A journey through palaces, peaks and pristine lakes
Venture into the heart of a continent where empires have risen and fallen, where grand cities vibrate with a modern energy and where ancient stories and legends still echo across the countryside and through ancient castles. Central Europe is as rich in history as it is in style. From the elegance of Vienna and the cosmopolitan vibe of Ljubljana to the fairy-tale villages of Bavaria, you’ll find fascinating history, world-class art and a vibrant culinary scene woven into the fabric of daily life on your central Europe tour.
Brimming with natural beauty and captivating history, Austria is a country well worth discovering. Beyond the Baroque architecture and palaces in Vienna and Salzburg, there are incredible lakes to see in the region of Salzkammergut. From Vienna, take a day trip into the picturesque valley of Wachau along the Danube, seeing medieval castles and tasting excellent wines along the way.
Tucked between Italy, Austria, Hungary and Croatia, Slovenia encompasses the mountains of the eastern Alps and a sliver of the Mediterranean. The country boasts a landscape more varied than any other of its size in Europe. Its culture takes the best from each of its larger neighbours, creating something truly unique. Spend a day exploring the hiking trails and hidden waterfalls of the beautiful Soča Valley, or admiring the green waters of Lake Bled.
Germany is also an enthralling land of culture, history and scenes of breathtaking nature. It’s an immensely diverse country where local traditions showcase a unique character across every town. The charismatic capital, Berlin, is as good a place as any to begin your journey. Spend some time exploring the east of the city, popping in at museums on the Spree Island, stopping at Alexanderplatz and capturing exquisite photos of the city’s skyline from Warschauerstrasse.
Rolling hills carpeted with spring flowers or white slopes dotted with charming villages, Switzerland is an exhilarating destination no matter the season. Picturesque cities such as Zurich, Bern, Lucerne, Basel and Lugano are well worth the visit. Enjoy a scenic boat tour on Lake Geneva and explore the 9th century Chillon Castle set on a rocky islet, meet with a local expert at a cheese grotto 25m underground in Gstaad or become an honorary shepherd for the day in Andermatt, exploring the alpine meadows with a goat by your side.
Experiences picked by our destination specialists
A word from one of our experts
Central Europe offers a journey into the soul of the continent, where the grand elegance of cities like Vienna and the wild beauty of Slovenia's Alps are just the beginning. Each country’s unique blend of history, art and nature allows us to create an adventure for you that feels both deeply personal and endlessly fascinating.
Senior Travel Designer
Luxury Accommodation in Central Europe
There are many incredible places to stay in Central Europe. Here are some of our favourites, handpicked by our travel designers:
Why book with Jacada?
Personalised design
We’ll plan your trip around your specific interests, tastes and preferences, providing helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.
Authentic experiences
Our expert guides and brilliant travel concierges are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing your destination to life with care and passion.
Responsible travel
Our luxury trips are designed with responsible travel principles that prioritise travel experiences that are both good for you and good for the planet.
Trip inspiration
Get inspired with our Central Europe example trips and then get in touch to plan your own adventure
13-Day Trip
A Cultural Exploration of Germany, Austria and Hungary
13-Day Trip
A Cultural Exploration of Germany, Austria and Hungary
7-Day Trip
An Idyllic Swiss Escape
7-Day Trip
An Idyllic Swiss Escape
9-Day Trip
The Very Best of Slovenia
9-Day Trip
The Very Best of Slovenia
Discover Central Europe
Austria
Austria is filled with elegance, natural beauty and eye-opening history. To truly celebrate Austria’s culture in style, head to the theatres and concert halls of the capital to experience Austrian opera, ballet or classical music
Germany
Germany is an enthralling land of fascinating culture and history, pioneering technological and engineering advances, captivating old-world charm and scenes of breathtaking nature.
Slovenia
Wedged between Italy, Austria, Hungary and Croatia, encompassing mountains of the eastern Alps and a slither of the mediterranean, no country in Europe can boast as varied a landscape in such a modest landmass.
Switzerland
Rolling hills carpeted with spring flowers, white slopes dotted with charming villages, the majestic snow-capped peaks of the Alps, and lively cities steeped in history – Switzerland is an exhilarating destination whatever time of year you visit.
Meet your Europe team
When to visit
Central Europe has a diverse climate, so the best time to visit depends on your interests. The most popular time for general sightseeing and pleasant weather is during the shoulder seasons of April to May and September to October. During this time, temperatures are mild, crowds are thinner and the cities and countryside are beautiful with spring blossoms or autumn foliage.
The peak tourist season is June to August, which offers warm and sunny weather perfect for outdoor activities, festivals and exploring, but also comes with larger crowds.
Spring blossoms
April–May
Winter scenery
November–February
City exploring
September–October
Plan your trip to Central Europe
Whatever you want from your adventure in Central Europe, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.
Don't take our word for it
Your trip, your story
We craft trips deeply personal, delightfully surprising and entirely one of a kind. Every Jacada journey begins in conversation with a travel designer, a specialist in their destination of expertise. Behind each journey is a wealth of insight, gathered over years of on-the-ground exploration.
Once you’re booked, you’ll meet your concierge. Based in the region you’re visiting, they’ll take care of all the details so your mind is at rest. They make the trip truly special – and truly yours.
