Transport

We use an air-conditioned minibus for all transfers.

Guide

Tour leader throughout

Accommodation

The accommodations selected for this adventure are a mix of three- and four-star hotels and a pension, each chosen for comfort and convenience. Listed below are the properties we usually use on this trip. Prague: Hotel Lunik (nights 1-2) On a quiet street in the Královské Vinohrady district, this traditional family hotel is just a few minutes’ stroll from the historic city centre. There’s free wifi (and a computer corner should you need it), plus the hotel lobby sells Nespresso coffee and cold alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Cesky Krumlov: Penzion Prelat (night 3) Stay just a moment’s walk from a bend in the Vltava River and the historic centre of Cesky Krumlov with a night at Penzion Prelat. The historic, red-roofed building has been revamped with care taken to preserve its original charms, including antique furniture and wood-beamed ceilings in many of the rooms. There’s also a social area with a bar, where the group can gather and discuss their adventures. Mikulov: Hotel Galant (night 4) Kick back at this four-star in the centre of town. For a small entrance fee, there’s a wellness centre with an indoor pool for a quick dip, plus an open roof terrace with two whirlpools, deckchairs and views over the Mikulov landmarks. It also has two Finnish saunas, plus a small infrared sauna. Elsewhere, there’s a restaurant serving selected local wines and the hotel’s own homemade beer. Bratislava: Hotel Bluebell (nights 5-6) Offering comfortable rooms, the Hotel Bluebell is the ideal place to sink into for a couple of nights. It’s just a 10-minute walk to the centre of Bratislava, while each room comes with tea- and coffee-making facilities should you wish to simply relax. Budapest: Hotel Andrassy (night 7) In the capital of Hungary, we typically stay in Hotel Andrassy, a modern hotel in the city centre. Rooms are traditional and unfussy and have private bathrooms with a massage shower. You’ll dine in the the Andrássy garden restaurant for breakfast.

Meals

All breakfasts are included. The cuisines of Central Europe possess many similarities yet retain their own gastronomic traditions. Hearty soups, noodles, dumplings made from wheat or potato, and meat dishes consisting of pork, beef and game are regional staples. You will also find a large variety of sausages and vegetables featuring prominently in many dishes. Dairy products, including cheeses and creams, are heavily used here too. Breakfasts are usually continental with a choice of eggs Lunch is the main meal of the day in Central Europe; we usually stop en route for a hot lunch at a restaurant or cafe Desserts are plentiful and varied with each country having unique sweets and cakes Czech beer is renowned for its quality and taste, while many of the countries visited on the trip also offer good wines and local spirits Vegetarians and other dietary requirements can be catered for, but there may not be the same variety as you have at home. Please advise us upon booking. The leader will accompany the group to a restaurant each evening but will provide recommendations if you wish to explore separately.

Not included:

Others

— Travel insurance — Visas and vaccinations — Single supplement

Insurance

Insurance is not included

Optional

Other activities and services are not included

Flights

International flights are not included

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Start Prague
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Start Prague

The tour begins in Prague in the late afternoon. If you arrive early, the Czech capital is the perfect place to wander: cut through the alleys of the medieval Old Town, sample the much-lauded Czech beer or try the hearty local cuisine. If you’re interested in visiting the top city attractions, such as Charles Bridge, Prague Castle or Wenceslas Square, your leader can point them out on the free maps available at the hotel. If you wish to explore this beautiful city in more detail, we recommend booking an extra night pre-tour. Accommodation: Hotel Lunik (or similar)
Day 2 Day 2: Full Day In Prague And Free Afternoon (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Full Day In Prague And Free Afternoon (Breakfast)

Spend a full day exploring the wealth of attractions Prague offers, with a guided sightseeing in the morning followed by free time. We explore the Old Town, including: the Old Town Square; Wenceslas Square, which houses the impressive Lucerna concert hall; the Jewish Quarter; and Prague Castle, the largest ancient castle in the world. Entrance fees are not included and payable locally. We then spend our second evening in the Czech capital. Accommodation: Hotel Lunik (or similar)
Day 3 Day 3: Transfer To Historic Town Of Cesky Krumlov (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Transfer To Historic Town Of Cesky Krumlov (Breakfast)

We hop into our private minibus for a transfer (approximately three hours) to the historic town of Cesky Krumlov, home to petite squares, narrow cobbled streets, an open-air theatre with a revolving auditorium, and a magnificent castle. We enjoy a guided walk of the town in the early afternoon before free time. The early evening and morning are particularly good to see this enchanting town, when the light reflects off the red roofs and surrounding hills. Accommodation: Penzion Prelat (or similar)
Day 4 Day 4: Visit The Renaissance Town Of Telc; Onto Lednice Chateau; Transfer To Mikulov In The Wine Region Of Moravia (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Visit The Renaissance Town Of Telc; Onto Lednice Chateau; Transfer To Mikulov In The Wine Region Of Moravia (Breakfast)

After breakfast, we travel (approximately two hours) to the Czech town of Telc; a great example of Renaissance architecture that has changed little over the past century. The Renaissance chateau here is a favourite with filmmakers – featuring in more than 50 movies – and the town square is flanked by traditional buildings, many of which display historic coats of arms that provide a glimpse into a bygone era. The next stop is Lednice (approximately two hours) where we visit the Unesco-listed Lednice Chateau, a neo-gothic masterpiece wrapped by one of the largest parks in Europe. We enjoy a boat trip to the minaret before returning to the chateau, taking a walk through the manicured grounds. We end our day in the wine-growing town of Mikulov, enjoying a guided walk. Accommodation: Hotel Galant (or similar)
Day 5 Day 5: Visit The Royal Town Of Skalica; Onto A Local Vineyard For A Tasting; Transfer To Bratislava (Breakfast,Lunch)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Visit The Royal Town Of Skalica; Onto A Local Vineyard For A Tasting; Transfer To Bratislava (Breakfast,Lunch)

After breakfast, we cross the border into Slovakia and to the royal town of Skalica (approximately one hour), where we take a guided walk of the landmarks. Here we’ll unravel the captivating history and cultural highlights nestled within the remnants of ancient city fortifications. We then have a short transfer to a vineyard, where we can have a picnic lunch after we sample local wines with an expert wine producer. We will savour the unique flavours of locally produced wines, including the illustrious Skalický Rubín, also known as Skalica’s Ruby. We then transfer (approximately 60-90 minutes) to Bratislava, the Slovakian capital, where we have a guided tour and explore famous street statues and eventually make our way to Bratislava Castle. Accommodation: Hotel Bluebell (or similar)
Day 6 Day 6: Unforgettable Daytrip To Vienna (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Unforgettable Daytrip To Vienna (Breakfast)

This morning, we transfer to Vienna, Austria, for a day of sightseeing in this fabled capital city. We have a guided tour and then free time to visit impressive sites such as St Stephen’s Cathedral, the majestic Schoenbrunn Palace (summer palace of the Hapsburgs), the popular Kunsthistorisches Museum and Hundertwasser Hause or a visit to the Mozart Museum (all entrances payable locally). No visit to Vienna is complete without a café stop for coffee and a cake or you could watch the world go by in one of the many parks or beer gardens. You then have the option to take the bus back to Bratislava or cruise back on the Danube River. This optional boat trip is around €25. Accommodation: Hotel Bluebell (or similar)
Day 7 Day 7: Cross The Border Into Hungary, Full Day In Budapest (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Cross The Border Into Hungary, Full Day In Budapest (Breakfast)

This morning, we transfer to the Hungarian capital of Budapest. The mighty Danube splits this great city into halves: Buda, dominated by the Castle Hill palace complex high above the river, and Pest, the bustling and more cosmopolitan centre of trade. We spend the morning visiting the Castle Hill area, perched above the Danube, and the inner-city area. In the afternoon or evening, there is an optional boat cruise on the Danube, offering close-up views of the spectacular neo-gothic Parliament building on the waterfront. There also may be the chance to visit Budapest Great Market Hall. We finish the week with an evening cruise down the Danube before heading to our farewell dinner. Accommodation: Hotel Benczur or Hotel Verdi (or similar)
Day 8 Day 8: End Budapest (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: End Budapest (Breakfast)

The trip ends this morning after breakfast. If you wish to explore this fascinating city more, we recommend booking an extra night post-tour. Please ask your sales representative for more details.

8 days tour

Central Europe: Castles, Culture & Capitals

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Central Europe: Castles, Culture & Capitals

Day 1: Start Prague

Day 2: Full Day In Prague And Free Afternoon (Breakfast)

Day 3: Transfer To Historic Town Of Cesky Krumlov (Breakfast)

Day 4: Visit The Renaissance Town Of Telc; Onto Lednice Chateau; Transfer To Mikulov In The Wine Region Of Moravia (Breakfast)

Day 5: Visit The Royal Town Of Skalica; Onto A Local Vineyard For A Tasting; Transfer To Bratislava (Breakfast,Lunch)

Day 6: Unforgettable Daytrip To Vienna (Breakfast)

Day 7: Cross The Border Into Hungary, Full Day In Budapest (Breakfast)

Day 8: End Budapest (Breakfast)

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