20th Century Central Europe

Upon arrival to Prague’s airport, you’ll be welcomed by your private driver for transfer to your hotel in the Czech capital. Known as the City of a Hundred Spires, it’s like immersing yourself in a fairy tale with winding cobbled streets and medieval architecture. Take time to settle into your room and then you might head out for a preview to soak up the charming historic atmosphere, perhaps re-energizing with a cup of coffee while people-watching in an enticing café or unwinding with a cold beer in one of the beer gardens. It’s fun to wander the streets with unique shops selling marionettes that hang in the windows, but if you have the time and inclination check out the Illusion Art Museum.

Discover the top sights of Prague on a private tour with a guide who will bring the city’s past to life through expert insight into the city’s many landmarks, starting from the Old Town Square. You’ll witness the famous astronomical clock on the Old Town Hall building with its animated hourly show, with some of the other highlights including beautiful churches like the Baroque Church of St. Nicholas, the finest example of Baroque in Prague. Marvel at the Gothic Church of Our Lady, an icon dominating the city’s skyline with its twin spires and visit the historic Estates Theatre before traversing the picturesque 14th-century Charles Bridge. Conclude by exploring the Communist Museum for an immersive look at life behind the Iron Curtain.

The day is yours to explore or do whatever you like in Prague before catching the evening train to Berlin. We recommend visiting Prague Castle, the city’s top attraction as the largest ancient castle complex in the world, dating back to the 9th century as a seat of power for Roman emperors, kings of Bohemia, and Czechia presidents. The hilltop castle is like its own small town with monuments like the Old Royal Palace, St. Vitus Cathedral, St. George’s Basilica, and the Royal Gardens. It’s also possible to rent a bike to pedal along the river and if you want to explore more museums, there are plenty on offer like the Jewish Museum, Franz Kafka Museum, and the Mucha Museum.

In the evening you will transfer to Berlin by private taxi and 1st class rail.

Waking up in Berlin, you can look forward to a fun and intriguing Trabi tour which includes getting behind the wheel of a classic Trabant, a funky East German antique, to explore the city. You’ll be led by a guide for a unique and quirky cultural experience to discover Berlin’s rich history, getting a peek into life behind the Iron Curtain with live radio commentary along the way. Venture off the beaten tourist past through the heart of former East Berlin, along the East Side Gallery, the Karl-Marx-Allee, over the Oberbaumbridge, and through the Kreuzberg quarter. Stop at the DDR Museum with a hands-on exhibition depicting life in former East Germany answering questions such as what it was like to live under surveillance. 

While the day is yours to do as we wish, we recommend a Jewish heritage tour with a visit to the Jewish Museum where you’ll learn about Berlin’s Jewish history, much of which has to do with the Holocaust. It’s a sober but meaningful journey that explores the historic Jewish Quarter, including the history of the neighborhood and its Jewish residents that date back centuries, with visits to sites like the Memorial Jewish Cemetery and the Denkmal alte Synagogue. The Jewish Museum is the largest of its kind in Europe, presenting the history of Jews in Germany from the Middle Ages through the present, spread through three buildings. The core exhibition is “Jewish Life in Germany: Past and Present.”

Saying farewell to Berlin, you’ll take private transfer to Warsaw in Poland, an approximately 5.5-hour drive. After checking into your Warsaw hotel, enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. The Polish capital has a long history as the country’s cultural, economic, and political center, with the cobbled streets and alleyways in the Old Town a joy to explore if you feel like stretching your legs. On a nice day, you might want to stroll through one of the parks like the historical Saski Garden, the oldest in the city with magnificent Baroque monuments and colorful flowers. The Saski Garden includes Baroque sculptures, a lake, the sun clock, and the Macaroni Fountain. 

Today you’ll embark on a themed tour that focuses on the city’s World War II history, starting at the Warsaw Uprising Museum which traces the city’s doomed uprising against German occupation in 1944. An immersive experience with interactive displays, personal accounts, gripping artifacts, and more, you’ll be transported to the heart of the struggle. The surrounding Freedom Park includes many attractions of its own, including a Wall of Remembrance. Your expert guide will provide vivid narratives of Warsaw’s sacrifice and resilience as you explore sites like the Pawaiak Prison and Ghetto Heroes Monument before concluding at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Here you’ll have time to reflect and honor the brave who fought for freedom. 

After taking the train to Krakow, you’ll have time to settle in and refresh before joining your guide for a tour of the Old Town. The architectural jewel of Central Europe, your two-hour walking tour starts at the iconic Main Market Square which dates back to the 13th century. Traversing the Royal Route you’ll follow in the footsteps of Polish kings, witnessing landmarks like the Cloth Hall, a reminder of the city’s historical place as a center for trade and commerce in Eastern Europe, and the Gothic 14th-century St. Mary’s Basilica. Continuing your journey, you’ll be immersed in the moving history of the Jewish Quarter, Kazimierz, with its narrow alleyways and synagogues. Afterward, cross the river to Wawel Hill, topped by Wawel Castle. 

A somber but essential day trip that provides a comprehensive understanding of the significant human impact of the Second World War, today’s tour brings you to Auschwitz. The 7-hour journey starts at the former concentration camp, Auschwitz I, which showcases chilling exhibitions with artifacts detailing the horrors of the Holocaust. You’ll get an in-depth understanding of its significance through expert insight provided by your guide before proceeding to Auschwitz-Birkenau. Here the immense scale of the tragedy is hauntingly apparent with the remains of railway tracks and barracks evoking emotion that will allow you to truly absorb the gravity of what occurred, all while paying tribute to the victims through reflection and remembrance.

This morning marks the conclusion of your nine nights in Central Europe. As you check out of your hotel, a private transfer awaits to escort you to the airport, for your journey back home. If your return isn’t imminent, feel free to reach out to our travel experts. They can assist you in crafting a personalized addition to your itinerary, offering the possibility of exploring another captivating European country.