Prague to Budapest

Arrival at the Vaclav Havel International airport. Transfer by private car or van to your hotel. Rest of the day and dinner at your own. 

Overnight in Prague

Breakfast at the hotel. Meeting with your guide at the hotel reception. Depart by car to the Prague Castle. 

Visit of the St Vitus cathedral, an imposing Gothic building and the dominant of the castle, then in the former Royal Palace you will pass by the Vladislav Hall and the old Diet Hall. St. George’s Basilica, a beautiful Romanesque building, is one of the oldest churches in Prague. Its colorful Baroque facade contrasts with the whiteness of its two Romanesque towers. It houses the relics of St. Ludmila, patroness of the Kingdom of Bohemia. The Golden Lane and its houses in pastel colors housed, according to legend, the goldsmiths or alchemists of Rudolph II in the sixteenth. Franz Kafka lived there between 1916 and 1917. 

Then you will walk to Malá Strana, the Lesser Town, located on the left bank of the Vltava River. It was for a long time the district of privileged residence of the aristocracy and deserves well nickname of “pearl of the baroque”. You will see the Church of St. Nicholas located on the square of Malá Strana (Malostranské náměstí). This church is undoubtedly the masterpiece of Czech baroque architecture of the early eighteenth century. You will the cross the famous Charles Bridge, the emblematic monument of the city decorated with Baroque statues of the eighteenth century and connecting Mala Strana to the Old Town of Prague. 

During the rest of your day you will walk in the Old Town, the oldest part of the city of Prague together with the Prague Castle and Malá Strana. It offers over a thousand years of history to its visitors in an incredible mix of architectural styles. Among the highlights of the Old Town, you will see during the visit the Old Town Square with the Town Hall and its famous 15th century astronomical clock, the Church of Our Lady of Týn, the Kinský Palace and the church St Nicolas. The Republic Square (Náměstí Republiky) where stands the Municipal House and the Powder Tower which marks one of the entrances to the old town. The famous State Theater where Mozart personally directed his opera “The Marriage of Figaro” and the premiere of his opera “Don Giovanni”. Not to mention the Carolinum, the Charles University of Prague which is the oldest university in Central Europe. Your visit will end at your hotel. 

Your car/van will pick you up for a dinner and cruise on the Vltava River. The dinner lasts approximately 2h30. Transfer back to your hotel. 

Overnight in Prague. (B, D)

After breakfast, meet your guide at the hotel reception. Today we travel to South Bohemia to see the picturesque Český Krumlov, a small town with a population of 12,000 people. It is a well-known and one of the most visited  tourist destination in the country. The historic center with the Český Krumlov Castle complex is protected and has been a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992 because of its well-preserved Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture In the castle, you will learn about the lives of the aristocracy as well as visit the beautifully decorated Masquerade Hall. The tour also includes a visit to the gardens.

Overnight in Prague (B)

After breakfast, meet your driver at the hotel and depart for Bratislava. You will reach Bratislava in approximately 3.5 hours. Stop in Bratislava for a short city tour with a local guide and lunch (not included). After a 2-hour stop, continue to Budapest. Reach Budapest in 2 hours. 

Overnight in Budapest (B)

Today you will see and visit the most prominent sights on the Buda side of Budapest.

You will drive to the top of Gellért Hill to enjoy the most breathtaking views of the city. The Liberation Monument, an iconic communist-era memorial, can also be found here. We will stop by the Gellért spa lobby to admire the excellent example of outstanding art nouveau architecture and to learn more about Hungarian spa culture. Visit the Cave Church, set up in a natural cave, unlike most Catholic churches.

Continue to Budapest's oldest area, the castle district, spanning back to the Middle Ages. You can walk through the cobblestoned alleyways, narrow patios, and peaceful sidewalks, as well as see Matthias Church and the Fishermen's Bastion, which has a lovely observation terrace. This neighborhood also features the spectacular Royal Palace, which now houses various museums.

The second half of the day is dedicated to the Communist past of Hungary. During the tour, you will see the unique collection of communist statues at Memento Park outside of Budapest that are examples of social realism art. You will also see places related to the failed 1956 uprising, a desperate attempt to break free from communism. The freedom fighters couldn't be honored until the dictatorship ended in 1989. You will also visit a variety of memorial sites. You will be able to learn firsthand from your guide about what it was like to live under communism, and how much has changed since its fall.

In the afternoon Danube cruise with dinner and folk performance (no transport)

Overnight in Budapest (B, D)

This tour will take you to the most notable landmarks on the Pest side of the capital.

This side of the city is still a reflection of the golden age and prosperous times, that Hungary experienced between 1867 and 1918, as part of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy.

We will drive to Heroes' Square, and learn about Hungarian history in a nutshell by viewing the monuments of the most important historical personalities.

Later, we pay a visit to St. Stephen Basilica, Budapest's largest and most beautiful church. Walk around the administrative district, view many memorials from World War II, the 1956 anti-communist revolt, and the cold war, and see the amazing and stunning Hungarian Houses of Parliament.

In the afternoon, you can stroll through City Park, visit Széchenyi Spa, and view Vajdahunyad Castle, which was built for the World's Fair in 1896.

Return to the hotel on your own.

Overnight in Budapest (B)

Today we travel north of Budapest along the Danube River . Our first stop is Esztergom, the ecclesiastical hub of Hungary and home to the country's largest Roman Catholic church. Slovakia is already on the other side of the river.

After viewing this beautiful structure, the journey continues to Visegrád, which was once a royal home and features the ruins of a 13th century stronghold. You can also enjoy a stunning panoramic view of the Danube River while discovering more about the rich history of the area.

The final stop is Szentendre, a charming baroque artists' village with  a unique architectural style and atmosphere due to the large number of Serbian refugees who settled here in the 17th century. At the turn of the century, it was also the home and workshop for hundreds of artists. It is famous for its colorful buildings, small cobblestoned streets and patios, antique shops, museums, and cafés. It's also a nice area to go shopping and have lunch.

Overnight in Budapest (breakfast)

Breakfast at your hotel. Transfer by car/van to the Budapest airport according your flying schedule.