Compare Prague, Vienna & Budapest by Cosmos vs European Rhapsody - Start Amsterdam, Classic Group by Insight Vacations
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
Trip |
4 | Great
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5 | Excellent
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Duration | 9 days | 11 days |
Price From | $ 1,519 | $ 3,165 |
Price Per Day | $ 169 | $ 288 |
Highlights |
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Trip Style | Group tour | Group tour |
Lodging Level | Standard | Premium |
Physical Level |
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Travel Themes |
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Countries Visited | ||
Cities and Attractions |
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Flights & Transport | No | Airfare included |
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Meals Included | N/A | N/A |
Description | On this splendid Central Europe tour, you’ll discover the former Habsburg Empire. Your tour starts and ends in Munich. Along the way, you’ll overnight in some of Central Europe's most exciting cities: Prague, Vienna, Budapest, and Salzburg. In Prague, Vienna, and Budapest, join your Local Guides—experts who will share with you the history and secrets in their cities—for sightseeing of the must-see sights. Among the sights you will see in Prague are Charles Bridge, dating to 1357 and one of the oldest stone bridges in Europe, and the Astronomical Clock, built in 1410 with a sinister medieval figure of death who emerges to pull the bell cord. In Budapest, see the Parliament building, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered one of the world’s most beautiful parliament buildings, and Fishermen’s Bastion, which overlooks the city. In Vienna, view the Hofburg, the palatial complex and the political focal point for the Hapsburgs. You’ll have time on your own in Vienna to sit in a café with a piece of scrumptious Sachertorte while listening to a legendary waltz, or explore the inside of St. Stephen’s Cathedral with its Romanesque and gothic architecture. In Nuremberg, wander through the charming, pedestrian Old Town with its impressive medieval ramparts. In Salzburg, you may want to walk through the quaint streets of the town center and maybe visit Mozart’s house, or just browse through the typical shops to taste some of the delicious chocolates. Vibrant cities and historic sights—along with some beautiful scenery of the Alps and the Danube River—make this a comprehensive tour through Central Europe for value-minded travel lovers. | Experience the finest Europe has to offer as you take to the stage with Viennese Waltz dance lessons in Vienna, lose yourself on the Romantic Road in Rothenburg and satisfy your appetite in Hungary with a fine dining dinner cruise in Budapest. Led by local experts, your experience will rival the aristocrats of yesteryear in the famed Carinthian Lake District. After checking in at your exclusive, private boat access hotel, dinner is served at La Fenice before twilight night caps at Café Florian—the premier cocktail bar in Venice. Sample a little pomp and circumstance with the Bavarian grandeur of Germany's Würzburg Residenz and in Vienna, tread in the footsteps of your local Travel Director with a chance to take a private tour of Maria Theresa's awesome Schönbrunn Palace. |
Day 1: ARRIVE IN MUNICH, GERMANY
Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to relax or discover Munich with the help of the CosmosGO app. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and travel companions.
Day 2: MUNICH–NUREMBERG–PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC
Visit Nuremberg with its pretty market square, the medieval castle, and Our Lady’s Church. Next, head east across the border into the Czech Republic. Evening arrival in Prague. Today’s Distance: 298 mi/ 480 km (Breakfast)
Day 3: PRAGUE
The wealth of Gothic and Baroque architecture perhaps inspired Dvorak and Smetana, both Prague composers. Your included guided sightseeing tour features landmarks such as the Jewish Quarter, Charles Bridge, and the Old Town Square with the Astronomical Clock. (Breakfast)
Day 4: PRAGUE–VIENNA, AUSTRIA
Travel from Bohemia into Moravia, then into Austria and on to Vienna, where included sightseeing starts with the State Opera, Parliament, and the Town Hall. Stop for a stroll in Heroes’ Square to view the Hofburg Imperial Palace. Reserve some energy for an exciting evening optional excursion. Today’s Distance: 205 mi/ 330 km (Breakfast)
Day 5: VIENNA–BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
A free morning to further explore the city of “Waltz” or maybe just to do some shopping on the Kärntnerstrasse. In the afternoon, head for the Hungarian border and its capital city, Budapest. Today’s Distance: 155 mi/ 250 km (Breakfast)
Day 6: BUDAPEST
Budapest is a treasure trove of architectural wonders, from Gothic to Baroque; Neoclassical to Art Nouveau, but also full of history, a food capital and surprisingly rich in thermal waters. Discover all of this and more during the guided city tour. (Breakfast)
Day 7: BUDAPEST–SALZBURG, AUSTRIA
Skirt the banks of the Danube back into Austria, and get a glimpse of the majestic Alps as you approach Salzburg, Mozart’s home town. Today’s Distance: 354 mi/ 570 km (Breakfast)
Day 8: SALZBURG–MUNICH, GERMANY
Morning at leisure in Salzburg, or maybe join the optional The Sound of Music excursion. Then, continue past Lake Chiemsee to Munich. Tonight, an included typical Bavarian dinner at a local restaurant is a must to celebrate your wonderful vacation. Today’s Distance: 96 mi/ 155 km (Breakfast,Dinner)
Day 9: MUNICH
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)
Day 1: Arrive Amsterdam
Welcome to Amsterdam, enjoy a day of leisure. Join your Travel Director at 17:00 for a Welcome Reception. Mingle and get to know your fellow travellers as you cruise along some of the many quaint, tree-lined canals, to explore the heart of the Old City, before enjoying a pleasant evening of dinner and wine at a local restaurant.
Grand Hotel Amrâth Amsterdam.
Dinner with Wine
Day 2: Rhine Valley to Würzburg
Relax with a scenic drive along the Rhine Valley to Würzburg. See the mighty Marienburg Fortress – the immense baroque palace of the Prince Bishops and one of the most important landmarks in Germany. On arrival, visit the imposing Würzburg Residenz, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with a Local Expert. Marvel at intricate decorations and lavish staterooms boasting with French, Austrian and Venetian influences.
Maritim Hotel Würzburg.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 3: Rothenburg and Golden Prague
In the morning venture to Rothenburg ob der Tauber, the most well-preserved town on the Romantic Road. Continue east to the Czech border, passing the town of Pilsen renowned for its beer, before reaching the Golden City of Prague. In the evening, perhaps take a river cruise through the heart of the city?
Hotel Royal Prague.
Breakfast
Day 4: Prague, City of a Hundred Spires
Join a Local Expert in the morning for guided sightseeing of one of the most beautiful and intact historic centres in Europe. Explore Prague with Insight Choice. Choose to explore the Castle District . Alternatively, walk through the Jewish Quarter and taste delicious Trdelník. Then, the city is all yours to explore with the rest of the day at leisure. Perhaps you may choose to rummage through the renowned antique shops?
Hotel Royal Prague.
Breakfast
Day 5: Through Bohemia to Budapest
Start the day with a journey through the beautiful forested countryside of Bohemia. Travel to Hungary, following the River Danube to Budapest.In the evening, join a Local Expert to enjoy a scenic dinner cruise, gliding past UNESCO World Heritage Sites.The city’s spectacular nighttime beauty earns it the nickname 'Pearl of the Danube’.
Hilton Garden Inn, Budapest.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 6: The flavours of Budapest
Drive along the beautiful Andrassy Avenue to Heroes' Square. Stand atop Gellért Hill where the colossal Liberty Statue stands in front of the Citadella watching over the city. Stroll through the alleys of the Old Town of Buda and admire sweeping views from the Fisherman’s Bastion with a Local Expert. Marvel at extensive panoramic views as you look out over the famous river dividing Buda and Pest - the two sides linked by the mighty Chain Bridge and the elegant, newer Elizabeth Bridge. Continue your travels, past the Turul Monument, a large eagle statue overlooking the town of Tatabanya, to the Austrian border and through pleasant farming country to the imperial capital of Vienna.
Hilton Vienna Park.
Breakfast
Day 7: Vienna and the Habsburgs
In the morning, there is the option to join a private tour of Maria Theresa's Schönbrunn Palace and formal gardens. Later, join your Local Expert for a walk through Innere Stadt, the first district and historic core of Vienna. Get your camera ready for a drive around the famous Ring Road. This grand boulevard, built along the lines of the old city walls, showcases many of the capital's architectural masterpieces, including the Opera House, magnificent Hofburg Imperial Residence and Parliament building.Sit down for traditional coffee and delicious treats and mingle with locals at a cosy café.
Hilton Vienna Park.
Breakfast
Day 8: Along the shores of Lake Wörthersee to Venice
This day's route takes you past quiet villages, through Styria's forested mountains and into the Carinthian Lake District. Continue past Europe's warmest lake, the Wörthersee, to cross into Italy near Tarvisio. Then follow mountain valleys and cascading streams down to the Veneto Plain en route to the unique city of Venice. Arrive by private boat to your hotel. Sip a cocktail at Caffe Florian, whilst you are serenaded by an ensemble of talented musicians. Afterwards, stroll past the Doges Palace and the famous 'Bridge of Sighs' to Principessa restaurant for a magical dinner. Indulge in traditional Venetian dishes that are enriched with inspiration from seasonal produce. Admire the tranquility of St. Mark's Square long after the day-trippers have gone to their mainland hotels before returning to your hotel.
Eurostars Residenza Cannaregio, Venice.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 9: The Magic of 'La Serenissima' Relaxed Start
In the morning, prepare to embrace this most romantic city. Your hotel is located on the renowned Grand Canal. Visit St. Mark's Square, dominated by its magnificent basilica and overlooked by the great Clock Tower. Also in the square stands the immense Campanile and Doge's Palace which is connected to the ancient prisons by the Bridge of Sighs. Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience as you witness the skill of glassblowers on a visit to a traditional arts centre. The rest of the day is free. Perhaps shop in the small arcades or why not cruise the Venetian lagoon to the island of Burano for a meal of local specialties and wine?
Eurostars Residenza Cannaregio, Venice.
Breakfast
Day 10: Arrivederci Venice
Alas, you must bid farewell to this enchanting city. Your departure transfer arrives at Venice Marco Polo Airport at 08:00 and 09:30.
Breakfast