Central & Eastern Europe Explorer

This epic adventure through Central & Eastern Europe begins today in Munich! Meet up with your tour leader and fellow travellers at the hotel this morning. Then, set off on an orientation tour and discover Bavaria’s captivating capital. Munich is home to a range of fascinating attractions, from the historic Marienplatz to the BMW Museum! Afterwards, enjoy free time to explore on your own. To experience even more of Munich’s top sights and hidden gems, join the optional excursion and look forward to a taste of local cuisine and culture! Tonight, join back up with the group for an included welcome dinner at a traditional beer hall.

• Discover Munich on an orientation tour

• Welcome dinner in a German beer hall

Departing Munich this morning, set off for the next country - Austria! En route, look forward to one more stop in Bavaria. Visit the awe-inspiring Neuschwanstein Castle which inspired Disneyland’s iconic Sleeping Beauty Castle! Look forward to a locally guided tour before free time to explore on your own. Next stop is Innsbruck in Austria. Enjoy an orientation tour before taking free time to explore. Or, join the optional excursion for a dazzling visit to Swarovski Crystal Worlds which is home to sculptures and art exhibits from world-renowned artists! After a memorable afternoon, why not join the optional Tyrol Folk Evening for a taste of Austrian cuisine and music?

• Discover the famous Neuschwanstein Castle

• Explore Innsbruck at your leisure

See three countries in one day! Leaving Austria behind after breakfast, the tour makes its way to Liechtenstein, one of the world’s smallest countries. Visit Vaduz, Liechtenstein’s charming and scenic capital city. Enjoy free time for lunch here. Next up is Switzerland! The first stop in this beautiful country is Lucerne. Embark on an orientation tour with your tour leader and admire some of the city’s stunning landmarks including the Chapel Bridge. After soaking up the colourful houses and lakeside landscapes of Lucerne, travel towards the Swiss Alps where the tour will spend the evening. Marvel at the mountainous scenery on the way. Sit down for an included dinner at the hotel tonight.

• Visit Vaduz, capital of Liechtenstein

• See the city of Lucerne on an orientation tour

• Enjoy a scenic mountain drive to Switzerland

Wake up and breathe in that crisp Swiss air as today offers a full free day to experience the natural beauty of the Swiss Alps! For a guaranteed snow day, join the highly recommended optional excursion to Jungfraujoch, known as the “Top of Europe”! Travel up to the highest train station in Europe and get ready to be awestruck by spectacular views of mountains and quaint Swiss villages all around. Alternatively, explore some of the nearby villages on your own today. This evening, why not opt for the Swiss Fondue Dinner optional? This is the best (and cheesiest) way to experience authentic Swiss cuisine!

The next country is on the cards today as the tour makes its way to Italy. Crossing the border from Switzerland to Italy, arrive in Lake Como. This is one of the most famous and glamorous sights in the Italian Lake District! Explore this enchanting area at your own pace this afternoon and you’ll soon understand why this is a beloved destination for many celebrities. Delight in local cuisine, admire the natural scenery or wander through charming village alleyways. The choice is yours! Dinner is included at the hotel tonight.

• Explore the glamorous Lake Como

• Spend a night in the Italian Lake District

More Italian highlights are on the cards today! Experience the stunning Tuscany region today. First up is Tuscany’s capital, Florence. This enchanting city was the birthplace of the Renaissance and this is evident in its art and architecture. Join your tour leader on an orientation tour and enjoy an included lunch before a leather and gold demonstration from local craftsmen. Today’s next stop is the iconic city of Pisa known for its imposing Leaning Tower. Snap some memorable pictures with this legendary tower before travelling to tonight’s accommodation in Montecatini. Choose to join tonight’s optional excursion to see more of Montecatini and indulge in a delicious three-course dinner.

• See the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa

• Discover Florence, birthplace of the Renaissance

• Enjoy a Tuscan dinner in Florence

This morning, bid Tuscany farewell and travel towards Verona. Famously, this romantic city was the setting for Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Arrive and embark on an orientation tour before enjoying free time to explore more at your own pace. Then, hop back on the coach and head to Venice - a highlight of any Italy tour! This dreamy “floating city” captivates travellers from all over the world with its picturesque canals. The best way to see Venice this evening is with the Evening in Venice optional excursion which includes a Gondola and water taxi ride as well as dinner at a local restaurant.

• Visit Verona, home ofRomeo and Juliet

• Experience the magic of Venice

Depart Venice this morning as the tour heads back to Munich today with incredibly scenic stops along the way. Travel through the awe-inspiring Italian Dolomite Mountains located in the Dolomite National Park and get your cameras ready for some unforgettable sights! Then, visit Andechs, a monastery town located in the Bavarian Alps. Let this quaint town take your breath away with its sweeping countryside views. Finally, it's back to Munich where the evening is free to spend however you choose. Why not head out and explore the city by night?

• Enjoy a scenic drive through the Dolomite National Park

• Visit the Monastery Town of Andechs

Make the most of this free day in Munich and take advantage of all this vibrant city has to offer! There are plenty of museums to visit such as The Residenz, an ornate former royal palace, and the Kunstehalle which displays both classical and modern art. Munich is also home to a number of exquisite churches such as the Asamkirche and St. Michael. Today also offers the opportunity to join the Bavarian Bites & Brews tour which includes an insight into the city’s history as well as a taste of some local eats. Tonight’s dinner is included at a local beer hall.

Head back to Austria today as the tour makes its way to Vienna, the Austrian capital. Along the way, see some true hidden gems! The first of which is Mondsee, a quaint, lakeside town known for Mondsee Abbey which was used in the beloved filmThe Sound of Music. The next Austrian gem on the agenda is Melk. Here, look forward to a tour of the exquisite Baroque Melk Abbey which boasts exceptional views as it overlooks the Danube River. Enjoy an included before journeying to Vienna. This evening is free to relax or to experience an optional classical music concert in the city that was once home to many musical greats such as Mozart and Strauss!

• Visit the lakeside town of Mondsee

• Tour the stunning Melk Abbey

Discover more of Vienna on a walking and driving tour this morning. Take in Vienna’s opulent architecture, its more modern side and learn more about the city’s fascinating artistic and musical history. Enjoy some free time in the city centre before hopping back aboard the coach and head towards the next country. This afternoon, arrive in Budapest, the majestic capital of Hungary, and set off on a guided driving tour. Tick top sights such as the Hungarian Parliament and St. Stephen‘s Basilica off your bucket list! This evening offers the opportunity to join an unforgettable cruise along the Danube River. Admire the night lights of Budapest as you enjoy a delicious buffet dinner.

• Discover the delights of Vienna on a guided tour

• Experience the best of Budapest on a guided tour

Two more countries await on this journey through Central & Eastern Europe! Head to Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, for an orientation tour of this compact yet captivating city. Then, the tour travels to Prague, Czechia’s fairytale capital, where the group will stay for the next two nights. Get ready for an afternoon full of magical sights as you explore the city with a local guide. Experience the many Gothic architectural wonders while learning more about Prague’s fascinating history and folklore. Tonight, enjoy a delicious local dinner complete with authentic Czech cuisine!

• Visit Bratislava; the capital of Slovakia

• Explore Prague on a guided tour

• Enjoy Czech cuisine at a local spot in Prague

Enjoy a free day to experience Prague to the fullest! Known as the “City of a Hundred Spires”, Prague is teeming with unique sights to see and things to do. To tick off multiple highlights, join the Prague+ optional excursion which includes a guided tour of the impressive Prague Castle and a river cruise! Or, spend the day your way taking in the city’s attractions at your own pace. This evening offers an immersive optional excursion which showcases Czech folk music and dance, along with a delectable three-course dinner. This is an unmissable cultural experience!

Today, the group will make its way back to Munich for the last time. However, the tour isn’t over yet! Travel to Nuremberg this morning and get ready to discover Bavaria’s second-largest city. Nuremberg is renowned for its splendid architecture, most of which was painstakingly restored after suffering extensive damage during WWII. Learn more about this city’s turbulent yet rich history on an orientation tour. Then, explore some more or find a spot to enjoy lunch. After arriving in Munich, look forward to a free evening. Why not get together with the group for a farewell dinner?

• Visit the historic city of Nuremberg

After one last group breakfast in Munich, this life-enriching tour comes to an end this morning. Be sure to swap contact details and pictures with your new travel buddies before departing. Expat Explore wishes you a safe journey onward and hopes to see you on tour again soon!