Prague, Budapest and Vienna – Imperial Cities
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A nighttime view of the Chain Bridge in Budapest, Hungary ©Blumen 1983
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Hungarian Parliament, on the Danube in Budapest
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Sunset in Vienna, view from Donaupark to Kahlenberg ©Osterreich Werbung, Photographer Filmspektakel GmbH
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Exterior view of baroque Belvedere Palace in Vienna ©Belvedere Wien, Photographer Lukas Schaller
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Prague Castle and Charles Bridge ©Prague City Tourism©www.prague.eu
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Prague, Budapest and Vienna. These imperial cities are architecturally magnificent, each with rich and distinct heritages of art, history and culture. On this very special tour, savour world-class castles, palaces, cathedrals and museums, then return home having enjoyed some unique experiences.
Prague – On the banks of the lazy Vltava river, the ancient Bohemian capital is a maze of treasures. Wander the winding streets past ancient chapels and cute cafes. The skyline is a canvas of spires and domes, all watched over by Prague’s spectacular castle. Inside the castle complex is Golden Lane, a storybook street of tiny dwellings. This quaint lane is a must-see, especially as Franz Kafka lived in number 22. Prague is a wonderful city to relax with a beer as horses trot by pulling carriages. Sip a beer as a procession of apostles will emerge from the oldest operational astronomical clock in the world each hour.
Budapest – A city full of spectacular and eclectic architecture, Budapest is simply stunning. Exuding grandeur and with a collection of fascinating monuments, visiting Budapest is a necessity. After exploring the city, perhaps take the historic funicular to ascend Castle Hill. There you can potter the cobbled streets of colourful buildings and enjoy spectacular views of Budapest. The Hungarian capital has an abundance of hot springs, therefore visiting thermal bathhouses is a popular pastime.
Vienna – Vienna is an especially beautiful city. With an air of elegance, Vienna is flooded with history but has a contemporary edge. Home to music, cafes, waltzes, parks, pastries and wine, it begs to be explored. Enjoy famous sights such as St Stephen’s Cathedral, State Opera House, Museum Quarter, Hofburg Palace, Parliament, City Hall, Burgtheater, Prater Park and its famous Ferris wheel. Embrace the cafe culture and watch the world go by while indulging in delicious desserts. With a musical heritage that includes composers Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Johann Strauss (father and son), Brahms and Mahler, among countless others, it’s little surprise that Vienna is known as the ‘City of Music’.
Dates
Dates throughout 2025
Suggested Itinerary
Day 1
Depart the UK
Travel to Dover and take the short sea ferry crossing to Calais. Continue through France and into Germany for an overnight stop in the Rhine Valley area. Dinner is included at the hotel this evening.
Day 2
Travel to Prague
After breakfast, continue the onward journey through Germany and into the Czech Republic and our hotel in Prague for the next 2 nights. Dinner is included at the hotel this evening.
Day 3
Prague sightseeing
Straddling the River Vltava, the ‘Golden City’ of Prague is unlike anywhere else in Europe. The old town is a maze of cobbled lanes, hidden courtyards and glimpses of hidden gems. Take a guided walking tour and discover the city’s stories and the secrets. Overlooking everything is Hradcany Castle and St Vitus Cathedral, high up on their hilltop. Charles Bridge, always busy with tourists, provides the link from the Old Town Square, home to the city’s famous Astronomical Clock. Watch the world go by with a locally-brewed beer in bustling Wenceslas Square, the heart of the modern city centre.
After the tour the rest of the day is at leisure. Dinner is at the hotel this evening.
Day 4
Travel to Bratislava and Budapest
Depart after breakfast and drive south east via the city of Brno and make a stop for lunch in Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. There are many cafes, bars and restaurants in the Old Town with it’s abundance of dainty fountains, Baroque places, idiosyncratic little monuments and plaques indicating the historical figures that passed by.
From here we continue into Hungary and our hotel in Budapest for the next 2 nights. Dinner is at the hotel this evening.
Day 5
Budapest sightseeing
We will meet up with a local guide for a half-day guided tour of Budapest by coach. This is a fascinating city of two halves – in the medieval old town Buda, high on the hill overlooking the mighty Danube, you’ll find the Royal Palace, Matthias Church and cobbled streets. On the opposite bank of the river lies Pest, a treasure trove of architecture and design, vibrant and lively, with museums rich in cultural and historical treasures. Sitting on the banks of the Danube is the famous, majestic, domed Parliament building, considered one of the most magnificent in the world, and don’t miss St. Stephen’s Basilica, the State Opera House and the imposing Heroes Square.
After the tour, the rest of the day and evening is spent exploring further or we can arrange a river cruise on the Danube to see the city from a different perspective.
Day 6
Travel to Vienna
Depart after breakfast for Vienna, following the ‘Danube Bend’, one of the most beautiful stretches of the river. We travel via Esztergom with its spectacular basilica, and Győr, known as the ‘town of rivers’ with an historic Old Town full of Baroque mansions and churches. We cross into Austria and arrive in Vienna, our base for three nights. Dinner is at the hotel this evening.
Day 7
Vienna Sightseeing and Schönbrunn Palace
After breakfast, meet up with a local guide for a half-day panoramic city sightseeing tour which will take you around the most important sites including St. Charles Church, Parliament, The State Opera House, the Spanish Riding School, Prater Park and its famous giant ferris wheel, and Hofburg, the home of the Vienna Boys Choir.
After the tour there will be time to get some lunch before heading out to the remarkable Schönbrunn Palace where a visit and tour has been included. The former summer residence of the Habsburgs impresses with imperial ceremonial rooms and magnificent gardens and due to its historical significance, its unique layout and magnificent furnishings, the palace is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Return to the hotel for dinner and an evening at leisure.
Day 8
Vienna Woods – Helligenkreuz Abbey and Mayerling
Heiligenkreuz Abbey is a Cistercian monastery in the village of Heiligenkreuz in the southern part of the Vienna woods and it is the oldest continuously occupied Cistercian monastery in the world. We have included a self-guided audio tour of the monastery where you can experience this ‘quiet’ paradise. From here we will head to Mayerling Hunting Lodge, famous for the tragic incident causing the deaths of Crown Prince Rudolf of Austria and his lover, Baroness Mary Vetsera. Today, the lodge has been converted into a Carmelite convent with a museum detailing the tragic events.
(Note: As an alternative to returning to the hotel for dinner, we can suggest a traditional Heuringer dinner with music after the visit to the Abbey and Mayerling – please ask for details).
Alternatively, the final day could be spent at leisure in Vienna itself for further exploration, sightseeing or last minute shopping.
Day 9
Depart Vienna
Depart after breakfast for the journey home, travelling through Austria and into Germany, stopping overnight in the Wurzburg area. Dinner is included at the hotel.
Day 10
Travel to Belgium
Depart after breakfast for the continuing journey, stopping for a final overnight in Belgium. Dinner is included at the hotel.
Day 11
Return to the UK
Continue the journey after breakfast to Calais and take the short sea ferry crossing to the UK
Suggested hotels
Holiday Inn Congress Centre Prague ****
This centrally located hotel is a 6-minute walk from Vyšehrad transit station. Rooms feature minibars, free Wi-Fi, TVs, and tea and coffee making equipment. There is also a restaurant with a summer terrace overlooking a garden. Other amenities include a cafe and a bar.
Mercure Budapest Korona ****
Located a 2-minute walk from Kálvin Tér metro station, this hotel has an international restaurant, and a casual bar. There’s also a spa area with an indoor pool and a sauna. Rooms feature Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs, plus minibars, and tea and coffee making facilities
City Hotel Stockerau ****
Located on the edge of the Weinviertel, in the heart of the festival city of Stockerau, this family-run hotel is only a 15-minute drive from Vienna. Guest rooms offer you a quiet relaxing atmosphere and some feature balconies.
Ibis Praha Old Town, Prague ***
Located in the heart of Prague, just 100 yards from the old town and surrounded by restaurants, boutiques and cafes. All rooms provide air conditioning, Wi-Fi and a work desk. Coach parking is available around 15 minutes away from the hotel.
Danubius Astoria Hotel ****
Situated in the centre of Budapest close to the metro, Astoria is a traditional hotel. The rooms are elegant with antique style furniture and have minibar, safe, TV, telephone, air conditioning and hairdryer.
Mercure Wien Westbahnhof ****
The hotel is situated next to the City West train station with many shops nearby. The hotel features a lobby, bar and sauna. The rooms are equipped with TV, telephone, fridge and hairdryer.
| Departure date | 11 days / 10 nights |
| 2025 | Price on request |
Single supplement price on request
