Uncover the allure of central europe

Welcome to Vienna, the majestic former capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and an architectural marvel. Whatever time you land there’ll be a private transfer to collect you from the airport and whisk you through the city to your four-star hotel in a quiet corner of the Floridsdorf district. Later, meet your fellow travellers and guide at the hotel, then you’re off into the Old Town where you’ll enjoy a welcome drink and your first Viennese meal.

This morning, you’ll explore Vienna on a relaxed walking tour. The city’s architecture is a sight to savour, from Art Nouveau facades to Baroque cathedrals. You’ll then meet the world-famous stallions at the Spanish Riding School, an opulent setting for a unique experience. Then, onwards to your afternoon cooking class with a local chef. Learn how to make Vienna’s signature dishes, from apfelstrudel to wienerschnitzel. In the evening, you’ll have the chance to enjoy a Viennese opera, or relax in the hotel sauna. We’ll leave it up to you.

Today, you’re off to Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. Check into your new hotel, then you’ll get your first taste of your new city on a walking tour of the Old Town. Sample some traditional mead (a local speciality made of honey wine) and admire picturesque views of the Danube from the vantage point of Bratislava Castle. This evening, you’ll enjoy an exclusive beer tasting at one of the city’s breweries.

You’ll journey onwards to Bešeňová today, a Slovak village famous for its natural hot springs. After a three-and-a-half hour drive, check-in at your holistic spa hotel in the heart of the Liptov region. Make a beeline for the hotel’s sauna, soak up the goodness of the region’s hot springs in the hotel’s private thermal pool, or book yourself in for a massage. Later, join your Flashpackers for a dinner and another chance to sample more Slovak cuisine, this time with a healthy and holistic twist, at the hotel’s restaurant.

Today it’s on to Low Tatras National Park, where your group will embark on a hike in the Low Tatras Mountains. Situated in the valley between two rivers (the Vah and the Hron), these picturesque mountains are home to dense green forests, caves and waterfalls, and offer beautiful views over the neighbouring High Tatras. Back at the hotel, you’ll have all afternoon to relax in the thermal springs and saunas.

Today you’ll drive 170 kilometres across the border to Kraków, Poland. The entire drive will take three hours, but you’ll stop en-route in Oswiecimia, to visit the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum. A sombre yet vital historic landmark, the memorial is made up of two parts, Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau, which together formed the largest of the German Nazi concentration camps during World War II. A chance to learn and reflect upon the tragedy and horrors that occurred during the genocide, you’ll visit the 13 remaining prison blocks that now serve as the museum and memorial. Afterwards, it’s onwards to Kraków. After checking in at your hotel, take a wander around your new city home.

Today is all about immersing yourself in Krakow’s history. You’ll start in the Old Town, a medieval area and a UNESCO world heritage site. Then, you’ll visit the Nowa Huta District. A concrete neighbourhood built on Soviet architectural ideals, this was constructed with the intention of being a model communist city. Conjure the past as you delve into a nuclear bunker for a communist-style cold buffet lunch (paired with vodka, naturally). You’ll then cruise through the neighbourhood in an old-school Eastern Bloc Trabant to complete the Soviet experience. Follow this up with an exclusive vodka tasting, before enjoying a closing feast at a traditional Polish restaurant.

On your final day, it will be up to you to make your own way to the airport – your guide will be on hand to help you arrange a transfer. If you would like to combine this trip with one of our other European adventures, you can find the full list of trips here, from Sicily to Croatia.