vienprague_budapst

Day 1 Depart USA Overnight flight to Vienna. Day 2 Arrive Vienna You are met on arrival in Vienna and transferred to your hotel. This afternoon our guided sightseeing tour takes in the city's main sights, including the many monuments along the Imperial Boulevards such as the Opera house and Parliament. We also see St. Stephen's Cathedral and the monument to the Russian soldier before we return to our hotel. Later, we will enjoy a beverage with our Tour Director and meet your fellow traveling companions. Hotel: Crowne Plaza Vienna
Day 3 Vienna – Prague (3) This morning it's a short drive into the Czech Republic and the beautiful gardens of the former residence of the Liechtenstein family, Lednice Palace. Here there's time to stroll around the fountains before we continue our drive via Brno, once Napoleon's headquarters, to the astonishing Czech capital, Prague. This evening after dinner, why not take an excursion to see Prague by night? Hotel: Crowne Plaza (3 nights)
	Day 4 Prague sightseeing Our morning guided sightseeing tour features Hradçany Castle, the Old Town Square with its Astronomical clock and the romantic Charles Bridge. Then enjoy some free time to explore this beautiful city on your own. Perhaps take a cruise with lunch along the Moldau with memories of Smetana!
Day 5 Prague at leisure Enjoy a full day to explore this incredibly beautiful city. Perhaps explore the Jewish Quarter with its fascinating cemetery or admire the 'art nouveau' works of the great Alphonse Mucha. Or you may wish to venture into the Czech countryside and take an optional excursion to the 16th century Nelahozeves Castle. Tonight, don't miss the opportunity of attending a colorful folklore show! Day 6 Prague – Vienna (4) Our first stop this morning is in Tabor, once the headquarters of the 15th century religious reformer, Jan Huss. Next we pass Trebon and its many lakes brimming with carp, the local fish delicacy. Then on through southern Bohemia to the Austrian border and the pretty town of Schrems. From here we head back to the city of Strauss, schnitzels and sachertorte, Imperial Vienna, for the next four nights. Hotel: Crowne Plaza Vienna (4 nights)
Day 7 Vienna – Vienna Woods Excursion This morning we enjoy an included excursion into the lush green hills of the nearby Vienna Woods. Then we drive to the charming village of Heiligenkreuz where we visit the Abbey of the Holy Cross before traveling through castle studded hills to Mayerling. Here we see the Hunting lodge where Crown Prince Rudolph and his young mistress met their tragic end! Finally, we return to Vienna after a short stop in the wine village of Baden, spa-town to the Imperial family. Day 8 Vienna free day Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore this magnificent city. Perhaps visit one of the museums, Art galleries or window-shop in the Kärntnerstrasse. You may wish to take an excursion to visit Maria Theresa's beautiful Schönbrunn Palace, or maybe just sit in a sidewalk café and feast on delicious Viennese pastries! Later, why not take in a concert of Strauss music or a little Opera?
We also visit the more modern side of the city at Pest with its impressive Heroes' Square. Then a little time on your own to shop and maybe enjoy some mouth-watering goulash to the sound of gypsy violins! In the afternoon we make our way back to Vienna for the night. Day 10 Vienna – USA Bid farewell as we transfer to the airport for our return flight to America.	Day 9 Vienna – Budapest Excursion An early start today for our journey into Hungary and the exotic city of Budapest! On our arrival a sightseeing tour with a professional local guide shows us the Matthias Church, the Great Synagogue and picturesque Fishermen's Bastion for panoramic views of the River Danube and the Hungarian Parliament.