Eastern Europe
Český Krumlov, Kraków, Auschwitz, Budapest, Prague
Day 1: Step behind the old Iron Curtain when you arrive in the most famous city in the Czech Republic—Prague. We won't see Prague just yet, but you'll be back in a week for a closer look. Instead, get in your rental car a drive a few hours to the charming, town of Český Krumlov. After dinner, walk the romantic streets of this cozy town before heading in for the night. Day 2: Wake up for your tour around Český Krumlov. Do as much as you can by foot (making sure to walk up the hill to the castle for an amazing view of the city), but a ride in a canoe down the river that winds through the town will give you a unique perspective. Afterwards continue on your trip with a 5-6 hour drive to Kraków, Poland. After checking in, wander through its magnificent square, which is one of the largest medieval squares in Europe. Browse the various shops inside of Cloth Hall before retiring for the night. Day 3: Try your best to beat the crowds and leave early in the morning for the drive to Auschwitz. The camp is actually three different compounds but going to the first and second will provide you with more than enough things to see. Make sure you see Auschwitz I first as this is where the exhibits explaining the kind of life those imprisoned there were forced to endure. It is also where the famous gate with the words Arbeit Macht Frei (Work Will Set You Free) stands. The other compound nearby is Auschwitz II—Birkenau. There you’ll see the remains of the majority of the small bunkers that prisoners were forced to sleep in. After a very educational and sobering afternoon, return to Kraków for a better look at the second largest city in Poland. Walk over to the Church of St. Francis to view the beautiful stained glass. While in the area, why not catch a quick dinner at a local milk bar (buffet style restaurants with traditionally Polish cuisine) before settling in for the night. Day 4: The next day, walk up to the famous Wawell Hill. Pay particular attention to the cathedral which is an eclectic hodgepodge of architectural styles from different eras. You can walk around the grounds a bit more for some good photo ops, but make sure to leave time for the 5-6 hour drive to Budapest where you'll stay the night. Day 5: Spend the day visiting some of Budapest’s most historic sites. The House of Terror was a center of the tyrannical governments during the Nazi and Soviet eras. It’s easy to spot from the street because of its large metal awning with the word terror carved out of it. Afterwards, head over to St. Stephen’s Basilica, named after King Stephen—the first Magyar king of Hungary—and then walk to the Great Synagogue, which is the largest synagogue in Europe and beautifully decorated in rosy-colored stone. In the evening, attend an opera at the Hungarian State Opera House. Going to an opera is well worth it even if all you do is look at the stately Neo-Renaissance décor of the interior. Day 6: Tour Castle Hill and the changing of the guard. Then, walk back down to the Matthias Church, which has beautiful white stone that stands in stark contrast with a clear blue sky. Next, cross the chain bridge which connects Buda and Pest across the Danube. A walk across this bridge at night will give you a different perspective of Castle Hill and the parliament building. But be sure to leave plenty of time to visit the Széchenyi baths. A trip to the famous baths is almost like going to a grown-up waterpark and the price is lower in the evening. There are a variety of different pools to soak in to cure whatever ails you. After a relaxing soak, return to your accommodations in Budapest. Day 7: Drive just over five hours back to the start of our journey in Prague. Walk around the Old Town and Wenceslas Squares for a satisfying look at the historic city before bedding down for the night. Day 8: Take a bus up to Prague Castle and tour the grounds, which includes St. Vitus Cathedral with its excellent Gothic architecture. Walk back to the Old Town across the Charles Bridge and tour the Jewish Quarter. If you have time, see the sights in the New Town including the Dancing Building which will cap your last day in this enchanting section of Europe! Day 9: Return home. |