Touch down in Vienna and soak up the splendour of Austria's capital on a walking tour. Pass the Gothic St Stephen's Cathedral and the enchanting Hofburg Palace before continuing around the Ringstrasse. In free time, get lost in the marbled halls of the Sisi or Leopold museums and stop to fill up on local delights like Sachertorte or a Wiener wurste.

Join your leader for a walk through the city's compact centre this morning, which should take around two hours. Stop at the gothic looking St. Stephens Cathedral, wander past the neo-classical grandeur of the Graben and onwards to the Hofburg Palace. Finish your orientation of the city at the State Opera House, one of the world's most important opera houses and the heart of classical Viennese culture. Art lovers have a vast choice of museums, from the Albertina to those located in the Museum Quarter. In the evening, perhaps head out for some Viennese cuisine. You have the rest of today to explore Vienna and its surrounds. You might like to head out to Schoenbrunn for a guided audio tour of the summer palace, designed by Empress Maria Theresa. The Gloriette Monument has incredible views of Vienna and the palace gardens are free to all visitors, but there's a charge for entrance and tours of the palace. Notes: Avoid long queues at Schoenbrunn Palace by pre-booking your tickets at: schoenbrunn.at. Also, the Spanish Riding School doesn't operate throughout the summer months. You will need to book tickets in advance to see the performance of the Lipizzaners. Phone: +43 (0)1 505 77 66 55 or e-mail info@viennaticketoffice.com to arrange tickets.

Cross into the Czech Republic and travel to bohemian Cesky Krumlov. With its cobblestone alleys and impressive old buildings, this is a city straight out of a fairytale. Discover the surrounding countryside on a two-wheeled excursion and if time permits, pay an optional visit to a local brewery or enjoy a guided castle tour.

Take an optional guided walking tour of Cesky Krumlov today, which includes commentary of the mysteries that lie behind every shopfront and house on the crooked little streets. A visit to the Cesky Krumlov brewery - where tours are often conducted in English - will give you a glimpse of the brewing tradition that has existed in this town for hundreds of years. For those who want a bit more culture, and time permitting, visit the Egon Schiele Art Centrum and browse the gallery that's dedicated to the Austrian painter.

Travel to Prague, the 'City of a Hundred Spires', which never fails to charm with its gorgeous architecture, crooked streets and internationally renowned jazz scene. Mosey through the Old Town for a slice of Bohemia, visit Prague Castle, check out restaurants hidden away in old vaulted cellars and take a day trip out to the World Heritage-listed Sedlec Ossuary, or ‘Bone Church’.

Today is free to explore Prague, so perhaps take a walk around the Jewish Quarter and pay respects at the Gothic looking Old Jewish Cemetery. This is Europe's oldest surviving Jewish cemetery, with 12,000 tombstones and 100,000 graves. The city also has one of the longest-standing and respected jazz scenes in Europe. If you should find yourself out until the early hours in an atmospheric jazz club, have a wander along Charles Bridge or Old Town Square as the sun rises for magical photo opportunities.

This morning spend time at Prague Castle, the biggest in the Czech Republic, where you'll find the famous St. Vitus Cathedral and colourful alleyway of the Golden Lane. A bike tour through the city is a great way to see a lot of the city's sights and attractions in a short period of time. If you make time, take a day trip to region of Bohemia and visit Kutna Hora. The Bone Church (Sedlec Ossuary) is a particularly unique experience. Possibly use your evening to head out for dinner with the group.

Travel to Kudowa Zroj, the oldest spa city in Europe. Go walking along trails in Table Mountain NP then soak tired muscles in the thermal baths that are celebrated as having therapeutic properties.

Cross the border into Poland and stop to pay respects at the sombre Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and State Museum before continuing on to Krakow. Wander through the streets of the atmospheric Old Town that once housed Polish kings, see St Mary's Church and be sure to indulge in some traditional pierogi.

Today, explore the city in your own time. Discover Wawel Royal Castle, which sits atop a hill next to the Vistula River. Check out the 13th century town square of Rynek Glowny, poking your head into the impressive St. Mary's Basilica. If you can tear yourself away from Krakow, head out to the Wieliczka Salt Mines, a network of tunnels and chambers some 135 metres below the ground. Don't miss a look at the elaborate salt chandeliers and carvings in the Blessed Kinga Chapel. Krakow has many cellar restaurants and pubs. Perhaps end the day indulging in a few drinks and a plate of pierogis in one of the city's cheerful establishments.

Limber up for trekking in the Tatra Mountains, where the crisp air and lush mountainscape makes for an unforgettable experience. When the terrain becomes too challenging, give muscles a rest aboard the funicular railway. Enjoy warm hospitality at the small alpine resort of Tatranska Lomnica.

Between the months of April and October, the group will go on an included hike in the Vysoke Tatry mountains. The Tatras, the highest range of the Carpathians, stretch for about 60 kilometres across the Polish-Slovakian border and are a trekker's dream. There are many hiking options to choose from depending on your energy and enthusiasm levels. You may notice that some parts of the forest have been destroyed. This was the result of a tornado-like storm in 2004 that decimated approximately 10,000 hectares of timberland. In the afternoon, head back to the accommodation for a barbecue dinner (weather permitting). Notes: There may be still be considerable snow in April and May, which may prevent us from choosing our usual hiking route. Please ensure you bring extra warm clothes and waterproof boots in April. Having said that, the crisp clear atmosphere and fewer tourists make this a fantastic time to visit.

Arrive in Budapest, the eclectic capital of Hungary. Budapest is a city of two halves - literally. Buda, on the west bank, features rolling hills while Pest, on the east bank, has a grid-like layout. Linking the two is the Chain Bridge, which spans the sparkling River Danube. Marvel at the Castle District, see former communist monuments at Statue Park and trawl through a host of museums and galleries. Then, why not end the adventure at one of the thermal baths scattered around the city, complete with whirlpools, submerged seats and chessboards.

Today you have a full free day to explore Budapest. Known as 'The Pearl of the Danube', Budapest is a great city to enjoy from the water. Perhaps take a boat trip along the river or catch a funicular up to the castle for spectacular views of the Parliament Building. If you're an art buff, visit the Museum of Fine Arts at Hero's Square, which offers free English tours of the permanent collections from Tuesday to Saturday. Perhaps head to Statue Park to see the communist monuments that were removed from the city after the fall of the Iron Curtain. One unmissable activity is a soak in Budapest's hot thermal baths. The pools vary in temperature, and some even feature whirlpools or seats where you can enjoy a game of chess. You might like to take part in one of our Urban Adventure day tours, such as the Budapest Custom Tour or Bites and Sights. Check them out at urbanadventures.com. Note: Many museums throughout Europe are closed on Mondays. If you are interested in a particular museum, you may want to check opening times and plan your arrival into Budapest accordingly.

Szia! Welcome to Hungary. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm today. You can arrive at any time during the day as there are no activities planned until this important meeting. Please check with the hotel reception about where and when it will take place, or check the reception notice boards. If you can't arrange a flight that will have you arrive at the hotel by early evening, you may wish to arrive a day early so you're able to attend. We'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability). If you're going to be late, please inform the hotel reception. We'll be collecting your insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting, so please ensure you have all these details to provide to your leader. In the evening after the welcome meeting, perhaps take a night walk along the Danube River to see the surrounding buildings and bridges lit up in lights, or head out with some of your new travel buddies to one of Budapest's funky 'ruin pubs'.

Today you have another full free day to explore Budapest. With so much to see and do, hiring a bicycle is another great way to move between the sights. Perhaps head to Statue Park to see the communist monuments that were removed from the city after the fall of the Iron Curtain. You might like to take a tour of the beautiful Hungarian State Opera House, or check out the Museum of Fine Arts or the Hungarian National Museum. Note: Many museums throughout Europe are closed on Mondays. If you are interested in a particular museum, you may want to check opening times and plan your arrival into Budapest accordingly.

Today take a six-hour train through the Hungarian Puszta to the Slavonian capital of Osijek. Osijek features an enchanting medieval citadel, as well as the New Town, only a short walk along the banks of the Drava. Many cafes line the river, inviting you to join in on the Croatian national pastime: people watching.

Today is a free day to explore Osijek and its surrounds. Perhaps take an optional trip to nearby Vukovar. The town's ruined water tower now stands as a memorial of the ethnic war that raged in this region during the early 1990's. You might prefer to visit the small provincial town of Dakovo, about 30 kilometres out of Osijek. The town is dominated by an impressive neo-Romanesque cathedral. While here, don't miss seeing a workout session at the Lipizzaner horse training stables. You could also use the day to visit the wetlands of Kopacki Rit National Park, or take part in a local wine and food tasting. However you're feeling, there are plenty of options to chose from today.

Today cross into Serbia by bus and head to the historic town of Novi Sad (approximately three hours). Sitting on the banks of the Danube River, the city is surrounded by fertile farms and vineyards and features an interesting mix of Serbian cultural heritage and Austro-Hungarian architecture. The group will visit a local vineyard in Sremski Karlovci to see the workings of a family-run wine making business. Also attached is a unique honey museum where you can sample the local produce.

Travel by two-hour train or bus to Belgrade. Known as the' White City', Belgrade is one of the oldest cities in Europe and is an important intersection between Eastern and Western Europe. On arrival, enjoy a guided tour of the city. In the evening, head down to Skadarska Street in the Bohemian Quarter to sample some authentic local food and enjoy the lively entertainment.

Today is a free day to further discover Belgrade. You might like to take a 90-minute cruise along the Danube River, passing the Kalemegdan Fortress, Pancevo Bridge and the artist village of Zemun. The markets near the Hram Svetog Save (St Sava Church) and Pijaca Venac will keep you occupied for hours. Perhaps take a stroll through the Nikola Tesla Museum to learn about the life and work of Serbia's greatest inventor, or check out the city's Ethnographic or Military Museums. If the weather is warm, why not brave the crowds on Ada Ciganlija beach, where you can swim, take part in water-sports or simply soak up the sun with a cocktail? Throughout the summer months, Belgrade hosts a variety of musical and cultural events and the city is abuzz with people and activities.

Today travel by bus through beautiful countryside to Sarajevo. The journey will take around seven hours in total, so sit back and enjoy the scenery. Sarajevo is Bosnia and Herzegovina's small but vibrant capital. More than ten years after the end of a devastating war, Sarajevo is slowly asserting itself as one of Europe's most beautiful destinations. On arrival, embark on an orientation walk to gain insight into the history and culture of the city. In the evening, perhaps enjoy a simple but delicious meal in Bascarsija, Sarajevo's oldest bazaar. Try the local speciality of bosanski cevapi (grilled minced meat mixed with mild spices).

Today head out of Sarajevo for a day trip to Mostar. Mostar was the most heavily bombed city in Bosnia during the war. The town has since been rebuilt, however, and now features on UNESCO's World Heritage list. On arrival, head to the famous Stari Most bridge, which made headline news during the Yugoslav wars. There's an interesting museum about its history next to the bridge itself. In the evening return to Sarajevo, where you'll enjoy a cooking class and included dinner with the group.

Enjoy a free day in and around Sarajevo. You could take an optional day trip out to the thermal springs and green parks of Ilidza, the source of the River Bosna. You might prefer to discover local history with a visit to the Sarajevo War Tunnels, or learn about the tragedies faced by the city's Jews at the Jewish Museum. Perhaps get cultural with a stroll through the Art Gallery of Bosnia and Herzegovina, or get active with some white water rafting on the Neretva River.

Catch a five-hour bus through beautiful countryside to Montenegro. Get back to nature and into the heart of stunning Durmitor National Park. This World Heritage site was formed by glaciers and is crisscrossed with rivers, lakes and underground streams. Enjoy a hike through the mountains and keep an eye out for some of the 163 species of bird or 50 species of mammal the region is home to. Then tuck into a delicious barbecue dinner on the terrace of the guesthouse.

Today drive to Kotor. This World Heritage-listed city is set on a secluded bay. Head out on a short orientation walk, checking out the ancient Cathedral of St Tryphun. The tour will also take you past the South Gates of Kotor (the Gurdich Gate) and the Armoury Square. Afterwards, you might like to climb the hills behind the city to visit Kotor's ruined castles. A one-and-a-half hour hike to the fortress at the top rewards you with magnificent views across town.

Today you have the opportunity to take part in optional day trips out of Kotor. Perhaps take a cruise on Kotor Fjord, visiting grottos and the island church in the middle of the bay. Alternatively, consider a trip to Budva, a mere 30-minute busy ride out of Kotor. With its busy beaches and charming Old Town, Budva is Montenegro's version of Miami. Enjoy a final night in Kotor.

Depart Montenegro on a three-hour bus along the beautiful southern coast of Croatia to Dubrovnik. On arrival, head out on a guided walk along the city walls, enjoying views of the sparkling Adriatic Ocean. You'll also visit Big Onofrio's Fountain, built by the European architect Onofrio della Cava in the 15th century to supply water to the city. After the tour, perhaps check out the 13th-century Franciscan monastery or the Sponza and Rector's Palaces, the only Renaissance buildings in the city to survive a devastating earthquake and fire in 1667. You might like to check out the city's War Photography Museum, or even take a boat trip to nearby Lokrum Island. At the end of your journey, perhaps you'd prefer to simply unwind on a beach. On the last night of your trip, why not enjoy one last meal with the group and toast to your adventures?

Today your adventure comes to an end. There are no activities planned and you are free to depart at any time.