Central Europe Prague, Vienna and Budapest Tour

We meet in front of the Turkish Airlines counter at the Istanbul Airport International Departures Terminal 3 hours before departure. After completing baggage, ticket and passport procedures, we depart for Prague at 06.45 on Turkish Airlines flight TK1767. Upon arrival at 08:20 local time, we begin our Prague city tour. Sights on the tour include Karlova Street, the Prime Minister’s Office, Charles Bridge, Old Town Square, the Astronomical Clock and Paris Street. After the city tour, guests may join the optional Vltava River Boat Tour with Dinner at an extra cost (60 Euro). During this tour, we enjoy views of Prague as we sail along the Vltava River and have a buffet dinner on board. After the tour, we transfer to our hotel. We spend the night at the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, guests who wish may join the optional Prague Masterpieces and Karlovy Vary Tour at an extra charge (70 Euro). Founded by King Charles 4 in 1358, Karlovy Vary is a world-renowned thermal spa town. During free time here, you can walk around the town and shop for souvenirs. After the visit, we return to Prague. On the Prague Masterpieces Tour, we see the gardens of the Old Royal Palace, the Presidential Palace, and the Lobkowicz and Rosenberg palaces. We then explore the Mala Strana district, which retains Prague’s historic character, and conclude the tour with free time. Afterwards, we transfer to our hotel. In the evening, guests who wish may join the optional Czech Night Tour (Dinner Included) at an extra charge (70 Euro). At a local restaurant, we sample Czech cuisine while watching local dances and performances. At the end of the tour, we transfer to our hotel. We spend the night at the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, guests who wish may join the optional Terezin Camp tour (50 Euro), with museum admission included, and the optional Dresden Tour (80 Euro), both at an extra charge. Terezin is the largest Nazi camp in the Czech Republic. Built in 1780 as a small fortress, it was converted into a concentration camp when the Germans entered Czechoslovakia during World War 2. Jews, Roma and anyone who opposed the Nazi regime were held here under the guise of a labour camp. After visiting Terezin, our first stop will be Dresden, the capital of the German state of Saxony. Dresden is known for its cultural heritage and architecture. The sights we will see include the Baroque Frauenkirche Church, Zwinger Palace, Brühl’s Terrace, which runs along the Elbe River and offers panoramic views of the city, and the Royal Palace. Afterwards, there will be free time for shopping. At the end of the tour, we will transfer to our hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for Vienna. Guests who wish can join the optional Cesky Krumlov Tour along the way at an extra cost (40 Euro). Cesky Krumlov is a medieval town on the UNESCO heritage list, appearing like an island among the bends of the Vltava River. We explore the town during the tour. St. Vitus Church and Cesky Krumlov Castle, built in the 13th century, are among its notable landmarks. You can view the entire town from the castle. After the tour, we continue to Vienna. Austria’s capital brings together its imperial heritage and contemporary cultural life. Known as a centre of classical music, the city has hosted performances of works by Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert and Strauss. Its opera houses, palaces and wide boulevards reflect its long connection with art and culture. Sights on the city tour include Stephansdom (St. Stephen’s Cathedral), Kunsthistroisches Museum with its important art collections, Staatsoper (Opera House), the Baroque Karl Church and Maria Teresa Square. Guests who wish can then join the optional Vienna Step by Step Tour at an extra cost (50 Euro).

After breakfast at the hotel, guests who wish may join the optional Austria’s Hidden Treasures and Lake District (Hallstat & St Wolfgang) Tour (110 Euro). The first stop will be Hallstatt, located on the shores of Lake Hallstätter in Austria’s Upper Austria region. This town at the foot of the Alps is on the World Heritage List. It is known for its colorful historic houses, scenery reflected in the lake, and surrounding mountains. Its history, linked to salt mining, dates back 7000 years. A prehistoric period is also known as the Hallstatt Culture. Our next stop will be St. Wolfgang, on the shores of Lake Wolfgangsee in Austria’s Salzkammergut region. The town has examples of medieval architecture, wooden houses decorated with flowers, and narrow streets with lake views. St. Wolfgang Church in the center is known for its Gothic and Baroque altars. According to legend, the church was built in the 10th century through a miracle by Saint Wolfgang. The town is also known for its cafés, boutique hotels, and the historic Gasthof Weißes Rössl hotel, which reflect traditional Austrian culture.

After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for Budapest. Along the way, we take the Bratislava Tour, which is included in the tour price. During our tour of Slovakia’s capital, we see Bratislava Castle, known for its architecture and panoramic views of Bratislava; the Old Town (Stare Mesto), the city’s cultural and historical centre; the City Clock Tower; the Gothic-style St. Martin’s Cathedral; and the Cumil statue, believed to bring good luck. After the tour, we continue to Budapest. Our panoramic city tour includes sights such as Heroes’ Square, Octagon Square, the Historic Ice Skating Hall, Vajdahunyad Castle, Andrassy Avenue and the Opera House. In the evening, guests who wish can join the optional Budapest Masterpieces and Danube River Boat Tour, organised by our guide at an extra charge (35 Euro). During the 1-hour boat tour on the Danube River, a symbol of the city lined with important historic buildings, we take photos of Budapest while enjoying a drink served on board. After the tour, we transfer to our hotel and stay overnight.

After breakfast at the hotel, guests who wish can join the optional Budapest Step by Step and Szetendre tour (60 Euro). Our tour starts in central Budapest, with the Castle District as our first stop. We walk along Lords Street to Fisherman’s Bastion, where we view the Danube River and the Parliament building. We then continue to Vörösmarty Square, Parliament and the shopping street Váci Utca. There is free time during this part of the tour. We then depart for Szentendre. With its narrow, winding streets, stone houses and colourful balconies, Szentendre resembles a Mediterranean town and is steeped in art and history. Located at the entrance to the summer retreat area known as the Danube Bend, the town is a place where Budapest residents come to relax and artists find inspiration. As you walk around, you can browse shops selling handmade tablecloths, glass and porcelain ornaments, traditional 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 Hungarian Night tour (70 Euro). Traditional dishes are served at a Hungarian restaurant with unlimited wine, water and local soft drinks.

After breakfast at the hotel, we transfer to the airport at the time specified by the guide. After completing baggage, ticket and passport procedures, we depart for Istanbul Airport at 20.30 on Turkish Airlines flight TK1038. We arrive at 23.40 local time, and our tour ends.