| 9 Days ~ Austria
~ Hungary ~ Slovakia ~ Czech Republic
Tour
Pace
This tour has been expertly planned at a
leisurely pace, with two night stays in the three main cities – Vienna,
Budapest & Prague. There are no long travelling days on this compact tour; a
perfect introduction to the region of former Eastern Europe!
DAY 1 – SAT –
VIENNA AT LEISURE
On arrival at Vienna
Airport, there are complimentary transfers to your hotel. Vienna is famous
for its delicious coffees and pastries so, after checking in, why not stroll
to a local café? Or take a walk through the Stadtpark to see the statue of
Strauss. Later, meet your Tour Director for a Welcome Drink. Hotel: Hilton.
DAY 2 – SUN –
VIENNA – BUDAPEST
Take a leisurely drive
through farming country to the Hungarian border. Continue through farmland,
passing the eagle overlooking the town of Tatabanya, before arriving in
Budapest, your home for two nights. Enjoy the view across the Danube from
the lofty Citadel atop Gellert Hill. Marvel at the superb murals in the
Church of St Matthias beside the Fisherman’s Bastion, and take in a
perfect vista of the beautiful Parliament building. View the Royal palace of
Buda, then cross the Danube to the Pest district to visit Heroes’ Square
and Andrassy Boulevard. Enjoy a Highlight Dinner with traditional Gypsy
entertainment. Hotel: Hilton West End. (Buffet breakfast, Specialty Highlight
Dinner)
DAY 3 – MON –
BUDAPEST SIGHTSEEING
The day is set aside
for you to explore this fascinating city at your own pace. Shop for
bargains in fine porcelain and colourful embroideries, take an optional
excursion to explore the ‘Secret Treasures of Budapest’ or visit a
world-famous restaurant to enjoy coffee and pancakes. (Buffet
breakfast, dinner)
DAY 4 – TUE –
BUDAPEST – BRATISLAVA
Take a fascinating drive
past the remains of the Roman settlement of Aquincum and along the Danube to
the picturesque riverside village of Szentendre. This community has long
been the haunt of artists, enchanted by its brightly coloured houses and
quaint churches. Continue to Visegrád, where the castle walls and
Solomon’s Tower are all that remain of Visegrád’s regal splendour. Walk
up to the Citadel for breath-taking views across the Danube Bend. See
Esztergom, former capital of Hungary, and visit its splendid cathedral.
Cross the Danube at Komarom to enter the Republic of Slovakia. Skirt the
foothills of the Little Carpathian Mountains to arrive at your hotel in
Bratislava. Upon arrival, view the presidential palace before taking a
leisurely walk through the Old Town, stopping at the medieval Town Hall.
Hotel: Crowne Plaza. (Buffet breakfast, dinner)
DAY 5 – WED –
BRATISLAVA – PRAGUE
Drive to the 9th century
castle, perched high above the Danube, for panoramic views across
Bratislava. After crossing into the Czech Republic, drive to Brno, capital
of the Province of Moravia. During an orientation tour, see the unusual
baroque Cathedral of St Peter and St Paul, as well as the grim Spilberk
Fortress, used as a jail by the Nazis during World War Two. Continue through
Czech countryside to ‘Golden’ Prague – named for its gleaming gilded
spires. Hotel: Movenpick. (Buffet breakfast, dinner)
DAY 6 – THU –
PRAGUE SIGHTSEEING
Since the ‘Velvet
Revolution’, Prague has been one of the most fashionable, beautiful and
culturally exciting cities in Europe. The Czech capital features a unique
blend of Gothic, Renaissance and baroque architecture; a sightseeing tour
with an expert local guide introduces the 1,000-year-old Hradcany Castle
and the majestic St Vitus’ Cathedral. Descend to the Old Town, where the
tour concludes at the fascinating Astronomical Clock in the city square.
Later, there is time to shop for fine Bohemian crystal, Carlsbad porcelain
or superb costume jewellery, treasures for which the Czech Republic is
world-famous. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 7 – FRI –
PRAGUE – VIENNA
Enjoy a drive through the
green Bohemian countryside, passing the town of Tabor, headquarters of the
15th century reformer, John Huss, and continuing south to medieval Cesky
Krumlov, with its ancient town and Renaissance castle on either side of the
River Vltava. After some free time to explore, head back to Vienna for a
two-night stay. Hotel: Hilton. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 8 – SAT –
VIENNA SIGHTSEEING
A sightseeing highlight
this morning is a guided visit to the magnificent Schönbrunn Palace and
gardens. See also St Charles’ Church and the baroque architecture of the
Opera House, the magnificent Hofburg Imperial Residence and Parliament
building. The afternoon is free to visit Prater Park for a ride on the
famous ferris wheel, or to try the coffee and apple strudel on
Karntnerstrasse. As night falls, why not join your friends for a farewell
dinner? (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 9 – SUN –
VIENNA
Our tour ends this
morning after breakfast with a transfer to Vienna Airport. (Buffet breakfast)
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