Imperial Capitals of Eastern Europe

DAY 1

Arrival at Vienna Airport or train station. Coach transfer with English- speaking assistant and porterage. According to flight or train arrival time, a brief city orientation tour could be followed by a light buffet lunch at the hotel or a 3 course lunch at a local restaurant. Either option can be arranged prior to checkin at a city center hotel. The rest of the day at leisure. That evening, a 3 course dinner with coffee and 1 glass of beer or wine at the hotel. A second and more festive option for the evening, a "Welcome To Vienna Party" at the hotel. A third option would be dinner at a Viennese Wine Tavern (coach or a very special streetcar transfer would be necessary for this final choice). .

DAY 2

After breakfast, a full day city sightseeing tour including lunch at the famous Restaurant Griechenbeisl. The tour lasts about 6-7 hours including lunch and shows Vienna's most important sites beginning along the Ringstrasse with its magnificent and impressive buildings. They include; the State Opera House, the Hofburg Palace (former winter residence of the Hapsburgs), the National Museums, the Parliament, the Burgtheater, the Musikverein (Vienna's Philharmonic Orchestra), the University, the Votivkirche and Karlskirche (Vienna's most beautiful baroque church). A highlight of the tour is an interior visit of the world famous Schoenbrunn Palace with its lavishly decorated rooms showing the glamour of past times. There will be plenty of free time after the tour.

That evening dinner can be on their own or at Restaurant Daniel which is a semi-elegant but cozy restaurant located in the city center next to one of Vienna's fine musical theaters. The owner/chef guarantees the finest of Austrian and international cuisine in his 60 seat restaurant.

For those groups with larger budgets, and who plan far enough in advance, it is always possible to arrange a gala dinner event with classical music entertainment in one of Vienna's many grand Palaces. It is, however, most cost effective with 50 or more people and the manner of dress must be most appropriate for a splendid evening such as this.

DAY 3

After breakfast, we recommend a half day excursion to discover "Medieval Austria". The tour begins with a visit to the fortress of Kreuzenstein which was originally built in the 12th century. It was destroyed during the 30 Year's War but rebuilt at the end of the 19th century by Count Wilczek who also founded one of the most valuable collections of medieval furniture. The guided tour through the fortress, which is still private property, gives the visitors a feeling of how our ancestors used to live. In the 14th century it was a privilege of aristocracy to hunt with wild birds such as; eagles, falcons and owls. Specially trained birds will perform this art in a special show at the fortress. Please be advised that the birds fly only in dry weather. If it rains, or during the entire winter season, the guests will instead see the medieval Altar of Verdun dating from the 12th century at the impressive Monastery of Klosterneuburg. At the end of the excursion guests would be transported back to the hotel. A late lunch would be on their own with the balance of the afternoon free for shopping and individual sightseeing.

A second itinerary option would be a full day coach excursion combined with a Danube River cruise through the beautiful Wachau Valley west of Vienna. A walking tour of the village of Durnstein and a tour of the Melk Abbey are also highlights of the program. A group lunch could be planned in a small village or town along the way.

Dinner can be on their own upon arrival back in Vienna or, may we recommend a group dinner at the Restaurant Sacher in the Hotel Sacher in the city center located just opposite of the Viennese State Opera and within a few minutes walk of other major tourist sites. The Hotel Sacher has become a world famous Austrian institution. The Sacher offers great tradition and atmosphere. Its long history can be experienced in rooms adorned with splendid collections of old oil paintings and valuable etchings. The Blue Bar is a popular meeting place and the Kaffeehaus is typical for Vienna with its 19th century furniture and portraits of the former royal family. It was in this cafe that the original dessert, the Sachertorte, was invented. Today this cake is enjoyed by visitors from all over the world. The historic marble hall offers an elegant setting for banquets, conferences and presentations with smaller private rooms also available for functions.

DAY 4

After breakfast, the coach awaits to take visitors on to their next destination, be it Prague or Budapest. As there is a choice to be made on how we get to this next location, let's review those options.

First choice, would be to transport visitors to the appropriate Vienna rail station for a train trip (1st or 2nd class tickets are available) to Prague in about 5 hours, or to Budapest in 3+ hours. If this is your choice, a motorcoach will await their arrival at the rail station in either city and transfer them to their hotel.

Second choice, would be a full day motorcoach transfer. This option would Depend specifically on which city is next on the agenda. Listed below are those options.

VIENNA-BUDAPEST TRANSFER The motorcoach will proceed from Vienna to the Hungarian border then continue along the Danube River to Esztergom. This city was once the royal residence in the 13th century. It is still the ecclesiastical center (also the Archbishops' See) and it commands a bluff overlooking the river's most scenic stretch where it takes a dramatic turn to the south upon reaching Hungary's northeastern mountains. Hence the area's nickname: The Danube Bend.

Upon arrival, and after 2.5 hours coach ride from Vienna, guests will see The breathtaking Basilica of Esztergom with its Treasury. A short organ concert of Liszt's Coronation Mass will be performed. This piece of music was specifically composed for the Basilica's inauguration in 1856.

Afterwards, guests will board a rented boat for the final leg of the journey, sailing down the majestic Danube River to Budapest. Quaint riverside villages and medieval castles can be seen along the way. A light lunch can be arranged onboard along with liquid refreshments and entertainment, if requested. Recommended departure time from Vienna would be 8:30 AM with approximate arrival time at the Budapest pier of 3:30 PM.

VIENNA-PRAGUE TRANSFER There are actually two options to consider. One is through the Southern Moravia region of the Czech Republic to Telc. The historical and cultural importance of this lovely city is demonstrated by its status as a UNESCO listed city. The vast main square features gothic ramparts and gates, as well as gothic, renaissance and baroque houses. The castle with its original interior decoration belongs among the jewels of the renaissance. Telc is a perfect place to break for a group lunch as the drive from Vienna is approximately 2 hours with an additional 2 hours on the coach before reaching Prague.

The second option is through Brno, the capital of Moravia. Brno is the second largest city in the Czech Republic. It is an important center for industry, trade, congresses, fairs, culture and sports. The city is overlooked by the Dome of St. Peter and Paul, plus, the baroque fortification of Spielberg. The city center features renaissance houses, palaces and churches. A group lunch may be taken at the Spielberg Restaurant or a Moravian tavern resembling the style of Moravian farm houses. The drive from Vienna to Brno is about 3 hours. From Brno it is a drive of 2.5 hours along the highway to Prague.