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Meet the Tour Guides
RYBAK MEDITERRANEAN CRUISE - EUROPE TOUR MAY 6 - 21, 2025
BRAND NEW!!!
RYBAK MEDITERRANEAN CRUISE
EUROPE TOUR MAY 2025
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
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" Chris & Edita, the trip couldn't have been better. Thanks for putting it together."
Adolph A. Kremel
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"What an everlasting memory we have of the last 12 days. I hope you and your family made it back to Hallettsville all safe and sound. Hope we can recover in a timely manner! BTW, I am listening to your Grand March CD and Texas Our Texas CD right now. You did one hell of a good job on these two CDs! I could listen to these over and over and over again ... I'll probably wear a hole in the CD!"
Tom Jozwiak
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"Chris & Edita - I said it once and I will say it again, I had more fun with this group of Texans than all 5 of my past international trips combined. Thank you to everyone!"
Carol Wilson
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"The entertainment never stopped, nor did the slivo! I had a fabulous time!"
Linda Maiorana
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Edita & Chris, Thank you for a wonderful vacation!!! This was the best ever!! Our favorites ... Edita's Mom's house and Dad's house, the school children in Lenka's hometown, the visit to the cows, seeing the old mill work, riding in the beautiful countryside, the fantastic food (reminded me of my Grandma's cooking...luv sauerkraut!), parties at the truck stops, and of course Tomas serving our medicine! Thanks to all for giving us so many memories that make us smile.
Betty Gaskamp
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"Dear Chris & Edita, thank you so much for the lovely reunion. I was so happy to see everyone again and thanks again for the wonderful trip to Europe. I'm waiting anxiously for the DVD. My love and prayers."
Cecilia Luedecke
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Chris and Edita, Vonda and I had a wonderful time in Europe. It was a trip of a lifetime for us. We had always hoped to visit the Czech Republic together. Thanks for this opportunity. And, once again we got to visit Robert's family.
Malba Smesny
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If you are interested in a Europe Tour (land and cruise), check out this group. They definitely keep you busy and you won't be disappointed, well worth every penny spent. Sightseeing, food, partying, great music, best tour guides and the friendships you make.
Dana Bryant
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