Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, HungaryJourneys: Explore Central Europe
Arrive at any time. Please make your own way to the joining hotel. We recommend arriving a day or two early to fully explore this world-renowned city.
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your Expedition Leader and Group
Your opportunity to meet your National Geographic Expedition Leader and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Accommodation
Below is an example of the hotel we may use in this city. For the actual hotel your specific departure will be using, please check your voucher.
NH Berlin Alexanderplatz
Set out on an orientation walk with your National Geographic Expedition Leader to get your bearings. Then discover sections of the Berlin Wall with a local historian, delving deeper into the political and social history of the so-called Iron Curtain from its rise to its fall. During free time this afternoon, opt to join a river tour, people-watch at the historic Brandenburg Gate, or glimpse the city’s flourishing art scene at local galleries and museums. Berlin is an amazing city with tangible historical importance and is a melting pot of different cultures and flavours.
Orientation With National Geographic Expedition Leader
Enjoy a brief walk with your National Geographic Expedition Leader. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs. For more specific or in-depth information, an official guided tour is recommended.
Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Walk the Berlin Wall with a Historian
Walk sections of the Berlin Wall with a local historian to discus the the barrier that divided a country between east and west. Examine the political, social and cultural aspects of the wall from its beginnings to the fall.
Free Time
Opt to visit the East Side Gallery, Checkpoint Charlie, world-class museums, or the Berlin Television Tower for a sweeping view.
Optional Activities - Day 2Show
Accommodation
NH Berlin Alexanderplatz
Travel by private vehicle to Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic and one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval cities. Enjoy a guided tour of the historic centre, which dates largely to the 14th century and has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. As you walk along the cobbled streets, chart the city’s development through the centuries according to architectural style, from the Middle Ages to present day. This evening, opt to watch the sunset from a lively beer garden on the banks of the Vltava River. A great way to spend the evening is watching the sunset from the heights of the Letna Beer Garden, where you can sample Czech beer, world-famous for its superb quality and low cost.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Prague Guided City Tour
Enjoy a guided tour of the old town including the Jewish quarter, astronomical clock, Charles Bridge, and Wenceslas Square. Visit all the major sights of the Old Town and simply soak up the atmosphere of a unique community where every street, inn, or theatre tells a story.
Optional Activities - Day 3Show
Accommodation
Miss Sophie's Downtown
Enjoy a free day to explore the “city of a hundred spires.” Wind your way past baroque domes and Gothic spires, sprawling plazas and spectacular cathedrals. Cross the iconic Charles Bridge, amble through the historic Jewish Quarter, marvel at the medieval astronomical clock, and delve into modern history at Wenceslas Square, where citizens rallied for an end to communism during the Velvet Revolution. Opt to climb more than 200 steps up to the palaces and courtyards of the monumental Prague Castle, the world’s largest ancient castle complex. Check out a local restaurant and try traditional Czech cuisine, such as goulash and dumplings. Charles Bridge by day is packed with vendors and street musicians. At night, it is less crowded, and it's much easier to appreciate the scenery as well as the ever-so-slightly sinister quality of the statues looming overhead. Cross the bridge and you'll find yourself in Mala Strana, a far less crowded district that offers the perfect atmosphere for some introspective wandering. If you're in the area and want to experience traditional Czech pubs which are guaranteed to be loud, lively, and packed with locals on any night of the week, this is the place for it. You'll find restaurants serving traditional Czech cuisine like fried pork cutlets, goulash, and dumplings.
Free Time
Enjoy this lively city with a full free day to explore.
Optional Activities - Day 4Show
Accommodation
Miss Sophie's Downtown
Take a scenic drive through the Bohemian countryside to the fairytale town of Český Krumlov, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Opt to visit the Český Krumlov State Castle and Chateau, and get lost in the Gothic castle’s hidden passageways, Baroque theatre, and hedge maze as you explore these epic grounds built between the 14th and 19th centuries. The inclusion of Ceský Krumlov on UNESCO's List of Natural and Cultural Heritage was undoubtedly a turning point in the modern history of the town. It sent a clear signal to the rest of the cultural world that South Bohemia has something unique to offer.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Free Time
Get out and explore.
Optional Activities - Day 5Show
Accommodation
Hotel Gold
Cross the border into Austria, where you will join a local chef at the famed Naschmarkt, established in the 16th century as a marketplace for wooden milk bottles, sampling some of Vienna's finest delicacies as you explore the stalls and lanes. Enjoy free time this evening to see Vienna’s land-marked cathedral or simply enjoy a walk around the elegant capital.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Naschmarkt Walk
Vienna’s famous Naschmarkt was established in the 16th century as a marketplace for wooden milk bottles. Today, it’s the city’s most popular market and a major destination for visitors. Discover its bounty of stalls and lanes with the guidance of a local chef, who’ll talk about the history of the market and provide professional insight on the local cuisine and food culture of this historic city. Learn all you ever wanted about Austrian cheeses, sausages, spices, and oils and take part in tastings throughout. This perfectly tasty experience is ideal for foodies and novices alike.
Optional Activities - Day 6Show
Accommodation
Elaya Hotel Vienna City West
This morning, go on orientation walk around Vienna. Stop by a local café to pair a cup of rich Viennese coffee with a slice of the famed Sacher torte—a decadent chocolate and nougat confection historically linked to the city’s distinguished coffee houses. Then take in some of Europe's most distinguished art galleries, visit the stunning Lipizzaner horses of the renowned Spanish Riding School, experience mass with the Vienna Boys Choir, or settle into a café.
Orientation With National Geographic Expedition Leader
Enjoy a brief walk with your National Geographic Expedition Leader. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs. For more specific or in-depth information, an official guided tour is recommended.
Your Foodie Moment: Sacher Torte Tasting
Sample the world-famous Sacher Torte - a decadent chocolate cake topped with apricot jam and dark chocolate icing - in its birthplace, paired with a cup of rich Viennese coffee. It's a cultural experience as well as a delicious afternoon treat.
Free Time
Enjoy the city as you wish.
Optional Activities - Day 7Show
Accommodation
Elaya Hotel Vienna City West
Catch a train to the Hungarian capital, Budapest–a vibrant city where rich history, stunning architecture, and rich culture come together along the beautiful Danube River. Head out for a guided historic walking tour through the city's medieval and Jewish districts. Immerse yourself in the pre-Ottoman worlds of Buda and Pest, separated by the Danube River, and learn about events of historical significance along the way. During free time, choose to “take the waters” at a thermal bathhouse or explore the stunning Baroque castle, the historic residence of the Hungarian kings. Choose to join the Chief Experience Officer for an optional farewell dinner at a local restaurant. You might like to have an optional dinner at a local restaurant on Váci Utca, which is the bustling main street of Budapest.
Train
Climb aboard, take a seat, and enjoy the ride.
Budapest History Walking Tour
Unravel the secrets of Budapest on a 3-hour walking tour of the city's medieval and Jewish districts. Your guide will meet you and then take you to visit Great Market Hall, the city's largest food market, before making your way through winding streets to see remnants of Budapest's 15th-century fortress walls. Immerse yourself in the pre-Ottoman worlds of Buda and Pest, separated by the Danube River, and learn about events of historical significance along the way. Stop for a coffee break, then continue onto the city's Jewish district and visit the Dohany Street Synagogue to learn about the history of Hungarian Jews. Today, this area is known for its "ruin bars" and is a lively center of nightlife.
Free Time
Enjoy some time to explore on your own.
Optional Activities - Day 8Show
Accommodation
Nemzeti Budapest MGallery Hotel
Depart at any time. We recommend staying a few extra days to experience all this city has to offer.
Departure Day
Not ready to leave? Your Expedition Leader can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.
