Day 1: ARRIVE IN BUDAPEST, HUNGARY

Welcome to Budapest! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 2: BUDAPEST

Eastern Europe’s most cosmopolitan city comes to life during your guided sightseeing. See elegant Andrassy Avenue, the Thermal Baths, and visit the world’s second-largest Jewish SYNAGOGUE. From the lookout towers of Fishermen’s Bastion, enjoy a panoramic view of the sprawling city, and admire the 13th-century Matthias Coronation Church and HEROES’ SQUARE. Afternoon at leisure. Tonight, a delectable optional Hungarian specialty dinner can be arranged.

(Photo: Fisherman's Bastion in Budapest) 

Day 3: BUDAPEST–ESZTERGOM–BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA

Esztergom was the capital of Hungary from the 10th through the mid-13th centuries and is the seat of the Roman Catholic Church in Hungary today. Your guided tour includes a visit to the ESZTERGOM BASILICA AND TREASURY, the largest church in Hungary. Continue to Bratislava, capital of Slovakia, and explore the historical center of Bratislava on foot with your Local Guide. Marvel at the medieval towers and fortifications, of which St. Michael’s Gate is the oldest. See the medieval Town Hall, gothic ST. MARTIN’S CHURCH, and many palaces, like Grassalkovich Palace. Built around 1760, it is now residence of the Slovak president. Also see the Archiepiscopal Palace, seat of the Slovak government.

Today’s Distance: 261 mi / 420 km

Day 4: BRATISLAVA–VIENNA, AUSTRIA

Cross the nearby Austrian border and arrive in Vienna, once the center of the mighty Habsburg Empire. Your guided sightseeing features a stop at the colorful and unusual Hundertwasserhaus, and a drive along the famous Ringstrasse with its magnificent buildings. See the Vienna 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. This afternoon, in the city of Strauss, a special highlight is an exclusive WALTZ DANCING LESSON.

Today’s Distance: 93 mi / 150 km

(Photo:Views from Bratislava Castle)

Day 5: VIENNA

In the morning, join the locals at the historic Café Landtmann for Kaffee und Kuchen (coffee and cake). Balance of the day at leisure. Why not join an optional excursion to splendid Schönbrunn Palace, the former imperial summer residence.

Day 6: VIENNA–ČESKÝ KRUMLOV, CZECH REPUBLIC–ČESKÉ BUDĚJOVICE

Český 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 between the 13th through the 17th centuries. A guided walking tour shows you the main sights, before arriving at your hotel.

Today’s Distance: 162 mi / 260 km

(Photo: Skyview of Cesky Krumlov village)

Day 7: ČESKÉ BUDĚJOVICE–HLUBOKÁ CASTLE–PRAGUE

Start today with a visit to magnificent HLUBOKÁ CASTLE, a national cultural monument of the Czech Republic. Return to České Budějovice for an enjoyable visit to the BUDVAR (Budweiser) BREWERY, followed by a light lunch. Arrive in Prague, capital of the Czech Republic. An optional evening tour is available to explore Prague by night.

Today’s Distance: 112 mi / 180 km

(Photo: Hradcany Castle in Prague at night)

Day 8: PRAGUE

Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide features a visit to the 1,000-year-old HRADČANY CASTLE GROUNDS, which afford lovely views of St. Vitus Cathedral and the castle’s walls and bastions. Originally laid out in the 16th-century, the grounds reached the present park-like form in the early 20th-century. Also see the Old Town, the Jewish ghetto, and the ASTRONOMICAL CLOCK, once the envy of all Europe. This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner at one of Prague’s fine restaurants.

Day 9: PRAGUE 

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.