Journey Through Central Europe

(15 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Warsaw & Auschwitz, Krakow, Prague, Vienna, Budapest

This is our most comprehensive tour of Central Europe. It features in-depth private cultural touring of the most interesting cities and sites in Poland, Hungary, Austria and the Czech Republic, as well as accommodation in the region's finest luxury hotels. The tour also includes special experiences that showcase the best of this fascinating and diverse region.

Begin in Warsaw, an energetic capital city filled with beautiful parks and a unique architectural legacy. Enjoy flexible private touring of the charming Old Town, which rose phoenix-like from near total destruction during World War II. See monuments of Poland's Communist era and the renovated palaces of the embassy district. Visit the Palace on the Water, surrounded by the beautiful English gardens of Lazienki Park. Tour the sites associated with Warsaw's once-large Jewish population, including the Jewish Ghetto and the atmospheric Jewish cemetery. Walk along the Royal Way, stopping in upscale boutiques and food shops in the reconstructed townhouses lining the boulevard, and perhaps see the unique memorial to Frederic Chopin, a local hero.

From Warsaw, Artisans of Leisure can also arrange excursions, upon request, to Zelazowa Wola, the birthplace of Chopin; Lowicz to tour a folk art museum and enjoy a meal with local artists; the well-preserved 19th-century factory town of Lodz; Lublin and nearby Majdanek concentration camp; the memorial to Treblinka death camp; or Kazimierz Dolny, a charming riverside town filled with historic architecture and popular among artists.

Next, transfer by private car through farmland and forests to Krakow, Poland's well-preserved cultural capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stop en route in Auschwitz to see one of the most notorious sites of Nazi Germany's genocidal program.

In Krakow, tour the beautiful Old Town, including the Wawel, the hilltop royal castle and cathedral. Visit churches decorated with stunning Art Nouveau interiors, see Leonardo da Vinci's Lady with an Erminepainting at the Czartoryski Museum, explore the best boutiques around Florianska Street, relax in the outdoor cafes in the vast Market Square, and visit the Rynek Underground museum to explore the city's past. Also, tour Kazimierz, the old Jewish district, to see historic synagogues with beautiful stained glass and decorated interiors as well as the old Jewish cemetery and quiet backstreets. Other options include touring the former Jewish Ghetto and the Oskar Schindler Factory, immortalized in the film Schindler's List. One evening, enjoy a concert of music by Polish composers.

One day, take an excursion to Wieliczka Salt Mine. A unique UNESCO World Heritage Site, the mine has been in use for 700 years and is filled with sculptures, friezes and chapels that miners have carved from salt.  For those interested, this tour can be extended and made one day longer to include a full-day private excursion to Zakopane.

From Krakow, Artisans of Leisure can also arrange excursions, upon request, to the painted village of Zalipie; Tyniec Abbey; Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, a Catholic pilgrimage route and UNESCO World Heritage Site; sites related to the Young Poland movement, such as the Stanislaw Wyspianski Museum and House of Jozef Mehoffer; and rafting down the scenic Dunajec River Gorge.

Other special activities we arrange in Poland include meeting with Jewish scholars and tours of Jewish institutes; Polish cooking classes; visits to art galleries; piano recitals and concerts of music by Polish composers; and researching family history and genealogy.

Continue to Prague, one of the most romantic cities in Europe. With your expert local guide, tour the cultural highlights of the City of a Hundred Spires, stopping in interesting markets and shops along the way. Explore the grand architecture of the hilltop Castle District. Stroll through the beautiful squares in the Old Town and the atmospheric backstreets in the Lesser Town. See historic towers and townhouses, as well as Art Nouveau and contemporary architecture. Learn about the sculpture adorning the Charles Bridge as you walk across the Vltava River. Visit select shops to find the city’s best crystal, china, wooden toys, antiques, jewelry, painted eggs, marionettes, puppets, and spa products. Tour the Jewish Quarter, including the ancient Jewish cemetery and synagogue, and see the sights of the New Town. Enjoy exclusive experiences such as private access to the stunning Baroque interiors of the Strahov Library. One evening, upon request, premium tickets to a performance in one of Prague’s beautiful historic halls can be arranged.

Next, visit Cesky Krumlov, a well-preserved medieval castle town on a hill above a bend in the Vltava River that's been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Continue to Vienna. During private touring, your expert local guide will take you to the most interesting neighborhoods, upscale shops and food markets, and help you navigate the overwhelming wealth of spectacular art, architecture and history in this former imperial capital. Visit the Spanish Riding School to see the Lipizzaner Stallions during a training session or performance. See the highlights of world-renowned palaces and museums such as the MuseumsQuartier, Kunsthistorisches, Albertina, Schönbrunn (including the Bergl Rooms), the Jewish Museum and the Freud Museum. Tour architectural monuments that exemplify the best in Vienna's Gothic, Baroque and Secessionist styles including St. Stephen's Cathedral and Otto Wagner-designed buildings. Visit our favorite shops selling exquisite linens, crystal, chocolates, gourmet foods and antiques. Visit up-and-coming neighborhoods known for their designers and chefs. Taste local culinary specialties at our favorite stalls in the enormous Naschmarkt food market. We'll also ensure you have daily opportunities to visit Vienna's leading coffee houses and patisseries.

Conclude in Budapest, one of the most fascinating and historic cities in Central Europe. Stay at Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace—one of Europe’s most luxurious and beautiful hotels—and enjoy views over the Danube River from your room. During touring with one of Hungary’s most knowledgeable guides, experience our favorite places and activities in the Hungarian capital. Browse local food and antiques markets. Drive through hidden backstreets to see beautiful buildings and learn the role they played in local history. Explore the Castle District, and tour Buda’s most exclusive residential neighborhoods. See indoor and outdoor hot springs baths that remain central to daily life. Tour the Hungarian Parliament, a fascinating building essential to the identity of the city and the country. Learn about Budapest’s rich Jewish history, and tour important synagogues (active and in ruins) including one designed by Otto Wagner. Enjoy a private tasting of Hungary’s superb wines, as well as reservations at Budapest’s leading restaurants. There will also be ample time to visit renowned cafes with atmospheric interiors. One evening, enjoy a scenic cruise on the Danube River.

One day, take a private excursion to Szentendre, a charming artists’ village, to see the Margit Kovacs Museum, visit boutiques and walk backstreets lined with Baroque architecture. Also pass by the Roman ruins of Aquincum.

Booking Information >

All Artisans of Leisure tours are private and depart daily.

Please Contact Us for more information regarding the above tour, or to begin customizing your own itinerary.

The Artisans of Leisure Style of Travel:

• Private touring with your own personal guides and drivers
• Preferred rooms in the very best luxury hotels
• Firsthand, sophisticated destination knowledge and recommendations from our travel specialists
• Itineraries that are customized according to your interests and schedule
• Artisans of Leisure upgrades and amenities
• A seamless travel experience, including all logistics, skipping lines during touring whenever possible, restaurant and spa reservations, performance tickets, private airport transfers, internal transportation, VIP and fast-track airport assistance in many destinations
• Around-the-clock support in each destination during your trip
• Unique, insider travel experiences and access to the Artisans of Leisure network of experts around the world