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Details Christmastime in Berlin & Eastern Europe
Visit Berlin as well as the popular cities of Prague, Budapest, and Vienna. Enjoy two-night stays in each city
where sightseeing with a Local Guide is included. In Berlin visit Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church with its
bomb-damaged tower and take your pictures at Checkpoint Charlie. Also visit Prague's Hradcany Castle and St.
Vitus Cathedral, Budapest's Matthias Coronation Church, and Vienna's St. Stephen's Cathedral. En route stops
are also made in Dresden, once belonging to the "other part" of Germany; and Bratislava, capital city of the
Slovak Republic. There's time to enjoy the Christmas markets and festive atmosphere in each city.
Departure 1218 is in Vienna on Christmas Eve.
Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with
the traveler.
Day 1
Arrival in Berlin, Germany
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| Time to rest or to start exploring the capital decked out in traditional German Adventszeit (Advent season)
decorations! At 6 p.m. meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)
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Day 2
Berlin
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| Guided sightseeing in the once-divided metropolis includes the elegant Ku-Damm, the restored Reichstag,
Charlottenburg Palace, monumental Brandenburg Gate, and the 210-foot Victory Column in the vast Tiergarten
Park. Admire Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church with its bombdamaged tower, drive along Unter den Linden Boulevard
and pass the State Opera House, and of course stop for pictures at Checkpoint Charlie. The afternoon is free
to explore the Christmas markets, and an optional excursion to historic Potsdam is available. (BB)
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Day 3
Berlin-Dresden-Prague, Czech Republic
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| South through the area that used to belong to the "other part" of Germany. Stop in Dresden and admire
the architecture of the Zwinger Palace and Semper Opera. Be sure to taste some Stollen, the traditional
Christmas cake that originated here, and perhaps buy some festive decorations handmade in the nearby
Erzgebirge Mountains. Then head for Bohemia and the Czech capital of Prague. (BB,D)
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Day 4
Prague
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| Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide features 1,000-year-old HRADCANY CASTLE, ST. VITUS CATHEDRAL, the
Old Town, the Jewish ghetto, and the ASTRONOMICAL CLOCK, once the envy of all Europe. Afterwards mix with
the locals in Wenceslaus Square, and stroll through the Christmas market. Christmas is the most important
family holiday of the year in most Eastern European countries, and the Czechs begin their preparations and
celebrations on December 4 with the feast of St. Barbara. (BB)
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Day 5
Prague-Bratislava, Slovakia-Budapest, Hungary
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| Into Moravia, where Napoleon established his headquarters during the battle of Austerlitz. Around lunchtime
you reach Bratislava, the economic and political center of the Slovak Republic. Later, follow the course of
the Danube River to Budapest. (BB,D)
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Day 6
Budapest
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| Your Local Guide takes you through Eastern Europe's most cosmopolitan city. See the elegant Andrassy
Avenue, the Thermal Baths, and the world's second largest Jewish Synagogue. From the lacy lookout towers
of Fishermen's Bastion enjoy a panoramic view of the sprawling city. Then visit the 13th-century ST. MATTHIAS
CORONATION CHURCH and Heroes' Square. Afternoon at leisure. Christmas preparations in Hungary begin on the
first Sunday of Advent, when candles are lit and wreaths appear in offices, schools, and homes. See the
Christmas market and try the beiglie, a Christmas cookie made of walnuts and regional spices. Tonight
why not enjoy a delectable optional Hungarian specialty dinner? (BB)
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Day 7
Budapest-Vienna, Austria
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| This morning drive through the Hungarian plains to Vienna, once the center of the mighty Habsburg
Empire. Meet your Local Guide and start your afternoon sightseeing with vistas of Prater Park with its
giant Ferris wheel, and the United Nations City on the banks of the Danube River. Then drive along
Ring Boulevard, pass the State Opera House, the Jewish Quarter, and stop at the Hofburg Palace,
winter residence of the Austrian Imperial family. Marvel at the impressive courtyards and famous
Heldenplatz, and visit awesome ST. STEPHEN'S CATHEDRAL. (BB)
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Day 8
At Leisure in Vienna
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| This A whole day at leisure gives you an opportunity to discover the various Christmas markets located
throughout the city. Hear well-loved Christmas carols and marvel at the local festive decorations! Then
join the Viennese in one of their famous coffee houses-don't forget to savor Sachertorte and watch the
jolly crowd. Tonight enjoy an included farewell dinner with your traveling companions. (BB,D)
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Day 9
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| Tour ends(BB)
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Additional Information
Meals
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| - 8 buffet breakfasts (BB); 4 three-course dinners (D), including a welcome dinner in Berlin
and a farewell dinner in Vienna
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City Highlights
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BERLIN -
Welcome dinner; Christmas markets; guided sightseeing including picture stops at Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church and Checkpoint Charlie
DRESDEN -
Orientation
PRAGUE -
Christmas market; guided sightseeing, Astronomical Clock, visit Hradcany Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral
BRATISLAVA -
Lunchtime stop
BUDAPEST -
Christmas market; guided sightseeing, picture stop at Fishermen's Bastion, visit St. Matthias Coronation Church
VIENNA -
Guided sightseeing, visit St. Stephen's Cathedral; one full day at leisure to explore the Christmas markets; farewell dinner
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- Please note surcharges may apply due to special events -
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