AN AUSTRO-HUNGARIAN JOURNEY

Blue-Roads | Europe

Immerse yourself in the magic of the Christmas season on this tour of Austria, Slovenia, Croatia and Hungary's most festive attractions. Starting in enchanting Vienna and finishing in cheerful Budapest, this seasonal adventure is filled with music, natural wonders, delicious foods and bustling markets - making it the ideal winter break for those seeking a taste of traditional Central Europe.

TOUR CODE:

BEHAHVB-0 Thank You for Choosing Blue-Roads

Thank you for choosing to travel with Back-Roads Touring. We can’t wait for you to join us on the mini-coach!

About Your Tour Notes THE BLUE-ROADS DIFFERENCE Attend a soul-stirring classical Christmas concert at the Kursalon in These tour notes contain everything you need to know Vienna before your tour departs – including where to meet, Learn traditional Slovenian recipes at what to bring with you and what you can expect to do a cooking class in Ljubljana on each day of your itinerary. You can also print this Browse the stalls at Zagreb Christmas document out, use it as a checklist and bring it with you market - Europe's most beautiful on tour. Christmas market

Please Note: We recommend that you refresh TOUR CURRENCIES this document one week before your tour departs to ensure you have the most up-to-date + Austria - EUR accommodation list and itinerary information + Slovenia - EUR available. + Croatia - HRK + Hungary - HUF Your Itinerary

DAY 1 | VIENNA

Our tour will begin in magical Vienna, where we’ll visit St Stephen’s Cathedral and explore the historic town centre’s most iconic landmarks. Along the way, we’ll stop off at an authentic Viennese coffee house – where we’ll learn about the importance of cafés in Viennese history. After enjoying a freshly brewed coffee (complete with traditional liqueur and delicious slice of Sachertorte), our tour will continue with a visit to the impressive City Hall – where the Vienna Christmas Dream Market awaits us. We’ll spend some time strolling the sparkling stalls before moving on to a nearby restaurant for dinner. And then? We’ll round off the day at the elegant Kursalon, where we’ll be treated to a classical concert featuring the music of Strauss and Mozart. Accommodation: TBC

MEALS: Dinner

DAY 2 | VIENNA - PIBER - GRAZ

After breakfast, our first stop of the day will be Piber – where we’ve an appointment to keep at the Lipizzaner Stud, the home of Europe’s oldest purebred horses. While we’re here, we’ll learn about blacksmithing and visit the carriage museum – and we’ll also have the chance to see the foals with their mothers. Then: it’s onwards to a nearby dairy, where we’ll gain a fascinating insight into the cheesemaking process (and sample some local cheese, ham and wines while we’re at it). This afternoon, we’ll set a course for Graz – which will be bustling with Christmas markets and lit up with decorations at this special time of year. Accommodation: TBC

MEALS: Breakfast

DAY 3 | GRAZ - LAKE BLED - LJUBLJANA

Farewell, Austria! Today our journey will continue into Slovenia as we set our sights on the awe- inspiring Lake Bled. When we get there, a unique experience awaits us at the castle: a visit to the famous Beehouse, which celebrates the Carniolan bee. After enjoying a honey tasting session, we’ll move on to Ljubljana – where we’ll wrap up warm for an enchanting walking tour of the illuminated streets. Treat yourself to a cup of mulled wine and a honey cookie as we learn the story behind the city’s Christmas decorations – which are the brainchild of renowned painter Zmago Modic. Accommodation: TBC

MEALS: Breakfast DAY 4 | LJUBLJANA - POSTOJNA CAVE - LJUBLJANA

After breakfast, we’ll board the mini-coach and make tracks to a true natural wonder: the breathtaking Postojna Cave. While we’re here, we’ll be lucky enough to take a ride on the underground train, taking a closer look at the cave system’s towering rock formations, sparkling rivers and vast subterranean halls as we go. The afternoon will see us back in Ljubljana, where we’ll have the opportunity to try our hands at a Slovenian recipe or two at an included cookery class. The best part? We’ll be able to eat our creations afterwards! Appetites satisfied, the evening will be yours to spend as you please. Accommodation: TBC

MEALS: Breakfast Dinner

DAY 5 | LJUBLJANA - NOVO MESTO - ZAGREB

On today’s agenda: a stop at Novo Mesto, a city situated on a picturesque bend of the Krka River. After enjoying a traditional Slovenian snack in the historic centre, we’ll move on to Zagreb – where we’ll tuck into a two-course lunch before embarking on a city tour. Then: one of the best Christmas markets in Europe is calling! Expect colourful displays, festive food and drink, concerts, choirs and much more. It’s no wonder this bustling Advent attraction draws visitors from all over the world! Accommodation: TBC

MEALS: Breakfast Lunch

DAY 6 | ZAGREB - HEVIZ

Today we’ll shake off the chill of winter with a visit to the biggest thermal lake in Europe: Hévíz, where we’ll have the chance to take a dip in the warm waters. With beautiful water lilies peppering the lake’s surface – and humid air rising all around us – this truly is an unforgettable experience, especially during the winter. Back on dry land, the afternoon will see us exploring the area’s Christmas market. Expect lots of hearty foods – including sausages, pickles, peppers and lángos. Accommodation: TBC

MEALS: Breakfast

DAY 7 | HEVIZ - BUDAPEST

There’s nowhere more festive at Christmas time than Budapest – making it the perfect place to round off our trip. Our last hurrah? A cruise along the Danube, with a buffet-style lunch. Then: time to say goodbye.

MEALS: Breakfast Lunch Tour Information

Meals Blue-Roads Travel App INCLUDED MEALS

Breakfast (B) is included daily. Why not check in for your tour using the Back- Some of your lunches and dinners are also Roads app? included, either in hotels or local restaurants. This handy tool allows you to view your These are indicated by (L) and (D) in the bookings, check your itinerary, see tour maps itinerary. and more – making it the perfect travel Please note that drinks will not always be companion for your Back-Roads trip. included. How to Download the Back-Roads app We will do our best to accommodate any specific dietary requirements you may have. 1. Launch the App Store or Google Play on Please ensure to make these clear to us your device before your tour begins so we can 2. Search ‘Back-Roads’ and click ‘OK’ communicate them to our hotels, restaurants 3. Select the Back-Roads app in the search and suppliers. results 4. Click the download/install button 5. The app should be installed in your device’s applications page

Other Information

Finances

CHANGING MONEY SPENDING MONEY CASH: Foreign money can be changed at Naturally, everyone’s spending varies. Many of banks, airports, railway and tube stations, and your meals are included in the price of your at major hotels (though at a less favourable tour, so this just leaves a few meals and your rate) personal spending to budget for. CREDIT CARDS: Visa and MasterCard are widely Tips for the Tour Leader and Driver are not accepted. American Express is only accepted in included. Tipping is entirely at your some larger establishments discretion; however, if you feel you have CASH MACHINES: ATMS are widely available received exceptional service, it is recommended that you tip £1-2/€ per day for Drivers and £4-5/€ per day for Tour Leaders.

Insurance Passports and Visas

You will need to take out full travel insurance We advise you either to carry a photocopy of before travelling with Back-Roads Touring. your passport (and visa, if applicable) with you Please ensure that you have adequate medical, while abroad, or to ensure that you leave a personal effects and cancellation cover. copy with relatives back at home. We recommend that you carry your insurance This will enable the local embassy or high details with you at all times. You may be asked commission to arrange a replacement if the to provide details of your medical insurance or original should be lost or stolen. a payment guarantee in some countries before If you do take copies with you on your trip, medical assistance can be provided. please ensure that you keep these separate Your insurance company may not assist you from your original documents. with your claim if the instructions given in the It is your responsibility to obtain any visas policy have not been followed. necessary to enable you to travel in Europe or Asia. Contact your local consular office for more information. Transport

We travel in premium mini-coaches equipped with comfortable seats, air conditioning and large windows for enjoying the view. With far more flexibility than a standard-size coach, we’re able to take the scenic route – winding through beautiful countryside to the heart of tiny villages and coastal towns. What to Bring

Suggested Packing List Wondering what to take with you on tour? Our packing list can be used as a guide. Please Note: What you pack will depend on the countries you’re visiting and the time of year you plan to travel. The following is a suggested clothing list only, based on our experience:

Sun hat Sunglasses Shorts/skirts Long-sleeved tops Short-sleeved tops Trousers Light jacket Waterproof jacket and Warm jacket umbrella Walking shoes/comfortable shoes Smart casual evening Sleepwear Swimwear and towel wear

Other things to pack:

Multi-use travel adapter Camera Batteries Phone Personal medication Sunscreen Paracetamol or aspirin

OPTIONALS TO CONSIDER:

Motion sickness tablets Anti-diarrhoea tablets Sewing kit Lip balm

That's it!

We look forward to seeing you on tour.