Best of Central Europe

TONS INCLUDED:

8 nights in our favorite top-rated hostels across Central Europe (Prague, Krakow, Budapest) with one night on a train

9 days of the top Central Europe experiences:

- PRAGUE: Entry into Prague Castle including changing of the guard, leave your mark on the Lennon Wall, Peeing Statues, Monastery Brewery & lunch, Jewish Quarter and sights, Dinner at traditional local Czech restaurant, Old Town, noble 'Lesser Quarter' & entry and climb the Clock Tower for panoramic views

- KRAKOW: Pierogi dinner at our favorite student restaurant, Auschwitz & Birkinau concentration camps, Polish vodka tasting, notorious nightlife, Wawel Royal Castle, Jewish Quarter & Wieliczka Salt Mines

- BUDAPEST: Caving expedition and Szechenyi thermal bath entry, Heroes' Square, St. Stephen’s Basilica, Grand Market & District 7 ruin pub and bar crawl, Budapest Castle & District walk, Fisherman’s Bastion, and St. Matthias Churc & organic farmer’s market

 

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Central Europe ITINERARY

Day 0 - Optional Early Arrival

Opt in to an early arrival to spend more time in Prague to kick off your adventure. There's tons to keep you busy, and we'll recommend a slew of ideas. Our local guide will drop in that evening to say hi, and show you some top local spots for food and drinks.

Day 1 - Czeching Out Prague

Our local guide will meet you at 10 to break down the plan for the week. WSA trips are casual, laid back and fun, yet efficient. For our first day in Prague we'll be exploring the old Medieval heart of Prague, the Old Town. On this orientational walking tour, you'll see the Old Town Square, climb the famous Clocktower and take in the massive Wenceslas Square where the Velvet Revolution began to break the Czechs away from Communism. The Old City is jam-packed with striking Baroque, Renaissance and Gothic architecture, making you feel like you jumped straight into a fairytale.  Next we'll continue into the Jewish Quarter, to see the Pinkas Synagogue and to peer into the Jewish cemetery where 100,000 people are buried. We'll close out the night with a group dinner at a traditional Czech restaurant where you'll get to try local food and beer.  
 

Day 2 - Lesser Quarter & Prague Castle

Today the group will strike out for Prague Castle where you'll get to see the inside of Europe's largest castle for yourself plus enjoy some truly gorgeous views of Prague.  Next we'll enjoy a group lunch at Strahov Monestary which also happens to be a top brewery.  Then its on to Prague's Lesser Quarter. In this district, you'll take a few hours to tag the Lennon Wall, cross the Lover's Bridge, see the Infant Jesus Church of Prague, and have a laugh at the Pissing Statues.

If the weather cooperates we'll also go paddle boating on the Vlatava. After the busy day you'll definitely need some time to rest before exploring som of Prague's most unique cellar bars & pubs. In the clubbing mood? Head to Karlovy Lazne, Central Europe's largest!

Day 3 - Exploration Day

Today is yours to continue exploring the city or consider taking a day trip outside of Prague.  We can give you TONS of suggestions of additional neighborhoods to visit or fun and easy day trips.  Tonight we'll head to Krakow via an overnight train.

 

Day 4 - Welcome to Krakow

We'll arrive early in the morning from Prague and head straight to the hostel. We'll relax for a bit before our local guide picks us up and we'll head to Krakow's Medieval Old Town, making our way to the Castle, perched on a hill overlooking the city. 

We'll zip back to Old Town in style- via an extended-cab golf cart- After free time, we'll meet up for a group dinner at Krakow's popular local eatery for a pierogi feast. Next is the “Polish Party”, our private tasting where you’ll get to try up to 6 typical Polish vodkas and other spirits, before heading out to Krakow's best nightlife spots.
 

Day 5 - Jewish Quarter and Salt Mines

Today we'll start out in Kazimierz, the historic Jewish Ghetto of Krakow.  Then its onto Schindler's Factory, which Spielberg’s famous movie Schindler’s List was based on, and is now one of Europe’s best WWII museums.  We'll enjoy lunch in the Jewish quarter then head to the Wieliczka salt mine which is often called the "underground salt cathedral of Poland"  Here you can revel in the countless statues carved out of salt.

Then its back to the hostel to freshen up before our optional group dinner and delectable cocktails in Krakow's trendy Jewish quarter.

 

Day 6 - Auschwitz Day Trip

Today will be a somber but meaningful day as we head to the Auschwitz and Birkinau concentration camps. You'll spend several hours in each of the two camps responsible for killing an estimated million Jews while in operation during the war. Your English-speaking Auschwitz guide will accompany you throughout sharing stories to remember the victims of the horrible past of this place.

We'll pick up our bags and head to Budapest for the last leg of the journey.

 

Day 7 - Meet Pest & Buda

WSA's local Budapest guide will meet up with you for a quick orientation meeting and be sure to bring your swimsuit/towel with you for baths later! From there, we'll head down Andrássy Avenue- the Champs Elysees of Budapest- to see all the iconic sights: Hungarian Parliament building, a statue of Ronald Reagan, the American Embassy, and a memorial to the victims of the Nazis called Shoes on the Danube.

After crossing the Danube on the Chain Bridge, and climbing up to the Castle, we'll wrap up the walking tour at the famous Fisherman's Bastion overlooking the entire city. Next its time for relaxation in Budapest's best natural thermal spa: Szechenyi Baths.    

For the optional dinner our local guide will show you one of her favorite local restaurants like a deli where you get to pick exactly what you want before it's flash-grilled in front of you. Dress to stay out as we'll be pub crawling through District 7 and tossing back drinks in this neighborhood's most distinctive venues: Ruin Bars. Left in shambles after WWII, this area has been transformed into funky bars each with a different unique atmosphere.  
 

Day 8 - The Heart of Pest

Lace up your comfy shoes because today is caving day! We'll begin by walking down Budapest's oldest Medieval street, Vaci Utca, to the colorful Grand Market--the largest and oldest indoor market in the city.

Now it's time to strap on jump-suits and headlamps and go caving deep inside the hills of Buda! These massive underground caverns are filled with awe-inspiring stalagmite and stalactite mineral formations that draw visitors from all over the world! Alternative activities will be arranged by your guide for those who are claustrophobic like a chairlift ride with panoramic views of the city.

 

Day 9 - Tearful Goodbyes

Sadly, the tour finishes today after breakfast. Everyone is encouraged to stick around as long as they like, or depart as necessary to catch travel arrangements. For those staying longer, our local guide will recommend all sorts of activities for you to do to enjoy your extra time like a one of a kind market at Szimpla.
 

Learn more and book here

 

* Please note: this itinerary is an approximation of the tour. All aspects of the tour are subject to change in the event of sight closures and strikes. Please get in touch with us if you have any questions!

 

Have more questions? Learn how our trips work and check out our FAQ page for all the answers!

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We've optimized a 10-day visit throughout Central Europe just for you. Just pick your direction: Berlin-Budapest or Budapest-Berlin:

WSA's Central Europe Berlin-Budapest Itinerary:

Day 1 & 2 - Fly in and explore Berlin's hipster culture and iconic remnants of the Cold War

Day 3 & 4 - Hop over to Prague to bask in the beauty of a city not even Hitler would bomb and experience some unforgettable nighlife

Night 4 - Take an overnight train from PRG-KRK (don't worry we'll help you with the booking)

Day 5 & 6 - Explore Krakow, the renowned "student capital" of Poland, and pay your respects at Auschwitz.

Day 7- 9 - Head to adventure filled Budapest to go caving and take a dip in the world-famous thermal baths

Day 10 - Our adventure is over but we'll help you find best options for getting to the airport

 

WSA's Central Europe Budapest-Berlin Itinerary:

Day 1- 3 - Start in adventure filled Budapest to go caving and take a dip in the world-famous thermal bathsl

Day 4 & 5 - Head to Krakow, the "student capital" of Poland, and pay your respects at Auschwitz.

Night 5 - Take an overnight train from PRG-KRK (We'll help with the booking)

Day 6 & 7 -  Hop over to Prague to bask in the beauty of a city not even Hitler would bomb and experience some unforgettable nighlife

Day 8 & 9 -  Explore Berlin's hipster culture and iconic remnants of the Cold War

Day 10 - Our adventure is over but we'll help you find best options for getting to the airport

Flights & Transportation

Book your flights into your starting city on day 1, and out of your finishing city on day 10. You have the option to extend your stay or arrive early. For early arrivals, remember that you'll then arrive on "day 0" and fly out on day 10.

Trains are recommended, but not included between cities. Your Detour guide will recommend which tickets to buy. Trains run often throughout the day and you can purchase them in person on arrival. Estimate prices:

Berlin-Prague: €29-40

Prague-Krakow: €56-72

Krakow-Budapest: €78-90

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