Poles, Porcelain and Prague

PACKAGED ITINERARY

Day 1 Overnight in Germany
We travel across to mainland Europe to our overnight hotel in Germany.

Day 2 Germany
Today we travel through Germany to our first main stay in the historic city of Dresden, capital city of the German state of Saxony.

Day 3 Meissen Porcelain and Pillnitz Castle
This morning, we visit the iconic Meissen Porcelain including entrance to the museum as well as the demonstration workshop. The Museum of the Meissen Porcelain Foundation tells the rich 300-year-old history of Europe’s oldest porcelain manufacturer. Afterwards, we visit the spectacular baroque castle and ornamental gardens of Schloss Pillnitz set on the banks of the Elbe River, once the summer residence of the Saxon Royal Family. We then enjoy a scenic paddle steamer boat ride through one of the most beautiful regions of Germany.

Day 4 Dresden Driver’s Day Off
Today we have time to enjoy a lazy morning followed by a fascinating 1-hour guided walking tour of Dresden. The remainder of the day we have time to explore this city at leisure. The city is known for world-famous sights including the Baroque Zwinger Palace, the ornate Semperoper Opera House on Theaterplatz as well as the Lutheran Church of Our Lady. Or head to the twelve Dresden State Art Collections to at Raphael’s The Sistine Madonna and the Green Vault, the world’s largest treasure chamber.

Day 5 Wroclaw
Today, we travel to Poland and the city of Krakow with a stop en-route in one of the country’s historic cities – Wroclaw. The preserved old town and its magnificent Market Square is the place to head for with cafés and restaurants dotted around. Or take a stroll to the National Museum, a spectacular gallery with beautiful historic works.

Day 6 Krakow
This morning, we will enjoy a half-day step-on guided tour of Krakow, one of Poland’s oldest cities dating back to the 7th century and one of the leading centres of Polish academic, cultural and artistic life. Our guided tour will also include a visit to the Oskar Schindler’s Factory, a poignant museum commemorating the Holocaust and Schindler’s efforts to save 1,200 Jewish people. Afterwards, we will have time to visit the galleries and quirky shops of Krakow’s Jewish Quarter.

Day 7 Auschwitz-Birkenau
Today we will experience a full-day visit to Auschwitz, the concentration camp operated by Nazi Germany in occupied Poland during WWII (now a memorial and museum), and we deliberately allow a full day for this moving and poignant excursion to give everyone the time they need. The 3.5-hour tour will be with a local English-speaking guide. Please note that Auschwitz can be a difficult place to visit for some people due to the events which took place there during WWII. It is not suitable for children.

Day 8 Wieliczka Salt Mines and time at leisure
This morning, we have a guided tour of southern Poland’s historic gem, the Wieliczka Salt Mine, hailed as the longest of its kind in the world. Of the 2,400 chambers adorned with ornamental statues and monuments, the magnum opus is the Chapel of St Kinga, dedicated to the legendary Princess Kinga of Hungary, who brought salt mining to Poland. Afterwards, we will have time at leisure in Krakow, another opportunity to visit some of the city’s remarkable landmarks. Please note: this tour is not suitable for those with mobility issues. There are a high number of steps. Lift access is possible, but cannot be guaranteed at time of booking.

Day 9 Prague via Brno
Today we travel to Prague, the capital city of the Czech Republic with a lunchtime stop en-route in the city of Brno, the country’s second-largest city. Brno’s compact old town
features ornate architecture with art nouveau, empire and neoclassical examples and a famous local landmark is the Brno Dragon statue where most visitors stop to have their
photo taken. Dating from 1786, the lovely Lužánky Park, features the ornate Renaissance Revival pavilion built by a famous Viennese architect Ludwig Förster.

Day 10 Prague Driver’s Day Off
For our first morning in Prague, we enjoy a 3-hour guided walking tour of the city from our hotel to get our bearings and hear more about the history and culture of this magnificent city as we discover the most iconic sights.

Day 11 Prague and Dinner Cruise
We have a whole day at leisure to please ourselves and explore the centuries-old capital city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We can head for the beautiful Old Town Square and the famous Prague Astronomical Clock, the winding alleys of the Jewish Quarter or relax in one of the many cosy cafés. This evening, we will see Prague by night with a scenic 3-hour dinner cruise on the Vltava River as we pass twinkling lights and the most beautiful sights of Charles Bridge, Rudolfinum and Prague Castle. A buffet dinner, welcome drink, printed guide and live music is included. (Operator’s own coach required for dinner cruise evening transfer).

Day 12 Overnight in Germany
Today we travel across to central Europe and our overnight hotel in Germany.

Day 13 Departure
After breakfast, we begin our journey home.

Mercure Dusseldorf Neuss

Dusseldorf, Germany

Night 1 Half Board

Occidental Dresden Newa

Dresden, Germany

Nights 2, 3 & 4 Half Board

Wyspianski Hotel, Krakow

Krakow, Poland

Nights 5, 6, 7 & 8 Half Board

Art Nouveau Palace Hotel

Prague, Czech Republic

Nights 9, 10 & 11 
1 Night Half Board
2 Nights Bed and Breakfast

H+ Hotel Koeln-Bruehl

Nr Cologne, Germany

Night 12 Half Board