The Bohemian

Walk in the footsteps of Prague's Bohemian Kings and fall under the spell of Cesky Krumlov. Testify to the legacy of the Hapsburgs in Vienna, Budapest and Bratislava.

Included Premium Highlights

    * In Vienna enjoy a guided visit to the magnificent Schönbrunn Palace & gardens
    * Explore the medieval streets of Cesky Krumlov & see the castle overlooking the town
    * Explore the maze of lanes, churches & colourful houses in the riverside village of Szentendre

Included Personal Insights

    * An entrée to the history & significance of Viennese café culture

Included Other Excursions & Sights

    * See the Hofburg, Opera House, Parliament building & St Charles' Church in Vienna
    * Visit Prague's Old Town Square & see the Astronomical Clock
    * Admire the stained glass windows of St Vitus Cathedral in Prague Castle
    * See Brno's formidable Spilberk fortress & baroque Cathedral of Sts Peter & Paul
    * Views from Bratislava Castle & stroll the old town to the medieval Town Hall
    * Visit the splendid Coronation Cathedral in Esztergom
    * Visit the Citadel in Visegrád for stunning views over the Danube Bend
    * Drive along the Danube to see the ruins of the Roman settlement of Aquincum
    * Visit Matthias Church in Buda's old Castle District & visit to Heroes' Square in Pest
    * Enjoy panoramic views over Budapest from Gellert Hill & from the Fisherman's Bastion

Included First Class Services

    * Escorted by a professional Tour Director
    * Headsets for all guided visits & walking tours
    * Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with extended leg room & on-board restroom
    * Insight Hotels include all service charges, taxes & porterage
    * Insight Traveller document wallet, map book journal & information pack
    * Airport arrival & departure transfers at scheduled times on Day 1 & Day 9
    * Should your flights not coincide with these arrival & departure transfers, please make your own way to/from the airport

Included Quality Dining

    * Choose from our selection of restaurants in Prague for your Dine-Around Evening (DA)
    * Highlight Dinner with gypsy music in Budapest (HD)
    * 8 full breakfasts (BB), 1 three-course table d'hôte Dinners plus tea or coffee (D)
 

ITINERARY Insight Vacations - The Bohemian

Tour Pace

This tour has been expertly planned at a leisurely pace, with two night stays in the three main cities – Vienna, Budapest & Prague. There are no long travelling days on this compact tour; a perfect introduction to the region of former Eastern Europe!

Day 1 - VIENNA AT LEISURE

On arrival at Vienna Airport, your airport transfer leaves for the tour hotel at 09:00, 11:00, 13:00 & 15:00. For those arriving into Budapest Airport, your transfer departs at 13.00 to go to the hotel in Vienna. Vienna is famous for its delicious coffees and pastries so, after checking in, why not stroll to a local café? Or take a walk through the Stadtpark to see the statue of Strauss. Later, meet your Tour Director for a Welcome Reception with drink and a light meal followed by time to relax.

Hotel: Hilton

Meals: Welcome Reception

Day 2 - VIENNA SIGHTSEEING

This morning join your local guide for a private tour of Maria Theresa’s Schönbrunn Palace and formal gardens. Then get your cameras ready for a drive around the famous ring road. This grand boulevard, built along the lines of the old city walls, show-cases many of the capital’s architectural masterpieces, including the Opera House, magnificent Hofburg Imperial Residence and Parliament building. The afternoon is at leisure.

Meals: Buffet Breakfast

Day 3 - VIENNA – CESKY KRUMLOV

Journey north to Cesky Krumlov, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best preserved medieval towns in Europe. Set on a bend of the Vltava, there is time here to wander through the cobblestone, traffic free streets, past colourful townhouses and centuries old inns, cafes and shops. Enjoy a guided visit to the finest castle in the land, founded by the Lords of Krumlov around 1253. Your charming hotel is located right on the town square.

Hotel: The Old Inn

Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Dine Around

Day 4 - CESKY KRUMLOV – PRAGUE

Enjoy a delightful drive through the Bohemian countryside to ‘Golden’ Prague - so called for its gleaming gilded spires. Join your expert local guide for a sightseeing tour which begins with the 1,000-year-old Hradcany Castle and majestic St Vitus’ Cathedral. Descend to the Old Town, where the tour concludes at the fascinating Astronomical Clock in the city square. This evening, choose from a selection of mouth-watering menus on a special Dine-Around evening.

Hotel: President

Meals: Buffet Breakfast

Day 5 - PRAGUE AT LEISURE

A full day at leisure to explore one of Europe’s most enchanting cities. Shop for fine Bohemian crystal, Carlsbad porcelain or superb costume jewelry; treasures for which the Czech Republic is world-famous. You may like to visit the Jewish quarter where the world’s oldest synagogue still operates, or enjoy a pleasant walk across Charles Bridge to the cobbled streets of Mala Strana the “Lesser Town”. Certainly take some time to admire the fairy tale architecture of this city that was once the medieval seat of the Holy Roman Empire.

Meals: Buffet Breakfast

Day 6 - PRAGUE – BRATISLAVA

It’s away through the beautiful forested countryside of Bohemia this morning. Skirt the major industrial centre of Brno to drive through the wine-producing area of South Moravia. After crossing the Slovakian border, continue to the capital of Bratislava. Upon arrival, see the presidential palace before taking a leisurely walk through the Old Town, stopping at the medieval Town Hall. Also ascend to the imposing 9C castle, perched high above the Danube, for panoramic views over three countries.

Hotel: Sheraton

Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Dinner

Day 7 - BRATISLAVA – ESZTERGOM – SZENTENDRE – BUDAPEST

Skirt the foothills of the Little Carpathian Mountains before crossing the Danube at Komarom to enter Hungary. Stop a while in Esztergom for a visit to the splendid cathedral. Then continue to Visegrád, where the castle walls and Solomon’s Tower are all that remain of the town’s regal splendour. Walk up to the Citadel for breath-taking views across the Danube Bend. An authentic two course lunch typical of the region is included. A fascinating drive along the Danube leads you to the picturesque riverside village of Szentendre. This community has long been the haunt of artists, enchanted by its brightly coloured houses and quaint churches. The sparse remains of the Roman settlement of Aquincum, announce your arrival in Budapest.

Hotel: InterContinental

Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Highlight Lunch

Day 8 - BUDAPEST SIGHTSEEING

Begin your included sightseeing tour with a view across the Danube from Gellert Hill. Then ascend to the heart of Buda’s medieval Castle District to visit Matthias Church and take in the vista of the immense Parliament building from the Fisherman’s Bastion. Cross the Danube to the Pest district to visit Heroes’ Square and drive down elegant Andrassy Boulevard. The afternoon is set aside for you to shop or explore at your own pace. As night falls, get together for a lively farewell Celebration Dinner with wine and traditional Gypsy music.

Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Celebration Dinner

Day 9 - BUDAPEST OR VIENNA AIRPORT

Your tour comes to an end after breakfast. Your scheduled transfer arrives at Budapest Airport at 08:00 then continues to Vienna airport arriving at 12.00 noon.

Meals: Buffet Breakfast
 

Your Insight tour already includes a host of bonus highlights and comprehensive sightseeing. However, there is an exciting array of optional excursions which will turn an already amazing experience into the trip ofa lifetime! These are entirely optional and can be booked through your Tour Director/Local Representative at the commencement of your tour. All prices are quoted in local currency. Payment can be made in cash or by Visa, Mastercard or American Express. To help your pre-tour budgeting we suggest you allow approximately EURO 45 per person per day for optional excursions.

VIE14A - DINNER AND GALA VIENNESE CONCERT
We will enjoy a delicious meal of Viennese specialities, with drinks, followed by a wonderful concert of Viennese classical music including some of the most famous works of Johann Strauss and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, performed by some of the most highly acclaimed soloists and dancers in Austria. A glass of champagne is included during the interval. EURO 47

VIE01 - IMPERIAL VIENNA
A visit to see the fabulous Imperial Treasury of the Austrian and Holy Roman Empire or the Crypts and Vaults of the Imperial Family and the world famous Opera House (when accessible). EURO 36

VIE06 - DINNER IN A COUNTRY MANSION
We see the famous Prater Amusement Park, then cross the Danube to arrive at one of the most famous restaurants in Austria. Former patrons include Napoleon, the Emperor Franz Joseph, Luciano Pavarotti, Liz Taylor and Arnold Schwarzenegger. In this historic country mansion we will enjoy a delicious dinner in one of the elegant dining rooms. Choose your main dish from various Austrian specialties and enjoy the live music and unlimited drinks. EURO 60

PRG03 - ROMANTIC PRAGUE BY NIGHT
Enjoy your introduction to Prague. Start with an evening river cruise through the old city with drinks included. We then explore the narrow medieval streets either by miniature motorized train or minibus. (Occasionally this excursion may be operated without the river cruise at EURO 33). EURO 45

PRG12 - JEWISH PRAGUE
his tour shows us an aspect of Prague's history that has had a significant impact on the city's development since the medieval era. We visit two of the many synagogues as well as Europe's oldest surviving Jewish cemetery, all in the heart of the old town. EURO 31

PRG02 - TRADITIONAL DINNER & FOLKLORE ENTERTAINMENT
We sample unique Czech cuisine including the local beer in a local restaurant! During dinner a local group of musicians dressed in traditional costumes will entertain you with song and dance. EURO 51

PRG13 - DAY TRIP TO DRESDEN
A chance today to cross to Germany to visit the beautiful baroque city of Dresden, often referred to as 'Florence on the Elbe' due to its wealth of artistic treasures and architectural jewels. Our guide will show us the Renaissance Zwinger Palace and Semper Opera House, with a visit to the Green Vault. Free time for lunch and to shop for souvenirs before returning via the Saxony Mountains. EURO 59

BUD04 - DANUBE CRUISE DINNER & DRINKS
The most leisurely way to discover this fairy-tale city is a guided cruise on the Danube. You will see Margaret Island, the Parliament Building, Castle Hill with the Fisherman's Bastion, the Royal Palace, the Citadel and the University while enjoying a sumptuous buffet and fine Hungarian wine. EURO 55

BUD9A - TREASURES OF BUDAPEST
The Hungarian Parliament building is one of the largest and most ornate parliamentary buildings in the world. On a private guided tour of this Gothic-revival marvel we see the Hungarian crown jewels along with the Crown of St. Stephan. The next stop is recently restored St. Stephen's Basilica dedicated to the patron saint of Hungary, with its imposing renaissance-inspired dome. Our tour concludes with a visit to the atmospheric Central Market Hall with time for strolling and shopping. EURO 38