Day 1 — Arrival in Prague  ·  Half Board

Arrival at the airport and, after meeting the guide, transfer by private coach to the designated hotel. Once checked in, the guide will go over the programme with the group. Dinner.

Day 2 — Prague  ·  Full Board

After a buffet breakfast, departure for a panoramic tour of the city with a local English-speaking guide. Transfer to the centre and a walk through the essential highlights of the historic core, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992. We begin at the Municipal House, a majestic jewel of Art Nouveau. We continue past the Powder Tower and along Celetná Street to the Old Town Square, itself a showcase of centuries of architecture: from the Gothic of Our Lady before Týn, through examples of Modernism and Historicism, to the Baroque of St Nicholas Church. From there we continue to Franz Kafka Square and on to Mariánské Square, where the Clementinum stands — originally built as a Jesuit university. The route follows Karlova Street to Charles Bridge, the symbol of the city: a masterpiece of Gothic civil engineering adorned with Baroque statues, a truly unique combination. The route continues along the right bank of the river through the Jewish Quarter, ending once more at the Old Town Square, at the foot of the Astronomical Clock. Lunch at the central restaurant Plzeňská Rychta.

In the afternoon we visit Prague Castle, entrance tickets included — the symbol of the Czech State. Prague Castle is the complex of buildings situated on the highest point of the historic centre. It has served, from the Middle Ages to the present day, as the seat of kings and presidents, giving it enormous historical and artistic significance. The visit begins in the Castle area, reached by coach. We explore the three Castle courtyards and stop at St Vitus Cathedral. The stained-glass windows, the Chapel of St Wenceslas and the impressive silver tomb of St John of Nepomuk are among the cathedral's highlights. We then move on to the Old Royal Palace, with the Riders' Staircase and the magnificent Vladislav Hall, a jewel of late Gothic architecture. It was from this palace that the historic Defenestration of Prague took place — the symbolic start of the Thirty Years' War in the 17th century. We also visit the Golden Lane, famous among other things for having housed Franz Kafka in one of its small cottages. We finish by descending to city level via the Old Castle Steps, with a memorable panoramic view down to Malá Strana Square. From there it is optional to visit the Church of Our Lady of Victory, which houses the image of the Infant Jesus of Prague — of Englishorigin and greatly venerated, particularly by believers from Spain and Latin America. Transfer back to the hotel at your own expense. Dinner.

Day 3 — Prague – Karlovy Vary  ·  Full Board

Buffet breakfast and departure at 09:00 with a local English-speaking guide to the largest and most important historic spa town in the Czech Republic, also known as Karlsbad. We travel by coach from the hotels to Karlovy Vary (115 km, approximately two hours). Its natural thermal springs have been known and valued since ancient times, and the town acquired its present character during the Austro-Hungarian Empire, with grand spa houses and palaces. The visit is organised as a walk through the historic centre along the Teplá River, taking in the legendary Grand Hotel Pupp, the Municipal Theatre and the various colonnades, built to encourage therapeutic and relaxing promenades. The visit includes a lunch of traditional Czech cuisine at the restaurant Malé Versailles, followed by free time to stroll and discover local products such as Becherovka, Bohemian crystal, garnet jewellery and thermal salt cosmetics. Return to Prague. Dinner.

Day 4 — Prague – Bratislava – Vienna (350 km)  ·  Full Board

Buffet breakfast and departure towards the Slovak capital. Arrival and lunch at the Azbeta restaurant. Afterwards, a one-hour walk through the city with a local English-speaking guide. Continuation to Vienna. Accommodation at the designated hotel. Dinner.

Day 5 — Vienna  ·  Full Board

Breakfast and a half-day tour of Vienna with an official local English-speaking guide. A comprehensive city tour to breathe in the imperial atmosphere of Vienna. Starting at the Opera House, we pass the Imperial Hofburg Palace, with a stop at Heroes' Square. We continue along the elegant Ringstrasse, passing the Parliament, City Hall, the Burgtheater, the University, the Votive Church… We head into the centre to reach the Clock Square and the Cathedral. We continue to the Hundertwasser House for a stop, then pass the Prater, reaching the Old Danube, passing by the United Nations headquarters and the Danube Tower, and return to the centre via the house where Johann Strauss composed The Blue Danube Waltz. Back on the Ringstrasse, we pass the Ministry of War, the Museum of Applied Arts, the Stadtpark with its historic Kursalon, Schwarzenberg Square and finish once again at the Opera House, where the famous Hotel Sacher and Albertinaplatz are located. Lunch at a central restaurant.

In the afternoon, visit to Schönbrunn Palace (supplement 40 €). With a private guide we visit the most visited building in the country: the former summer residence of the Habsburg dynasty. Of its 1,441 rooms, 40 are open to the public. On a delightful tour, we explore the rooms inhabited in the 19th century by the court of Emperor Franz Joseph and his wife Elisabeth, known as Sisi. Afterwards we stroll through the magnificent gardens. Dinner.

Vienna

Day 6 — Vienna – Budapest (270 km)  ·  Full Board

Buffet breakfast and departure to Budapest. Lunch at a central restaurant. Afterwards, a half-day panoramic tour of the Pest side with an official local English-speaking guide. On the Pest bank we visit the Great Market Hall, the National Museum, Keleti railway station, Puskás Stadium and arrive at Heroes' Square in City Park. After a stroll around the square we continue along Andrássy Avenue, past the Opera House and back to the centre. Accommodation and dinner at the designated hotel.

Day 7 — Budapest  ·  Full Board

Breakfast and continuation of the tour on the Buda side (3 hours). Crossing the Danube via Margaret Bridge, we head to the Castle District. Walking towards the Fisherman's Bastion and Matthias Church, we take in the most famous landmarks of Castle Hill. At Gellért Hill we stop at the Citadel for photos. Lunch at a restaurant. In the afternoon we enjoy an included one-hour cruise on the Danube. Dinner.

Day 8 — Budapest – Airport

Breakfast and, at the indicated time, transfer to the airport with our guide.