10 Day Imperial Cities Featuring Prague, Vienna & Budapest

Set out on a grand cultural adventure through the Imperial Cities of Central Europe – Prague, Vienna and Budapest. Along the way, enjoy traditional entertainment, local cuisine, and a glimpse into this region’s eminent history. Arrive in Prague, the "City of 100 Spires." Behold ancient landmarks and medieval architecture.

This evening, join your fellow travellerstravelers for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

Feel the magic and wonder of Prague. Your introduction to this fairy-tale city begins with a panoramic tour. Explore the “Castle District,” including the gothic St. Vitus Cathedral and the majestic Prague Castle. Next, take in the iconic, statue-lined Charles Bridge, a picturesque structure stretching over the Vltava River.

Discover Prague on your own. Consider shopping for Bohemian crystal or visiting the city’s museums, such as the Lapidarium. Maybe you will join an optional excursion to Prague’s Old Jewish Quarter to see its historic Jewish Museum and Europe's oldest Jewish cemetery, founded in 1478. Personalize your evening with Diner’s Choice, choosing from a selection of different venues. Perhaps you’ll enjoy traditional cuisine at a folklore show, or discover the city through its craft beer and food scene, or opt for a more quiet dinner at the hotel.

Travel through the scenic countryside on your way to Vienna. En route, make a stop in the medieval town of Cesky Krumlov. Lined with towering Baroque architecture, explore the quaint preserved streets before continuing on to the grand city of Vienna.

Join a local guide at the magnificent Schönbrunn Palace, the summer retreat of the Habsburg dynasty for more than 200 years. Continue on to Vienna’s city center and behold the beautiful architecture, scenic parks, and gothic spires that fill the city. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure where perhaps you’ll partake in the city’s famous café culture as you walk the streets, watching locals take a moment out of their day for a hot coffee and bite of cake.

Tonight, hear Vienna’s past come alive and experience a classical performance featuring the works of Mozart and Strauss.

Choose how you spend your day because it’s your choice! Venture down the Danube* to the medieval town of Durnstein and cruise to the 11th-century Melk Abbey -OR- join a local guide in the Belvedere Museum, home to Gustav Klimt’s iconic painting The Kiss -OR- enjoy a leisurely morning before attending a Viennese Waltz lesson in the afternoon. The rest of the day is yours.

Say hello to Bratislava, the former Imperial capital of the Habsburg Empire. Get to know the city’s 4,000-year-old history on a tour with a local expert. Connect with the villagers of Dunaalmas during a community-hosted lunch, learning how to make traditional strudel. Arrive in Budapest, the "Queen of the Danube" and your home for the next 3 nights. Chat with a local and hear stories about his life in the former communist area. Enjoy the evening on your own.

Join a local expert for a panoramic tour of the city, where you’ll discover the incredible Neo-Gothic marvel of Matthias Church atop Buda Castle Hill, the Fisherman’s Bastion, the historic Old Buda and Gellert Hill, and the Parliament House.

This afternoon, enjoy some free time to explore Budapest on your own. Perhaps you will head to the city’s famous thermal pools for an afternoon of relaxation.

After a morning at leisure, head out of the city to the former Renaissance capital of Visegrad for a magnificent view of the Danube Bend and the Borzsony Mountains. Step into the past at a 14th-century castle, where knights with authentic weaponry recreate the times of chivalry and kingdoms. Then, embrace the lifestyle yourself and enjoy an exclusive Renaissance-style dinner in the castle.

Say goodbye to these regal cities as your tour comes to a close today.