On arrival at Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport, enjoy a complimentary transfer to your hotel at 10:00, 13:00 or 15:30. Meet your Travel Director and travel companions at 18:00. Tonight you are in for a treat with your Welcome Dinner at Gundel, one of Budapest's most renowned restaurants for over a hundred years. Dine in elegance as you savour hearty, Hungarian delicacies accompanied with specially selected wines.
Drive along the elegant boulevards en route to Heroes’ Square. Across the river in Buda, walk with your Local Expert along the medieval cobblestone streets of the Castle district to visit Matthias Church and admire sweeping views from the Fisherman’s Bastion over the exquisite Parliament building. Make your way to a traditional strudel house to see pastry chefs at work, as they prepare delicious sweet strudel by stretching the dough and readying fillings. Enjoy a delectable taste of this famous delicacy paired with a rich aromatic coffee. Enjoy a tour of the Liszt Music Academy with a student, followed by an enchanting recital. Producing incredible musical talent, the university was founded by piano virtuoso and composer Franz Liszt in 1875.
The day is at leisure to immerse yourself in Budapest's history, culture and gastronomy. Perhaps, visit a thermal bath, spend time browsing the boutiques on Vaci Street or relax in a sidewalk café. This evening, enjoy a Dine-Around experience from your choice of specially selected restaurants.
Travel along the Danube to the picturesque city of Esztergom, home to the largest Catholic church in Hungary. Then, journey westward for a stop in the pretty town of Győr, located on the confluence of the Danube, Rába and Rábca rivers. Cross the border and continue to stately Vienna, known for its elegant coffee houses and lavish architecture steeped in history. In the evening, you are invited to a Dine-at-Home experience. Sit down to a hearty meal with a local family and learn about life in this enchanting city.
Much of Vienna’s present-day charm is due to the long reign of the Habsburgs. Join a Local Expert for a private visit of Maria Theresa’s Schönbrunn Palace and explore its formal gardens at your own pace.Explore Vienna with Insight Choice. Choose to visit a traditional Viennese café to enjoy local specialties of coffee and Sachertorte. Alternatively, join a unique MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® experience, take to the floor in a Viennese Waltz dance workshop and support the visually impaired community. Dancing in the dark, in a specially designed sensory studio, will be a unique experience for all your senses.Then ready your camera for a dazzling drive around the famous Ring Road. This grand boulevard, built along the lines of the old city walls, showcases many of the capital’s architectural masterpieces, including the Opera House, magnificent Hofburg Imperial Residence, Austrian Parliament Building and Karlskirche. The afternoon is at your leisure.
Discover the regal grandeur of Vienna as you explore at your own pace. Perhaps start at St. Stephen’s Cathedral - one of Europe’s great Gothic structures, or browse the shops of the bustling Kärntnerstrasse? You may wish to add another capital to your travels with a visit across the Slovakian border to Bratislava. Ask your Travel Director to recommend local attractions and restaurants as you appreciate the long summer evening in one of Europe's most elegant cities.
Once over the Czech border, continue to picturesque Český Krumlov, where you'll start with a brief orientation tour of this fairy-tale town, straight out of the Middle Ages. Enjoy some free time to explore and appreciate views of the Vltava River. Wander through the cobblestone, traffic-free streets, past colourful houses that lead up to the finest castle in the land. In the afternoon, continue through the green Bohemian countryside to Prague. In the evening, savour a traditional meal at a local restaurant.
Explore Prague with Insight Choice. Choose to walk the courtyards of the Castle and visit the imposing St. Vitus Cathedral. Alternatively, join your Local Expert for a walk through the Jewish Quarter and learn about a different side of the history of Prague. The city is then yours to explore. Maybe take a river cruise through the heart of the city or walk in the footsteps of kings along the Royal Route? Czechs are passionate about their beer, so be sure to try the local pilsners alongside the Czech cuisine.
Wind along cobbled lanes and discover a treasure trove of hidden gems as you explore Prague at your own pace. Perhaps cross the border to Germany and explore Dresden?This evening, tantalise your taste buds with a rousing Celebration Dinner of local specialities at a restaurant offering magnificent views over the city. Dobrou chuť!
Your journey comes to an end after breakfast. Departure transfers arrive at Prague airport at 08:00 and 10:00.
Prices shown are per person based on two people sharing a twin room. To request a personalized travel quote, click "Request Quote" and a Travel Specialist will send your custom quote including airfare if requested.
Optional Experiences are subject to change. Your Travel Director will supply you with a final list of Optional Experiences available on your trip. Optional Experiences cannot be booked online; they can be purchased during your trip through your Travel Director.
Available on Day 2
The most leisurely way to discover this fairy-tale city is a private cruise on the Danube with a glass of fine Hungarian wine in hand. See Margaret Island, the Houses of Parliament, Castle Hill with its Fisherman’s Bastion, the Royal Palace, the Citadel and the University. While cruising, enjoy a lavish, gourmet buffet meal of Hungarian specialties and drinks.
Adult Price: € 93
Available on Day 3
Take a trip back in time to learn of the incredible journey Budapest has taken to once again become the Queen of the Danube. With our local expert, we'll begin with a visit to the Basilica of St Stephen, whose treasures include the most important relic in Hungary: the miraculous Holy Right Hand of the country's first King, St. Stephen. Stroll past some of the city’s iconic monuments on our way to the jaw-dropping Parliament building, then enjoy a break for coffee and a delicious slice of cake in one of the city's many cafes. Continue with a visit to the 1956 Underground Museum to hear how the local populace bravely faced the might of the Soviet Union during the famous uprising of that year. We finish our historic walk at the moving "Shoes on the Danube Bank" memorial.
Adult Price: € 43
We'll take a fascinating excursion with our Local Expert past the remains of the Roman settlement of Aquincum and alongside the Danube, to the picturesque riverside village of Szentendre. An orientation walk through the cobbled streets leads to the main square – an excellent place from which to explore. Szentendre houses a delightful array of craft shops, art museums and galleries. We'll also visit the Micro Museum, where impossibly tiny sculptures can only be viewed under a microscope. Ever seen a camel go through the eye of a needle?
Adult Price: € 29
Available on Day 5
A leisurely walk with an expert historian unveils the hidden squares and tucked-away corners of the old city. See the Hofburg Palace, which was the official residence of the Habsburg Empire for more than 600 years. Admire the beautiful Baroque Church of St. Peter's and the Column of the Holy Trinity. See the most important House of Mozart, where "Marriage of Figaro" was composed. Finally, visit St. Stephen's Cathedral where your local expert explains its importance to Austrian culture and history.
Adult Price: € 30
Enjoy a wonderful concert of Viennese Classical music performed by highly acclaimed soloists and dancers. During this special evening, enjoy a glass of champagne along with some of the most famous works by Johann Strauss and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
Adult Price: € 59
Available on Day 6
The Slovakian capital of Bratislava is only a short drive from Vienna. During its long history, the city has belonged to Austria, Hungary and Czechoslovakia - in fact, it was even the Hungarian capital for a time. Our Local Expert will take us for a leisurely walk through the old town showing you all its fascinating sites. Then some free time before we head back to Vienna.
Adult Price: € 43
Cross the Danube, passing the famous Prater Park en route to one of Austria's most famous restaurants. Former patrons include Napoleon, Emperor Franz Joseph, Liz Taylor and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Once through the door of this historic country mansion, you're transported to a different world! Old memorabilia, autographed photos and other paraphernalia cover the ceilings, walls and even the restrooms. Choose from traditional Austrian fare, enjoy unlimited drinks and be serenaded by musicians at your table. A fun-filled experience never to be forgotten!
Adult Price: € 63
Available on Day 8
Hearty and delicious, Czech cuisine borrows heavily from its Central European neighbors, but also boasts a few unique twists of its own. In a local restaurant, enjoy a traditional Czech meal accompanied by the planet's most perfect pilsner. During dinner, lively musicians in traditional dress set the mood with songs and dances from Bohemia, Moravia and Slovakia.
Adult Price: € 60
Available on Day 9
Cross into Germany to explore the beautiful baroque city of Dresden, known as the “Florence on the Elbe” due to its artistic and architectural jewels. A local expert shows you the Cathedral, Semper Opera House, Zwinger Palace and the extraordinary treasures collected over the centuries by the Saxon rulers in the Green Vault. There is free time for lunch and shopping before returning to Prague.
Adult Price: € 64