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| Explore — Worldwide 2008/09 |
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 | Germany, Czech Republic contd. |
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Page Text Content
EUROPE
Hungarian parliament & Danube River, Budapest
AUSTRIA * SLOVAKIA * HUNGARY * ROMANIA
NEW! Vienna to the Black Sea
CZECH REPUBLIC * HUNGARY * SLOVAKIA
Prague Old Town
Ref RVB
JFMAMJJASOND JFMA
13 DAYS HOTELS/GUESTHOUSES LANDSCAPES AND HISTORY OF CENTRAL EUROPE
VIENNA
Trails in Central Europe
TREKKING GRADE A/B
Ref
CZ
SLOVAKIA
ube
P Hu la n i n gar i
JFMAMJJASOND JFMA
Heldenplatz BRATISLAVA Stephanzplatz St Stephen's Cathedral D an s
TOKAJ
Vienna to the Black Sea Ref RVB
Wine tasting (optional) UKRAINE MOLDOVA
Ca
A u s t ri a n A lp
an
rp
Dn
at
15 DAYS HOTELS/GUEST HOUSES PRAGUE, BUDAPEST & MOUNTAIN WALKS
AUSTRIA
Dr av
BUDAPEST
Pr
es
Walking tour
ut
tr
hi
Trails in Central Europe Ref CZ
To
PRAGUE
POL AND Gerlachovsky 2655m
Mountain walks in High Tatras NP
CZECH
REPUBLIC From
STARY SMOKOVEC
Poprad Szilvasvarad Lipizzaner horses
PRAGUE
City tour AUSTRIA
SLOVAK
REPUBLIC
BANSKA BYSTRICA
Holloko World Heritage site
Bukk NP
exudes folklore and rural culture at their most authentic. At Matrahaza we have the chance to climb Hungary's highest peak, Mt Kekes (1014m), for superb views of the surrounding countryside. We take the scenic route via the volcanic Matra range, Bukk National Park, baroque fortress city of Eger and famous lipizzaner horses at Silvasvarad, to Banska Bystrica in the low Tatras, where we visit ice caves and sample locally produced cheeses down on the farm'. Walking in the High Tatras Crossing into Slovakia we head north into the High Tatras. From our base in the Stary Smokovec area and using the local train and cable car system we can enjoy some excellent and well-marked walks through silent valleys, rugged cliffs and emerald lakes. There are choices for all abilities, as well as options for revitalising your system perhaps with a gypsy Koliba meal!
H U N G A R Y at e
a
CLUJ
Medieval town
SIGHISOARA
an
Gr
s
S a va
SERBIA
Tr a n sy lva nia n Alps
BRASOV
TULCEA
SULINA
ADRIATIC SEA
BOSNIA HERZEGOVINA
km 0 300
ROMANIA
BUCHAREST
Danube Delta boat trip Royal Palace Stavropoles Monastery
Danube
BLACK SEA
EGER
HUNGARY
km 0
BUDAPEST
Castle Hill St Stephen's Basilica
160
As well as enjoying the splendours of baroque Prague and romantic Budapest, we explore rural Hungary and, crossing into Slovakia, walk in the High Tatras.
Historic Prague & Budapest Prague is regarded by many as the unspoilt jewel in Europe's historic crown, and the Czech capital is where we start our tour. As well as visiting all the major sights of the Old Town and Hradcany (the Castle of the Bohemian Kings), we have time to simply soak up the atmosphere of a unique community where every street, ghetto, inn or theatre tells a story. Old World charm and beauty are also the key notes for romantic Budapest, on the Danube; and if you really want to feel Magyar... why not enjoy a long and lazy thermal bath! Rural Northern Hungary Driving north we reach the village of Holloko. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Holloko
isz
Da
nube
Mt. Kekes 1014m
T
This unique rail journey takes us from the foot of the Austrian Alps along the course of the Danube River, across the Great Hungarian Plain and past the Transylvanian Alps and Carpathian Mountains before we are finally reunited with the Danube at its delta on the Black Sea. On the way we pass through some of Europe's most picturesque scenery and explore on foot some of its most romantic cities and best preserved medieval towns.
Historic Capitals on the Danube We begin in Vienna, Austria's sumptuous capital, where we discover some of its many Habsburg monuments and cultural highlights including the Gothic Cathedral of St. Stephen. Taking our first train journey we reach Bratislava, the eclectic Slovak capital set amidst the Carpathian hills. Following the course of the Danube we cross into Hungary to Budapest where we explore the cobbled streets and medieval gems of one of Europe's most stunning cities. Tokaj Vineyards & Transylvania After further time to enjoy Budapest or take a cruise along the Danube our rail route takes us east to Tokaj in Hungary's most famous wine area, home to the Rakoczi cellar, where we can sample the latest vintages. Turning south we enter Romania to discover Cluj in the Mic River Valley and the fortified medieval town of Sighisoara, founded by the Saxons of Transylvania and birthplace of Vlad Tepes the infamous 'Impaler'.
Bucharest & the Black Sea One of the best-preserved cities in Europe, Brasov is overlooked by its 15th century cathedral and there's time here to climb Tampa Hill for stunning views over the town and beyond. By contrast, we next explore the Romanian capital Bucharest, home to some of communism's most imposing excesses including Ceaucescu's monstrous Casa Poporului palace. Our tour ends on the Black Sea coast as we discover the maze of channels and diverse wildlife of the Danube Delta by boat.
ra
FACTFILE
Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Prague. 2 & 3 In Prague; city tour; optional excursion to Karlstejn Castle; overnight train to Budapest (Hungary). 4 & 5 In Budapest; city tour and optional Danube cruise, hill walks and thermal baths. 6 Drive to Eger via Holloko and Mount Kekes walk. 7 Optional walk in Bukk hills. 8 Drive to Banska Bystrica via Bukk and Lipizzaner horse stables. 9 In Banska Bystrica; visit ice cave. 10 Drive to High Tatras (Slovakia). 11 to 13 Optional hikes in High Tatras; last night, overnight train to Prague. 14 In Prague. 15 Fly London. Accommodation & Meals: 12nts hotel, 2nts sleeper train; 12 breakfasts included. See insert p2. Mode of Travel: Bus/Train/On foot. Comment: A great blend of central European city culture, rural Hungary and moderate hiking. We follow well-marked trails in the High Tatras. Walks can be quite demanding, though easier options are available. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leader plus driver(s), local guides and mountain guide in Tatras. Group Size: Approx. 13 to 18.
FACTFILE
Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Vienna (Austria). 2 In Vienna; walking tour. 3 Train to Bratislava (Slovakia); afternoon walking tour. 4 Train to Budapest (Hungary); afternoon walking tour. 5 Free in Budapest; optional tours on the Danube. 6 Train to Tokaj; walking tour and optional wine-tasting. 7 Morning in Tokaj; train to Cluj (Romania). 8 Train to Sighisoara; afternoon walking tour. 9 Train to Brasov; orientation tour and optional walk. 10 Train to Bucharest; afternoon walking tour. 11 Drive to Tulcea and boat to Sulina on Black Sea. 12 At Sulina; full day boat trip on Danube Delta. 13 Drive Bucharest; fly London. Accommodation & Meals: 10nts hotel, 2nts guesthouse; 12 breakfasts, 1 lunch & 4 dinners included. See insert p2. Mode of Travel: Train/Boat/Bus/Taxi. Comment: A relaxed rail journey through one of Europe's most fascinating regions. Exploration is mainly on foot in towns and cities. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leader and some local guides. Group Size: Approx. 12 to 16.
Tatra Range/J. Eames
Tokaj's vineyards
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