Bohemian Rhapsody – 12N / 13D
$200
/ per person
(0 Reviews)
Bohemian Rhapsody – 12 Nights / 13 Days
Berlin – Dresden (Germany) – Prague (Czech Republic) – Vienna (Austria) – Ljubljana – Lake Bled – Julia Alps (Slovenia) – Budapest (Hungary) – Krakow – Auschwitz – Warsaw (Poland).
The major capitals of Eastern Europe are encountered on this multi – country trip – showing you the contrasts and nuances between the places that once lay either side of the Iron Curtain
Its Insider moments like….settling into each new city with the help of our local guides. They weave their personal stories into the famous icons you see, like Prague Castle, Schonbrunn Palace, Auschwitz camp…strolling together they take you through the cobbled streets and readily share their tips for where to shop, eat so that you can seamlessly fit in as you explore on your free time…and you experience European rural life too, returning to nature for 2 nights in Slovenia’s scenic Lake Bled Its also about insider tastes, as you sample traditional Hungarian, Polish and Slovenian cuisines
Recommendations of our valued guests have been incorporated for our 2014 programmes.
SUMMARY PROGRAMME :
Berlin : 2 nights Hotel Berlin or sim Guided city tour with views of Berlin Wall, Brandenburg Gate,
DRESDEN : Enroute visit to the “Florence on the Elbe”. Ruled by Saxon Royalty for over 700 years, is one of the most beautiful cities in Germany with its mosaiced walls. The city also hosts Emperor Aurangzeb’s “Coat of Arms” which was never shipped to India.
PRAGUE : 2 nights Hotel Duo Praha or sim; City tour with visit of Prague Castle & Cathedral Shop for Crystals
VIENNA : 1 night Hotel Astoria or sim; Guided city tour with tour of Schonnbrunn Palace
LAKE BLED : 2 nights Golf or Park hotel Pletna boat ride & visit to St Mary’s Church Day excursion to Capital city Ljubljana with city tour
BUDAPEST : 2 nights Budapest hotel or sim, Guided city tour including Parliament building visit Cruise on Danube A Hungarian evening complete with folklore show and dinner
KRAKOW : 2 nights Sympozjum hotel or sim, Guided city tour with tour of the fascinating Wieliczka Salt Mine A delightful private Polish Polka Party in the evening
AUSCHWITZ : Enroute visit to the concentration camp so chillingly evoked in “Schindler’s List”
WARSAW : 1 nights Novotel Centrum or sim, Guided City tour
MEALS : Daily breakfast, 06 Local / Indian lunches, 12 Local / Indian dinners
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Destination
Tour Plan
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DAY 1 : ARRIVE BERLIN
Arrive into the re-instated capital, Berlin. Complete customs & immigration and proceed to Hotel and check in. Evening, Indian dinner
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DAY 2: AT BERLIN
Morning we visit the Berlin Wall and Checkpoint Charlie during the city Tour. Experience the history of the Berlin Wall and visit the famous Checkpoint Charlie which during the Cold War, was the main gateway for non-Germans between the two Berlins during the Cold War.
Take a photo of Brandenburg Gate and / or Reichstag (German Parliament) during the photo stop at bus-stop Brandenburg Gate/Reichstag.
Post lunch, at leisure to explore the city on your own. Indian dinner
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DAY 3: BERLIN-DRESDEN-PRAGUE – 355 kms - 6 hrs driving time
Today we travel through the Sprewell Forest to “Florence on the Elbe”, beautiful Dresden. On our arrival an orientation tour includes the Saxon wall, Semper Opera and 18th century Cathedral.
Clients feedback … ‘Dresden was really a surprise. We had not heard much of it. Thought it was an industrial town. We were awestruck by the magnificent architecture of the building, the opera house, the Royal Courtyard, the church and the mosaiced Saxon walls!’
Post lunch, we cross into the Czech Republic. From here we make our way to the astonishing city of Prague. Arrive Prague dinner and Indian restaurant and then check into hotel.
The Golden City Prague… if there is any place that can rival Paris for its charms… this is the place. The city is beautiful at day and even more at night. The Iron curtain has been brought down and the city has sprung to life with buildings renovated/ scrubbed…with many a building in bright Pastel colors.
Evening life in Prague is equally interesting and there is something for all tastes… nightclubs, Discos, Operas and Concerts, Folk Shows or simply walking around the area of Old Quarter, Wenceslas Square and the Vltava river front…. the monuments softly lit up and bringing out all the charms of the Golden City.
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DAY 4: AT PRAGUE
Morning the Grand city tour covers - the Old city center, including Wenceslas Square, Charles Bridge, the Old Town Square and the Jewish Quarter, culminating at the fabulous Prague Castle (Hradcany) on the other side of the River Vltava. There after we leave you at the Old Quarter with the Wenceslas Square nearby. Stroll the streets… see the illuminations and then you will appreciate our decision to include Prague.
Afternoon & evening is free for you to shop. We will leave you at a Crystal factory outlet. Here you will find the best of Crystals made anywhere … fine Bohemian crystal and cut (etched) glass unmatched anywhere in the world.
The nicest thing is the down to earth and affordable prices. This is Czech shopping at its best and a delight forever to adorn your home.
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DAY 5: PRAGUE - VIENNA – 335 kms – 4 ½ hrs driving time
Today we drive to Vienna, one of the 10 most beautiful cities in the world. Upon our arrival, we proceed for lunch.
This is followed by a guided tour of Schonbrunn Palace, once the summer residence of the Hapsburg family and Maria Theresa, mother of Marie Antoinette, who later became Queen to Louis XVI. The interiors gorgeously finished gives you an impression of the grandeur and opulence during the glorious days of the Hapsburg Empire. The family had ruled continuously for over 700 years.
Later, a guided tour of the city which introduces us to the Austrian Capital… & the city of Mozart and Strauss and the seat of the Erstwhile Austro-Hungary Empire ruled by the Hapsburg Dynasty for over 650 years till as late as World War I … Marvel at the architectural excellence of its buildings and palaces, all in the fine state of maintenance, lovely parks and Pedestrian Walks, its fabulous Opera houses, the Rathaus and the Parliament building in Neo Baroque style etc., the St.Stephen's spired cathedral and the pedestrian area. Indian dinner and check into hotel
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DAY 6: VIENNA - LAKE BLED – 405 km – 5 hrs driving time
Morning, drive to Lake Bled...a small village town that is cosy with beautiful warm local people. Enjoy a remarkably lovely view of the lake and its surroundings. Check into hotel. Balance day free to enjoy the lake front. A cruise on the lake on the unique Pletna boat is included
In the evening your tour director will treat you to “cream cakes” a delicacy of Lake Bled. Dinner at hotel with entertainment by Slovenian accordionist especially for you
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DAY 7: LAKE BLED – LJUBLJANA VISIT
Today we visit the capital city of Ljubljana. A city that contains all the amenities of large capitals, while retaining the charm, kindness and relaxed atmosphere of smaller localities. You will realize that Ljubljana is a city with a young and dynamic pulse. Indian lunch
A 2 hrs walking tour features the main sights in the Old Town, including the baroque cathedral of St Nicholas, the elegant Fountain of the three Carniolan rivers and the Town Hall; you will proceed further through the Town Square, the Old Square and the Upper Square, and cross the Cobblers' Bridge and the Triple Bridge, both designed by our famous architect Jože Ple?nik. You will also explore the left bank of the Ljubljanica River, with a stress on the Congress Square.
Later return to Lake Bled. Dinner at hotel
Note : on the strong recommendation of our guests, we are staying for 2 nights at Lake Bled. Many of our guests during the 2008 inaugural tour who have visited scenic areas in Switzerland, New Zealand, Scandinavia rated Lake Bled and the journey through Julia Alps as one of their finest experiences.
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DAY 8: LAKE BLED- BUDAPEST 520 kms / 6 ½ hrs driving time
Drive to the beautiful Hungarian capital of Budapest…. the impressive capital, comprises the twin cities of Buda and Pest situated on two sides of the River. Check into hotel.
A Hungarian evening awaits you tonight. Spend an enjoyable evening in a traditional restaurant in the hills of Buda. Marvelous views of the illuminated city. After an aperitif we swerve you a 3-course meal with wine accompanied by a varied folklore programme. An opportunity to dance…
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DAY 9: AT BUDAPEST
A morning sightseeing tour will introduce you to this fascinating city, including Heroes' Square, Gellert Hill, the Castle district, St. Matthew's church and the Fishermen's bastion in the Pest area located on a hill, with its spectacular view over the city.
This will be followed by a visit to the Parliament building : The building has nearly 700 rooms, is 268m long, 118m wide at its maximum and over 90m high at the top of the dome. The main entrance leads to a ceremonial staircase with ceiling frescoes by Károly Lotz. From here opens a 16-sided hall below the dome, used for official receptions and ceremonies. The MP's debating chamber is in the south wing. The chamber of the former Upper House in the north wing is today used for conferences. All the interior rooms and passageways are ornamented in a rich neo-Gothic style.
Indian lunch….followed by a cruise on river Danube will be provided today. You will then be able to appreciate what made Johan Strauss compose “Blue Danube” …. Probably the most popular composition.
Indian dinner.
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DAY 10: BUDAPEST–KRAKOW – 394 kms – 7 ½ hrs driving time
Morning board your coach and drive to Krakow on the foot hills of the Tatra Mountains. Scenic stretches enroute. On arrival, check into hotel. Tonight we have in store for you a Polish Polka Party!!! Dance away the night. Local Dinner
Client feedback on Poland on the last leg of the journey… ‘we had no idea of the scenic beauty of the Polish countryside or its awesome heritage. Its a fairytale scenery like you can imagine from one’s childhood books like Hansel & Gretel’.
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DAY 11: AT KRAKOW
Your tour begins with a short walk along the streets of the former Jewish district of Kazimierz. Next, we view the Wawel Hill, crowned by Wawel Castle and Wawel Cathedral and the seat of royal power up until the 17th century.
A walk up Grodzka street leads you to the heart of Krakow, the Rynek Glówny, or Main Market Square. There the large Gothic Cloth Hall is the perfect place to shop for local souvenirs.
The last sightseeing stop is the twin-spired St Mary's Church with its famous medieval altar by Wit Stwosz and where, every hour the brave trumpeter of Krakow still calls out his warning.
Post lunch, we visit the Wieliczka salt mine…Legend has it that the salt mines in Wieliczka were part of the dowry of the Hungarian princess, Kinga, when she wed Boleslaw the Shy over 700 years ago, making the Wieliczka Salt Mine one of the oldest in all of Europe.
Over the centuries, devout and superstitious miners have carved fabulous figures, monuments and altarpieces out of its salt walls. These amazing works of art, in addition to the mine's historical importance, have earned the Wieliczka Salt Mine a place on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list.
Client feedback … ‘It was stunning. Could never imagine such a spectacular place so deep in the underground…. A veritable and unique museum with statues and frescos made of salt’.
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DAY 12 : KRAKOW-AUSCHWITZ-WARSAW – 380 kms – 6 hrs driving time
This morning we step back into recent history when we proceed on a guided visit to the Camp at Auschwitz, so chillingly evoked in “Schindler’s List”, reminding us of the World War II Holocaust.
Client feedback … ‘A moving narration and experience that brought tears to our eyes’
Then we make our way to Warsaw. Upon arrival, we do an orientation tour of the city… we visit the famous landmarks, cultural centers and busy market squares. During your City Sightseeing Tour of Warsaw you will gain a general impression of Poland's capital. By bus you pass the Royal Route with its aristocratic residences, historic churches and famous statues.
Historical sites such as the Ghetto Memorial, the Monument of Warsaw Uprising, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Chopin's monument, the Belvedere Palace are all seen on your tour.
Indian dinner and check into hotel.
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DAY 13: DEPART WARSAW
Breakfast. Morning check out and transfer to airport for your flight back to India
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