Overview
Itinerary
Arrive in Prague, the "City of 100 Spires." Behold ancient landmarks and medieval architecture. This evening, join your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. (D) Stay: Grandior Hotel (3 Nights)
Feel the magic and wonder of Prague amid the holiday season. Your introduction to this fairy-tale city begins with a panoramic tour. Explore the “Castle District,” including the gothic St. Vitus Cathedral and the majestic Prague Castle. Then decide how to further explore Prague because it's your choice! Learn more about the city's Jewish heritage and visit Europe's oldest active synagogue on a heritage tour -OR- board a boat to see a different side of Prague on a Vltava River cruise.
The remainder of your afternoon and evening is at leisure to take in the best Prague has to offer independently. Take in the iconic, statue-lined Charles Bridge, a picturesque structure stretching over the Vltava River, and don't miss the famous Christmas market in Prague's Old Town Square, where brightly decorated wooden huts are filled with the work of local artisans, and traditional food and drink are prepared right in front of you. (B)
Travel to Dresden, Germany, known as “Florence on the Elbe.” Meet a local guide for a tour highlighting its' baroque splendor and architectural treasures such as Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady) and the Royal Palace. Visit the world's oldest Christmas market – the Striezelmarkt – which has been delighting travelers and locals alike since 1434. Take time to explore the stalls overflowing with ornaments, sample local sweets and get lunch on your own before returning to Prague later in the afternoon. (B)
Depart Prague and travel through the scenic countryside on your way to Vienna, Austria. En route, make a stop in the medieval town of Ceský-Krumlov. Lined with towering Baroque architecture, explore the quaint-preserved streets independently and have time for lunch on your own. Continue to the one-of-a-kind Marchfelderhof Restaurant, a favorite since the 1800s of locals, visitors, and the famous alike. Indulge in dinner at the iconic Viennese restaurant rich with tradition.
Arrive in the grand city of Vienna, capital of Austria, aglow with holiday lights, and perhaps join your Tour Manager for an evening stroll. (B/D) Stay: InterContinental Hotel (2 Nights)
This morning, meet your local guide on a scenic bus ride and walking tour to Vienna's city center and behold the beautiful architecture, scenic parks, and gothic spires that fill the city. Learn more about Vienna's sweet confectionary history when you visit a candy workshop where candies are still being made according to traditional recipes dating back over 150 years. An afternoon at leisure allows time to visit the Christkindlmarkt, perhaps the biggest and most famous in the city, at the neo-gothic Rathaus City Hall.
Tonight, you may choose an option to explore the Christmas market and the interiors at the magnificent Schönbrunn Palace, together with a classical music performance at the famous Orangerie where the past comes alive. (B)
Hop aboard a train to Bratislava, the former Imperial capital of the Habsburg Empire. Enjoy free time to have lunch and explore some of the city's 4,000-year-old history independently – don't miss the charming Christmas markets! Continue through the Hungarian countryside to spend an afternoon at a beautiful rustic local restaurant preserving 200-years of typical Hungarian cultural and architectural traditions. Learn how to make traditional strudel before enjoying a typical Hungarian dinner.
Later this evening, arrive in Budapest, the "Queen of the Danube" and your home for the next 2 nights. Enjoy the evening on your own or join your Tour Manager for an evening walk. (B/D) Stay: Courtyard by Marriott Center Hotel (2 Nights)
Join a local expert for a panoramic tour of the city, where you'll discover the incredible neo-gothic marvel of Matthias Church atop Buda Castle Hill, the Fisherman's Bastion, the historic Old Buda and Gellert Hill, and the Parliament House.
This afternoon, enjoy some free time to explore Budapest on your own. Perhaps you will visit the cozy Christmas market at St. Stephen's Basilica with its ice rink and gorgeous tree, or head to the city's largest market at Vörösmarty Square brimming with food and crafts stalls where local musicians often perform.
This evening join your fellow travelers to toast the end of a festive trip at a farewell dinner. (B/D)
Say goodbye to these regal cities as your tour comes to a close today. (B)
Trip Inclusions
- Tour the majestic Prague Castle.
- Be whisked by train from Vienna to Bratislava.
- Visit 5 different countries filled with the holiday spirit.
- Visit the magnificent Schönbrunn Palace, a summer retreat of the Habsburg dynasty.
- Discover Budapest's iconic sights through the eyes of an expert.
- Experience the world's oldest Christmas market in lovely Dresden, Germany.
- Experience how to make typical Hungarian strudel.
- Learn the secrets of Viennese confectionary during a candy making demonstration.
- Dine at the famous Marchfelderhof, an iconic restaurant with a rich Viennese tradition.
- Expertly crafted itineraries
- 4-star+ accommodation
- Skilled and engaging tour managers
- Expert local guides with insider knowledge
- Attraction entrance fees
- Many meals full of local flavour
- Unparalleled sightseeing
- Enriching cultural experiences
- Comfortable on-tour transportation
- Hotel-to-hotel baggage handling
- Plus, access to Wi-Fi hotspots on tour
- This tour includes moderate physical activity. The itinerary blends some longer days with shorter days and more leisure time. Walking tours, as well as walking slightly longer distances, up stairs or on uneven walking surfaces should be expected.
- Private, chauffeur service is included for all air-inclusive tour bookings. This personalised service is included within a 40km radius from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra, Darwin, Cairns and Hobart airport gateways. Service is available between 41-70 kms for a small fee.
- Airport transfers at your arrival and departure destination are not included in the price of the tour.
- Itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and specified internal flights. International flights not included.
Trip Optionals These optional activities can be pre-booked & included in your trip price.
- Location: Pawtucket, RI. Cost: $185.
- You can now include pre-paid tipping into your guided tour purchase. You pay for your tipping up front, we handle the rest, and you can cross one more thing off your “To Do” list. No more running to an ATM at the last minute on tour, or carrying around cash you won’t spend. Transportation is not included Prepaid gratuities are only available to guests departing from Australia & New Zealand. This covers tips for the Tour Manager, driver(s), and local guides including optional tours. Airport transfer and extension gratuities are not included in this amount.
- Location: Vienna. Cost: $180.
- Experience an unforgettable evening at Schönbrunn Palace as you stroll through the Christmas market, explore the palace after-hours, and enjoy a concert in the Orangery. With its Christmas market, the Parade court in front of the Schönbrunn Palace becomes a winter wonderland, and bustling Christmas extravaganza. Inside the magnificent Schönbrunn Palace, take a special after-hours, audio-guided tour of the largest palace in Austria, once the summer residence of the Habsburg emperors. Away from the crowds, discover rooms filled with paintings, sculptures, and tapestries. Your palace tour concludes in the breathtaking Great Gallery, a Rococo masterpiece of gilt décor, ceiling frescos, and chandeliers. Then, the Schönbrunn Palace Orchestra awaits you in the Orangery with a concert featuring music from Mozart and Johann Strauss, as well as vocal performances. Duration approximately 6 hour(s). Transportation is included. A minimum of 12 passenger(s) is required to operate this option.
Brochure
Collette Worldwide (2024-25)
Availability
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you enquire. Additional savings may apply. We guarantee the lowest price in Australia. T&C’s apply.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Collette. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from Collette. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
