Discover Central & Eastern Europe

Introduction

Combine iconic cities with destinations off the tourist trail on this 16-day tour which satiates travellers looking for fascinating cultural history, archaeological marvels, and little-known gems. Sample some of Vienna's finest eats with a culinary expert, go deep underground into a salt museum previously used as a bomb shelter, and relax along Lake Snagov, where Romanians go on holiday. Trusted local chefs, historians, and cultural experts help enrich this experience in a way that no audio tour or guidebook could ever achieve.

• Explore Prague's Old Town and the charming medieval gem of Český Krumlov
• Visit the Berlin Wall with a local historian
• Take a dip in soothing waters at a thermal bathhouse in Budapest
• Prepare a traditional Transylvanian meal with a local chef

Duration: 16 days

Start/Finish City: Berlin to Bucharest

Service Level: Upgraded

Quality accommodations and more inclusions than on other G Adventures tours, like meals, private transport, and activities.

Physical Grading: 2 - Light

Light walking and hiking suitable for most fitness levels. Nothing too challenging.

Travel Style: National Geographic Journeys

Greater exploration, insider access, and the freedom to roam – all without sacrificing comfort.

Trip Type: Small Group

Small group experience; Max 16, Avg 12.

What's Included

Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Walk the Berlin Wall with a Historian, Berlin
Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Naschmarkt Walk, Vienna
Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Transylvanian Foodie Experience, Sighișoara
Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Afternoon Tea at Bran Castle, Bran
Your G for Good Moment: Nem Adom Fel Café and Bar, Budapest
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your Foodie Moment: Hotel Sacher Visit and dessert, Vienna. Tour Prague's old town including the Jewish quarter, clock tower, Charles Bridge, and Wenceslas Square. Visit the historic Hotel Sacher and sample the Sacher Torte. Guided historic tour of Budapest. Visit to the Salt Mine terraces in Egerszalok. Guided visit of Salina Turda Salt Mine. Sighisoara old Town Visit. Black Church visit in Brasov. Guided tour of Bran Castle. Snagov Monastery visit. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.

What are the main highlights of this trip?

Explore Prague's Old Town and the charming medieval gem of Český Krumlov, Visit the Berlin Wall with a local historian, Take a dip in soothing waters at a thermal bathhouse in Budapest, Prepare a traditional Transylvanian meal with a local chef.

How large will the group be?

Max 16, Avg 12.

Meals Included

15 breakfasts, 2 lunches

Transport

Train, bus, private van, local bus, walking.

Accommodation

Hotel/pensions (15 nts).

My Own Room

Please note that if you have booked the "My Own Room" option for this tour, you will receive your own single room for all night stops.

Please be aware that single room accommodations in European hotels are often smaller, and may not be to the same service level as double-occupancy rooms.

About Accommodation

On this trip you can expect to stay in small family-run hotels or pensions (with the exception of the start and finish hotels, which are often larger city hotels), which will vary a little in standard and facilities: some may not have elevators, air-conditioning or English-speaking staff, but most importantly all are locally-run, with some traditional character, and in excellent central locations to give you maximum time for exploring the sights. You can expect to find clean, safe, simple accommodation in convenient locations.

Note that most accommodation in Europe does not have air conditioning units in rooms. Air conditioning is not routinely installed in European homes and workplaces. However, nearly all hotels will provide a standing or desk fan for your room on hot nights. If you do not already have one in your room, please ask your CEO to organize one for you with reception.

Joining Instructions

Please note that day 1 is an arrival day and no activities have been planned on this day. Upon arrival to the city on day 1 (or earlier if you have booked pre-accommodation with us), please make your way to the joining hotel (note that check-in time will be in the afternoon). Once you arrive at the hotel, look for a note or bulletin board in the reception with a note from your CEO. This note will give the details of your Welcome Meeting on day 1 (usually between 5pm and 7pm), where you will get a chance to meet your CEO and other travellers, as well as learn more about how the tour will run. If you don’t see a note, please ask reception for details!

If you are arriving later and will miss the Welcome Meeting, your CEO will leave a note at reception for you with any information you may need, and with morning instructions for the next day.

Getting from Berlin airport to the city centre:

Taxi:

The taxi ranks at Tegel Airport offer a wide variety of vehicles to accommodate any group of travelers. The cars are recognized by their cream white colour and a distinctive black and yellow roof sign. Make sure to avoid unlicensed drivers who might approach you at the terminals as you come out, because they will charge you excessively. The trip to the city of Berlin should cost approximately 32€ and ranges from 20 to 30 minutes depending on the traffic conditions.

Public Transportation:

The two buses that take you to the central Zoologischer Garten Station are the X9 and 109, each bus should be available at the station every 10 minutes and the ticket price for both is 2.80€. However, the X9 is faster since it makes 6 less stops than the 109. Unfortunately, after reaching the Zoo station you will need to use Berlin's main metro network U-Bahn to reach the downtown area. The official duration for the X9 is 20 minutes and for the 109 is 30 minutes. The third option is the TXL express which goes to the city centre through Hauptbahnhof Station, waiting time is 6 minutes, ticket price is 2.80€ and the official travel duration is 37 minutes.

To arrange an arrival or departure transfer, we recommend you book through our preferred transfer provider - HolidayTaxis - by copying the link below into your web browser:

https://partner.holidaytaxis.com/?ref=GADVE

Choose from a range of transport options including both private and shared transfers at a discounted rate.

We advise that you book both your arrival and departure transfers in advance. Please make sure you have the following details before booking:

- Flight number

- Flight Arrival Time and Date

- Flight Departure Time and Date

- Passenger's Name

- Number of Passengers

- Email

- Valid Mobile Telephone Number

- Drop off and/or Pick Up Address

Emergency Contact

Should you need to contact us during a situation of dire need, it is best to first call our G Adventures Local Office. If for any reason you do not receive an immediate answer, please leave a detailed message and contact information, so they may return your call and assist you as soon as possible.

EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBER

G Adventures Berlin office: +44 7817 262559

If you are unable for any reason to contact our local office, please call the numbers listed below which will connect you directly with our Sales team who will happily assist you. Hours of operation by region can be found here.

Toll-free, from calls within North America only: 1 888 800 4100
Calls from within UK: 0344 272 0000
Calls from within Germany: 0800 365 1000
Calls from within Australia: 1 300 796 618
Calls from within New Zealand: 0800 333 307
Outside North America, Australia, New Zealand, Germany and the UK: +1 416 260 0999

Packing List

Documents:
• Flight info (required) (Printouts of e-tickets may be required at the border)
• Insurance info (required) (With photocopies)
• Passport (required) (With photocopies)
• Vouchers and pre-departure information (required)
• Visas or vaccination certificates (With photocopies)

Essentials:
• Toiletries (required) (Shampoo, bodywash, soap, etc.)
• Binoculars (optional)
• Camera (With extra memory cards and batteries)
• Cash, credit and debit cards
• Day pack (Used for daily excursions or short overnights)
• Ear plugs
• First-aid kit (should contain lip balm with sunscreen, sunscreen, whistle, Aspirin, Ibuprofen, bandaids/plasters, tape, anti-histamines, antibacterial gel/wipes, antiseptic cream, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, rehydration powder, water purification tablets or drops, insect repellent, sewing kit, extra prescription drugs you may be taking)
• Flashlight/torch (Headlamps are ideal)
• Fleece top/sweater
• Footwear
• Hat
• Locks for bags
• Long pants/jeans
• Moneybelt
• Outlet adapter
• Personal entertainment (Reading and writing materials, cards, music player, etc.)
• Reusable water bottle
• Shirts/t-shirts
• Sleepwear
• Small travel towel
• Sunglasses
• Swimwear
• Watch and alarm clock
• Waterproof backpack cover
• Windproof rain jacket

Visas and Entry Requirements

All countries require a valid passport (with a minimum 6 months validity). Contact your local embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date visa requirements, or see your travel agent. It is your own responsibility to have the correct travel documentation. Visa requirements for your trip will vary depending on where you are from and where you are going. We keep the following information up to date as far as possible, but rules do change and sometimes without warning. While we provide the following information in good faith, it is vital that you check the information yourself and understand that you are fully responsible for your own visa requirements.

Visa information specific to your destination and nationality can be found in our Important Pre-Departure Information page here

For other nationalities, travelling in Europe has been simplified with the introduction of the Schengen visa. As a visitor to the Schengen area (Austria, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Greece, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Portugal, Finland, Italy, Spain, France, Luxembourg, Sweden, Czech Republic, Hungary, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia and Switzerland) you will enjoy the many advantages of this unified visa system. Generally speaking with a Schengen visa, you may enter one Schengen country and travel freely throughout the Schengen region during the validity of your visa. There are limited border controls at Schengen borders, if any at all.

Please note that the UK and Ireland are NOT part of the Schengen agreement.

A Schengen visa is applied for at the Embassy or Consulate of the Schengen country in which you will be spending the most nights on your trip to the Schengen space. If you are only visiting one country on your trip then you apply for your visa at the Consulate of this Schengen country.

Tipping

While conventions can vary from country to country, tipping is customary in Europe. A general rule is 10% of the bill for wait staff, and a smaller amount (€1 or €2) for other service providers.

Tipping is an expected - though not compulsory - component of your tour program, and an expression of satisfaction with the persons who have assisted you on your tour. Although it may not be customary to you, it is of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels. There are several times during the trip where there is opportunity to tip the local guides. You may do this individually, or your CEO will offer to collect the money and tip as a group. Recommendations for tipping local guides would range from €3-5 per day, depending on the quality and length of the service; ask your CEO for specific recommendations based on the circumstances and culture.

At the end of each trip, if you felt your G Adventures CEO did an outstanding job, tipping is expected and appreciated. The precise amount is a personal preference, however €30-€40 per person, per week can be used as a guideline.

Optional Activities

Berlin
- East Side Gallery Visit Along Berlin Wall (Free)
- Judisches Museum Visit (8EUR per person)
- Reichstag Visit
- Television Tower (Fernsehturm) Visit (13-23EUR per person)
- The Berlin Wall Memorial (Free)
- Brandenburg Gate Visit (Free)
- Checkpoint Charlie Museum Visit (17.50EUR per person)

Prague
- Letná Beer Garden Visit (Free-3EUR per person)
- Czech Craft Beer & Food Tasting Tour
- Malá Strana Visit
- Petřín Hill Hike (Free-30CZK per person)
- Prague Castle (Hradčany) Visit (250-350CZK per person)

Český Krumlov
- State Castle and Chateau Český Krumlov Tour (360CZK per person)

Vienna
- Belvedere Gallery Visit (19EUR per person)
- Schönbrunn Palace Visit/Tour (11-15EUR per person)
- View Lipizzaner Horses at Spanish Riding School of Vienna (14EUR per person)
- Saint Stephen's Cathedral Visit (Free)
- Vienna Boys' Choir Visit (56-200EUR per person)
- Vienna State Opera House Visit (8EUR per person)

Budapest
- Budapest Bike Tour (28EUR per person)
- Chain Bridge (Free)
- Hungarian State Opera House (2900HUF per person)
- Parliament Building Visit (5200HUF per person)
- Buda Castle Visit (1500HUF per person)
- Thermal Baths Visit (4200-5000HUF per person)
- Great Market Hall Visit (Free)
- Danube River Cruise
- Budapest History Walking Tour

Braşov
- Brasov History Museum (7RON per person)

Bucharest
- Museum of the Romanian Peasant
- National Village Museum Visit
- Palace of the Parliament Visit
- Bucharest Bike Tour (20RON per person)

Sighișoara
- The Church of the Dominican Monastery Visit (Free)
- Clock Tower Visit (Free)
- Museum of Medieval Weapons

Minimum Age

You must be 18 to travel unaccompanied on a G Adventures tour. For minors travelling with a guardian over 21 years old, the minimum age is 12.

International Flights

Check-in times and baggage allowances/restrictions vary by airline and can change at any time. For the most up-to-date information for your flight, please contact your airline. We recommend checking in online in advance to avoid potential delays at the airport.

LGBTQ+ Safety

The safety and well-being of all of our travelers is a priority at G Adventures and that includes our travelers who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community. We recognize that there are specific concerns and questions you may have about your adventure in terms of safety and security. We encourage you to visit our LGBTQ+ page for useful resources to ensure you feel safe and comfortable throughout the duration of your trip. The Equaldex tool linked on this page can be of particular help when deciding where you may want to visit next.