Highlights of Central Europe

We recommend packing light and smart for this trip as you'll be required to carry your own luggage between train and bus stations and hotels, which can include going up and down multiple flights of stairs, and across cobblestones.

Summer temperatures can be extreme in many of the regions visited (over 40C/105F). Please consider the time of the year you wish to travel and your suitability to that season.

The accommodation we use in Cesky Krumlov is full of character and perfectly represents the spirit of a medieval central European town. This means that the comfort level may be slightly lower compared to the rest of the accommodation used on this trip, however the rustic charm makes up for this.

1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

What you need to bring will vary according to the trip style you have chosen, the countries you are visiting and when you are travelling. Generally speaking, we recommend you pack as lightly as possible and make sure that you are able to carry and lift your own luggage and walk with it for short distances or up or down a flight of stairs. Our travellers usually find the smaller their luggage is, the more they enjoy the trip not having to worry about carrying heavy bags! Aim to keep your main luggage under 15kg.

Many travellers carry their luggage in a compact smaller suitcase or backpack with wheels. We recommend your bag has carry straps or handles so it is easy to lift and carry for the times you are unable to wheel it (ie. on rough surfaces or up steps).

If you are taking overnight trains, or primarily using public transport then the smaller your luggage the easier it will be to store under or above bunks. Large suitcases may not be able to be taken on board. A lockable bag or small padlock for your bag will be useful especially when travelling on public transportation as well.

You'll also need a day pack/bag to carry water, camera, swimming suit, waterproof pouch/bag for phone, hiking shoes and jacket etc. when you’re exploring during the day.

Below we have listed the essentials for this trip:, https://www.intrepidtravel.com/packing-list, WATER BOTTLE
Please bring your own water bottle to refill along the way. Although it can be difficult to avoid bottled water when travelling, please use the water dispensers which are provided on some of our vehicles and at some of our accommodation. Your group leader or local representative will advise whether tap water is safe to drink in your destination, and if it is, you can simply refill it with tap water. When unable to avoid bottled water, it is better to buy the largest available and distribute it into your smaller bottle for the day. If you are walking or trekking as part of your trip you will need to carry at least 2L of water with you.

This trip can be enjoyed by just about anyone with a reasonable level of fitness. Some trips may have individual inclusions that may be of a higher physical rating compared to the overall rating of the trip. Please read the day-to-day itinerary carefully to find out more details on each day's activities, and whether they are suitable for you. Activities can be opted out of if you don't want to participate.

Hotel Clement, Klimentská 30, Prague, CZECH REPUBLIC, Phone: +420 222 314 350

Hotel Clement is a centrally located 4-star hotel with 76 carefully designed, air-conditioned hotel rooms featuring either one king or two single beds. All rooms are equipped with a minibar, safety box, tea and coffee making facilities, flat screen TV and private bathrooms amenities.

Alternate Joining Point

Prague International Airport (airport code PRG) is approximately 15 km west of the city centre. Taxis are readily available outside of the arrival hall, and the ride should take about 20 minutes, depending on traffic. Alternatively there is a bus to Prague's main railway station (Hlavni Nadrazi). Buses leave every 30 minutes, and take approximately an hour. From the railway station it is a 15 minute walk to the hotel.

Pre booked arrival transfer from Prague airport: If you have pre booked an arrival transfer, your transfer driver will be waiting in the arrivals hall holding a board with the Intrepid Logo or your name. In case of flight cancellations, changes, if you experience severe delays at immigration, baggage collection or customs, or if you are not able to find to the driver, please contact the operator's emergency number.  +420778031448

Hotel Clement Prauge is a 30-minute taxi drive from Prague Internation Airport (PRG). Alternatively, public transport takes around 55 minutes. Board the Airport Shuttle from the main airport terminal and travel to Prague Main Railway Station. From Prague Main Railway Station walk towards Hlavní nádraží tram station, take the tram to Dlouhá třída station, the hotel is a 4-minute walk from Dlouhá třída.

Atrium Fashion Hotel, Csokonai street 14, Budapest, HUNGARY, Phone: +36 12990777

The 4-star Atrium Fashion Hotel offers an ideal spot close to cafés, restaurants and the metro line. Rooms feature a safety deposit box, a minibar, private bathrooms and a hairdryer. A buffet breakfast is served daily, and guests have access to the hotel's pool.

Alternate Finish Point

If you are making your own way to Budapest Airport (airport code BUD) the hotel reception will be able to organise a taxi for you. The ride will take around 30-40 minutes. Alternatively you can take metro line M4 from János Pál Pápa Tér metro station for two stops to Kálvin Tér, and then M3 to the metro station at Kőbánya-Kispest, from where you take bus number 200E. Bus number 100E is another option, leaving from Deák Ferenc Tér in the city centre directly to the airport. If using public transportation and you change from the metro to a bus you will need a transfer ticket (2 physical tickets, validated one by one as you enter the bus/metro station). Make sure you validate your ticket as ticket checks on the metro are common.

Pre booked departure transfer to Budapest Airport (BUD): You will be collected at your accommodation 2.5 hours before your flight departure time. In case of flight cancellations, changes or if you are not able to find the driver, please contact the transfer operator directly: +36302801219.

Breakfasts included: 7

Lunches included: 1

Dinners included: 1

While travelling with us you'll experience the vast array of wonderful food available in the world. Your group leader or local representative will be able to suggest restaurants to try during your trip. To give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat, generally not all meals are included in the trip price. This also gives you more budgeting flexibility. As a rule our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company. If you have dietary requirements and/or food allergies, please let your booking agent know prior to departure.

SUMMER
Summer temperatures can be extreme in many of the regions visited (over 40°C/104°F), which can be uncomfortable. It’s important to use sun protection and drink plenty of water. Please carefully consider the time of the year you wish to travel and your suitability to that season.

SHOULDER SEASON
In contrast, weather in shoulder season can be unpredictable, and snow is not unheard of at higher altitudes. If you travel at the start or towards the end of the European season please pack accordingly with warm and/or waterproof clothes (preferably layers). The advantage of travelling during this time is that there are less tourists around.

While we always endeavour to provide the best possible holiday experience, due to the nature of travel and the areas we visit sometimes things can and do go wrong. Should any issue occur while you are on your trip, it is imperative that you discuss this with your group leader or local representative straight away so that they can do their best to rectify the problem and save any potential negative impact on the rest of your trip.

We recognise that there may be times when your group leader or local representative may not be able to resolve a situation to your satisfaction - if this is the case, please ask the group leader or local representative to speak to their direct manager.

You may also choose to provide details in your online feedback, which we ask you to complete within 30 days of the end of your trip. Please do be aware that it is very difficult for us to provide any practical help after the trip is completed, so informing us while still travelling will give us the opportunity to resolve the issue in real-time.

For general contact details please use the following page: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/contact-us

In case of a genuine crisis or emergency, you can reach our local office on the numbers below:

If you have booked an arrival transfer, and you experience severe delays at immigration, baggage collection or customs, or if you are not able to find to the driver, please contact the transfer operator directly on the number listed in the joining point instructions in the section above.

Intrepid's Local Operator: +49 8024 4679 540

The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.

Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.

OCCASIONAL ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION
The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline. On rare occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our usual accommodation. A similar standard of accommodation will be used in these instances.

TWIN SHARE BASIS
Accommodation on this trip is on a twin/multishare basis. We pair up solo travellers with another traveller of the same gender as per the gender marker on each of their passports. Please note there may be times where facilities will be shared rather than ensuite and rare occasions when you share a room with passengers travelling on different Intrepid trips than your own.

CHECK-IN TIME
Throughout the trip we request that our hotels prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination.

PRE/POST TRIP ACCOMMODATION
If you've purchased pre-trip or post-trip accommodation (if available), you may be required to change rooms from your trip accommodation for these extra nights.

FACILITIES
Your accommodation may not always have private en suite facilities or air-conditioning. European hotels generally don't provide kettles or fridges.

TRAINS
European trains are comfortable and often decked out with air-conditioning. Toilets are always available. Some of the trains have snack bars (or vending machines) and power points next to the seats but that cannot be guaranteed on every journey. Train travel is a fast way to traverse long distances, allowing you to avoid traffic jams and arrive right into the city centre. Please note that you will have to carry your own luggage on and off the train, and also up or down a few flights of stairs as some of the stations may not have lifts. Make sure your luggage doesn’t exceed our weight and size recommendations in the 'Packing' section of the Essential Trip Information.

PUBLIC BUSES
This trip covers some distances by public buses. Buses in Central Europe can range from high standard coaches with reclining seats and air-conditioning to Soviet era vehicles for shorter distances. But half the fun of travel is the travelling itself, and that's why we like to travel the local way wherever feasible.

PRIVATE VEHICLES
Our private vehicles are locally sourced and are air conditioned and comfortable, which makes travelling enjoyable.