Great Central Europe and Hallstatt Tour
ALL CITY TOURS INCLUDED!!!
“From Vienna to Hallstatt, from Prague to Budapest: Europe’s Most Beautiful Story”
Bulgaria – Serbia – Hungary – Slovakia - Czech Republic – Austria
Belgrade – Szeged – Parndorf Designer Outlet – Vienna – Hallstatt – Cesky Krumlov – Prague – Bratislava – Esztergom – Visegrad – Szentendre – Budapest – Belgrade – Sofia
Travel Dates :
January 18 / March 15 / April 19 / May 17 / May 23 / May 24 / June 7 / June 14 / June 21 / June 28 / July 5 / July 12 / July 19 / July 26 / August 2 / August 9 / August 16 / August 23 / August 30 / September 13 / September 27 / October 11 / October 25 / November 8
Special Days:
January semester break: January 18
Eid al-Fitr and April Semester Break: 19 April
National Sovereignty and Children's Day (April 23): 19 April
May 19 Atatürk Memorial, Youth and Sports Day: 17 May
Eid al-Adha: May 23 / May 24
July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day: July 12
Republic Day: October 25
November Semester Break: November 8
Day 1 Ankara – Belgrade
Our tour begins at 12:00 from the National Library Front; at 12:30 from Ümitköy Bridge; and at 13:00 from Eryaman Optimum with our departure. After a coffee and shopping break in Edirne, we complete our passport and customs procedures at Kapıkule border gate and then pass into Bulgaria. We follow the route Svilengrad – Plovdiv – Sofia to Belgrade.
Day 2 Belgrade - Subotica
Arriving in Belgrade in the afternoon, we begin our panoramic city tour. We start the city tour on the most elegant street, Knez Mihailova. Then we visit Belgrade Fortress, one of the oldest cities in Europe, which was the site of the conquest of Mehmed the Conqueror but was handed over to Suleiman the Magnificent. Inside the fortress, we see the Key Money Monument, French Monument, Istanbul Gate, Military Museum, Damat Ali Pasha Tomb, Sokollu Fountain, and the terrace with the best view of the convergence of the Danube and Sava rivers. We end our tour here, then have free time. Afterwards, transfer to our hotel for accommodation. Night in Novi Sad, Subotica, or surrounding hotels. Breakfast in the morning:
2. Day Breakfast:
It will be purchased extra at the rest stops on the road.
Lunch: In Belgrade city center with free time, will be purchased extra.
Dinner: During free time, will be purchased extra.
Route: Istanbul-Belgrade (940 km), Belgrade – Subotica (188 km)
3. Day Subotica – Szeged – Parndorf Designer Outlet – Vienna
After breakfast at our hotel, we head to Szeged, Hungary's third largest city, located on the southern border of the country. Szeged is also called 'City of Sunshine'.The Tisza River gives life to the city and has also caused devastating floods like the 1879 disaster. Szeged, probably visited by Attila the Hun, served as a district center for the Budin and Eger provinces during the Ottoman period, under the name Segedin. During our panoramic tour, we see the Votive Church and City Square, then enjoy free time. Afterward, we move to Parndorf Outlet, famous for brand name shopping. After the outlet tour, transfer to our hotel. Those interested can join the guide-organized Vienna Concert activity in the evening (€65). Since Vienna is the capital of classical music, we have the chance to enjoy famous classical concerts in Vienna as an extra.
Breakfast:: Will be served at our hotel and included in the tour fee.
Lunch: Will be extra and can be purchased during free time.
Dinner: Will be extra and can be purchased during free time.
Route: Subotica-Szeged (55 km), Szeged – Parndorf (361 km), Parndorf – Vienna (51 km)
4. Day Vienna – Hallstatt – Wels
After breakfast at our hotel, we leave for a city tour of Vienna. We begin the city tour of Vienna, which includes the Opera House, University, Parliament Building, Theater, Hofburg Palace, and Museums district. After the tour, there will be free time with your guide’s explanations. Then, after free time, we move to Hallstatt, known as Europe's Chinese replica and one of Europe's most beautiful villages. Hallstatt, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, offers a lakeside view during the introduction and short walk. During free time, you can sit on benches by the lake, watch swans, explore charming houses in the alleys, and do shopping at regional stores in the town square. After visiting Hallstatt, we transfer to our hotel in Wels, Linz, or nearby.
Breakfast:: Served at our hotel and included in the tour price.
Lunch: Will be extra and purchased during free time.
Dinner: Will be extra and purchased during free time.
Route: Vienna-Hallstatt (288 km), Hallstatt-Wels (101 km)
5. Day Wels – Cesky Krumlov – Prague
After breakfast at our hotel, we head to Cesky Krumlov, a medieval town, a jewel of the Czech Republic, and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Cesky Krumlov, which was in ruins during the darkest days of communism, revived starting in the 1990s and showcases its beauty to visitors. You will be enchanted by Cesky Krumlov. After a short stop, we proceed to Prague. In Prague, our panoramic city tour includes the Hradcany Castle area, Loreta Church, Presidential Palace, St. Vitus Cathedral, Franz Kafka's house, Charles Bridge (built at the behest of Emperor Charles IV, featuring 31 statues of saints), the Old Town Square, and the Astronomical Clock Tower (built in the 15th century with 12 apostles), and Týn Church. After the city tour, you will have free time. Those interested can join the guide-organized Czech Night event (€65). Enjoy an entertaining night with Czech music and dance at local restaurants, tasting Czech cuisine. Overnight in Prague.
Breakfast:: Included at the hotel and part of the tour.
6. Day Prague – Bratislava - Esztergom – Visegrad – Szentendre – Budapest
After breakfast at our hotel, we proceed to Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia.In our Bratislava city tour, we will see riverside areas, the Jewish Genocide Memorial, St. Martin’s Cathedral, the palace where Mozart played at age 6 and Franz Liszt at age 9, Michael's Tower, the Old Town Square, Napoleon’s Military Museum, and the Slovak National Theatre. After the tour, we visit Esztergom Cathedral and the remains of the Ottoman fortress. Then we visit the imposing Visegrad Castle, which will be viewed panoramically. Following this, we go to the small town of Szentendre, known for handcrafted textiles, crystals, porcelain, souvenirs, and spirits, where you have free time, then move to Budapest. Transfer to our hotel. Night in Budapest.
Breakfast:: Served at our hotel and included in the tour fee.
Lunch: Will be extra during free time.
Dinner: Will be extra during free time.
Route: Prague – Bratislava (328 km), Bratislava – Esztergom (158 km), Esztergom-Szentendre (38 km), Szentendre-Budapest (21 km)
7. Day Budapest – Belgrade
After breakfast at our hotel, we begin our Budapest city tour. The panoramic city tour includes Elisabeth Bridge, Gellért Hill, Fisherman’s Bastion, St. Matthias Cathedral, Chain Bridge, Parliament Building, Heroes’ Square. Those interested can join the tour with a Danube River boat activity (€35). After the tour, there will be free time, then transfer back to the hotel. Night in Belgrade.
Breakfast:: Served at our hotel and included in the tour.
Lunch: Will be extra during free time.
Dinner: Will be extra during free time.
Route: Budapest-Belgrade (380 km)
8. Day Belgrade – Sofia – Ankara
After breakfast, the rooms will be vacated, and then we proceed to Sofia, Bulgaria’s capital. Upon arrival, a panoramic city tour of Sofia will be conducted. Our tour includes St. Nedelya Church, Rotunda Church, Russian Church, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Prime Ministry, Parliament, Sofia University, and Banya Başı Mosque. After the tour, we will proceed for the return journey to Ankara. The journey is expected to arrive late in the next day due to border crossings. Our tour ends here. Hope to see you again on another organization..
Breakfast:: Served at our hotel and included in the price.
Lunch: Will be available in Sofia as free time; extra purchase.
Dinner: Will be during the rest stop along the highway; extra purchase.
Currency : Serbia – Dinar, Bulgaria – Leva
Route: Belgrade- Sofia (390 km), Sofia – Istanbul (550 km)
Total Distance Covered: 940 km
Estimated Entry Time in Istanbul:Approximate 03:00 considering border crossing times