DAY 1, Friday - Depart for Austria
Depart on your flight to Vienna, Austria

DAY 2, Saturday - Arrive in Vienna and Transfer to Bratislava
Arrive in Vienna and transfer to your hotel in Bratislava, capital of Slovakia, set on the Danube by the border of Austria and Hungary. The city has undergone a major revitalization and now flourishes as one of Europe's newest capitals. Spend the rest of the day at leisure. Tonight, attend an orientation meeting with your Tour Manager at approximately 6 PM, followed by dinner at the hotel. We recommend that you select flights which arrive no later than 4 PM
Overnight: Bratislava
Meals: Dinner

DAY 3, Sunday - Bratislava City Tour, Home Hosted Visit
This morning's sightseeing will include a walking tour of Bratislava's historic Old Town, nestled between the steep Castle Hill and the Danube River. View the elegant pale pink and white Primatial Square, with its Renaissance fountain and the Old Town Hall, dating from the 15th century. Learn about Bratislava's long and turbulent history, as you stroll along the Old Town. Continue to Franciscan Square, named after its 18th century Franciscan church and monastery. Pass by Mirbach Palace, a Rococo style residence dating from 1770 that houses permanent exhibitions of the Bratislava City Gallery. Afterward, visit the 15th century St Martin's Cathedral, Bratislava's biggest church. During the Ottoman occupation of Budapest, the church served as the coronation site for Hungarian kings. In the afternoon, travel by public tram to a residential area for a home hosted visit. Sip coffee or tea with your hosts and experience a unique opportunity to learn about their values and traditions. Afterward, take a tour of the neighborhood to observe local life
Overnight: Bratislava
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 4, Monday - Medieval Banska Stiavnica
Head east to the historic mining town of Banska Stiavnica in central Slovakia. The town was established in the 13th century, although evidence of mining dates back to the Neolithic period, making it the oldest mining town in Slovakia. Upon arrival, embark on a walking tour of the striking medieval town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. View the Holy Trinity Square, the Gothic style St. Catherine Church, and the impressive Holy Trinity Column, built as a gratitude for the retreat of the plague epidemic in the years 1710 - 1711. Learn more about the town's fascinating history and discover its rich mining heritage. Afterward, check into the hotel and spend time at leisure before tonight's dinner at a local restaurant
Overnight: Banska Stiavnica
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 5, Tuesday - Banska Bystrica, 'Krcma' Slovak Pub, Strbske Pleso
Today, drive northeast towards Banska Bystrica, a copper mining town that was part of the exclusive trio of the richest central Slovakian mining towns, nestled in the Low Tatras Mountain range. Explore the town's important historic center. View the central SNP square and the slender Clock tower that was built in 1552 as part of the town prison, and St. Francis Xavier Cathedral. On the southern end of the square, admire the well preserved Thurzo's House, a nobleman's mansion with an architectural mix of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles. Proceed to the Namestie Stefana Moyzesa square flanked by buildings that once formed the town castle, built in the 12th and 13th centuries. Later, meet with a student and hear about the education system and life today in Slovakia. After lunch on your own, head to picturesque Strbske Pleso, a village located on the southern bank of a glacial lake of the same name in the High Tatra Mountains. After checking into your hotel, take an orientation walk of the village followed by dinner at the hotel
Overnight: Strbske Pleso
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 6, Wednesday - Tatranska Lomnica, Cable Car Ride to Lomnicky Stit, Spis Castle, Levoca
A spectacular drive this morning to Tatranska Lomnica, a recreational town, located in the heart of the High Tatras Mountains that form a natural border between Slovakia and Poland. It is the tallest mountain range within the Carpathian Mountains with 25 peaks often called "the smallest alpine mountains in Europe". Ride a cable car* all the way up to the second highest point in Slovakia - Lomnicky Stit at 8641 feet above sea level. Weather permitting, experience a unique panoramic view of the area. In the afternoon, journey to the charming 13th century town of Levoca, one of the best preserved medieval towns in Slovakia. En route, view Spis Castle, Slovakia's largest medieval fortress. Upon arrival in Levoca, embark on a walking tour of the historic center. Stroll along the narrow cobbled streets, view the old city walls, the Renaissance Town Hall, and striking townhouses. Visit the 14th century Roman Catholic Church of St. James. Its interior features the tallest wooden altar in the world standing at 61 feet high, carved by Master Paul of Levoca. Afterward, return to Strbske Pleso*Cable car ride is weather dependent.
Overnight: Strbske Pleso
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 7, Thursday - Bojnice Castle
Depart Strbske Pleso for the small spa town of Bojnice with its picturesque wooden cabins and paintings on the walls. Here, visit fairy-tale Bojnice Castle, perched on a travertine hill above the town. From the original 12th century fortification, only the foundations remain. A reconstruction during the early 20th century by the Palffy, a Hungarian noble family that drew inspiration from the castles of France's Loire Valley, transformed Bojnice Castle to its present Neo-Baroque splendour. Currently the castle houses a museum of art and history. The exhibition contains the original furniture, various artifacts and paintings like the most valuable late Gothic alterpiece of Bojnice collection by Italian artist Nardo di Cione Ortagna from the mid-14th century. Afterward, spend time at leisure. Tonight, have dinner at a local restaurant
Overnight: Bojnice
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 8, Friday - Pernstejn Castle
Depart Bojnice and travel towards Pernštejn Castle. Arrive in the afternoon and begin your exploration of the impressive Pernštejn Castle*, known as the marble castle because of the marble-like stone used to frame its doors and windows. It was founded in the 13th century and served as the seat of the powerful lords of Pernštejn. Continue with a drive to Brno, the second largest city in the Czech Republic, and former capital of Moravia, located on the eastern foothills of the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands Today's journey takes you to Brno, the second largest city in the Czech Republic, and former capital of Moravia, located on the eastern foothills of the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands. Arrive and check into your hotel with free time before dinner tonight*Visit to Pernstejn Castle is not available during the month of October.
Overnight: Brno
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 9, Saturday - Punkva Caves, Porta Coeli Convent, Explore Brno
Depart Brno for a drive north to the Punkva Caves*, one of the best-known of the Moravian Karst. Delve into the sprawling caves, a protected nature reserve with more than 1100 caves and gorges. Take the shuttle to reach the cave entrance. Journey inside the caves and board a boat to float down the underground Punkva River. Pass through narrow caverns that open into rock pools accented by rising stalagmite columns and hanging stalactite composed of limestone. After your boat ride, take a cable car and ascend to viewing platforms for a peek into the 450-foot-deep gorge of the Macocha Abyss. After lunch*, drive to Porta Coeli, a unique convent complex from the 13th century, where a community of Cistercian nuns still lives. View the richly decorated Gothic portal of the Basilica, the chapter hall, and cloister. Next, discover the history, modern architecture, and culture of Brno during your city tour. View Spilberk Castle, dominating the skyline of Brno, built on a hill directly above the city's historic center in the mid-13th century as a seat for rulers of Moravia. In the heart of the city admire the imposing Neo-Gothic Cathedral of St. Peter & Paul. Spend the evening at leisure*For Sep 28 & Oct 5 departures, visit to the Punkva Caves, and lunch will be moved to day 8.
Overnight: Brno
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 10, Sunday - Prague City Tour, Cooking Lesson
Travel through Southern Bohemia to the Czech capital, Prague, "The City of a Thousand Spires." En route, stop at local farm for a tour and home-hosted meal made with ingredients produced from the farm itself. Upon arrival in Prague, take a walking tour to the picturesque Lesser Town (Malá Strana), also known as the Little Quarter, with its ancient burgher houses and quaint side streets. Admire breathtaking views as you cross the 14th century Charles Bridge, boasting 30 Baroque statues of various saints, one of Europe's oldest stone bridges, to the Old Town and medieval center of Prague. Explore the cobbled streets around Old Town Square and stroll into the Jewish Quarter, once the largest Jewish ghetto in Europe. View the white stucco St. Nicholas Church, the world-famous Astronomical Clock, and Town Hall. Tonight, participate in a culinary lesson led by a skilled chef. Follow a step-by-step preparation of your dinner and savor the delectable results
Overnight: Prague
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 11, Monday - Terezin
Morning visit to the site of the Nazi concentration camp at Terezin, a place of suffering and inhumanity for over 150,000 prisoners. Upon arrival, walk to the camp's ghettos where more than 35,000 Jews lost their lives and learn the history behind one of the largest camps in the Czech Republic. Afterward, pay homage to the thousands of the camp's victims at the Terezin Memorial. Continue to the Ghetto Museum, which was originally built as school to view historical exhibitions that will enhance your understanding of the Holocaust. Share memories of your trip during dinner and bid goodbye to your Tour Manager
Overnight: Prague
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 12, Tuesday - Depart the Czech Republic
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast