Grand Central Europe Tour Departing from Izmir 6N/7D

Day 1: BERLIN - DRESDEN

We meet at Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport’s International Departure Terminal at the Sun Express Airlines counter, accompanied by our guide. After completing the check-in procedures, we take our direct flight XQ 966 at 4:25 AM, arriving at Berlin Brandenburg Airport at 6:30 AM local time. After collecting our luggage and boarding our waiting vehicle, we begin our city tour in Berlin. Highlights include the Berlin Wall, a symbol of the Cold War era; Checkpoint Charlie, one of Berlin's key control points; Museum Island; Berlin Cathedral (DOM); Gendarmenmarkt Square; Unter den Linden Boulevard; Brandenburg Gate; Parliament Building; and Alexanderplatz Square. Following some free time for shopping and lunch in the city center, we head to Dresden, known as the "Florence on the Elbe" and renowned as one of Germany’s most beautiful cities. Here, we take a walking tour of the Baroque city center, including Brühl Terrace, nicknamed the “Balcony of Europe,” the Elbe River, Albertinum, Academy of Fine Arts, Hofkirche, Semper Opera House, Zwinger Palace, Old Town Square, Frauenkirche Church, and Martin Luther Statue. After completing the tour, we have dinner and stay overnight.

Day 2: DRESDEN - TEREZÍN - KARLOVY VARY

After breakfast at our hotel, we leave Dresden and enter the Czech Republic for a visit to Terezín Concentration Camp, built by Nazi Germany as a transit point to Auschwitz. We tour the separate dormitories for men and women, SS barracks, and other parts of the camp, as well as the Terezín Museum, with our guide providing detailed explanations. Following this emotional visit, we proceed to Karlovy Vary, a city famous for its thermal spas and porcelain. Our first stop is Rudolf’s Hotel, where Atatürk stayed during his treatment. Surrounded by the town’s natural beauty, we tour its stunning mansions, the historic Grand Pupp Hotel that hosts the annual Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, and the homes of Peter the Great, Goethe, and Beethoven. We also visit the thermal galleries. After some free time for tasting Czech delicacies and shopping for traditional souvenirs such as crystal, porcelain, garnet, and amber, we continue to Prague, known as the “Golden City,” “City of a Hundred Spires,” and “Fairy Tale City.” Upon arrival in the evening, we have dinner and stay overnight.

Day 3: PRAGUE

On our first morning in Prague, we enjoy breakfast at the hotel before starting a panoramic city tour. We visit the Historic Train Station, National Museum, State Opera House, and Wenceslas Square, followed by Vyšehrad, the area where Prague was founded in the 10th century. We admire St. Peter and Paul Basilica and take a walk along the Vltava River. Our tour then leads us to Prague Castle, home to Bohemian kings, Holy Roman emperors, and Czech presidents. Within the castle, we visit the Old Royal Palace, Presidential Palace, Prague Archbishopric, and St. Vitus Cathedral, which took 600 years to complete. Other highlights include Golden Lane, St. George’s Church, and Malá Strana (Lesser Town). Crossing Charles Bridge, we see statues of 30 saints, Kepler’s House, and the Astronomical Clock Tower. After free time for shopping and lunch, we continue to Týn Church, Jan Hus Monument, Kinsky Palace, St. Nicholas Church, and Kafka’s Birthplace. Concluding with Josefov (Jewish Quarter) and the Straka Academy, we have dinner on a scenic river cruise. Overnight stay in Prague.

Day 4: BUDAPEST

After breakfast, we depart Prague and drive through Slovakia, passing Bratislava to reach Budapest, Hungary’s capital. Known for its Ottoman history and the union of Buda and Pest in 1873, Budapest offers a rich cultural experience. Highlights of our panoramic city tour include the historic bridges over the Danube River, the Opera House, Royal Palace, Parliament Building, and Heroes' Square. The square features the Millennium Monument and statues of Hungarian heroes. We end the day with dinner and an overnight stay in Budapest.

Day 5: ESZTERGOM - VISEGRÁD - SZENTENDRE

Following breakfast, we embark on a tour of Esztergom, Visegrád, and Szentendre. Esztergom Castle, known as the “Guardian of the Danube,” was conquered by Suleiman the Magnificent in 1543. We also visit Esztergom Basilica, Hungary’s largest church. Continuing along the picturesque Danube, we see Visegrád Castle before arriving in Szentendre, a charming artist village. After free time for shopping, we return to Budapest to visit Margaret Island and Bridge, Buda Castle, Matthias Church, and Fisherman’s Bastion. The day concludes with shopping on Váci Street, dinner, and overnight accommodation.

Day 6: BRATISLAVA - VIENNA

After breakfast, we leave Budapest for Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. On a walking tour of the Old Town, we visit Bratislava Castle, St. Martin’s Cathedral, Grassalkovich Palace, and the Slovak National Theater. After lunch, we proceed to Vienna, Austria’s imperial capital. Our panoramic tour of Vienna includes the State Opera House, Maria Theresia Square, the Kunsthistorisches Museum, the Austrian Parliament, and Hofburg Palace. Dinner and overnight stay follow.

Day 7: VIENNA

On our final day, we check out after breakfast and begin our Schönbrunn Palace, Hundertwasser Houses, and Vienna Woods tour. We explore Schönbrunn Palace, the summer residence of the Habsburgs, and Hundertwasser’s architectural masterpiece. Following free time for shopping on Mariahilferstrasse, we head to the Vienna Woods to visit the 12th-century Lichtenstein Castle and Seegrotte, Europe’s largest underground lake. Optional boat tours are available. Finally, we visit Baden, a spa town where Beethoven composed his 9th Symphony. After free time, we transfer to Vienna Airport for our 10:25 PM Sun Express flight to Izmir, concluding our tour.

Day 2: DRESDEN - TEREZÍN - KARLOVY VARY

After breakfast at our hotel, we leave Dresden and enter the Czech Republic for a visit to Terezín Concentration Camp, built by Nazi Germany as a transit point to Auschwitz. We tour the separate dormitories for men and women, SS barracks, and other parts of the camp, as well as the Terezín Museum, with our guide providing detailed explanations. Following this emotional visit, we proceed to Karlovy Vary, a city famous for its thermal spas and porcelain. Our first stop is Rudolf’s Hotel, where Atatürk stayed during his treatment. Surrounded by the town’s natural beauty, we tour its stunning mansions, the historic Grand Pupp Hotel that hosts the annual Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, and the homes of Peter the Great, Goethe, and Beethoven. We also visit the thermal galleries. After some free time for tasting Czech delicacies and shopping for traditional souvenirs such as crystal, porcelain, garnet, and amber, we continue to Prague, known as the “Golden City,” “City of a Hundred Spires,” and “Fairy Tale City.” Upon arrival in the evening, we have dinner and stay overnight.

Day 3: PRAGUE

On our first morning in Prague, we enjoy breakfast at the hotel before starting a panoramic city tour. We visit the Historic Train Station, National Museum, State Opera House, and Wenceslas Square, followed by Vyšehrad, the area where Prague was founded in the 10th century. We admire St. Peter and Paul Basilica and take a walk along the Vltava River. Our tour then leads us to Prague Castle, home to Bohemian kings, Holy Roman emperors, and Czech presidents. Within the castle, we visit the Old Royal Palace, Presidential Palace, Prague Archbishopric, and St. Vitus Cathedral, which took 600 years to complete. Other highlights include Golden Lane, St. George’s Church, and Malá Strana (Lesser Town). Crossing Charles Bridge, we see statues of 30 saints, Kepler’s House, and the Astronomical Clock Tower. After free time for shopping and lunch, we continue to Týn Church, Jan Hus Monument, Kinsky Palace, St. Nicholas Church, and Kafka’s Birthplace. Concluding with Josefov (Jewish Quarter) and the Straka Academy, we have dinner on a scenic river cruise. Overnight stay in Prague.

Day 4: BUDAPEST

After breakfast, we depart Prague and drive through Slovakia, passing Bratislava to reach Budapest, Hungary’s capital. Known for its Ottoman history and the union of Buda and Pest in 1873, Budapest offers a rich cultural experience. Highlights of our panoramic city tour include the historic bridges over the Danube River, the Opera House, Royal Palace, Parliament Building, and Heroes' Square. The square features the Millennium Monument and statues of Hungarian heroes. We end the day with dinner and an overnight stay in Budapest.

Day 5: ESZTERGOM - VISEGRÁD - SZENTENDRE

Following breakfast, we embark on a tour of Esztergom, Visegrád, and Szentendre. Esztergom Castle, known as the “Guardian of the Danube,” was conquered by Suleiman the Magnificent in 1543. We also visit Esztergom Basilica, Hungary’s largest church. Continuing along the picturesque Danube, we see Visegrád Castle before arriving in Szentendre, a charming artist village. After free time for shopping, we return to Budapest to visit Margaret Island and Bridge, Buda Castle, Matthias Church, and Fisherman’s Bastion. The day concludes with shopping on Váci Street, dinner, and overnight accommodation.

Day 6: BRATISLAVA - VIENNA

After breakfast, we leave Budapest for Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. On a walking tour of the Old Town, we visit Bratislava Castle, St. Martin’s Cathedral, Grassalkovich Palace, and the Slovak National Theater. After lunch, we proceed to Vienna, Austria’s imperial capital. Our panoramic tour of Vienna includes the State Opera House, Maria Theresia Square, the Kunsthistorisches Museum, the Austrian Parliament, and Hofburg Palace. Dinner and overnight stay follow.

Day 7: VIENNA

On our final day, we check out after breakfast and begin our Schönbrunn Palace, Hundertwasser Houses, and Vienna Woods tour. We explore Schönbrunn Palace, the summer residence of the Habsburgs, and Hundertwasser’s architectural masterpiece. Following free time for shopping on Mariahilferstrasse, we head to the Vienna Woods to visit the 12th-century Lichtenstein Castle and Seegrotte, Europe’s largest underground lake. Optional boat tours are available. Finally, we visit Baden, a spa town where Beethoven composed his 9th Symphony. After free time, we transfer to Vienna Airport for our 10:25 PM Sun Express flight to Izmir, concluding our tour.