Wonders of Budapest, Vienna and Prague

Arrive in Budapest, a city occupying both sides of the Danube River and founded in 1873, when right-bank Buda and Obuda joined left-bank Pest. Budapest’s broad avenues and turn-of-the-century architecture have earned it the name “the Paris of Eastern Europe.” Like Paris, it is a cultural touchstone for writers, artists and musicians. Once you settle in, join your fellow guests for a welcome dinner.

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Venture across the Danube River to explore the Buda side of the city. Visit Matthias Church, the 13th-century coronation cathedral of Hungarian kings, and Fisherman’s Bastion, offering spectacular views of the city. Built in neo-Gothic and neo-Romanesque styles, the bastion is named for the guild of fishermen who defended this part of the city during the Middle Ages. Explore the Franz Liszt Academy of Music, founded by the great 19th-century Hungarian composer and piano virtuoso. Afterward, partake in a chef-led cooking class in Hungarian specialties, which you then enjoy for lunch. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy on your own.

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Today, discover a different side of the city in Pest. View Heroes’ Square and stop to see the Great Synagogue as well as St. Stephen’s Basilica; its south tower houses the largest bell in Hungary. Then, visit the Central Market Hall to explore the vast array of food and crafts, including cheeses, sausage and other local specialties, and enjoy time for lunch on your own. Later, visit the Parliament Building. Your afternoon is free for relaxing or exploring. After dinner, embark on a private cruise of the romantic Danube to watch the glittering lights of Budapest drift by.

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Journey overland to Bratislava, capital of Slovakia, for a guided walk through its old town, once a jewel of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. From its perch along the Danube River, Bratislava is an old-world city adorned with Baroque architecture and graced by welcoming locals and delicious food, including dumplings and blackcurrant wine, all its own. After partaking of its charms, embark by high-speed catamaran for a quick cruise, skimming along the lovely Danube to Vienna, Austria. 

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From snow-dusted mountains alive with music to delectable Sacher Torte that tantalizes the tastebuds, Austria fills the senses with delight. Vienna, the cultural capital of the country, is synonymous with ornate palaces and concert halls ringing with the melodies of Mozart and Strauss. Set out for a walking tour of the city led by a local guide. At the Hofburg Palace — former seat of emperors and current residence of the president of Austria — visit the Imperial Treasury to admire its glittering collection of imperial regalia. Proceed to the Gothic St. Stephen’s Cathedral with its soaring main tower presiding over the surrounding neighborhood. After lunch, visit Schönbrunn Palace, the former residence of Habsburg monarchs. Later, attend a concert at the historic Mozarthaus Vienna, one-time home of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

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Get to know Vienna better, viewing the Prater and its Giant Ferris Wheel. See the Secession Building and the famous Hundertwasser House, and then visit the Belvedere Gallery, where you view many works by the brilliant and controversial symbolist artist Gustav Klimt, including The Kiss. Your afternoon is free, to relax or explore on your own.

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Travel to Prague, stopping en route at the Stary Vrch winery in the Czech countryside for a tasting of its signature vintages, followed by lunch. Upon arrival in Prague, check in to your hotel and then head out for dinner at a local restaurant, and discover why this city always leaves you wanting more. No matter how much time you spend in the beautiful capital of the Czech Republic, you want one more walk through its charming public square, one more visit to its historic castle or one more stroll down Kafka’s famous winding paths of the old Jewish Quarter. A&K helps you take in the best while you’re here.

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Explore the city’s Castle District, starting with the towering Gothic St. Vitus Cathedral, which houses the tombs of Bohemian kings and Holy Roman Emperors, including that of Wenceslas I, Duke of Bohemia, legendary subject of the beloved Christmas carol “Good King Wenceslas.” Stroll the Golden Lane, the last surviving vestige of Prague Castle’s 16th-century architecture, where the castle’s original craftspeople lived and worked. Follow this with a private visit to the Baroque library halls of the Strahov Monastery to view its incredible stucco ceiling frescoes. Stroll in the peaceful quiet, looking up at the mural devoted to the intellectual progress of mankind, and let yourself contemplate a bygone era. Then, admire the religious artifacts at the Loreto Chapel, a remarkable Baroque monument that remains a place of pilgrimage. Cross the famous Charles Bridge, an iconic landmark of Prague completed in 1402. After some time on your own for lunch, enjoy one these Design Your Day activities. Attend a Traditional Glassblowing Workshop, as a master introduces you to the intricacies of this ancient Czech craft. Set Out on a Foodie Walking Tour, savoring tastes of Czech cuisine, from pastries to goulash to beer. Relax with a Spa Experience at your hotel, in a haven for the body and spirit, choosing from an array of treatments. Afterward, return to your hotel.

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Venture forth on a walking tour of Josefov, the city’s Jewish Quarter, which remained a walled ghetto until 1848. View the birthplace of Franz Kafka (part of the Jewish Museum complex), best known for his existentialist novel The Metamorphosis. Proceed to visit the Old Jewish Cemetery, site of 12,000 graves, and the Old-New Synagogue, Europe’s oldest active synagogue, completed in 1270. After free time in the afternoon, gather for a celebratory farewell dinner.

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After breakfast, take your private transfer to the airport for your departing flight.

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