• 15 breakfasts
• 14 nights in hotels, 1 night in guesthouse and 1 night on an overnight train.
• Airport arrival transfer on day 1
• Transportation by public bus, electric trains, local trains and overnight train.
• Escorted by a tour leader, English speaking local guide at included sites.
• Entrance and guided tour of KGB Museum in Vilnius and the Auschwitz ConcentrationCamp near Krakow

Upon  arrival  at  Tallinn  airport  you  will  be  met and transferred to our hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore Tallinn. On  arrival please ask at the reception for information on when the pre departure meeting will be held.The capital of Estonia,Tallinn, is a  picturesque town located on the Gulf of Finland.It is famous for its enchanting historic centre,which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage  Site. Roam the cobbled streets and explore scenic ruins or climb the hill of Toompea, which is filled with medieval buildings,14th century  churches, turrets, spires and enticing alleyways.Tallinn also offers  alluring boutique shopping similar to that found in Swiss cities. The city  was the European  Capital of Culture in 2011, and the city is full of artists and artisans so you may also find wonderfully made lass,weaving  and pottery here. The café scene is thriving and youcan find everything from sunlit street cafés to Art Deco style bakeries. Within the walls of  the Old Town there are lots of excellent restaurants to enjoy and a thriving nightlife, with clubs open until  the  wee  hours.  Estonians  are  true  beer lovers so you might like to try an authentic local brew. Overnight - Tallinn

Tallinn - Riga. This morning  we  travel  by  bus to  Riga.  Riga  is  more  than  800  years  old  and its clever blend of medieval centre and  modern city infrastructure will enchant you. The UNESCO World  Heritage  listed  Old Town has  its own particular  charm,  while  the  city  is also  famousfor  its  fascinating  Art  Nouveau architectural heritage which you an discover as you wander the streets of this ‘Paris of the East'. A must-do is  a visit  to  Riga's  most  famous  Gothic  church, St  Peter's,  thought  to  be  about  800  years  old.Its famous spire has been rebuilt three times in the same form since 1667, with its latest rebuild completed  in  1973.  Climb  the spire  and  enjoy spectacular views over the city.

Riga - Vilnius. Today we depart Latvia and head for our third country of the tour - Lithuania. The capital Vilnius boasts an attractive baroque Old Town that is the largest in Eastern Europe and is praised as the 'New Prague'. Located on the edge of  the  Neris  River,  with  its  pine covered hills, friendly people, and blend of old and new, this  is  a  picturesque  city  well worth  exploring. You will have time to explore the main sights of the city including Gediminas Castle on the top of Gediminas  Hill  and  Cathedral  Square  at  the base of the hill, which is dominated by Vilnius Cathedral and its 57 metre-all belfry. On  day  5  we  visit  the  KGB  Museum  in  the city  centre.  Later on  while  you’re exploring the  square  between  the  cathedral  and  the tower you should hunt for the secret stebuklas (miracle) tile. The tile marks the southern end of the 2 million person, 650 kilometre long human chain between  Tallinn  and  Vilnius,  which  was formed in protest against Soviet occupation in 1989.  Local  legend  has it  that  if  you  find  the pretty mosaic-covered tile you should stand on it and turn  round three times clockwise while making a wish, which shall then be granted. Included ExcursionsKGB Museum Optional 

Vilnius  - Warsaw.  Departing  Lithuania  we travel across to neighbouring Poland. Warsaw, Poland's  capital,  has been revitalised  as  a tourist destination. The city was almost entirely destroyed  in  World  War  II  but  a  lot  of effort  has  gone into  its  rebuilding.  Since the  fall of communism  many  old  buildings have  given  way  to modern  sky  scrapers,  the dilapidated old town has been brightened up, and entertainment and services transformed to match that of other western capitals. Home  to  various  palaces,  castles  and  citadels, Warsaw is noted for the Soviet-era  Palace  of Culture and cience, as well as the marketplace at  the  10th  Anniversary Stadium,  a  converted estival site  were  you  can  buy  all sorts  of interesting items. Also recommended is a visit to the Old Town, which was rebuilt between 1949 and 1963 after being destroyed in World War II in the Renaissance, Gothic and Baroque styles of architecture from the 17th and 18th  enturies. You can visit the Historical Museum of Warsaw and Royal Castle at nearby Old Town Square. We arrive in the evening in time to enjoy some of the city's buzzing nightlife. However, in order to fully explore the city and any of the optional excursions listed in the Trip Notes, you may wish to book post-tour accommodation. Optional  Excursions Explore the  Old  Town  –free

Warsaw  -  Krakow.  Departing  the  capital  we head  to  Poland’s  more  famous  and  cultural city  Kraków  by train.  Krakow  has  managed to  preserve  centuries  of  amazing  architecture and  artistic  traditions  as  most  of the  historic buildings and monuments emerged unscathed from World War II. Kraków was the royal capital for 500 years so a must-see is the royal Wawel Castle,  a  beautiful  renaissance palace  which now houses a museum. During the evening the cosmopolitan  city  offers  a  wild  nightlife,  with plenty  of  restaurants,  music clubs  and bars  to explore. Kraków  is our  base  to  visit  the  UNESCO listed  Auschwitz-Birkenau  German  Nazi Concentration and Extermination Camp on day 9, a sobering tribute to the people that perished there  during  the Holocaust.  Situated  close  to the  Polish  town of  Oświęcim,  the  camp  was originally designed for Polish political prisoners but became the most notorious camp of World War II because an estimated 1.6 million people of 27  nationalities,  including  1.1  million  Jews, 150,000 Poles and 23,000 Roma were killed by the Nazis. Included Excursions:Auschwitz Concentration Camp Optional  Excursions: Wander  around Kazimierz  Jewish  area 

Krakow  -  High  Tatras.  Leaving  Krakow  we head  by  bus  and  private  transfer  in  Slovakia and  the  High Tatras. Constituting  of  a  large mountain  range  which  forms  a  natural  border between Slovakia and Poland and is the highest mountain range of the Carpathians. The tallest mountain is Gerlach at 2,655 metres, located in Slovakia just north of oprad. After making our way to Starý Smokovec (Nový Smokovec) we have time to relax and unwind. For the energetic there is an opportunity to go to the nearby mountains for some hiking. There are various paths ranging from gentle to highly demanding, winding among spectacular peaks and  rock  walls. Alternatively,  there  are  many attractions to amuse you for the next two days such  as  the  glacial  lake  of Strebske  Pleso,  the UNESCO  World  Heritage-listed  ruins  of Spissky Hrad and the Renaissance buildings of fortified Levoca. Optional Excursions:Various hiking options –free Overnight - Novy Smokovec (B)

High  Tatras  -  Prague.  Today  we  enjoy  the  last of  the  crisp  mountain  air  before  we  take  the short ride by electric train from Novy Smokovec to  Poprad  where  we  transfer  to  the  4  berth overnight train to the Czech capital of Prague.The  overnight  train  to  Prague  is made  up  of 4  berth  mixed  sex  cabins.  Basic  bedding  is provided however you may wish to bring your own sleep sheet. We do try and keep the group in the same cabins however sometimes this may not be possible. (B)

We  arrive  into  Prague  in  the  morning.  Prague is  one  of  the  most  beautiful  cities  in  Europe and  you  will have plenty  of  free  time  to visit the stunning City of 1,000 Spires, including the bustling  Old  Town  Square where  you  can find a beautiful astronomical clock, the enchanting Charles  Bridge  where  you  can  watch  artists and  buskers  at  work  and  Wenceslas  Square. There  is  also  time  to  wander the  lofty  heights of  Hradčany Castle  and  St  Vitus  Cathedral  for magical views over the city.

Prague  is  a  town  that  loves  to  party so  you may  also  want  to  experience  the  nightlife  as there are many great bars and restaurants and plenty of pulsating night clubs to enjoy. Czechs have been rewing beer since the 9th centuryand invented the world’s first Pilsner, so Pragueoffers a great opportunity to sample some of the world’s finest beers.

Prague  -  Vienna.  Prague  -  Vienna.  Departing the  Czech  capital  we  take  the  train  to  Vienna.Welcome  to Austria! Birthplace  of  some of  thegreatest classical musical compositions, Viennacharms  with  its  cultural history  and 0 opulentbeauty.  Known  as  the  “city  of  music” manycomposers  such  as  Mozart,  Beethoven andStrauss were born or orked here and you canlearn  all  about  their  works  in  places such as Haus der Musik and Mozarthaus, Mozart’s mainapartment in Vienna which holds an insight into his celebrated life. Perhaps  you would like to catch  a  jawdropping rchestra performance at the Vienna Philharmonic,  or  watch  a  ballet  or opera performance at the Wiener Staatsoper? You may also choose to visit the Schloss Schönbrunn, the palace of the Habsburg family, and discover the Baroque grandeur of the Austrian dynasty. Once you have delighted in the culture and beauty of Vienna, there are a host of a lively  restaurants, cafes and bars to soak up as you watch the world go by in this vibrant city.

Vienna  -  Budapest.  Today  we  head  to  our final destination - Budapest, by train. Budapest, Hungary’s  stylish capital  is known  as  the City of  Spas’  for  its  abundance  of  natural  thermal springs.Straddling  the  Danube River,  the  city  is comprised  of  two  very  different   historic  cities, Buda  on  the  west  bank  and  Pest  on  the east  bank.  Highlights  here  include  Castle Hill,  Matthius  Church,  Fisherman’s Bastion, the  Liberation Monument,  the  fabulous  St Stephen’s  asilica and the much photographed Parliament Building. Sample  some Hungarian  cuisine  in  a  local restaurant.  Goulash  is  the  most  popular Hungarian meat dish. It is a delicious stew made from  meat  and vegetables  with  Hungarian paprika  owder as the main spice.

Your  adventure  of  a  lifetime  comes  to  an end  today.  If  you  have  a  late  flight  or  have lengthened  your  stay  by adding  post  tour accommodation  you  will  have  more  time  to explore the sights.(B)

Exclusions

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