Itinerary

Day 1 Budapest

Budapest was originally two cities on each side of one of the most beautiful stretches of the Danube River – Buda, the older, more graceful part, with cobbled streets and medieval buildings, and Pest, the commercial center. In Buda, Gellért Hill gives a wonderful view of the city, river and mountains. On the hill is the Citadella fort, the Royal Palace which houses the National Gallery, the rampart of Halászbástya (Fisherman’s Bastion), so called because it was the duty of the city’s fishermen to protect the northern side of the Palace during the Middle Ages, and the great Mátyás Templom (church) with its multicolored tiled roof. On the Pest side are the Parliament; the Hungarian National Museum, containing remarkable treasures ranging from the oldest skull found in Europe to Franz Liszt’s gold baton; the Belvárosi Templom, Hungary’s oldest church, dating from the 12th century, the Museum of Fine Arts housing European paintings and the Ethnographic Museum. Margaret Island, connected to both Buda and Pest by bridges, is a park with a sports stadium, swimming pool, spas, a rose garden and fountains. Budapest has about 100 hot springs.

Airport transfer with private vehicle and driver.

Kensington Tours donates a portion of proceeds to our charitable initiative www.kensingtoncares.com which supports education-based initiatives in disadvantaged communities.

The Mamaison Hotel Andrassy (5*) is an elegant boutique hotel, located just off Pest's Andrássy Avenue. With spacious, beautifully designed rooms and suites. Designed and built in a Bauhaus style, by Alfréd Hajós in 1937, and completely redecorated in 2007, the hotel offers genuine and caring services for today’s traveler. Unwind in your beautiful guest room that is spacious and warmly decorated in a French Provencial style and dine at the Baraka Restaurant, offering a truly unique culinary experience. Enjoy your stay at this luxurious Hungarian boutique hotel.

Overnight at Mamaison Hotel Andrassy (4*).

Day 2 Budapest

Enjoy a full city tour of Budapest with your own guide and car. On the Pest side, visit the impressive Heroes’ Square, City Park, Széchenyi Spa, Grand Circus, and view the Vajdahunyad castle. The tour continues along Andrássy Avenue with its stately mansions. Take the opportunity and visit the impressive House of Parliament. After a walk around the largest building of Hungary, see the magnificent neo-gothic Parliament inside with a guide and walk along the splendid boardrooms and impressive staircases. Entrance fees to Matthias Church, Fisherman's Bastion and Parliament are included in the tour price).

Overnight at Mamaison Hotel Andrassy (4*).

Day 3 Budapest

Visit the former summer-residence of Queen Elisabeth (Sissi) and Francis Joseph in Godollo, one of the largest baroque palaces in the world. You will have a glimpse of the times under the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Take a break to enjoy coffee and cake at the Palace Cafe.

Overnight at Mamaison Hotel Andrassy (4*).

Day 4 Vienna

Vienna is situated in the northeast with the Danube River running through the northern suburbs of the city. The Ringstrasse forms the boundary of the elegant First District, with its fine architecture, shops and hotel.  The Hapsburgs who ruled the country for six centuries resided in the Hofburg where the Kaiser-Apartments (Imperial Apartments) and the Crown Jewels are now open to the public. The Spanish Riding School in the Hofburg where the famous white Lipizzaner stallions perform finely executed dressage manoeuvres to Viennese classical music is very popular with tourists. Schloss Schönbrunn, can be compared with Versailles; its landscaped park is also home to the world’s oldest zoo. There are more than 50 museums open to the public, including the Natural History Museum, the Austrian Museum of Applied Arts, the Museum of the 20th Century, the Museum of Modern Art, the Museums quarter, the Künstlerhaus, the Clock and Watch Museum and the Technology Museum.

Train station transfer with private vehicle and driver.

Enjoy a scenic train ride from Budapest to Vienna. The trip takes around 3.5 hours.

Take a train station transfer with a private vehicle and driver in Vienna.

The innovative concept of The Hotel Rathaus Wine and Design (4*) represents the Fleischhaker family’s passion and their vinophile philosophy. The wine theme is integrated into the modern design of the hotel and individually designed double rooms are each dedicated to a top Austrian vintner who provides splendid wines for the unique minibar. With the wine cheese on the breakfast buffet, wine guglhupf with your coffee and wine tastings, wine is simply everywhere. Austrian delicacies, prepared according to recipes by the house chef Klaus Fleischhaker are sure to tantalize. Engaged, personal service and a perfect host culture make the Hotel Rathaus the first choice for travelers and is the ideal starting point from which one can become acquainted with Vienna.

Overnight at Rathaus Wein and Design (4*).

Day 5 Vienna

Spend an enjoyable 3 hours exploring the city of Vienna today on a private tour which will provide an overall impression of the most significant sights of Vienna. Along the Ringstrasse admire numerous magnificent buildings, such as the MAK, the State Opera House, the Museum of Fine Arts and the Natural History Museum, the cultural district the Museums Quartier, the former Habsburg winter residence, the Hofburg, the Parliament, the City Hall and the Burgtheater. The highlight of the tour will be a visit of the showrooms of Schönbrunn Palace, the former summer residence of the Habsburg family. The MAK shows applied and contemporary art in temporary exhibitions as well as in its unique permanent and study collections. On the way back to the opera pass by the Belvedere Palace, the former summer residence of Prince Eugene. The tour takes 3 hours and includes the entrance fee to the Schonbrunn Palace.

Overnight at Rathaus Wein and Design (4*).

Day 6 Vienna

On this excursion, you discover the charm of a world renowned cultural landscape. Experience the baroque display of power and glory to be found in the monasteries of Göttweig and Melk, which stand as guardians at either end of the Danube Valley. Enjoy Dürnstein with its mix of medieval flair and baroque fashion of Hieronymus Uebelbacher. Follow us on to Weissenkirchen, where an ancient fortified church awaits you. Experience romantic Schwallenbach, before going back in time to the origins of man in Willendorf, where a hand-sized Venus, the world wide acknowledged symbol of fertility, was found. This tour may offer an abundance of different impressions, but the drive back along the blue Danube with relax you again and this day offers you an unforgettable insight into the richness of Austrian history. The price include entrance to Gottweig Monastery, entrance to Melk Monastery, Danube Cruise from Melk to Krems. End your tour with a wine tasting at Loisium (included in the price)

Overnight at Rathaus Wein and Design (4*).

Day 7 Prague

Prague is picturesquely located on the banks of the Vltava (Moldau) River, and has always played an important part in the history of Europe. The ‘Paris of the East’ is noted for its magnificent architecture with the city’s historical center being listed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site.

Take a train station transfer with a private vehicle and driver in Vienna.

Enjoy a train ride from Vienna to Prague. The ride takes around five hours.

Train station transfer with private vehicle and driver.

Stylish and urban, modern and comfortable, innovative and surprising, The ICON Hotel (5*) redefines boutique hotels in Prague. Straight in the middle of the city center, The ICON reflects a neighborhood where fashion, entertainment, business and shopping coexist. The design team combined elements of the Czech architectural and interior design tradition with a contemporary flair and direction. The result is the transformation of a 19th century building into a space of theatrical sophistication and unique comfort. Collaborating with Hästens beds from Sweden, The ICON offers these completely natural handmade beds in all rooms. Zen Asian Wellness, Prague's leading Thai massage center, complements your travel experience.

Overnight at ICON (5*).

Day 8 Prague

Enjoy a private half day tour of Prague. View the Golden Prague's historic monuments - the State Opera, the National Museum, Wenceslas Square, Charles Square, and Prague Castle. Walk around the Castle courtyards, where amongst other things, you will have the opportunity to see St. Vitus Cathedral. Your private guide will take you across the Vltava to the Old Town, St. Nicholas church, the Týn Cathedral and the Old Town Hall with its astronomical clock (HORLOGE) and apostles. The tour takes around 4 hours.

Overnight at ICON (5*).

Day 9 Prague

The world famous spa city of Karlovy Vary lying in a picturesque, forested valley is famous for its 12 thermal springs. First you will visit the glass exhibition at the Moser factory. Then, as you stroll through the city along the spa colonnades, you will have the chance to try not only the thermal springs, but also the delicious local wafers and the traditional herbal Becherovka liqueur as you visit the Becherovka Museum.

Overnight at ICON (5*).

Day 10 Prague

Enjoy an airport transfer with private vehicle and driver.

Depart from Prague airport - end of itinerary.

Overnight at Depart.

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