Treating ourselves to an apple strudel or slice of chocolatey sachertorte at Demel, one of Vienna's finest pâtisseries.
Summary
Wonderful architecture spanning the centuries, vast imperial palaces, ancient castles and a rich cultural heritage. This trio of fine central European cities is brimming with delights, and our guided tours of Prague, Vienna and Budapest (plus a Danube river cruise) reveal the best of them. We begin by exploring Prague, including the famous 14th-century Charles Bridge, adorned with baroque statues. In Vienna, we visit treasures including the world-renowned State Opera and Schönbrunn Palace. Finally, in Budapest, we tour both sides of the Danube, including the immense Buda Castle and beautiful Parliament buildings.
Your holiday includes:
6 excursions and visits
Guided tours of Prague (including Prague Castle, St George’s Basilica, Old Palace and Golden Lane); Vienna; and Budapest (including funicular ride to Buda Castle Hill)
Guided tour of Schönbrunn Palace
Visit Bratislava
Evening cruise on the Danube
Plus:
9 nights in hotels (accommodation as specified or similar)
International flights. Prices are based on return flights with British Airways from London Heathrow or Gatwick. Supplements may apply from other airports
Titan’s VIP door-to-door travel service collects you from home for your flight to Prague.
Hotel Ambassador (5-star), Hotel Amarilis (4-star), or Hotel Royal (4-star), Prague
Prague
You’ll become convinced that Prague is one of Europe’s most attractive cities on our guided tour this morning. Prague Castle is a fantastic monument to Czech history, displaying its story through the complex of architectural styles that’s accumulated within its walls since the 9th century. This afternoon is at leisure for further sightseeing.
Guided tour of Prague, including Prague Castle, St George’s Basilica, Old Palace and Golden Lane (morning)
Hotel Ambassador (5-star), Hotel Amarilis (4-star), or Hotel Royal (4-star), Prague
Prague
Today is at leisure. Perhaps admire the city’s magnificent baroque and Romanesque architecture or simply enjoy the views from the banks of the River Vltava. You’ll also notice the city has a fine cultural tradition going back centuries - Haydn, Beethoven, Liszt and Mozart all spent time in Prague; and it was here that Figaro was first acclaimed and Don Giovanni received its first performance.
Hotel Ambassador (5-star), Hotel Amarilis (4-star), or Hotel Royal (4-star), Prague
Vienna
We journey through endless rolling vistas and dense forest today as we travel to the imperial grandeur of Vienna.
Lindner Hotel am Belvedere (4-star) or Hotel NH Danube City (4-star), Vienna
Vienna
Soak up the sights of Vienna on a sightseeing tour. Renowned for its fine buildings, our tour includes views of the lavish, terraced gardens of Prince Eugene’s Belvedere Palace, the State Opera, the sprawling Hofburg residence of Emperor Franz Joseph, and the Parliament buildings.
Guided tour of Vienna (morning)
Lindner Hotel am Belvedere (4-star) or Hotel NH Danube City (4-star), Vienna
Vienna
This morning we visit Schönbrunn Palace, a building of architectural splendour, commissioned as a summer residence by Emperor Leopold I for his son Josef I. Marie Antoinette, the Queen of France, spent her childhood there; and it’s said that Mozart astonished the court with his musical performance at the tender age of six.
Decorated in the Rococo style of the 18th century, the apartments are adorned with frescoes, crystal chandeliers, priceless tapestries, and furniture. In the courtyard stands the Wagenburg Museum, showing numerous coaches and sleighs from the Imperial era.
We return to the city centre, where the remainder of the day is free to further explore this fascinating and historic city.
Guided tour of Schönbrunn Palace (morning)
Lindner Hotel am Belvedere (4-star) or Hotel NH Danube City (4-star), Vienna
Vienna - Bratislava - Budapest
We journey to Bratislava for free time in Slovakia’s capital. It has many fine buildings - its baroque and rococo palaces are as elegant as any in Vienna.
Late afternoon, we arrive in the beautiful city of Budapest. The plains of Pest are divided from the hilly area of Buda by the scenic River Danube, which inspired writers, artists and musicians for centuries. In Buda, Gellert Hill affords a wonderful view of the city, river and mountains. On the Pest side are the Parliament buildings and the National Museum, which contain remarkable treasures including the oldest skull yet found in Europe and Liszt’s gold baton.
Visit Bratislava (morning)
Mamaison Hotel Andrassy (4-star), Eurostars Budapest Centre (4-star) or Courtyard Budapest City Centre (4-star)
Budapest
Join our local guide this morning for a tour of Budapest’s fascinating sights and history. We’ll take the funicular to visit the Fisherman’s Bastion, Matthias Church and the Royal Castle on the Buda side, before crossing the Danube at the Margarete Bridge. In Pest, we’ll see St Stephen’s Basilica, the Parliament buildings, City Park and Heroes’ Square. The afternoon is at leisure to explore further.
Guided tour of Budapest, including funicular ride to Buda Castle Hill (morning)
Mamaison Hotel Andrassy (4-star), Eurostars Budapest Centre (4-star) or Courtyard Budapest City Centre (4-star)
Budapest
Explore the city independently today. Perhaps visit the bustling market hall, or relax and people watch with a coffee in Vörösmarty Square. The city takes on a different perspective at night, so we’ve arranged a wonderful cruise along the River Danube, regarded locally as the main thoroughfare.
Cruise on the Danube (evening)
Mamaison Hotel Andrassy (4-star), Eurostars Budapest Centre (4-star) or Courtyard Budapest City Centre (4-star)
Day 10 Budapest - UK
We transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK. Upon arrival your Titan vehicle will be waiting for the journey home.