Eastern Europe Daily Itinerary

Here is where I'll be & what I'll be seeing in Europe. Check out more info. at http://www.ricksteves.com


Fri-Sat., July 7-8: Fly to Prague
Sun., July 9: Free day in Prague

Day 1: (Sun., July 9th)
We'll meet at our hotel at around 5:00 this afternoon for a neighborhood walk, followed by dinner together. Sleep in Prague (3 nights).

Days 2 & 3: Historic, Artistic Prague
Over the next two days we'll spend time visiting Prague's wonderfully preserved Old Town, enjoying Baroque and Art Nouveau architecture, and visiting the Jewish Quarter. We'll also tour the Prague Castle area and St. Vitus Cathedral. There'll be plenty of free time to wander and to sample Prague's evening treats: classical music, Black Light Theater, and Europe's best beer.

Day 4: The Czech Countryside
We'll drive into Moravia (the eastern part of the country), explore a typical hill town, and set up in the village of Trojanovice under the Beskydy Mountains (1 night).

Day 5: Lessons of the Past
We'll cross the border into Poland and spend much of the day at Auschwitz, Europe's most moving memorial to the Holocaust. Then it's on to Kraków, Poland's historic melting pot where we’ll have dinner together. Sleep in Kraków (3 nights).

Day 6 & 7: Delightful, Surprising Krakow (Fri-Sat., July 14-15th)
Over the next two days we’ll explore the city on a walking tour, visit the Jewish district and tour the Wieliczka Salt Mine. You’ll have plenty of free time to enjoy the castle, the Czartoryski Museum, St. Mary’s Church, and mixing with the locals around one of Europe’s most colorful market squares.

Day 8: Scenic Drive into Hungary
A full day's drive takes us through Slovakia and the Tatra mountains and into Eger, home to Hungary’s most beloved castle and set in the hills of the country's best-known wine-growing region. Sleep in Eger (2 nights).

Day 9: Vineyards and Villages
We'll have a free morning to soak-in Eger’s Baroque beauty and bustling produce market, then explore the surrounding countryside in the afternoon. Highlights include a wine tasting, rural villages, a Stalin-era gulag (work camp)…and a minaret.

Days 10 & 11: Bustling Budapest (Tues.-Wed., July 18-19th)
After a short drive to Budapest, we'll spend a day and a half in the mighty Magyar capital along the Danube River. We'll have a guided walk through the historic castle district of Buda (on the west bank), through bustling Pest (on the east) and we’ll enjoy an evening sightseeing cruise on the Danube together. Sleep in Pest (2 nights).

Day 12: Natural Wonders of Croatia
Today we head south to Croatia and the unique wonders of Plitvice Lakes National Park, where a system of boardwalk trails lead to magical waterfalls (Dinner included). Sleep at Plitvice (1 night).

Day 13: From the Forests to the Sea (Fri., July 21st)
After a morning hike through the park, we'll drive across the mountains to the Adriatic Sea. We'll board a boat for our enchanting retreat on the island of Rab, where we'll sleep (2 nights).

Day 14: Free day on the Island of Rab
Today is a “vacation from your vacation.” The entire day is yours to enjoy the sun, beach, gelato and seafood. You can also wander among the red-tile roofs and Venetian bell towers of the walled town of Rab.

Day 15 & 16: Slovenia’s Julian Alps
Our destination is the azure jewel of Lake Bled, set in the midst of Slovenia's Julian Alps and ringed by fine hiking paths. We'll also have some time to explore Ljubljana, Slovenia's small and charming capital. Sleep in Bled (2 nights). Bus 5 hrs.

Day 17: Tour over after breakfast (Tues., July 25th)
Slovenia's international airport is just 30 minutes away; or you can hop a nearby train to other European cities. Whatever your plans, your guide will help you get on the right track. Happy travels!

From here I'll go to Zagreb, the capital of Croatia for a night, then fly down to Dubrovnik on the Adriatic Coast for a week. I'll be enjoying some excursions on the sea to neighboring islands and enjoying the medieval walls of Dubrovnik.

I fly back home on Thursday, August 2nd.