Join Collette Vacations on a visit to the Imperial cities of Central Europe - Prague, Vienna and Budapest - for the cultural experience of a lifetime. Beginning with your arrival in the "Golden City" of Prague, enjoy a sightseeing tour of this fairytale city including the beautiful Hradcany Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral. A leisurely walking tour of the old town showcases the unique astronomical clock and the statue-lined Charles Bridge and a full day of leisure allows you to pursue your own interests. Next, board your ship for a five-night Danube River Cruise through the Wachau Valley, one of Europe’s most beautiful areas. Your cruise proceeds to Vienna, where the baroque marvels of Schoenbrunn Palace, summer retreat to the Habsburg dynasty for more than 200 years, will amaze. Set sail for Hungary and the unforgettable city of Budapest. Called the “Queen of the Danube,” Budapest is truly one of the world’s most beautiful cities. A special night excursion allows you to see this historical city's bridges and buildings illuminated. Your daytime exploration includes a visit to Fishermen’s Bastion and Mathias Church, the site of numerous coronations. A farewell dinner with traditional folk entertainment celebrates the end of a marvelous trip along the Danube.
Itinerary:
Day #1 Overnight Flight - Your visit to the Imperial cities of Central Europe will be the cultural experience of a lifetime.
Day #2 Prague, Czech Republic - Tour Begins - Your tour begins in the “Golden City” of Prague. This evening, join your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner.
Day #3 Prague - A sightseeing tour of this fairy tale city highlights the amazing Hradcany Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral. A leisurely walking tour of the old town showcases the unique astronomical clock and the statue-lined Charles Bridge.
Day #4 Prague - Today is at leisure for you to independently explore this beautiful city. You may choose to visit Prague’s Old Jewish Quarter* and its historic cemetery, synagogues and museum. Or, perhaps you will visit one of the many theaters or enjoy strolling through the magnificent streets where every turn produces a unique shopping experience. Enjoy dinner this evening at one of Prague's local restaurants.
Day #5 Prague - Passau, Germany - Board Ship - LANGUAGE DISCOVERY: Today, your Tour Manager will help you discover the origin and history of the language(s) you will experience on your tour along with key words and phrases that will help you communicate with the locals. Travel the picturesque Czech countryside, crossing the German border to the charming town of Passau. Enjoy leisure time to explore the town’s baroque buildings and hidden alleyways. Late afternoon, board your ship and unpack for a relaxing 5-night Danube River cruise. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included daily during your cruise. During your sailing on the Danube you will enjoy a fun-filled French language lesson. Also learn about some of the local cuisines during a special cooking lesson. This evening, enjoy a welcome cocktail followed by dinner while you cruise toward the Austrian border.
Day #6 Wachau Valley, Austria - Durnstein - Vienna - After breakfast, visit the 11th century Melk Abbey which was a strategically important fortress centuries ago. Mid-day, you proceed to Durnstein, considered the most popular town in the historic Wachau Valley. Enjoy free time to explore the baroque church and charming town center. Later, your journey continues to the grand city of Vienna, the former capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. This evening, enjoy a wonderful Vienna-by-Night excursion in this beautiful city.
Day #7 Vienna - Esztergom, Hungary - This morning, journey to the baroque marvels of spectacular Schoenbrunn Palace. The summer retreat of the Habsburg dynasty for more than 200 years and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the palace and gardens themselves are a work of art. Early evening you set sail for Hungary, passing Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia.
Day #8 Esztergom - Budapest - After breakfast, visit the original capital of Esztergom. This city was home to the Archbishop of Hungary and is a city rich in monuments including the neo-classical basilica and the old Royal Palace. Mid-day, your journey continues to Budapest, the "Queen of the Danube," and truly one of the world's most beautiful cities. Buda sits on one side of the river, and Pest is on the opposite bank. After dinner, a special Budapest by Night excursion allows you to see this historical city’s buildings and bridges illuminated.
Day #9 Budapest - Today you will visit Mathias Church, site of many coronations of kings, and the Fishermen’s Bastion with its white walls, towers and arcades. The balance of your day is at leisure to explore historic Old Buda, Gellert Hill, the Parliament and Heroes Square. This evening, join your fellow travelers for a wonderful farewell dinner celebrating the end of a marvelous trip on the Danube River. Later, enjoy a fantastic evening of traditional folk entertainment in Budapest.
Day #10 Budapest - Disembark Ship - Tour Ends - Your tour ends, leaving you with many pleasant memories of a wonderful vacation.