Czech Republic-Slovakia-Hungary

21st August - 19th September 2018(29 nights)pdfdownload

 

 

 





A Trilogy of Central European Countries

This tour is a perfect introduction to three of Central Europe’s most intriguing destinations.

The Czech Republic boasts a wide range of interesting sights – historic towns, castles, monasteries and churches through to breweries, glass works and car factories; and within the tour we’ve included something for everyone. Its capital Prague lays claim to being one of the most beautiful cities in the world and once visited you will understand why. Cuisine and drinks play an important part in the life of the country, with many of the cakes and pastries popular in Central Europe originating from here. The country is also well known for its celebrated beers and excellent Moravian wines and you will have the opportunity to try these as we move through the regions.

Slovakia is smaller than the Czech Republic but boasts the highest number of castles and chateaux per capita in the world, ranging from simple ruins to well preserved furnished castles. There are also numerous historical cities and towns all across Slovakia. In Bratislava, its capital, we find a beautifully restored centre full of Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance churches, houses and palaces, cobblestone streets, fountains, pleasant pavement cafes and a lively cosmopolitan atmosphere; our guided tour here will ensure you see all the very best parts.

In Hungary look forward to the hospitality of the Hungarian people and seeing the country’s remarkable and varied architecture including the fabulous Festetics Palace that took over a century to build. You’ll marvel at the horsemanship of the Hungarian riders at the Tanyacsarda Ranch complex and later relax in the thermal waters and spas of Cegled. We visit Hungary’s capital Budapest and experience the many cultural influences of the country’s turbulent past. As the finale to the tour there is an evening cruise on the famous Danube River, taking you past many of Budapest’s most beautiful buildings richly illuminated against an evening sky as we enjoy our farewell dinner on board.

Val & Phil Steel – Czech Republic, Slovakia & Hungary – September 2018
‘What a Tour for First Timers. Alan & Chris’ knowledge of the areas was fantastic and on our own we would never have seen and done so many wonderful things. Thanks for everything and bring on the next tour’ 

David & Jo Radford – Czech Republic, Slovakia & Hungary – September 2018
‘A well researched trip. We enjoyed seeing and doing things that would not be easy (if at all) to organise yourself.  Action packed but with time to relax too.  Alan & Chris made everything work with good humour and a wealth of experience’ 

Czech - Slovakia - Hungary Tour Map

Day One – Tuesday 21st August
Our tour starts today in Prague and those who have chosen to travel independently (see below for optional travel from UK with Tour Directors package) should aim to arrive for mid-afternoon. This evening we get together at the Tour Directors motorhome for introductions and a short tour briefing before making our way to the campsite’s excellent restaurant for a group dinner and our first taste of Czech food.

Day Two – Wednesday 22nd August
We will be met at the campsite this morning by our guide and taken into Prague for a tour of this beautiful city. During our tour we will see the most popular and historic places including the famous Castle and the Old Town Hall. We break for lunch in a typical Prague restaurant before continuing our sightseeing throughout the afternoon.

Day Three – Thursday 23rd August
Our excursion today will be to the Skoda Factory and Car Museum in Mlada Boleslav, a short distance from Prague. We have arranged a guided tour of both the museum and factory before we move to a local Brewery for lunch followed by a tour and tasting of their beers.

Day Four – Friday 24th August
A free day – There are good public transport links between the campsite and Prague so you may choose to visit the city again or stay on-site and relax.

Day Five – Saturday 25th August
We have an excursion to a Bohemian Crystal Glassworks today and the beautiful Karlestejn Castle. The Czech Republic produces some of the finest cut crystal glassware in the world and during our tour we will see the processes and learn something of its history. Moving on to Karlestejn, this large Gothic Castle was founded in 1348 as a place of safe-keeping for the Royal Treasures and today remains an imposing sight on the hillside. Before our visit to the castle we have a typical regional lunch in a local restaurant.

Day Six – Sunday 26th August
Drive to our next campsite at Ceske Budejovice, home of the famous Budweiser Lager, where it is still brewed today. The campsite boasts some excellent facilities including a restaurant and is located just a short stroll from the town. 88 Miles

Day Seven – Monday 27th August
A free day – You can walk into town and perhaps visit the brewery or just enjoy the atmosphere around the main square. This evening we have a group dinner, accompanied by Budweiser Beer or Wine, in the campsite restaurant.

Day Eight – Tuesday 28th August
This morning we are taken to the fascinating town of Cesky Krumlov. The Old Town and Castle date from between the 14th and 17th centuries and are primarily in the Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles. We will tour the castle gardens with its unique “Revolving Theatre” before descending into the town through the castle complex. After our tour there will be free time for more sightseeing, shopping and to make your own lunch arrangements. Mid-afternoon we regroup for the onward journey to Zlata Koruna and its ancient Abbey where we will have a guided tour before being returned to the campsite.

Day Nine – Wednesday 29th August
We move on to our next campsite not far from the city of Brno. There are good transport links by bus, train and boat into the city. 129 Miles

Day Ten – Thursday 30th August
We have an excursion to the famous Moravian Karst Caves. This is a huge network of caves cut into the limestone by subterranean rivers. After our tour of the caves we have a group lunch before continuing the sightseeing journey around the region.

Day Eleven – Friday 31st August
Today is a free day and it is possible to take a bus and train, or a boat from the jetty about 100m from the campsite into the Old Town of Brno for a days’ sightseeing.

Day Twelve – Saturday 1st September
We leave the Czech Republic and travel into Slovakia, our destination is its capital Bratislava. 104 Miles

Day Thirteen – Sunday 2nd September
Our day is spent in the city of Bratislava and with the help of our guide we will learn about the Country and its most important city. We will have a typical lunch in a city restaurant.

Day Fourteen – Monday 3rd September
A free day – You could re-visit the town and expand a little more on what you saw yesterday or just take it easy around the campsite.

Day Fifteen – Tuesday 4th September
We leave Slovakia and make our way to our first campsite in Hungary in the lovely town of Keszthely, on the west side of Lake Balaton. The campsite is located within easy walking distance of the town and just a few hundred meters from the lake, and has its own swimming pool. 135 Miles

Day Sixteen – Wednesday 5th September
This morning we travel the short distance into town and to the famous Festetics Palace. The Palace is one of the largest Stately Mansions in Hungary and one of the few to have escaped damage during World War II. We will have a guided tour of the Palace and Coach House followed by free time which will enable you to explore more of the other exhibitions (entry fee payable locally). After leaving the Palace take a stroll through town to some of its museums and shops before returning the short distance to the campsite.

Day Seventeen – Thursday 6th September
Today is a free day. You could stroll down to the lakeside or if you have a bicycle you could explore a bit further afield using the lakeside cycle way. This evening we are taken to the famous Esterhazy Wine Cellar for a tour and a tastings, followed by a traditional Hungarian Buffet accompanied of course by some of the cellar’s own wines.

Day Eighteen – Friday 7th September
We travel today to the Tanycsarda Ranch for one of the highlights of the tour. We will be staying on the ranch’s own private camping area and you should aim to arrive in good time to be welcomed with Cocktails and Cracked Scones. We have a little time to relax/have a look around before making our way to the ranch’s dining area for the “Kings Feast” accompanied by live “Gypsy Music”. After our meal we move to the display arena for a spectacular show of horsemanship, following which it is no more than a short stroll back to our motorhomes for the night. 158 Miles

Day Nineteen – Saturday 8th September
No need to get up early this morning to prepare breakfast as you’ll be treated to a traditional “Hungarian Buffet Breakfast” in the Ranch. After breakfast we are taken on a tour of the surrounding Puszta (Plains) in horse-drawn carriages. The rest of the day is free for you to visit the stables and enjoy the facilities.

Day Twenty – Sunday 9th September
This morning we leave the ranch for a short drive to our next campsite at the Thermal Spa of Cegled. During our time here we have included entry into the Spas for you. Additionally a variety of massages and special treatments are available to purchase (payable locally). 22 Miles

Day Twenty-one – Monday 10th September
A free day giving you time to relax and enjoy the Spas.

Day Twenty-two – Tuesday 11th September
We drive to our next campsite at Eger where we stay for 3 nights. The campsite is located close to the center of town in the ‘Valley of the Beautiful Women”. 114 Miles

Day Twenty-three – Wednesday 12th September
This morning the “Little Tourist Train” will collect us from the campsite and take us into town where we have a guided tour of the castle and town centre. The tour will end around lunchtime and you will have free time for lunch, go shopping and explore further before returning to the campsite on foot or by the Little Train. This evening we walk a short distance to a Local Wine Cellar where we will have a Wine Tasting and light Supper, whilst being entertained by a local musician.

Day Twenty-four – Thursday 13th September
A free day – why not stroll down into the “Valley” and visit some of the numerous Wine Cellars and sample the local wines including the famous “Bulls Blood”. This evening we have a group meal in a local restaurant.

Day Twenty-five – Friday 14th September
Today we move to Budapest, the capital of Hungary. Our campsite is conveniently located for public transport which for the over 60’s is all free within the city. 87 Miles 

Day Twenty-six – Saturday 15th September
A full day guided tour of this fascinating city. Our guide will explain the history of the city and we will visit many of the most significant landmarks and monuments including the castle area. During the morning as part of our tour we will be treated to “Coffee and Cake” in the famous “Book Cafe” before continuing our sightseeing. We will have lunch in a local restaurant, followed by free time.

Day Twenty-seven – Sunday 16th September
A free day, make use of the nearby excellent public transport links to re-visit this beautiful city. There are numerous excellent tourist attractions to visit including the imposing Parliament building on the banks of the Danube and the famous “Hospital in the Rock” museum situated in the caverns under Buda castle.

Day Twenty-eight – Monday 17th September
Today our excursion takes us to Godollo and its beautiful Palace. Often referred to as the “Hungarian Versailles” the Palace was the former summer residence of Queen Elisabeth (Sisi) and is the world’s second largest Baroque castle. From Godollo we continue our journey to the “Danube Bend” where we will visit Visigrad with its historic Castle. We will be treated to a traditional lunch in a local restaurant after which we visit Szentendre.

Day Twenty-nine – Tuesday 18th September
A final free day for you to continue exploring Budapest or to simply relax ready for this evening and a wonderful Dinner Cruise on the river Danube. Whilst enjoying dinner sailing through the centre of Budapest we pass many of the cities’s most beautifully buildings richly illuminated against an evening sky.

Day Thirty – Wednesday 19th September
The Tour ends this morning. After saying farewell, if the Tour Directors are returning to Calais you may choose to accompany them (at your own cost) on a route and timing of their choosing, or you may make your own way from here on.

PRICE

Motorhome with 2 people = £0000 per person
Motorhome with 1 person = £0000

DEPOSIT £000

INCLUDED IN PRICE

  • 29 Campsite nights with electric hook-up
  • Transport for Excursions/Events as per the Itinerary
  • Entrance fees on Excursions/Events as per the Itinerary
  • Tour information Pack with suggested routes & GPS co-ordinates
  • Michelin Maps of Czech Republic and Hungary
  • Services of Tour Directors, travelling in their own motorhome

Excursions, Events & Meals

  • Welcome Dinner
  • Guided Tour of Prague, including Lunch
  • Excursion to Skoda Factory & Museum
  • Svijany Brewery Tour, Tasting and Lunch
  • Excursion to Karlestejn Castle & Bohemian Glass Works
  • Karlestejn Restaurant for Lunch
  • Dlouha Louka Camping Restaurant – Dinner
  • Excursion to Ceske Krumlov and Zlata Koruna Abbey
  • Excursion to the Moravian Karst Caves, including Lunch
  • Guided Tour of Bratislava, including Lunch in a City Restaurant
  • Guided Tour of Festetics Palace in Keszthely
  • Evening Visit to the Esterhazy Wine Cellars with Wine Tasting & Buffet
  • Cocktails and Cracked Scones at Tanycsarda Ranch
  • Evening Show of Horsemanship at the Tanycsarda Ranch with “Kings Feast” Dinner and Gypsy Music
  • Hungarian Buffet Breakfast
  • Tour of the Puszta by Horse-Drawn Carriages
  • Unlimited access to the Thermal Spa at Cegled
  • Morning Guided Tour of Eger
  • Evening Wine Tasting with light buffet in Eger
  • Guided Tour of Budapest, including Lunch
  • Morning Coffee and Cake in the famous “Book Café”
  • Guided Excursion to Godollo and the Danube Bend, including Lunch
  • Visigrad Castle visit
  • Evening Farewell Dinner Cruise on the Danube with wine

This tour starts in Prague, but if you would like to travel on the outward journey with the Tour Directors, please book the optional tour package so that everything can be arranged on your behalf

OPTIONAL PACKAGE

  • Return Dover/Calais Ferry with 60-day Flexible Ticket + Club Class Lounge
  • Six additional camping nights with electric hook-up starting in Kent on Wednesday 15th August and followed by Belgium, 3 x Germany and Prague
  • Group Dinner on one evening
  • Tour information pack with suggested routes & GPS co-ordinates
  • Services of Tour Directors travelling in their own motorhome

OPTIONAL PACKAGE PRICE

Motorhome with 2 people = £000 per person
Motorhome with 1 person = £000