MUST-SEE INCLUSIONS
- Visit the magnificent Schönbrunn Palace, a summer retreat of the Habsburg dynasty.
- Discover Budapest’s iconic sights through the eyes of an expert.
- Enjoy a stop in the fairy-tale town of Cesky Krumlov.
CULINARY INCLUSIONS
- Join local residents for a community hosted lunch in Dunaalmas.
- Savor a Renaissance-style dinner at a medieval castle restaurant near Budapest.
CULTURAL EXPERIENCES
- Tour the majestic Prague Castle.
- Get a glimpse into Hungary’s communist past during an exclusive talk with a local.
- Get to know Bratislava's 4,000-year-old history on a tour with a local expert.
HOTELS
INCLUDED
- 11 Days
- 10 Nights
- 9 Breakfasts
- 1 Lunch
- 4 Dinners
Overnight Flight
Set out on a grand cultural adventure through the Imperial Cities of Central Europe – Prague, Vienna and Budapest. Along the way, enjoy traditional entertainment, local cuisine, and a glimpse into this region’s eminent history.
Prague, Czech Republic - Tour Begins
Arrive in Prague, the "City of 100 Spires." Behold ancient landmarks and medieval architecture. This evening, join your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.
Prague
Feel the magic and wonder of Prague. Your introduction to this fairy-tale city begins with a panoramic tour. Explore the “Castle District,” including the gothic St. Vitus Cathedral, the majestic Prague Castle, and the Golden Lane. After, enjoy some time at leisure for lunch on your own until you meet with a local guide later on to explore the best of Prague Old Town. Finish your day by taking in the iconic, statue-lined Charles Bridge – a picturesque structure stretching over the Vltava River. Spend the rest of the afternoon and evening with free time at leisure, or join an optional excursion to Prague’s Old Jewish Quarter to see its historic Jewish Museum and Europe’s oldest Jewish cemetery, founded in 1478.
Prague
Discover Prague on your own. Today, the morning and afternoon are at your leisure. Consider shopping for Bohemian crystal or visiting the city’s museums, such as the Lapidarium. Tonight, enjoy dinner and traditional folklore dances at a famous Prague restaurant where the menu is created based on original recipes from Czech grandmothers.
Prague - Cesky Krumlov - Vienna, Austria
Travel through the scenic countryside on your way to Vienna. En route, make a stop in the medieval town of Cesky Krumlov. Lined with towering Baroque architecture, explore the quaint preserved streets before continuing on to the grand city of Vienna.
Vienna
Join a local guide at the magnificent Schönbrunn Palace, the summer retreat of the Habsburg dynasty for more than 200 years. Continue on to Vienna’s city center and behold the beautiful architecture, scenic parks, and gothic spires that fill the city. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure where perhaps you’ll partake in the city’s famous café culture as you walk the streets, watching locals take a moment out of their day for a hot coffee and bite of cake. Tonight, hear Vienna’s past come alive and experience a classical performance featuring the works of Mozart and Strauss.
Vienna
Choose how you spend your day because it’s your choice! Venture down the Danube* to the medieval town of Durnstein and cruise to the 11th-century Melk Abbey -OR- join a local guide in the Belvedere Museum, home to Gustav Klimt’s iconic painting The Kiss -OR- enjoy a leisurely morning before attending a Viennese Waltz lesson in the afternoon. The rest of the day is yours.
Vienna - Bratislava, Slovakia - Budapest, Hungary
Say hello to Bratislava, the former Imperial capital of the Habsburg Empire. Get to know the city’s 4,000-year-old history on a tour with a local expert. Connect with the villagers of Dunaalmas during a community-hosted lunch, learning how to make traditional strudel. Arrive in Budapest, the "Queen of the Danube" and your home for the next 3 nights. Enjoy the evening on your own.
Budapest
Join a local expert for a panoramic tour of the city, where you’ll discover the incredible Neo-Gothic marvel of Matthias Church atop Buda Castle Hill, the Fisherman’s Bastion, the historic Old Buda and Gellert Hill, and the Parliament House. This afternoon, enjoy some free time to explore Budapest on your own. Perhaps you’ll head to the city’s famous thermal pools for an afternoon of relaxation, or maybe you’ll join an optional excursion to discover Budapest by Night.
Budapest - Visegrad - Budapest
This morning, talk with a local and listen to stories about his life during the former communist era. Enjoy the rest of the morning at leisure. This afternoon, head out of the city to the former Renaissance capital of Visegrad for a magnificent view of the Danube Bend and the Borzsony Mountains. Embrace the lifestyle of the 14th-century castle, a former residence of Hungarian kings, and enjoy an exclusive Renaissance-style dinner in the castle.
Budapest - Tour Ends
Say goodbye to these regal cities as your tour comes to a close today.
