Discover Central Europe

Trip Type: Explorer|Rail|
Hungary | 8 Days | 1 - 16 People
Starts From:

NZD 2,260.00 /Person

Discover some of the hottest locations in Central Europe with a trip that offers you loads of free time and a local leader with all the best recomm...

Discover Central Europe

Discover some of the hottest locations in Central Europe with a trip that offers you loads of free time and a local leader with all the best recommendations on how to spend it. Start off in Budapest and maybe choose to wander the iconic ruin bars in the Jewish quarter. Head to cosmopolitan Vienna, perfect for art lovers, and marvel at the historical architecture before tucking into some Kaffe and kuchen at a local café that empowers the city's older citizens with employment and purpose. Dip into scenic Salzburg and explore the city backdropped by mountains – home to Mozart’s birthplace and an epic fortress overlooking the town. Soak in all the natural beauty and iconic sights in Bled, then end it all in Venice (pizza and wine, anyone?).

Szia! Welcome to Hungary. Your adventure begins in the gorgeous dual city of Budapest with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, why not stroll around the grand architecture and boulevards to get your bearings. Maybe explore one of the local markets and pick up a langos (a deep-fried Hungarian pastry with different toppings). Why not head out to Statue Park to get an insight into the city’s past or take a soak in one of the many thermal bath complexes around town. After the meeting tonight, perhaps get a group of friends together for a Hungarian feast of goulash or check out some ruin bars – unique nightlife hubs great for groups in the Jewish Quarter, these bars feature a whole heap of weird and wonderful decor.

Hop on a train this morning to the cosmopolitan city of Vienna. After dropping your bags at your accommodation, you’re in for a real treat! Stop for Kaffe and kuchen (coffee and cake) with your group at Vollpension – a local cafe that empowers older members of the community by providing them with employment and purpose, while bridging the gap between the staff and the younger patrons who visit the cafe. Have a chat with the friendly staff while enjoying your sweet treat in this warm and welcoming environment. 

You’re free to choose your own adventure today, and Vienna has a lot to offer! For art lovers, there's a vast array of museums, including the Albertina, the Leopold, Kunsthalle Wien and the Museum of Modern Art. Those interested in 19th- and 20th-century Austrian art should visit the Belvedere Palace – home to Gustav Klimt's painting 'The Kiss'. Check out the colourful Hundertwasserhaus or the dome of the Secession building. Perhaps visit Hofburg Palace – once the imposing winter retreat of Habsburg royals and now the official residence of the Austrian president, or visit the gothic St Stephen’s Cathedral and the neo-classical Graben. If you want to see something impressive, head to the State Opera House – one of the world's most important opera houses and the heart of classical Viennese culture. 

Travel to Salzburg this morning via train – this Austrian hub on the border of Germany is backdropped by the Eastern Alps and divided by the Salzach River. When you arrive, you’ll have a full free day to explore all this gorgeous city has to offer, from the Old City to the New City. Maybe head to Mirabell Palace and Gardens for a picnic if the weather's nice or discover Mozart’s birthplace. Head to the medieval walls of Fortress Hohensalzburg and marvel at the architecture (you can also pay to get inside), or find a great viewpoint and snap some photos of the city in the shadow of the mountains, with the fortress looming above on the hill. Tonight, why not ask your local leader for the best spot for dinner.

Hop on a train to the Slovenian resort town of Bled. Sitting at the edge of the Julian Alps, this place is full of picturesque sights that are sure to take your breath away and the rail journey from Salzburg is a great way to start! Grab a window seat if you can, as you'll be crossing the Alps through a tunnel that sits 1300 m above sea level, with mountain vistas on every side. When you arrive, follow your leader to the shore of glistening Lake Bled, where many of the town’s attractions can be seen. After soaking in the sights with your group, you’ll have a free afternoon to choose your own route. For a taste of the local cuisine, try some Bled cake made of vanilla, custard, cream and pastry (many local cafes and cake shops claim theirs is the best, so if you must, maybe try a few and compare). After settling into your accommodation tonight, why not head out for a group dinner.

Today you have a free day to enjoy all the fun activities Bled has to offer (calling all nature lovers!) Maybe take a full-day adventure around Triglav Massive – there are many outdoor activities available here to get the blood pumping, such as rafting, caving, canoeing and swimming in the warmer months. Why not hire a bike and head out of town to Vintgar Gorge, where you can walk through a natural canyon. Perhaps explore Bled Castle, sitting atop the cliff overlooking the lake, or catch a pletna (small wooden boat) over to the island in the middle of the lake to ring the wishing bell. Your leader will have all the best options, so be sure to chat with them for their recommendations. If you’d prefer to have a relaxing day and the sun is out, maybe just enjoy the beauty of Lake Bled, find a quiet spot near the lake and spend the day reading or people-watching.

This morning, travel to Venice. A city of canals, Venice is built over a hundred small islands connected by 400 bridges. When you arrive, head out for an orientation walk with your leader – the best way to see Venice is by foot – passing by the Grand Canal, Rialto Bridge, Palace of the Doge, Piazza San Marco and the Bridge of Sighs. There are shops, markets, galleries and churches around every corner here, so there’s plenty to explore. Tonight, what better to do than tuck into some iconic Italian cuisine (and maybe a big glass of vino?).

With no activities planned for today, you’re free to leave your accommodation at any time after checkout. That doesn’t mean your adventure has to end! Italy’s city of canals is an extraordinary place to see on foot, and if you’d like to spend an extra day or two exploring, just speak to your booking agent.

Meals
2 Breakfast(s), ,

Transport
Train , Public Bus , Private vehicle

Accommodation
Hotel (5 nights), Guesthouse (2 nights)

Included Activities
  • Vienna - Kaffee and Kuchen Experience
  • Bled - Lake Walk
  • Discover the artistic history of unique Vienna – the perfect blend of modern and historical personality – then enjoy some Kaffe and kuchen (coffee and cake) at a local café that empowers older residents with employment and purpose.
  • Stroll stunning Salzburg, backdropped by the Eastern Alps, with a free day to wander the Old City and the New City, divided by the Salzach River.
  • Escape city life on the peaceful shores of Lake Bled in Slovenia. Maybe visit the church on the tiny fairytale island in the lake's centre and treat yourself to a slice of Bled's famous cream cake.
  • See the iconic Venice, which looks like it comes straight out of a postcard, and soak up opportunities like sailing the canals on a gondola or tucking into a huge plate of pasta.
  • Make cross-country travel a breeze with a European trip including train travel. Enjoy extra time to sit back, relax, play games with your fellow travellers or watch the changing scenery roll by.
  • This trip is made for travellers who value their independence but also want the benefit of a local leader and a group of like-minded travellers. The itinerary has a mix of included activities and free time when your leader will offer suggestions. Please budget spending money for optional activities you want to partake in. Accommodation on this trip is basic. Hotels in Europe often don't have double beds, but rather two single beds that can be pushed together/apart. Rooms can be small and in some cases bathroom facilities will be shared. Summer temperatures can be very high in many of the regions visited (over 40°C), which can be uncomfortable. It’s important to use sun protection, wear layers to combat the heat and drink plenty of water. Please keep in mind that many European hotel rooms are not equipped with air-conditioning. In Winter, warm layers will be needed as snow can be expected in some regions. Carefully consider the time of the year you wish to travel and your suitability to that season. The primary means of transportation on this trip is by train. Train travel is a fast way to traverse long distances, allowing you to avoid traffic jams and arrive right into the city centre. Trains are comfortable and often decked out with air-conditioning, toilets, a snack bar (or vending machine) and power points. You'll have to carry your own luggage on and off the train, as well as some short distances to the hotel (no longer than 30 minutes), so make sure it doesn’t exceed our weight and size recommendations. You can find details in the 'Packing' section of the Essential Trip Information.

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Price: NZD 2,515.00
Provided by
Intrepid Travel
Reference Code:
AMRC
Trip Location
Trip Starts:
Budapest, Hungary
Trip Finishes:
Venice, Italy
Countries Visited:
Austria
Hungary
Italy
Slovenia
map

Booking Enquiry

Destination Details
Hungary | 8 Days | 1 - 16 People

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