Highlights of Eastern Europe (Premium)
14 Days from $3,675 per person
Discover the majestic cities of the east and explore the medieval charms and tumultuous history of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Travel to Europe often requires an overnight flight. Please arrange for flights to arrive on or before Day 1.
Overview
Discover the majestic cities of the east and explore the medieval charms and tumultuous history of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Travel to Europe often requires an overnight flight. Please arrange for flights to arrive on or before Day 1.
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Day 1: Welcome to Budapest
On arrival at Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport, there are complimentary transfers to your hotel at 10 am, 1 pm and 3:30 pm. Join your Travel Director in the evening and travel to the famous and elegant Gundel Restaurant. Your Welcome Dinner is a treat of mouthwatering Hungarian specialties, accompanied by specially selected Hungarian wine.
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Day 2: Delve into Budapest
Stroll through the alleys of the Old Town of Buda with a Local Expert. Admire the façade of Matthias Church and take in the view from the Fisherman’s Bastion. Atop Gellért Hill, appreciate astounding views presided over by the Liberty Statue and visit Heroes’ Square in Pest. The rest of the day is yours to explore as you wish.
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Day 3: The Mountains to Kraków
Travel through Slovakia, passing the breathtaking Low Tatra Mountains. Stop at Donovaly, known as the Slovakian St. Moritz. Continue north to see Oravský Hrad Castle before continuing to historic Kraków.
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Day 4: The Damsels and Dragons of Kraków
Join a Local Expert to explore Kraków and ascend Wawel Hill to visit the cathedral. Walk through the Old Town to Europe’s largest and most beautiful town square and see the medieval Cloth Hall. Visit the 14th-century St. Mary’s Basilica. Then enjoy free time to explore.
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Day 5: Auschwitz and Częstochowa
Join a Local Expert for a visit to Auschwitz, infamous for its role during the Holocaust. Spend reflective moments amid the remains of the concentration camp and the memorials to those who died. Travel north to Częstochowa to visit the 14th-century Monastery of Jasna Góra, famous for the Black Madonna. Continue across the Polish plains to the country’s capital, Warsaw. Enjoy a dumpling demonstration and tasting at Zapiecek restaurant in the Old Town. You are treated to a delicious Highlight Dinner of local dishes.
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Day 6: The Polish Capital of Warsaw
Join a Local Expert in the morning to see the Old Town, Royal Castle and Palace of Culture. Visit the Chopin Memorial in the Łazienki Park. Pay your respects at the Monument to the Heroes of Warsaw and then enjoy a free afternoon to explore at your own pace. Perhaps attend a Chopin recital or delve into Warsaw’s communist past.
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Day 7: Wielkopolska to Berlin
Your route leads westward, across the rolling farmlands of the central plains, past Poznań and over the Oder River to enter Germany. Your destination is the vibrant capital of Berlin.
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Day 8: The Spirit of Berlin
Join a Local Expert for a drive along the Ku’Damm, past the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church. Continue through the leafy Tiergarten to the refurbished Reichstag building and see the Brandenburg Gate. On the eastern side, take the Unter den Linden past the State Opera House to Museum Island. Spend the afternoon at leisure.
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Day 9: Dresden and Golden Prague
In Dresden, see the reconstructed Frauenkirche and walk past the 'Procession of the Dukes' on the wall of the Royal Palace. Venture around the Catholic cathedral to view the tiered façades of the opera house, Semperoper, and the Baroque Zwinger Palace. Continue on to Prague.
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Day 10: Prague, City of a Hundred Spires
A Local Expert will show you the amazing St. Vitus Cathedral inside the 1,000-year-old Prague Castle. Cross the Vltava River to explore the vast cobblestoned expanse of the Old Town Square and see its famous Astronomical Clock.
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Day 11: Bohemian Český Krumlov
At České Budějovice, enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour of a local brewery to sample the beer and discover the secrets of how this golden vintage is made. Continue on to the medieval town of Český Krumlov to walk the narrow, cobbled streets and arch-covered footpaths and visit the fairy-tale, red-roofed castle with your Local Expert. After the day-trippers have left, soak up the unique atmosphere of this UNESCO World Heritage Site on your Dine-Around Evening. You will be offered a selection of restaurants amid the tangle of streets.
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Day 12: Stately Vienna
Cross the border into Austria and enjoy a delightful journey to Vienna. The afternoon is free for you to explore this stately capital.
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Day 13: The Habsburgs of Vienna
Join your Local Expert for a private visit of Maria Theresa’s Schönbrunn Palace and its formal gardens. Take some great photos on a circuit of the famous Ring Road that showcases architectural masterpieces, such as the Opera House, Hofburg Imperial Residence, Austrian Parliament Building and Karlskirche. Experience an extraordinary concert of Viennese classical music combined with a delicious meal of traditional Austrian fare, with drinks included.
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Day 14: Depart Vienna
A transfer arrives at Vienna airport at 8 am and continues to Budapest airport, arriving early afternoon. For those extending their stay, a stop is also made at the Corinthia Hotel Budapest.
Request a Quote
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30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
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Add air to your reservation
Let our Air Specialists handle your air reservations. We have direct access to the most current airfare routes and prices, so you’ll get the best value available when we book your flights. We never charge a booking fee and you’ll enjoy the flexibility to pay for air 60-90 days prior to departure.
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Definite Departure
- Alternative Hotel
| Depart Date | Return Date | Price | Discount | Availability | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Alternative Hotel
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13 Apr 19 | 26 Apr 19 |
|
$3,795pp | Call 1-877-622-9109 | ||
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Alternative Hotel
|
4 May 19 | 17 May 19 |
|
$3,875pp | Request Quote Book Now | ||
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Alternative Hotel
|
11 May 19 | 24 May 19 |
|
$3,875pp | Request Quote Book Now | ||
| 20 May 19 | 2 Jun 19 |
|
$3,775pp | Request Quote Book Now | |||
| 25 May 19 | 7 Jun 19 |
|
$3,850pp | Request Quote Book Now | |||
| 1 Jun 19 | 14 Jun 19 |
|
$3,850pp | Request Quote Book Now | |||
| 3 Jun 19 | 16 Jun 19 |
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$3,750pp | Request Quote Book Now | |||
| 22 Jun 19 | 5 Jul 19 |
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$3,850pp | Request Quote Book Now | |||
| 29 Jun 19 | 12 Jul 19 |
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$3,675pp | Request Quote Book Now | |||
| 6 Jul 19 | 19 Jul 19 |
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$3,675pp | Request Quote Book Now | |||
| 13 Jul 19 | 26 Jul 19 |
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$3,675pp | Request Quote Book Now | |||
| 20 Jul 19 | 2 Aug 19 |
|
$3,675pp | Request Quote Book Now | |||
| 17 Aug 19 | 30 Aug 19 |
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$3,675pp | Request Quote Book Now | |||
| 31 Aug 19 | 13 Sep 19 |
|
$3,950pp | Request Quote Book Now | |||
| 7 Sep 19 | 20 Sep 19 |
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$3,950pp | Request Quote Book Now | |||
| 9 Sep 19 | 22 Sep 19 |
|
$3,750pp | Request Quote Book Now | |||
| 14 Sep 19 | 27 Sep 19 |
|
$3,850pp | Request Quote Book Now | |||
| 16 Sep 19 | 29 Sep 19 |
|
$3,750pp | Request Quote Book Now | |||
| 21 Sep 19 | 4 Oct 19 |
|
$3,850pp | Request Quote Book Now | |||
| 28 Sep 19 | 11 Oct 19 |
|
$3,795pp | Request Quote Book Now | |||
| 12 Oct 19 | 25 Oct 19 |
|
$3,795pp | Request Quote Book Now |
- Alternative Hotel: This departure may include alternate hotels in select cities.
Price is per person and is based on two people sharing a twin bedded room. Single rooms are available at a supplement.
Single Room Supplement: from $1,080 per person
Triple Room Supplement $120 per person
Gratuities: Option to pre-pay gratuities for Travel Director and Driver $162 per person
Airport transfers: On arrival at Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport transfers will operate at 10 am, 1 pm and 3:30 pm. A return transfer will arrive at Vienna airport at 8 am and continue to Budapest airport, arriving early afternoon.
AARP Members are entitled to an exclusive Member Benefit Discount on all Grand European Travel vacations. Plus receive a free travel gift! Call Toll Free: 1-866-847-3858 for details.
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Professional Travel Director
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Sightseeing with Local Experts
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VIP Access
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WIFI on Coach and in Hotels
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Personal Flight Options
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Cultural Enrichment
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Expertly Selected Hotels
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Hotel Tips
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Most Meals
Included Quality Dining
13 Breakfasts, 6 Dinners with Wine, all with tea or coffee.
Insight Experiences
- Warsaw: Enjoy a demonstration of the traditional techniques of dumpling-making with an expert chef. Then enjoy a hearty Polish Highlight Dinner with a variety of local delicacies and drinks
Top Rated Highlights
- Visit Wawel Cathedral and St. Mary's Basilica in Kraków • Auschwitz • Monastery of Jasna Góra in Częstochowa • St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague • Český Krumlov Castle • Schönbrunn Palace
- City tours of Budapest, Kraków, Warsaw, Berlin, Prague and Vienna, all with Local Experts.
- See Matthias Church, Fisherman's Bastion, Hungarian Parliament Building and the Liberty Statue in Budapest • Jagiellonian University, Old Town and Sukiennice Cloth Hall in Kraków • Royal Castle, Palace of Culture and Chopin Memorial Warsaw • Tiergarten, Reichstag building and Brandenburg Gate in Berlin • 'Procession of the Dukes' mosaic on Dresden Castle, Zwinger Palace and opera house in Dresden • Prague Castle, Old Town Square and Astronomical Clock in Prague • Český Krumlov • Hofburg Imperial Residence and Opera House in Vienna
Request a Quote
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30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
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Add air to your reservation
Let our Air Specialists handle your air reservations. We have direct access to the most current airfare routes and prices, so you’ll get the best value available when we book your flights. We never charge a booking fee and you’ll enjoy the flexibility to pay for air 60-90 days prior to departure.
Reviews
Request a Quote
-
30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
-
Add air to your reservation
Let our Air Specialists handle your air reservations. We have direct access to the most current airfare routes and prices, so you’ll get the best value available when we book your flights. We never charge a booking fee and you’ll enjoy the flexibility to pay for air 60-90 days prior to departure.
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Passports and Visas
U.S. citizens traveling to the Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary, Poland and Germany must have a current passport valid for six months beyond the conclusion of their trip. You can find information on how to apply for a passport here, and how to renew a passport here. No visa is required for U.S. citizens entering these countries.
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Currency
The currency in the Czech Republic is the Koruna, in Hungary is the Forint, and in Poland is the Zloty. Austria and Germany use the Euro. While it’s a good idea to bring some money for when you first arrive on your trip, you’ll usually find a better exchange rate in your destination. The most convenient way to obtain cash is to use your ATM card at local banks in the Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary, Poland and Germany. We recommend you also bring a valid credit card for purchases while you are traveling. It is important that you inform your financial institutions of your travel plans before you leave home so they don’t flag your purchases as potentially fraudulent charges.
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Cuisine
If you like meat and potatoes, chances are you’ll love the food in the Czech Republic. The country is also known for its long-standing tradition for beer. Most towns have at least one brewery, so it’s no surprise that the Czech consume more beer per capita than any other country. In Austria you’ll find more hearty cuisine, but nothing beats the desserts. Try delicious treats like Viennese Sachertorte (dense chocolate cake) and apple strudel. In Hungary you’ll find hearty specialties including goulash, winter salami, pork stew, and chicken paprikash. Poland offers even more rich and hearty. Be sure to sample the variety of delicious Pierogi dumplings stuffed with potatoes and cheese, mushrooms, meat, and even fruit. And in Germany, don’t miss the variety of bratwurst with sauerkraut, cold cuts, spätzle, potato dumplings, and black forest cake.
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Packing
We suggest packing a variety of lightweight clothing items that can be layered to save space in your suitcase and give you more options for how to dress. It’s important to bring comfortable walking shoes and a waterproof jacket. For more helpful information please refer to our Packing Tips & Packing List.
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Tipping
When dining out it’s appropriate to leave up to 10 percent gratuity for good service at restaurants.
At the end of your guided vacation, it’s customary to offer your motor coach driver and Travel Director a gratuity. We recommend €3.00 per person/per day for your driver and €5.00 per person/per day for your Travel Director. Recommended gratuity for a Local Host and Local Specialist is 1-2 euros per person, paid at the conclusion of each guided visit. A convenient option is to prepay your tips before your departure
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Baggage
Baggage on our trips is restricted to one large suitcase per person with dimensions not exceeding 30x19x10 inches and a maximum weight of 50 pounds. You are also permitted one piece of hand luggage, which should be small enough to fit under your coach seat or on the small overhead shelf compartment. Please note that luggage with an adjustable handle and wheels will not fit in the overhead compartment of the coach. Hotel porterage is included in your vacation.
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Health and Fitness
You will need to be comfortable on your feet, walking and standing for up to three hours in various weather conditions. All of our vacations involve walking, often on cobblestone and uneven surfaces in historic city centers. In order to get the most out of your vacation you need to be able to comfortably walk 1-3 miles unassisted in one day, be in good condition and be able to keep pace with the group.
If you need any medications, it is important that you bring enough to last you the whole trip and keep them in your carry-on bag while you travel.
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Insurance
We highly recommend our optional Travel Protection Plan, which allows you to cancel for any reason up to 24 hours before departure. The plan also includes trip interruption, baggage loss or delay, and medical and emergency assistance. Click here for a summary of coverage details, terms and conditions.
Request a Quote
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30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
-
Add air to your reservation
Let our Air Specialists handle your air reservations. We have direct access to the most current airfare routes and prices, so you’ll get the best value available when we book your flights. We never charge a booking fee and you’ll enjoy the flexibility to pay for air 60-90 days prior to departure.
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.
Budapest
Danube Cruise Dinner & Drinks
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: €63
Revolution Walk & St Stephens
Venture 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 the moving memorial; “Shoes on the Danube Bank” before discovering Kossuth Lajos Square, situated next to the jaw-dropping Parliament building. We’ll visit the 1956 Underground Museum to hear about the local populace facing off against the might of the Soviet Union during the famous uprising of that year. From darker days to the golden age, we’ll stop in one of the city's many cafes before completing our historic stroll 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.
Adult Price: €38
Krakow
Salt Mines Excursion
A visit to the 600 year old salt mines on the outskirts of Krakow, where we view an underground world of chambers filled with absolutely unique salt sculptures, sculpted by the miners themselves (placed by UNESCO on the World Heritage list).
Adult Price: €55
Polish Karczma Dinner & Polka Party
Enjoy a generous selection of traditional Polish cuisine and drinks in the countryside outside Krakow. A local, beautifully-dressed folk group and live band will entertain you with songs and dances and you might even get to join them for a polka or two! Don't miss this enjoyable evening.
Adult Price: €59
Warsaw
Chopin Concert
The spirit of Warsaw and the music of Chopin go hand in hand. In a concert venue located in the centre of Warsaw, enjoy an exclusive private recital of his music performed by a celebrated Polish pianist. Champagne is served during the intermission.
Adult Price: €46
Warsaw As It Once Was
Now a modern alpha city open to the world, it wasn't always the case for Warsaw in the second half of the 20th century. With our local expert, we'll discover the impact Communism had on Poland and its people. We start with a short photo opportunity at the iconic, previously-named Joseph Stalin Palace of Culture and Science. We'll continue to Constitution square, built for the ruling elite and intended as the city centre of a new Warsaw. Here, we'll visit the fascinating Museum of Communism and learn what life was really like in the days of the People's Republic of Poland.
Adult Price: €33
Berlin
Berliner Dinner & Entertainment
Berlin's eating establishments have enjoyed legendary status ever since the "Golden Twenties". This evening you are treated to traditional Berliner cuisine in a lively local restaurant with live music and drinks. Guten Appetit!
Adult Price: €56
Bridge of Spies, Sanssouci & Dinner
Our evening takes us to Potsdam, the summer home and royal residence to the Kings of Prussia. Here we'll see the ‘Sanssouci’ palace of the most celebrated Prussian king, Frederick the Great. We'll enjoy time for photos in the gardens and then continue to the Glienicke Bridge, the famous 'Bridge of Spies'. The bridge was used for spy exchanges between East & West during the Cold War. We'll cross the bridge on foot before continuing to historic Wirsthaus Moorlake, nestled on the banks of the Havel river, for an evening of traditional German fare. n.b. This optional experience may be offered without dinner for €48.
Adult Price: €63
Highlights of Former East Berlin - E958 ONLY
Explore the shadows of the past with our local expert. Visit the staggering Holocaust Memorial. Stop for a photo at the famous ‘East side gallery’, the longest section of the Berlin Wall still in existence. Then a real highlight as we visit the Berlin Wall Memorial. The memorial contains the last section of the Wall with a guard tower and preserved grounds and is thus able to convey an impression of how the border fortifications developed until the end of the 1980s. Learn about this focal point of 20th-century history and of the fate of those who attempted to cross it.
Adult Price: €31
Prague
Magical Prague
Discover the hidden world of Prague's Malá Strana district on foot, accompanied by our expert local. Continue to the famous Charles Bridge, built in 1357, before enjoying a private cruise on the Vlatava. Enjoy a drink as you glide past the magical sights of Prague.
Adult Price: €42
Traditional Dinner & Folklore Entertainment
Hearty and delicious, Czech cuisine borrows heavily from its Central European neighbours, 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: €59
Vienna
Hidden Treasures Of Old Vienna Walk
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 then 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
Dinner In A Country Mansion
Cross the Danube, passing the famous Prater Park en route to one of Austria's most famous restaurants. Former patrons include Napoleon, the 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 rest rooms. 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
Request a Quote
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30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
-
Add air to your reservation
Let our Air Specialists handle your air reservations. We have direct access to the most current airfare routes and prices, so you’ll get the best value available when we book your flights. We never charge a booking fee and you’ll enjoy the flexibility to pay for air 60-90 days prior to departure.
