Budapest to Prague Adventure 2027 - 8 Days

Our Eastern European adventure begins in Budapest, Hungary's picturesque capital and our home for tonight. Situated on a beautiful stretch of the Danube River, Budapest consists of two parts - Buda and Pest. Buda is the city's graceful older sibling, with cobbled streets, medieval buildings and the famous castle, while Pest is its younger counterpart - a hub of colourful street art, modern galleries and a thriving culinary scene. For those arriving on time, our tour leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 4:00pm for a welcome meeting. After the meeting, we'll use local transport to take an orientation tour of Budapest's main sites. We'll see the Basilica of Saint Stephen and the Parliament buildings before crossing the Chain Bridge to the Castle District and Watertown. Here lie Buda's most ancient gems - Castle Hill with the Old Town, Fisherman's Bastion and the Royal Palace. After the tour, there'll be the chance to go for dinner. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Budapest Airport (BUD). If you want to join the orientation tour, you must arrive at the hotel by 4.00pm. If you're booking your own flights, we recommend giving yourself at least one hour to clear the airport. It's around a 45-minute drive from the airport to the hotel, therefore the latest your flight can arrive is 2.00pm. If you miss the meeting, our tour leader will leave you information giving the meeting time for the next day in the hotel reception and will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up. Budapest is a real European gem and it's impossible to see all of the sites in just one day. We recommend adding a night or two to the start of your tour to make the most of your time in the stunning city.

This morning, we'll say goodbye to Budapest and travel by private coach to Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. The journey takes approximately three hours, although occasional delays may be experienced at the border crossing. Upon arrival, we'll enjoy an orientation tour of this compact and historic city. Once known as Pressburg and formerly the capital of the Kingdom of Hungary, Bratislava has a rich and fascinating past shaped by centuries of royal influence and conflict. Our walk will take us through the charming Old Town, a maze of medieval streets and attractive squares. Along the way, we'll see some of Bratislava's most important landmarks, including Michael's Gate, the city's last remaining medieval entrance, the elegant Main Square, and St. Martin's Cathedral, where many Hungarian kings and queens were crowned. Following the tour, there will be free time to explore at your own pace. You may wish to continue discovering the city's historic sights, browse the local shops, or simply relax in one of Bratislava's many welcoming cafés and trendy bistros. In the late afternoon, we'll continue our journey to Vienna, Austria's elegant capital. Just a short drive from Bratislava, we expect to reach the city within around an hour and a half. Renowned for its imperial architecture, grand boulevards and rich musical heritage, Vienna will be our base for the next two nights.

Today we'll meet our local guide for a walking tour of Vienna, we'll be introduced to the city's rich imperial heritage. During our walk, we'll pass many of Vienna's most famous landmarks, including Karlsplatz, Heroes' Square (Heldenplatz), the magnificent Hofburg Imperial Palace Complex, the Imperial Treasury, the Austrian National Library, the renowned Spanish Riding School, Vienna's historic residential quarters, St. Stephen's Cathedral, and the grand Vienna State Opera. While there won't be time to visit the interiors of these attractions during the guided walk, the tour provides an excellent overview of the city and its history. Afterwards, you'll have free time to explore independently and revisit any of the sights that interest you most. For those with a sweet tooth, Vienna offers some irresistible culinary treats. Be sure to try a slice of the famous Sachertorte, a rich chocolate cake layered with apricot jam, or indulge in Kaiserschmarrn, a traditional Austrian dessert of light, shredded pancakes dusted with icing sugar and often served with fruit compote. These beloved local specialties are the perfect way to experience Vienna's celebrated café culture.

Today we travel by private coach to the charming South Moravian town of Mikulov, a destination renowned for its rich history, picturesque architecture and long-standing wine-making traditions. Nestled in the heart of one of the Czech Republic's most important wine regions, Mikulov is surrounded by vineyards, scenic walking paths and family-run wine cellars that reflect the area's deep connection to viticulture. En route, we'll visit the Lednice-Valtice Cultural Landscape, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the largest designed landscapes in Europe. Here, we'll enjoy a leisurely walk through the beautiful parklands surrounding Chateau Lednice, admiring its elegant architecture, ornamental gardens and tranquil setting. In the afternoon, we'll experience one of the region's highlights with a tasting of local wines, offering an opportunity to discover the distinctive flavours of South Moravia. We will then round off the day with a walking tour of Mikulov's historic old town, where centuries of history can be seen in its colourful streets, atmospheric squares and impressive landmarks, all overlooked by the town's striking hilltop castle.

This morning we will explore the renowned cemetery in Mikulov, where generations of local Jews, including several notable historical figures, are laid to rest. Spanning nearly two hectares, the Jewish cemetery in Mikulov is one of the most significant in South Moravia. It features around 4,000 tombstones and the oldest dates back to 1605. In the afternoon, you will be free to delve into Mikulov. Why not visit Mikulov castle, described as being one of the most picturesque castles in Moravia. The castle's garden ranks among the largest of its kind in the Czech Republic. Or, ascend one of the Czech Republic's most ancient shrines. Holy Hill is a striking natural landmark overlooking Mikulov. The climb is well worth the effort\emdash at the top, you\ re rewarded with breathtaking views of the town and the surrounding landscape, beautifully patterned with rows of vineyards.

The final destination of our Eastern European tour is Prague, the capital city of Czechia. We have a slightly longer train journey ahead of us (four-and-a-half hours total) including one connecting train. Twelve centuries have adorned Prague with a labyrinth of old streets, wonderful palaces and photogenic bridges. We'll enjoy a guided city tour to take in some of the main highlights including the Old Town Square and City Hall, set amid antique houses and arcades. Other sites include the Astronomical Clock, Powder Tower and Prague Ghetto, which includes the Jewish Cemetery and Synagogues. We'll also see Charles Bridge, the most handsome bridge over the Vltava River and the area of Hradcany which contains the castle of the Bohemian Kings.

Today, you're free to enjoy Prague at your own pace. You might like to catch the train to the 700-year-old Konopiste Castle. The castle was once owned by Archduke Ferdinand, whose assassination in Sarajevo triggered the start of World War I. Another option is to take a boat trip on the Vltava River. There are also many classical music concerts on offer and if the timing is right, you might be lucky enough to see a performance in one of the old atmospheric churches. Alternatively, you could visit the Bunker Museum, where a range of Cold War relics are on display from an age when paranoia and spying was at an all-time high - interestingly, this museum is housed in a former communist bunker underneath the city. Finish up your day with a hearty meal at one of Prague's traditional restaurants, serving up steaming goulash and dumplings and, of course, local beer.

Our trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Prague. There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart from Prague at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to depart from Prague Airport (PRG).