9 days, Priced from US$1475
European Essentials, Departs from & returns to Vienna
Tour code S457

VISITING AUSTRIA, HUNGARY, SLOVAKIA, CZECH REPUBLIC

Day 1 - Vienna at Leisure

On arrival at Vienna Airport, your airport shuttle service leaves for the tour hotel at 09:00, 12:00 & 15:00. Vienna is famous for its delicious coffees and pastries so, after checking in, why not stroll to a local café? Tonight, get to know your fellow travellers and Tour Director at a Welcome Meeting.
Hotel: Hotel Bosei.

Day 2 - 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 muralsin the Matthias Church 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.
Hotel: Hotel Budapest (B,D)

Day 3 - 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. (B,D)

Day 4 - 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: Holiday Inn Bratislava. (B,D)

Day 5 - 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: Barcelo. (B,D)

Day 6 - 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. (B,D)

Day 7 - 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: Hotel Bosei. (B)

Day 8 - Vienna Sightseeing

Tour Vienna’s Ring Road on your guided sightseeing tour. See 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 Schönbrunn Palace, ride the famous ferris wheel at Prater Park, or to try the coffee and apple strudel on Karntnerstrasse. As night falls, why not join your friends for a farewell dinner? (B)

Day 9 - Vienna

After breakfast, departure transfers arrive at Vienna Airport at 07:00 & 09:00. (B)