Flavors & Cultures of Central Europe

Welcome to Budapest. To ensure a more stress-free arrival experience, you’ll be greeted by your private driver at Budapest Airport who will bring you to your hotel and assist with your check-in process. Known as the “Paris of the East,” this thriving capital city is famous for its thermal baths and UNESCO World Heritage Sites with plenty of cultural attractions to keep you busy. Enjoy everything from the 11th-century Buda Castle to classic concerts, historic churches, and charming outdoor cafes. For one of the best panoramic vistas of the city, head to the neo-gothic terrace Fisherman’s Bastion which overlooks the Danube River.

This morning enjoy a half-day walking tour of Budapest this morning, commencing at your hotel. Traverse the city’s highlights, including the Parliament and the picturesque Margaret Bridge leading to Margaret Island. Explore the Buda side, reaching the pinnacle at the Royal Castle, where the Fishermen’s Bastion and Matthias Church await. Pause at the Citadel for scenic views before crossing the Danube towards Heroes’ Square, unraveling Hungary’s rich history. Along the way, catch glimpses of Vajdahunyad Castle, the Széchenyi bathhouse, Opera, and St. Stephen’s Basilica. The journey concludes back at your hotel, offering an immersive exploration of Budapest’s iconic sights. 

Enjoy the afternoon at your leisure.

Learn more about Hungary through its flavors this morning with a cooking class and Hungarian wine tasting experience. Your guide will pick you up for private transfer to the Market Hall of Budapest where you’ll be instructed on how to prepare some of the country’s most famous dishes like Hungarian pancakes and goulash. A hands-on lesson, you’ll get a diploma and a copy of the recipes before enjoying leisure time to explore the Market Hall with its stalls selling souvenirs, produce, spices, spirits and pastries. In the afternoon, enjoy a tasting of four kinds of Hungarian wine at Domus Vinorum Wine House.

Saying farewell to Budapest, your private driver will pick you up for transfer to Vienna, with a stop in Bratislava along the way. There you’ll embark on a two-hour walking tour led by a local guide to discover the city’s top sights like the former Hungary Chamber, the Academia Istropolitana and the Old Town with its Primatial Palace while learning more about Bratislava’s history and culture along the way. Afterward, find a stop for a one-hour lunch break on your own before continuing to your final destination. After checking into your Vienna hotel, the rest of the day will be enjoyed at your leisure.

The day begins with a private sightseeing tour of Vienna that will bring you to the top sights. You’ll be able to marvel at many spectacular buildings along the Ringstrasse like the State Opera House, Natural History Museum, the MAK, Museum of Fine Arts, the Hofburg and Parliament, with the highlight a tour of the former summer residence of the Habsburg family, magnificent Schonbrunn Palace. This evening you’ll attend a concert of classics like Johann Strauss, Wolfgang Amadeus and Mozart at the palace, performed by the Schonbrunn Palace orchestra. 

Today is all about gastronomic delights, starting with a tasting at family-run Weingut Wieninger. Your private guide will bring you to this winery in Stammersdorf, filling you in about the region’s rich wine history along the way. Upon your arrival, you’ll learn about the transformation of the former monastery cellar into a world-renowned modern facility. Take a tour and sample six to eight wines before continuing to Mayer am Pfarrplatz, a traditional wine tavern that serves only their own wines and food. Taste six different wine varieties and enjoy dinner with traditional meats and cheeses, as well as a drive to some vineyards nearby.

This morning a private driver will bring you to your next destination, Prague, with a stop to tour medieval Cesky Krumlov with a local guide, explore the narrow, cobbled roads of the walled Old Town with its 13th-century castle and picturesque bridges. You’ll cross the fabled Barber’s Bridge, entering Latran, and concluding at the main castle area entrance known as the Red Gate. Afterward, continue your journey to the Czech capital of Prague. Your driver will deliver you to your accommodation in the city where you can enjoy the rest of the day relaxing and perhaps sampling some of the nightlife.

A morning of culture and history awaits today, starting with a half-day tour of the Castle District and Europe’s largest castle complex with pick up from your hotel. Prague Castle is massive dominating the city skyline for centuries. The complex is made up of various palaces, churches, museums and gardens as well as being the seat of the Czech government and home to the president. You’ll see highlights like the St. Vitus Cathedral – founded in 930, Golden Lane, the Royal Palace and Ceremonial Hall, as well as the 12th-century Strahov Monastery, famous for its stunning fresco ceiling and it’s collection of priceless books and globes.

The afternoon is free for you to enjoy the Czech capital at your leisure.

After leisure time today to enjoy exploring at your own pace or simply relaxing at your hotel. A four-hour private walking tour will bring you to see the sights while delving into the local foods and culture. Your guide, a local expert on Prague’s best eats, art history and more, will show you the city as if you were visiting a friend to learn about local daily life in a way that caters to your own unique interests and tastes and will include stops to sample the local beers in some of the cities oldest pubs, some dating back centuries. The itinerary can be adjusted for those who have food allergies or particular dislikes to ensure it’s enjoyable for all.

After ten unforgettable nights in Budapest, Vienna and Prague, your enchanting adventure comes to an end. Savor your last moments in Prague, and after checking out of your hotel private transfer will bring you to the airport where you’ll catch your flight home. If you have more time and are ready to return yet, feel free to reach out to our travel experts who can create a bespoke addition to your itinerary.