Eastern Highlights
Eastern Highlights
$2505
Eastern Highlights
11 Days Starting and ending in Hotel in Munich
Visiting: Munich, Nuremberg, Prague, Krakow, Banska Bystrica, Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, Graz, Ljubljana, Lake Bled, Salzburg
Tour operator:
Tour code:
MEH
Recommended For:
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
From incredible architecture and captivating historical attractions to the vibrant local culture, there's a lot to explore on this Eastern European tour! Toast to the German life in an authentic beer hall. Experience authentic Czech cuisine fit for locals! Embark on a thought-provoking tour of the Auschwitz concentration camp. Stroll along Budapest's Danube River and soak up glamour and rich history in Vienna! Enjoy immersive experiences on local guided walks and explore Prague, Krakow, and Budapest at leisure on free days. This is a must-see way to explore Eastern Europe.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Start Of Tour In Munich
Location: Munich
Willkommento Munich! This morning, meet up with your tour guide after checking into the hotel and discover the tour's itinerary! Embark on an orientation tour through Munich's top attractions. Combining old and new seamlessly, Munich is a captivating city that's home to a myriad of cultural sights right next to contemporary industries, high-fashion shopping and, of course, the elegant BMW. To fully immerse yourself in the city’s culture, join today’s optional excursion to see the city’s top sights and taste Bavarian cuisine at the famous Viktualienmarkt! Tonight is the perfect opportunity to mingle with your tour leader and new travel companions! Enjoy a traditional German dinner in a beer hall and savour the authentic tastes of Germany.
Explore Munich; capital of Bavaria
Welcome dinner in a traditional German beer hall
Day 2: Nuremberg - Prague
Location: Nuremberg, Prague
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today, enjoy an orientation tour of Nuremberg en route to the next destination - Prague. Nuremberg is the second-largest city in Bavaria and home to renowned art, architecture, historic chapels and traditional beer! Next stop, Prague - a stunning city with ornate Baroque, Gothic, Art Nouveau and Cubist influences. Traverse these cobbled streets in search of local bars and courtyards. And for the most satisfying experience, explore the delicious beer and art aplenty! Gain a deeper understanding of the city with a locally guided walk before tucking into traditional Czech cuisine at a local eatery this evening.
Orientation tour of Nuremberg
Discover Prague on a guided tour
Taste authentic Czech cuisine in Prague
Day 3: Prague: Free Day
Location: Prague
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today, discover the storybook charm of Prague at leisure. Learn more about the city on the Prague+ optional excursion. Choose to join, and see top attractions like Prague Castle, the well-known Charles Bridge, the ‘Old Town’ and the Jewish Quarter! Discover the man-made grotto from the 'Secret Garden' and see the rich history of Prague echoed in the spellbinding churches, opera houses, concert halls and parks. Take a trip to the John Lennon Wall and a sip at a local beerhouse! Absinthe was also once a popular drink of choice here. Some even argue that Van Gogh's relationship with this infamous beverage is one of history's most notable stories! Tonight, join an evening of traditional Czech music, dance and food!
Day 4: Prague - Krakow
Location: Prague, Krakow
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today, depart Prague as the tour continues to Krakow. On the way, take a sobering tour of the Auschwitz concentration camp grounds. Discover this sordid stage in Europe's history during a guided tour. Once the Auschwitz tour concludes, journey on towards Krakow - the royal capital of Poland. Today, this centuries-old capital houses some of the most outstanding Gothic and Renaissance architecture in all of Europe, as well as millions of complementary artworks. After arriving in Krakow, check into the hotel for the night before enjoying an included dinner.
Guided tour of Auschwitz concentration camp
Day 5: Krakow: Free Day
Location: Krakow
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today, discover more of Krakow on a free day! Kick-off with a guided walking tour. Explore Krakow's top sights and learn more about their history and significance as you go. Then, spend the rest of the day exploring at leisure. Alternatively, embark on the optional excursion to the Wieliczka Salt Mine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dating back to the Middle Ages, the mine provides an intriguing viewpoint into the rich history of the area. Descend below ground and traverse 2km of tunnels to behold chapels, reliefs and freestanding sculptures that have been carved into the salt rock walls as well as subterranean lakes and archaeological exhibits.
Explore Krakow on a walking tour
Day 6: Banska Bystrica - Budapest
Location: Banska Bystrica, Budapest
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Visit Banska Bystrica in Slovakia today! Enjoy a scenic orientation tour of this city that houses exquisite buildings as old as the Middle Ages. The capital of Hungary, Budapest, is up next! There is a lot to explore in this stunning city, from untamed beauty to architecture in the styles of Baroque, Neoclassical and Art Nouveau. Upon arrival, embark on an orientation driving tour for unmatched views of the Houses of Parliament, and marvel at the city views from along the riverside. Make note of spots to revisit on tomorrow's free day! This evening, try authentic cuisine with a delicious included meal at a local restaurant.
Orientation tour of Banska Bystrica
Discover Budapest with a local guide
Day 7: Budapest: Free Day
Location: Budapest
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today, explore more of this stunning city and take advantage of some free time! Discover the unique and fascinating details of Budapest that date back to times gone by. Take particular note of historical remnants depicting conflicts such as WWII and the uprising of 1956. Experience architectural delights like St. Stephen’s Basilica and cultural hotspots such as the Central Market while delving into the city’s fascinating history on today’s Budapest+ optional excursion. Alternatively, join the Budapest Baths optional excursion to soak in the thermal waters of the most popular bath-houses in Budapest - Szechenyi Baths. This evening, join the optional Danube River cruise and marvel at the city's lights at night!
Day 8: Bratislava - Vienna
Location: Bratislava, Vienna
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Explore the brilliance of Vienna today! En route, stop in Bratislava, Slovakia for a guided driving and walking tour. Marvel at the top attractions in the city; see if you can catch a glimpse of Bratislava Castle overlooking the city. After arriving in Vienna, embark on a driving tour of one of the few places that boasts cultural and historical landmarks as part of such a modern city. Conclude the driving tour with an included dinner. End the day by opting for an incredible evening of great music at a Mozart Concert!
Explore Bratislava; Slovakia’s capital city
See the highlights of Vienna on a guided tour
Day 9: Graz - Ljubljana
Location: Graz, Ljubljana
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today, the tour leaves Vienna behind and journeys onward to enchanting Ljubljana with a stop en route in the Austrian city of Graz for an orientation tour. After arriving in Ljubljana, explore the city's gems on an orientation tour. The city might be small but it holds untold beauty and wonder, with a rich blend of cultures, activities and sights. Dating back centuries, marvel at Ljubljana Castle overlooking the city. This evening, take advantage of this walkable city by exploring even more on your own. Alternatively, join the optional excursion this evening to experience local Slovenian cuisine and culture.
Experience an orientation tour of Graz
Discover the magic of Ljubljana on a guided tour
Day 10: Lake Bled - Salzburg - Munich
Location: Lake Bled, Salzburg, Munich
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Say goodbye to Ljubljana as the coach heads for its last destination on this Eastern Europe tour - Munich! En route, stop for some incredible photos at Lake Bled and even some famous Bled Cream Cake. Salzburg, Austria is the next idyllic stop. The landscapes are straight out of a storybook, with gorgeous architecture, a cliff-top fortress and impressive mountain ranges to explore. Also, as the original home of Mozart and the setting for The Sound of Music, there might be some residual music magic in the air! Lastly, travel to Munich where the evening is free to explore on your own. Why not join the Munich Farewell Dinner and enjoy one last meal with the group?
Experience picture-perfect Salzburg
Visit beautiful Lake Bled
Day 11: End Of Tour In Munich
Location: Munich
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today, this adventure-filled Eastern European tour concludes after 11 exciting days! After breakfast, share contact details with your newfound travel family to keep in touch. Feel free to use #ExpatExplore and #BetterTogether when posting your tour memories on social media. Expat Explore wishes you a safe and rewarding journey ahead!
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, 5 Dinners*Vegetarian options available for all meals on request
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Tour Leader
Fully guided tour with experienced tour leader
Tour leader will accompany group throughout and manage all logistical details
What's Not Included
International flightsTravel to the start point and from the end point is not included. We recommend using Skyscanner to find the best deals on international flights.Travel insuranceFor a relatively small price, travel insurance provides you with 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.
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.
Health and Fitness
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.
Experiences
Explore Munich; capital of Bavaria
Welcome dinner in a traditional German beer hall
Orientation tour of Nuremberg
Discover Prague on a guided tour
Taste authentic Czech cuisine in Prague
Guided tour of Auschwitz concentration camp
Explore Krakow on a walking tour
Orientation tour of Banska Bystrica
Discover Budapest with a local guide
Explore Bratislava; Slovakia’s capital city
See the highlights of Vienna on a guided tour
Experience an orientation tour of Graz
Discover the magic of Ljubljana on a guided tour
Experience picture-perfect Salzburg
Visit beautiful Lake Bled
Check out our Q&As
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Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?
Our tour leaders come from all walks of life, with different backgrounds and interests. They are all confident and well-travelled with an in-depth knowledge of the destinations they are working in, and a passion for helping you make the most out of your Expat Explore tour.
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Will passengers from another country be participating in the tour?
Our travelers come from all walks of life, with different backgrounds and interests.
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Are all entrance fees included in the price?
No, entrance fees are not included.
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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.
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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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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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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.
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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. Clean linen, towels is always included. Toiletries (shampoo, shower gel etc) and hair dryers are not always included, so you may wish to bring these with you. Accommodation is provided in twin share en-suite rooms. We use a mix of mostly 2, 3 & 4-star hotels.
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What is the tipping policy?
Whilst we fully understand that some nationalities are not accustomed to tipping, this is a normal part of the culture in many of the countries we visit. Tipping has become an increasingly accepted practice in all areas of the service industry, but particularly in restaurants, bars and taxis worldwide. Expat Explore crew members
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
All our tours are conducted in English.
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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 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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Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?
Yes, As detailed in the itinerary
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Are vaccinations required for this tour?
We are committed to curating excellent travel experiences and to do so we need all of our travelers to feel safe.
In order to ensure the peace of mind and safety of our travelers and staff on board the coach, we are still requesting that all travellers, regardless of their vaccination status, produce a negative Covid test. This test can be a PCR test -
What is the fitness level required to do this tour?
All travellers are required to carry their own bags, get on and off the coach, and use public transport. Our city walking tours can last up to 3 hours and certain places involve walking up and down lots of steps. We want you to enjoy your tour, so read through the itinerary thoroughly and make your own conclusions as to whether you feel that you are fit and healthy enough.
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What is the maximum group size?
It depends on how many other people book! There could be up to 51 other passengers, so you will have the opportunity to make lots of friends!
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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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Is the tour coach air conditioned?
Yes, Full air-conditioning
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Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?
No, visas are each traveler’s personal responsibility, and we recommend that plenty of time is allowed for visas to be applied for. When applying for your visa, please ensure that the proper research is carried out before you apply, and that you deal directly with the embassies or certified agents with regard to acquiring correct and timely information. We cannot take responsibility for customers
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Do you require a visa for this holiday?
Certain nationalities may require a visa(s) for this tour.
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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.