Day 1:  Arrival Vienna Airport

Arrival in Vienna Airport, transfer to the hotel. Relaxing walk through Vienna city center in the afternoon. Optionally, Spanish ridding school performance (preferably during pre-tour extra day). Relaxing evening walk and welcome dinner.

Overnight in Vienna

Day 2: Explore Vienna / Schoenbrunn Palace / Neusiedler See

After breakfast, visit of Schoenbrunn Palace, a born place of Emperor Franz Joseph, considered one of the most beautiful baroque palaces in Europe. After visit, we shortly explore fauna and flora of Schoenbrunn gardens just before leaving for Ilmitz, a small town situated near theNeusiedler See. Afternoon visit of a Neusiedler See bird reserves near our hotel at Ilmitz.

Overnight in Ilmitz, Austria

Day 3: Neusiedler See

After breakfast we explore Hungarian Side of this birding and wildlife paradise, the flat countryside surrounding Europe’s largest salt steppe lake, the Neusiedler See. Apart of the wildlife we visit famous Esterhazy Castle in Ferfod. The Austrian-Hungarian National Park is a mosaic of dry plains and shallow lakes that provide ideal resting places for numerous spring migrants. Birds are simply everywhere. The national park has erected many viewing platforms and blinds around the park at the best locations.

Overnight in Ilmitz, Austria

Day 4:  West Hungary / Slovakia / South Moravia

Exploration of Austrian part of the Neusiedler see in the morning, transfer to Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia later on. A short stop in Devinska Kobyla botanical reserve (famous by Orchids). We also hope to see Saker Falcon with its nest. Afternoon transfer to neo-Gothic Chateau Lednice, a real fairytale creation with beautifully landscaped garden with lakes, and a tall minaret. 

Overnight in Hlohovec, Czech Republic

Day 5:  Chateau Valtice / National Nature Reserve / Mikulov

Thanks to non-disturbance this is one of the best birding sites of the Czech republic. Raptor observation in South Moravia on the confluence of Morava and Dyje rivers: Eastern Imperial Eagle, Saker Falcon, Red and Black Kites, White-tailed Eagle + waders and passerines. Our day continues with country town of Valtice with its Renaissance palace with all of its flamboyant Baroque architecture, stone carvings and sculptures. Transfer to Mikulov, magical picturesque town situated on Czech/Austrian border.

Overnight in Hlohovec, Czech Republic

Day 6:  Cizov Iron Curtain Site / Telc / Ceske Budejovice

Transfer to South Bohemia with a stop in Cizov village, situated on the Austrian/Czech Republic border. Here we will find the only preserved part of the Iron Curtain in the Czech Republic. We’ll stop at the UNESCO listed town of Telc for a leisure lunch and to discover its center with all houses rebuilt in the Renaissance style those have survived until today. Transfer to the hotel.

Overnight in Trebon

Day 7:  National Nature Reserve

The region of South Bohemia has got an international importance for its over 460 fishponds with an interconnecting network of canals. We’ll explore both: the forests and ponds, during series of easy walking trails to observe some excellent forest and water birds including Black and White Stork, Boreal and Pygmy Owls, Middle-spotted, Grey-headed and Black Woodpeckers and passerines such as Bluethroat and Eurasian Penduline Tit. 

Overnight in Trebon

Day 8:  Cesky Krumlov / Prague

Morning visit of remarkable fairy-tale town of Cesky Krumlov (UNESCO), where we will be steeped in the living spirit of Renaissance times. This is an astonishingly beautiful and well-preserved small medieval town that is one of the most visited in the Czech Republic. We will tour the town and then have a guided tour of the Castle Theatre. Transfer to Prague with free afternoon spent on your own.

Overnight in Prague

Day 9: Prague

Walking tour of Prague, generally considered one of the most beautiful and unspoiled cities in Europe to visit: magnificent Prague Castle, the symbol of the Czech state, scene of coronations and the resting place of Bohemian monarchs, through nearby St.Vitus Cathedral, the city’s most distinctive landmark and the resting place of “Good King” Wenceslaw, walking across the Charles Bridge, Prague’s most familiar monument. Lunch served during a 2 hour cruise on the Vltava river. Our city tour will then continue to the Old Town Square dominated by world famous Astronomical Clock. Our farewell dinner served at the Nebozizek Restaurant on the top of a hill overlooking the city. 

Overnight in Prague

Day 10: