9-Nights Splendors of Budapest, Vienna & Prague - Luxury Small Group Journeys — CALL

Abercrombie & Kent: Splendors of Budapest, Vienna & Prague

DAY 1 Budapest, Hungary

Arrive in Budapest, a city occupying both sides of theDanube River and founded in 1873, when right-bankBuda and Obuda joined left-bank Pest. Budapest’s broadavenues and turn-of-the-century architecture have earnedit the name, “the Paris of Eastern Europe.” Like Paris, it is acultural mecca for writers, artists and musicians. Transfer toyour hotel, where you join your fellow guests for a welcomedinner.

This morning, cross the Danube River to explore the Budaside of the city. Visit Matthias Church, the 13th-centurycoronation cathedral of Hungarian kings, and Fisherman’sBastion, offering spectacular views of the city. Built in neo-Gothic and neo-Romanesque styles, the bastion is namedfor the guild of fishermen who defended this part of the cityduring the Middle Ages. Explore the Franz Liszt Academy ofMusic, with its university and concert hall, founded by thegreat 19th-century Hungarian composer and piano virtuoso.Afterward, partake in a Chef’s Table experience, joining anesteemed chef for a cooking class in Hungarian specialties,which you then enjoy for lunch. The remainder of your day isat leisure.

Today, discover a different side of the city in Pest. ViewHeroes’ Square and stop to see the Great Synagogue as wellas St. Stephen’s Basilica, whose south tower houses the largestbell in Hungary. Then, visit the Central Market Hall toexplore the vast array of food and crafts on sale throughoutits three floors, including cheeses, sausage and other localspecialties, and enjoy time at leisure for lunch on your own.Later, visit the Parliament Building before spending theremainder of your afternoon at leisure. This evening, afterdinner, embark on a private cruise of the romantic Danubeto watch the glittering lights of Budapest drift by, toastingyour journey on a memorable Scenic Sundowner experience.

Journey overland to Bratislava, capital of Slovakia, for aguided walk through its old town, once a jewel of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Then, embark by high-speed catamaranfor a quick cruise along the Danube River to Vienna, Austria.

Join your local guide for a walking tour of marvelousVienna. At the Hofburg Palace — former seat of emperorsand current residence of the president of Austria — visitthe Imperial Treasury to admire its glittering collection ofimperial regalia. Then, continue to the Gothic St. Stephen’sCathedral. Spend your afternoon at leisure. Dine at a localrestaurant before attending a concert at the MozarthausVienna, the historic house where Wolfgang Amadeus Mozartlived in the 18th century.

This morning, enjoy a panoramic tour of Vienna, viewingthe Prater and its Giant Ferris Wheel. See the SecessionBuilding and the famous Hundertwasser House, and thenvisit the Belvedere Gallery, where you view many worksby the brilliant and controversial symbolist artist GustavKlimt, including The Kiss. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant,and then visit Schönbrunn Palace, the former residence ofHabsburg monarchs. Spend your evening at leisure.

Travel to Prague, stopping en route at the Stary Vrch wineryin the Czech countryside for a tasting of its signaturevintages, followed by lunch. Continue to Prague, whereyou check in to your hotel, and then enjoy dinner at a localrestaurant.

Explore the city’s Castle District, starting with the towering,Gothic St. Vitus Cathedral, which houses the tombs ofBohemian kings and Holy Roman Emperors, includingthat of Wenceslas I, Duke of Bohemia, legendary subjectof the beloved Christmas carol “Good King Wenceslas.”Stroll the Golden Lane, the last surviving vestige of PragueCastle’s 16th-century architecture, where the castle’s originalcraftspeople lived and worked. Follow this with a private visitto the Baroque library halls of the Strahov Monastery to viewits incredible frescoes, which reside amid detailed stuccoceiling decorations. Stroll in the peaceful quiet, looking upat the mural devoted to the intellectual progress of mankind,and let yourself contemplate a bygone era. Then, admirethe religious artifacts at the Loreto Chapel, a remarkableBaroque monument that remains a place of pilgrimage. Crossthe famous Charles Bridge, an iconic landmark of Praguecompleted in 1402. Break for lunch at leisure, and then enjoy one these Design Your Day activities.

Attend a Traditional Puppetry Workshop, and then visit the National Gallery Prague in the Schwarzenberg Palace.

Set Out on a Foodie Walking Tour, savoring tastes of Czech cuisine, from pastries to goulash to beer.

Relax with a Spa Experience at your hotel, in a haven for the body and spirit, choosing from an array of treatments.

Return to your hotel for an evening at leisure.

This morning, set out on a walking tour of Josefov, thecity’s Jewish Quarter, which remained a walled ghettountil 1848. View the birthplace of Franz Kafka (part of theJewish Museum complex), best known for his existentialistnovel The Metamorphosis. Proceed to visit the Old JewishCemetery, site of 12,000 graves, and the Old-New Synagogue,Europe’s oldest active synagogue, completed in 1270. Enjoyyour afternoon at leisure. Tonight, gather for a celebratoryfarewell dinner at a nearby local restaurant.

Transfer to the airport to board your flight home.