Prague – Vienna- Salzburg – Bratislava – Budapest – Zakopane – Tyniec - Krakow

Land only: $ 2900 USD  ( $ 3300 CAD )
Per person in dbl room land only.  Single room $ 3570 USD  ( $ 3970 )

Starting in Prague on Nov 28, 2015 – 1 date only !

INCLUDED SERVICES:

• Airport transfers in Prague and Krakow
• English speaking tour escort assistance throughout
• English speaking local guides where required
• Private motorcoach throughout
• Meals as per itinerary: B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner
• Sightseeing & entrance fees as per itinerary
• Hotels as listed
• Porterage of 1 suitcase at all hotels
  

YOUR HOTELS:

• PRAGUE 2 NIGHTS AT HOTEL CENTURY OLD TOWN PRAGUE or similar
• VIENNA 3 NIGHTS AT AUSTRIA TREND PARKHOTEL SCHӦNBRUNN or similar
• BUDAPEST 3 NIGHTS AT INTERCONTINENTAL BUDAPEST or similar
• ZAKOPANE 1 NIGHT AT ARIES HOTEL & SPA or similar
• KRAKOW 3 NIGHTS AT ANDEL'S HOTEL CRACOW or similar

 

HOSTED BY DAVID  MOTAK & JACK SAMUELS
FOUNDERS OF THE “CRACOW CRECHE WORKSHOP” IN PITTSBURGH, PA

A unique highlight of this tour will be in Krakow, where tour leader Dave Motak will take you to view the 2015 Szopka Exhibition, the fabulous collection of hand-crafted Christmas Creches for which Krakow has become famous. Having won a Special Award for Artistic Merit in the 2009 Krakow Szopka Competition, Dave is a world-recognized szopka expert and will treat our group to a behind-the-scenes look at this fascinating Old World Christmas custom. 

 

SAT, NOV 28 PRAGUE ( Welcome Dinner )

Arrive in the beautiful city of Prague. Transfer to the hotel to relax or take a stroll before meeting with the group for our Welcome Dinner at a lively local restaurant.

SUN, NOV 29 PRAGUE ( B, L )

Today we start with a ride on a vintage Prague street car for a special tour that will take us past Republic Square (Namesti Republiky), Wenceslas Square ( Vaclavske Namesti ), National Theatre, and on to Prague Castle (UNESCO site). According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the Prague Castle is the largest castle complex in the world. After visiting the Castle we will have lunch and then continue by foot to the Charles Bridge and across to
the Old Town Square with its famous landmarks such as the Church of Our Lady before Tyn, and the unique Astronomical Clock from the year 1410.We will end our tour at the old town so that you can enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure enjoying the Christmas Market. ( Dinner suggestion: the Czechs are famous for their excellent beer, so why not try one of the “pivovars” such as U Fleku which has been operating since 1499! )

MON, NOV 30 PRAGUE-VIENNA ( B, L )

Morning departure from Prague to Vienna. We will arrive Vienna in the early afternoon in time for a late lunch and to enjoy the ambience of this magnificent Imperial City. Leisure time to visit at least one of Christmas Markets. Overnight in Vienna. (This evening you may wish to attend an optional concert of Viennese Music by the Schoenbrunn Palace Orchestra in the Orangery of Schoenbrunn Palace near our hotel; ticket prices start at 42€; reservations will be made for those who are interested.

TUE, DEC 01 VIENNA ( B, D )

Discovering the magical city of Vienna today by bus and by foot . We will see the most important historical sights along the Ringstrasse, including the State Opera House, the National Museum, the Imperial Palace, the Parliament, the City Hall, and the magnificent Schönbrunn Palace which was the summer residence of the Habsburg family. Afternoon enjoy the sights, sounds and magnificent smells of a Viennese “Christkindlmarkt”. Tonight we drive to the Grinzing district, in the winehills on the outskirts of Vienna, to enjoy dinner with music and wine at a typical “heuriger” ( local wine tavern). Overnight in Vienna.

WED, DEC 02 VIENNA-SALZBURG-VIENNA ( B, L )

A full day excursion to Salzburg, the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. This charming city was also home to the Trapp family for many years and where many of the scenes were filmed for the original “Sound of Music”. Walking tour of the baroque Old Town and then explore the stalls of the Salzburg Christmas Market overflowing with hot roasted chestnuts, gingerbread hearts, and ornate Christmas ornaments. Lunch today will be at the historic St. Peter Stiftskeller Restaurant. Located in a Salzburg monastery, it is one of the world's oldest restaurants, having served food an inn since 803! In the early evening we return to Vienna. Overnight in Vienna.

THU, DEC 03 VIENNA-BRATISLAVA-BUDAPEST ( B, Dinner Cruise )

From Vienna we travel east to Budapest. Enroute we stop in Bratislava, capital of the Slovak Republic to explore the charming, cobble-stone centre of the Old Town and visit the Christmas Market. Free time for lunch.
Continue to Budapest. Tonight a casual dinner cruise on the Danube will be a great way to get your first introduction to Budapest. Overnight in Budapest.

FRI, DEC 04 BUDAPEST ( B, D )

Half-day tour of Budapest will include: Heroes Square, Millenary Monument, Vajdahunyad Castle, Andrássy Boulevard, State Opera House, Basilica, view from Gellért Hill, Castle district, Matthias Church-interior visit, and Fishermen's Bastion. The rest of the afternoon is yours to enjoy at the Christmas Market. Make sure to try some of the traditional Hungarian specialties such as langos, home-made strudels, as well as excellent Hungarian wines. Dinner with Hungarian folklore and gypsy music at a popular local restaurant. Overnight in Budapest.

SAT, DEC 05 BUDAPEST ( B, L )

Morning visit to the Great Market Hall of Budapest, named one of the 5 best markets in Europe!
The Market was built in the 18th century and after being badly damaged in WWII was extensively restored in the mid 1990’s to become one of Budapest’s greatest attractions. Enjoy strolling at your own pace through the 3 levels of stalls filled with fresh produce, spices, as well as Hungarian arts and crafts - a great place to pick up souvenirs to take back home! Rest of the day at your leisure with an opportunity for an optional visit to one of Budapest’s famous thermal baths or an evening cultural performance. Overnight in Budapest.

SUN, DEC 06 BUDAPEST-ZAKOPANE ( B, D )

After breakfast and time for Sunday Mass we leave Budapest and travel north through the Slovak Republic, stopping at a local inn en route where you can purchase a light lunch. In the late afternoon we arrive in Zakopane which is a colorful and unique place to visit at any time of the year, but during the Christmas season the Highlander atmosphere is especially delightful. Tonight we enjoy dinner at a local Inn with folklore and a traditional Polish "kulig" sleigh ride! Overnight in Zakopane.

MON, DEC 07 ZAKOPANE - KRAKOW ( B, D )

After breakfast we visit the market at the foot of Gubalowka and then we leave Zakopane travelling north to Krakow, the cultural capital of Poland. Free time to enjoy the Market Square before dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Krakow. This afternoon we are also offering an optional excursion to the impressive Wieliczka Salt Mine, a UNESCO Heritage site. Reservations will be made for those who are interested. (Cost approx $50 pp)

TUE, DEC 08 KRAKOW ( B, D )

Half-day walking tour of Krakow includes the Florian’s Gate, the Barbican, Royal Wawel Hill, and the Old Town area with its Market Square, the Cloth Hall, and St. Mary's Church. Our final stop, and the highlight of today’s tour, will be the Krakow Historical Museum to view the stunning exhibit of Krakow’s Traditional Christmas Creches, or “Szopki”, one of Europe's most unique Christmas traditions. These glittering Nativity Scenes feature whimsical interpretations of iconic Krakow architecture and are a Christmas tradition found only in Krakow. Tour host Dave Motak will escort our group to the exhibition. An internationally recognized szopka expert and winner of a Special Award for Artistic Merit in the 2009 Krakow Szopka Competition, Dave will provide an informative behind the scenes insight into distinctive folk craft, found only in Krakow. Afterwards enjoy your afternoon at leisure. Dinner and overnight in Krakow.

WED, DEC 09 KRAKOW – TYNIEC – KRAKOW ( B, Farewell “Wigilia” Dinner )

After breakfast we will visit a small factory that produces delicate glass Christmas ornaments to see how these miniature works of art are made. Afterwards we visit the Benedictine Abbey at Tyniec, built on the escarpment of the Vistula river just outside of Krakow, where the Benedictine Monks have lived for nearly a millennium. After our tour we will have the opportunity to sample some of the Benedictine specialties. You will be able to purchase items prepared according to their own unique recipes, such as: jams, preserves, hand creams, spices, teas and honey. Return to Krakow and enjoy your last afternoon at the market finding those perfect last minute gifts.
Our farewell dinner tonight will be a traditional Polish Christmas Eve “Wigilia” celebration, complete with the sharing of the "opłatek" wafer, traditional Wigilia foods, Christmas carols and entertainment by a local folk ensemble. This exceptional evening has always proven to be one of our most moving and memorable tour events and a wonderful finale for an outstanding Holiday Excursion.

THU, DEC 10 KRAKOW ( B ) END OF TOUR

After breakfast transfer to Krakow airport. End of tour.

 

For more information about this tour, your hosts Jack and Dave, or to get your Registration Form for this special tour please visit:
http://www.janddtours.net/christmas.html

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B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner