Explore Eastern Europe with an Irish Twist

Long known for vacations to Ireland, CIE Tours International is spreading its expertise eastward by launching a 2009 program of 10 escorted tours going to Eastern Europe, the Balkans, Dalmatian Coast, the Baltics, and Russia.
Leading the list is the Eastern European Explorer, a 10-day/8-night/12 meal escorted tour of Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, and Poland, priced at $1,685 plus airfare.
     The itinerary, which includes relaxing two-night stays in the cities of Vienna, Budapest, Cracow and Warsaw, also takes in the scenic countryside of Austria, the Slovakian hills, the Tatra Mountains, and the great agricultural plains of Poland.
Highlights include four half-day sightseeing tours with local guides in Vienna, Budapest, Cracow and Warsaw, as well as visits/admissions to Hofburg Palace, St. Stephen's Cathedral, Fisherman's Bastion, Matthias Church, Renaissance Cloth Hall, St. Mary's Church, the Royal Cathedral and Yasna Gora Monastery.  
     The price includes first class hotel accommodations with private bath for eight nights; eight buffet breakfasts and four dinners; all admissions as specified in the itinerary; sightseeing by luxury motorcoach with the services of a professional tour director; all local taxes, hotel service charges and porterage; deluxe flight bag, ticket wallet, luggage tags and strap.
     Departures commence on May 15 and continue every second Friday through October 2.
     In addition to this Eastern Europe vacation, CIE Tours is also offering 10- to 14-day itineraries that explore the Dalmatian Coast, the Balkans, and Russia, as well as a three-city tour of Prague, Vienna and Budapest, or a combination of the Dalmatian Coast with Venice. For travelers seeking a longer vacation, there are also 14- or 18-day combination tours of Russia, the Baltics and Eastern Europe.
     Contact a travel agent or CIE Tours at 1-800-CIE-TOUR, or visit www.cietours.com.