Pre-Departure Itinerary BUDAPEST, VIENNA & PRAGUE Tuesday, September 6 Thursday, September 15, 2016

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1 Pre-Departure Itinerary BUDAPEST, VIENNA & PRAGUE Tuesday, September 6 Thursday, September 15, 2016 Join us on this special holiday! Start in Budapest, the Queen of the Danube, where you ll be drawn to the city s beautiful architecture and magnificent river views. Tour highlights include Castle Hill District, Matthias Church, Fisherman s Bastion and a visit to Gellert Hill. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant followed by a twilight Danube River cruise. We ll visit Visegrad for stunning views of the Danube River bend before heading into the Austrian countryside and the picturesque art village of Szentendre. Our next destination is Vienna one of the world s great cultural treasures and called Europe s classiest capital, by Rick Steves, one of America s leading travel authorities. Enjoy a panoramic tour and visits to Schönbrunn Palace and St. Stephan s Cathedral. Head out of the city for a visit to famous Melk Abbey, the Wachau Valley and the Vienna Woods before an evening in the winemaking village of Grinzing for dinner and entertainment. Our adventure continues with a visit to enchanting Cesky Krumlov, a medieval Czech town filled with shops and restaurants before we arrive in fairytale Prague the city of a thousand spires. Explore the 1,000-year-old grounds of Hradcany Castle, visit beautiful St. Vitus Cathedral, walk the Golden Lane and the statue-lined Charles Bridge. Our vacation ends with a day at leisure followed by a visit to a private Czech family farmhouse for a traditional dinner and entertainment. Includes: Round-trip regularly scheduled flights from Boston to Budapest and Prague to Boston, via a connecting city Eight nights accommodations Thirteen meals: eight breakfasts, five dinners Sightseeing and touring Services of professional Tour Manager Rates: $3,199 per person double occupancy $3,199 per person triple occupancy $3,849 for single reservations. INCLUDES round-trip airfare, fuel surcharge and all air taxes and fees. Travel Insured insurance is $220. Although not required, we recommend purchasing the waiver. Purchase must be made at time of booking. Passport required. Per person deposit is $450. Trip Planner: DAY 1 Overnight flight from Boston DAYS 2 3 Radisson Blu Hotel, Budapest DAYS 4 6 Austria Trend Savoyen Hotel, Vienna DAYS 7 9 Hotel Yasmin, Prague DAY 10 Return flight to Boston or similar hotel accommodations Features: Budapest: tour including Heroes Square, Danube River, Bellert Hill, Castle Hill District, Matthias Church, Fisherman s Bastion, St. Stephen s Basilica, twilight Danube cruise. Visit Visegrad & village of Szentendre. Vienna: panoramic tour, Ring Road, Opera House, Hofburg Imperial Residence. Visit Schönbrunn Palace & St. Stephan s Cathedral. Visit Melk Abbey, Wachau Valley & Vienna Woods, dinner and entertainment in Grinzing. Excursion to Cesky Krumlov. Prague: tour including Hradcany Castle, St. Vitus Cathedral, Golden Lane Charles Bridge, Old Town. Day at leisure, family farmhouse visit with entertainment and dinner.

2 Day 1: Begin this extraordinary tour with an overnight flight to Budapest, Hungary...the Queen of the Danube. Day 2: Today you'll be transferred to the Radisson Blu Hotel for a fabulous two night stay in Budapest's city center. A welcome dinner is included this evening. (D) Radisson Blu Hotel Day 3: This morning a local guide joins us for a wonderful tour of Budapest's fascinating sights. Follow elegant boulevards to Heroes' Square. Enjoy a fabulous view of the city from Gellert Hill. Admire the mighty Danube River which serves as a dividing point between the Buda and Pest sections of the city. Walk the medieval streets of the Castle Hill District and visit Matthias Church and Fisherman's Bastion. View the exquisite Parliament building, City Park, and St. Stephens Basilica. a. This afternoon is free for you to explore this world class city on your own. Don't forget to visit the Central Market Hall and explore the many shops in the pedestrian shopping area. Tonight experience a great Hungarian dinner at a local restaurant. Later enjoy a memorable twilight cruise on the Danube River to admire Budapest's majestic skyline. (B,D) Budapest

3 Day 4: Today we venture into the Austrian countryside and visit Visegrad to witness stunning views of the Danube River. Later explore the picturesque artist village of Szentendre amid a stunning medieval setting. As we arrive in the imperial city of Vienna, enjoy a short panoramic driving tour of the famous Ring Road. Grand boulevards showcase many of the Vienna's architectural masterpieces See the Opera House, the magnificent Hofburg Imperial Residence and Parliament building. Accommodations for the next three evenings are provided at the Austria Trend Savoyen Hotel in Vienna's downtown area. (B,D) Visegrad Szentendre Vienna

4 Austria Trend Savoyen Day 5: An elegant day is planned as you visit Schonbrunn Palace the spectacular summer residence of the Habsburg dynasty over 200 years ago. Later return to Vienna's impressive city center to view St. Stephen's Cathedral. The rest of your day is free to explore this fascinating city. (B) Schonbrunn Palace St. Stephen s Cathedral

5 Day 6: Today enjoy the stunning Austrian countryside. Visit the famous Benedictine Abbey of Melk with its magnificent baroque buildings, fabulous frescos and priceless medieval manuscripts. Later view the vineyards, villages and castles of the lovely Wachau Valley. Enjoy a drive through the Vienna Woods before returning to Vienna. This evening visit the picturesque winemaking village of Grinzing where a wonderful dinner that will include wine and local entertainment. (B,D) Melk Abbey Day 7: Discover the enchanting medieval town of Cesky Krumlov where you will have time to explore the old town area filled with quaint shops, restaurants, and plenty of history. Later arrive in "The Golden City" of Prague. Spend a memorable three night stay at the Hotel Yasmin located in the heart of the city. (B) Cesky Krumlov

6 Hotel Yasmin Day 8: After breakfast experience a grand tour of "The City of 100 Spires." Explore the 1000 year old grounds of Hradcany Castle and visit St. Vitus Cathedral. Walk the Golden Lane to view a delightful collection of medieval houses. See the statue-lined Charles Bridge and experience a walking tour of the old town and its famed astronomical clock. The rest of your day is free to explore this impressive city considered by many to be of one of Europe's most beautiful. Don't forget to sample the beer. The Czechs are very proud of their local lagers. (B)

7 Hradcany Castle St. Vitus Day 9: A relaxing day to explore Prague on your own. There are many shops, museums, cafes and restaurants in Wenceslas Square as well as the old town area. Remember the finest Bohemian crystal is found here. For those who wish, an optional tour will be offered to Prague's Jewish Quarter to see Europe's oldest surviving Jewish cemetery. This evening travel to Prague's countryside and visit a private Czech family farmhouse. Here enjoy a fabulous farewell dinner and traditional Czech entertainment with folk dancers. (B,D)

8 Prague Day 10: Today transfer to Prague's airport with fond memories of three of the world's most historicallyrich cities and surrounding countryside. (B)