Combining cultural heritage and natural beauty, Hungary, Slovakia and Poland offer unique photography opportunities. Budapest or Krakow, the real gems of Eastern Europe, tiny picturesque UNESCO villages of Holoko in Hungary or Banska Stiavnica in Slovakia have a lot to show off. Not forget to mention natural treasures of Danube river canyon, splendid mountain areas, or unique limestone cave – they all possess the best photography potential. No doubt, photographing local people and their everyday life is fascinating too. With camera in hand, we will visit unforgettable areas full of magnificent details, really worth to see and experience.
Day 1: Arrival Budapest
Individual arrival in Budapest, hotel check-in. Guided city tour of Buda and Pest starting on Gellert hill to experience more and more magnificent city overlooks by each step. Continue to the castle, walking down through the castle gardens, passing through the famous Scecenyi bridge. Visit of Budapest open market, synagogue, Mathias church, and Heroes’ square decorated by the iconic statue complex of kings, governors and famous characters of the Hungarian history.
Overnight in Budapest
Day 2: Danube River, Estergom’s Basilica
Boat transfer on Danube river from Budapest passing Visegrad Castle to Esztergom, the town famous for its glorious and monumental Basilica. Transfer to Dobogoko (Duna Ipoly National Park) for landscape photography of Duna river canyon and local villages.
Overnight in Budapest
Day 3: Szentendre & Holoko
Morning visit of Szentendre (UNESCO), the town of Hungarian artists. Spectacular views of Pili mountains. Drive up along the Danube canyon. Holoko, another Hungarian UNESCO listed village, another outstanding example of deliberately preserved traditional settlement. Transfer to Banska Stiavnica, Slovakia.
Overnight in Banska Stiavnica
Day 4: Banska Stiavnica, Kremnica
Whole day photographing in two of the nicest Slovak towns and surrounded villages: Banska Stiavnica (UNESCO) listed and Kremnica. Banska Stiavnica, the jewel of central Slovakia with it’s exquisite examples of gothic and renaissance architecture, lays in the middle of an immense caldera created by the collapse of an ancient volcano. It is a completely preserved medieval town. Kremnica, really picturesque historical town surrounded by splendid mountains, former mining town, belonged among the major ones in the world.
Overnight in Banska Stiavnica
Day 5: Slovak Carpathian mountains
Stiavnicke Hills are offering a unique landscapes and spectacular views of the historical town of Banska Stiavnica and the nature of this region. Transfer to Low Tatras National park, visit of the Bystrianska cave, approx. 3.5 km long cave formed primarily of grey limestone rocks of the middle trias, formed in tectonic cracks by water corrosion. Exact program will depend on the walking abilities of our clients.
Overnight in Banska Stiavnica
Day 6: Orava Castle & Vlkolinec
Orava Castle, built in 13th century, situated on a high rock above Orava river is considered to be one of the most beautiful castles in Slovakia. It was reconstructed as a Renaissance and Neo-Gothic structure, hugging the shape of the 520-metre spur on which it perches. Vlkolinec, an untouched and complex example of folk countryside architecture, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage, is one of ten Slovak villages that have been given the status of a folk architecture reservation. Transfer to Krakow in the late afternoon.
Overnight in Krakow
Day 7: Auschwitz
Visit of Auschwitz (Oswieczim), sacred place with the infamous concentration camp designed by the Nazis to exterminate European Jews.
Overnight in Krakow
Day 8: Krakow, Poland
Guided tour of Krakow with a local guide, starting in the Kazimierz, the former Jewish district with a number synagogues and a Jewish cemetery, walk to the Wawel Castle, appreciate its Renaissance courtyard, basilica of Sts. Stanislaw and Vaclav, continue to the famous Jagiellonian University, and take the Royal Route to Rynek Glowny, the main square with Virgin Mary's, and the celebrated Cloth Hall.
Overnight in Krakow
Day 9: Departure
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Krakow airport for your departure flight.