Guten tag! Welcome to Munich. Your adventure starts in the Bavarian capital, where you’ll be surrounded by extravagant architecture, storied history and excellent beer. After your complimentary airport transfer, meet up with your group and leader for a welcome meeting at 6 pm. Check into your hotel, settle in and get ready for the next ten days of adventure through central Europe. Tonight, your group will head out to an included welcome dinner at Klinglwirt – Munich's first organic tavern. This is the perfect opportunity to get to know your fellow travellers, while enjoying traditional Bavarian cuisine made of 85% organic ingredients. Head back to your hotel for the evening or ask your leader for the best place for a stein.

Waking up in Munich this morning, grab breakfast with your group before heading out for the day. Today, your leader will take you on a walking tour of this beautiful city, taking you through some of the best bits of Munich and giving you the perfect starting point to explore on your own. Make sure you visit Munich’s Old Town. In the medieval city centre, you’ll find the Altes Rathaus and the neo-Gothic Neues Rathaus with its sooty facade and gargoyles. Make sure you get to the square in time to watch the Glockenspiel clock reenact scenes from the city's history. With 43 bells and 32 life-sized figures, the spectacle is a must-see in town. For lunch, why not head to Hofbrauhaus Brewery and sample some of their famous beers.

Today is your last day in Munich, heading off after breakfast on a two-hour trip to the fairytale Neuschwanstein Castle. Built on the top of a hill in the remote northern edges of the Alps, Neuschwanstein Castle was commissioned by the reclusive King Ludwig II of Bavaria. Known as ‘mad King Ludwig,’ the castle was built in the late 19th century as a retreat for the king and was inspired by his love of opera. Arriving at the fairytale structure, you’ll be treated to a tour of the castle where you’ll learn more about the history of the building, the king who found an escape in its walls and its connections to a certain famous mouse and a princess named Cinderella.

We head to Salzburg via the train today. Once we arrive in Salzburg check into the hotel then the rest of the day is yours to explore the city, so why not make your way up to Fortress Hohensalzburg, where you can explore the medieval fortress and get some of the best views down over the city. Salzburg is also the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, so if there was ever a place to take in some classical music, it's here. Take a walk to the yellow facade of his birthplace and stroll through the museum, which catalogues the storied life of this famous composer.

This morning, head into town and maybe see if you can find an apple strudel or some kaiserschmarrn for breakfast before you head out on a day trip to the lakeside town of Hallstatt. The alpine town sits right on the edge of Lake Hallstatt and is nestled in the mountainous Salzkammergut region. Wander through the 16th-century streets and look out over the lake and the mountains surrounding you as you stand right on the shoreline. Take a easy scenic hike to an Alpine hut (30-40min easy walk) where you’ll be treated to a Mountain Hut food-tasting of some of the delicious Austrian cheeses and some traditional meat products. Heading back to Salzburg tonight, your leader can give you the best recommendations for dinner spots, like where to find the tastiest schnitzel in town.

This morning, check out of your hotel and travel to Vienna – Austria’s capital city. Vienna is a cosmopolitan city with a rich cultural heritage and golden past. When you arrive, you’ll head out on an in-depth walking tour with a local guide, from the Gothic splendour of St Stephens Cathedral to the neo-classical Graben, and then on to Hofburg Palace, where Habsburg emperors once resided in winter. With insight provided by your guide, it’s not hard to imagine what extravagant royal life here once looked like. You’ll have the opportunity to rest and enjoy the beauty of the monument dedicated to Empress ‘Sisi’ Elizabeth in the Volksgarten. From here, journey on to the Ringstrasse. Your walking tour will come to an end at the State Opera House – one of the most important opera institutions in the world. The rest of the afternoon is yours to enjoy at leisure. Regroup in the evening to share anecdotes over an included dinner in a traditional Viennese wine tavern.

Today is free for you to explore Vienna's many possibilities, aided by your included 24-hour transport ticket. Your leader will be on hand to help tailor a day that will best suit your interests. Art enthusiasts can choose from several great museums, from the Albertina to the vast array found in the Museum Quarter. You might like to climb the 343 steps to the top of the tower of St Stephen's Cathedral. Schoenbrunn Palace is well worth a visit and has a guided audio tour. Another excellent way to enjoy the afternoon is to take a spin on the Prater Ferris Wheel. 

Leaving Vienna, you’ll head to the delightful Bohemian town of Cesky Krumlov today. The name of the town translates to 'crooked meadow', thanks to its location in the sharp bend of the Vltava River. This 13th-century city is one of Europe’s most beautiful, with an enchanting fairy-tale castle perched on a hill that watches over the town below. Your leader will guide you through a maze of winding cobbled lanes in the well-preserved Old City, pointing out interesting pieces of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture along the way. In the late afternoon, join a local storyteller to hear thrilling legends of murders, plots and romances in medieval Cesky Krumlov and finish the evening with sparkling wine in a secret location. The rest of the day is yours to further explore this intriguing and romantic town at your own pace.

After breakfast this morning, you and your group will be taking part in a cider and vinegar tasting in the cider region just north of the city before jumping in your transport and making your way to the romantic city of Prague. Discover a fascinating city that marches to its own beat during a morning tour with a local guide. Prague’s many historic buildings and other stylish sights have earned this city the nickname 'Paris of the east'. Note the contrast between the grand Middle Ages architecture and buildings like the avant-garde Dancing House on the banks of the Vltava. Explore Prague’s Old Town as your local guide shares tales from its hundreds of years of history. The rest of the day is free for you to enjoy as you please, whether it be wandering through the Jewish Quarter or strolling over the beloved Charles Bridge after sunset. As night falls, the tempo picks up and a different side of Prague unfolds. The Old Town bursts to life in the evening, with many underground beer taverns, absinthe bars and jazz clubs playing music until the small hours of the morning.

Join your group for breakfast before taking off on today's adventure. First, head to Strahov Monastery Library and Brewery. Just a few steps from Prague's incredible castle, the monastery was founded in 1143, and the library is home to intricately sculpted and frescoed ceilings and houses over 200,000 books. You will have a guided tour of the Monastery. Hidden inside the walls of the monastery, you’ll find the brewery where master brewers have been producing beers for over 600 years. With over 25 different brews to try, you’ll be spoiled for choice as you look out over the city below. This afternoon, you can do a bit more exploring around the city before meeting your group one last time for a farewell dinner to mark the last night of your time together. If there are still a few hotspots in town that you didn’t check out the night before, now is your chance.

Today is your last day in Prague and the last morning of your trip. After breakfast, say goodbye to your fellow travellers and your leader. There’s still so much on offer in Prague, so if you’re keen to stick around for a few extra days, chat with your booking agent for hotel bookings and recommendations to extend your trip.