 Departure Day

    Our driver will pick you up in from your accommodation and take you to Krakow Airport in plenty of time for your departing flight.