This unusual tour combines the most important capitals of Central Europe: Berlin, Prague, and Vienna. In between enjoy wonderful landscapes, vineyards, lakes and towering mountains.
This trip will be customized according to your wishes.
Unlike other European capitals, Berlin is a young city that only grew in importance with the rise of Prussia to a European powerhouse in 1815.
Yet there is hardly a city that affected – and was affected by – 20th century history more than Berlin. After the peaceful reunification Berlin became a world city of culture, politics, media and science. In the 21st century the city has become a magnet for entrepreneurs, creative people and immigrants. Berlin’s architecture, festivals, nightlife and creative alternative scenes attract millions of visitors to the city.
The hotel is a tremendous value in the heart of Berlin. Its location on a quiet, tree-lined street just off the Kurfürstendamm couldn't be better.
The five-story building, built around 1900 as a private residence, has a nostalgic, old-fashioned look with ornate designs on its cream-coloured facade, tall windows, romantic balconies edged with flowerboxes, and a large tree shading the entrance. You step inside to a hallway with a black-and-white marble floor, mirrored walls, and a vaulted ceiling. The rooms are spacious and nicely furnished in a traditional style with dark wooden furniture, pastel-coloured fabrics and lace curtains. Many of the rooms face onto the quiet courtyard.
For much of the trip south you will pass through the great forests of the Spreewald, an area designated a biosphere reserve by UNESCO in 1991.
Your train tickets will not be booked by Umfulana. Please book online on www.bahn.de. Alternatively you can book on www.raileurope.com, where prices will be displayed in most currencies, but tend to be more expensive than on the the local provider's website. Another option is to purchase your ticket on arrival at the station.
The political and cultural capital of Saxony has an eventful history. Although already mentioned in 1206, it was largely insignificant until the 15th century.
After it survived the 30-year war, it burned to the ground in 1685. The city of the Saxon Elector was then rebuilt in glorious fashion and given a uniform baroque townscape which earned her the name “Florence of the North”. In February 1945 the hitherto scarcely damaged city was razed to the ground in one night by a devastating bomb attack. For decades the ruins of the Frauenkirche were a memorial to the horrors of war. The glorious restoration of the Frauenkirche in 2005 unleashed the ambition of the city to reconnect with its former splendor and beauty before the 2nd World War. The old town between the Zwinger (palace) and Kreuzkirche (Church of the Holy Cross) has been restored to its former glory and many other sites in the city are being rebuilt.
Behind its impressive Baroque façade this small luxury hotel is an elegant retreat in the heart of the city. It offers a gourmet restaurant, impeccable service and a stunning spa overlooking the rooftops of Dresden.
Reminiscent of a 19th century palace, the décor is distinctly regal. The comfortable Biedermeier-style bedrooms and suites are furnished with classical furniture. The city centre is at your doorstep: the Residenzschloss, the Saxon State Opera and the new market (Neumarkt) are all within easy walking distance. After a busy day of sightseeing, guests can treat themselves to a gourmet dinner on the restaurant terrace with breathtaking views of the famous Church of Our Lady.
You will cross the border at Schöna. After crossing the border you will enter Bohemia, a region historically settled by ethnic Germans that has been the object of much contention through the centuries.
Your train tickets will not be booked by Umfulana. Please book online on www.bahn.de. Alternatively you can book on www.raileurope.com, where prices will be displayed in most currencies, but tend to be more expensive than on the the local provider's website. Another option is to purchase your ticket on arrival at the station.
The city on the Vltava, also known as the city of 100 towers or the Golden City, is considered one of the most beautiful capitals of Europe.
Since 1992 the entire historical old town has been declared a World Heritage Site. The region has been densely populated since prehistoric times. In the 6th century the Slavs settled there first. German and Jewish merchants made the city one of the main trading centers of Central Europe in the 10th century. The real heyday of Prague began in the 14th century with Charles IV. who became King of Bohemia in 1346. The Charles Bridge and Charles University, which is the oldest university north of the Alps, bear his name. Until World War II the city was inhabited by Czechs, Germans and Jews. Especially for the German culture the city has contributed substantially, as evidenced in names such as Albert Einstein, Franz Kafka or Rainer Maria Rilke.
This historical residence stands next to the US and German embassies on a hill below Prague Castle and is only a five-minute walk from Charles Bridge.
Having been recently restored, the bedrooms and suites offer the best of Prague's past combined with contemporary comfort. Largely devoid of big city bustle and traffic, this peaceful part of town creates a welcoming atmosphere for both short and extended stays. A private garden and underground parking garage complement the high standard of service. All 21 suites are stylishly furnished with parquet floors, kitchenettes and marble bathrooms.
The route leads through Bohemia and Moravia past the city of Brno, the second largest city in the Czech Republic. You will cross the border into Austria just past Breclav.
Your train tickets will not be booked by Umfulana. Please book online on www.oebb.at. Alternatively you can book on www.raileurope.com, where prices will be displayed in most currencies, but tend to be more expensive than on the the local provider's website. Another option is to purchase your ticket on arrival at the station.
The city on the Danube, which is situated at the crossroads of the transport routes from the Baltic to the Adriatic and from southern Germany to the Great Hungarian Plain, is much more than the capital of Austria.
For many centuries Vienna was the center of a powerful empire covering much of southeast Europe, the seat of the powerful Habsburg Monarchy which ruled from the Middle Ages to the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918.The city's illustrious past is reflected in its stately palaces and other majestic landmarks along the ring surrounding the old town, such as the Staatsoper (state opera) and the ducal Hofburg. Today Vienna, former capital of the former multinational state, is a modern, cosmopolitan city with a touch of nostalgia for the glorious days of old. It is still the mecca of classical music with the world's largest music conservatory, the most famous concert halls with countless music events each year.
The small hotel with 26 bedrooms is imbued with homelike atmosphere rarely found in a commercial establishment.
This is not due to chance: It was the intention of owner Otto Wiesenthal from the start to provide guests with an extra measure of hospitality. Before opening his hotel in 1991, Herr Wiesenthal was in the computer business, where his unpleasant experiences with impersonal hotels inspired him to create an inn where guests are welcomed as friends. Located on a quiet side street outside the Inner Ring, the hotel is a 15-minute walk to the heart of Vienna. A staircase leads up one level to the reception area. The reception staff will gladly assist with sightseeing plans, dinner reservations and tickets for events. On the same floor there is a cozy lounge with an open fireplace, which is a popular meeting point for regular guests and local artists and musicians.
Guided Tour with Gerda
“You only see what you know”
After a walking tour with certified guide Gerda you will know Vienna in a way that could never be accomplished on your own. The Vienna native combines her love for the town with her knowledge as a state-certified tourist guide (Austria Guide) ever since her return home from a long stay abroad (South Africa, Germany, Italy).
She will take you on an informative, entertaining 1 1/2-hour walk through the history-laden streets of the Old Town, the former centre of the Habsburg dynasty and the powerful capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Key stops include the Hofburg Imperial Palace, the Kohlmarkt (Vienna's elegant shopping avenue), the Spanish Riding School and, of course, St. Stephan's Cathedral in the heart of the city. The tour can be modified to accommodate your special interests.
Unless otherwise arranged, you will be picked up at your hotel at 10 a.m.
As you travel west from Lower Austria to Upper Austria the Alps will grow more and more prominent on your left.
Your train tickets will not be booked by Umfulana. Please book online on www.oebb.at. Alternatively you can book on www.raileurope.com, where prices will be displayed in most currencies, but tend to be more expensive than on the the local provider's website. Another option is to purchase your ticket on arrival at the station.
The city located at the northern boundary of the Alps is one the most beautiful in central Europe. The backdrop of the Alps to the south contrasts strongly with the rolling plains to the north.
The closest Alpine peak – the 1,972 m Untersberg – is only a few kilometers from the city center. The inner city, or old town, is dominated by baroque towers and churches. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is Salzburg's most famous son. The houses where he was born and also lived in are popular tourist attractions and there are many monuments remembering the “Wolferl” in the city. His family is buried in a small church graveyard in the old town.
The 19th century villa, converted into a boutique hotel, is located in a residential area south of the Kapuzinerberg.
Each of the 14 rooms is individually furnished and offers modern comfort. In the morning a rich Breakfast buffet with local and seasonal specialities awaits and in good weather can also be served on a terrace in the garden with a natural pond. Those who want can take a stroll along the Salzach and reach the oldtown in approximately 15 minutes; with the bus (line 7), it takes about five minutes.
Your train tickets will not be booked by Umfulana. Please book online on www.bahn.de.
Alternatively you can book on www.raileurope.com, where prices will be displayed in most currencies, but tend to be more expensive than on the the local provider's website. Another option is to purchase your ticket on arrival at the station.
The town is located in the Eastern Allgäu on the river Lech, which exits spectacularly from a gorge between Ammergauer and Allgäu Alps into their foothills.
That's why it has its name. The Romans called the settlement on the Via Augusta “Fauces”, which means “gorge”. Today Füssen marks the southern end of the Romantic Road and is a good starting point to visit the Bavarian royal castles. Worth seeing is the old town with its gabled houses and the High Castle, which lies on a steep rock high above the city.
Located right in the center of Füssen, this small hotel offers historic flair. The comfortable rooms are spacious with high quality furnishings.
Some have a balcony with views of the Alps or the old town. Service and quality are the hosts' top priority and one can expect far more than just a comfortable hotel bed. Due to its central location you are only a few steps away from small cobblestone streets, shops and restaurants and the castles of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau are just three kilometers up the hill.
Your train tickets will not be booked by Umfulana. Please book online on www.bahn.de.
Alternatively you can book on www.raileurope.com, where prices will be displayed in most currencies, but tend to be more expensive than on the the local provider's website. Another option is to purchase your ticket on arrival at the station.
Although it is still a relatively young city, Munich’s charisma extends far beyond the Bavarian borders. Around the 11th century a few monks settled on the Isar – hence the name (apud Munichen – with the monks).
Because of its strategic location at a bridge and also at the intersection of two trade routes, the city soon became the residence of the Wittelsbach family who reigned as dukes, electors and kings of Bavaria. The city experienced a boom in the Baroque era and finally also in the 20th century. Munich became the capital of Art Nouveau – but also of the National Socialist movement. In 1919 Hitler already tested the demonic effect of his speeches in the Hofbräukeller. Although Munich is a high-tech location today, the Bavarian folklore is lovingly cared for, especially in the last week of September when the Oktoberfest beer festival takes place.
The 4-star hotel with an authentic Bavarian ambience is just a few steps from the famous Hofbräuhaus in the very heart of Munich.
In addition to spacious, modern bedrooms with individually adjustable air-conditioning, the property features an award-winning restaurant, a cosy bar and spa/fitness facilities. An especially popular feature is the lavish Breakfast buffet. All major sites in the Munich Old Town are within easy walking distance.
Ph.: +49 (0)2268 92298-23
Ph.: +49 (0)2268 92298-25