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Celebrate the holiday season among Eastern Europe’s joyous markets.
Each winter, the cities of Eastern Europe burst into celebration as artisans, crafters, and other vendors take to the streets with their festive wares. You’ll take in the sparkling atmosphere as you journey along the Danube from the two-sided city of Budapest to Vienna, unrivaled for its beauty and majesty. Then, visit the castles and cathedrals of Prague and explore medieval Kraków before ending in modern Warsaw.
Your tour package includes
13 nights in handpicked hotels
13 breakfasts
5 dinners with beer or wine
1 wine tasting
6 sightseeing tours
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Included highlights
Eastern European Christmas markets
Hungarian Parliament Building
Matthias Church
Belvedere Palace
Ringstrasse
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Start planning today
An expert specializing in tours of this region is here to help.
Welcome to Hungary! Meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers at tonight’s welcome dinner.
Day 3: Sightseeing tour of Budapest & Christmas market visit
Included meal: Breakfast
Discover the major landmarks of the city that straddles east and west.
Trace this nation’s stormy history at Heroes' Square
Tour the lavishly decorated Hungarian Parliament Building
Cross the Danube and ascend Castle Hill
Take in the breathtaking views from Fisherman’s Bastion
Visit the medieval Matthias Church, once the site of Hapsburg coronations
Get an introduction to Budapest’s lively Christmas markets and explore the bustling stalls at your leisure
Enjoy free time in Budapest or add an excursion.
Wine Cellar Dinner & Unicum Liqueur Tasting
From $149 per person
Day 4: Free day in Budapest
Included meal: Breakfast
Spend a free day in Budapest or add an excursion.
Budapest Bath & Spa Visit
From $129 per person
Vienna3 nights
Day 5: Transfer to Vienna & Christmas market visit
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner, Wine tasting
Travel west through the Danube basin en route to Vienna, Austria.
Make a photo stop at Schönbrunn Palace, the Rococo Hapsburg home
Spend free time exploring the Christmas market at Hundertwasserhause
Sit down for an included dinner. Then, enjoy a mulled wine tasting at another of the city’s Christmas markets.
Please note: On some departures the photo stop at Schönbrunn Palace will be replaced with entrance to Schönbrunn Palace on day 6 depending on the day of the week.
Day 6: Sightseeing tour of Vienna & Christmas market visit
Included meal: Breakfast
Get transported back to the Age of Empires on a guided tour of Vienna.
Step inside Belvedere Palace, home to the world's largest collection of paintings by artist Gustav Klimt, and admire the palace's impressive gardens
Travel down the Ringstrasse, passing the Parliament building, Vienna State Opera, and Kunsthistorisches Museum
See the grand Hofburg Palace, the Hapsburg’s preferred winter residence
Spend free time exploring the city’s Christmas markets
Enjoy a free afternoon or add an excursion.
Please note: Belvedere Palace will be replaced with Schönbrunn Palace if the guided sightseeing falls on a Monday.
Traditional Viennese Heurigen Evening
From $165 per person
Day 7: Free day in Vienna
Included meal: Breakfast
Spend a free day in Vienna or add an excursion.
Bratislava
From $135 per person
Prague3 nights
Day 8: Prague via Lednice Castle
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Drive through the pastoral landscapes of Bohemia on your way to Prague, one of Europe’s most beautiful cities. En route, stop in Moravia to enter Chateau Lednice, a gorgeous castle on the Austrian border.
Continue on to Prague and sit down for an included dinner.
Day 9: Sightseeing tour of Prague & Christmas market visit
Included meal: Breakfast
Discover why Prague is known as the City of One Hundred Spires on a guided tour.
Visit Prague Castle, from which Charles IV governed the Holy Roman Empire
Admire the soaring Gothic vaults of St. Vitus Cathedral
Walk down to the Malá Strana district to sip a coffee at a local cafe
Cross the elegant Charles Bridge for breathtaking views of the city
Stroll through Old Town Square to view the 15th-century Astronomical Clock
Then, learn about the city’s Christmas markets from your local guide before taking time to explore on your own.
Enjoy a free afternoon in Prague or add an excursion.
Walking Tour of Prague's Jewish Quarter
From $159 per person
Day 10: Free day in Prague
Included meal: Breakfast
Spend a free day in Prague or add an excursion.
Château Sychrov
From $205 per person
Kraków2 nights
Day 11: Transfer to Kraków
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Pass through the dramatic landscapes of Moravia before reaching the historic Polish city of Kraków.
Sit down for an included dinner this evening.
Day 12: Sightseeing tour of Kraków & Christmas market visit
Included meal: Breakfast
Meet your local guide for a tour of Kraków, Poland’s former royal capital.
Discover Wawel Hill, perched high above the Vistula River
Visit Wawel Cathedral, where Polish kings were crowned
Stroll through Glowny Square
Pass beautiful Sukiennice Cloth Hall, the Jagiellonian University, and Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory
Visit some of Poland’s best Christmas markets and take free time to explore
Enjoy a free afternoon in Kraków or add an excursion.
Auschwitz
From $89 per person
Warsaw2 nights
Day 13: Transfer to Warsaw
Included meal: Breakfast
Travel to Warsaw today.
Then, enjoy free time in Poland’s capital city or add an excursion.
Chopin Recital & Dinner
From $165 per person
Day 14: Sightseeing tour of Warsaw & Christmas market visit
Included meals: Breakfast, Farewell dinner
On a guided tour, get to know Warsaw, a city all but destroyed during World War II and painstakingly rebuilt since 1944.
See the Chopin Monument at Łazienki Park and walk through the Old Town
Visit the Jewish Ghetto and the Jewish Memorial
Discover Starego Miasta Square’s Renaissance facades and Baroque townhouses
Walk through the Old Town
Enter the Museum of Warsaw to learn about the city’s history
Enjoy free time to explore Warsaw’s best Christmas markets
Celebrate your trip during a farewell dinner this evening.
Flight Home
Day 15: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)
Transfer to the airport for your flight home or extend your stay to explore Berlin, Germany.
Extension to Berlin
Inviting markets, cobbled streets, trendy restaurants—find all this and more in the German capital. This reinvigorated cultural center buzzes with life, and you’ll spot all the city’s highlights during a guided sightseeing tour.
Berlin3 nights
Day 15: Berlin via Poznań
Included meal: Breakfast
En route to Berlin, Germany, stop in the Polish city of Poznań to enjoy free time.
Day 16: Sightseeing tour of Berlin
Included meal: Breakfast
A local guide introduces you to the monuments of Berlin’s intricate past as well as the signs of its re-emergence as a vibrant cultural center.
Discover the Brandenburg Gate, the symbol of a reunited Berlin
See the Holocaust Memorial and the Berlin Wall's East Side Gallery
Journey down Unter den Linden, the city’s most elegant boulevard, passing the Reichstag and Museum Island
Enjoy a free afternoon in Berlin or add an excursion.
World War II Walking Tour
From $109 per person
Day 17: Free day in Berlin
Included meal: Breakfast
Spend a free day in Berlin or add an excursion.
This evening, enjoy a farewell drink as you celebrate your trip with your fellow group members.
Potsdam
From $165 per person
Flight Home
Day 18: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)
That's all it takes to secure your spot on tour with AutoPay. Then, pay for your trip in interest-free, monthly installments.†
Reviews
4.4 star rating
Overall rating 4.4 out of 5
Based on 17 authentic traveler reviews
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Featured
5.0 star rating
11/28/22 by 2nd-time traveler Richard
5.0 star rating
Very sad this happened
12/3/22 by 3rd-time traveler Sherry
This trip was sweet but short because of my hip Had dislocated And we had to fly back home earlier than expected it was two days into our trip that this had happened and this is our second time going there, and I'm wanting to go back on this trip again so that was beautiful but short. Oh also let m...
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5.0 star rating
A Winter Wonderland
12/6/22 by 12th-time traveler Pat
The Eastern European Christmas Markets' Tour has all the components of a great tour. In addition to the historical significance of this area of the world, the tour offers superb food and drink. With snow on the ground, a little nip in the air, a warm glass of gluhwein in hand, the twinkling of Holid...
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EF Go Ahead Tours replied on 2/1/23
Thank you for your review and for sharing such won...
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Hotels, flights & FAQ
Here's the nitty-gritty—where you’ll stay, how you’ll get there, and what to know about your destination before you go.
Hotels
We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.
Radisson Blu Beke Hotel
This elegant, traditional hotel is located in Terézváros. Guests enjoy an indoor swimming pool, laundry services, and a restaurant. Nearby, you'll fin...
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MAXX by Steigenberger Hotel Vienna
This convenient hotel is located in the city center of Vienna, Austria. Guests enjoy the fitness area, on-site bar and restaurant, and spa. Nearby you...
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NH Prague City
This modern hotel is located in the Smíchov district of Prague. Guests enjoy a gym and sauna, restaurants with terraces, and tennis court. Nearby, you...
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Qubus Hotel Kraków
This modern hotel is located in the Kazimierz district of Krakow. Guests enjoy a jazz club, Turkish bath, and boat cruises. Nearby, you’ll find the Gh...
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Mercure Warszawa Grand
This contemporary hotel is located in the city center. Guests enjoy two on-site restaurants, a gym, and free Wi-Fi. Nearby, you’ll find the Fryderyk C...
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Abba Berlin Hotel
This contemporary hotel is located in Berlin center. Guests enjoy a restaurant, lounge-bar, and fitness room. Nearby, you'll find exclusive boutiques ...
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Flights
Round-trip flights are one more thing we handle to make your journey as smooth as possible. Our team of travel experts will find the best flight itinerary for you at a competitive rate, thanks to our partnerships with top airlines.
Add our airfare package and you'll get:
Round-trip flight for your tour
Airport transfers at your destination
A great price locked in today
24/7 support from our dedicated service team
Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes
This tour visits Hungary, Austria, the Czech Republic, and Poland (plus Germany on the tour extension). In order to enter these countries, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
We recommend having at least one blank passport page for entry stamps.
Beginning in 2025, U.S. and Canadian passport holders must register for an ETIAS travel authorization in order to enter many European countries.
Passport holders from over 60 visa-exempt countries (including the U.S. and Canada) will need to apply for an ETIAS travel authorization in order to visit 30 European countries. That means that even if you’ve previously traveled to any of these European countries without a visa, starting in 2025, you’ll need to get ETIAS authorization to visit them again. If you’re traveling to multiple countries with this requirement, you only need to complete the form once. All Go Ahead travelers are responsible for obtaining their own ETIAS travel authorization before departure. For more details, please visit our Help Center.
If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.
You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code EEC.
You will walk for at least 2.5 hours daily across mostly flat terrain, including paved roads and cobblestone streets, with few hills or stairs.
Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance. Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.
Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special, individual mobility assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group as a whole enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing, individualized assistance to any one traveler.
If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.
Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in Budapest and depart from Warsaw (or Berlin on the tour extension). A representative from Go Ahead Tours will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival.
Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost.
All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.
Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers, which may include train connections or flights.
Contact your airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights, which may include on-tour flights in addition to your round-trip flights to and from tour. Please note that your included on-tour flights may have more restrictive baggage limits.
Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage or exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.
At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov.
If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered.
If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.
You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code EEC.
Hungary claims goulash as its national dish, but also is known for excellent salamis, cheeses, nut-flavored pancakes, freshwater fish, and preserved fruits.
Austria is known for its savory Wiener schnitzel and excellent wild trout, carp, and crayfish. Save room for dessert—especially the strudels of fruit and nuts elegant chocolate cakes, such as the world-famous Sachertorte.
Czech food is hearty, and you’ll find large portions of veal, beef, and potato dishes. Some of the world’s finest beers are produced here, including the original Budweiser and Pils.
When in Poland, fill up on favorites like kielbasa and pierogi. Don’t miss out on trying the bagels—they were born here.
German food, on the tour extension, is hearty and substantial. Among the specialties are dumpling stews, sauerkraut, sausages, smoked cheeses, and dark breads. Bavaria produces some of the world’s purest beers and exceptional white wines.
All destinations visited on this tour operate on the European standard 220-240 volts and use Types C, E, or F plugs with two or three small, round pins.
We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.
Your hotels on this tour may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances. However these amenities cannot be guaranteed.
You will use the Hungarian forint in Hungary, the euro in Austria (and in Germany on the tour extension), the Czech koruna in the Czech Republic, and the Polish złoty in Poland.
Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks, as needed.
You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans, so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.
At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency or USD. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
We recommend tipping the equivalent of $8USD to $10USD per person per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $3USD per person per day for your driver.
If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD per local guide.
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