Winter Rhapsody Tour Itinerary
REF: EU24WL
VERSION: 22
Kumuka's Facebook Fan Page
Duration:10 days - Vienna to London
Countries Visited:Austria - Czech Republic - Germany - Netherlands - France - England
Age Guide:18-55 years
Max Group Size:48
Transport:Air-Conditioned Coach
Accommodation:Hotel Accommodation (9 Nights)
What's Included:9 Breakfasts, 4 Dinners - Escorted Tour, Kumuka Tour Leader and Driver - Orientation Tours of Major Cities - Single Eurostar - All Surcharges, Tolls and Taxes
Local Payment:NO LOCAL PAYMENT
Highlights:Vienna - Orientation Tour - Prague - City Tour - Charles Bridge - Wenceslas Square - Stare Mesto (Old Town) - Berlin - City Tour - Reichstag - Checkpoint Charlie - Berlin Wall - Brandenburg Gate - Amsterdam - City Tour - Red Light District
Optional Highlights:Vienna - Schonbrunn Palace - St Stephen's Church Catacombs - State Opera House - Prata Fun Fair Wheel - Horse and Carriage Ride - Classical Music/Ballet Performance - Hofburg Palace - Schnapps Tasting Museum - Prague - Hradcany Castle - St Vitus Cathedral - Puppet Show - Black Light Theatre - City Walking Tour - Communism Museum - Berlin - Story of Berlin - Berlin Zoo - Park Sanssouci - City Bike Tour - Jewish Museum - Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp - German History Museum - Pergammon Museum - East Berlin Pub Crawl - TV Tower - Amsterdam - Anne Frank's House - Venus Temple - Van Gogh Museum - Heineken Brewery - Canal Boat Cruise - Rijksmuseum
Meeting Point:

Vienna.  Please meet your tour leader in the lobby of the Vienna hotel on your tour voucher at 6.30pm.

Please contact Kumuka Worldwide for further details about the meeting point for this tour.

Kumuka or your agent can also assist you in booking pre tour accommodation at this hotel. Alternatively visit our website and book online.

The pre-departure meeting is held to discuss the tour itinerary in more detail, meet your crew and fellow passengers. In addition the crew will check that all passengers have the necessary travel documents and insurance for the tour. It is IMPORTANT that you attend this meeting. Please advise KUMUKA or your AGENT if you CANNOT attend this meeting.

All passengers MUST bring:

1. Passport.

2. Travel Voucher.

3. Travel Insurance Policy.  

Please Note: This is tour is part of a longer circuit. You may be joining up with passengers who have travelled through from London or Paris, and in Vienna some passengers may leave the tour and there may be new passengers joining.

Day 1:

Vienna.  Please meet your tour leader in the lobby of the Vienna hotel on your tour voucher at 6.30pm.

The pre departure meeting will be followed by a short orientation tour of the main sights and attractions by driving around the main ring road followed by a traditional Austrian dinner tonight and a chance to get to know your fellow travelling companions.

Day 2:

Vienna - Coach Free Day.  You have today free to explore Vienna. You can visit the Hofburg Imperial Palace, Schonbrunn Summer Palace, St. Stephens Cathedral and the Catacombs among many other sights. Perhaps you might like to venture off to the Prater fun park and enjoy some of the rides including the giant Ferris wheel.

Ever since Austria played host to the golden age of music 250 years ago, the Viennese love to listen to beautiful music in sumptuous surroundings, and tonight you will have the chance to do just that. Your tour leader can organize an afternoon or evening of Strauss and Mozart, ballet and opera, held in one of Vienna’s palaces or grand halls. A glass of bubbly will be served at intermission as you gaze upon sparkling chandeliers and live the high life in this sophisticated city. Concert and glass of champagne 40 € per person.

Dinner is not included this evening.

Day 3:

Vienna to Prague.  We depart the hotel early to reach the Czech Republic border. Once we have cleared the Czech border, it is approximately a 5 hour drive to Prague.

We will go straight to the hotel and check in. Dependent on time of our arrival, we will either head straight into town using public transport, for an orientation walking tour and dinner, or if we arrive late we will have dinner in the hotel.

Day 4:

Prague - Coach Free Day.  If we arrived late yesterday, your tour leader will take you into the centre of Prague by public transport and take you on an orientation walking tour. The tour includes Wenceslas Square, the Estates Theatre (Mozart’s Theatre), the Old Town (including the unique Astronomical Clock) and the famous Charles Bridge.

Otherwise, if we completed the tour upon yesterdays arrival, you have today completely free to explore Prague. Check out some of the many Bohemian Crystal shops, or stroll across the Charles Bridge and up Mala Strana (‘the little street’) to Hradcany castle. With its huge student population and live music scene, Prague’s a perfect place to enjoy a few cheap beers.

Dinner is not included this evening. If you have been “saving” yourself for a big night, Prague is the place to do it! There is definitely an abundance of bars and clubs here. Or you might want to check out the famous puppet shows or one of the many live music venues that Prague has to offer.

Day 5:

Prague To Berlin.  Leaving the spires of Prague behind us, we will journey through some small Czech towns, which will take you back in time, to arrive at the German border. The border can sometimes be time consuming but is followed by a pleasant drive through former East Germany.  In the late afternoon we will discover Berlin with a local guide on board our coach.

We will see both the former East and West sections of the city, including the Brandenburg Gate, the rebuilt Reichstag (home of German Parliament), Museum Island, Check Point Charlie and the modern Potsdamer Platz.

Tonight dinner is included.

Day 6:

Berlin - Coach Free Day.   Today is yours to explore, why not visit some of Berlin’s famous museums including Check Point Charlie, Story of Berlin or the Topography of Terror. There’s Museum Island with everything from the original bust of Nefertiti (regarded as the most beautiful woman in the world), to amazing treasures and artwork from ancient times.  For a great view of Berlin we recommend heading to Alexanderplatz and taking the lift to the top of the Fernsehturm (TV) Tower.

In the evening, why not make your way to Hackersher Market and check out the interesting array of cafes, bars and restaurants where you can meet locals and other travelers.

Dinner is not included this evening.

Day 7:

Berlin - Coach Free Day.   Due to European driving laws restricting our coach usage for 3 nights we have included an extra day in Berlin so that you can take advantage of the many attractions that this city, the energetic and hectic heart of modern Germany, has to offer. Visit the dynamic Sony Centre, or the smartest department store in Berlin, the KaDeWe, and marvel at the array of food in the over the top food hall.

If that’s not enough, there is a huge selection of department stores, shoe shops, and multi level book and music stores to accommodate all tastes and needs. Wander through the world renowned Berlin Zoo. Walk along the curved walkway built inside the glass dome of the Reichtstadt building and marvel in the amazing architecture and the masses of building projects going on in the area.

Dinner tonight is not included.

Day 8:

Berlin to Amsterdam. We will depart early for a long driving day to Amsterdam. Upon arriving in Amsterdam, we will check into the hotel before heading into the city for a brief orientation tour.

Dinner is not included this evening, therefore your tour leader will point you in the direction of an assortment of restaurants to accommodate every palate. Once your appetite is satisfied, you will be offered the chance to take in some of Amsterdam’s more unusual forms of entertainment, or discover the canal area and explore the nocturnal city sights.

Later in the evening, the coach will be returning to the hotel, the exact timing will be subject to driving regulations. If you wish to stay out later public transport is available all night. 

Day 9:

Amsterdam - Coach Free Day.  Today you have the day free to explore Amsterdam. You can visit Anne Frank’s house, Dam Square, the Red Light District, the Heineken Brewery Museum or the many museums in Museum Plein including the Rijksmuseum and the Vincent Van Gogh Museum.

Take in the highlights by cruising the canals, or do as the locals do and hire a bike. If you want an alternative to the infamous Red Light District, try the area known as the Leidseplein. Here you will find cafes, restaurants, shops and cinemas that play films in English. Public transport is available all night.

Tonight we will enjoy our final group meal of the tour. Subject to numbers, this will be followed by an optional boat cruise along the canals of Amsterdam, and our last outing together as a group. Bring your cameras and prepare to sing, dance and let your hair down as we cruise the main waterways of this fabulous city. €30 includes an open bar and music.

Day 10:

Amsterdam to Paris/London. We depart the hotel for the last drive of the tour. We drive through Belgium, before crossing back into France.

Once we arrive in Paris we will drive directly to Gare du Nord.  The tour ends upon arrival at Gare du Nord at approximately 4.30pm.

Dinner is not included this evening.

If you are making your own travel arrangements from this point onward, please be advised that we cannot guarantee early arrivals and leave plenty of time in your travel schedule accordingly.

If you are returning to London, your tour leader will make sure that you have your Eurostar ticket and show you where to check in. Kumuka accept no responsibility for delays or timetable alterations.

At St Pancras there are good underground connections, good local train links and it is also easy to get a taxi. If you have post tour accommodation at the Holiday Inn Hotel you could either walk or catch a taxi and this can be shared with fellow travellers.

No accommodation is included for Day 10

Finishing Point:

Your tour will end upon arrival at St Pancras International Station, London.

Please contact Kumuka or your agent if you would like to book post tour accommodation in London at the below hotel.  Alternatively you can book at www.kumuka.com

HOLIDAY INN KINGS CROSS

1 Kings Cross Road

London WC1X 9HX

Tel. +44 2078333900

Fax. +44 2079176163

Underground: King’s Cross (Northern/Victoria/Hammersmith & City/Circle/Metropolitan lines)

Staying in Touch:

Whilst on tour you will probably want to stay in touch with family and friends. There are several ways of doing this:

Mobile Phone – Before departing your home country check with your phone supplier to see if it compatible with the mobile phone networks in the countries that you are traveling to, and how much will it cost to use abroad.

Email – Internet Cafes are very cheap and popular, and you are sure to come across several during your tour. If you haven’t done so already, set up a free Google Mail, Hotmail, or Yahoo email account which you can then access from any computer. Internet Cafes will charge a nominal fee for using their computers. Within Europe some hotels charge a wifi connection fee and we cannot guarantee a wifi connection at all hotels we use.

Twitter – A method of communication that is rapidly gaining in popularity on the Internet especially amongst travelers. Twitter allows you to send short messages and update your friends and family with where you are on tour and what you are doing. Create your free account at http://twitter.com. Visit Kumuka’s page on Twitter at http://twitter.com/kumuka

Facebook – Very popular website that allows you to upload stories, get in touch with fellow travellers before and after your Kumuka tour, upload photos and videos to share with other travellers, your family and friends. To create a free account, go to www.facebook.com and then become a fan of Kumuka’s Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/pages/Kumuka-Worldwide/26617121087?ref=ts

Postcards – The good ol’ fashioned postcard. But you will probably get home before the postcard does!

Tour Feedback:

Tour Questionnaire - We would like to hear about your experiences on tour. One week after your tour ends you will automatically receive a feedback questionnaire via email. If we do not have your email address you can still complete a questionnaire by visiting www.kumuka.com/feedback

Email - If you have any specific comments about your tour then please write to us by email to operations@kumuka.com

Please Note:

Please be aware that arrival times and the itinerary may change due to unforeseen delays or events such as festivals and public holidays. However, we shall endeavour to ensure all sites are visited and that your tour runs smoothly.As you will have read there are coach free days written into the itinerary. The reason for this is that EU law dictates that coach drivers are restricted to the number of hours they can drive in any one day and that they must have at least one day off in seven. Due to this and also for your convenience we try to get hotels that are close to public transport and centrally located. Public transport in Europe is of a good standard.

What's Not Included:

All optional excursions, visas and meals unless otherwise stated in the itinerary.

Insurance:

Travel insurance is compulsory for all tours. All clients MUST be insured to cover personal accident, medical expenses, cancellation, curtailment, repatriation, etc. Also, be aware that many activities such as trekking, bungy jumping or white water rafting may not be covered on your insurance policy. If you plan on doing any of these activities please purchase additional insurance. We recommend that you have a photocopy of this document, which you keep separate from the original. If you have not already arranged your own travel insurance then Kumuka can do this for you. Please visit http://www.kumuka.com/Travel-Insurance.aspx for more details or contact your nearest Kumuka office.

Please Note: You will not be permitted to join a Kumuka Tour without travel insurance.

Passport:

Your passport is a valuable document and you should exercise extreme care in keeping it safe. We recommend that you keep your passport on you at all times, preferably in a money belt that is worn under your clothing. We advise that you take copies of relevant pages in your passport and any visas that you may purchase in case of loss or damage. Your tour leader will require your passport details at the pre-departure meeting. Again, we recommend that you have a photocopy of all passport details, kept separate. Your passport must be valid for six months after the END of your tour, and must have one blank page for each country to be visited.

Visa Requirements:

It is important that you obtain the appropriate visas before you embark on your Europe trip. Country entry regulations change daily, www.kumuka.com provides you with visa information. Please consult your relevant embassy for all details such as opening hours or costs. Visas cannot be obtained once you have started your tour, and during the peak summer months it can take longer than normal to get visas, please allow extra time to do this.

EACH CLIENT IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR OBTAINING ALL NECESSARY VISAS BEFORE JOINING A TOUR.

Please note:  If you require a Schengen visa, please ensure that if you are travelling on an Oktoberfest tour you obtain a double entry visa for Germany.

Kumuka does not accept responsibility for changes in regulations or requirements for visas. The information provided is given in good faith.

Medical Information and Vaccination:

Vaccinations:

No vaccinations are compulsory in Europe however you may need additional inoculations so please contact your G.P or a travel medical centre for further information.

 

We also recommend:

           

  • A dental check-up prior to travelling.
  • That you know your blood group in case of emergency.
  • That if you have any pre-existing medical conditions which might affect you on tour, you make these known to your tour leader and your agent/Kumuka at the time of your booking.          

You can also visit www.kumuka.com for further details.

           

Medical Supplies:

           

Your tour leader has a well-equipped medical kit that by law must remain sealed and can only be used in an emergency. We advise that all passengers bring along their own personal first aid kit. Below is a list of some recommended items:

 

 Band Aids/Bandages, Laxatives, Upset stomach remedy, Anti-diarrhoea remedy, Panadol/Aspirin, Rehydration remedy, Antiseptic cream/powder, Sterile dressing, any relevant course of medication such as contraceptive pills.

 

A complete Travellers Medical Pack can be purchased for approximately US$25 at most Vaccination Centres, Chemists and outdoor travel shops.

Climate:

For detailed climate information see www.kumuka.com.

Travel Tip: Always bring a lightweight, waterproof jacket and/or an umbrella even during the height of summer - this should prepare you for anything!

Security:

Europe, like the rest of the world, is no stranger to theft. You must exercise extreme care with wallets, cameras and other valuables especially in towns or busy tourist areas. We advise that you make copies of your passport, credit cards, airline tickets and your insurance policy and that you keep a careful note of both used and unused traveller’s cheque numbers. At times when you are unable to store your valuables in safety deposit boxes in hotels we recommend that you carry some sort of money belt or hidden pouch for safekeeping of valuable items.

Books and Reading Material:

You might like to read up on the destinations that you are about to visit as these cities all have interesting sites and histories. We recommend a variety of guidebooks such as Lonely Planet, The Rough Guide and Insight Guides. All these publications have good general information as well as more specific country information that will help orientate you in the countries you visit.

Money:

We recommend an average of €40-50 per day. This of course depends on your own spending habits, the number of optional excursions you wish to take and the amount of additional snacks, souvenirs and drinks you wish to buy along the way. Be aware that some countries are more expensive than others and that if you are travelling through several your expenses will vary enormously. Similarly there will be some days when you spend nothing at all and others when you exceed your budget.

  • We advise that you carry a mixture of cash mainly Euros and credit/debit cards with you on your trip. 
  • Credit cards are accepted virtually everywhere in Europe. They can also be used to obtain money from ATMs. You should make sure you know your PIN number.
  • ATM cards can be used widely in Europe. Again, you will need your PIN. Your bank will provide you with more details.
  • Euro cheques are now valid for all EU countries except the UK, Switzerland, Hungary and the Czech Republic. The Euro has come into effect as a cash currency from 2002
  • Travellers cheques are difficult to cash and always have a transaction fee applied..
Local Customs:

Please use your discretion and be sensitive to cultural differences in the countries that you visit, in particular visits to religious buildings and when taking photographs. Your Tour Leader will advise you of any specific customs to observe.

Left Luggage

Kumuka cannot be held liable for any left luggage whilst on tour and due to high admin and postage costs no left items will be returned.

Luggage and Personal Equipment:

How much should I take?

  • Because of limited luggage space on coaches and Eurostar, we must limit each passenger to ONE main suitcase or frameless backpack the size should be no more than 75cm x 45cm x 25cm and one day bag.
  • Your main bag must not weigh more than 20 kg’s.
  • A frameless or internally framed backpack is the best way to carry your belongings since it is easy to lift on and off vehicles.
  • A small daypack is practical for keeping general items (e.g. camera, books, wallets etc.) at hand when your main pack is out of reach. It is also handy for day trips and excursions. We also recommend that you keep your passport, credit cards Travellers Cheques etc. on you at all times, preferably in a money belt worn under your clothes.

TRAVEL TIP: You might be tempted to buy a few souvenirs here and there, so leave a little room for those extra purchases!

Personal Effects:

We suggest that you take into account the time of year you will be travelling, and pack accordingly to the season. Quick drying clothes are recommended, and at many hotels there are laundry facilities. Your tour leader will advise where this is possible.

Personal Effects:

Camera, Spare passport photos, Water bottle, Money belt, Sewing kit, Sunhat/ Sunglasses, Music CDs/Ipod, Books, Wet Ones, Soap to wash clothes, Writing materials, Swiss Army knife, Calculator, Personal toiletries, including tampons, contraceptives, Insect Repellent, Sunscreen.

Time:For detailed information see www.timezoneconverter.com or www.timeanddate.com
Language:

English will be widely spoken in the major tourist attractions of the main cities. Take the time before your trip to read up on the country you will be visiting and perhaps learn a few words of the language. Your effort will always be welcomed and will make your trip all the more enjoyable.

Photography:

Please remember, we are guests in the countries through which we travel and we may sometimes inadvertently cause offence by taking photographs without first asking permission.

It is absolutely forbidden by law to take photos at any borders, as they are all active military installations.

Food:

Vegetarians or those with special dietary needs can also be catered for however in some countries the type of food may be limited and repetitive. Please let the Reservations team know your special requirements as soon as possible so that we can do all possible to assist your needs, but please note that special meals may incur an extra cost which is payable at the restaurant.

The level of food provided on our European coach tours is aimed at a 'group environment' and specific allergies cannot be catered to generally due to the number and variety of countries visited within Europe, although our Tour Leaders will always do their best to cater for such needs where possible.

We provide hearty meals but the variety of food will differ, as you will be visiting a number of different countries. We try to ensure that you get the most experience from your Kumuka Europe coach trip and one of the ways to do this is by trying the local cuisine. Dinners are generally 3 course with drinks extra.

Accommodation:

We have put a lot of thought and effort into locating the most appropriate type of accommodation for each tour. It will always be clean, comfortable and of a very high standard.

All accommodation is in superior tourist class hotel. We guarantee accommodation in a twin room for every passenger on mainland European departures. Please note: On all our European Coach tours Triple rooms are not available.

Pre and Post Tour Accommodation:All our tours begin with a pre-departure meeting when you meet your tour leader, driver and fellow travellers. If you wish to spend a few additional days in your start city before the departure of your tour, then we can arrange accommodation for you. On the last day of the tour we usually arrive at our final destination in the late afternoon, when the tour ends. If you would like to book accommodation for that night or even stay additional nights, we will be more than happy to arrange this for you as well. All our accommodation is carefully chosen, conveniently located, clean and comfortable. (All rates per person per night and subject to availability).Please be aware that accommodation availability can fill very quickly especially during high season and recommend that you book this as soon as possible. It will NOT be possible to confirm any pre tour accommodation made 2 weeks or less prior to your arrival.
Tipping:

In Europe tipping is a way of life and very much expected. For many tipping is a means of supplementing their wage and is a normal part of payment for goods and services. Be sure to keep small denomination notes or coins on you to avoid embarrassment. Sales and service taxes are imposed in some restaurants and bars.

Drug Policy:

Under no circumstances are any illegal drugs allowed on any part of the trip. Anyone discovered in possession of any such drugs, will be asked to leave the tour immediately without question or refund.

Optional Activities:

Kumuka endeavours to advertise a compliment of optional activities available locally during tours with selected ground handlers to make your tour more enjoyable. These ground handlers and activity partners are selected for their standards in quality, professional ability and reputation. Whereas, Kumuka has developed a travel insurance policy to cover all activities offered during your journey, Kumuka can not be held responsible for injuries or claims arising from adventurous activities by third parties.

Below is a list of extra excursions, museums and monuments available at your expense on your European tour. Please note that these are intended as a guide only, prices and availability cannot be guaranteed and some activities are subject to conditions. Prices are in Euros. Your tour leader will assist you in planning and organising any optional excursions.  The list below is by no means comprehensive. There will be many other optional activities available. We strongly advise if you are entitled to a student card that you obtain one prior to departure - many museums and galleries in Europe offer substantial student discounts.

VIENNA - Schoenbrunn Palace €10.50 - Hofburg Palace & Silver Collection €7.50 - Dali Museum €6.50 - Giant Ferris wheel €7.50 - St Stephens Cathedral €5.00 - Museum of Fine Arts €9.00 - Kunsthaus Wein/Hundertwasserhaus € 8.00 – PRAGUE - Castle District €7 - Jewish Museum €10 (Payable in Czech Korunas) – BERLIN - Museums and Galleries from € 5.00 - Reichstag free - Checkpoint Charlie €8.00 - AMSTERDAM - Anne Franks House €7.50 - Museum entry fees Museum entry fees-from €7

Contact Details:

KUMUKA WORLDWIDE

UK OFFICE

Hillswood Business Park 3000
Hillswood Drive Chertsey KT16 0RS
Tel: +4420 7937 8855 Fax: +442075043782

Email: sales@kumuka.com
www.kumuka.com

AUSTRALIAN OFFICE

Level 5, 387 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Tel: 02 9279 0491 Fax: 02 9279 0492
Email: sales@kumuka.com.au
www.kumuka.com.au

Map:
This tour is operated by Kumuka Worldwide. Information given in all brochures, leaflets and dossiers is given in good faith by the company, and is based on the latest information available at the date of publication. The company reserves the right to change any of the facilities or vehicles described in the brochure without becoming liable for compensation or refund.
Return to tour page