Prague and Budapest Tour

Arrival in Budapest

We meet at the AJet counter in the international departures terminal of Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport, 3 hours before the flight. After check-in and passport control we board AJet flight VF109, departing at 14.05 for Budapest. We land at 15.10 local time and our waiting vehicle takes us straight into the city tour.

Our panoramic tour takes in Heroes' Square, Oktogon, the historic ice rink, Vajdahunyad Castle, Andrássy Avenue and the Opera House.

In the evening, guests who wish can join the optional extra Budapest Masterpieces and Danube boat tour organised by our guide (35 Euro). On this 1 hour cruise past the most important historic buildings on the riverbanks, we sip a welcome drink and photograph Budapest at its best. After the tour we transfer to our hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Castle District and Szentendre

After breakfast at the hotel, guests who wish can join the optional extra Budapest on Foot and Szentendre tour (60 Euro).

The tour starts in the heart of Budapest, in the historic Castle District. We walk along Lords' Street to Fisherman's Bastion, one of the city's most romantic spots, with the Danube and the Parliament spread out below. We continue with Vörösmarty Square, the Parliament and Váci Utca, the city's busiest shopping street, followed by free time.

We then drive to Szentendre. With its narrow winding lanes, stone houses and colourful balconies, this small town feels almost Mediterranean; it is the gateway to the Danube Bend, a getaway for people from Budapest and a long-time favourite of artists. We stroll past shops selling handmade linens, glass and porcelain ornaments, Hungarian dolls, folk costumes and wooden souvenirs. After the tour we transfer to our hotel.

In the evening, guests who wish can join the optional extra Hungarian Night (70 Euro). At a Hungarian restaurant, with unlimited wine, water and local soft drinks, we enjoy traditional dishes, folk dances and a show set to Gypsy music. Afterwards we return to our hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Bratislava to Vienna

After breakfast we set off towards Vienna. On the way we join the Bratislava tour, which is included in the tour price. In the Slovak capital we see Bratislava Castle, known for its architecture and views over the city, the Old Town (Staré Mesto), the City Clock Tower, the Gothic St. Martin's Cathedral and the Čumil statue, said to bring good luck. We then continue to Vienna.

Vienna, the capital of Austria, brings an imperial heritage together with a lively cultural scene. The city is a centre of classical music, where the works of Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert and Strauss first rang out, and its opera houses, palaces and broad boulevards have made it a capital of the arts for centuries. Our city tour takes in Stephansdom (St. Stephen's Cathedral), the Kunsthistorisches Museum with one of the world's finest art collections, the Staatsoper (State Opera), the Baroque Karlskirche and Maria Theresa Square.

Guests who wish can then join the optional extra Vienna on Foot tour (50 Euro). We see the gardens of Schönbrunn Palace, the Habsburgs' summer residence and one of Austria's most important historic buildings, the Hundertwasser House and its arcade with their unusual architecture, the imperial Hofburg Palace and historic Heroes' Square.

After the tour, guests who wish can join the optional extra classical music concert arranged by our guide (60 Euro) and experience Vienna's musical atmosphere live. Afterwards we transfer to our hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Hallstatt and St. Wolfgang

After breakfast at the hotel, guests who wish can join the optional extra Hidden Treasures of Austria and Lake District tour, visiting Hallstatt and St. Wolfgang (110 Euro).

Our first stop is Hallstatt, on the shore of Lake Hallstatt in Upper Austria. Set at the foot of the Alps and listed as a World Heritage Site, the village looks like a postcard in every season, with colourful historic houses, mountains all around and their reflections on the lake. Its history goes back 7000 years to the salt mines, and a prehistoric period, the "Hallstatt Culture", is named after it.

Next is St. Wolfgang, on the Wolfgangsee in the Salzkammergut. With medieval buildings, flower-decked wooden houses and narrow lanes looking over the lake, it is a place where time seems to stand still. The St. Wolfgang Church at its heart is known for its Gothic and Baroque altars; legend says it was built in the 10th century through a miracle of St. Wolfgang. The village is also known for its traditional cafés, boutique hotels and the historic Gasthof Weißes Rössl.

After the tour, guests who wish can join the optional extra Grinzing tour arranged by our guide (60 Euro). This wine village on the edge of Vienna, famous for its white wines, is known for its old buildings and traditional taverns, and we dine there to accordion and violin music. Afterwards we transfer to our hotel, followed by free time. Overnight at the hotel.

Cesky Krumlov to Prague

After breakfast we set off towards Prague. On the way, guests who wish can join the optional extra Český Krumlov tour (40 Euro). Sitting like an island in a loop of the Vltava River, this small town is a true medieval city on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Its two landmarks are St. Vitus Church and Český Krumlov Castle, built in the 13th century, from which the whole town can be seen. We then continue to Prague.

On arrival our panoramic city tour takes in Karlova Street, the Government Office building, Charles Bridge, Old Town Square, the Astronomical Clock and Pařížská Street. After the tour, guests who wish can join the optional extra Vltava River boat trip with dinner (60 Euro). We see Prague from the calm waters of the river and have a buffet dinner on board. Afterwards we transfer to our hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Karlovy Vary and Prague's Palaces

After breakfast at the hotel, guests who wish can join the optional extra Prague Masterpieces and Karlovy Vary tour (70 Euro). Founded in 1358 by King Charles 4, Karlovy Vary is a world-famous spa town, and during our free time we can stroll through its streets and shop for souvenirs.

Back in Prague, the Masterpieces tour covers the gardens of the Old Royal Palace, the Presidential Palace and the Lobkowicz and Rosenberg palaces, before we explore Malá Strana, the district that has kept the city's historic character. The tour ends with free time, and we then transfer to our hotel.

In the evening, guests who wish can join the optional extra Czech Night with dinner (70 Euro), tasting Czech cuisine at a local restaurant to folk dances and performances. Afterwards we return to our hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Terezin and Dresden

After breakfast at the hotel, guests who wish can join the optional extra tours to the Terezín camp (museum entry included, 50 Euro) and to Dresden (80 Euro).

Terezín is the largest Nazi camp in the Czech Republic. Built in 1780 as a small fortress, it was turned into a concentration camp when the Germans entered Czechoslovakia in World War 2. Jews, Roma and anyone who opposed the Nazi regime were held here under the label of a labour camp.

We then cross into Germany to Dresden, capital of Saxony, known for its rich cultural heritage and architecture. The sights include the Baroque Frauenkirche, the Zwinger Palace, the Brühl Terrace stretching along the Elbe with panoramic views of the city, and the Royal Palace. Free time for shopping follows. After the tour we transfer to our hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Flight Home

After breakfast at the hotel we transfer to the airport at the time set by our guide. After check-in and passport control we board AJet flight VF336, departing at 10.50 for Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport. We arrive at 14.25 local time, and our tour ends.