Kings and Castles Tour

The most history-led tour in the operator’s range, across six countries of central and eastern Europe in fifteen days, with four rest days. Vienna starts and finishes it and the stops matter more than the passes.

Ceske Budejovice comes first, the Czech town that gave Budweiser its name, then Prague for a rest day by way of Cesky Krumlov, whose medieval centre curls inside a bend of the Vltava and survived the twentieth century almost untouched. Dresden follows with another rest day, a city largely destroyed in February 1945 and rebuilt over decades since, which is visible in the stonework if you know to look.

The route then crosses the Bohemian Forest and the High Tatras to Krakow, which came through the war with its old town substantially intact and is now one of the liveliest cities in the region. From there the tour visits the Auschwitz memorial site. The operator treats it as a serious historical stop rather than an item on a sightseeing list, and it should be approached that way. The Wieliczka salt mines and Zwettl Abbey also feature, then Budapest for a final rest day before the run back to Vienna along the Danube.

Edelweiss include a choice of BMW motorcycle, fourteen nights in comfortable middle-range hotels, a guide and a tour book. Flights are separate, and a guided city tour of Vienna can be added for 350 euros per person with a 65 euro single supplement. Prices are per person for 2026. Riders who want altitude should look to the Alpine itineraries instead. This one is for anyone who would rather spend the fortnight understanding where they are.