Imperial Cities

Bask in the splendor, history, and romance of Europe’s regal capital cities of Prague, Vienna, and Budapest. Your journey starts in Prague, the noble capital of the Czech Republic. Your adventure continues in Vienna, where you’ll delight in the Baroque marvels of the Schönbrunn Palace, the summer retreat of the Habsburg dynasty for more than 200 years. Listen to the lineage of Vienna’s history and indulge in a performance featuring the works of Mozart and Strauss, two former Viennese residents. In Budapest, visit a 14th-century Hungarian castle. Enjoy traditional local cuisine, and a glimpse into this region’s eminent past.

Prague

Prague is the capital of the Czech Republic and of the state of Bohemia, with a population of about 2 million in the metro area. Because it received very little damage in WWII, it is has many beautifully preserved sights from several eras and its historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It was capital of the Holy Roman Empire and a center of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and it was the site of the Velvet Revolution in 1989 when citizens peacefully took Czechoslovakia back from the Communists. It is known for music (composers Dvorak, Smetana and Mozart lived here), literature (Franz Kafka) and for having almost as many kinds of Pilsner beer as it has bars and restaurants.

Prague Castle

Prague Castle is a complex of intrigue based in 9th century stone – an ancient symbol of the Czech State and one of the world’s most significant cultural landmarks. The largest castle complex in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the castle serves as the official home of the President of the Czech Republic, and the residence of princes and kings since the 10th century. This age-old, ageless landmark hides a different kind of stone, or stones – Prague Castle is home to the Bohemian Crown Jewels. The crown, the scepter, and the coronation cloak of St. Wenceslas is protected behind a chamber door, an iron safe, and seven locks – the keys to which only seven people possess.

Cesky Krumlov

This is a small city on the Vltava River south of Prague and a UNESCO World Heritage site. It was once an important trade route through Bohemia, and is home to the Cesky Krumlov Castle, the second-largest in Czech Republic. The town was founded in the 13th century, and most of the old city buildings date from the 14th century. Cesky Krumlov is home to several important arts festivals every year, including candlelight operas in the 16th-century theater in the castle.

Vienna

This is the capital city of Austria, located on the Danube, with a population of over 2 million in the metro area. It is known as the “City of Music” because of the numerous famous composers who have lived and worked here, such as Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven and Brahms, and also as the “City of Dreams” as it was home to Sigmund Freud. Some of its primary sights are Schonbrunn Palace, Hofburg Palace, Opera House, Belvedere and St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Vienna is also known for its coffee houses and restaurants.

Schönbrunn Palace

This Vienna palace was a summer residence of the Holy Roman Emperors beginning in the 17th century, and is the most-visited site in Austria. Emperor Maximillian II bought the property for a hunting preserve, and it was remodeled by Empress Maria Theresa in the mid 18th century. On the grounds are an orangerie, a palm house, a French garden designed by a student of the designer of the gardens at Versailles in France, an English garden and a large park. Concerts are often held here with music of Mozart and others.

Classical Music Performance

At a classical music concert featuring masterpieces by Mozart and Strauss, enjoy the melodies in the regions where they were created. The delightful music is complimented by the elegant decor of the concert hall.

Danube Cruise and Melk Abbey or The Belvedere Museum or Learn the Viennese Waltz

Choose how to spend your day because, it's your choice! Venture down the Danube* to the medieval town of Durnstein and cruise to the 11th-century Melk Abbey -OR- join a local guide in the Belvedere Museum, home to Gustav Klimt's iconic painting The Kiss -OR- enjoy a leisurely morning before attending a Viennese Waltz lesson in the afternoon. The rest of the day is yours. Danube Cruise and Melk Abbey Activity Level 2: Travelers should be able to stand and walk for at least 45 minutes. *The Danube River Cruise to Melk Abbey is available mid-April to mid-October. Outside these times, a cruise through Vienna will be substitued. The Belvedere Museum Activity Level 3: Guests will be traveling to this option with a local guide by public transportation. They should be able to walk or stand for 60 minutes at a time. Learn the Viennese Waltz Activity Level 4: Must be active enough to participate in a 60 minute dance class. It will be a beginner class so accessible for all who can be on their feet for 60 minutes.

Bratislava

This is the capital of Slovakia, and it is located on the Danube, close to the Hungarian and Austrian borders. It was once the capital of the Kingdom of Hungary when that country was part of the Hapsburg Empire, and became Slovakia’s capital when that country split from Czechoslovakia in 1993. Its most important attractions are the 13th-century Bratislava Castle, the Old Town, Michael’s Gate and St. Martin’s Cathedral.

Budapest

This city on the Danube is actually two cities: Buda and Pest, divided by the river. In its history, it has been Celtic, Roman, invaded by Mongols and Turks, second capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and now the capital Hungary, with about 1.8 million people. Its varied architecture from so many cultures helped make Budapest a UNESCO World Heritage site, and it is known for its coffee houses, traditional Hungarian restaurants and working Turkish baths from the 16th century.

Matthias Church

The original church was built in the early 11th century in the Buda section of Budapest near the Buda Castle. It was reconstructed in the 14th century in Gothic style and was named for King Matthias of Hungary. When the Ottoman Turks occupied Buda in the 16th century it became the main mosque of the city, and at that time many of the frescos inside were destroyed. Most were restored in the 19th century. It was used as a camp by Soviet and German soldiers during the Soviet occupation of Budapest in late WWII.

Fisherman's Bastion

This is a terrace overlooking the Danube on the Buda side of the river near the Buda Castle and Matthias Church. It was built in the early 20th century and honors the fisherman’s guild which defended the city walls in this part of Buda. The towers represent the 7 Magyar (Hungarian) tribes who settled here and there is a statue of King Stephen I of Hungary between the Bastion and Matthias Church.

Renaissance Dinner

Board the coach for a trip outside Budapest to the Danube Bend town of Visegrad. Here you will experience life in medieval times while enjoying a traditional Hungarian country-style (medieval-themed) dinner of hearty delights. Next, stroll up a few stone steps to the well-preserved castle and ramparts of this ancient structure overlooking the mighty Danube. Watch ringside while knights perform archery, mace fighting, and axe throwing.