Insight Vacations European Fall Winter and Spring - TPI Worldwide

Vienna, Pragueand budapestand Christmas MarketsTour Pace - This well paced tour is designedto introduce you to three different cities - each withits own story to tell. The two night stops in Pragueand Budapest allow time in the afternoon forshopping or your own activities.Hotels - The Vienna Hilton and Diplomat inPrague are both contemporary in style. While theRadisson SAS Beke in Budapest is more traditional.All are well located in these capital cities to allowyou to make the most of your time at leisure.Fellow Passengers - This tour is popularwith those who want to experience the highlights ofEastern Europe in the space of a week. Medievaltown squares, glistening with snow or Christmaslights, also appeal to the romantic at heart.Highlights - Cesky Krumlov in winter is ascene straight out of a Christmas card! While thesize and preservation of Prague’s historic centre isunrivalled in Europe. The tour culminateshistorically, with a visit to Schönbrunn Palace.Charles Bridge, Pragueff26-27DAY 1 – DEPART CANADA. Overnight flight to Vienna.DAY 2 – ARRIVE VIENNA. Welcome to Vienna! On arrival at Vienna Airport there aretransfers to your hotel at 09.00, 12.00 and 15.00 hours. The rest of the day is at leisure. Maybe strollamid the statues of the city's greatest musicians in the City Park? Or browse among the temptingwindow displays on the Karntner Strasse? As night falls, enjoy a Welcome Drink with your fellowtravelers and Tour Director. Hotel: Hilton.DAY 3 – VIENNA – PRAGUE. Leave Vienna and cross the Czech border to visit enchantingCesky Krumlov, nestled on the banks of the Vltava River. On days when snow blankets the oldmedieval buildings, and the smell of wood smoke pervades through the narrow cobbled streets, onecould be forgiven for thinking they had stepped into a scene straight out of a Christmas card! Spendsome time here exploring the little back lanes and arch covered footpaths - not forgetting theoutstanding castle which overlooks the town, considered by many to be the country's finest. Thisafternoon, continue north through the forested countryside of Bohemia to 'Golden Prague' - sonamed for its gleaming gilded spires. Hotel: Diplomat. (BB,D)DAY 4 – PRAGUE SIGHTSEEING. Sightseeing this morning with your local guide revealsthe highlights of the Czech capital, spreading either side of the Vltava river. Begin at the lofty heightsof Prague Castle, dominated by the spires of St. Vitus' Cathedral. Walk through medieval cobbledstreets, past beautiful palaces, and enjoy a spectacular view over the whole city. Now descend to theOld Town Square to see the astronomical clock. For those traveling in December, be sure to grab asausage and some hot wine at the brightly decorated Christmas Markets! If you’re lucky, you mighteven see school children in traditional dress, who come to dance and sing for the crowd. (BB)DAY 5 – PRAGUE – BUDAPEST. The smooth motorway winds through peaceful farmland tothe border with Slovakia. It was only in 1993, after more than 75 years of relatively calm coexistence,that the Czech and Slovak Republics split. You arrive in the fortified capital of Bratislava by lunch time.Bratislava has not only been part of Czechoslovakia, but has also belonged to Austria and Hungaryduring its long history - in fact, for a time, it was even capital of Hungary. Time here to walk from thebanks of the Danube to the Old Town’s historic squares; all the while the four towered BratislavaCastle looms over the city. The Hungarian (and Austrian) border is only a proverbial stone’s throw away.Your destination is elegant Budapest, 'Queen of the Danube' - a grand metropolis and once the secondcity of the mighty Hapsburg Empire! Hotel: Radisson SAS Beke. (BB,D)DAY 6 – BUDAPEST SIGHTSEEING. This morning a local guide acquaints you both Budaand Pest, divided by the river, yet linked by the mighty Chain Bridge and the newer, elegant ElizabethBridge. First stroll the quaint lanes of the old town of Buda, perched high above the Danube, lookingover the commercial and shopping centre of Pest. Admire the view from the Fisherman's Bastion, andvisit Matthias Church, with its incredible interior decoration. Now enjoy another fine view from theold citadel on Gellert Hill, before crossing the Danube to the commercial Pest district. See thegrandiose Parliament building and imposing statues of the ancestors of the Hungarian people inHeroes’ Square. This afternoon is at leisure. Perhaps join the shoppers amid the boutiques of Vacistreet? In December, the street will be gaily lit and the Christmas fair will be in full swing! (BB)DAY 7 – BUDAPEST – VIENNA. A leisurely drive today returns you to Vienna for yourafternoon sightseeing tour with a local guide who will reveal all the highlights of this grand city. Firsta visit the glorious Schonbrunn Palace, built as a summer residence for Maria Theresia during theGolden Age of the Hapsburg Empire. Now into the city centre to tour the Ring Street. Passmagnificent St Charles' church, the Vienna State Opera House, the soaring spires of the City Hall andthe Parliament. Finally catch a glimpse of Strauss in the Stadtpark before free time for shopping thisafternoon. This evening, enjoy a Highlight Dinner at a local restaurant. Hotel: Hilton. (BB,HD)DAY 8 – RETURN TO CANADA. Transfers arrive at Vienna Airport at 07.00 and 09.00 hourswhere your tour ends. (BB)