Shining a light on both medieval and modern history, the three cities where you will stay on this week-long itinerary also hold contemporary appeals of their own.
Find current takes on traditional cuisine during evenings at leisure in Poland; waltz through gilded Vienna, as if a Habsburg descendant yourself and enjoy musical and architectural delights in Bupapest. With expert guides, explore central Europe's often terrible past, its present and future.
The great and the good have favoured the 16th-century Hotel Copernicus for centuries, including the eponymous Renaissance mathematician and astronomer, Nicholas Copernicus. Behind the hotel's Gothic facade there are only 29 rooms, the finest of which holds wooden ceiling beams from 1370 and 16th-century frescoes. There is a smart blend of historical heritage and modern comfort throughout, with medieval cellars transformed into a swimming pool, sauna and spa.
Overnight: Hotel Copernicus
Your guide will meet you for a half-day tour of the medieval yet cosmopolitan Krakow. Start with the Schindler factory, where an exhibition begins the story of the city under Nazi occupation between 1939 and 1945. Spend a few quiet moments contemplating the Ghetto Square's memorial to the plight of Polish Jews during this era, before visiting landmark synagogues and the awe-inspiring hilltop Wawel Castle.
Overnight: Hotel Copernicus
During the Holocaust, more than a million people were killed at Auschwitz-Birkenau alone. Established in 1940, this network of Nazi concentration camps remains a haunting and poignant commemorative site. A museum spread between its buildings, ruins, original roads, fences, watchtowers and sections of railway will lead you through administrative and prison facilities, gas chambers and crematoriums. Continue to the Wieliczka Salt Mine, where salt has been produced since the Stone Age and mined since the 13th century. Descend 100 metres underground to discover the Chapel of St. Kinga, hewn by miners from the rock itself, as well as ethereal subterranean lakes.
Overnight: Hotel Copernicus
Spend the morning at leisure, perhaps exploring Kraków’s boutiques or monuments, such as the Kościuszko Mound, or winding along the Vistula River that weaves through the city. In the afternoon, take an hour-long flight to Vienna, where you will check in to the Hotel Am Konzerthaus – dotted with Art Nouveau character and over the road from one of the main concert halls, it is a mere 10 minute walk to the Belvedere Palace gardens.
Overnight: Hotel Am Konzerthaus
Vienna is a city of historical and architectural wonders that rewards wandering feet. Explore the Old Town’s secret courtyards with your expert guide this morning, concealed behind the grand façades of townhouses and palaces. Visit the Gothic masterpiece of St. Stephen’s Cathedral, with a spire and vibrant tiled roof that cannot fail to impress.After a break for a bite of Sachertorte – a classic, indulgent Viennese chocolate cake – continue to the stunning imperial palace of the Habsburgs’ rule, now the president’s residence and offices. Explore its majestic apartments and museum dedicated to Sisi, the wife of Emperor Franz Joseph I.This evening, schedules permitting perhaps enjoy a performance by superb white Lipizzan horses at the Spanish Riding School. These stallions train for years before making their classical dressage debut.
Overnight: Hotel Am Konzerthaus
Depart Austria and drive towards Hungary and head straight to the Aria, Budapest, an imaginative boutique hotel that celebrates the capital’s musical heritage. Modern, design-led rooms are spread across four wings dedicated to different genres: classical, opera, jazz or contemporary, with interior flourishes that express something of each style. It may be themed but the Aria’s tone is pitch perfect, and a fantastic rooftop terrace and bar offers views of St. Stephen’s Basilica in every season.
Overnight: Aria Hotel
Cross the capital’s landmark chain bridge to get acquainted with the Buda side of the city this morning, where the royal castle complex has stood since 1265. Your private guide will take you through the centuries of destruction and rebuilding that Budapest has weathered since Mongolian invaders withdrew in 1242. Together you will also encounter the palace where Ludwig van Beethoven once lived, and the remains of a 15th-century synagogue. Finish your tour with a hilltop drive to admire the handsome city below.Spend the afternoon at leisure, perhaps stepping inside incredible 13th-century churches, sailing along the River Danube or simply roaming cobbled streets and wondering at Budapest’s rich Gothic architecture.
Overnight: Aria Hotel
Transfer to the airport for your flight home.
| Low | $ 5,365 |
| Mid | $ 5,808 |
| High | $ 5,983 |
Award-winning travel specialists with expert knowledge and the best contacts in the business.
READ MORE
| £££ | Great quality at competitive prices |
| ££££ | Excellent accommodation at a moderate to higher price level |
| £££££ | The very best in class and priced accordingly |
