Budapest- Bratislava- Prague- Salzburg- Vienna / "The Habsburg Empire"
1st day / Arrival Day/Budapest
After arrival at the airport, meet your Tourmanager and your busdriver.
You will be transferred to our hotel, where after a welcome drink you check
in.
Welcome to Budapest
That Budapest - one of the most beautiful cities in the world -possesses a rich and
fascinating history as well as a vibrant cultural heritage. Recognizing the unique
value of its traditions it has managed to maintain its magic and charm, and is
rightly known as the Queen of the Danube. It has also been called the City of Spas,
as there are a dozen thermal baths complexes served by over a hundred natural
thermal springs.
Relax during the afternoon until a welcome dinner offers the first chance to get
acquainted with Hungarian cuisine.
2nd day / Budapest
Breakfast.
We start the exploration of the Habsburg Empire with a tour of the city, or should
we say cities:
Both Buda and Pest. This is a city that both crackles with energy and soothes with
its loveliness. Famous composers and musicians represent Hungarian music such
as Liszt, Bartok, Kodaly, Lehar, and many more. Budapest clearly sparks a passion
for music in its citizenry. Then our specialist leads us through Heroes Square,
adorned with seven massive, powerful statues of Magyar chieftains, and to
archaeological excavations dating from the Roman era. Therefore enjoy in the
evening a typical Hungarian Dinner with Gypsy music.
3rd day / Budapest
Breakfast.
For a welcome overview of centuries past, today's visit begins at the Budapest
Museum of History, which houses exhibits surveying events from early pagan times
through Hungary's recent liberation from the failed experiment of communism. Enjoy
a free afternoon.
4th day / Budapest- Bratislava
Breakfast and check out.
Welcome to Bratislava
Bratislava, the capital of the Slovakian republic lies in Central Europe. The city
applies to both shores of the second largest European river, the Danube at the foot
of the small Carpathian Mountains. Bratislava is in a border triangle directly on
the border of three states. In the south it borders with Hungary and in the west
with Austria.
This morning we drive to Bratislava. After a visit of Szentendre - a picturesque
fishermen village, home to a harmonious mix of Hungarians, Croats and Serbs whose
families were expelled from Serbia by the Turks in the 17th century - we
continue along the Danube to the romantic Danube bend, one of the most interesting
Hungarian stretches of the legendary river, where we explore the ruins of King
Matthias's Renaissance palace and to Estergom with its impressive cathedral.
In the late afternoon a guided city tour of Bratislava lets us dive into history.
Bratislava has been for the centuries of the Habsburg Empire the capital of
Hungary, where the Hungarian kings were crowned.
5th day / Bratislava- Prague
Breakfast and check out.
The transfer to Prague leads through southern Bohemia and Moravia, the picturesque
landscape of endless rolling hills, in which picturesque cities are embedded.
Welcome to Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. This historic city of
golden stone and architectural grace offers a mix of Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque
and Rococo treasures. Nicknames for Prague have included "city of a hundred spires"
and "the golden city". Since 1992, the historic centre of Prague has been included
in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. According to Guinness World Records,
Prague Castle is the largest ancient castle in the world.
After arrival in Prague and Hotel check in, discover the city on an exploration
stroll.
6th day / Prague
Breakfast.
This historic city of golden stone and architectural grace offers a mix of
Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque and Rococo treasures. Today we will have our first
views of the city and its treasures and a discussion of Prague's history.
We explore the castle of Prague, which dates back to the 8th century, when Slavonic
tribes built the first fortifications here. Then stroll through the Lesser Town to
view its churches and palaces, many of them used today for cultural events,
ministerial offices, embassies and art galleries.
7th day / Prague
Breakfast.
Crossing the historic Charles Bridge, we enter the Jewish Quarter, where we visit
the Jewish Museum, an impressive memorial to one of the Czech Republic's defining
cultures, and the famous Prague cemetery, home to more than 40,000 graves. Narrow
lanes and generous squares are characteristic of the Old Town, where we meander
through Wenceslav Square and tour the Estate Theater, site of the first performance
of Mozart's Don Giovanni.
In the evening enjoy a performance of a Black-Light Theater in Prague, a specialty, for which Prague is famous for.
8th day / Prague- Salzburg
Breakfast and check out.
En route to Salzburg we cross the Bohemian Forest and have a brief glance to the
city of Passau where we will have lunch, we continue to Salzburg, the city of
Mozart. Although Salzburg belonged rather late - in 1815 -to the Habsburg Empire,
the city played an important role as cultural centre.
Welcome to Salzburg - the city of Mozart's birth!
Salzburg - is located in the Salzach River Valley. Unique during the Holy Empire,
it was called the northern Rome, due to the importance of the Prince Archbishops
and the Baroque. Salzburg's reputation is based on a living musical tradition. Its
beauty and vibrant musical life have made Salzburg one of Europe's foremost
cultural centres.
9th day / Salzburg
Breakfast.
After a lecture on the history of the Habsburg Empire by a historian starts the
guided city stroll through the city centre - a pedestrian zone where you find
the Mozart sites in Salzburg. The Baroque city centre is dominated by the
cathedral, the residence, the fortress and attracts by its charming and picturesque
ensembles.
10th day / Salzburg
Breakfast.
In the morning we will visit the salt mine of Hallein, where already Celtic tribes
have mined.
Salt has been the most important source of income for the Salzburg
Prince-Archbishops. The collection of the Keltenmuseum in Hallein unveils the
importance with arte-facts from the Celtic period to the Habsburgs.
A Mozart Dinner - young musicians perform the popular areas - introduces you into the musical world of Mozart.
11th day / Salzburg- Vienna
Breakfast and check out.
The transfer by bus to Vienna leads first through the Lake District of the
Salzkammergut, the former imperial summer residence and favourite hunting ground.
Later we will meet the Danube again and after the visit of the monastery of Melk we
will pass through the beautiful Wachau valley. In the evening we will check in to
the Vienna Hotel .
12th day / Vienna
Breakfast.
Vienna's Ringstrasse was the Habsburg state boulevard, created by Emperor Franz
Joseph to showcase the wealth and importance of the Empire. Here we see Austria's
magnificent state buildings, including the historic parliament, city hall, the
university, and the national theater and museums. Our city walk continues past the
Imperial Palace, a stately structure that evolved over the centuries and is now
home to Austria's president. We also visit the Schönbrunn Palace, summer home of
the imperial family and a superb example of Austrian Baroque. In the evening enjoy
a concert in the Orangerie of the Palace.
13th day / Vienna
Breakfast.
A musical journey takes us through the city of Beethoven, Schubert, Mozart, Haydn
and Strauss. Discover why this city inspired such great compositions on a "musical
walk" among memorials to the great Viennese composers, followed by a tour of the
State Opera. (If a tour is available, depends on the performance schedule) or House
of Music tour with the TM.
14th day / Vienna
Breakfast.
Our final day in Vienna begins with a morning at leisure to shop, walk or visit a
famous Viennese coffeehouse. This afternoon visit the Museum of Fine Arts, once the
private collection of the Habsburg family. Join this evening for a farewell
dinner.
15th day / Vienna
Breakfast and check out.
With the transfer to the airport your visit comes to an end.
