54a6d10c5d119 viennaandkrakow2015 1 2 by Go Real Europe

An Adventure in Europe Specially created for Jane Example and John Example Itinerary Preview Vienna and Krakow September 01 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; September 07, 2015

ITINERARY OVERVIEW Members of the Travel Group: Jane Example and John Example 1. This is only a summary of your trip! Full-length itineraries include destination information, travel directions, maps, pictures, tips, and other details. 2. Select “Hotels” on your client dashboard to see hotel pictures and descriptions.

Pre-Paid Tours and Activities: • Guided Walk through Vienna’s Inner City • Walking Tour of Krakow’s Historic Center

• Guided Bus Excursion to the Salt Mine in Wieliczka

Pre-Paid Transportation: • Train Tickets from Vienna to Krakow • Public Transport Tickets for Vienna

• Private Transfer from Krakow Rail Station to Your Hotel

Pre-Paid Hotels, including Daily Breakfast: • 3 nights in the (Hotel T.B.D.) in Vienna

• 2 nights in the (Hotel T.B.D.) in Krakow

Travel Information included in your itinerary: • City Maps of Vienna • Point to point travel directions

• Free Skype calling to landlines worldwide, and to mobile phones in the U.S. and Canada

• Destination information & travel advice

Total Trip Cost for All Travelers:

N/A e

Please see payment details and travel conditions here.

ITINERARY CONTENTS 1 September 01, 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Arrival in Vienna Airport and Transfer to Hotel by Public Taxi . Self Guided Visit to Vienna’s Inner City (Innere Stadt) . . . . . Self Guided Visit to the Spittelberg Quarter . . . . . . . . . . .

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2 September 02, 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . Guided Walk through Vienna’s Inner City . Self Guided Visit to the Ringstrasse . . . . Concert or Other Cultural Event in Vienna .

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3 September 03, 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Self Guided Visit to Imperial Vienna . . . . . . . . . . . . . Self Guided Visit to the Karlskirche and Belvedere Palace . Self Guided Visit to the Wine Village of Grinzing . . . . . .

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4 September 04, 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hip Vienna: Self Guided visit to the Naschmarkt and Museum Quarter . . . . . . . Visit to the Schönbrunn Palace and Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Self-Arranged Taxi Transfer to Vienna’s Westbahnhof Station for Rail Departure . . Overnight Rail Journey from Vienna to Krakow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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5 September 05, 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Arrival at Krakow Glowny Train Station and transfer to Hotel . Guided Walking Tour of Historic Krakow . . . . . . . . . . . . . Visit to Wawel Castle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Self Guided Tour of Krakow’s Old Town . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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6 September 06, 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Guided Bus Excursion to the Salt Mines of Wieliczka . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Self Guided Tour of Kazimierz - Krakow’s Jewish Quarter . . . . . . . . . . . Visit to the Schindler’s Factory Museum and the Former Jewish Ghetto . . .

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7 September 07, 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Self-Arranged Drop off at Airport by Taxi, Depart Krakow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

DAY 1 Arrive Vienna

September 01, 2015 (Hotel T.B.D.)

Arrival in Vienna Airport and Transfer to Hotel by Public Taxi To Be Determined For your arrival in Vienna we will provide information on the customs and passport procedures. We will also provide advice on whether to order a ﬁxed price taxi or to take a metered taxi, and provide an estimate of the cost and time of the ride to your hotel. For those who prefer to make a pre-arranged transfer, we will provide a link to a website where you can quickly and easily book a reliable transfer. Included: Arrival and transfer advice. Not Included: Taxi fare (about 35 EUR)

Self Guided Visit to Vienna’s Inner City (Innere Stadt) Afternoon TOP SITES: ST. STEPHEN’S CATHEDRAL, THE GRABEN, MOZART HOUSE, CHURCH OF ST. PETER When the Viennese say they are going “into the city”, they are talking about the Inner City (Innere Stadt). The Inner City corresponds to Vienna’s original medieval city, which was once surrounded by defensive walls that stood where the Ringstrasse (Ring Street) now runs. A warren of medieval alleyways crowded into the protected space between the walls, creating a dense network of pedestrian streets that remains to this day. Now these narrow lanes hum with constant excitement as a tremendous assortment of restaurants, cafes, bars, and fashionable shops fill the ground floors of beautiful historic buildings. Among many other historic attractions, the Inner City is home to the magnificent Gothic Cathedral of St. Stephan (Stephansdom), which has become the most lasting and recognized symbol of the city. Included: Travel directions, tips, and information on the area. Map marked with attractions, restaurants, and other points of interest in the area.

Self Guided Visit to the Spittelberg Quarter Evening One of most enjoyable places for an evening out in Vienna is the Spittleberg quarter. Its narrow lanes are ﬁlled with pleasant traditional restaurants. The Spittelberg Quarter’s history stretches back to the 1600’s, when the Austrian rulers imported artisans and servants from Hungary, Croatia, and other subject lands to help serve the Emperor’s 4

DAY 1 Arrive Vienna

September 01, 2015 (Hotel T.B.D.)

court. Other immigrants were drawn to work in the nearby silk factories. They built charming burgher homes which still line the Spittelberggasse and nearby streets, lending a particular quaint atmosphere to the area. Several streets are fully pedestrianized, making it easy to stroll at leisure. Restaurants also take advantage of the absence of autos to set up tables directly in the street. Throughout the district you can also ďŹ nd crafts shops and art galleries. Included: Restaurant recommendations, Travel information on the area

DAY 2

September 02, 2015

Vienna

(Hotel T.B.D.)

Guided Walk through Vienna’s Inner City 9:30 - 12:00 PM This tour takes you back in history to explore the Vienna that stood within the old city walls. You will learn about the humble beginnings of Vienna before it became the capital of a great empire and one of the most important cities in Europe. You will discover how Vienna’s early inhabitants lived and how they left their mark on the city and its beautiful Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture. Your guide will discuss illustrious former residents such as Emperors and Empresses, but will also tell stories of ordinary Viennese who helped to create a great city of trade and commerce. You will also learn about the tragic end of Vienna’s Medieval Jewish community. At the end of your tour, your guide will give you his or her personal recommendations for restaurants in Vienna which capture its sense of history and charm. Included: Private Guided Walking Tour.

Self Guided Visit to the Ringstrasse Afternoon TOP SITES: RING STREET TRAMS, CITY HALL, NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM, ART HISTORY MUSEUM The Ringstrasse, or the Ring Street, surrounds Vienna’s old town where the city walls once stood. The Austro-Hungarian Empire was at the height of its prosperity when the monumental buildings which line the Ringstrasse were built in the late 19th century. In this section of the Ringstrasse, you can see some of the most impressive of these buildings, including the neo-Gothic town hall, which is particularly magniﬁcent when lit up in the evening hours. The large park and square in front of the town hall also serves as one of the city’s favorite gathering places. A visit to the Kunsthistorisches (Art History) Museum or the Naturhistorisches Museum (Natural History) Museum, both of which are both located on the Ringstrasse, is particularly rewarding. Another fun experience is to take a tram ride around the entire length of the Ringstrasse. From the strassenbahn line you can relax and soak in the full richness of the spectacle. Included: Travel directions, tips, and information on the area. Map marked with attractions, restaurants, and other points of interest in the area.

DAY 2

September 02, 2015

Vienna

(Hotel T.B.D.)

Concert or Other Cultural Event in Vienna Evening Perhaps no city is more famous for its cultural scene than Vienna. You can enjoy a wide variety of performances in settings of exquisite beauty and elegance. Opera, ballet, and symphony are just some of your choices you will discover in the home of Strauss and the Waltz. Three of Vienna’s concert halls are regularly ranked among the top ten venues in the entire world for both their aesthetic appeal and their ﬁne acoustics, and of course the city’s musical companies are also considered among the best in the world. For those looking for a more affordable experience, the Volksoper (People’s Opera) provides an opportunity to see excellent performers in a nice setting. Concert is not included. At your request, we can help you select a performance and puchase tickets for you. A 4% transaction fee and a $15 booking fee is added to the cost of the tickets (applied per travel party, not per person).

DAY 3 Vienna

September 03, 2015 (Hotel T.B.D.)

Self Guided Visit to Imperial Vienna Morning TOP SITES: SPANISH RIDING SCHOOL, IMPERIAL TREASURY, ALBERTINA MUSEUM, BURGGARTEN, STATE OPERA HOUSE In this area of Vienna you will discover the very heart of the Habsburg Empire that once covered most of central Europe. Much of this district is consumed by the vast Hofburg Palace complex, once home to Austria’s emperors and their administrators. Majestically stunning, the buildings of the Hofburg still evoke awe in the observer even if the Empire they were built for is now long gone. Within the Hofburg you will ﬁnd many of the city’s top attractions, including the nearly 500 year old Spanish Riding School, which stages equestrian performances by the famous Lipizzaner Stallions. You can also visit the imperial apartments, gaze upon the imperial crown and other treasures, or browse through the imperial silver collection. Included: Travel directions, tips, and information on the area. Map marked with attractions, restaurants, and other points of interest in the area. For those interested in the Spanish Riding School entry to Morning Exercises costs 14 EUR.

Self Guided Visit to the Karlskirche and Belvedere Palace Afternoon TOP SITES: KARLSKIRCHE (CHARLES’ CHURCH), BELVEDERE PALACES AND GARDEN Southeast of the Ringstrasse you will find two of Vienna’s greatest treasures - the Belvedere Palace and the Karlskirche (St. Charles’s Church). More than just a Viennese treasure, the Belvedere and Karlskirche are actually two of the Europe’s most significant examples of Baroque architecture. The Belvedere is actually two palaces connected by a formal 3-level garden designed in the French style. A visit to the garden offers many delights to the senses with its playful fountains, multi-tiered design, and setting amidst the two elaborate palaces. The palaces now house works of art, including a permanent exhibition which includes the most famous works of Gustav Klimt, such as “The Kiss”. Many consider the Karlskirche second only to St. Peter’s Basilica among baroque churches. What makes a visit to the Karlskirche especially notable is that you can ride an elevator up into the cupola of the church and then climb stairs up to the very top of the church, where you can examine the dome’s magnificent frescoes up close.

DAY 3 Vienna

September 03, 2015 (Hotel T.B.D.)

Included: Travel directions, tips, and information on the area. Mapmarked with attractions, restaurants, and other points of interest inthe area. Not Included: Entry fee to visit the palace (approx. 11 EUR) or church (8 EUR) interiors.

Self Guided Visit to the Wine Village of Grinzing Evening Nothing better symbolizes the Viennese love of “gemütlichkeit” (roughly translated as coziness) than the wine villages and vinyards which hug the gentle slopes beneath the Vienna woods. They are home to wine taverns known as Heurigen. The Viennese come to the Heurigen to while away warm evenings drinking wine, listen to musicians play traditional Viennese tunes (Wienerlieder), and enjoy each other’s conversation and company. The most famous of the wine villages is Grinzing, which is easily reached from the city center by tram. Despite its closeness to the city center, a visit to Grinzing seems to transport you to the countryside, as quaint cottages and cozy old farmhouses create a charming village atmosphere. Included: Directions to Grinzing (including tram tickets), Tips on ordering wine and food. Not Included: The cost of meals and drinks.

DAY 4

September 04, 2015

Vienna

Hip Vienna: Self Guided visit to the Naschmarkt and Museum Quarter Morning TOP SITES: NASCHMARKT, LEOPOLD MUSEUM, THE MUSEUM QUARTER The Naschmarkt is a long narrow market which has occupied this area since the 1500’s. The market is over a kilometer long and is filled with a delightful variety of booths and small shops selling cheeses, meats, fresh fruits & vegetables, spices, and other exotic foods from around the world. You can also find souvenirs and other interesting tidbits. If you need a break from shopping, a number of nice sit-down cafes and restaurants are located within the market. On Saturdays the market is extended even further by a huge flea market. In the flea market you will find paintings, beer steins, heirlooms, and other great finds to make your friends back home jealous. Near the market you will find perhaps the most fun spot in all of Vienna - the Museumsquartier. Once home to the Imperial Stables, the Museumsquartier is now home to several museums. In typical Viennese fashion, the courtyard of the Museumsquartier has been transformed into an open air entertainment district. A delightful mix of unpretentious cafes and bars attracts visitors to the Museumsquartier long after the museums have all closed. Included: Travel directions, tips, and information on the area. Map marked with attractions, restaurants, and other points of interest in the area.

Visit to the Schönbrunn Palace and Park Afternoon The magnificent Baroque palace of Schönbrunn is most famously associated with the Empress Maria Theresa, who lived here surrounded by her administrators, retainers, and 16 little archdukes and duchesses who also happened to be her children. On your tour of the palace, you will see numerous reminders of Maria Theresa, as well as many of its other past imperial residents. The grounds surrounding the palace form a beautiful park with a mix of formal gardens and woodlands. Throughout the park you will find enchanting fountains and statues. On a rise opposite the palace sits the Gloriette pavilion. From there you can take in a wonderful view - the meticulously groomed green park draws your eye to the graceful yellow Schönbrunn Palace, and then to the red roofs of the city stretched out beyond. If you have kids, you will definitely want to visit the labyrinth and its adjoining playground, although even without kids it can be great fun. Included: Travel directions, tips, and information on the area. Not

DAY 4

September 04, 2015

Vienna

Included: Cost of entry into the palace interior (about $15 USD) or labyrinth (about $6 USD). Entry to the park is free.

Self-Arranged Taxi Transfer to Vienna’s Westbahnhof Station for Rail Departure 9:15 PM Your hotel front desk will also be happy to arrange a taxi pick up for you. Vienna taxis are generally reliable and honest, so this is cheaper than a pre-arranged transfer. Your itinerary will provide more information on ordering a taxi, as well as detailed information on navigating the train station and ﬁnding your train, making the whole process simple and stress free. Included: Instructions on taking a taxi to the rail station, instructions for ﬁnding your train. Not included: Taxi fare.

Overnight Rail Journey from Vienna to Krakow 22:12 – 06:54 by Rail Tickets and sleeper reservations will be included with the purchase of your itinerary for this overnight rail journey. Detailed directions and instructions that make the trip easy and stress free will also be provided in your full itinerary. Included: Tickets, Sleeping Car Reservations, Detailed Instructions.

DAY 5

September 05, 2015

Krakow

(Hotel T.B.D.)

Arrival at Krakow Glowny Train Station and transfer to Hotel 6:54 AM Upon your arrival in Krakow your driver will meet you on the platform. He will be carrying a sign with your name on it. The driver will drop you off at your hotel. This is a private transfer. The price of the pickup is already included in your itinerary cost so you will not have to pay the driver. Included: Cost of the private transfer to your hotel, Arrival information.

Guided Walking Tour of Historic Krakow 9:00 - 12:00 PM On this 3 hour guided walking tour, you will discover the history and legends of old Krakow and gain an excellent overview of the city. The many layers of the city will be revealed to you as your guide points out medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture, and also shows you some of the city’s most well-known as well as most-overlooked churches and squares. You will learn about not only Krakow’s glory days many centuries past, but also about its more recent struggles during Nazism and Communism oppression, and how they left a mark on the city and its inhabitants. Included: Cost of the Private Guided Walking Tour.

Visit to Wawel Castle Early Afternoon Krakow’s dramatic castle is situated on top of Wawel Hill, a limestone hill rising above the Vistula River and the city. During the earliest days of Polish history a castle was built here and throughout the Medieval and Renaissance era it was an important residence of Poland’s rulers and a center of Christian inﬂuence. In addition to residing in the castle there, Polish kings were also coronated and then buried in the castle’s beautiful cathedral. Much of the carefully restored Royal palace is now open for tours, and you will also ﬁnd several important historical, archeological, and artistic collections within the castle. As the Medieval capital of Poland and the resting place of so many of its past rulers, Wawel Castle represents for many the very heart of the Polish nation. Krakow is not a “full service” Go Real Europe destination. Itineraries only provide a brief summary of attractions and very basic travel directions in Krakow. Entry costs into the interiors of sites is not included. 12

DAY 5

September 05, 2015

Krakow

(Hotel T.B.D.)

Self Guided Tour of Krakow’s Old Town Late Afternoon Krakow’s Old Town is the part of the city once contained within the historic Medieval walls. While the walls are now mostly gone, you will still discover a rich heritage of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture. The Market Square is one of the largest and most breathtaking town squares in all of Europe, and is lined by colorful Gothic buildings with Baroque facades. The two most famous attractions on the Market Square are St. Mary’s Basilica and the Cloth Hall. The magniﬁcent 600 year old basilica was built from a combination of red brick and stone, creating a striking appearance both in its exterior and interior. The Cloth Hall sits in the very center of the square, and today merchants sell hand made goods and souvenirs there. Krakow is not a “full service” Go Real Europe destination. Itineraries only provide a brief summary of attractions and very basic travel directions in Krakow.

DAY 6 Krakow

September 06, 2015 (Hotel T.B.D.)

Guided Bus Excursion to the Salt Mines of Wieliczka 8:30 - 12:00 PM Wieliczka has been the site of Salt Mines since the Middle Ages. Over the centuries, miners created a subterranean world so fascinating that the mines are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will explore mine shafts, cavernous chambers, and underground saline lakes, all spread out over nine different levels reaching of depth of over 1000 feet. You will see the beautiful carving and statues the miners hewn into the salt rock, even visiting one cavern where a chapel was formed out of the rocky walls. You will also learn how mining technology has developed over time. This tour is not recommended for those who are claustrophobic or have diﬃcult walking. THIS IS NOT A PRIVATE TOUR Included: Guided bus excursion, Standard visit to the Mines, Elevator passage out of the Mines, and Headphones. Not included: Elevator passage into the mines.

Self Guided Tour of Kazimierz - Krakow’s Jewish Quarter Early Afternoon Krakow was once home to one of Europe’s largest and most inﬂuential Jewish communities - numbering over 60,000 residents at its height. While most of its residents were tragically killed in the Holocaust, they left behind a rich historical legacy, including numerous beautiful synagogues now open for visitors. The greatest concentration of Jewish heritage in Krakow is in the district known as Kazimierz. Originally founded as a separate town from Krakow, Kazimierz grew to become Krakow’s Jewish Quarter, although Christians have also always lived there as well. While most residents today are no longer Jewish, the remaining structures left behind by the Jewish community still indelibly mark the district as Krakow’s Jewish Quarter. Today, the quaint architecture and narrow streets of the district make it a popular locale for social life, and it offers an abundance of cafes, restaurants, and shops. You can also visit the Galacia Jewish museum, which attempts to recreate the distinct Jewish culture that left such a deep mark on southern Poland. If your itinerary does not include it separately, you may also want to ﬁt in a visit to the outstanding Schindler Factory Museum across the river. Krakow is not a “full service” Go Real Europe destination. Itineraries only provide a brief summary of attractions and very basic travel directions in Krakow.

DAY 6 Krakow

September 06, 2015 (Hotel T.B.D.)

Visit to the Schindler’s Factory Museum and the Former Jewish Ghetto Late Afternoon During World War II Oscar Schindler saved the lives of more than 1,100 Jews by employing them in his enamelware factory in Krakow. Until recently still used as a factory, the building now houses one of Europe’s most impressive new museums. It tells not only the story of Schindler and the Jews he protected, but of the wider experience of Krakow during World War II. You will experience the history from the perspective of the persecuted Jewish community in Krakow, as well as from the experience of other residents of Krakow, who also experienced terror and oppression during the war. You will even see some events from the perspective of the German occupiers. Using a combination of images, videos, music and street sounds, interviews, and artifacts, the experience of visiting the museum is both chilling and enlightening. It is a must for those interested in World War II history. Nearby, you can walk the streets of the former Jewish Ghetto, and also see how locals live today in the neighborhood of Podgórze. Just above the neighborhood, the pleasant forested park of Bednarskiego provides a respite from the city, and for those with extra energy, a walk up to the Krakus Mound provides an excellent view of the city. Krakow is not a “full service” Go Real Europe destination. Itineraries only provide a brief summary of attractions and very basic travel directions in Krakow. Entry to the museum is not included.

DAY 7

September 07, 2015

Depart Krakow

Self-Arranged Drop off at Airport by Taxi, Depart Krakow To Be Determined Your hotel will be happy to arrange a taxi pick up for you and can give you an estimate of the price. If you are picked up two hours and 45 minutes prior to departure, you should have plenty of time to catch your ďŹ&#x201A;ight. If you are leaving during rush hour, you may want to budget an extra ten to ďŹ fteen minutes. The Included: Recommended Taxi Company, Information on taking a taxi or train to the airport. Not Included: Cost of the taxi or train fare.