Historic central European cities
Discover the rich contrasts, traditional culture, modern wonders and vibrant cafe-life of three of Europe’s most sparkling cities. Journey first to the exquisite capital of the Czech Republic, then follow three days of relaxation and exploration with a scenic train journey to magnificent Dresden. Here you'll have the chance to see the lovingly restored Baroque city from the river and visit Meissen and infamous Colditz Castle before finishing your tour with two nights in energetic, exciting Berlin.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
WHAT DOES THE PRICE INCLUDE?
Your Itinerary
Day One: Fly to Prague
Fly to Prague, meet your tour manager and transfer to the hotel in the city’s heart. Dependent upon your arrival time, enjoy a first dinner, choosing from a vast selection of eateries to suit all tastes and pockets.
Day Two: Included tour of Prague
A guided tour will introduce the exquisite, 13th-century Old Town and, across the River Vltava by the illustrious Charles Bridge, the left bank, dominated by Prague’s ancient castle.
Beneath this home to St Vitus’ Cathedral and the Royal Palace, are the narrow, cobbled streets of Mala Strana, or Little Quarter. Following the tour, the rest of the day is free for you to explore at your leisure, perhaps joining the optional river cruise, enjoying a buffet lunch and a peerless view of the city skyline, or taking in one of the city’s countless museums and galleries. In Old Town Square, crowds gather to watch the ancient astronomical clock strike the hour, with a procession of wooden figures just part of the mechanical display. Don’t miss Josefov, the fascinating former Jewish quarter once home to Franz Kafka, or Nove Mesto /New Town, at the heart of the famous Wencelas Square, Prague’s modern heart. This evening, grab another slice of Prague’s lively nightlife, maybe finding a bar serving famous Pilsner, or dining in one of a host of restaurants offering traditional Czech fare of soups, pork, dumplings, salads and delicious Austrian-style puddings.
Day Three: Optional excursion to Pilsen
Spend a free day discovering your own Prague, or join the optional excursion to the Czech city of Pilsen. The city is famed as the birthplace of the golden lager, and boasts some superb Renaissance buildings and a majestic Gothic cathedral in addition to the popular brewery. Return to Prague for a last evening.
Day Four: Travel to Saxony and Dresden
Board the train for the journey west through the forested Bohemian countryside and on into Saxony and Dresden, for a two night stay (your luggage will be collected from the hotel in Prague and transferred directly to Dresden, where it will be waiting for you upon arrival). Begin your exploration of this lovingly restored Baroque treasure chest, perhaps enjoying the evening in the lively Neustadt area, or a riverside beer garden.
Day Five: Included tour of Dresden
Discover Dresden’s restored glories, including the famous Frauenkirche, the Altstadt, Baroque Theaterplatz, the Residenzschloss and the Zwinger buildings’ pavilions and courtyards, south of the River Elbe. On the northern bank, Neustadt and neighbouring Aussere Neustadt brim with life. Don’t miss the view of the Altstadt from Neustadt’s riverside meadows. Following the tour, perhaps join an optional river cruise. Spend a second evening in Dresden, choosing between the traditional south, or the north bank’s more modern scene.
Day Six: Included tour of Colditz
Board the coach for the journey north, with a morning visit to the famous Meissen porcelain works, Europe’s oldest, where a fascinating guided tour will explain the transformation of the raw clay into some of the world’s finest tableware and art collectibles. Continue on to the pretty town of Colditz, overlooked by the Renaissance castle that was enforced home to WW2 prisoners of war, whose attempts at escape have passed into folklore. The included guided tour will bring to life the tales of Allied ingenuity, before you continue on to Berlin for a final two nights. There’s so much to do in this ‘good-time’ city, and this evening you might choose between the restored Nikolaiviertel district, or Hackesche Hofe market’s ultra-trendy shops, bars and restaurants.
Day Seven: Included tour of Berlin
Join this morning’s included guided tour to get to know the city and its major landmarks. Highlights might include Norman Foster’s great Reichstag building, the gleaming new central station, the incredible Brandenburg Gate, marking the historic ‘division’ between east and west, and the poignant Jewish Memorial.
Stroll down great thoroughfare Unter den Linden; don’t miss Gendarmenmarkt, one of Europe’s most beautiful squares, while in former East Berlin, Karl-Marx-Allee is a reminder of Socialist excesses. Another major landmark is the giant TV Tower offering a bird’s-eye view of the city and the former course of the infamous Wall (entrance payable). Perhaps visit the ‘Checkpoint Charlie’ museum, the Olympic Stadium on the city’s outskirts, or enjoy shopping – or window-shopping – on the famous ‘Ku’damm’. This evening, maybe take in lively Potsdamer Platz, a perfect end to a wonderful holiday.
Day Eight: Fly back to the UK
Bid “Auf wiedersehen” to Berlin, and transfer to the airport for the return flight to the UK.
PRICES
Prague, Dresden and Berlin Touring Hotels
Prague, Dresden and Berlin Touring Hotels
You will be staying in a series of well-located hotels, all of which will be of at least three-star standard.
Crystal Palace, Prague (nights 1-3)
Close to Wenceslas Square, and within walking distance of Prague’s celebrated National Museum and the delights of the old town, this modern hotel occupies an elegant, imposing building. The hotel has well-appointed rooms each of which has a hairdryer, flat-screen TV and safe. There is free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel.Park Inn by Radisson, Dresden (nights 4-5)
Located in a quiet area close to the river, this hotel offers easy access to the attractions on both banks of the Elbe, and boasts air-conditioned rooms each with high-speed Wi-Fi, TV, a telephone, a hairdryer and a mini-bar. The Zum Atrium bar and restaurant offer local and international dishes.Hotel Tiergarten, Berlin (nights 6-7)
Situated close to the green swathes of the city’s former hunting grounds, this small, privately owned hotel, in a pre-war house, offers a first floor breakfast room, and comfortable bedrooms, each with cable TV, radio, Wi-Fi and hairdryer. The hotel is close to many bars and restaurants and is an ideal base for the stay.Should circumstances require, we reserve the right to accommodate you in conveniently located, alternative hotels of a similar standard.
Further Information
Hotel transfer times
The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately 45 minutes.
Combining hotel transfers
We sometimes need to combine transfers to and from your hotel. We always try to keep any wait to a minimum, but you may be asked to wait at the airport for up to an hour, while other incoming flights arrive, before the transfer to your hotel. Similarly, we may need to transfer you back to the airport up to three hours before your flight home departs.
Taxes
The cities of Dresden and Berlin operate a city tax of approximately €3-5 per person per night which must be paid locally direct to the hotel.
Special requirements
If you have notified us of any special requirements, please check that they have been noted and acknowledged. This is especially important with any dietary needs you may have.
Disabled access
The majority of our tours involve a certain amount of walking, including a short walk from the coach stop to the town, attraction or venue you're visiting. If you are bringing a wheelchair, please let us know at the time of booking so that appropriate arrangements can be made.
Itinerary changes
Occasionally, for operational reasons, we may have to change the order of the excursions on your holiday. The final day-by-day itinerary will be confirmed on your Final Travel Documents, which you will receive approximately three weeks prior to your departure.
Foreign Office Travel Advice
Visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice to find out the latest Foreign And Commonwealth Office travel advice for your holiday destination, as well as information about passports and visas.
Airport development fees
An Airport Development Fee has been introduced at a few UK Airports. You will be required to pay this charge at the following airports prior to checking in for your flight: Blackpool, Durham Tees Valley, Newquay and Norwich. The amount varies from airport to airport, but it is generally between £5 and £10 per person. Please visit the airport's website for further information.
