Central Europe Heritage Tour: Warsaw, Krakow, Prague & Budapest

Palace of Culture

The Palace of Culture and Sciences is the building everybody who has visited Warsaw remembers. It has been a bone of contention for fifty years and still evokes extreme emotions. It has 42 floors, consumes as much energy as a town of 30,000, and remains the tallest skyscraper in Poland, even though it was built in the 1950s as a 'gift' from the Soviets to the Polish people. The extensive sightseeing terrace which surrounds the top tower is on the 30th floor and can be reached in just 19 seconds by elevator. Entry to the Palace is via its eastern side on Marszałkowska St.  You can get a feel for 'socialist realist' architecture and Communist-era "luxury for the people" by visiting the cavernous interior on a guided tour to see the opulent Gagarin Hall and the famous Congress Hall where the Rolling Stones and other big stars have performed. Apart from serving as an office complex, the Palace also contains a number of cafes and bars, multiplex cinema with eight screens, four theatres, two museums (the Museum of Evolution and the Museum of Technology), bookshops, a large swimming pool, the aforementioned Congress Hall with seating capacity for 3,000 people, and an accredited university, Collegium Civitas.  Directly across the road from the Palace, you can find Warsaw's heaviest concentration of restaurants, pubs, bars, and cafes in a number of pedestrian thoroughfares around Chmielna and Nowy Świat Streets.

Hang out with locals in one of Warsaw's best areas for cafes and nightlife.

Chmielna street is a partially pedestrianized street with a great selection of eateries and hostelries. You'll also find restaurants and hangouts in some of the nearby streets, as well as the courtyards and alleyways on either side of Chmielna street.   At the end of Chmielna, you will meet up with Nowy Świat St, which is part of the old Royal Way and was once the favorite place of Polish intellectuals and artists. These days Nowy Świat is a popular student haunt, given that the central campus of Warsaw University is just up the street. This part of Nowy Świat becomes pedestrianised at the weekend and hence becomes party central on Saturday nights.

Palace of Culture

The Palace of Culture and Sciences is the building everybody who has visited Warsaw remembers. It has been a bone of contention for fifty years and still evokes extreme emotions. It has 42 floors, consumes as much energy as a town of 30,000, and remains the tallest skyscraper in Poland, even though it was built in the 1950s as a 'gift' from the Soviets to the Polish people. The extensive sightseeing terrace which surrounds the top tower is on the 30th floor and can be reached in just 19 seconds by elevator. Entry to the Palace is via its eastern side on Marszałkowska St.  You can get a feel for 'socialist realist' architecture and Communist-era "luxury for the people" by visiting the cavernous interior on a guided tour to see the opulent Gagarin Hall and the famous Congress Hall where the Rolling Stones and other big stars have performed. Apart from serving as an office complex, the Palace also contains a number of cafes and bars, multiplex cinema with eight screens, four theatres, two museums (the Museum of Evolution and the Museum of Technology), bookshops, a large swimming pool, the aforementioned Congress Hall with seating capacity for 3,000 people, and an accredited university, Collegium Civitas.  Directly across the road from the Palace, you can find Warsaw's heaviest concentration of restaurants, pubs, bars, and cafes in a number of pedestrian thoroughfares around Chmielna and Nowy Świat Streets.

Hang out with locals in one of Warsaw's best areas for cafes and nightlife.

Chmielna street is a partially pedestrianized street with a great selection of eateries and hostelries. You'll also find restaurants and hangouts in some of the nearby streets, as well as the courtyards and alleyways on either side of Chmielna street.   At the end of Chmielna, you will meet up with Nowy Świat St, which is part of the old Royal Way and was once the favorite place of Polish intellectuals and artists. These days Nowy Świat is a popular student haunt, given that the central campus of Warsaw University is just up the street. This part of Nowy Świat becomes pedestrianised at the weekend and hence becomes party central on Saturday nights.

Jewish Museum

Winner of the 2016 'Oscar' for museum design, the POLIN museum is a brilliant example of the new generation of multi-media narrative history museums, and demonstrates Poland's determination to re-tell its history after decades of suppression under the former Communist regime. Built on a former Jewish Ghetto site in front of the Ghetto Heroes Monument, which memorializes the 1943 uprising within the Warsaw ghetto, the museum's core exhibition occupies more than 4,000 square meters (43,000 sq ft) of space. It consists of eight galleries that document and celebrate the thousand-year history of the Jewish community in Poland – once the largest Jewish community in the world – that was almost entirely obliterated during the Holocaust.  The Holocaust fills only one of the eight galleries, and thus does not overshadow the long and rich history that preceded it. Highlights include early Jewish manuscripts, re-creations of 18th century Jewish town life (including a scale replica of the Gwozdziec synagogue with its colorful painted interior), a religious school and a busy Warsaw street from the early 20th century. All this is done using sound effects and modern projection techniques, vintage photographs and films, histories of Polish-born movements from Hasidism to Zionism, and a vast multimedia network encompassing more than 250 computer terminals. This is a museum full of noise and color; with echoes of centuries of Yiddish chatter and the soulful sounds of klezmer music. No visitor will leave unmoved.

Jewish Museum

Winner of the 2016 'Oscar' for museum design, the POLIN museum is a brilliant example of the new generation of multi-media narrative history museums, and demonstrates Poland's determination to re-tell its history after decades of suppression under the former Communist regime. Built on a former Jewish Ghetto site in front of the Ghetto Heroes Monument, which memorializes the 1943 uprising within the Warsaw ghetto, the museum's core exhibition occupies more than 4,000 square meters (43,000 sq ft) of space. It consists of eight galleries that document and celebrate the thousand-year history of the Jewish community in Poland – once the largest Jewish community in the world – that was almost entirely obliterated during the Holocaust.  The Holocaust fills only one of the eight galleries, and thus does not overshadow the long and rich history that preceded it. Highlights include early Jewish manuscripts, re-creations of 18th century Jewish town life (including a scale replica of the Gwozdziec synagogue with its colorful painted interior), a religious school and a busy Warsaw street from the early 20th century. All this is done using sound effects and modern projection techniques, vintage photographs and films, histories of Polish-born movements from Hasidism to Zionism, and a vast multimedia network encompassing more than 250 computer terminals. This is a museum full of noise and color; with echoes of centuries of Yiddish chatter and the soulful sounds of klezmer music. No visitor will leave unmoved.

Jewish Museum

Winner of the 2016 'Oscar' for museum design, the POLIN museum is a brilliant example of the new generation of multi-media narrative history museums, and demonstrates Poland's determination to re-tell its history after decades of suppression under the former Communist regime. Built on a former Jewish Ghetto site in front of the Ghetto Heroes Monument, which memorializes the 1943 uprising within the Warsaw ghetto, the museum's core exhibition occupies more than 4,000 square meters (43,000 sq ft) of space. It consists of eight galleries that document and celebrate the thousand-year history of the Jewish community in Poland – once the largest Jewish community in the world – that was almost entirely obliterated during the Holocaust.  The Holocaust fills only one of the eight galleries, and thus does not overshadow the long and rich history that preceded it. Highlights include early Jewish manuscripts, re-creations of 18th century Jewish town life (including a scale replica of the Gwozdziec synagogue with its colorful painted interior), a religious school and a busy Warsaw street from the early 20th century. All this is done using sound effects and modern projection techniques, vintage photographs and films, histories of Polish-born movements from Hasidism to Zionism, and a vast multimedia network encompassing more than 250 computer terminals. This is a museum full of noise and color; with echoes of centuries of Yiddish chatter and the soulful sounds of klezmer music. No visitor will leave unmoved.

Jewish Museum

Winner of the 2016 'Oscar' for museum design, the POLIN museum is a brilliant example of the new generation of multi-media narrative history museums, and demonstrates Poland's determination to re-tell its history after decades of suppression under the former Communist regime. Built on a former Jewish Ghetto site in front of the Ghetto Heroes Monument, which memorializes the 1943 uprising within the Warsaw ghetto, the museum's core exhibition occupies more than 4,000 square meters (43,000 sq ft) of space. It consists of eight galleries that document and celebrate the thousand-year history of the Jewish community in Poland – once the largest Jewish community in the world – that was almost entirely obliterated during the Holocaust.  The Holocaust fills only one of the eight galleries, and thus does not overshadow the long and rich history that preceded it. Highlights include early Jewish manuscripts, re-creations of 18th century Jewish town life (including a scale replica of the Gwozdziec synagogue with its colorful painted interior), a religious school and a busy Warsaw street from the early 20th century. All this is done using sound effects and modern projection techniques, vintage photographs and films, histories of Polish-born movements from Hasidism to Zionism, and a vast multimedia network encompassing more than 250 computer terminals. This is a museum full of noise and color; with echoes of centuries of Yiddish chatter and the soulful sounds of klezmer music. No visitor will leave unmoved.

Take a roof-top stroll above the university library to experience a unique garden and great views.

Those interested in modern architecture and/or modern gardening will want to see the very ecologically friendly university library and one of the biggest roof gardens in Europe. The garden is nestled within lunar architecture with beautiful views of the center of Warsaw, the Vistula and of Praga – the district on the other side of the river. The garden is intersected with bridges and pathways that make it a pleasure to explore. Access to the roof is via the lower garden on the left side of the building when facing the river.

Keep the whole family entertained at this innovative and hands-on science museum.

The Copernicus Science Centre and Planetarium are located directly on the banks of the Vistula river. It has great hands-on science exhibits for young and old alike. With over 450 different exhibits, you can carry out experiments and discover the laws of science in a fun and interactive way.

Relax for a little while in the idyllic green campus of the University of Warsaw.

Pass through the University's main gates on the Royal Way, and you can relax within a leafy sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle of the city and discover the 17th-century Kazimierzowski Palace that is now home to the Rector's Office. Unlike many European universities, whose buildings are often scattered throughout hte city in seemingly random fashion, you'll find that this university area very much resembles an American university campus.

Royal Way

Like Madrid's Gran Via or Paris's Champs Elysees, Warsaw has its own grand avenue - Krakowskie Przedmieście - not as easily pronounceable as its western cousins, to be sure, but with all the sweep of a historic thoroughfare. Together with another busier avenue - Nowy Świat - it forms the basis of what was once known as the Royal Way along which Polish and visiting kings and queens would proceed on their way to or from the Royal Castle. For centuries the nobility built palaces along this route, and these were faithfully rebuilt after the war. A fine example of Warsaw's palaces is the Ostrogski, which now houses a museum devoted to Poland's greatest composer Frederyk Chopin. Speaking of Chopin, be sure to the inspect the black Chopin benches that line the Royal Way and that feature a button which when pressed unleashes a thirty-second torrent of Chopin. You'll also find beautiful churches, grand hotels, and monuments on the route, including a statue of Poland's greatest poet, Adam Mickiewicz, as well of the great Polish astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus. The entrance to the green campus of Warsaw University is also located on the Royal Way, and just beyond it you'll find a more modern side of Warsaw on the banks for the Vistula River. If you are interested in modern architecture, you will want to see the very ecologically friendly university library and one of the biggest roof gardens in Europe. And families and science lovers will certainly want to check out the Copernicus Science Center.

Take an interactive voyage into the life and music of Poland's greatest composer.

Music lovers will not want to miss the Chopin Museum housed in the 17th century Ostrogskich Palace on Okólnik Street. The exhibits cover the life and work of the great Polish composer in significant detail, including many interactive displays. The sound booths in the basement area are particularly good, as you can listen to the music and learn the backstory of each piece. There's also a good souvenir shop in the neighboring building, and if you are lucky, there will even be a live concert or rehearsal in the museum during your visit.

Watch the changing of the guards at Warsaw's Presidential Palace.

Originally built in 1643 as an aristocratic mansion, this palace is now the official residence of the Polish president, but it has a long history of hosting important events. In 1791, it hosted the drafters of Poland's original constitution, which was also Europe's first constitution. It's also where the Warsaw Pact was signed in 1955 and the 'Round Table' talks between the Communist government and the Solidarity-led opposition took place in 1989.  In 1995, the Palace gained a new tenant in the person of Lech Wałęsa, signalling its new status as Presidential Palace. You'll see plaques and flowers out front marking the death of President Lech Kaczyński in 2010 in a plane crash in Russian Smolensk. If you stick around you'll be treated to a rather intricate changing of the guard featuring spik and span representatives from all three military services led by officers in their highly distinctive Rogatywka - the asymmetrical, peaked, four-pointed cap used by the Polish military throughout the ages. The changing of the guard takes place on the hour from midday to 5 pm on weekdays, with the most impressive change at midday.

Take home something special from a vast market hall built in the 14th century, which is surrounded by arcaded passageways and topped with rows of gargoyles.

The covered market continues a centuries-old tradition with an eclectic range of goods of sale – you might be most interested in the amber jewelry or the handicraft items from the Podhale region. On the upper floor, you will find the 19th Century Polish Art Museum which features truly beautiful and under-appreciated artwork that packs a mighty patriotic punch.

Krakow Guided Walk

On this three-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. 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.

Guided bus trip to Auschwitz Concentration Camp

There is no shortage of cruelty and evil to be found in human history, but the Holocaust stands out as perhaps the greatest of these evils, in both scale and conception. The Holocaust's most significant historical sites, the concentration camp of Auschwitz and its auxiliary camp of Birkenau, are located a little over an hour from Krakow.   Important Note About Potential Cancellation  Please note that the cost of this tour is non-refundable. If for whatever reason you need to cancel this tour after the tickets have already been purchased we will be unable to return the cost.

Guided bus trip to Auschwitz Concentration Camp

There is no shortage of cruelty and evil to be found in human history, but the Holocaust stands out as perhaps the greatest of these evils, in both scale and conception. The Holocaust's most significant historical sites, the concentration camp of Auschwitz and its auxiliary camp of Birkenau, are located a little over an hour from Krakow.   Important Note About Potential Cancellation  Please note that the cost of this tour is non-refundable. If for whatever reason you need to cancel this tour after the tickets have already been purchased we will be unable to return the cost.

Guided bus trip to Auschwitz Concentration Camp

There is no shortage of cruelty and evil to be found in human history, but the Holocaust stands out as perhaps the greatest of these evils, in both scale and conception. The Holocaust's most significant historical sites, the concentration camp of Auschwitz and its auxiliary camp of Birkenau, are located a little over an hour from Krakow.   Important Note About Potential Cancellation  Please note that the cost of this tour is non-refundable. If for whatever reason you need to cancel this tour after the tickets have already been purchased we will be unable to return the cost.

Guided bus trip to Auschwitz Concentration Camp

There is no shortage of cruelty and evil to be found in human history, but the Holocaust stands out as perhaps the greatest of these evils, in both scale and conception. The Holocaust's most significant historical sites, the concentration camp of Auschwitz and its auxiliary camp of Birkenau, are located a little over an hour from Krakow.   Important Note About Potential Cancellation  Please note that the cost of this tour is non-refundable. If for whatever reason you need to cancel this tour after the tickets have already been purchased we will be unable to return the cost.

Schindler's Factory Museum

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.

Wander the streets of the former Jewish Ghetto.

Podgórze is the neighborhood where the Krakow Jewish Ghetto was located. At the beginning of the war, only about 3,000 people lived in the district, but over 15,000 Jews were forcibly moved there and surrounded by tall walls and guarded gates. In 1942-3 the ghetto was "liquidated", with residents sent to either labor camps or extermination camps, or simply murdered in the streets. A couple small sections of the wall and a memorial of empty chairs (each chair representing a 1,000 victims) on the ghetto square are among the very few remaining physical reminders of the ghetto. On the corner of the square, you can also visit the small museum of the Apteka pod Orlem (Pharmacy under the Eagle), which was the only pharmacy allowed to operate in the ghetto. The Polish Catholic owner requested permission to operate within the ghetto and provided medical supplies to residents, often for free. Both he and Oscar Schindler were honored by Israel as "Righteous Among the Nations".

Schindler's Factory Museum

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.

Wander the streets of the former Jewish Ghetto.

Podgórze is the neighborhood where the Krakow Jewish Ghetto was located. At the beginning of the war, only about 3,000 people lived in the district, but over 15,000 Jews were forcibly moved there and surrounded by tall walls and guarded gates. In 1942-3 the ghetto was "liquidated", with residents sent to either labor camps or extermination camps, or simply murdered in the streets. A couple small sections of the wall and a memorial of empty chairs (each chair representing a 1,000 victims) on the ghetto square are among the very few remaining physical reminders of the ghetto. On the corner of the square, you can also visit the small museum of the Apteka pod Orlem (Pharmacy under the Eagle), which was the only pharmacy allowed to operate in the ghetto. The Polish Catholic owner requested permission to operate within the ghetto and provided medical supplies to residents, often for free. Both he and Oscar Schindler were honored by Israel as "Righteous Among the Nations".

Cross the river dividing Prague's most historic neighborhoods, and experience one of Europe's most iconic landmarks.

Bridge construction began in 1357 under King Charles IV (hence the name), and it was the only bridge across the Vltava River until 1841. 30 baroque statues of saints line the bridge, and it is filled with street artists and entertainers. Not to be missed.

See a historic wall that has been covered in John Lennon-inspired graffiti since Communist days.

The wall has been covered in graffiti since the 1960s, and during Communism anti-regime sentiment was common. John Lennon's assassination inspired grafitti reflecting his song, Imagine, which earned the wall its current moniker. It is now a favorite gathering place for tourists, and musicians sometimes congregate there as well. Just around the corner is the Maltese Square, which is one of Prague's more quaint and relaxed public spaces, despite being just off the main tourist route.

Royal Route Guided Tour

On this charming guided walk, you will explore the Prague Castle, the largest castle complex in all of Europe. To reach the castle you will trace the Royal Coronation Route and cross the Charles Bridge, whose “speaking stones” reveal the amazing and often cruel history that occurred there. Your tour guide will then take you either through the castle courtyards and into the dramatic St. Vitus Cathedral in the center of the castle complex, or through the upper part of the castle district around the oversized palaces of the old Catholic nobility and the top of the Castle Steps for incomparable views over the red rooftops of the Little Quarter.

Prague Castle is one of the main attractions in Prague and is also the largest castle complex in the world.

The Prague Castle is the largest castle complex in the world with structures dating back to the 9th century. The St Vitus Cathedral and Basilica of St George can be found within the castle walls. The Prague Castle also includes several gardens, palaces, and a monastery. This castle was the seat of power for the Kings of Bohemia, Holy Roman Emperors, and presidents of former Czechoslovakia. Prague Castle is a UNESCO world heritage site and is one of the most visited places in the country.

Discover the synagogue considered by many to be Prague's most beautiful.

Completed in 1868, the Spanish Synagogue is the newest synagogue in Prague's Jewish Quarter, but happens to be built on the site of the former Oldest Synagogue in Prague. It is built in a stunning Spanish Moorish style as a symbol of the flowering of the Jewish culture which occurred under Muslim rule on the Iberian Peninsula.

See the oldest surviving synagogue in Europe and also one of Prague's earliest Gothic buildings.

When built it was Prague’s newest synagogue, but over time became its oldest – hence the “Old-New”. A beautiful ark holds the Torah and legend says its attic is the hiding place of the legendary clay Golem.

Guided Jewish Museum Walk

During this 3 hour guided walk through the former Jewish Ghetto, the tragic fate of Prague's Jewish community will come alive as you learn about the important milestones in its history: the first settlement, the Pogroms, the horror of World War II. You will also experience the rich culture that Prague's Jews created. You will enter the synagogues and walk through the Old Jewish Cemetery, and learn how the Jews of Prague maintained their faith and lived their daily lives amidst a sometimes hostile surrounding population.

Take an unforgettable visit to one of Europe's largest medieval Jewish cemeteries.

As the Jewish Ghetto was quite cramped, there was no room to expand the cemetery. Unable to acquire further land, and not wishing to dishonor ancestors through the demolition of existing graves, Prague's Jews buried their loved ones in multiple levels. Gravestones are packed in tightly and in some areas the burials reach 12 layers!

Terezín Concentration Camp

The former Terezín Concentration Camp is where the Nazis created a model “Jewish Town” intended to fool the Red Cross and other observers into thinking that the Jews in Europe were being humanely treated. While the ruse worked, the reality, of course, was that almost all of the Jews located in Terezín were killed, either in Terezín or later in Auschwitz. You can visit the ghetto museum, barracks, and prison, and see exhibitions of music, artworks, literature, and a theater, all created by the prisoners themselves.

Respectfully visit a graveyard containing over 2,300 victims of the Holocaust.

The cemetery was created after the end of the war to hold the remains exhumed from the mass graves. Many were executed or died from disease and exhaustion caused by forced labor and poor conditions. The Nazi response was to simply bury them in mass graves, and survivors wanted a proper cemetery to treat the dead with respect and act as a memorial.

Terezín Concentration Camp

The former Terezín Concentration Camp is where the Nazis created a model “Jewish Town” intended to fool the Red Cross and other observers into thinking that the Jews in Europe were being humanely treated. While the ruse worked, the reality, of course, was that almost all of the Jews located in Terezín were killed, either in Terezín or later in Auschwitz. You can visit the ghetto museum, barracks, and prison, and see exhibitions of music, artworks, literature, and a theater, all created by the prisoners themselves.

Respectfully visit a graveyard containing over 2,300 victims of the Holocaust.

The cemetery was created after the end of the war to hold the remains exhumed from the mass graves. Many were executed or died from disease and exhaustion caused by forced labor and poor conditions. The Nazi response was to simply bury them in mass graves, and survivors wanted a proper cemetery to treat the dead with respect and act as a memorial.

Wander in a graveyard where many prominent Czechs are buried, such as famed composers Dvořák & Smětana.

The cemetery is filled with many tombs which are works of art in themselves, including several arcades with beautiful art-nouveau frescoes. The monumental Slavin tomb is a sort of pantheon of the Czech people, with over 55 prominent persons buried within it. Dvořák and Smětana have their own more modest graves.

Enjoy stunning city views from atop the fortress walls.

Prague Castle and most of the city can be seen from above the cavernous Gorlice Hall. A walk along the fortress walls is a delightful experience, as you will enjoy numerous excellent vantage points on all sides of the fortress, enjoying Prague from a different perspective without all the crowds.

Vyšehrad Fortress

The castle of Vyšehrad was the seat of Bohemia's kings from the 11th to the 12th centuries. Due to its strategic position on a hill overlooking the Vltava River and Prague, it became an important army garrison in the 17th century, and it was transformed into a fortress with huge walls, gates, and ramparts. Walking along these ramparts will offer you wonderful views of the city and river. The interior of the fortress is now given over to a pleasant and quiet park which is a favorite of locals.

Venture within the fortress's massive 17th-century walls and gates.

A tour through the Brick Gate on the fortress's north side will take you through the narrow underground passageways and casemates of the fortress. You will see a historical exhibit on Vyšehrad as well as the underground Gorlice Hall, where the original statues from the Charles Bridge are stored for safe-keeping (many of the statues on the bridge are copies).

Private Transfer to Hotel

Upon your arrival in Budapest, 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.  IMPORTANT NOTE:  Please be aware the car service can fit up to 1 checked item of luggage and 1 personal item per person, such as a purse or small backpack. If you think you will have more baggage, please inform your travel consultant as this may result in an additional fee.

Private Transfer to Hotel

Upon your arrival in Budapest, 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.  IMPORTANT NOTE:  Please be aware the car service can fit up to 1 checked item of luggage and 1 personal item per person, such as a purse or small backpack. If you think you will have more baggage, please inform your travel consultant as this may result in an additional fee.

Private Transfer to Hotel

Upon your arrival in Budapest, 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.  IMPORTANT NOTE:  Please be aware the car service can fit up to 1 checked item of luggage and 1 personal item per person, such as a purse or small backpack. If you think you will have more baggage, please inform your travel consultant as this may result in an additional fee.

Private Transfer to Hotel

Upon your arrival in Budapest, 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.  IMPORTANT NOTE:  Please be aware the car service can fit up to 1 checked item of luggage and 1 personal item per person, such as a purse or small backpack. If you think you will have more baggage, please inform your travel consultant as this may result in an additional fee.

Budapest Jewish Quarter Walking Tour

Budapest was once the site of one of Europe's largest and most vibrant Jewish communities and contains the world's second largest synagogue. On this tour, you will explore the contrasting legacies of Jewish achievement and tragedy in Budapest. You will not only visit sites recalling past glories, such as the impressive Great Synagogue, but you will also visit poignant sites such as the riverbank where empty shoes are left as a heartbreaking remembrance of the Jewish families who were machine-gunned into the Danube during World War II.

Learn about the Holocaust in a former synagogue which honors Hungarian Jews killed in WWII.

The refurbished 1920s synagogue now serves as a museum and memorial for Hungarian Jewish victims of the Holocaust. It also functions as a documentation center. Note, it is actually not located in the Jewish Quarter, which is in Budapest's 7th District, but the nearby 9th District.

Budapest Jewish Quarter Walking Tour

Budapest was once the site of one of Europe's largest and most vibrant Jewish communities and contains the world's second largest synagogue. On this tour, you will explore the contrasting legacies of Jewish achievement and tragedy in Budapest. You will not only visit sites recalling past glories, such as the impressive Great Synagogue, but you will also visit poignant sites such as the riverbank where empty shoes are left as a heartbreaking remembrance of the Jewish families who were machine-gunned into the Danube during World War II.

Learn about the Holocaust in a former synagogue which honors Hungarian Jews killed in WWII.

The refurbished 1920s synagogue now serves as a museum and memorial for Hungarian Jewish victims of the Holocaust. It also functions as a documentation center. Note, it is actually not located in the Jewish Quarter, which is in Budapest's 7th District, but the nearby 9th District.

Guided WWII Terror Walking Tour

On this tour, your guide will uncover the history hidden by the passage of time and progress. You will hear the stories of war and repression, and learn how the past still affects the present day reality. You will also discover how people lived their daily lives under Communist rule from a first-hand perspective. The tour concludes with a visit to the superb Terror Museum.

Experience a chilling museum documenting the terrors of Fascism & Communism in Hungary .

This somber and foreboding interactive museum tells the tragic story of Hungary's totalitarian experiences under Fascism and Communism. It is located in the headquarters building of the Arrow Cross Party (Hungarian fascists), and later the Communist secret police after WWII. Hear stories of those who suffered as well as their oppressors, and wander the dank cells where victims were tortured and interrogated.

Guided WWII Terror Walking Tour

On this tour, your guide will uncover the history hidden by the passage of time and progress. You will hear the stories of war and repression, and learn how the past still affects the present day reality. You will also discover how people lived their daily lives under Communist rule from a first-hand perspective. The tour concludes with a visit to the superb Terror Museum.

Experience a chilling museum documenting the terrors of Fascism & Communism in Hungary .

This somber and foreboding interactive museum tells the tragic story of Hungary's totalitarian experiences under Fascism and Communism. It is located in the headquarters building of the Arrow Cross Party (Hungarian fascists), and later the Communist secret police after WWII. Hear stories of those who suffered as well as their oppressors, and wander the dank cells where victims were tortured and interrogated.

Taxi Transfer to Airport

Budapest has one main airport, Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport, where almost all visitors depart. Your hotel can arrange a reliable taxi (there is no Uber in Budapest). You can also arrange a private transfer. If you are picked up about two hours and forty-five minutes before your departure time, you should arrive at the airport with about two hours to spare, depending on traffic. If you are leaving during rush hour, you may want to budget an extra fifteen to thirty minutes.

Taxi Transfer to Airport

Budapest has one main airport, Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport, where almost all visitors depart. Your hotel can arrange a reliable taxi (there is no Uber in Budapest). You can also arrange a private transfer. If you are picked up about two hours and forty-five minutes before your departure time, you should arrive at the airport with about two hours to spare, depending on traffic. If you are leaving during rush hour, you may want to budget an extra fifteen to thirty minutes.

Taxi Transfer to Airport

Budapest has one main airport, Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport, where almost all visitors depart. Your hotel can arrange a reliable taxi (there is no Uber in Budapest). You can also arrange a private transfer. If you are picked up about two hours and forty-five minutes before your departure time, you should arrive at the airport with about two hours to spare, depending on traffic. If you are leaving during rush hour, you may want to budget an extra fifteen to thirty minutes.

Taxi Transfer to Airport

Budapest has one main airport, Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport, where almost all visitors depart. Your hotel can arrange a reliable taxi (there is no Uber in Budapest). You can also arrange a private transfer. If you are picked up about two hours and forty-five minutes before your departure time, you should arrive at the airport with about two hours to spare, depending on traffic. If you are leaving during rush hour, you may want to budget an extra fifteen to thirty minutes.