Prague, Vienna & Budapest

The tour starts at 4.00pm on Wednesday 15 October, at the Century Old Town Hotel, Prague.

The tour ends after breakfast on Wednesday 29 October, at the Verno House Hotel, Budapest.

We gather in our hotel this afternoon to meet and greet tour leader Thomas Abbott and fellow travellers, before heading out for an orientation walk and introduction to the city of Prague. This evening we enjoy a welcome dinner in a traditional Czech restaurant. Overnight Prague (D)

Prague is one of Europe’s most perfectly preserved cities and it has been the jewel in the crown of many a monarch, fro the medieval kings of Bohemia, to the Habsburg Rudolph I, who transformed the city into a Renaissance capital of the Holy Roman Empire. After a talk in the hotel this morning, we take a walking tour of the UNESCO world-heritage listed Old Town, with its gothic spires, elaborate baroque domes and winding cobbled streets. Our tour takes in a view of the medieval Charles Bridge and Old Town Square, where we also find the unique astronomical clock. Lunch is enjoyed in the beautiful restaurant of the Art Nouveau Municipal House, before an afternoon at leisure. Tonight we hope to return to Municipal House for a concert in their celebrated Smetana Hall (schedule permitting). Overnight Prague (B, L)

Performance I
Venue: To be confirmed
Program: To be confirmed

Prague Castle has been a centre of political power for more than a millennium, and as such has accumulated fine examples of Czech architecture from the Romanesque to the Baroque. We begin today with a private tour of Strahov Monastery, famous not just for its beautiful library with ‘theological’ and ‘philosophical’ wings, but also for its role in the Hussite and Thirty Years’ War, before continuing to nearby Prague Castle. Here our guided tour takes us through the intricate Gothic spires of St. Vitus Cathedral, the ornate Vladislav Hall and the tiny Golden Lane. Following a break for lunch, the afternoon is spent at Lobkowicz Palace – the strikingly situated palace of the famous Lobkowicz family, who were important patrons of Beethoven, amongst others. Before returning to our hotel, we also visit nearby St Nicholas Church in the charming small district known as the Lesser Town. Overnight Prague (B)

Prague flourished throughout the centuries as the cultural heart of an empire – as both a musical centre where Mozart, Smetana and Dvorak were adored and, later, for its distinctive Art Nouveau style. This morning commences with a guided tour of the beautiful Municipal House, a masterpiece of Art Nouveau architecture, design and decoration, where we find superbly preserved receptions rooms and Smetana Hall – one of Europe’s most beautiful concert halls. We then continue to the historic Estates Theatre, one of the oldest theatres in Europe that is still used today. Here, Mozart himself conducted the premier performance of Don Giovanni. After our guided tour of the highlights of the theatre, including the foyer, Mozart’s Lounge and the famous auditorium, we return to the hotel with an evening at leisure. Overnight Prague (B)

Travelling to the South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic today, we depart Prague for Český Budejovice, stopping en route in the picturesque town of Český Krumlov. A listed UNESCO World Heritage site, Český Krumlov is regarded as one of the finest historic towns in Bohemia and has over 300 protected medieval buildings. Ruled by the Rožmberk dynasty for three centuries, it retains its medieval aspect and is attractively situated on the Vltava River amidst rolling hills. On arrival, we have a break for lunch before taking a guided walking tour of the old town and the impressive castle complex, with the highlight of our visit the superbly preserved baroque theatre. Continue to Český Budejovice in the late afternoon, there is time for a stroll in town before we enjoy dinner together in a local restaurant. Overnight Český Budejovice (B, D)

Austria’s capital Vienna offers a blend of imperial traditions, extraordinary art and music, and endearing charm. A relaxed start to the day sees us depart by coach for the Imperial City, arriving in time for a lunch break in town. In the afternoon we enjoy an introductory walk through the city, ending at Beim Czaak – a traditional restaurant in the city’s charismatic Old University quarter – where we enjoy dinner together. Overnight Vienna (B, D)

Vienna is a city with an impressive musical legacy. Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, Brahms and Mahler are among the celebrated composers who lived and worked here. However, our full day tour begins with one of the few major composers of his time to be born and raised in Vienna, Franz Schubert. A guided tour takes us through Schubert’s humble beginnings at his family’s home, today a museum. We then make our way to the Beethoven Museum in the village of Heiligenstadt, where the young Beethoven wrote the so-called ‘Heiligenstadt Testament’ in which he expressed his despair over his growing deafness. It was here that Beethoven also developed some of his most important works, including Piano Sonata Op. 31, No.2 (The Tempest), the ‘Prometheus’- Variations Op. 35, and his first sketches for Symphony No. 3 in E flat major Op. 55 (Eroica). Continuing to Grinzing, an old Viennese wine town, we pause for lunch at Mayer am Pfarrplatz – one of Vienna’s most historically significant Heurigers (a local winemakers tavern). Before departing Grinzing, we visit the fascinating Grinzing Cemetery. Established in 1829, it bears witness to the wealthy and prominent members of Viennese society, among them the composer Gustav Mahler and writers Thomas Bernhard and Heimito von Doderer. Returning to the hotel, the late afternoon is at leisure before we meet again this evening for a performance in the Golden Hall of the Musikverein (schedule permitting). Overnight Vienna (B, L)

Performance II
Venue: To be confirmed
Program: To be confirmed

For more than 400 years, Vienna was the jewel in the glittering imperial crown of the Habsburgs, and as such has received centuries of embellishment. Today we explore the history and architecture of Imperial Vienna, beginning with the majestic St Stephen’s Cathedral in the Old Town, with its colourful tiled roof. Just across from the cathedral we find Figaro House – Mozart’s residence from 1784 to 1787, during which time he wrote his comic masterpiece Le Nozze di Figaro and three of the six Haydn Quartets. It is the largest and most elegant apartment ever occupied by Mozart, and the only one that is still intact today. After a break for lunch, the afternoon is spent at the Belvedere Museum – an impressive 18th-century palace whose extensive collection includes works from the Baroque, through to Biedermeier and Secessionist masterpieces, including Gustav Klimt’s The Kiss. Tonight we enjoy a performance at the Konzerthaus, a quintessential experience in the capital of music (schedule permitting). Overnight Vienna (B)

Performance III
Venue: To be confirmed
Program: To be confirmed

Vienna’s art collections are among the finest in the world, rivalling Paris, London and New York for their scope and quality. After a talk in the hotel, this morning is dedicated to the exceptional Kunsthistorisches Museum, one of several palatial buildings commissioned by Emperor Franz Josef I to accommodate the magnificent Habsburg collections. The building itself is a work of art, with a grand stairway featuring paintings by Gustav Klimt, with its collection of Old Masters, including works by Caravaggio, Bruegel, Raphael, Velázquez and more, is considered one of the world’s finest. After a break for lunch, we spend the afternoon at Kaiserliche Schatzkammer, the Imperial Treasury of the Habsburgs. This extraordinary collection includes the Imperial Crown and regalia, the treasury of the Order of the Golden Fleece, and the late-antique agate bowl that was once thought to be the Holy Grail. This evening sees us head to the spectacular Vienna State Opera, one of the most important opera houses in the world (schedule permitting). Overnight Vienna (B)

Performance IV
Venue: To be confirmed
Program: To be confirmed

An excursion destination for the local Viennese, the Vienna Woods is a lush green idyll of meadows and forests undulating just outside the city gates. Our coach tour today takes us to the southern part of the Vienna Woods where we find the monastery at Heiligenkreuz, the oldest continuously occupied Cistercian monastery in the world. We then continue to the Imperial hunting lodge of Mayerling, where Habsburg Crown Prince Rudolph apparently shot his mistress Mary Vetsera before committing suicide. After Rudolph’s tragic death, his father, Emperor Franz Joseph, converted one of the buildings into a Carmelite convent. Rejoining our coach, the afternoon is spent in the charming spa town of Baden-Bei-Wien – the summer resort of Emperor Franz, his family and the nobility. In the summers of 1821-1823, Beethoven lodged here at Rathausgasse 10, where he composed important sections of his 9th Symphony. Now a museum, you may like to spend time here experiencing the life and work of the composer in a completely new and surprising way. On return to the hotel, there is time to freshen up before dinner at the world-famous Plachutta Wollzeile in the heart of the city. Overnight Vienna (B, D)

Bratislava has long been overshadowed by its neighbours, and consequently it is a much less well-touristed city. Departing Vienna for Budapest today, we stop enroute in Bratislava to explore its history, from its time as the temporary capital of Hungary (when Budapest was part of the Ottoman Empire), to its modern transformation as the capital of Slovakia following the ‘Velvet Divorce’ from the Czech Republic. Our walk tour takes us through the Old Town, passing the Opera House, St Martin’s Cathedral and St Michael’s Gate. After a break for lunch in town, we continue to Budapest, arriving in the late afternoon. Dinner tonight is enjoyed in a local restaurant. Overnight Budapest. (B, D)

Budapest’s art collections reflect the city’s quest to rival Vienna, its sister capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. A key part of this rivalry was the development of its art collections, which sought to present the city as a European capital while also preserving and promoting its unique culture. This morning we explore Buda, the historic capital of Hungary which grew up in the Middle Ages. We begin at the Hungarian National Gallery, situated inside Buda Castle and home to an excellent collection of Hungarian art from the Middle Ages to the 19th century. From here we stroll the old streets and lanes of Buda across to Matthais Church and Fisherman’s Bastion, with its panoramic viewing terrace. We break for lunch before taking the funicular down to the Danube, walking across the Chain Bridge to Pest to return to our hotel. We gather again this evening for a performance at the beautiful State Opera (schedule permitting), the symbol of the Hungarian operatic tradition of more than 300 years. Overnight Budapest (B)

Performance V
Venue: To be confirmed
Program: To be confirmed

Budapest’s reputation as the jewel of the Danube is well earned, and the city extends elegantly from the riverbanks along its belle époque boulevards. The Danube is the dividing line between the two cities of Buda and Pest, joined by a bridge in 1873. There’s a clear geographical difference between the two, with Buda’s hills and Pest’s flat terrain defining each part of the twin city. Following on from our exploration of Buda, this morning is spent discovering the city of Pest, its history and architecture on a walking tour. We also take a guided visit of the Franz Liszt Academy, the heart of Budapest’s musical life, founded by Liszt and home to the Liszt Memorial Museum – a fine reconstruction of Liszt’s final residence in Budapest. Following a break for lunch, the afternoon is spent touring
the iconic Hungarian Parliament Building. Inspired by the British House of Parliament, the domed neo-Gothic structure overlooks the Danube and our guided tour will take us through its interiors, including the marvellously decorated staircase hall, with granite Corinthian columns, gilded ornaments and a huge ceiling painting by Károly Lotz. We end the day with a cruise along the legendary Danube. Overnight Budapest. (B)

On Elisabeth and Franz Joseph’s coronation as King and Queen of Hungary, Count Gyula Andrássy presented the ruling couple with Gödöllö Palace as their country residence in the name of the Hungarian people. It soon became the favoured residence of the Empress Elisabeth, affectionately known as ‘Sisi’, and the fact that Elisabeth spent more time there than in Vienna generated considerable jealousy among the Austrians. This morning we depart by coach to visit the Gödöllö Palace and its surrounding gardens. Built in the 1730s, this summer palace is the world’s second largest baroque manor house and is today one of the most important monuments of Hungarian palace architecture. Following a guided tour, we return to Budapest, where we enjoy a farewell lunch at Gundel, located in an Art Nouveau palace in the heart of the city park. Our journey culminates this evening with a performance at Müpa, Hungary’s new cultural hub (schedule permitting). Overnight Budapest (B, L)

Performance VI
Venue: To be confirmed
Program: To be confirmed

The tour ends after breakfast. Airport transfers are provided to Budapest Airport for onward flights home. (B)

Hotels have been selected principally for their central location.

• Prague, Century Old Town Prague MGallery Hotel Collection (4 nights)

• České Budějovice, Grand Hotel Zvon (1 night)

• Vienna, Grand Hotel Wien (5 nights)

• Budapest, Verno House (4 nights)