Poland with Central Europe

About the destination: Frankfurt-am-Main is a major financial and business hub in Germany and its most international city. Often referred to as "Mainhattan" due to its impressive skyscrapers, it is also a vibrant cultural center, boasting significant scientific research centers and universities, a beautiful opera house, numerous theaters, and a vast array of museums. The Römerberg is the historical core of Frankfurt. At the center of this stunning square stands a replica of the statue of Justice. At the southern end, you'll find the charming Nikolai Church, and to the west, the renowned Römer, the city hall made up of several buildings dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries. Nearby is the Goethe House, Frankfurt's most cherished museum, which provides a glimpse into the affluent lifestyle of the Goethe family. Behind the Historischer Garten, a historical garden where you can stroll among Roman and Carolingian excavations, the Frankfurter Dom towers. This main Catholic church in Frankfurt was the site of coronation ceremonies for the Holy Roman Emperors. This ancient Gothic-style church is one of the most significant churches in German history. Ascend the tower for a breathtaking view of the city. The city's nightlife is captivating and diverse. Its traditional live jazz scene is still thriving, and a host of trendy new bars provide visitors with the opportunity to enjoy a night out. In addition, Frankfurt is packed with incredible clubs for those who love to dance until the wee hours of the morning.

About the destination: The capital city of Germany, Berlin, is one of the most exciting and historically rich places in both Germany and Europe. No other German city offers as much "visible" history, despite the scars of World War II and the division during the Cold War era. No other German city boasts such a vibrant cultural life. The architecture in Berlin is incredibly diverse. It's now possible to see examples of many different historical periods in a short span of time within the city center, from a few remaining medieval buildings near Alexanderplatz, to the ultra-modern glass and steel structures at Potsdamer Platz. Due to its tumultuous history, Berlin remains a city with many unique neighborhoods. Berlin has many facets. It is a charming, cosmopolitan, multicultural, and multiethnic city with very friendly locals and a plethora of things to do and see.

About the destination: The perception of Warsaw as a bleak, concrete wilderness, a desolate landscape of Soviet-era homes, does not align with the reality of this dynamic city over the past 15 years. This metropolis has much more to offer, with numerous attractions, a remarkable cultural scene, and a vibrant nightlife. Warsaw is looking forward, leaving its Soviet history where it belongs - in the past. After World War II, 85% of the city was in ruins, necessitating a significant reconstruction. This successful rebuild was acknowledged in 1980 when UNESCO designated Warsaw's Old Town as a World Heritage Site. Situated in the Mazowieckie province, in central-eastern Poland, the city is bisected unevenly by the Vistula River. Most tourist attractions are on the river's left bank, while the right bank is home to the emerging, stylish district of Prague. The focal point for visitors in Warsaw is the so-called Royal Route (Trakt Królewski), which extends north-south from the New and Old Towns, past the chic Nowy Swiat shops, war-surviving palaces, and the royal Lazienki Park gardens, before reaching the Wilanów Palace, south of the city center. The city also boasts numerous green spaces with lush lakeside parks where rowboats glide on sunny summer days and where visitors can find an abundance of open-air cafes. Free classical music concerts, drawing large crowds, are also held in the parks, a scene far removed from the grim images of Warsaw during the communist era. Today, the city offers an incredible nightlife, with stylishly dressed young locals heading to the city's trendy bars and hip clubs. It's certainly a city that comes alive as the sun sets. While some may argue that Krakow has the beauty, Warsaw possesses the culture, the energy, and the action.

About the destination: Krakow is stunning, a gem among European cities. Since the 9th century, people have been residing and constructing here. The Old Town historic district at the heart of Krakow is actually the medieval city established in 1257. Krakow continues to be the unrivaled architectural capital of Poland and houses one of the oldest universities in Europe. The numerous parks and the Planty, the green belt encircling the city center, make Krakow a fantastic city to visit. The entire old town of Krakow, known as stare miasto, is charming, with every street worth a leisurely walk. At its core is the Rynek Glowny, one of the most stunning market squares in Europe. The Kosciol Mariacki, located in its northeast corner, is a lavishly decorated cathedral, boasting a 500-year-old carved altarpiece. Diagonally across the square stands the solitary town hall tower, which was spared when the rest of the building was demolished in 1820. Positioned on the Wista River is the Wawel Castle, the finest surviving example of Renaissance architecture in Poland. The castle was the royal seat of Poland and is the city's main tourist attraction. The grounds include the palace, a massive Cathedral, and a large garden. The Royal Cathedral, which dominates the Wawel complex, was the coronation site and burial place for nearly all of Poland's monarchs. Constructed in the early 11th century in Romanesque style, its tower provides a magnificent view of Krakow. The beauty of its ancient architecture, the atmosphere of rich culture, art, and literature, and the allure of its numerous cafes, bars, and pubs, always bustling with locals and tourists, make this city one of the world's top tourist destinations.

About the destination: Budapest is recognized as one of the most breathtaking cities in Europe. This could be attributed to its remarkable surroundings, such as the Danube River that bisects the city, the Buda hills to the west, and the Great Plain to the east, or perhaps its diverse and stunning architecture: Renaissance, Byzantine, Neo-Classical, and Art-Nouveau structures coexist in perfect harmony. Its extensive World Heritage Site encompasses: the banks of the Danube, Buda Castle Quarter, Andrassy Avenue, Hero’s Square, and the Millennium Underground Railway. Additionally, the city boasts 80 geothermal springs and the world's largest water cave system, where visitors can enjoy a soothing bath. Budapest was unified as a single city in 1873, straddling both banks of the Danube River, with Buda to the west and Pest to the east. Each side of the city has its own distinct character. Buda is the more tranquil part of the city. As visitors wander around Buda, they can explore the Castle Quarter and the narrow cobblestone streets leading to the Fishermen’s Bastion with its enchanting towers, symbolizing the 7 tribes that inhabited the city in the 9th century. This ornamental fortification, situated atop Buda Castle Hill, offers the most spectacular panoramic view in Budapest. On the other hand, Pest is where the city's hustle and bustle is concentrated. This part of the city exudes a fin-de-siècle vibe, and almost every building has some intriguing or unique detail. Visitors are encouraged to take leisurely walks on its broad boulevards brimming with a variety of shops or to unwind with a cup of coffee in its grand coffee houses. Pest is home to the parliament building and the Dohari street synagogue, the largest synagogue in Europe. The remnants of WWII are still evident in the city, with bullet holes and shrapnel damage from the Second World War and the 1956 Uprising still visible on some facades, serving as somber reminders of this dark period in history. There are several memorials honoring the Hungarian Jews who perished, such as the poignant Shoes on the Danube memorial and the Raoul Wallenberg Holocaust Memorial Park. This side of the river is also considered the city's cultural hub, with numerous art galleries and more opera, concerts, and ballet performances than there are days in the week. The city's finest restaurants are located in Pest, and it's also where the nightlife thrives until the wee hours. For a unique drinking experience, try a Ruin Pub, part of Budapest's network of bars in repurposed buildings, including former tenement houses, factory buildings, and community centers. Budapest has successfully integrated all its influences and navigated its complex history to forge its own identity, and it has certainly done so with aplomb.

About the destination: Vienna is the capital and the largest city of the Republic of Austria. This beautiful, romantic city is renowned for its coffee culture and cafes, classical music and concert halls, historical buildings, horse-drawn carriages, and its enchanting streets. Vienna boasts a rich cultural diversity, and its central location in Europe makes it an ideal starting point for exploring the continent. Vienna is a remarkable city to visit, characterized by the Ringstrasse, a four-kilometer-long boulevard that encircles the city center. The city is replete with modern amenities and attractions, yet it is also steeped in reminders of its rich historical and cultural heritage. Outstanding museums, palaces, gardens, architectural masterpieces, remnants of ancient inhabitants, statues, and grand cafes coexist with trendy shops, top-notch restaurants, accessible music venues, contemporary museums and sculptures, and luxury hotels, making Vienna incredibly appealing. The extensive pedestrian-only streets of the old city are a joy to explore, lined with beautiful old buildings, bustling with people of all ages, filled with local shops, boutiques and cafes, and offering surprises at every turn. The city center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Vienna is a blend of history and music, poetry and culture, modernism and tradition, nostalgia and grandeur.

About the destination: Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. It is situated on the Vltava River in the heart of Bohemia. Prague is considered one of the most stunning cities in Europe. It is a must-visit for those interested in art, history, classical music, and architecture. Every corner of the city is adorned with beautiful buildings and architecture. The Vltava River flows through the center of Prague. Numerous bridges cross the river, but the pedestrianized Charles Bridge, with its blend of Gothic construction and Baroque statues, is a major attraction for visitors. Street vendors sell a variety of items here, and the Castle, considered the historical heart of the city, can be seen on a hill in the distance. The Old Town Square, one of two main squares in Prague, is home to some of the city's main attractions, including the Old Town Hall Tower, the Astronomical Clock, the Church of Our Lady before Tyn, and St. Nicholas Church. Since 1992, Prague's historic center has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Prague's city center is a 900-year-old architectural museum. It features Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, 19th-century revivals of all these styles, and Art Nouveau architecture, all remarkably untouched by the 20th century. Prague is truly an architectural gem.