Hungary, Austria & Czech Republic | A Tale of 3 Cities
 Romantic scenery |
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9 days / 8 nights
| Location | Nights |
| Budapest | 3 |
| Vienna | 2 |
| Prague | 3 |
A&K special offer available. Click here for more information.
Day 01 Arrive Budapest
A warm welcome by your A&K Guardian Angel into Budapest, the capital of Hungary, and private transfer to your hotel.
Budapest (Choice of category)
Day 02 Budapest
An introduction to this beautiful city which straddles both sides of the Danube River. Cross the graceful Chain Bridge over the Danube to Buda, the hilly older part of the city, and ascend by funicular to Castle Hill where the former Royal Palace gracefully towers above. Stop for coffee along the way as you explore the cobbled and colourful streets of this ancient Royal district before a final stop at the Matthias Church, which has witnessed the coronation of many Hungarian Kings. Your afternoon is at leisure (B).
Budapest (Choice of category)
Day 03 Budapest
Venture to the east bank today to explore Pest. Start at the market hall where you will see an impressive array of provisions and craft wares, continue on to Europe’s largest synagogue and the Jewish Museum, Heroes’ Square and St. Stephen’s Basilica, the city’s largest church. Finish the morning with a private tour of the Budapest State Opera House, built between 1875 and 1884, and a special operatic recital. Your afternoon is free for shopping or relaxation (B).
Budapest (Choice of category)
Day 04 Budapest - Vienna
Travel via A&K’s Concierge Rail service west into Austria. An A&K welcome in Vienna and this afternoon a walking tour of this elegant city. Visit the Hofburg Imperial Palace, former winter residence of the Hapsburgs, gothic St. Stephen’s Cathedral with its glazed tile roof and the famous ‘Ringstrasse’, the grand avenue encircling the old city (B).
Vienna (Choice of category)
Day 05 Design Your Day Vienna
Today you can choose one of the following excursions: visit the magnificent former summer residence of the Hapsburgs, Schönbrunn Palace, which has over 1400 rooms. One of the highlights of this visit is the ‘Hall of Mirrors’ where Mozart performed for Empress Maria Theresa when he was only six years old. Or you may choose to leave the city behind for a visit to the charming Vienna Woods. Visit Mayerling, scene of the suicide pact between Crown Prince Rudolph and Baroness Maria Vetsera. Then a hunting lodge, it was replaced by a convent by the bereaved Emperor. Continue to nearby Heiligenkreuz, a magnificent Cistercian Abbey and on the return to Vienna stop at the Seegrotte, a former mine and now a fascinating underground lake (B).
Vienna (Choice of category)
Day 06 Vienna - Prague
Enjoy A&K’s Concierge Rail service as you travel by train to the Czech Republic and the ‘Golden City’ of Prague. Your choice of accommodation includes the luxurious Four Seasons Hotel just steps from the 14th century Charles Bridge or the musically inspired Hotel Aria (B).
Prague (Choice of category)
Day 07 Prague
This morning enjoy a walking tour around the Old Town Square and the network of narrow streets which make up the heart of the city. Explore the Jewish Quarter and the Jewish Museum. Visit the Old Synagogue and the Jewish Cemetery. Finish your morning with a visit to the city’s finest Neo-Classical building, the Estates Theatre, which hosted the premiere of Mozart’s ‘Don Giovanni’ in 1787. Enjoy a private tour with the orchestra’s senior conductor and a short recital by a chamber quintet. Afternoon at leisure to further explore (B).
Prague (Choice of category)
Day 08 Prague
Drive to Hradcany Castle, seat of Bohemian Kings and Holy Roman Emperors. Visit the beautiful St. Vitus Cathedral. Stroll along Golden Lane, a row of tiny houses dating from the 16th century, visit the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Loreto and finally the Strahov Monastery, where you have a private tour of the ornate Strahov Library. This afternoon is at your leisure (B).
Prague (Choice of category)
Day 09 Depart Prague
Transfer to Prague airport where your journey ends (B).
Note: Itinerary departs daily. Christmas & New Years Eve supplements apply.
Optional Extensions
A Tale of 3 Cities itinerary combines well with our Poland, Russia or Luxury Rail journey.
A&K arranges a privileged visit of the lavishly decorated Budapest State Opera House, a splendid example of neo-Renaissance architecture with its superb gilded auditorium and exceptional acoustics. Completing this magical experience is a private operatic recital.
a behind the scenes visit to the stunning Strahov Library in Prague. With its two main rooms, aptly named the ‘Theological’ and the ‘Philosophical’, this famously detailed abbey dates back to the 12th Century.
Chocaholics take note! Schokoladekönig (translates as ‘Chocolate King’), is one of Vienna’s oldest traditional confectioners, housed in 150 year old premises in the city’s historic centre, the store is famous for its chocolate fountain into which fresh fruits are delicately dipped. And in the winter months their decadent hot chocolate is unbeatable.
Choice of Accommodation
| City | Platinum | Gold |
| Budapest | Four Seasons Gresham Palace (Gresham Room) | Budapest Hilton (Danube Room) |
| Vienna | Hotel Imperial Vienna (Deluxe Room) | Grand Hotel Wien (Superior Room) |
| Prague | Four Seasons Prague (Deluxe Room) | Hotel Aria (Deluxe Room) |
