Central Europe Guided Vacation


This unique journey showcases the best of Europe’s heartland. Over the course of 13 days, traverse the countryside of Central Europe and its capitals, crossing borders between five different countries on a tour designed by the Luxury Gold group to get the most for Costco members. Activities are selected and curated to ensure that this vacation is a truly memorable and life-changing experience. With transportation and accommodation accounted for, members are able to put all of their energy into soaking up their surroundings and immersing themselves into the various cultures of Central Europe. From beautiful cities to quaint small villages and gorgeous landscapes between, this is not an experience that you want to miss. Maximum 24 guests.

 

Executive Member Benefit

 

  • Executive Members receive an annual 2% Reward, up to $1,000, on qualified Costco Travel purchases

Vacation Includes

  • Comfortable ground transportation in an air-conditioned coach (onboard restroom), audio headsets for flexible sightseeing and commentary, an expert Travel Concierge for regular guidance and organization, and expertly-picked quality hotels with baggage handling.

  • Airport transfers for the first and last day of the guided holiday

  • Two nights in Prague (Cosmopolitan Hotel), one night in Cesky Krumlov (Hotel Ruze, Cesky Krumlov), two nights in Vienna (Grand Hotel Wien), three nights in Budapest (Kozmo Hotel Suites & Spa), two nights in Krakow (Grand Hotel Krakow), and two nights in Warsaw (Hotel Bristol).

  • Eleven breakfasts, one lunch, one “fine dining lunch” with wine, one afternoon tea, and five dinners with wine

  • Private guided tour of the National Theater of the Czech Republic in Prague

  • Private meeting with Princess Anita von Hohenberg at Artstetten Castle

  • Hunderwasser tour through Vienna

  • Private before-hours visit of the Belvedere Museum

  • Fine dining lunch in Bratislava

  • Danube private dinner cruise in Budapest

  • Hungarian folk dancing lesson

  • Pierogi cooking class or vodka tasting

  • Private tour and dinner in the Wieliczka Salt Mine, an original UNESCO World Heritage site

  • Private Chopin recital

  • Farewell dinner at the Belvedere restaurant in Warsaw

Itinerary Days 1 - 3

Day 1

  • On arrival at Prague's Václav Havel Airport, you will be met and transferred to your luxury hotel. Join your Traveling Concierge and fellow travelers for a drink reception at the hotel. This evening, enjoy an elegant welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

  • Meals included: dinner with wine

  • Accommodations: Cosmopolitan Hotel


Day 2

  • Join a local expert in the atmospheric courtyards of Prague Castle. Visit St. Vitus Cathedral, bathed in a lustrous wave of stained glass, before strolling on to the Astronomical Clock in the Old Town Square. Continue exploring Prague on a guided walk through the Jewish Quarter with your local expert. It Is the smallest recognized designation of land in Prague and formerly the Jewish ghetto.

  • VOAL Exclusive: tour the National Theatre of the Czech Republic

  • The Neo-Renaissance building by architect Josef Zítek is considered among the most important constructions in the country, not only in terms of its reflection of national culture and history but also due to its architectural design. View the foundational stones underground, visit the auditorium of the ground floor, both foyers with works of art, as well as the highest place a visitor to the National Theatre can be – the terrace providing a view of Petřín Hill and Prague Castle.

  • Meals included: breakfast


Day 3

  • A scenic drive through Bohemia brings you to Český Krumlov. Walk through the tangled cobblestone streets and meet your local expert to visit the city’s famous castle, one of the most important historic sites in Central Europe. Spend the rest of the afternoon at your leisure, exploring the city or perhaps taking advantage of the hotel’s wellness spa.

  • Meals included: breakfast

  • Accommodations: Hotel Růže, Český Krumlov


Itinerary Days 4 - 6

Day 4

  • Travel over the Austrian border, past the city of Linz to Melk, and view its famous abbey. Continue past the Wachau Valley, where the Danube meanders below forested cliffs and rolling vineyards.

  • VOAL Exclusive: meet Princess Anita von Hohenberg for a private reception at Artstetten Castle.

  • Enjoy a private reception with Princess Anita von Hohenberg, a descendant of the Habsburgs, at Artstetten Castle. The "fairytale castle of Artstetten" hosts the permanent exhibition "Archduke Franz Ferdinands Life & Actions", offering a glimpse into the multifaceted world of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his family.

  • VIP After-Hours at Schönbrunn: arrive in Vienna and indulge your senses without the crowds during a special visit to the magnificent Schönbrunn Palace. With a local expert, stand beneath frescoed ceilings, crystal chandeliers and gilded Rococo frames, where Mozart performed as a six-year-old prodigy.

  • Meals included: breakfast, dinner with wine

  • Accommodations: Grand Hotel Wien, Vienna


Day 5

  • VOAL Exclusive: Emperial Treasury Tour at the Royal Palace or Architectural Hundertwasserhaus Tour

  • Emperial Treasury Tour at the Royal Palace

  • Visit the Imperial Treasury in the Hofburg Palace with a Local Expert and learn about Vienna's regal history. See the invaluable riches including the crown of Holy Roman Emperor Charlemagne.

  • Architectural Hundertwasserhaus Tour

  • Visit the eccentric apartment complex and museum of Austrian architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser. Standing in stark contrast to the baroque palaces and grand plazas of historic Vienna, the colorful facade of the Hundertwasserhaus is one of the city’s most unique works of contemporary architecture.

  • Meals included: breakfast


Day 6

  • VOAL Exclusive: before-hours guided tour of the Belvedere Museum

  • Before it opens to the public, head to the Baroque palaces of Belvedere. The Belvedere in Vienna is one of the leading museums worldwide. Its famous art collection includes works ranging from the Middle Ages to the present day. Highlights include the world's largest collection of Gustav Klimt paintings as well as prominent works from the periods of Viennese Biedermeier, Austrian Baroque, Vienna around 1900, and French Impressionism. Cross the border to reach the Slovakian capital of Bratislava. Enjoy lunch before exploring the city, dominated by its imposing ninth century castle, with your local expert. Enjoy free time to take a leisurely walk through the Old Town to the Maximillian Fountain, before continuing to Hungary and the grand metropolis of Budapest via a private cruise on a voyage along the Danube complete with sparkling wine.

  • VOAL Exclusive: Fine-dining lunch in Bratislava

  • On arrival in Bratislava enjoy an included lunch at the Savoy Restaurant. Savoy Restaurant redefines the concept of traditional Slovak cuisine. An exceptional meal combining the essence of old recipes and luxury of current culinary trends. The ambience is highlighted by legendary photographs of 1950s-to-1970s Bratislava taken by famous Slovak photographer Karol Kállay.

  • Meals included: breakfast, lunch with wine

  • Accommodations: Kozmo Hotel Suites & Spa, Budapest


Itinerary Days 7 - 9

Day 7

  • With your local expert, visit the stunning, neo-Gothic Parliament Building – still the country's largest – and see the Holy Crown of Hungary. At the First Strudel House of Pest, admire how artisans work paper-thin crusts into delicious pastries and sample the local specialty. Take a stroll to the St Stephen's Basilica before exploring the medieval Castle District to visit the Fisherman's Bastion and Matthias Church.

  • This evening, dine at Borkonyha Winekitchen, one of Budapest's amazing Michelin-starred restaurants. Enjoy the innovative and creative gourmet cuisine that combines French bistro style and contemporary Hungarian influence in an atmosphere of indulgence.

  • Meals included: breakfast, afternoon tea, dinner with wine


Day 8

  • Take a trip outside Budapest to the storybook town of Szentendre. Travel past the Roman remains of Aquincum before spending time in the riverside town with enchanting brightly colored houses, quaint churches, galleries, and lovely squares.

  • VOAL Exclusive: Hungarian folk-dance lesson

  • Learn about traditional Hungarian folk dances, at a dance workshop with locals. In this interactive experience guests can see demonstrations of different dances and learn their history. Dancers will also display the costumes and explain what the different colors signify in Hungarian culture. With years of experience, this is a wonderful opportunity to connect with locals and with their history.

  • Meals included: breakfast


Day 9

  • Enjoy a gentle drive into Slovakia, through the small villages of the Low Tatras, characterized by austere wooden churches and traditional folk houses. Continue past Orava Castle to Kraków, a city full of architectural wonder and legend.

  • VOAL Exclusive: cooking class or Polish vodka tasting

  • Pierogi cooking class

  • Take part in a Pierogi cooking class and learn how to make this polish staple from scratch. Learn the detailed technique involved in making perfectly toothsome pierogi dough, by far the trickiest part of the process.

  • Vodka tasting

  • Taste quality vodkas along with food pairings. Discuss the culture that surrounds Polish vodka and discover some interesting tidbits about the drink.

  • Meals included: breakfast

  • Accommodations: Grand Hotel Kraków


Itinerary Days 10 - 12

Day 10

  • Join your local expert and cross the former Jewish Quarter to see locations used in the film ‘Schindler's List'. Ascend Wawel Hill to visit the cathedral, the final resting place of the Kings of Poland.

  • VOAL Exclusive: dining in the Salt Mines

  • The “Wieliczka” Salt Mine is an extraordinary place – hidden from the world, full of secrets and legends. See the priceless monument of world material culture, entered in 1978 on the First UNESCO World Heritage List. The history of Wieliczka dates back to the Middle Ages, when it was proudly named the Magnum Sal – the Great Salt. In the 13th century it was known as the largest source of salt in Poland, and over the years it became crucial for the country’s economy. Enjoy a special evening of dining in one of the mine’s magical chambers.

  • Meals included: breakfast, dinner with wine


Day 11

  • Today, you will have the opportunity to pay your respects at the Auschwitz memorial. Walk beneath the infamous gateway to the museums housed in the former prison blocks. Feel the gravity of the historical events that occurred here, better understand what happened and the impact they had on the world we know. Continue across the plains to Warsaw with its jumble of restored Gothic and Communist architecture, tumultuous history and vibrant café culture. On arrival, your Travelling Concierge will check you into your luxury hotel, situated on the famous Royal Route. With the evening at leisure, use this time as you see fit, perhaps wandering the Old Town.

  • Meals included: breakfast, lunch

  • Accommodations: Hotel Bristol, Warsaw


Day 12

  • Join a local expert for an in-depth look at Warsaw as you visit the Chopin Monument, the Memorial of the Heroes of the Warsaw Ghetto and hear the tragic story of the Warsaw Uprising. Explore the reconstructed, colorful Old Town, home to the Royal Castle.

  • VOAL Exclusive: farewell dinner at the Belvedere Restaurant

  • The Belvedere Restaurant is one of the most beautiful and interesting places on the culinary map of Poland. The restaurant is located in the unique building of the New Orangery in Łazienki Królewskie, a building with over 150 years of history. This is a place where you can forget about the surrounding world for a time and indulge in the delicacies of modern Polish cuisine with Italian, French and oriental accents.

  • Meals included: breakfast, dinner with wine


Day 13

  • After breakfast, bid farewell to your travel companions and transfer to Warsaw airport for your onward journey.

  • Meals included: breakfast


Costco Member Reviews

 

Available Dates & Prices

Valid For TravelPrice
6/6/2312 Nights from
$6,499*
8/1/2312 Nights from
$6,499*
AvailabilityPrice

Valid For Travel
6/6/23

12 Nights from
$6,499*

Valid For Travel
8/1/23

12 Nights from
$6,499*

 

Terms & Conditions

*Prices listed are based on firm 2023 pricing. Prices are per person, land only and based on double occupancy (twin room). Single room supplements are available. No discounts apply. The above pricing is subject to any additional.

International Air: please note that airfares are not included. The lowest possible airfare available will be quoted on the day you book.

Any unused portion(s) of inclusions are nontransferable, nonrefundable, and not redeemable for cash.

General: Every endeavor is made to ensure all services are included as per your quote request; however it is your responsibility to check all inclusions in the attached itinerary as any items not specified will incur supplementary charges. All itineraries/quotations are offered subject to EU driver regulations. Full details of EU driver regulations can be provided on request. It is the Travel Concierges duty to ensure that driver's regulations are not broken. Please be aware that public holidays, events, conferences, or trade fairs may be scheduled to occur at the time of the group's visit and may have an effect on this trip with accommodations often difficult to secure in and around the area. We will update you on these events as they become available. Hotels listed are to be used as a guide only and are subject to availability unless otherwise stipulated. Luxury Gold reserves the right to alter or deviate from the trip itinerary, inclusions or hotels should circumstances dictate. Coach use is subject to driver regulations.

Deposit: a non-refundable deposit of $200 per person is required to set up the group. Additional deposits may be required by particular hotels which we secure for the trip. As they become known you will be invoiced accordingly, and payment conditions specified. Passenger list: Required to the Luxury Gold office no later than 120 days prior to departure. Final payment due to the Luxury Gold office by no later than 70 days prior to group departure.

Price: all prices for land itineraries are per person in USD. Prices are based on charges, taxes, and levies current at the time of booking and may change if there are significant changes in taxes, charges or levies imposed by any government or its agencies. The price based on minimum passenger numbers and in order for the tour to operate these passenger numbers must be met.

Invoicing: regardless if passenger numbers drop or increase after final payment has been paid to Luxury Gold, you will be re-invoiced accordingly, based on full paying passenger numbers travelling, corresponding with the applicable price break quoted. This applies right up until day of departure.

Cancellation fees: more than 65 days prior to departure: loss of deposits. Between 65 and 31 days prior to departure: 30% of total tour cost. Between 30 and 8 days prior to departure: 50% of total tour cost. Between 7 days and day of departure: 100% of total tour cost.

Trips with rail and cruise: additional supplier penalties may apply depending on the date of the cancellation. Individual cancellations may necessitate an adjustment in the per person trip rate.

Pre/post accommodations: between 14 days and day of departure 100% of accommodation cost. Amendments: a fee of $100 may apply to any change made to your booking once confirmed.

Refunds: no refund is available if cancellations occur after the trip has commenced or with respect to any trips, accommodation, meals or any other services not utilized.

Itinerary changes and trip cancellation: Luxury Gold reserves the right to vary itineraries should circumstances dictate, as well as cancel or reschedule any trip departure in accordance with operating requirements, or circumstances beyond its control. The advertised trips require minimum numbers to depart. Should these not be met Luxury Gold reserves the right to cancel arrangements.

Rooming arrangements: single and triple rooms are limited. Please advise if the group requires more than three (3) single rooms as these will need to be requested and an additional supplement may apply. Single rooms are on a request basis and will be subject to availability at the applicable confirmed hotels. Triple rooms are on a request basis and will be subject to availability at the applicable confirmed hotels.

Trip Membership: any person age 5 years or more is eligible, though if under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. The Traveling Concierge may, at their discretion, require any person to withdraw from any trip if he or she deems the person's acts or conduct offensive or a nuisance to other passengers, and we shall have no further liability.

Baggage allowance and porterage: porterage of one suitcase per person is included in the tour price. Due to limited coach capacity the sum of the length, width and depth of the case should not exceed 160cm (63 inches), and weight should not exceed 20kg (44 lbs). Charges may be levied in the event these limits are exceeded and the promise to transport you may be invalidated.

What's not included: passports and applicable visa fees, laundry, phone calls, items of a personal nature, beverages, meals and sightseeing not detailed on the itinerary, tips and gratuities to the Traveling Concierge, coach drivers and local city guides, excess baggage, optional experiences, and travel insurance. Please note that travel insurance is highly recommended. Please see your travel agent for further details. Suggested tip amounts are $12, or applicable currency equivalent, per person, per day, suggested for the Traveling Concierge, $6 or applicable currency equivalent, per person, per day, suggested for the coach driver and well-being Director each (if applicable) $1 – 2 or applicable currency equivalent per person, per day, suggested for local experts.

Documentation: electronic travel documents will be emailed approximately 3 weeks prior to departure. Electronic travel documents will be sent to the agent/agency email address or to the guests directly upon request, provided accurate email addresses are provided to Luxury Gold.

Booking terms and conditions: these conditions incorporate the basis upon which bookings are accepted by the Travel Agent and Luxury Gold. By making a booking you are agreeing to these terms and conditions. Conditions on this page do supersede conditions stated in the Brochure however for additional terms and conditions not stated here please refer to the 'Booking Conditions and other Important Information' pages in the Luxury Gold Brochure or on our (Luxury Gold) website at https://www.luxurygold.com/us/information/booking-conditions. These must be studied prior to making the commitment of paying the deposit as they must be referred to. Additional terms and conditions may be applicable to group bookings and will be advised as they become known.

COVID-19: An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present. COVID-19 is an extremely contagious disease that can lead to severe illness and death. According to the WHO senior citizens and guests with underlying medical conditions are especially vulnerable.

Please take personal responsibility for your wellbeing. This begins with packing any personal protective equipment and sanitizers you require. Please adopt physical distancing and hygiene practices throughout your pre-trip travel arrangements and follow all health instructions whether physical signage, or requests from our (Luxury Gold) professional staff once you are holidaying with us (Luxury Gold). To travel with Luxury Gold, you voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19. Full details of hygiene protocols can be found on our (Luxury Gold) website.

Travel vaccination policy: all guests booked to travel with Luxury Gold are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, which may include a booster shot to keep it current and valid. Children under 16 must provide a verifiable and negative COVID-19 test result taken 72 hours prior to the start of the tour (taking time zones into consideration) until further notice.

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Package ID: LUXURYGOLDVOAL2023CAN