Central European Cities

Explore Alexanderplatz, known to locals as simply "Alex", once a cattle market and now Berlin’s bustling central square. Gaze up at the iconic TV Tower, built by East Germany to showcase socialist strength. Nearby, admire the ornate Neptune Fountain and the striking red-brick Rotes Rathaus, Berlin’s historic town hall.

Explore Berlin with a licensed guide and dive into the dramatic story of the Berlin Wall—a concrete barrier that once split a city and reshaped world history. Stand before the Brandenburg Gate, once trapped behind the Wall and now a triumphant symbol of reunification. Trace Cold War secrets, bold escape attempts, and the everyday realities of life in a divided Berlin. Discover how a city once split in two reinvented itself as one of Europe’s most vibrant capitals, blending resilience, creativity, and history at every turn.

Follow the route of the Berlin Wall viewing numerous crosses and wreaths to remind us of the tragedies which occurred after the wall was built in 1961.

Spend time at the Brandenburg Gate, a triumphal arch, which stood in "no man's land" between East and West Berlin during the Cold War and became a symbol of a divided Germany. Enter the Room of Silence, built into one of the guardhouses, where visitors gather to meditate and reflect on Germany's past.

The Topography of Terror in Berlin is a museum and historical site that chronicles the crimes of the Nazi regime, particularly those committed by the Gestapo, SS, and Reich Security Main Office. It offers exhibitions, educational programs, and includes historical remnants like a section of the Berlin Wall to provide a thorough understanding of this period.

Stop in Dresden for a visit to the Baroque-style Zwinger Museum where Bavarian Princes once lived and collected master art works. The museum’s exterior, framed by statues of gods and goddesses, boasts 6 linked pavilions surrounding a vast esplanade embellished with pools and fountains. Tucked safely inside, you’ll find masterpieces such as Raphael’s Sistine Madonna and great works by Van Eyck, Vermeer and Veronese. The grand collection of Meissen (European porcelain) is a flattering ode to fine china.

Explore the massive hallways and high-vaulted rooms of the grand Zwinger Palace in Dresden, which is considered a major landmark for German Baroque architecture. Housed inside this impressive building is a collection of artifacts documenting Dresden’s cultural heritage, including old master paintings and old scientific instruments.

Prague is the capital of the Czech Republic, built on seven hills astride the Vltava River. The beauty of Prague is legendary; Goethe described the city as “the most precious stone in the crown of this world.”. As the former capital of the Holy Roman Empire, the city was built on beauty and decadence from a wide array of architectural styles (including Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Art Nouveau). Wander through the courtyards of Hradcany (Prague Castle) where Europe’s grand ruling family, the Habsburgs, lived and reigned.

Stroll across the stunning Charles Bridge which spans 16 arches and is lined with 30 Baroque statues of religious figures.

Prague Castle in the Hradcany quarter, was named by the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest ancient castle in the world. Prague Castle represents virtually all of the architectural designs of the last millennium and contains several churches, a monastery, gardens as well as multiple museums.

Feel the inspiration for Franz Kafka’s novels as you stroll the medieval streets of the Mala Strana (Little Quarter). Stop in Josefov (Jewish Quarter), to view Europe’s oldest synagogue, dating from 1270.

Explore the Auschwitz I main camp and Auschwitz II-Birkenau on a powerful and sobering guided tour. Discover the permanent exhibition and original buildings at Auschwitz I, then continue to Birkenau to witness key sites including the prisoner barracks, the infamous unloading platform (ramp), and the haunting ruins of gas chamber and crematoria II or III. Learn how over a million people (mostly Jews) were murdered here between 1940 and 1945. Reflect at this UNESCO World Heritage Site, now preserved as a museum and memorial to the victims of the Holocaust. Confront the legacy of racism, anti-Semitism, and hatred that led to such atrocities.

Untouched by bombing during World War II, Krakow has preserved much of its delicate beauty and deep historical character. (UNESCO has even named the entire city one of the 12 most significant historic sites in the world.) Its magnificent, airy castle—built by Sigismund the Old in the style of an Italian villa—once served as the seat of Poland’s royal government. Meanwhile, the Rynek Glówny, medieval Europe’s largest town square, handled the city’s everyday life, and the market stalls and merchants that still gather there continue traditions centuries old.

Explore the Kazimierz Jewish Quarter, the main cultural center of Polish Jewry with its unique Oriental atmosphere. Its soul perished during the traumatic events of the Second World War, but many of the buildings, some still with Yiddish inscriptions, survived. Today, the revival of Jewish life and activity in Kazimierz is visible in the numerous restored buildings, fashionable cafes, and restaurants.

Discover Banska Bystrica, a vibrant city in central Slovakia known for its colorful architecture, mountain backdrop, and rich history. Explore its heart at SNP Square, a wide, elegant plaza lined with pastel-colored buildings, cafés, and landmarks that tell the story of the Slovak National Uprising.

Travel with a licensed guide through Budapest’s winding streets. Admire the 90 statues of Hungarian heroes outside the Neo-Gothic Parliament, then continue to Castle Hill, the historic heart of Buda. Stop at Fisherman’s Bastion behind Matthias Church, where residents once overlooked the fishing settlement, and enjoy views of the church’s brightly painted exterior and multi-colored tin roof, one of Budapest’s most photographed landmarks. Continue on to the Royal Palace, first built in the 13th century, before descending to the crypt and treasury nearby.

Explore Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. Pass through Michael's Gate, the city's last remaining medieval entrance. Discover Hlavne Namestie, the vibrant town square brimming with history and culture. Spot the whimsical Cumil Statue, a playful bronze figure emerging from a manhole.

Follow in the footsteps of the imperial Habsburgs as a local guide brings you to the Hofburg, the family's 2,600-room palace that is now home to the Vienna Boys Choir. View the Belvedere Museum and Palace, St. Stephen's Cathedral, and Stephansdom. End the adventure with a visit to Schönbrunn Palace, where the Habsburg’s ruled until 1918 and six-year-old Mozart serenaded Marie Antoinette.

Stop just outside the city center for a visit to the 1,441-room Schönbrunn Palace, which was designed for the Habsburgs before becoming the imperial summer palace during the 40-year reign of Maria Theresa. It was the scene of great aristocratic events during the Congress of Vienna, including a performance by a 6-year-old Mozart.