Experience the best of this old-world region on a journey through enchanting Central Europe and Romania. Travel to Austria and be immersed in the country’s superb musical heritage and step back in time in the castles of the Czech Republic. Experience Polish traditions while exploring the romantic Old Town of Krakow and get active in Slovakia’s Tatra Mountains. Then Explore Hungary and Romania; from the beautiful Baroque churches of Budapest to the haunted castles of Transylvania. Learn about the failed Turkish invasion of Eger and take a wine cellar tour in the Valley of the Beautiful Women. Become acquainted with traditional Romanian culture and customs in Maramures. Tour the medieval churches of Brasov, dine with a local family on an overnight homestay in Viscri and visit Bucharest’s 12-storey Palace of Parliament. This epic journey through Central Europe and Romania gives a great insight in to that magical part of the world.
Vienna, Austria – Bucharest, Romania
Soak up the royal history of Krakow’s Wawel Castle and step back in time with a stroll through the city’s medieval main square
Immerse yourself in the history, architecture and bohemian vibes of the Czech Republic. Step right into a fairytale in the World Heritage-listed town of Cesky Krumlov before soaking up the smooth sounds of jazz at a low-lit bar in Prague
So much of what is great about Europe can be found in Vienna. Revel in the city’s rich offerings of art, history and music and stroll along the eclectic Ringstrasse
Enjoy a scenic walk along the banks of the River Danube in Budapest. Threaded with bridges and hemmed in by castles and historic city buildings, Europe’s second longest river is also one of its most beautiful
Hike in the picturesque Tatra Mountains and traverse the steep slopes via funicular, gondola and electric steam train
Sample the famous Hungarian ‘bulls blood’ in Eger, the wine that supposedly gave the Hungarian army supernatural strength during their battle against the Ottoman Empire
Experience peasant life on a full-day tour through the countryside of Maramures, Romania’s most traditional and colourful region. Don’t be surprised if you see horse-drawn carts along the road
Learn spooky stories while travelling through beautiful Transylvania, famous for its medieval fortified churches and as the birthplace of the inspiration for the world’s most famous vampire, Dracula
A home-stay with a local family in the Saxon/Roma town of Viscri will expose you to Romanian hospitality and some finger-licking home-cooked grub
Less time spent travelling; more time to explore each destination. The primary means of transportation on this trip is by train. Trains are a fast way to cross long distances, allowing you to avoid traffic jams and arrive right into the city centre. They are comfortable and all have toilets, however, can sometimes be quite busy. Please note that you’ll have to carry your own luggage on and off the train, so make sure it doesn’t exceed our weight and size recommendations. You can find specifics under ‘Packing’ in the ‘Essential Trip Information’ section.
To fully enjoy the day hike in the Tatra Mountains you should have a basic level of fitness, however you can opt out of this activity should you wish not to partake. Please make sure you bring appropriate clothing and footwear, plus raincoat and sturdy trainers or walking boots are highly recommended.
Don’t let the heat keep you from exploring the world! Summer temperatures can be very high in many of the regions visited (over 40°C), which can make things uncomfortable. It’s important to use sun protection, wear layers to combat the heat, and drink plenty of water.
In some train stations and most of our accommodation there are no lifts or escalators. Please be aware that you will have to carry you own bags up and down stairs and on and off public transport. It is recommended you pack lightly. You can find some packing guidelines in the ‘packing’ section in the trip notes.
Summer temperatures can be extreme in many of the regions visited (over 40°C), which can be uncomfortable. It’s important to use sun protection, wear layers to combat the heat and drink plenty of water. Please carefully consider the time of the year you wish to travel and your suitability to that season.
As accommodation on this trip is twin-share, solo travellers will share a room with other travellers of the same gender. This trip is a great opportunity to get to know other like-minded people, so embrace it! Please note that a single supplement is not available on this trip. Space is at a premium in Europe and your hotel is no exception. Rooms are often small, but usually the central location makes up for that. For those travelling as a duo, hotels in Europe often don’t have double beds, but rather two single beds that can be pushed together. In some cases, bathroom facilities will be shared rather than ensuite.
This trip is designed to give you a fair amount of free time so you can explore each destination at your own pace. We will, however, take you on regular orientation walks, so you’ll be on your feet quite a lot. While this may be tiring for some, it’s the best way to get your head around a place and to set yourself up for further discoveries.
You may want to check out our trip ‘Vienna to Dubrovnik’ (trip code AMSNC), travelling down the Balkans peninsula through Belgrade, Sarajevo and ending in Dubrovnik on the Adriatic Coast.
There are no meals included on this day.
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place. If you can’t arrange a flight that will have you arrive at the hotel by early evening, you may wish to arrive a day early so you’re able to attend. We’ll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability)
If you wish to visit the Schoenbrunn Palace today, be aware that the gardens are free to all visitors but there is a charge for entrance and tours of the palace. Avoid long queues by pre-booking your tickets at schoenbrunn.at.
During the cooler months in shoulder season or in rainy weather, cycling is often not possible. You’ll take an extended walking tour of the town instead.
There are no meals included on this day.
There are no meals included on this day.
Your leader can help yo book your Urban Adventure, or you can pop online and book it directly on their website: urbanadventures.com
There are no meals included on this day.
If you would like to visit the museum at Auschwitz-Birkenau it is highly recommended that you pre-book your visit before you leave home, as tickets sell out very far in advance. To do so please visit the official museum website. You can also ask your leader to help you book a time slot at the beginning of the trip, but there is no guarantee tickets will be available then. A guided visit is madatory and takes approximately 2.5 hours. A transfer to the museum can be booked on shorter notice.
Today’s hike won’t be very challenging, but a basic level of fitness will help you to enjoy it to the fullest. An alternative and easier route can be suggested by the tour leader to those that do not wish to complete the long walk. We recommend a good pair of comfortable shoes and clothes for unpredictable mountainous weather. It’s also a good idea to bring a day pack with water and snacks for you along the way. There may be still be considerable snow in April and May, which may prevent you from choosing the usual hiking route. Please ensure you bring extra warm clothes and waterproof boots in April. Having said that, the crisp, clear atmosphere and fewer tourists make this a fantastic time to visit.
The journey from the Tatra Mountains to Budapest will be quite long, taking approximately 7-8 hours by private vehicle.
Many museums throughout Europe are closed on Mondays. If you are interested in a particular museum, you may want to check the opening times and plan your time in Budapest accordingly.
As this is a combination trip, your group leader and the composition of your group may change at this location. There will be a group meeting to discuss the next stage of your itinerary and you’re welcome to attend, as this is a great chance to meet your new fellow travellers.
Romanian visas are not available at the border. Should you require one, please organise this before you commence the trip.
Tonight’s rooms are in different houses scattered across the village, and you’ll be sharing facilities with other members of your group. Be prepared to spend a night in rustic conditions with a wood stove that needs tending.
