This is the ideal trip for exploring Central Europe’s most fascinating cities and towns. Start in vibrant, cosmopolitan Budapest and visit the magnificent St. Matthias Coronation Church. Stop in Esztergom, the former capital of Hungary. Stay overnight in Bratislava and before reaching Vienna, enjoy a boat cruise on Europe’s largest underground lake. Stay two nights in Vienna, once the center of the mighty Habsburg Empire, then enter the Czech Republic and stay in Cesky Krumlov, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here you’ll enjoy a lunch of local specialties before visiting the impressive castle, dating back to the 13th century. Via Tabor, founded as a bastion by the Hussites, arrive in Prague for an exclusive visit to the magnificent Library of Strahov Monastery during your sightseeing tour. A farewell dinner with wine is the perfect way to end this fascinating vacation.
Itinerary:
Day #1 Arrive in Budapest, Hungary. Welcome to Budapest! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner with wine at a local restaurant. (D)
Day #2 Budapest. Your Local Guide takes you through Eastern Europe’s most cosmopolitan city. See elegant Andrassy Avenue, the Thermal Baths, and the world’s second-largest Jewish synagogue. From the lacy lookout towers of Fishermen’s Bastion, enjoy a panoramic view of the sprawling city. Then, visit the 13th-century Matthias Coronation Church and Heroes’ Square. Afternoon at leisure. Tonight, a delectable optional Hungarian specialty dinner can be arranged. (B)
Day #3 Budapest–Esztergom–Bratislava, Slovakia. Start the day in Esztergom, the capital of Hungary from the 10th through the mid-13th centuries and the seat of the Roman Catholic Church in Hungary today. Your guided tour features a visit to the ESZTERGOM BASILICA AND TREASURY, the largest church in Hungary. Continue to Bratislava, capital of Slovakia. (B,D)
Day #4 Bratislava–Vienna, Austria. Explore the historical center of Bratislava on foot with your Local Guide this morning. Marvel at the medieval towers and fortifications, of which St. Michael’s Gate is the oldest, the medieval Town Hall, gothic ST. MARTIN'S CHURCH, and many palaces, like Grassalkovich Palace, built around 1760 and now residence of the Slovak president, and Archiepiscopal Palace, now seat of the Slovak government. Cross the nearby Austrian border. Before reaching Vienna, stop in the Vienna Woods for a special included excursion: [LF] enjoy a BOAT CRUISE on Europe’s largest underground lake. Arrive in Vienna, once the center of the mighty Habsburg Empire. (B)
Day #5 Vienna. Your guided sightseeing features a stop at the colorful and unusual Hundertwasserhaus, and drive along the Ringstrasse. Pass the State Opera House, the Jewish quarter, and stop at the Hofburg Palace, winter residence of the Austrian imperial family. Marvel at the impressive courtyards and famous Heldenplatz, and visit awesome ST. STEPHEN’S CATHEDRAL. Balance of the day is at leisure, and optional excursions are available to historical Schönbrunn Palace or to one of Vienna’s famous concert halls. (B)
Day #6 Vienna–Ceský Krumlov, Czech Republic. Ceský Krumlov is a small town in southern Bohemia in the Czech Republic. It has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, mainly for its fine architecture in gothic, renaissance, and baroque style, constructed during the 13th through the 17th centuries. Upon arrival, [LF] try out local specialties during lunch at a family-owned restaurant, U Dwau Maryl. Afterwards, visit the CASTLE, dating back to the 13th century, and hear about how the castle was passed on from one family to the other. The original owner was the House of Rosenberg; the last family, who owned the castle until 1945, was the House of Schwarzenberg. (B,L,D)
Day #7 Ceský Krumlov–Tabor–Prague. Stop in Tabor, founded as a bastion by Jan Žižka, leader of the Hussites. Follow your Local Guide on a walk through cobblestone streets to JAN ŽIŽKA SQUARE. Continue to Prague, capital of the Czech Republic. An optional evening to explore Prague by Night is available. (B)
Day #8 Prague. Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide features vistas of the 1,000-year-old Hradcany Castle grounds, St. Vitus Cathedral, the Old Town, the Jewish ghetto, and the ASTRONOMICAL CLOCK, once the envy of all Europe. [LF] A unique and exclusive visit has been included to the magnificent LIBRARY OF STRAHOV MONASTERY. This evening, a special farewell dinner with wine awaits you at one of Prague’s fine restaurants to celebrate the success of your vacation. (B,D)
Day #9 Prague. Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
Hotels:
BUDAPEST Marriott (SF)
BRATISLAVA Radisson Blu Carlton (SF)
VIENNA Hilton Vienna Danube (SF)
CESKÝ KRUMLOV The Old Inn (F)
PRAGUE Andel’s (SF)