Mainly 2–3-night stays in each location. Comfortable travel days with numerous stops. Requires 1-3 miles of walking per day that might involve some uneven surfaces, such as cobblestones and stairs.
The gleaming spires of Prague shine brightly on this sojourn through the imperial capitals of Prague, Vienna and Budapest. Join your Travel Director and travel companions this afternoon and admire some of the beautiful Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque facades before enjoying an unforgettable Welcome Reception to kick off your holiday.
Delve into centuries of history, joining your Local Specialist for a guided walk past the city's iconic sights. Visit the final resting place of Bohemian kings, St. Vitus Cathedral, set within the precincts of Prague Castle. Then, admire the Astronomical Clock in the Old Town Square, with its hourly Walk of the Apostles. Spend the afternoon admiring the spectacular cityscape on your own.
Today is yours to explore the legends, castles and palaces of Prague. Follow the 'Royal Route', discover historic treasures and admire picturesque views of the city from Petřín Hill, or join an Optional Experience to Kutná Hora, with its bone-bedecked chapel and five-nave St. Barbara Church. Spend your evening at leisure, enjoying some of the local beer for which the country is famous, or join a traditional dinner to bid farewell to this beautiful city with newly acquired friends.
Travel south from Prague through lush Moravian landscapes to Bratislava. In the quaint Old Town, stop for a pick-me-up and unique MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at a social business café providing employment opportunities for vulnerable women. Continue your journey to Vienna - our home for the next three nights.
The heritage of one of Europe's most influential royal families is explored this morning as we Dive Into Culture during a Small Group Sightseeing guided visit to the spectacular Kunstkammer. Admire the valuable objects collected by the emperors and archdukes of Habsburg over the centuries before the doors are open to the general public. Later, we join an included sightseeing tour with a Local Specialist to view the Hofburg Palace, the official residence of the President of Austria and former home of the Habsburg Dynasty. We'll see such sights as the Parliament Building, the magnificent Opera House and St. Stephen's Cathedral with its geometrically tiled roof. Spend the afternoon on your own, indulging in the city's kaffee culture with a slice or two of Sachertorte.
Today is yours to explore the 'City of Music' on your terms. Tread in the footsteps of the great sons of Vienna – Mozart, Haydn and Strauss – as you delve into the city's rich musical heritage nurtured by aristocrats throughout the centuries. Consider a visit to the beautiful Baroque Schönbrunn Palace to see the former imperial summer residence.
Journey along the Danube Bend, a narrow twisting valley in the pretty Carpathian Basin, stopping in Esztergom to view its Castle Hill, domed Cathedral, and St. Thomas Hill. We follow the scenic landscape to the romantic city of Budapest where we will spend the next three nights. Enjoy a free evening sipping Hungarian wines or consider cruising along the Danube.
Join a Local Specialist this morning for a walking tour. Visit the Fisherman's Bastion, view the Matthias Church and drive to Pest to see the Great Synagogue, the largest in Europe. We pay tribute to the seven chieftains of the Magyars in Heroes' Square before enjoying time at leisure in the Jewish Quarter or shop for Hungarian embroidery and fine porcelain. Tonight's Be My Guest experience will see us Connect With Locals over dinner with the Schieszl family and hear the story of their winery.
Venture up Gellert Hill for spectacular views of the Budapest skyline, relax in the Szechenyi Baths or consider an Optional Experience to Szentendre, a riverside village popular with artists and craftworkers. On our last evening together, we toast to a magnificent journey to the imperial capitals of Europe and enjoy a Farewell Dinner in a local restaurant.
We say a fond farewell to our companions and Travel Director today after an unforgettable trip.
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.
Scenic Vltava Cruise with Lunch (Available on Day 2)Take a relaxing cruise on the beautiful River Vltava and we’ll tell you about the legends, myths, culture and hidden secrets of this enchanting city. During the cruise you’ll enjoy a lunch of local specialties.
Adult Price: €63 Beautiful Prague by Night (Available on Day 2)Join our Local Specialist for an evening introduction to this fairy-tale city on private transport and with a little strolling. Gaze at the panoramic views of the city of a hundred spires while our Local Specialist brings the magic of the Charles Bridge alive. Enjoy a drink in a quaint restaurant as a musician entertains and discover parts of Prague that we have not seen yet.
Adult Price: €52 Kutna Hora Bohemian Experience (Available on Day 3)Visit one of the most fascinating locations in the Czech Republic, Kutna Hora. First, our Local Specialist takes us to the engaging Silver Museum and the castle, where we'll learn the history of this unique town. Then, enjoy the spectacular Gothic church of St. Barbara and the Sedlec Ossuary, both UNESCO listed, before time to enjoy lunch in this Bohemian Town.
Adult Price: €64 Traditional Dinner In Prague (Available on Day 3)If you appreciate great food and music, join us for an evening at one of our favorite local restaurants. A wonderful opportunity to get to know to glorious Prague.
Adult Price: €70 Viennese Dinner with Musical Entertainment (Available on Day 4)Enjoy dinner in an atmospheric Viennese restaurant, with drinks and traditional musical entertainment included. A unique experience in one of Europe’s most elegant cities.
Adult Price: €72 Dinner And Viennese Concert (Available on Day 5)A wonderful evening of all things Viennese! We'll enjoy a superb dinner with drinks, followed by a concert of Viennese classical music. With your 'A Class' tickets, you will experience works by Johann Strauss and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart performed in a classic, sumptuous setting and a complimentary glass of sparkling wine or juice during the concert. Please note: on occasion, a small gift will be offered in place of a glass of sparkling wine.
Adult Price: €123 Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens (Available on Day 6)The Imperial Summer Palace of Schönbrunn offers an amazing journey through the centuries of Habsburg rule. It is perfectly preserved and richly decorated with treasures from around the globe. Each room has a story to tell, so of course, you’ll have a Local Specialist to bring it to life and to make the most of your time.
Adult Price: €55 Vienna Woods Excursion (Available on Day 6)Accompanied by your Local Specialist, you’ll travel through charming wine villages to visit the Romanesque Abbey of the Holy Cross at Heiligenkreuz, before stopping at Mayerling and the Carmelite convent, which marks the spot where the tragic events of 1889 took place. This and much more will be revealed on this fascinating tour.
Adult Price: €55 A Very Viennese Afternoon (Available on Day 6)Skip the queues and enjoy a tour of the stunning interior of the Vienna State Opera with our private guide. Learn about the history of this epicenter of classical music, experience the opulence of the grand staircase and ceremonials rooms and see the stage that has hosted many beloved musicians, singers and performances. Then stroll to one of the city's beautiful cafes for coffee and strudel in true Viennese fashion.
Adult Price: €52 Danube Cruise With Dinner (Available on Day 7)Enjoy a sumptuous buffet of the delicious food for which Hungary is famous. Szegedin Goulash (goulash stew), Töltött Káposzta (stuffed cabbage), chicken paprikash, Dobos-Torta and much more. All as you sail along watching the illuminated landmarks of this stunning city.
Adult Price: €88 Budapest's Heritage (Available on Day 8)Enjoy a delicious light lunch before visiting St. Stephen’s Basilica, an impressive neo-classical landmark where the “incorruptible” right hand of Hungary’s first king is kept. We'll also visit the enchanting Moorish synagogue, the largest in Europe, with a Local Specialist.
Adult Price: €74 Hungarian Parliament Visit (Available on Day 9)With our Local Specialist, we'll visit this magnificent Gothic Revival building, the most ornate state parliament in Europe. Overlooking the river Danube, the Parliament building is the largest building in Hungary and is still the tallest building in Budapest.
Adult Price: €57 Szentendre and Light Lunch (Available on Day 9)Explore more of Hungary and follow our Local Specialist out of bustling Budapest to the picturesque medieval town of Szentendre, set on the banks of the Danube and awash with ancient walls, cobbled streets and beautiful vistas. Here we'll enjoy a Goulash cooking demonstration before sampling this essential Hungarian dish during lunch, which also includes cake and drinks. Afterwards, perhaps strike a bargain in the shops that sell beautiful Hungarian embroidery, ceramics and paprika.
Adult Price: €63