Imperial Hapsburg Cities

Imperial Hapsburg Cities

12 days from only £929

An opportunity to experience three of Europe's most enchanting Eastern cities. Vienna, the historic and charming capital of Austria. Enjoy the Czech capital, Prague, city of a hundred spires, and the Hungarian capital, Budapest, affectionately known as 'The Pearl of the Danube'.

Holiday highlights
• Guided city tour of Vienna
• Explore the Danube Bend
• Fascinating Budapest, a tale of two cities
• Prague's spires and squares
• Beautiful Bratislava

Optional excursions
• Danube river cruise in Budapest
• Guided walking tour of Prague

Holiday itinerary
Day 1 UK to Belgium - To Dover for the ferry crossing to Calais, then into Belgium and on to our hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 2 Belgium to Bayreuth - We travel into Germany, to Bayreuth for an overnight at the Ramada Treff Residenzschloss Hotel (3*).
Day 3 Bayreuth to Vienna - Into Austria and on to Vienna for two nights at the Mercure Wien Westbahnhoff (4*).
Day 4 Vienna - An included guided sightseeing tour this morning. You’ll see the Ringstrasse (or ‘Ring’), which surrounds the inner city; the famous Vienna State Opera House; the Spanish Riding School, home to the white Lippizaner horses; and the Schönbrunn Palace. Elegant streets and pedestrian precincts, dotted with inviting coffee shops, fan out from the main square where the Gothic lines of St Stephen’s Cathedral form a soaring backdrop. Afternoon at leisure to seek out your favourite sights. Why not try one or two of the local delicacies, such as Wiener Schnitzel, Backhendl and dumplings, or discover the Viennese tradition, the café, where coffee and the famous Sachertorte should not be missed.
Day 5 Vienna to Budapest - We continue into Hungary to reach the capital, Budapest, with its grand old buildings and sweeping bridges. Enjoy three nights at the Mercure Budapest Korona, located directly in the heart of the city centre (4*). In the afternoon you can join an optional guided city tour of Budapest to see the main sights and get your bearings.
Day 6 Budapest - A day at leisure in which you may independently explore Budapest, beautifully situated across the banks of the mighty river Danube. This is a city of two distinct halves; the undeniably romantic Buda, centred around the Castle Hill area; and the busier Pest, with its wide elegant boulevards, joined together by the great Chain Bridge of 1849. Much of the charm of a visit to Budapest lies in unexpected glimpses into shadowy courtyards and in long views down sunlit cobbled streets. There will be an optional Danube river cruise.
Day 7 Danube Bend - Our included full day excursion today is to the Danube Bend, the great sweep that has carved a path between the Visegrad and Borzsony Mountains, one of the most beautiful stretches of the Danube River. We travel via the picturesque Baroque town of Szentendre, whose skyline is dominated by seven churches, before continuing to Visegrad, historically a Roman stronghold. Our last stop, Esztergom, is the seat of the Cardinal-Primate of Hungary and offers a mighty domed cathedral, the largest church in the country.
Day 8 Budapest to Bratislava and Prague - We depart our hotel and drive across the border into Slovakia, continuing via the capital, Bratislava with its quaint old town. We travel north into the Czech Republic to reach Prague, the capital, where we settle into the Admedia Theatrino (4*) for the following two nights.
Day 9 Prague - A day at leisure in which you may independently explore Prague. Gold-tipped spires and Baroque domes bestow the city with an ancient beauty, and much remains as it was in the 18th century when Mozart composed here. Our optional guided city tour will reveal all the history of this amazing city. Take a stroll around the Old Town at your own pace and explore the narrow cobbled streets where you will come across many stunning buildings. The Old Town Hall, a charming Gothic building, is the focal point of the town square. Make time to admire the splendid views from the Charles Bridge and the flowing Vltava River.
Day 10 Prague to Erfurt - We retrace our steps to Germany, arriving at the Ramada Treff Erfurt Hotel (4*), for an overnight stay.
Day 11 Erfurt to Northern France - We travel to Northern France, for our last night’s stay.
Day 12 Northern France to UK - To Calais for the ferry crossing to Dover, then home.

Whats included
• 11 nights dinner, room & breakfast
• Shearings tour driver
• Grand Tourer coach travel