
Panorama of Central Europe (Land)
DURATION: 13 DAYS/12 NIGHTS ESCORTED
• Vienna • Budapest • Krakow • Warsaw • Berlin • Prague
Saturday Day 1 VIENNA
Arrival in Vienna, the capital of Austria. You will be met and transferred to your hotel with time to relax before meeting your fellow travelers at the welcome dinner. RENAISSANCE HOTEL VIENNA 2 nights. (D)
Sunday Day 2 VIENNA
Your morning sightseeing tour focuses on the lavishly Hofburg Palace, once the seat of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and today the official office of the Austrian President. Next is the Belvedere Palace, the former summer residence of Prince Eugene today housing Austrian and International art of the 19th and 20th centuries such as Schiele, Kokoschka and the largest Klimt collection in the world including his magnificent painting entitled “The Kiss”. As the tour continues we pass the Prater Amusement Park, Austria’s largest entertainment center, the UN Buildings, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Austria’s most remarkable Gothic building constructed between the 14th and 16th centuries as well as other vivid reminders of the city’s imperial history. The afternoon is free for further optional visits perhaps to visit the MuseumQuartier or to do some shopping along the fashionable Kartnerstrasse or to try your luck at the casino or just to relax at a local café.
Perhaps to try a typical Viennese schnitzel at Figlmueller’s, the most famous schnitzel maker in Vienna inaugurated in 1905. The restaurant is located in the center of Vienna, # 5, next to St. Stephan’s Cathedral. (Cost not included). (B)
Monday Day 3 VIENNA/BUDAPEST
Traveling east we cross the border into Hungary and proceed onwards through the Transdanubia region enjoying the panorama as we arrive in Budapest, the capital of Hungary in time to relax before dinner. HOTEL MERCURE KORONA 2 nights. (B/D)
Tuesday Day 4 BUDAPEST
Situated on the opposite banks of the Danube River, the former cities of Buda and Pest are linked by a series of graceful bridges. Our morning sightseeing tour features all of the main attractions including the Parliament, reminiscent of London’s Houses of Parliament and the Royal Palace reduced to rubble in 1944-1945 and lovingly restored. Continue to the Castle Hill area located in the heart of mediaeval Budapest to see Fishermen’s Bastion, the Coronation Church of the Hungarian Kings, Hero’s Square and Gellert Hill for the best view of the city. Free time to explore on your own. Perhaps to visit the Hungarian national Gallery with its collection of 10,000 art objects or to visit St. Stephen’s Basilica, the largest church in Budapest or to enjoy a spa treatment in one of the numerous spas or to visit the Aquincum packed with memories of the Roman period or perhaps to enjoy a sweet at the legendary Gerbeaud pastry shop dating back to 1858 located in the heart of the city on Vorosmarty Square or at Zsolnay at the Beke Hotel or to shop for colorful embroidery. (B)
Wednesday Day 5 BUDAPEST/KRAKOW
The road to Krakow winds through the lovely hills and countryside of Slovakia, past the Tatras and into the great plains of Poland en route to Krakow, the city of kings, where Pope John Paul II was once a Cardinal. Enjoy a relaxing dinner on arrival. RADISSON SAS HOTEL/HOLIDAY INN KRAKOW 2 night stay. (B/D)
Thursday Day 6 KRAKOW
Your tour this morning begins at Wawel Hill overlooking the city where the Royal Castle proudly stands housing an exhibit of countless objects of art and an exhibit of rare Flemish tapestries collected by King Zygmunt August. The Wawel Cathedral has witnessed most of the royal coronations and funerals and is the last resting place for most of the Polish monarchs. Enjoy a walking tour of the Old Town where you will visit the Main market Square, the largest mediaeval square in Poland. In the very center is the Renaissance Cloth Hall with its colonnaded arcades established in the 14th century for merchants to display their wares.
Overlooking the square is St. Mary’s Church, where the Cracovian “hejna”, an hourly bugle call is played from the tower. The Gothic Church rather austere from the outside has a very richly ornamented interior with a famous high altar masterpiece carved in wood by Wit Stwosz which depicts the life of the Holy Family.
The afternoon is free for further visits perhaps for an optional visit to the Wieliczka Salt Mine, 15 kms. southeast of the city where you will find one of the oldest salt mines in Europe (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) or perhaps an optional visit to the Czartoryski Museum to admire the famous “Lady with the Ermine” by Leonardo da Vinci. (B)
Friday Day 7 KRAKOW/WARSAW
During this morning’s journey to Warsaw, there is time for an optional side trip to Auschwitz, one of the most somber memorials of our past, where many of the original buildings stand to this day as a bleak reminder of this tragedy. After lunch (cost not included) we continue via Czestochowa renowned for its blackened picture of St. Mary popularly known as the “Black Madonna” found in the Yasna Gora Monastery. We end the day in Poland’s capital city of Warsaw, known as the city of determination. RADISSON SAS HOTEL 2 night stay. (B/D)
Saturday Day 8 WARSAW
This 700 year old capital of Poland is a symbol of nationhood and the will to survive against great odds. Your sightseeing tour includes a drive along the famous Royal Route from the magnificent Castle Square to Lazienki Park with its Palace (on the water) built for Stanislaw Poniatowski, the last of the Polish kings. Plundered by the Nazis, its interior was carefully restored. Continue past the Palace of Science and Culture known as the “wedding cake” and the magnificent French style Saxon Gardens to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Monument to the Heroes of the Warsaw Ghetto. See the Barbican, one of the very few surviving structures of its kind in Europe as you continue your walking tour of the Old Town passing Castle Square, the main gateway to the Old Town. In the center of the square is the 22 metre high Column of Sigismund III. You soon come to St. John’s Cathedral, the oldest of Warsaw’s churches razed to the ground during the war, but rebuilt and today a national Pantheon. The Old Town Square is the most elegant square in Warsaw and one of the best in Poland. The balance of the day is free perhaps for a stroll through the city or an optional late afternoon Chopin Concert. (B)
Sunday Day 9 WARSAW/POZNAN/BERLIN
Leaving Warsaw this morning we stop in Poznan, a historic, yet modern city lying astride the Warta River where an orientation tour will take you to see some of the city’s highlights. The most interesting part of the city is the Old Town with its famous Renaissance Hall now housing the Historic Museum. We continue our drive crossing the border into Germany and arriving in the capital of Berlin. HOTEL BERLIN/HOTEL EXCELSIOR 2 nights. (B/D)
Monday Day 10 BERLIN
This morning our guide will take us to visit some of the major sites in the reunited capital of Germany featuring the Reichstag, the Renaissance building that once housed Germany’s Parliament and the lovely Schloss Charlottenburg, the country home of Prussian kings. The castle includes many remarkable rooms. Continue through the city to view other famous sights such as the German State opera House, the Schiller Theater and the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church. The afternoon is free to do some exploring on your own. Perhaps to visit the fascinating Egyptian Museum or go for a coffee on the Kurfurstendamm simply known as the Ku’damm” or to see the famous Brandenburg Gate, once the symbol of the divided city. (B)
Tuesday Day 11 BERLIN/DRESDEN/ PRAGUE
We leave Berlin behind and journey to the beautiful baroque city of Dresden, splendidly situated on a bend in the Elbe River for a sightseeing tour that features the Zwinger Palace, the magnificently rebuilt Semper Opera House named after the architect who designed it as well as other important historic sites. Afterwards cross the border into the Czech Republic arriving in the capital of Prague, one of the most attractive cities in Central Europe. DIPLOMAT HOTEL 2 nights. (B/D)
Wednesday Day 12 PRAGUE
Built on seven hills more than 1000 years ago and situated on both banks of the Vltava River. Our sightseeing tour this morning begins with a panoramic drive to the famous Wenceslas Square. See the Strahov Stadium and the Castle Square. On a walking tour discover the Royal Castle of Hradcany, the one time residence of the Kings of Bohemia. Continue past St. Vitus Cathedral, the Royal Palace and the Loretto Church. Cross the Charles Bridge and walk through the old quarter to view the Jewish Ghetto with its maze of streets that made up the oldest ghetto in Europe. Next is the Town Hall and the world famous Astronomical Clock known as “Orloj”. The balance of the day is free perhaps to attend an optional cultural performance. (B)
Thursday Day 13 PRAGUE
After breakfast transfer to the airport for departure. (B) NOTE: ADDITIONAL NIGHTS IN VIENNA AT THE BEGINNING OF THE TOUR OR IN PRAGUE AT THE END OF THE TOUR CAN BE PROVIDED.
YOUR HOTELS
VIENNA – The 5 star Renaissance Hotel Vienna located near Schoenbrunn Palace offers 309 rooms with individually controlled air conditioning, direct dial phone, satellite television and hairdryer.
BUDAPEST – The Hotel Mercure Korona is located in the heart of Budapest a 5 minute walk from the Danube River. The hotel offers 433 rooms featuring radio, color television, direct dial telephone, minibar and hairdryer.
KRAKOW - Nestled on the banks of the Vistula River, the city of Krakow has remained virtually unspoiled since the Tartar raids in the 13th century. The stylish and charming Holiday Inn Krakow is conveniently located in the heart of the Old Town only minutes from the Main Market Square. The hotel offers 154 comfortable, air conditioned rooms each uniquely furnished with satellite television, coffee maker, minibar and refrigerator.
Radisson SAS Hotel – Is located on Zwierzynieca, a major shopping street in Krakow near the Philharmonic Hall. The hotel features 196 air conditioned rooms. The hotels facilities include a safety deposit box at the front desk, two stylish informal restaurants, fitness room and a sauna. The stylish and charming Holiday Inn Krakow is conveniently located in the heart of the Old Town only minutes from the Main Market Square. The hotel offers 154 comfortable, air conditioned and fully equipped bedrooms, each uniquely furnished and tastefully decorated. There is a coffee maker in the room, minibar, safety deposit box and television with cable.
WARSAW – Radisson SAS Hotel is located in the city center close to the Palace of Science and Culture and within easy walking distance to the Old Town and the tourist highlights of the city. The hotel has 311 beautifully appointed guests rooms in Scandinavian, Italian and Maritime styles each style invoking a different time and place.
BERLIN – Hotel Berlin is a renowned establishment rich in tradition and has been one of the finest hotels in town for more than 40 years. The hotel offers 701 rooms with shower and hair dryer. Its reputation is derived from its outstanding service and the excellent location in the center of the city. The world famous Kurfurstendamm Boulevard, the KaDeWe shopping Mall and other points of interest are nearby.
The Excelsior Hotel is situated right in the heart of Germany’s capital only a few minutes from the prestigious Kurfurstendamm Boulevard. This hotel offers easy access to all points of interest.
PRAGUE – The Diplomat Hotel located at the very edge of the city’s historic center, close to Prague Castle is a modern and extensive hotel complex with top standards.
* Price in Cdn per person & double occupancy.
Single Supplement $1,295.00 Cdn.
Booking Information and Conditions
YOUR TOUR PRICE INCLUDES:
- Airport transfers
- Luggage handling at hotels based on one normal sized suitcase per person
- Touring by modern air conditioned motorcoach
- Services of a professional English speaking tour director throughout
- 12 nights accommodation based on first class hotels with private facilities based on 2 nights Vienna, 2 nights Budapest, 2 nights Krakow, 2 nights Warsaw, 2 nights Berlin and 2 nights Prague
- 12 breakfasts mainly buffet and 6 dinners
- Sightseeing tours in Vienna, Budapest, Krakow, Warsaw, Berlin and Prague as indicated
- Service charges and hotel taxes
YOUR TOUR PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- Airfare to Vienna and back from Prague
- Departure taxes
- Documentation including passport fees and travel insurance
- Luggage handling at airports
- Meals and beverages not mentioned *Optional tours
- Gratuities for individual services *Tips to tour director, driver and local guides
E. & O.E.
DEPOSIT & PAYMENT
A deposit in the amount of $600.00 Cdn. per person together with the single supplement and insurance premium (if needed) is required at the time of booking. Written confirmation will be issued only after the deposit has been received. Should this deposit not reach us within 10 days of the booking, we will assume that you no longer wish to travel and will release any arrangements being held. The balance of payment is due 9 weeks prior to departure. Reservation received within 9 weeks prior to departure must be accompanied by full payment. Failure to comply with these provisions could result in cancellation of the reservation by Canadian Travel Abroad Ltd. without notice.
CANCELLATION CONDITIONS
All cancellations, changes or refund requests must be received in writing at the offices of Canadian Travel Abroad Ltd. and shall be considered in effect as of the date received. Cancellation or changes made up to 90 days prior to departure will be subject to a penalty of $300.00 Cdn. per person. Those made between 89 and 60 days prior to departure will be subject to a penalty of $425.00 Cdn. per person.
Between 59 and 30 days prior to departure, a penalty of 50% per person. Between 29 days and departure day, no refunds will be granted thereafter. Should a participant be unable to join the tour on the day of departure or leave the tour prior to its completion, no refunds will be granted for unused services. For those participants making their own connecting flights to coincide with the program, we suggest that ample time be allowed between flights. Canadian Travel Abroad Ltd. does not accept any responsibility for additional charges or expenses that result from a change of flight times or misconnections and no refunds will be issued for services not provided. No claim or refund will be considered unless submitted in writing and received by CTA within 30 days of the termination of the tour. Any substitution of a passenger(s) will be considered a cancellation of the original reservation and the applicable cancellation charges will apply. If you cancel your trip after receiving final documents, please note that the complete set of final documents must be returned to Canadian Travel Abroad Ltd. before we can process your request.
CANCELLATION BY CANADIAN TRAVEL ABROAD LTD.
We reserve the right to cancel a departure and offer an alternative departure should there be an insufficient number of participants to make the tour viable. Should the participant(s) elect not to travel on an alternative date, a full refund will be made.
Canadian Travel Abroad Ltd. is not to be held responsible for any other individual arrangements affected by our tour cancellation.
ACCOMMODATION
Rooms with private facilities in selected hotels as indicated in the itinerary are assigned by local agencies. Should it become necessary, accommodation in similar categories may be substituted.
CHANGES
Once a booking has been confirmed, should a participant wish to change to an alternative departure or make changes to the reservation, a handling fee of $125.00 Cdn. per person would apply.
NOTE: Changes or adjustments to a reservation will not be accepted within 28 days prior to departure. Should cancellation by one or more passengers change the room requirements of the remaining participant, the passenger must pay the applicable rate for the accommodation to be required.
INSURANCE
Comprehensive trip cancellation insurance (to protect against loss of monies incurred through cancellation due to illness, etc.) as well as personal travel insurance for baggage and accident coverage is available through Canadian Travel Abroad Ltd. and must be taken out at the time of booking with the premium and remitted with the deposit. Once paid, the premium is non refundable. A signed waiver will be required if insurance is declined.
BAGGAGE INSURANCE
Care will be taken to protect your baggage, however, Canadian Travel Abroad Ltd. cannot be held responsible for damage to the baggage. It is recommended that each participant purchase baggage insurance to protect their belongings.
NOTE – Porterage at the hotels and on transfers is limited to one piece per person.
INSURANCE WAIVER
Insurance affords protection against penalties caused by cancellation of your trip due to injury, illness or death of a tour participant or a member of a participant’s immediate family. This insurance is underwritten by RBC.
COSTS
All costs quoted herein in Canadian dollars are per person and are based on tariffs, exchange rates and airfares in effect as of December 08, 2008 and are subject to change without prior notice.
INDIVIDUAL ARRANGEMENTS IN CONJUNCTION WITH A TOUR
For individual arrangements in conjunction with a tour, a non refundable booking fee of $50.00 Cdn. per person will apply.
GRATUITIES
While gratuities for services provided are customary including the end of tour gratuity for the tour escort and driver, the gratuities are not included in the cost of the tour and are based upon your satisfaction of the arrangements provided.
HOLIDAYS CHANGES
During national or local holidays abroad, certain facilities such as museums and sightseeing tours may be limited. Where possible, slight itinerary adjustments may be made.
ITINERARY CHANGES
Your itinerary has been planned with the utmost care to ensure a pleasant trip. However, circumstances may arise whereby a slight change in the itinerary may be required due to business hours at a certain site. There will be no refund granted for any changes to the program.
MEALS
As specified in the itinerary. B= Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner. Meals are provided from a group menu with beverages being included when part of the group meals. Any additional beverages or refills may be purchased at additional cost.
BEVERAGES
Not included with specified dinners.
PHYSICAL DISABILITIES
Any physical disability requiring special attention or treatment must be reported when reservations are made. Canadian Travel Abroad Ltd./and or their agents reserve the right to accept or retain any participant who may, in their sole judgement, require care and attention beyond that which can be provided. Please bring any health or mobility issues to our attention at the time of booking.
PORTERAGE
Each participant will be responsible for carrying their own luggage through customs. Since porters and/or luggage carts are not always readily available, you should be comfortable carrying your own luggage.
PRE OR POST TOUR ARRANGEMENTS
Canadian Travel Abroad Ltd would be happy to assist should you wish to add additional arrangements to your tour program.
REFUNDS
There will not be any refunds granted on any unused portion of the tour not taken.
SIGHTSEEING
As indicated, including entrance fees to places of interest as well as the services of fully qualified local English speaking guides. The sequence of tours and the cities visited is subject to change where necessary.
SINGLE ROOMS
A limited number of single rooms may be available for an additional charge. In Europe, single rooms are generally much smaller than a double room. Single rooms are never guaranteed and are subject to availability.
SPECIAL REQUESTS
Must be placed in sufficient time and although Canadian Travel Abroad Ltd. will do their utmost to accommodate these special requests, we cannot be held responsible if such requests are not fulfilled.
SURFACE TRANSPORTATION
As indicated.
TAXES
All local taxes and standard service charges on accommodation and meals included in you’re your price.
TOUR DOCUMENT DELIVERY
Travel documents are usually issued within 21 days prior to departure provided that full payment has been received. In the event that late payment results in the late delivery of documents, Canadian Travel Abroad Ltd. will not accept any responsibility for the consequences thereof and reserves the right to charge for courier expenses. Documents will be sent first class mail, however, should you prefer to have your documents sent by overnight courier, you will be advised of the additional charges which must be
included with your final payment.
TRAVEL DOCUMENTATION
All participants must be in possession of a passport that is valid for a minimum of 6 months after the duration of the tour and should have sufficient blank pages for visas and immigration stamps. Canadian Travel Abroad Ltd. cannot be held responsible should you be denied entry to any country due to non compliance of these arrangements. Instructions regarding the securing of visas (where required) will be provided once the tour has been booked and the deposit paid. A copy of your valid passport is required to confirm any air reservations (if required). Due to increased security measures, passport information and emergency contact information is required for all passengers prior to the release of final documents.
VISAS
For participants holding passports other than Canadian, please check with your local travel agent regarding entry requirements for the country visited.
Updated Visa Fees: Russia $75.00 Cdn., Turkish $60.00 U.S. payable in cash on arrival in Turkey.
The above visa fees as charged by the respective consulates and are subject to change without prior notice. Canadian Travel Abroad Ltd. will be happy to secure visas for Canadian passport holders for a fee of CA $20.00 per person, per visa to cover handling and courier charges. Prices shown are per person, per visa and are valid at the time of printing and all visa fees are non-refundable.
TRAVELLING ALONE BUT WISHING TO SHARE
Tour participants traveling alone but wishing to share accommodation with a suitable roommate must pay the single supplement until such time as a roommate is found. The single supplement would then be refunded with the final documentation. Canadian Travel Abroad Ltd. cannot assume any responsibility should such an arrangement not be available or suitable.
AIRFARES
Canadian Travel Abroad Ltd. would be happy to assist with securing airfares in conjunction with the above tour(s).
A Special Reminder: Please be advised that there may be living standards and practices different from Canadian standards with respect to the provision of utilities, services and accommodation. Canadian Travel Abroad Ltd. strongly recommends that before travelling overseas you should obtain the latest travel information reports on countries visited from Foreign Affairs Canada or the U.S. State Department.
SPECIAL NOTE: The right is reserved to change or cancel the pre-arranged itineraries including designated hotels if reasons beyond our control arise. Pursuant to the Travel Industry Act Regulations if price changes cause an increase over 7% of the confirmed price (except for government taxes) or there is a change in the standard of accommodation or a delay of over 24 hours in transport arrangements of which we become aware prior to departure, you will be notified and given 48 hours to advise us of your desire to cancel the tour with a full refund. Otherwise, you will be considered to have accepted the change(s).
OPERATORS RESPONSIBILITY
All arrangements for land accommodation, transportation and sightseeing are made by Canadian Travel Abroad Ltd. and/or their appointed representatives, who act only as agents in obtaining transportation, accommodation and other services for the tour members. They shall not be liable or held responsible directly or indirectly for any delay, injury, (including death) loss of damage to any person, company or association providing accommodation, transportation or other services in connection with the tour. The right is reserved to withdraw all or part of the tour should conditions warrant and to make such alterations in the itinerary as may be found desirable for the convenience of the tour members and proper execution of the tour. The right is also reserved to decline to accept or retain any person(s) as member(s) of the tour in which case equitable refund will be made at the discretion of the operators.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU TRAVEL
TOUR DOCUMENTS – Your tour documentation will be sent to your prior to departure. Please read this information carefully.
SIGHTSEEING – Many of the tours available are walking tours. Please ensure that you have comfortable walking shoes.
SPENDING MONEY –Please be sure to allocate funds for special events while you are touring such as optional tours, theater and shopping. We recommend that you secure a small amount of cash in Euros prior to departure from Canada for on the spot expenses when arriving in a new destination.
SMOKING – Smoking is not allowed on the motorcoaches while touring.
THE ABOVE INFORMATION WAS CURRENT AT THE TIME OF PUBLICATION, HOWEVER, THE CONTENTS \ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE.
E. & O.E.
VALIDITY: March 20, 2009 – November 18, 2009.
In accordance with the Ontario Travel Act, CTA is registered
(1040985 & 1039982).
