Royal Nights in Authentic Castles: Poland, Slovakia & Austria

Day 1 – Depart to Krakow

Embark on your journey with a flight from Albuquerque to Krakow, Poland.

Day 2 – Kraków

Arrive at Kraków Airport and meet your English-speaking guide before transferring to your centrally located hotel. Krakow is a city wrapped in legend, where time flows differently, and where every moment becomes a moment of history. For centuries Krakow was the capital of Poland, the seat of kings, drawing great scholars and artists from the whole world, who crated unique historical relics, which reflect the most important trends in European culture. After time to refresh, enjoy a guided walking tour of Kraków’s beautifully preserved Old Town, including a visit to Wawel Castle and its historic Royal Private Apartments. This evening, gather for a welcome dinner at a nearby restaurant.

Overnight at Grand Ascot Hotel or similar (2 nights).

Meal included: (D)

Day 3 – Kraków & Optional Auschwitz Excursion

After breakfast, enjoy free time to explore Kraków at your own pace or join an optional excursion (fee-based option) to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum, one of the most significant historical sites in Europe and a powerful reminder of World War II history. In the evening, visit Kazimierz, Kraków’s historic Jewish district, for a short guided walk followed by dinner in a traditional restaurant.

Overnight at Grand Ascot Hotel or similar

Meals included: (B, D)

Day 4 – Kraków to the High Tatras, Slovakia

Depart Poland and travel into Slovakia, stopping in the picturesque village of Ždiar, known for its distinctive wooden architecture and mountain traditions. Visit the local museum to learn about regional folklore and wedding customs before enjoying lunch nearby. Continue to the High Tatras Mountains and check in at the luxurious Grand Hotel Kempinski overlooking the glacial lake of Štrbské Pleso.

Grand Hotel Kempinski High Tatras is a luxurious five-star mountain resort set on the shores of the glacial lake Štrbské Pleso in the heart of the High Tatras National Park. Surrounded by dramatic alpine peaks and forests, the hotel occupies one of Slovakia’s most scenic locations at about 1,351 meters above sea level. The property combines three historic buildings dating from 1893, 1906, and 1923 that were carefully restored and reopened as a luxury hotel in 2009, blending historic architecture with modern elegance. It has consistently been listed as Slovakia’s leading hotel and spa.

Overnight at Grand Hotel Kempinski

Meals included: (B, L)

Day 5 – High Tatras National Park

Today is at leisure to enjoy the natural beauty of High Tatras National Park, the oldest national park in Slovakia, founded in 1949 and covers a 741-square-kilometer area of the Slovak part of the Zapadne Tatry and Vysoke Tatry (West and High Tatras), also including the entire Belianske (White) Tatras. The tallest and best-known part of this range are the High Tatras, the tallest peak being Gerlach, spiking to a summit at 2655 meters above sea level.

You may also relax at the hotel’s extensive wellness facilities or take an easy guided walk along the lake or to nearby Popradské Pleso. In the afternoon, enjoy traditional tea, coffee, and pastries at the hotel.

Overnight at Grand Hotel Kempinski

Meals included: (B)

Day 6 – High Tatras to Halič Castle Hotel

After breakfast, travel through the scenic Liptov region and visit a traditional shepherd’s cottage (Salaš) to learn about local rural life and taste regional cheeses. Continue to the historic town of Banská Bystrica for a brief orientation walk before arriving at the elegant Galicia Nueva Castle Hotel in Halič.

Galicia Nueva Castle Hotel is a beautifully restored four-star castle hotel located in the village of Halič in southern Slovakia. Set within a historic Renaissance-Baroque castle whose origins date back to the Middle Ages, the property reopened in 2016 after more than a decade of careful restoration that transformed the once-ruined monument into a unique luxury hotel. The castle was historically associated with the noble Forgách family and has been an important landmark in the Novohrad region for centuries.

Enjoy a welcome drink and orientation tour of the castle before dinner.

Overnight in Galicia Nueva Castle Hotel

Meals included: (B, D)

Day 7 – Banská Štiavnica to Château Béla

Depart for the UNESCO-listed town of Banská Štiavnica, once one of Europe’s most important mining centers. Banska Stiavnica is one of the most strikingly beautiful and historically interesting towns in Slovakia. In December 1993 it was inscribed on the List of World Cultural and Natural Heritage of UNESCO, thus receiving a great international recognition. Town was a centre of mining industry and flourished mainly in times of Maria Theresa Habsburg who established here Mining Academy in 1763, the first technical type university in the world. Enjoy a guided walking tour and a traditional falconry presentation before lunch in a nearby village featuring demonstrations of Slovak musical instruments.

Continue south to Château Béla, a luxurious four-star castle hotel located in the picturesque village of Béla in southern Slovakia, surrounded by vineyards and rolling hills. This stunning Baroque-style castle dates back to the 17th century and has been meticulously restored to offer a perfect blend of historic charm and modern comfort. The château is set within a large, beautifully landscaped park and includes an outdoor pool, a wellness center, and a wine cellar showcasing wines produced from the estate’s own vineyard

Overnight at Château Béla

Meals included: (B, L, D)

Day 8 – Château Béla

Enjoy a relaxed day at the castle. After a guided tour of the property and lunch, spend the afternoon exploring the grounds, relaxing at the wellness center, or enjoying the outdoor pool.

Tonight we gather for an evening excursion to a nearby winery for a tour, wine tasting, and dinner among the vineyards.

Overnight at Château Béla

Meals included: (B, L, D)

Day 9 – Bratislava & Vienna, Austria

Travel to Bratislava, Slovakia’s charming capital on the Danube River. Bratislava is one of the youngest capitals in Europe and few people know that during the time it was called Pressburg or Pozsony. It was one of the most important cities in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Bratislava’s location on the banks of the River Danube and at the crossroads of ancient trading routes right at the heart of Europe predestined it to become a meeting point of various cultures.

Stop at Bratislava Castle for panoramic views before a guided walk through the Old Town. After lunch, continue to Vienna, the elegant capital of Austria. Check in at your hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

Overnight in Vienna at 4-star hotel

Meals included: (B, L)

Day 10 - Vienna

Discover the imperial grandeur of Vienna on a guided walking tour featuring the historic center and Ringstrasse boulevard. Austria’s wonderful capital Vienna spreads along both sides of the “Blue” Danube (which, as the Viennese are certain to point out, is actually muddy brown). The city is a smorgasbord of Baroque with a dash of art nouveau.

Later, visit the Schönbrunn Palace area for time to explore its magnificent gardens. An optional tour of the palace interior is available.

This evening, celebrate the journey with a special farewell dinner in Vienna.

Overnight in Vienna at 4-star hotel

Meals included: (B, D)

Day 11 – Depart Vienna

After breakfast, transfer to Vienna Airport for your departure flight home, concluding your memorable Central European castle experience.

Meals included: (B)