Country Roads of Central Europe
Experience Overview
Experience the best Europe has to offer, beginning with Vienna sightseeing and a serving of Polish charm in breathtaking Krakow. Fall in love with the fairy tale town of Český Krumlov before an exciting Insight Choice in the Czech capital—touring the thousand-year-old castle courtyards or joining a Local Expert for a walk through the Jewish quarter. Both will end by wowing you in the Old Town square with the fortune-telling astronomical clock. Journey through Slovakia and across the Tatra Mountains to Budapest. Explore the Old Town of Buda, separated from Pest by the Danube River, and admire the spectacular views from the Fisherman’s Bastion before feasting on the finest local delicacies paired with select Hungarian wines.
Highlights
Dining Summary
- 4 Dinner (D)
- 8 Breakfast (B)
Choice Highlights
- Vienna: Listen to the music of Mozart and learn the Viennese Waltz in an inclusive workshop designed to support the visually impaired community. Unique to Insight Vacations guests, ‘Dancing without Barriers’ takes place in the dark, in a specially designed sensory studio, and will be a unique experience for all your senses. This specifically designed workshop focuses on inclusion and education around the topic of visual impairment. Through their foundation the organization supports children from disadvantaged family and children with a visual impairment. This experience advances United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities. Choose between two carefully selected activities
- Prague: Stroll through the Jewish Quarter with your Local Expert to hear how the Jewish community has shaped the history of Prague. Taste Trdelnik, a traditional Czech pastry.
- Prague: Explore Prague with your Local Expert, walk the courtyards of the Castle, and visit the imposing St. Vitus Cathedral. The city is then yours to explore. Maybe take a river cruise through the heart of the city, or walk in the footsteps of kings along the Royal Route?
Additional Included Highlights
- Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
- Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
- We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
- From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
- Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
- If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.
Authentic Dining
- Vienna: Join your Travel Director and fellow travelers for a drink, followed by a pleasant dinner with wine at a local restaurant.
- Kraków: For your Dine-Around evening, choose your style of dining from a selection of hand-picked local restaurants, unique in Polish flavor.
- Budapest: Sit down to a Hungarian dinner paired with wine amid the architectural delights of the city.
Insight Choice
- Prague: Stroll through the Jewish Quarter with your Local Expert to hear how the Jewish community has shaped the history of Prague. Taste Trdelnik, a traditional Czech pastry.
- Prague: Explore Prague with your Local Expert, walk the courtyards of the Castle, and visit the imposing St. Vitus Cathedral. The city is then yours to explore. Maybe take a river cruise through the heart of the city, or walk in the footsteps of kings along the Royal Route?
Insight Experiences
- Budapest: Enjoy a tour of the Liszt Music Academy with a student, followed by an enchanting recital. Producing incredible musical talent, the university was founded by piano virtuoso and composer Franz Liszt in 1875.
Make Travel Matter
- Vienna: Listen to the music of Mozart and learn the Viennese Waltz in an inclusive workshop designed to support the visually impaired community. Unique to Insight Vacations guests, ‘Dancing without Barriers’ takes place in the dark, in a specially designed sensory studio, and will be a unique experience for all your senses. This specifically designed workshop focuses on inclusion and education around the topic of visual impairment. Through their foundation the organization supports children from disadvantaged family and children with a visual impairment. This experience advances United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities.
Top Rated Highlights
- Vienna: A guided exploration of Schönbrunn Palace will have all your senses tingling. Stand beneath frescoed ceilings, crystal chandeliers and gilded Rococo frames where Mozart performed as a child prodigy.
- Vienna: Travel along the Ring Road to see the Hofburg Imperial Residence, Opera House, Parliament Building and Karlskirche.
- Cesky Krumlov: Your Travel Director will lead you on an orientation of the city as you explore the medieval streets of this fairy-tale town.
- Auschwitz: Experience a powerful and moving visit with a Local Expert. See the Auschwitz memorial and museum, which bears witness to the atrocities of the Holocaust.
- Kraków: The medieval heart of Krakow is rich in legend, a kind of Polish Camelot. Join your Local Expert for an in-depth exploration of this historic holy grail.
- Kraków: Visit the cathedral atop Wawel Hill accompanied by your Local Expert.
- Kraków: Visit the 14th-century St. Mary's Basilica, the most important church in the city.
- Budapest: Explore the Old Town of Buda with a Local Expert.
Well-being
- Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.
- Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.
Trip Details
Product Code: 19568
Tour Type: Group Tour
Accommodation: Deluxe
Transport: Private
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles:
Family, 55+, Luxury
Tour Operator:
Insight Vacations (CA)
Supplier Code: 159.1078A
Starts: Vienna, Austria
Finishes: Vienna, Austria
Duration: 9 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Easy
Includes
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $3,660 ($407 /day)
Itinerary
Welcome to Vienna! Enjoy your afternoon before meeting your Travel Director and fellow travelers to enjoy dinner served with wine at a local restaurant.
Accommodation: Hilton Vienna Park, Hilton Vienna Plaza, Vienna
Meals: Dinner
Join a Local Expert for a tour of Maria Theresa's magnificent Schönbrunn Palace and its formal gardens. Be transported to a time of opulence and extravagance, as you marvel at the intricacies of gilded Rococo frames, frescoed ceilings, and crystal chandeliers. Get your camera ready for a drive around the Ring Road, a grand boulevard built along the lines of the old city walls, showcasing many of the capital's architectural masterpieces, including the Opera House, the magnificent Hofburg Imperial Residence, the Austrian Parliament Building, and Karlskirche. Explore Vienna by joining a unique MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, take to the floor in a Viennese Waltz dance workshop and support the visually impaired community. Dancing in the dark, in a specially designed sensory studio, will be a unique experience for all your senses.
Accommodation: Hilton Vienna Park, Hilton Vienna Plaza, Vienna
Meals: Breakfast
Once over the Czech border, head for picturesque Český Krumlov, where you'll start with a brief orientation tour of this fairy-tale town, straight out of the Middle Ages. Enjoy some free time to explore and appreciate views of the Vltava River. Wander through the cobblestone, traffic-free streets, past colorful houses that lead up to the finest castle in the land. In the afternoon, continue through the green Bohemian countryside to Golden Prague.
Accommodation: Royal, Prague
Meals: Breakfast
Explore Prague with Insight Choice. Choose to walk the courtyards of the Castle and visit the imposing St. Vitus Cathedral. Alternatively, join your Local Expert for a walk through the Jewish Quarter and learn about a different side of the history of Prague. Continue to Old Town Square where the mechanical antics of the Astronomical Clock’s glockenspiel delight onlookers each hour. The afternoon is free for you to explore at your leisure.
Accommodation: Royal, Prague
Meals: Breakfast
Enjoy a drive through the rolling Czech countryside before crossing into Poland where you will stop at Oświęcim, better known by its German name of Auschwitz. Join a guided tour of the memorial and museum, which bore witness to the terrible atrocities of the Holocaust.
Accommodation: Vienna House Andel's Cracow, Kraków
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
In the morning why not join an Optional Experience and journey into a glistening subterranean world at the 600-year-old Wieliczka Salt Mine? In a maze of tunnels deep below the surface, witness unique salt sculptures, sunken lakes and even a glorious cathedral carved entirely out of rock salt by the miners. Alternatively, enjoy a morning at leisure before joining your fellow travelers to ascend Wawel Hill and visit the cathedral, with your Local Expert. Walk past the former residence of Pope John Paul II through the Old Town, to Europe’s largest and most beautiful town square. See the medieval Sukiennice Cloth Hall and visit the 14th century St. Mary’s Basilica, the most important church in the city. Keep your eyes and ears peeled for the trumpeter in the tower. In the evening, choose from a selection of hand-picked local restaurants on your Dine-Around Evening.
Accommodation: Vienna House Andel's Cracow, Kraków
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Journey into the Slovakian region of Orava and see the picturesque Oravský Hrad Castle before continuing through the breathtaking Low Tatra Mountains to arrive in Budapest.
Accommodation: Courtyard by Marriott Budapest City Center
Meals: Breakfast
Enjoy a tour of the Liszt Music Academy, followed by an enchanting recital by one of the student's. The university was founded by the piano virtuoso and composer Franz Liszt in 1875. Afterwards, explore Budapest with a Local Expert. Visit Heroes’ Square and drive down elegant Andrássy Boulevard in pest, and wander the medieval streets of Buda to enjoy views from the Fisherman's Bastion. The rest of the day is at your leisure to relax by the Danube or browse the boutiques of Vaci Street. For dinner, you are treated to mouth watering Hungarian specialties, accompanied by specially selected wines.
Accommodation: Courtyard by Marriott Budapest City Center
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Today, bid farewell to your new friends before you transfer to the airport.
Meals: Breakfast
Similar Tours
Tour Operator
Insight Vacations (CA)
Part of The Travel Company (TTC) family of brands, Insight Vacations began operations in 1978 and is based in Cypress, CA. Journeys are featured to destinations, such as the U.S. and Canada, Europe, Latin America, North Africa, Asia, the UK and Ireland. The company offers are a variety of tours under the classifications of Regional Journeys, Country Roads, Discovery Journeys, Easy Pace trips, and Special Interest tours. Insight is the ideal name for the tour operator, as the journeys provided by Insight Vacations allow travelers to gain further insight into whatever destination they wish to explore. For example, Discovery Journeys are the ideal choice for first-time visitors to Europe. Itineraries include Dine-at-Home or Farm-to-Table experiences so travelers can learn more about how locals live and dine. Regional Journeys allow trip-goers to see a specific location in Europe that they have always wanted to see – Poland, Switzerland, Italy, etc. The carefully planned trips enable customers to immerse themselves in one specific region or country and to become acquainted with its culture, traditions, and people. For anyone seeking travel off the beaten track, Insight Vacations offers Country Roads – trips that lead travelers off the well-tread tourist trail to explore hidden gems where visitors can savor the local produce with Farm-to-Table dining. Some trips are offered under the Easy Pace travel style – the ideal trip choice for trip-goers who wish to slow their pace during their vacation. During these tours, vacationers stay at least 3 nights at each destination, giving them some additional time to explore a place and enjoy it. Regardless of the travel style, many of the vacations offered by Insight Vacations begin with Relaxed Starts – giving travelers time to sleep in a little, spend more time at breakfast, or explore an area on their own. The tour company prides itself on providing business class tours that features luxury coaches with 40 seats. While most coach touring operators provide vehicles with 53 seats, Insight Vacations has re-configured its motor coaches to hold up to 40 guests. This gives passengers extra leg room while traveling and offers them more space and privacy.
In Business Since 1978
Reviews
Anonymous - Traveled, September 2024
Tour director *Personal information removed by Feefo* and driver *Personal information removed by Feefo* were both exceptional. Both were completely professional and totally focused on the needs of the tour group. Both rate a 10. Prior to the tour there was evidently a problem with the starting hotel, which was changed at the last minute. This affected plans for early arrival. Never got an explanation from Insight offices. That being said, we have been on nine Insight tours and will continue in the future and are happy to recommend them.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/18/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, May 2024
*Personal information removed by Feefo our tour director was very professional & fantastic- he paid so much attention to every detail to make our travel and excellent experience. Our driver *Personal information removed by Feefo* was an expert driver. We loved our travel experience on The Bohemian tour! Just a little info first: we ended our tour in Vienna because we had purchased round trip airfare. If we had to do it again, we would have preferred to end our tour in Budapest. In Vienna: we enjoyed the fun dinner at the country mansion with strolling musicians. After the dinner- We especially the evening musical performance in a beautiful palace! It was the perfect thing to do while in Vienna! The city is beautiful and our visit to Schonbrunn palace was very nice. I really wished that Hofburg Palace had been included in the tour - that would have been a wonderful addition. The dancing in the dark waltz lesson could have been excluded. We would have been happy to skip that part. Our visit to the little fairy tale village of Cesky Krumlov was great. We enjoyed lunch there in a little restaurant by the river. Our time in Prague was a huge favorite & such a beautiful city. The Prague by night cruise on the Vltava river was so lovely. We thoroughly enjoyed the Folklore dinner & show. The tour of the Franz Liszt music Academy was wonderful.- what a gorgeous building & the flute soloist was amazing. We enjoyed walking in the old town. We wished we could have visited both Prague castle and the Jewish quarter. But we had to choose just one, so We opted for the tour of the Jewish quarter and enjoyed it. We were so interested in the history and stories of this part of the city. In Poland, Our visit to Auschwitz was very impactful and heart wrenching. But we felt that it was so important to honor those who died there & resolve that this will never be allowed to happen again. Our visit to Krakow was wonderful- we especially enjoyed visiting the Salt Mine- it was fascinating & the huge chapel was beautiful. The old town was so pretty. Budapest was fabulous- such a beautiful city. Our dinner cruise on the Danube was one of my very favorite experiences. The food was delicious and the city by night was magical. The Parliament building was exquisite. The next day we took the optional tour of the Parliament building inside & it was so beautiful. Then we visited the Iron shoes Holocaust memorial on the banks of the Danube. It was so moving a very meaningful memorial to the **** of Budapest. The Celebration dinner was wonderful and the restaurant Parisian where it was held was fabulous. So beautiful inside & the food was delicious. Our travel director Calvin was awesome and paid attention to every guest & every detail. We had an amazing time.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/21/2025
Dan Morris - Traveled, May 2024
Our Tour Director, *Personal information removed by Feefo* was very attentive and kept us well informed about each day's itinerary. He was continuously engaged with each of us to ensure that we were enjoying the tour and quickly resolving any issues that arose. We not only saw beautiful cities and countryside, but we learned so much about the shared experiences of the Bohemian countries regarding wars, boundary changes, the Nazi regime, the Holocaust, and Communism.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/22/2024
John Gauthier - Traveled, September 2024
*Personal information removed by Feefo* does a great job of accommodating and adapting to the unforeseen conditions. Suggest flight out of Budapest unless further plans in Vienna.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/26/2024
Clifford Bull - Traveled, July 2024
Insight Vacations service is excellent. They sent me all the documents I had for my trip and made everything clear on the webpage of all the trip requirements. Our tour leader, *Personal information removed by Feefo*, was very cheerful and an excellent organized leader. Every city we had amazing tours and our bus driver, *Personal information removed by Feefo*, drove us from one city to the next in a very safe manner.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/04/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, September 2024
Just Nice. The Tour Driver *Personal details removed by Feefo* s very good, friendly, Helpful Tour Director *Personal details removed by Feefo* is Good too. My feedback for Hotel Prague stay not helpful My room is 221, my wifi can't use, I go down two told receptionist the probleminside my room can't use wifi *Personal details removed by Feefo* face same problem, the ignore my problem say is my problem, I told go down use no problem. Next day before departure for tour, I told morning staff my problem, she's will check without me. After my tour come to room wifi problem solve. Please tell them go check at customer room wifi instead say our phone problem
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/25/2024
Richard Erdmann - Traveled, September 2024
The camunications between the guide and travelers was amazing. You always know where you're supposed to be and what time to be there. There is much to see and do. Our guide *Personal information removed by Feefo* was extremely knowledgeable and we learned so much about the details of each country, city and its people. When you combine that with actually seeing and being a part of it, it makes for a very worthwhile experience.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/25/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, June 2024
Insight Vacations is a well organized and experienced tour company to go with A well organized tour led by an experienced guide (*Personal information removed by Feefo*). Also the specialist guides at each city were wonderful with a shout out to *Personal information removed by Feefo* in Prague who gave amazing insight and detail to the walking tour. The coach is comfortable with plenty of leg room and we saw the best of Vienna, Prague, Krakow and Budapest. Would highly recommend this tour if you want to see a lot in a relatively short space of time. Hotels very good.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/26/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, July 2024
We loved our guide *Personal information removed by Feefo*. He was the best by far of the four trips we had with Insight. Please let him know how much we appreciated his knowledge and personal side information! I really liked the personal knowledge from *Personal information removed by Feefo* and other guides about how it was to live under communism.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/24/2024
Rafael Sanchez Jr - Traveled, September 2024
Very much enjoyed the trip and have already recommended it and Insights to several folks.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/25/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, September 2024
The Bohemian itinerary provides you an overview of the countries covered. I really enjoyed the places we've been especially the experiences like learning to waltz, watching a cultural show and a student at the Franz Lizt Academy play the piano. Auschwitz was an eye-opener and the Salt Mines in Poland was amazing. Be prepared for a lot of walking though. Our Tour Director was so knowledgeable and a fountain of information. I recommend this tour if you just want a glimpse of the countries and experience a bit of their culture.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/25/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, September 2024
As this itinerary involves 4 countries using 4 different currencies, would have been useful to provide some practical information. Like whether we really need Czech crowns, Polish zloty or Hungarian forints. My own experience is that one could live with a credit card and some euros. Well-paced, taking in key sights, trying the local food.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/25/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, September 2024
The make travel matter I was not a fan of...in fact I hated it.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/17/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, September 2024
Despite the flood in the Danube and pouring rain in Vienna and Prague, we still succeeded to tour these cities. I would like to spend more time in each city and would make these tour last longer.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/18/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, September 2024
I really liked everything we did. Saw so Much. I really enjoyed touring Prague, but didn't care for our local tour guide. The hotels we stayed in were very nice. Breakfasts were very good. I also liked this tour included more dinners than our last tour did with Insight. Salt-mines were amazing and seeing Auchwitz for the history was very sad, but something I wanted to see. Thank you
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/25/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, September 2024
This is an amazing itinerary to unforgettable destinations. The Insight team who lead us on this tour were outstanding
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/25/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, September 2024
Well balanced between tour guided and free time.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/25/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, September 2024
The hotels and service were great. The farewell dinner was over the top beautiful. Our director was very efficient and funny. I really wish the schedules of being rushed so much at different landmarks would be figured out differently. The itinerary was great. But, everything was rushed. We are brought to these beautiful places and then told we have 40 minutes! We were rushed through Auschwitz even. So unfortunate. This was no reflection on on our director or bus driver. I don't know why it all had to be so rushed.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/24/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, September 2024
The service has been great. Flights and shuttles worked out well. A lot of consideration was given to relieve weariness from the long hours of travel especially critical for the aging demographic. Great places to see and much covered. Quite a rigorous itinerary so the down times were important.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/25/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, September 2024
Quite fast paced itinerary. The cruise on the Danube should be an included trip.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/25/2024
Share a personalized trip brochure!
Why Choose Us?
We Work for You
Our goal to make you happy! That means ensuring our travel consultants have the best product knowledge and excellent customer service. A positive customer experience is our #1 goal!
Our Products
We offer an broad selection of travel products, including all-inclusive vacation packages, pre-packaged tours, custom travel itineraries, destination weddings, and luxury vacations.
Escapes Cares
We believe in giving back. When you book with us, you are contributing to tree planting through our partners at Veritree, as well ocean conservation though Oceana Canada.
