The gleaming spires of Prague shine brightly on this sojourn through the imperial capitals of Prague, Vienna and Budapest. Admire the Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque facades, before joining your Travel Director and travel companions for an orientation and unforgettable dinner 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. See the 14th-century Charles Bridge, lined with the Baroque statues of saints, before spending the afternoon admiring the spectacular cityscape on your own.
Travel south from Prague through lush Moravian landscapes to Bratislava, passing its quaint Old Town, before continuing your journey to Vienna – our home for the next three nights. Admire the city's musical talents and consider attending a Viennese concert.
Today 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.
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 two nights. 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.
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. 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.