The Best of Eastern Europe

This small-group tour by G Adventures threads through a selection of Eastern Europe’s cities and towns, walking you from Berlin’s café scene to Budapest, often dubbed the Pearl of the Danube. The itinerary includes an orientation walk in Prague and a guided tour of Auschwitz near Krakow, contrasting urban visits with somber history. Along the way, there’s a chance to soak in Budapest’s baths or join a bike tour.

From medieval charm in Prague to the colourful town squares southern Poland and the trams clattering past Vienna’s palaces, the trip mixes trains and buses with an abundance of walking. Each stop reveals distinctive details: Krakow’s Jewish quarter with its mixture of cafés and memorials, or Berlin’s East Side Gallery along the remaining stretch of the Wall. Hotels tend to be small and local, sometimes without lifts, and trains or buses require manageable luggage moves.

The tour leans towards informed exploration over guided lectures, with local guides in Vienna and Auschwitz and a Chief Experience Officer to help sample local eateries and ease logistics. The pace allows for a varied picture of central European life, but do be ready for the odd early start and long travel day on public transport.