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9D Berlin & Prague + Vienna
Germany, Czech Republic, Austria
OVERVIEW
 Cover three of the most popular eastern European cities in more depth with this tour. Three nights each in Berlin and Prague affords you the opportunity for day trips out of the city centre as well as the obligatory 'tick the box' sightseeing. Why not extend your experience and travel to Budapest as well on our Berlin to Budapest tour?
Tour Highlights These highlights are included in the price of your tour.
- Berlin
- Enjoy traditional Berlin cuisine in a local beer hall
- Visit the moving Sachsenhausen concentration camp memorial
- See the Tiergarten, Alexanderplatz, Russian War Memorial, Brandenburg Gate & historic Reichstag building
- Take in commemorative artwork & the remains of the Berlin Wall
- See the site of Checkpoint Charlie
- Prague
- Visit the city destroyed in World War II and known as the 'Florence of the North'
- See the rebuilt Baroque architecture of the Royal Residence, Zwinger Palace, Opera House and Frauenkirche
- An authentic Czech feast at one of our favourite taverns in Prague
- See Prague's Charles Bridge, St. Vitus Cathedral & much more on our locally guided walking tour
- See Hradčany Castle, the Cathedral of St. Vitus, Charles Bridge and Wenceslas Square
- Visit the Old Town Square and see the Astronomical Clock
- Locally guided bike tour of Prague
- Vienna
- See Schönbrunn Palace, St. Stephen's Cathedral & the State Opera House
- Scenic drive along the historic Ring Road
Daily Itinerary
 Day 1 Arrive Berlin (Hotel)
Check-in to the hotel and head straight out into Berlin to get a feel for the city’s style before meeting up with your Tour Manager and getting to know your fellow Contiki travellers over dinner.(D)
Day 2 & 3 Berlin (Hotel)
With two days in this historical hot spot, you’ve got time to find out what makes Germany’s capital one of the most cutting-edge cities in the world. It’s hard to believe that this funky town has had such a troubled past. We remember one of history’s darkest moments with a sobering visit to the Sachsenhausen concentration camp memorial. Learn more as you walk around the site. Why not join a local guide for a tour? Learn about the East/West split at the Berlin Wall and check out the controversial Reichstag (German Parliament) as well as Tiergarten (one the world’s biggest parks), while your guide points out the little details and peels back the layers of history. Visit Checkpoint Charlie, where many East Berliners tried to escape to the West, and be reminded of Germany’s darker past at the Brandenburg Gate. With free time, get inspired by Berlin’s creative scene and check out its galleries and street art. As a world forerunner in contemporary art, Berlin’s walls are covered in cutouts and graffiti. Shopping-wise, this town has it all and is right up there defining style. Berlin is great for small boutiques, funky fashions and one-of-a-kind buys. Your Tour Manager knows Berlin’s ins and outs, so get some pointers before you splurge. Do as the Berliners do and grab a currywurst (a local favourite) and kick back at a bierkeller (German beer house). Experience the world of espionage in an evening Eye Spy Berlin tour with our Local Guide, and enjoy a fascinating look into the Stasi (what was once the East German Secret Police). Then top off your time in Berlin with some of your new friends and explore the city’s legendary nightlife. With cool cocktail bars and some of the best techno clubs in the world, there are heaps of fun choices on offer.(B)(B)
Day 4 Berlin to Prague (Hotel)
Heading south, we roll on to the region of Dresden, often dubbed 'Florence of the North' because of its beauty. This town completely rebuilt itself after being flattened in World War II. Your Tour Manager will show you Dresden’s signature buildings, like the Opera House, the domed Frauenkirche, the Royal Residence – once home to the Saxon Kings – and the massive Zwinger Palace, where the royals went to party! Lunchtime! Go local and hang out in a riverside beer garden, order some hearty German dishes with regional specialities like sour roast and potato soup. Then we head over the border and into the Czech Republic to Prague.(B,D)
Day 5 & 6 Prague (Hotel)
Prague is a beautiful and atmospheric city. It’s also pretty compact, so it’s best explored on foot. Get straight into Prague’s historic heart with our Local Guide. You’ll walk together over the landmark Charles Bridge, through Hradčany Castle, the home of the original Bohemian kings and to the Gothic St. Vitus Cathedral along the way. Choose a lunch cruise on the Vltava River, which runs through the heart of Prague, and take in stunning views of the city from the water. The Czech capital has a really mixed past so look out for signs of the Holy Roman Empire, the Bohemian Empire, the Nazis and the Communists. Free time means you can get deeper into Prague’s Old Town in your own time. The city itself is a UNESCO World Heritage site, with a jumble of little lanes, alleys and courtyards. Slow the pace down and give yourself a chance to uncover its hidden treasures. Have a go on two wheels and discover Prague with our Local Guide, who knows all the city’s ins and outs. Exploring by bike is the perfect way to get an overview of this compact city, as you hit the back alleys and side streets of the Old Town. Spend some time in the picturesque Old Town Square, where historic buildings and churches surround cafés that spill out onto the pavement. With some world-famous Czech pilsner in hand, park yourself at a table, people-watch and try out some of the traditional local dumplings. This is also the spot to pick up some famous Bohemian glass, beads or garnet and amber jewellery. For a bit of folklore and tradition, choose a Czech evening optional for a fun night with the group where you’ll see traditional dancing and try out local food. By night, Prague is loaded with all types of music, from jazz bars and hip DJ's to opera. There is something for everyone, so make the most of it with the group, and finish your time here with a night to remember.(B)(B)
Day 7 Prague to Vienna (Hotel)
Back on the coach, travel to World Heritage Listed Kutná Hora and discover its medieval centre. Founded in the 13th century, this was once the second most important town in Bohemia, famous for its silver mining heritage. Maybe choose the visit the chilling Sedlec Ossuary - a small chapel containing the bones of over 40 000 people, arranged artistically to form the decorations and furnishings inside! See buildings from Kutná Hora's former heyday as the financial powerhouse of Bohemia, before continuing on to the cultural hub of Vienna. Your Tour Manager starts Vienna off by introducing the group to the city’s historical heritage. There’s the imperial grandeur of Schönbrunn Palace, the elegantly ornate State Opera House and St. Stephen’s Cathedral – a Gothic masterpiece.(B,D)
Day 8 Vienna (Hotel)
Today, there’s free time to check out magnificent squares and majestic palaces or the city’s art galleries. Take a break in a coffee house like the locals do, chill out in Vienna’s manicured gardens or wander along the Danube River. Get schnaps savvy with a behind-the-scenes look into this local liqueur’s production in an optional excursion to the Old Vienna Schnaps Museum. Tonight, it’s all about the culture at an optional dinner and concert. Up first is a traditional Viennese meal in the stunning grounds of Schönbrunn Palace. Follow this up with a classical music concert with former Vienna locals, Mozart and Strauss.(B)
Day 9
Depart Vienna
The tour ends after breakfast and it’s time to say farewell to your new friends. (B)
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