Hotels
The three hotels on this tour are the recently refurbished Vienna Hilton, the Radisson SAS Beke in Budapest and the Crowne Plaza in Prague. The last two are more traditional in style, but well located in these capital cities.

Fellow Passengers
This tour is popular with those who want to experience the highlights of Eastern Europe in the space of a week. Medieval town squares, glistening with snow or Christmas lights, also appeals to the romantic at heart.

Highlights
Cesky Krumlov in winter is a scene straight out of a Christmas card! While the size and preservation of Prague’s historic centre is unrivalled in Europe. The tour culminates historically, with a visit to Shönbrunn Palace.

Enjoy our Premium Highlights Plus These Extra Tour Features

Excursions & Sights

• Walk within the walls of Prague Castle to visit St Vitus Cathedral
• See the Astronomical Clock in Prague’s Old Town Square
• Visit the superb Matthias Church and enjoy views from Fisherman’s Bastion in Buda
• Look out over Budapest from the lofty heights of Gellert Hill
• See the gargantuan Parliament Building and visit Heroes’ Square in Pest
• See the Opera House, Parliament building & St Charles’ Church in Vienna

Guided City Tours

• In depth sightseeing tour in Prague, Budapest & Vienna
• Orientation tour of Cesky Krumlov

Insight's First Class Services

• Professional Tour Director to escort you
• Luxury touring coach with extra legroom & onboard toilet
• First Class hotels with all service charges, taxes and porterage
• Complimentary arrival transfer, see day–by–day itinerary for exact details

Quality Dining

• Highlight Dinner in Vienna at a local restaurant (HD)
• See day–by–day itinerary for exact details

Tour Pace
This well paced tour is designed to introduce you to three different cities – each with its own story to tell. The two night stops in Prague and Budapest allow time in the afternoon for shopping or your own activities.

DAY 1 – DEPART USA

Overnight flight to Vienna.

DAY 2 – ARRIVE VIENNA

On arrival at Vienna Airport there are transfers to your hotel at 09.00, 12.00 and 15.00 hours. The rest of the day is at leisure. Maybe browse the tempting window displays on the Karntner Strasse? This evening, we enjoy a Welcome Drink with our Tour Director.
Hotel: Hilton.

DAY 3 – VIENNA – PRAGUE

We leave Vienna and cross the Czech border to visit medieval Cesky Krumlov on the banks of the Vltava. Time here to explore the narrow cobbled streets, little back lanes and arch covered footpaths. We also see the outstanding castle overlooking the town, considered by many to be the country's finest. After some free time we continue north to the historic Czech capital of Prague.
Hotel: Crowne Plaza. (BB,D)

DAY 4 – PRAGUE SIGHTSEEING

Sightseeing this morning with our local guide shows us the highlights of 'Golden Prague', spreading either side of the Vltava river. From the lofty heights of Prague Castle, dominated by the spires of St. Vitus' Cathedral, we look down on the Old Town. We then descend to see the astronomical clock in the Old Town Square. For those travelling in December, there is time now to grab a sausage and some hot wine at the brightly decorated Christmas Markets! If we’re lucky, we might even see school children in traditional dress, who come to dance and sing for the crowd. (BB)

DAY 5 – PRAGUE – BUDAPEST

The smooth motorway takes us through the beautiful forested countryside of Bohemia into Slovakia. We cross the Danube at the fortified Slovakian capital of Bratislava, and enter Hungary soon afterwards. Our destination is elegant Budapest – 'The Queen of the Danube'!
Hotel: Radisson SAS Beke. (BB,D)

DAY 6 – BUDAPEST SIGHTSEEING

A local guide acquaints us with this grand metropolis, once the second city of the Hapsburg Empire. We admire the view from the Fisherman's Bastion, and visit Matthias Church, with its incredible interior decoration. Now another fine view from the old citadel on Gellert Hill, before we cross the Danube into the commercial Pest district to see the grandiose Parliament building and imposing statues of the ancestors of the Hungarian people in Heroes’ Square. This afternoon is at leisure. Perhaps join the shoppers amid the boutiques of Vaci street? In December, the street will be gaily lit and the Christmas fair will be in full swing! (BB)

DAY 7 – BUDAPEST – VIENNA

A leisurely drive today takes us back to Vienna for our afternoon sightseeing tour with a local guide. We visit glorious Schönbrunn Palace then tour the Ring Street. We pass magnificent St Charles' church, then marvel at the Vienna State Opera House. On past the soaring spires of the City Hall and the Parliament, we finally glimpse Strauss in the Stadtpark. This afternoon there's time for shopping. Tonight, we enjoy a Highlight Dinner at a local restaurant.
Hotel: Hilton. (BB,HD)

DAY 8 – RETURN TO USA

Transfers arrive at Vienna Airport at 07.00 and 09.00 hours. (BB)