Easy Pace Budapest, Vienna, & Prague

On arrival at Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport, enjoy a complimentary transfer to your hotel in the morning and early afternoon. Meet your travel director and travel companions at 6 p.m. Tonight you are in for a treat with your welcome dinner at Gundel, one of Budapest's most renowned restaurants for over a hundred years. Dine in elegance as you savor hearty, Hungarian delicacies accompanied with specially selected Hungarian wine.

Drive along the elegant boulevards en route to Heroes' Square. Across the river in Buda, walk with your local expert along the medieval cobblestone streets of the Castle district to visit Matthias Church and admire sweeping views from the Fisherman's Bastion over the exquisite Parliament building. Make your way to a traditional strudel house to see pastry chefs at work, as they prepare delicious sweet strudel by stretching the dough and readying fillings. Enjoy a delectable taste of this famous delicacy paired with a rich aromatic coffee. Spend the rest of the day exploring the city at your leisure. This evening, you could stop for an aperitif of Hungarian Pálinka in an elegant café in the old city or maybe opt for a glittering dinner cruise along the Danube.

The day is at leisure to immerse yourself in Budapest's history, culture and gastronomy. Perhaps, visit a thermal bath, spend time browsing the boutiques on Vaci Street or relax in a sidewalk cafe. This evening, enjoy a dine-around experience from your choice of specially selected restaurants.

Travel along the Danube to the picturesque city of Esztergom, home to the largest Catholic church in Hungary. Then, journey westward for a stop in the pretty town of Gyor, located on the confluence of the Danube, Rába and Rábca rivers. Cross the border and continue to stately Vienna, known for its elegant coffee houses and lavish architecture steeped in history. In the evening, you are invited to a dine-at-home experience. Sit down to a hearty meal and learn about life in this enchanting city.

Much of Vienna's present-day charm is due to the long reign of the Habsburgs. Join a local expert for a private visit of Maria Theresa's Schönbrunn Palace and explore its formal gardens at your own pace. Then ready your camera for a dazzling drive around the famous Ring Road. This grand boulevard, built along the lines of the old city walls, showcases many of the capital's architectural masterpieces, including the Opera House, magnificent Hofburg Imperial Residence, Austrian Parliament Building and Karlskirche. The afternoon is at your leisure.

Discover the regal grandeur of Vienna, as you explore at your own pace. Perhaps start at St. Stephen's Cathedral - one of Europe's great Gothic structures or browse the shops of the bustling Kärntnerstrasse. You may wish to add another capital to your travels with a visit across the Slovakian border to Bratislava. Ask your travel director to recommend local attractions and restaurants, as you appreciate the long, summer evening in one of Europe's most elegant cities.

Once over the Czech border, continue to picturesque Cesky Krumlov, where you'll start with a brief orientation tour of this fairy-tale town, straight out of the Middle Ages. Enjoy some free time to explore and appreciate views of the Vltava River. Wander through the cobblestone, traffic-free streets, past colorful houses that lead up to the finest castle in the land. In the afternoon, continue through the green Bohemian countryside to Prague. In the evening, savor a traditional meal at a local restaurant.

Enjoy exploring Prague. Choose between walking the courtyards of the Castle and visit the imposing St Vitus Cathedral or alternatively, join your local expert for a walk through the Jewish Quarter and learn about a different side of the history of Prague. The city is then yours to explore. Perhaps take a river cruise through the heart of the city or walk in the footsteps of kings along the Royal Route. Czechs are passionate about their beer, so be sure to try the local pilsners, alongside the Czech cuisine.

Wind along cobbled lanes and discover a treasure-trove of hidden gems, as you explore Prague at your own pace. Perhaps cross the border to Germany and explore Dresden. This evening, tantalize your taste buds with a rousing celebration dinner of local specialties at a restaurant offering magnificent views over the city. Dobrou chut!

Your journey comes to an end after breakfast. You will depart from the Prague airport.