JUNE 24 – JULY 7, 2025

 
Tuesday, June 24
Depart from Houston airport and fly in direction of Europe, Poland, Krakow.
 
Wednesday, June 25
Arrival in Krakow, the second largest and historically most important city in Poland. The luxury bus with attendant team (including your Czech tour guide) will be waiting for you at the airport and then welcome you aboard the bus with a shot of CZECH SLIVO and take you straight to downtown. The main square of the Old Town of Krakow dates back to the 13th century and is the largest medieval town square in Europe! It is a square space surrounded by historic townhouses and churches and is dominated by the famous Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), rebuilt in 1555 in the Renaissance style. Rising above the square are the Gothic towers of St. Mary's Basilica. You will have some free time for shopping at countless souvenir shops and lunch at one of many restaurants and beer gardens around the square. Then we will depart to the Czech Republic, more accurately Wallachian region, which lies in a hilly country in the eastern part of Moravia. This region is known for its rich traditions and culture. But for many Texans it is a place where their ancestors came from as it is an area with the biggest emigration to Texas from the whole Moravia. We will arrive in town of Roznov pod Radhostem in the afternoon, check-in our resort hotel with pool, sauna and hot tub. Upon arrival do not forget to book a massage in the hotel spa if you are into this kind of relaxation. Dinner with a little welcome party with local musicians at our hotel in the evening!

Thursday, June 26
Today we will enjoy the beauties of Wallachia. First, we will visit one of the most popular tourist destinations in this part of the country – the Wallachian Open-Air-Museum. The buildings from 18th century all stand here originally furnished. The museum consists of two parts. First will be a tour of Mill Valley with real and working examples of how people used the waterpower for different kinds of businesses between 17th and 19th centuries. In the barn are also all kinds of historical carriages pulled by horses and cattle on display. Then we will move to neighboring part – Wallachian Little Wooden Town including the church, convenience store, post office, mayor`s house and other period buildings. In the main building you can also visit an exposition devoted to the life in town Roznov pod Radhostem in the course of more than last seven centuries. Parts of buildings, rooms and businesses are equipped with original furnishings which will make you feel like you are walking through time. After lunch we will leave for mountain Pustevny. If possible, we will reach the peak by chairlift which is actually the oldest of its type in Europe.  At the top, there are a few chalets, the most famous being the folk wooden buildings by the architect Dusan Jurkovic. We will return to our hotel in the afternoon. In your free time you can use the wellness area or just rest before another party, this time at Koliba Kordulka  – authentic Wallachian restaurant just across from our hotel.
 
Friday, June 27
Depart to Poznan, Poland. On the way we will stop in Wroclaw, the largest city in western Poland. You will discover the wonderful old town of Wroclaw with its architecturally impressive buildings that date back centuries. The city boasts Gothic Old Town Hall, regarded as a landmark of the city and one of the most beautiful town halls in Poland, the old city prison,  the famous Fontanna Szermierza fountain, Wroclaw Cathedral and countless other architectural masterpieces from the 10^th to 18^th centuries. After spending some time in the city for shopping and lunch we will continue on our way to Poznan. Arrival at our hotel in the evening.

Saturday, June 28
We will spend the day in the beautiful city of Poznan. It is an important cultural and business center, and one of Poland's most populous regions with many regional customs such as Saint John's Fair (Jarmark Świętojański), traditional Saint Martin's croissants and a local dialect. Among its most important heritage sites are the Renaissance Old Town, Town Hall and Gothic Cathedral. We will have a tour of the city during which you will explore these sites and even more! For example, colorful merchant houses, which were once used for trade purposes in the Middle Ages.  The first makeshift wooden stalls were erected here where herrings, salt, binders, torches, candles and other commodities were sold. Another amazing site is the Royal Castle – the former residence of King Przemysl I. From here you can enjoy a very nice panoramic view of the city. Also, no visit to Poznan is complete without seeing the two head-butting billy goats engaged in a 470-year-old fight. The rest of the day will be upon you. As our hotel is situated in the city center you can spend your time relaxing at the hotel, having beer in one of many beer gardens at the square or do some shopping at numerous stores around.
 
Sunday, June 29
In the morning leave for port city of Warnemunde, Germany to embark our ship MSC Poesia. MSC Poesia is an innovative cruise ship with an elegant style that brings traditional craftsmanship to creative designs. Step aboard and you’ll enter a refined world of comfort. Whether your reason for being on board is a family holiday, a luxury treat or a romantic escape, MSC Poesia is a ship that offers a truly inspiring cruise experience. She belongs to a smaller class of ships which emphasize a family atmosphere. Upon checking-in our balcony cabins and participation on the security training, you will have time to explore the ship and relax. Or have a drink or more with the beverage package included in your tour!
 
Monday, June 30
Gdynia, Poland 10AM – 8PM
Gdańsk is a seaport immersed in ancient maritime traditions, dating back to 997 AD. Its reconstructed historical center showcases Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque-style buildings. Gdańsk is also a renowned center for amber which is used in the creation of elegant jewelry. Visit the world’s largest brick church – the impressive St Mary’s – before enjoying some leisure time shopping for gemstones. Or Oliwa, a stunning 13th-century cathedral. Discover an extraordinary trio of organs inside the cathedral containing 7876 tin and wooden pipes that reproduce the sounds of musical instruments and natural voices. Oliwa Cathedral is the longest Cistercian church in the world and was erected on the grounds of an ancient monastery. Or you may be captured by Malbork Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a particularly fine example of a medieval brick fortress, originally built by Teutonic Knights in the 13th century.
 
Tuesday, July 1
Karlskrona, Sweden 8AM – 6PM
The city of Karlskrona is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998, and built on a group of islands in the Baltic Sea, the main one being Trossö. A visit to Karlskrona is like leafing through a living history book with its sites reminiscent of its 300-year-old naval heritage. On one of the excursions booked with MSC Cruises, you can see the most interesting sites - Bryggareberget lookout, which offers a splendid view of the city. Passing through the Old Clock Tower and the main entrance to the naval base you will reach Kungsbron and Admiralty Church, built in 1685, the largest wooden church in Sweden. Or you can take a scenic tour to Sweden's classic postcard picture, idyllic Brändaholm. With its 43 typical red cottages with white spires silhouetted against the blue sea and sky, created in the 1920s, it is one of the most photographed areas in Sweden. After the visit, a coach ride through the Swedish countryside takes you to the picturesque village of Kristianopel, founded in the 1600s by the Danes and considered the first Renaissance town in the Nordic region. With its defensive walls, old houses, beautiful gardens, and narrow streets, it is a hidden gem.
 
Wednesday, July 2
Visby, Sweden 8AM – 5PM
The city of Visby, on the island of Gotland, is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Scandinavia. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, lauded for its majestic ancient wall and fascinating historical center. You can take a trip to Swedish Galgberget, or Gallows Hill, which is a nature reserve on the island of Gotland. Its name derives from a trio of gallows that were used to hang criminals, built during the 13th century. The Galgberget is the only standing medieval execution site in Europe. Visby is also home to the glorious DBW Botanical Garden, affectionately known as the 'Botan'. Adjacent to the seashore, this 18th-century horticulturist’s paradise is home to fig, walnut, and empress trees, romantic and fragrant rose nursery and other unique plants. In the city you can admire St. Mary’s Cathedral, also known as Visby Cathedral. It is an outstanding 12th-century basilica, famed for its regal Romanesque style.
 
Thursday, July 3
Stockholm, Sweden 8AM – 6PM
Located on Sweden’s scenic east coast, Stockholm is the capital and vibrant cosmopolitan city lying across fourteen charming islands. Make sure to visit Stockholm’s Gamla Stan which is the old quarter known for its colorful historical buildings and narrow cobbled streets. Here, you’ll explore three scenic islands — the Riddarholmen, the Staden, and the Helgeandsholmen. Other notable monuments include the Kungliga Slottet Royal Palace, the Riksdagshuset Parliament building, and the Storkyrkan Cathedral. Discover merchant houses, picturesque squares, and a range of shops, cafes and restaurants. You can also visit The Royal Palace of Stockholm, the King’s official residence. Explore a vast expanse of more than 600 rooms across eleven impressive floors. Afterwards, glimpse the magnificently decorated Royal Apartments with their exquisite furniture and exclusive artworks. In the Vasa Museum you can admire the world´s best preserved Swedish warship. This 17th-century vessel was discovered in 1956, after lying on Stockholm’s Sea floor for centuries! 
 
Friday, July 4
DAY AT SEA – great time to relax, explore the ship, and have a little party Chris Rybak style!
 
Saturday, July 5
Copenhagen, Denmark 9AM – 6PM
The capital of Denmark is an exciting and trendy city split by lakes and surrounded by sea. It’s a welcoming, compact city with a center largely given over to pedestrians (and cyclists) and an emphasis by day on café culture and top-notch museums. The historic core of the city is Slotsholmen, originally the site of the twelfth-century castle and now home to the huge Christiansborg Complex. Christiansborg Palace is now a seat of the Danish Parliament. Together with the Rosenborg Castle which is home to the Danish crown jewels and Amalienborg Palace – where the Danish Royal Family reside, belongs to city´s tantalizing trio of addresses. Then there are the esoteric elements to a Copenhagen cruise which must be experienced: pavement cafe chatter in the canal-side Nyhavn district or the giddy thrill of a ride in the historic Tivoli Gardens amusement park. Do not skip seeing the much-loved statue of the Little Mermaid, the enduring image from Hans Christian Andersen´s stories. Beyond the city you can also visit an ancient UNESCO World Heritage site: 800-year-old Roskilde Cathedral.
 
Sunday, July 6
Arrive and disembark our ship in Warnemunde and drive to Berlin, the capital and largest city of Germany.  Once we arrive in Berlin we will start a city tour with local guide who will show us around and tell us all important details about its rich history and sites of former west and east Berlin – Brandenburg Gate (grand classical archway and city divide), Reichstag building (historic, glass-domed home of parliament), Berlin Wall (remnants of former division), Checkpoint Charlie (Cold war and east-west border landmark), Alexanderplatz (pedestrianized square with iconic tower), Museum island, Under the Linden tree avenue and many more. We will end up our tour at Kurfürstendamm Avenue which is bustling and famous shopping street of Berlin. This is also where our hotel is located so you will be free to decide how to spend the rest of the day. Dinner will be at our hotel and then we prepare for our flight back home filled with many new amazing memories!
 
Monday, July 7
Departure home from the airport in Berlin on a flight to HOUSTON.
HOME SWEET HOME!
Itinerary subject to change depending on availability.

RYBAK MEDITERRANEAN CRUISE 

EUROPE TOUR   

 May 6 - 21, 2025 

AN UNBELIEVABLY AWESOME TRIP OF A LIFETIME! 

6 European Countries within 16 days 

Bus part: Czech Republic, Austria, Slovenia, Italy
Cruise part: Italy, Greece, Turkey

FUN & ADVENTUROUS TOUR, WITH PARTIES, CRUISES, SLIVOVICE & ACCORDION MUSIC!!! 

Tuesday, May 6
Depart from Houston airport and fly in direction of Europe, Czech Republic, Prague.
 
Wednesday, May 7
Arrival in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic. The luxury bus with attendant team (including your Czech tour guide) will be waiting for you at the airport and then welcome you aboard the bus with a shot of CZECH SLIVO and take you straight to our hotel which is situated in the center of historical Prague! Check-in and free time to rest after the flight. In the evening, you will be treated to a dinner and folklore show at U Marcanu, where you can enjoy a great program with examples of typical traditional Czech dances, songs, and playing different instruments, all while you enjoy the wonderful atmosphere, cold pivo, wonderful Czech Cuisine, and the amazing unforgettable wine experience!

Thursday, May 8
This day we will tour the city of Prague! Guided walking tour of Prague begins with Prague Castle and then on to St. Vitus Cathedral, Hradcany quarter, and the Church of Our Lady Victorious which houses the famous wax statue of the Infant Jesus of Prague.  We will walk across the famous 14th century Charles Bridge and continue on to Old Town Square to see the Astronomical clock. After lunch in the restaurant serving traditional Czech cuisine, we will continue and end up the tour at Wenceslas Square, which has historically been the sight of many events including the 1989 Velvet Revolution demonstrations. Then you will have some free time for individual sightseeing and great shopping at the numerous stores lining the Wenceslas square.
The SECOND OPTION is to just enjoy Prague by yourself as our hotel is located in the heart of this majestic city, in the Old Town district. You can stroll the old streets and squares, enjoy a beer in one of the beer pubs and beer gardens, shop in countless souvenir or regular stores or just rest and relax at our hotel. If you are more in to history and culture, you can visit one of the museums and join the group later for the lunch by the Old Town Square.
In the evening, a historical tram will take us through old Prague just by the Vltava River where we will take a
2-hour buffet dinner boat cruise. You will be able to view the beautiful sights of Prague illuminated at night!

Friday, May 9
Leave Prague for Austria. Our first stop will be still in the Czech Republic, in a picturesque town of Cesky Krumlov. It is the second most popular tourist attraction in the Czech Republic after Prague.  The center of the city has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and well deserves the designation.  A visit here is like stepping back in time to the 14th century as you stroll this perfectly preserved labyrinth of lanes with its many Renaissance homes and buildings.  Highlights include not only the second largest castle in the country, but also a number of well-preserved religious sites, including the Minorite Monastery and the exquisite Church of St. Vitus, along with a number of interesting art galleries and museums. In the afternoon, we will leave for Salzburg, Austria. This beautiful city situated in the Austrian Alps is also well known because of being a birthplace of the famous composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Check-in our hotel located in the calm and cozy outskirts of Salzburg below Untersberg mountain.

Saturday, May 10
This day will start with a trip to a place which is known from pictures all over the world.  Hallstatt, one of the most beautiful places in Austria, is growing in popularity for its fairy-tale-like village, dramatic landscapes, and numerous attractions.  The quaint village, situated on Lake Hallstatt’s western shore in the mountainous region of Salzkammergut, is home to fewer than 1,000 inhabitants, an ancient salt mine and unparalleled views of the Austrian Alps. Its 16th-century Alpine houses and alleyways are filled with cafes and shops. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997. We will take a cruise on Lake Hallstatt to enjoy the view of the old salt mining village from the boat. A unique event that you will never forget! After that you will have a chance to discover the village on your own. Then we will depart to Salzburg to do a walking tour of this majestic city starting at Mirabell Garden which featured in the famous Sound of Music movie, then walk across the Salzach river to see Mozart´s birthplace house on the prominent street called Getreidegasse. We will finish our walking tour at Residenz Square where the Cathedral of Salzburg, palaces and medieval fortress Hohensalzburg overlooking the city are located. Free time in the city and drive back to our hotel.
 
Sunday, May 11
In the morning, we will depart to Trieste, Italy. As we will be driving through Slovenia, we cannot miss one of the biggest nature wonders in Europe – the famous caves in Postojna, the only place where you can see the most precious brilliant in the form of a cave formation. Just like the world above the surface, Postojna Cave boasts towering mountains, murmuring rivers and vast subterranean halls. It is a real challenge for explorers and the cradle of speleology. Continue on our way to embark the ship MSC Fantasia in late afternoon. MSC Fantasia is stylish, balancing warmth and comfort with cutting-edge design. At its heart you’ll find a real stone piazza complete with an espresso bar serving freshly baked pastries and authentic gelati. She was christened by Sophia Loren in Naples as the first and leading vessel for the Fantasia class of ships. Upon checking-in our balcony cabins and participation in the security training, you will have time to explore the ship and relax. Or have a drink or more with the beverage package included in your tour as you visit the 20 amazing fun party bars & lounges aboard the ship!
 
Monday, May 12
DAY AT SEA – great time to relax, explore the ship, and have a little party Chris Rybak style!

Tuesday, May 13
Katakolon, Greece 7AM – 3PM
Katakolon is a tiny seaside town in Greece in the bay of Agios Andrea, a gateway to ancient Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games, only 15 miles away from it. The historic associations are resonance of Olympia, which for over a millennium hosted the most important Panhellenic games, are rivalled only by Delphi or Mycenae. If you decide on the excursion of Olympia, you can see the remains of temples,  a gymnasium, the Olympic Stadium and much more. If you decide to stay in the typical small-town port of Katakolon, you can enjoy cafes on the waterfront, shops with T-shirts, hats and jewelry, and a small beach.

Wednesday, May 14
Piraeus, Greece 8AM – 6PM
It has been the port of Athens since Classical times, when the so-called Long Walls, scattered remnants of which can still be seen, were built to connect it to the city. Do not miss the opportunity to visit Athens on an MSC excursion! The rock of the Acropolis, crowned by the dramatic ruins of the Parthenon, dominates almost every view of Athens. Surrounded by pedestrianized streets, it can be appreciated from almost every angle. Entering via the monumental double gatehouse, the Propylaia, you’ll see the elegant, tiny Temple of Athena Nike on a precipitous platform to the right, overlooking Pireás and the Saronic Gulf. Athens has some of the most amazing views in the world!

Thursday, May 15
Kusadasi, Turkey 7AM – 3PM
A witness to some of the world’s most powerful empires, including Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman, Turkey is abundant with ancient relics and UNESCO World Heritage sites. It’s a country renowned for its sweeping ocean vistas, bustling souks, archaeological wonders, and stark Saharan landscapes. Kusadasi and Ephesus, two of its seaside towns, one a glamorous beach resort overlooking the glittering Aegean Sea, the other an age-old commercial center full of captivating antiquities. Ephesus, a city that’s peppered with romantic remains spanning classical Greece to the Roman Empire. Spend the day admiring artifacts in the Archaeological Museum, cast your gaze over the countryside from Ayasuluk Fortress, soak up the sun at the Great Theatre, or marvel at one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World: the majestic Temple of Artemis. Or make a pilgrimage to Virgin Mary House where it’s purported St. Mary, mother of Jesus, spent the last years of her life. Rediscovered in the 19th century by a Roman Catholic nun, the venue is now a sacred place to pay a visit and features a wishing well, baptismal pool, enchanting chapel, and cobbled courtyard garden.
 
Friday, May 16
Istanbul, Turkey 10AM – 11PM
Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey, a place where the ancient East meets the contemporary West. Spanning both Asia and Europe, this charismatic metropolis is a banquet for the senses — from its Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman heritage to its dazzling array of mosques and palaces. Make sure you get to see Hagia Sophia, one of Istanbul's prime attractions. This site has functioned as a church, mosque, and museum, and returned to mosque status in 2020. An uphill path leads to the Upper Galleries, once reserved for the court, decorated with stunning mosaics. Another attraction not to be missed is Topkapi Palace - Istanbul’s masterpiece museum, home to the Ottoman sultans in the 15th and 16th centuries with four courts, a harem complex, and an imperial treasury. Also, Hippodrome - once the hub of Byzantine public life, the impressive granite obelisk carved in Egypt around 1500 BC and transported to Constantinople in 390 AD, the Blue Mosque – in which the 20,000 turquoise ceramic tiles and numerous stained-glass windows create a blue-hued atmosphere. Take a look into the Grand Bazaar, a labyrinth of streets and shops brimming with a wide array of goods. Explore its vibrant atmosphere, discovering everything from intricate jewelry and hand-painted ceramics to sumptuous textiles and exotic spices. One of the MSC Excursions can take you on a breathtaking Bosphorus cruise to see Istanbul’s stunning sights and landmarks from the comfort of a boat as it skims along the strait.
 
Saturday, May 17
DAY AT SEA – great time to relax, explore the ship, and have a little party Chris Rybak style!

Sunday, May 18
Corfu, Greece 1PM – 9PM
The resort island of Corfu is renowned for its rocky mountains, beautiful beaches, and utterly romantic atmosphere. It’s capital city, also named Corfu, is one of the ancient jewels of Greece. Here you’ll find a Venetian fortress and a UNESCO World Heritage old town boasting winding lanes, bustling bars, towering houses, and heavenly gardens. Discover ancient remains from eras past, scattered throughout the island. For example, Achilleion's Palace, a stunning white mansion, offering delightful gardens and views over the sea. You can also visit an abundance of natural wonders by boat including the Blue Eye, St. Nikolas Caves, and the Lion’s Head. One of the excursions can take you on a scenic drive through Corfu's orange groves, cypress trees, and pines, to beautiful Palaiokastritsa. There, you’ll learn how kumquats are harvested and turned into liqueurs at a traditional kumquat factory. Perched high on a rocky promontory over the Ionian Sea, the village offers views of the Byzantine Monastery.

Monday, May 19
Bari, Italy 7AM – 2PM
Bari is the capital city of the province of Bari and of the Apulia region, on the Adriatic Sea, in Italy. It´s the second most important economic center of mainland and is well known as a port and university city as well as the city of Saint Nicholas. On arriving in the heart of Bari´s old city, you find the Basilica di San Nicola, consecrated in 1197 to house the relics of the saint plundered a century earlier from southern Turkey via Mediterranean Sea. Worth visiting is the picturesque town of Alberobello. Here, you’ll discover whitewashed stone huts with conical roofs — known locally as ‘trullo’. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996, Alberobello’s iconic dwellings are a wonder to behold. Take in the town’s quaint cobbled streets and attractive plant pots before stopping at St. Antonio, the only trullo church in the world.

Tuesday, May 20
We will disembark the ship in Trieste, Italy and drive to Venice to witness its biggest attractions such as the Basilica di San Marco, the mausoleum of the city´s patron saint and Palazzo Ducale, the home of the doge and all the governing councils, both situated at the most beautiful and only square in Venice, St Mark´s square. You can even enjoy a gondola ride optionally as well as shopping for typical gifts and souvenirs from Italy. Our bus will pick us up again here and take us to our hotel nearby Venice. Check-in, dinner and prepare for the flight back home filled with many amazing new memories!
 
Wednesday, May 21
Departure home from the airport in Venice on a flight to Houston.
HOME SWEET HOME!
Itinerary subject to change depending on availability.

FOR MORE INFO: Contact EDITA RYBAK at (512) 963-6660 or EMAIL:  editarybak@hotmail.com