Best Of Eastern Europe
Best Of Eastern Europe
$2365
Best Of Eastern Europe
11 Days Starting in Rome and ending in London
Visiting: Italy, Venice, Rome, Ljubljana, Zagreb, Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, Prague, Dresden, Berlin, Amsterdam, Bruges
Tour operator:
Tour code:
EB2L
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
10 - 51
Age range:
10-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
This 11-day Eastern Europe tour takes you on an unforgettable adventure through bucket-list destinations and hidden gems. Get ready for the world-famous canals of Venice and cruise along the waterways of Amsterdam. Discover the magic of fairytale cities like Prague, Vienna and Ljubljana. Bathe in geothermal springs in Budapest and soak up the vibrant, modern culture of Berlin. Indulge in delicious, authentic cuisines, uncover ancient history and experience new cultures and traditions. The best European trip packages combine action, intrigue and entertainment. This tour ticks all those boxes and more!
This tour forms the second half of our full-length Best of Europe tour; consider the full tour if you'd also like to visit other top destinations in the UK, France, Germany, Switzerland and more. Click here for more info.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Start Of Tour In Rome - Venice
Location: Italy, Venice, Rome
This morning, meet your Expat Explore tour leader and other travellers for the start of the tour. Then, it’s time to leave the churches and basilicas of Rome behind and head to the canals of Venice! This floating city is home to top sights including the Rialto Bridge and St Mark's Square. This evening, join the Evening in Venice optional excursion and experience the lights of Venice from the canals! This excursion includes a water taxi cruise, gondola ride and dinner. This excursion will give you a completely different perspective and appreciation for the amazing structure of this one-of-a-kind city!
This tour includes no Rome hotel accommodation and forms the second half of the full-length Best of Europe 22-day tour, which starts and finishes in London -
to see the full tour. There is an optional pre-tour add-on available on the Best of Eastern Europe tour which includes a 2-night pre-tour stay in Rome - please see the 'Optional Excursions' tab in our for more information.Explore Venice: Discover the magic of Venice, Italy’s unique floating city. Venice is full of iconic sights including St Mark’s Square, St Mark’s Basilica, St Mark’s Museum, Campanile, Doge’s Palace, Rialto Market and Scuola Grande di San Rocco. For the ultimate Venice experience, join today’s optional excursions!
Day 2: Ljubljana - Zagreb
Location: Ljubljana, Zagreb
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today’s first destination is the Slovenian capital Ljubljana. Often thought of as a hidden gem of Europe, its castles, stunning architecture and natural beauty mean it packs a punch more powerful than its small size would suggest! Embark on an orientation tour through the city with your tour leader. Then, head to another capital city; Zagreb in Croatia! Arrive and join your tour leader on an orientation walk of this fascinating city. Next, enjoy free time to explore Zagreb’s unique mix of Hapsburg and Communist architecture, learn historical and cultural facts and get a glimpse of everyday life here. Check into the hotel and with time to freshen up before an included dinner this evening.
Orientation tour of Ljubljana: Enjoy a visit to Slovenia’s capital city. Ljubljana is a compact destination filled with historic streets, impressive architecture, picturesque riverside neighbourhoods and a hilltop castle looking over it all. Embark on an orientation tour with your tour leader.
Orientation walk in Zagreb: Your tour leader will take you on an orientation walk of Croatia’s capital city. See the landmarks like the Museum of Contemporary Art, Maksimir Park, and the Mirogoj.
Day 3: Zagreb - Budapest
Location: Zagreb, Budapest
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today, cross the border into Hungary and stop at the scenic Lake Balaton before arriving in the capital city, Budapest! Cited as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, Budapest straddles the historic Danube River and boasts numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites as well as natural geo-thermal springs, drawing travellers from around the world. Enjoy a locally guided driving tour of the city followed by free time this evening to explore. Why not visit one of the city’s famous bathhouses, try the local food or simply stroll around the city admiring its magnificent architecture? Tonight, choose to see the city illuminated at twilight during the Danube Dinner Cruise optional excursion.
Driving tour of Budapest: Meet up with a local guide who will accompany us on a driving tour of the city and point out all the best-loved sights. Learn more about Hungarian culture and language and the city's fascinating history. Drink in incredible views from atop Gellert Hill and the Citadel, make a stop at Heroes Square and get an eyeful of other must-see attractions like Budapest Parliament, St Stephen's Basilica, the State Opera, the castle district, and more.
Day 4: Bratislava - Vienna
Location: Bratislava, Vienna
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning, travel to the Slovakian capital, Bratislava! Surrounded by mountains, vineyards, ski runs and wilderness, Bratislava is a stunning city. See if you can spot Bratislava Castle while embarking on an orientation tour of the city. Then, it’s on to Vienna! Arrive and join a local guide on a walking and driving tour of the Austrian capital. As a European centre for art and culture for centuries, Vienna was host to some of the world’s leading musical minds – including luminaries like Mozart and Beethoven. Along with its classical heritage, magnificent concert halls, palaces and museums, Vienna is also a modern city, with a vibrant nightlife culture. Taste authentic Viennese cuisine at a local restaurant tonight.
Bratislava orientation tour: Join your tour leader on an orientation tour to see some of the landmarks and historic sights of the city, including a photo stop at Bratislava Castle, which overlooks the city.
Walking and driving tour of Vienna: Vienna is known as the 'City of Music’ due to its classical heritage and the prodigies that worked there including Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert and Brahms to name a few. The tour starts at the Golden Mile on the RingStrasse (Parliament, City Hall, Burgtheater). Then, discover the courtyards and passages around the Hofburg (Imperial Castle) and St. Stephen’s Cathedral which is Vienna’s geographic and historic centre.
Dinner in a Viennese wine cellar: Enjoy dinner in a special location tonight! Tuck into a delicious meal in a historic Viennese wine cellar.
Day 5: Vienna: Free Day
Location: Vienna
Meals Included: Breakfast
Enjoy a free day to explore Vienna! Awash with imperial splendour, Vienna was once the centre of the powerful Habsburg monarchy, which dominated central Europe from the 16th-18th centuries. History fans should check out the incredible palaces of the era - Schönbrunn Palace and the Belvedere. Classical music lovers can opt to join today’s optional excursion to watch a concert by one of the greatest composers of the Viennese classical period, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart!
Day 6: Vienna - Prague
Location: Vienna, Prague
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today the tour makes its way to the Czech Republic! Prague is a beautiful city, boasting elaborate Baroque, Gothic, Art Nouveau and Cubist architecture, and rewarding those who explore it with quirky bars, cobbled lanes and secluded courtyards. Known for its brilliant beer and abundance of history, any exploration of Prague will be a rewarding one. Arrive and set off on a walking tour with a local guide. Look forward to must-see sights including the Old Town Square, Wenceslas Square, St. Vitus Cathedral and the Charles Bridge. The rest of the afternoon is free to explore more at your own pace. This evening, enjoy the option of a four-course dinner along with a traditional Czech folk music and dance show!
Prague walking tour: A local guide will introduce you to the must-see sights of Prague including the Old Town Square, Wenceslas Square, St. Vitus Cathedral and the Charles Bridge.
Day 7: Dresden - Berlin
Location: Dresden, Berlin
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today's first stop is the city of Dresden in Germany. After WW2 bombing attacks ruined the city centre, the city was practically rebuilt from scratch to offer visitors the pristine and stylish Dresden of today. Enjoy an orientation walking tour of the city and try some of the local delights, such as Bratwurst. Next, journey to Berlin, Germany's capital. Upon arrival, embark on a driving tour. See poignant attractions like the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag, the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe and Checkpoint Charlie.
Explore the streets of Dresden: Enjoy a lunch stop in Dresden. During WW2 the city was almost completely destroyed by bombing attacks. Luckily, most of its treasures were removed beforehand and today, Dresden has been carefully rebuilt. It is full of beautiful and striking architecture and is home to amazing museums, arts and culture. Take a walk through the city centre and choose a local spot to enjoy lunch.
Guided driving tour of Berlin: Your local guide will explain the amazing history of this vibrant city and show you all the must-see sights, including Alexanderplatz, Brandenburg Gate, Checkpoint Charlie, Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, the Berlin Wall and Reichstag. Take a note of those you want to explore further on your free day tomorrow!
Day 8: Berlin: Free Day
Location: Berlin
Meals Included: Breakfast
Enjoy a free day to further explore the history of the German capital! The Berlin Wall stands as a sombre reminder of the controls imposed on Berlin during and after WW2, however, the bright street art that adorns it today seems to give it a peaceful purpose. Berlin also offers numerous free museums and galleries to visit, which all contribute to the understanding of this city's modern history. A great optional which showcases the highlights of the city is the Berlin+ tour. Join to visit some of the city’s top attractions and gain a deeper insight into Berlin’s history as well as its modern culture today. Alternatively, taste your way through one of Berlin’s coolest neighbourhoods on the Berlin Food tour!
Day 9: Berlin - Amsterdam
Location: Berlin, Amsterdam
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning, say auf Wiedersehen to Germany as the tour journeys on to the Netherlands. Watch as the landscape changes to windmills and waterways while approaching the capital city of Amsterdam. This evening, enjoy a twilight canal cruise, accompanied by interesting commentary about the city’s development and history. Afterwards, head for dinner at a local restaurant. The rest of the evening is free to enjoy the bars and cafés or even visit the famous Red Light District!
Amsterdam Canal Cruise: Sail along Amsterdam's stunning canals at twilight. Cruise past famous landmarks and admire the scenery from the atmospheric canals.
Day 10: Amsterdam: Free Day
Location: Amsterdam
Meals Included: Breakfast
Enjoy a full free day to experience the delights of Amsterdam! There are numerous museums and art galleries to choose from - why not visit the Anne Frank House, Rijksmuseum or the Van Gogh Museum? Alternatively, join the Dutch countryside optional excursion to see how local Dutch cheese and clogs are made and visit the quaint Dutch villages of Volendam and Zaanse Schans for sightings of the iconic Dutch windmills! As tonight is the last night of the tour, adding the optional Dutch Pancake Soiree to the itinerary is highly recommended! This is the perfect way to bid farewell to fellow travellers.
Day 11: Bruges - End Of Tour In London
Location: Bruges
Meals Included: Breakfast
After an Amsterdam adventure, there is one more stop before setting off for the UK. The Belgian city of Bruges is small but picturesque, with breathtaking architecture. Described as the ‘Venice of the North’, take some time to stretch your legs and indulge in a spot of sightseeing in beautiful Bruges. Don’t miss the opportunity to try an authentic Belgian waffle or beer while here! Afterwards, travel back to London, crossing the English Channel on the way. This is the perfect time to exchange contact details with new friends and travel buddies as you prepare to disembark in the capital. After 11 days of unforgettable travel highlights, this Eastern Europe tour comes to an end this evening in London.
Visit Bruges: Stop in this beautiful medieval town and enjoy some free time to explore. Try the signature national dish of moules-frites, see or even climb the Belfry Tower, have a Belgian beer or waffle and buy some amazing Belgian chocolate to take home!
What's Included
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Accommodation
10 nights in 2, 3 & 4* hotel accommodation in twin rooms with private bathrooms
Single travellers have the option to pay a single supplement to ensure a private room (subject to availability) -
Transport
Modern air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and toilet onboard
Any public transport used as part of the tour (excludes free days) -
Meals
10 Breakfasts, 4 Dinners*Vegetarian options available for all meals on request
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Experiences
Explore Venice, Italy’s floating city
Discover Ljubljana, Slovenia’s capital, on an orientation tour
Explore Zagreb, capital of Croatia
See the best-loved sights in Budapest on a driving tour
Visit Bratislava; Slovakia’s capital city
Discover Vienna on a walking and driving tour
Enjoy dinner in a Viennese wine cellar
Prague walking tour
Explore the historic streets of Dresden
Guided driving tour of Berlin, capital of Germany
Cruise the canals of Amsterdam while having dinner
Visit the medieval Belgian city of Bruges
What's Not Included
International flights
Travel to the start point and from the endpoint is not included. We recommend using Skyscanner to find the best deals on international flights.
Travel insurance
For a relatively small price, travel insurance provides you with the peace of mind so that you can enjoy your tour without any worries.
All passengers travelling on an Expat Explore tour are required to have valid travel insurance cover and you are responsible for arranging your own insurance. Click here for more information.
Mode of Transport
- Modern air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and toilet onboard
- Any public transport used as part of the tour (excludes free days)
Accommodation
- 10 nights in 2, 3 & 4* hotel accommodation in twin rooms with private bathrooms
- Single travellers have the option to pay a single supplement to ensure a private room (subject to availability)
Traveller Comfort - *COACH* tours
We welcome all travellers on our tours but we would like to ensure that you are as comfortable as possible. In light of this, please ensure that you are happy with the below information and level of fitness required.
Expat Explore tries to be as accommodating as possible, however, our tours are unfortunately not designed for people travelling with wheelchairs or severe mobility issues.
Our tours are fast paced because they are designed for you to see the most a destination has to offer. We also want to ensure that you explore as much as possible, which may require long periods without stops on the coach as we drive to a new destination.
We offer walking tours in most cities (up to 3 hours), and a wheelchair is not always a practical option as there are often cobbled streets and stairs on these tours.
For travellers in wheelchairs, you will only be able to store your wheelchair under the coach with the other luggage. Thus, on the long drives between cities you will not necessarily have access to your wheelchair if we make a quick bathroom stop along the way. Please note that travelling with a wheelchair could prove difficult as our coaches don't have wheelchair lifts, as such you will need to be able to board and alight the coach on your own.
With regards to our accommodation, not all hotels have lifts and this means potentially having to carry bags up and down stairs.
For more information regarding traveller fitness please see our Terms and Conditions.
Check out our Q&As
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Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?
A full list of confirmed accommodation names and addresses for your particular departure will be emailed to you around 1 week before the tour starts.
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Are flights included in this tour?
No, you will need to make your own arrangements to get to the meeting destination for the first day of your tour. Make sure you keep departure times and possible delays in mind when booking flights.
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What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?
We have searched and invested in excellent accommodation options, either located in cities or well placed with public transport connections. Accommodation is provided in twin share en-suite rooms. We use a mix of mostly 2, 3 & 4-star hotels, and some hostels.
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Is there a limit to luggage that can be brought on the tour?
Due to weight and space limitations, you are allowed to bring one main piece of luggage weighing no more than 20kg, and one small soft bag (such as a small backpack) for hand luggage weighing a maximum of 7kg. On all tours, you will have to carry your own luggage (e.g. into hotels and up to your room if hotels don’t have elevators). Please bear this in mind when you are deciding what to pack.
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
No, you will need to make your own arrangements to get to the meeting point for the first day of your tour. Please see the meeting point information for details on how to reach the meeting point.
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What is the tipping policy?
At the end of your tour you will have the opportunity to thank your Expat Explore tour leader and driver by offering them a tip. We suggest somewhere between £3-5, €4-6 or $5-7 per person per day. Tipping is entirely voluntary and the above rate is offered as a suggested guide only.
If you take a walking tour with a local guide, tipping at the end is always appreciated, but not expected. -
Do you require a visa for this holiday?
Certain nationalities may require a visa(s) for this tour. It is your responsibility to contact the relevant embassies to confirm your visa requirements.
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What is the fitness level required to do this tour?
We do walking tours through most of the cities we visit. Many of the cities you visit are vast and old, often with steps and cobblestones. Our walking tours can last up to 3 hours with plenty of opportunities to take photographs and soak up the history of these fascinating places, but you do require a certain level of fitness to enjoy your tour to its fullest.
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Is the tour coach air conditioned?
Yes
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Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?
On this tour, you will enjoy some free time to explore at your own pace. Free time gives you the opportunity to see more of a destination. This is a chance to embark on one of Expat Explore’s popular optional excursions or simply see aspects of a city, town or destination that interest you but are not included on the tour itinerary.
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What is the maximum group size?
51
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Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?
No. Certain nationalities may require a visa(s) for this tour. It is your responsibility to contact the relevant embassies to confirm your visa requirements. We provide support documentation upon request. Simply contact us.
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Is free Wi-Fi available in the accommodation used?
All of the hotels on this tour offer Wi-Fi, which is available free of charge as part of your Expat Explore tour. In certain hotels this will be available in the hotel lobby only, while in others you will be able to get access in your room.
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What currencies are required for this tour?
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Our tours are not suitable for young children, so we set a minimum age limit of 10 years old. However, at the discretion of Expat Explore we may consider younger children on certain tours if they meet certain criteria and a request is received in writing via email for consideration. Expat Explore reserves the absolute right to accept or decline a booking at our discretion.
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes, all our tours are conducted in English.
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Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
There is an optional single supplement/private room upgrade available for single travellers who wish to have a private room. This can be added at the time of booking or by contacting our customer services team. Please note that the room provided may be a single room with a single bed.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
If you are travelling alone there is no compulsory charge - you will share a twin room with another passenger of the same gender. There is an optional single supplement/private room upgrade available for single travellers who wish to have a private room. This can be added at the time of booking or by contacting our team.
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Children on tour?
Our tours are not suitable for young children which is why we have a minimum age limit of 10 years old. However, at the discretion of Expat Explore we may consider younger children on certain tours if they meet certain criteria and a request is received in writing via email. Minors (between 10 and 18 years of age) must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who accepts full responsibility for them. Unaccompanied minors will not be accepted on tour. Expat Explore reserves the right to decline any booking at our discretion. Any minor (between 10 and 18 years of age) is priced the same as an adult.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
The health and safety of our travellers and employees are our top priority. Which means, when you travel with us, our enhanced hygiene protocols will ensure you do so in a safe and responsible way - ask for details of current policies.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 2005
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
At Expat Explore we value responsible travel and are committed to exploring the world consciously and kindly. We are proud to make responsible travel possible with a number of our sustainable travel practices!
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Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?
Relate is a South African based not-for-profit organisation that Expat Explore supports. The group aims to help those less fortunate create better lives for themselves through a variety of fundraising initiatives. On our South Africa tours, each passenger will receive an Expat Explore branded Relate bracelet. We donate the cost of these bracelets to our chosen Relate charity: the Nelson Mandela Sc
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Free Date Changes
Expat Explore Travel allows you to make 5 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 76 days before the start of the tour.
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Low Deposit
Expat Explore Travel requires a minimum deposit of 10% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 45 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of expat explore travel charges.
Up to 45 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 44 days before tour starts: Forfeit 40% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.