Premium Central Europe

Intrepid Travel · 12 days

4.0

2 Reviews

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Duration

12 days

Tour Type

Small Group

Accommodations

Unknown

Physical Rating

Light

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

Embark on a journey through the heart of Europe, exploring five diverse countries and cultures along the way. Wander Prague’s streets, unwind in a 13th-century Slovakian castle and sample local flavours with alcohol tastings and a Pierogi cooking class.

Highlights

Visit five different countries on this trip – from the streets of Prague to the historic depths of Belgrade, you’ll get a sense of every city with local leader insights.
Stay at a 13th-century castle in the Slovakian countryside, where you can relax at the spa and dine in style at the in-house restaurant.
Savour a variety of local flavors with unique culinary experiences, including a beer tasting tour in the Czech Republic, a wine-tasting session in Serbia, a hands-on Pierogi cooking class in Poland, and street food delights in Hungary.
Engage with history during a tour of Auschwitz to understand the region’s past and reflect on its profound impact. This visit is both emotional and essential for a comprehensive view of European history.
Immerse yourself in a traditional Hungarian crafts and costumes in Holloko and enjoy a guided hikes in Slovakia. This trip offers a perfect blend of outdoor adventure and rich cultural activities.

Trip Details

Duration

12 days

Transportation

Private vehicle,train

Tour Type

Small Group

Guide Language

English

Starts

Prague, Czech Republic

Finishes

Belgrade, Czech Republic

Accommodations

Unknown

Travel Style

Explorer

Physical Rating

Light

Itinerary

Day 1: Prague

Ahoj! Welcome to Prague. When you arrive at Prague Airport, you’ll be met by a local representative and transferred to your hotel. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm to meet your local leader and fellow travellers. Until then, you can explore Czech Republic's capital city as you wish. Steeped in history, there’s plenty to see here – maybe check out the National Gallery, with Czech and international art on display, or the Franz Kafka Museum – a wonderful dedication to the life and work of the famous Prague writer. After your meeting, get to know your group over a traditional Czech dinner – look out for goulash (a beef stew), svickova (marinated beef) or trdelnik (a sweet pastry, also called chimney cake) on the menu.

Included Activities:

Prague - Welcome Dinner

Accommodation:

Prague Leon D'oro (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 2: Prague

Get up and out this morning on a leader-led orientation walk around the city. You’ll probably spot Prague Castle – one of the largest ancient castles in the world, visible from different parts of the city. See Charles Bridge, another medieval structure that crosses the Vltava River and venture into the charming Old Town with its own architectural highlights, like the astronomical clock that’s been ticking away since 1410. If you’re a fan of beer, you’re probably familiar with a Pilsner – but did you know this pale lager originated in the Czech Republic? Try some out on a visit to the Pilsner brewery, where you’ll also learn all about the brewing process and its origins.

Included Activities:

Prague - Pilsner Brewery Visit and Tasting
Prague - Orientation Walk

Optional Activities:

Prague - Museum of Communism (380 CZK)
Prague - Mucha Museum (300 CZK)
Prague - Kafka Museum (300 CZK)

Accommodation:

Prague Leon D'oro (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 3: Olomouc

Hop on a train to Olomouc today, east of Prague. Although often overshadowed by the capital, this city has plenty to offer – like the Holy Trinity Column, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and Olomouc Castle, which dates back to the 12th century. Olomouc even has its own astronomical clock in its Old Town, offering an insight into how people kept time in the medieval period. Learn about these and more during a leader-led orientation walk. You’re then free to explore as you wish. Make sure to ask your leader for any restaurant recommendations in the city centre or go for a walk around Smetana Gardens.

Included Activities:

Olomouc - Orientation Walk

Optional Activities:

Olomouc - Saint Vacláv Cathedral - Free

Accommodation:

Hotel Arigone (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 4: Krakow

This morning, you’ll drive across the border into Poland and on to Auschwitz – one of the trip’s most difficult but profoundly impactful experiences. As you walk around what once was the largest Nazi concentration camp with a guide, you’ll learn about the suffering of millions of Jewish people, as well as other persecuted groups, during the Holocaust. While visiting Auschwitz is incredibly emotional, it’s essential for understanding the past and ensuring such atrocities aren’t repeated in the future. Decompress after in Krakow, your next destination, and perhaps head to the Old Town for dinner.

Included Activities:

Krakow - Auschwitz Guided Tour

Accommodation:

Hotel Polonia (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 5: Krakow

Krakow is best known for its well-preserved medieval architecture, so take it all in as you tour the city with a local guide this morning. They’ll likely bring you to Main Market Square in the Old Town, one of the largest squares in Europe, and St. Mary’s Basilica, a church known for its Gothic architecture. As you walk, learn about how Krakow changed during the Austro-Hungarian Empire and World War II. Then, get hands-on with Krakow’s culinary scene with a cooking class – learn how to make Pierogi (Eastern European dumplings) and enjoy tucking into them after.

Included Activities:

Krakow - Pierogi Cooking Class
Krakow - City Tour With Local Guide

Optional Activities:

Krakow - Schindler's Factory Museum Tour (65 PLN)
Krakow - History Museum (28 PLN)
Krakow - Rynek Underground Museum (32 PLN)
Krakow - Cloth Hall 'Sukiennice' - Free

Accommodation:

Hotel Polonia (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 6: Banska Stiavnica

Make your way to central Slovakia today and stop in Banska Bystrica – a city with medieval origins. When you arrive, head out on a leader-led tour, where you might see the Main Square in the Old Town and the Church of St. Francis Xavier – an excellent example of Baroque architecture. Maybe learn about the city’s role in the Slovak National Uprising of 1944 in the square dedicated to it. Then, head to your Feature Stay accommodation for the night – Hotel Grand Viglas. Feel like royalty in this converted castle that offers modern amenities like a swimming pool and spa, as well as an upscale restaurant for dinner.

Included Activities:

Banska Bystrica - Orientation Walk

Accommodation:

Hotel Grand Viglas - Feature Stay (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 7: Banska Stiavnica

Check out the nearby town of Banska Stiavnica today, which sits in the middle of a caldera created by the collapse of an ancient volcano with the whole town declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. Start with a visit to the Slovak Mining Museum to see first-hand the role that mining precious metals has had in shaping this region and its communities. After, your leader will take you on a short but rewarding hike to Kalveria Church, which sits on a hill overlooking the city. You’ll start from the city centre and take a well-marked trail, with plenty of good views of the city. Finally, relax with a free evening back at your Feature Stay.

Included Activities:

Banska Stiavnica - Calvaria Church Hike
Banska Stiavnica - Mining Museum
Banska Stiavnica - Orientation Walk

Accommodation:

Hotel Grand Viglas - Feature Stay (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 8: Budapest

Pack up and head for Budapest today, stopping at Holloko on the way. This village, tucked away in the Cserhat Mountains, is a well-preserved representation of Paloc culture – an ethnic subgroup in Hungary. You might feel as though you're stepping back in time as you walk around Holloko, where residents often wear traditional clothing, and crafts like pottery and weaving remain integral to village life. Walk around with a local guide and learn about these different traditional crafts at demonstrations – where you can even try on traditional clothing! Sample brandy and cheese pie (a local delicacy) then continue to Budapest for the evening.

Included Activities:

Holloko - Holloko Traditional Village

Accommodation:

KK Hotel Opera (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 9: Budapest

Get your bearings in Hungary’s capital today with an orientation walk with your leader. Many associate Budapest with its thermal bath culture, which is why it’s also known as the City of Spas. You can opt to visit the Szechenyi Baths – one of the largest and most famous thermal baths in Budapest, featuring several outdoor pools. Buda Castle is also a highlight, standing tall on the west side of the Danube River. Join your leader for the Buda Castle Walk – a well-loved route that allows you to see lots of historical parts of the city, like Chain Bridge, the bridge that connects Buda and Pest, and Matthias Church. After, refuel with a langos (a deep-fried flatbread, very popular in Budapest)!

Included Activities:

Budapest - Buda Castle Walk
Budapest - Guided City Tour
Budapest - Traditional Langos Snack
Budapest - Orientation Walk

Optional Activities:

Budapest - Szechenyi Baths (16 EUR)
Budapest - Hungarian National Museum (2900 HUF)
Budapest - Hungarian State Opera House Tour (9000 HUF)
Budapest - Great Synagogue (13000 HUF)
Budapest - Transport and Entry to Statue Park (5000 HUF)
Budapest - Szechenyi Thermal Baths (starting from) (9400 HUF)
Budapest - Central Market - Free

Accommodation:

KK Hotel Opera (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 10: Belgrade

Drive to Serbia this morning and stop off at Subotica. Enjoy a guided tour of the border city, where you’ll spot notable Art Noveau architecture around the place, namely the City Hall and the Synagogue. Your leader can also explain how the Roman, Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian periods influenced the city. You’ll then drive to a local winery, where you’ll learn about the winemaking process in Serbia. Put your wine-tasting skills to the test by sampling various wines from their signature collection. After, continue to Belgrade, your last destination.

Included Activities:

Subotica - Wine Tasting
Subotica - City Tour with Local Guide

Accommodation:

Hotel Royal Inn (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 11: Belgrade

As Serbia’s capital, Belgrade has a rich history and your leader will touch on this today on an orientation walk. Located where the Danube River and the River Sava meet, this city has been a centre of power for various empires over the centuries. Once you know your way around the city, the day is yours to explore as you wish. Perhaps check out Knez Mihailova Street if you’re in the mood to shop, or head to Kalemegdan Fortress for good views of the rivers converging. Maybe visit the Nikola Tesla Museum, where you can learn all about how the engineer shaped technological advancement in the 20th century. Then, get together with your group for a traditional Serbian dinner – think cevapi (grilled sausages), sarma (cabbage rolls with minced meat) and prebranac (a bean stew).

Included Activities:

Belgrade - Leader-led Orientation Walk
Belgrade - Farewell Dinner

Optional Activities:

Belgrade - Nikola Tesla Museum (800 RSD)
Belgrade - Sveti Sava Church - Free
Belgrade - Danube River Cruise (800 RSD)
Belgrade - Tito’s Mausoleum (House of Flowers) (400 RSD)

Accommodation:

Hotel Royal Inn (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 12: Belgrade

Say goodbye to your group over one last breakfast. For those who wish to stay in Belgrade, reach out to your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.

Exclusions

Flights to and from origin and destinations
Airport transfers (arrival and departure)
Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
Recommended gratuities/tipping
Optional activities/tours
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.

Important Information

Meals

When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We willdo our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.

Luggage

You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.

Mobility

Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.

Fitness Level

This tour requires an Average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.

Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.

If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling. (Note: I assume each tour has a different description depending on level of fitness required).

Sightseeing

If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.

Visas

Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.

It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.

Departure Dates & Surcharges: See checkout for live dates and availability.

AUD $7,015

(Tour only)

Per Person Twin Share

Duration: 12 days

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Light

Check Availability Brochure

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 15 Jun 2026

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Customer Reviews

Overall Rating

Excellent

4.5

Guide

Excellent

4.5

Itinerary

Excellent

4.5

Accommodations

Excellent

4.5

Transportation

Excellent

4.5

Tour Operator

Excellent

4.5

Food

Excellent

4.5

4.0

Gulcin

Traveled, May 2025

05/26/2025

This is an excellent introduction to Central Europe.

4.0

Richard

Traveled, May 2025

05/27/2025

I would like to send you a fuller explanation of our experience on this tour. How can I do that?

Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.

In Business Since 1989

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