Travel from Vienna to Dubrovnik on a tour through Austria, the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro and Croatia. Discover a region where the past continues to weave its spell through alpine towns and green valleys, and emanates from medieval castles and austere monasteries – getting a sense of the hidden magic of Central Europe. Traversing nine countries, there is much to see and plenty of opportunity to experience the culture and the people of this enchanting pocket of Europe. Better yet, there’s loads of flexibility for you to do it your own way
Vienna, Austria – Dubrovnik, Croatia
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. Soak up the smooth sounds of jazz at a low-lit bar in Prague before stepping right into a fairytale in the World Heritage-listed town of Cesky Krumlov
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
Wander through Belgrade’s Bohemian quarter and grand 19th-century boulevards, before launching yourself into its animated nightlife
Witness Mostar’s famous bridge divers hurl themselves from the stones of a bridge that has stood their for centuries
Sarajevo is one of the most scenically located cities in Europe. See the sights on a guided walking tour and learn about its recent history as a city under siege
Sections of this trip will be travelled by train. Train travel is a fast way to traverse long distances, allowing you to avoid traffic jams and arrive right into the city centre. Trains are comfortable and often decked out with air-conditioning, toilets, a snack bar (or vending machine) and power points. 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 this information in the ‘Packing’ section of the Essential Trip Information.
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, single travellers will share a room with another traveller of the same sex. This trip is a great opportunity to get to know other like-minded people, so embrace it while you can. However, if you’d prefer not to share, a single room supplement is available at an additional charge. Please ask your travel consultant for more details. Also, hotels in Europe often don’t have double beds, but rather two single beds that can be pushed together.
As this is a combination of 2 trips, your leader and the composition of your group may change in Budapest.
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 also want to check out our trip ‘Journey through Central Europe & Romania’ (trip code AMSCC). This trip heads further east and explores Romania and Bulgaria.
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.
Please note that today’s drive is quite long (up to 9 hours), even though the distance covered is only about 300 km. The road is windy, but extremely scenic, so sit back and take in the beautiful countryside. If you suffer from motion sickness you may want to consider taking along your medication.
If you haven’t had enough yet, why not join our ‘Explore Croatia’ trip that heads up the cost to the islands of Korcula and Hvar, all the way to Split. Alternatively our ‘Dubrovnik to Bled’ trip heads even further north to the Plitvice Lakes and Slovenia, ending on the shores of Lake Bled. Dates often coincide with the end of your trip.
