This is a magnificent journey through the former Habsburg Empire. It visits five of Europe’s most intriguing cities, from Munich with its many historic highlights and Marienplatz to the “Golden City” of Prague to visit the 1,000-year-old Hradcany Castle grounds, St. Vitus Cathedral, and more. Travel via Bratislava in the Slovak Republic, where lunch with local specialties awaits you, to Budapest in Hungary and Vienna in Austria. In both cities, a Local Guide will take you into the main cathedrals, and in Vienna, enjoy an entire day at leisure, which gives you the possibility to visit Schönbrunn Palace. A romantic cruise on the Danube River (departures March 30-October 19) includes kaffee and kuchen (coffee and cake), then enter Sound of Music country on your way to Salzburg, where your guided walking tour includes Mozart’s birthplace. A special treat is a taste of a popular local candy, chocolate Mozartkugeln, and dinner at an area restaurant to try out traditional dishes. Then, journey by high-speed train to Berlin for three overnights and guided sightseeing that features the restored Reichstag, Charlottenburg Palace, Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, Checkpoint Charlie, the Holocaust Memorial, a picture stop at Brandenburg Gate, and so much more!
Itinerary:
Day #1 Arrive in Munich, Germany. Welcome to Munich! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)
Day #2 Munich–Prague, Czech Republic. Germany’s “Secret Capital” comes alive during an orientation, featuring the Olympic Stadium, 1,000-foot-high Television Tower, and MARIENPLATZ in the historic heart of the city. Later, head for the Czech border in the Bohemian Forest and travel to Prague, the “Golden City.” This evening, why not join an optional outing to explore Prague by night? (B,D)
Day #3 Prague. Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide reveals why Prague is considered one of Europe’s most attractive capitals. Visit the 1,000-year-old HRADCANY CASTLE GROUNDS. Also see St. Vitus Cathedral, the Old Town, the Jewish ghetto, and the ASTRONOMICAL CLOCK, once the envy of all Europe. Exciting optional excursions are available to make the most of your stay. (B)
Day #4 Prague–Bratislava, Slovakia–Budapest, Hungary. Into Moravia, where Napoleon established his headquarters during the Battle of Austerlitz. Reach [LF] Bratislava, capital of Slovakia, where a special lunch at a local restaurant awaits you. Then, follow the course of the Danube River to Budapest. (B,L,D)
Day #5 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 #6 Budapest–Vienna, Austria. This morning, drive through the Hungarian plains to Vienna, once the center of the mighty Habsburg Empire. Meet your Local Guide and start your afternoon sightseeing with a drive along the elegant Ringstrasse. Pass the impressive 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. An optional excursion to the wine village of Grinzing is available to try the Heurigen wine. (B)
Day #7 At Leisure in Vienna. Today is your chance to join exciting optional excursions, such as to the Vienna Woods, historic Schönbrunn Palace, a concert in one of Vienna’s concert halls, or to just explore this magnificent city on your own. (B)
Day #8 Vienna–Salzburg. Enjoy a leisurely [LF] DANUBE CRUISE (departures April 6-October 5) along the most scenic section of the river and have Kaffee und Kuchen (coffee and cake). No landscape is more typically Austrian than The Sound of Music lakeland of the Salzkammergut on your way to picturesque Salzburg, where a special dinner with wine at a local restaurant awaits you. (B,D)
Day #9 Salzburg–Munich, Germany. A pleasant stroll with a Local Guide takes you through the historical center. Admire exquisite MIRABELL GARDENS, the Great Festival Hall, ST. PETER’S CHURCHYARD, the monumental Domplatz and Mozart’s birthplace in the charming Getreidegasse. [LF] Taste a traditional local specialty, chocolate Mozartkugeln, before returning to Munich. Tonight, a farewell dinner has been prepared at your hotel, and, as a finale to this exciting vacation, you may want to sample a stein of beer at the famous Hofbräuhaus, the best way to say, “Auf Wiedersehen” to your traveling companions. (B,D)
Day #10 Munich. Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
Hotels:
MUNICH Le Méridien (SF)
PRAGUE Yasmin (F)
BUDAPEST Radisson Blu Beke (SF)
VIENNA Austria Trend Doppio (SF)
SALZBURG Crowne Plaza The Pitter (SF)