Grand Eastern European Cities

The capital and also largest city of the Czech Republic, Prague has been a political, cultural and economic epicentre of the central Europe over the centuries, giving it a unique and rich history. Its Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture offer a chronological narrative of the city’s intriguing past, as the capital of the Kingdom of Bohemia and the main residence of a number of Holy Roman Emperors. Much of Prague’s cultural sites of significance fortunately survived the destruction of the World Wars which ravaged much of Europe. The historical centre has been Listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO SINCE 1992 and here you can find the main attractions of Charles Bridge, Prague Castle, Old Town Square and Prague Astronomical clock among several others. With more than ten major museums, numerous theatres such as The National Theatre, art galleries and cinemas, Prague is also the hub of Czech culture.

Enjoy a privately guided walking tour of the old town in Prague, where you will be shown the historical center of the capital. The Old Town is among the oldest and by far the most beautiful district in the Czech Capital of Prague. The core of the historical center is Old Town Square, which started as a marketplace in the 10th century and has been the site for many political and cultural events that have shaped the history of Prague. The ancient cobbled lanes form a mysterious maze in which even the most orientated is bound to get lost. This historic centre has seen continuous urban development from the Middle Ages to the present, resulting in an architectural ensemble of outstanding quality, which led to it being listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Take a stroll through Prague's Jewish Quarter (Josefov), located between the Old Town Square and the Vltava River, known as one of the most impressive places in the country. The Jewish quarter of Prague has, since 1992, been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, further validating its significance not only as a reminder of the tragic history of the 20th century, but also for its undeniable beauty and charm. It used to be the largest Jewish ghetto in Europe, and its Old Jewish Cemetery is the most remarkable of its kind on the continent.

The Jewish Quarter has six synagogues, including the Spanish Synagogue and Old-New Synagogue, the Jewish Ceremonial Hall, and the Old Jewish Cemetery, the most remarkable of its kind in Europe. The monuments even survived the Nazi occupation in the 20th century. Adolf Hitler himself decided to preserve the Jewish Quarter as a “Museum of an Extinct Race”. In fact, the Nazis gathered Jewish artifacts from other occupied countries, transporting them to Prague to form part of the museum. Today, these historical monuments, all except the Old-New Synagogue, form what is called the Jewish Museum in Prague. The Jewish Quarter is also the birthplace of the celebrated writer Franz Kafka, who is commemorated with a statue on Dusni Street.

You will be transferred in private vehicle to the Prague Castle. Prague Castle is the largest coherent castle complex in the world, with an area of almost 70,000 m². A UNESCO World Heritage site, it consists of a large-scale composition of palaces and ecclesiastical buildings of various architectural styles, from the remains of Romanesque-style buildings from the 10th century through Gothic modifications of the 14th century.

Enjoy a private guided tour of the library at Strahov Monastery. This library played an important role in Czech history and it is home to roughly 200,000 old prints, mostly from the period between the 16th and the 18th century, around 3000 manuscripts and 1,500 first prints. One of the most precious items is the Strahov Evangeliary from the 9th century, with Romanesque and Gothic decoration. Here you shall also explore the two splendidly decorated halls: the Theological Hall and Philosophical Hall.

Head to the Lesser Town, also known as Malá Strana in Czech, a picturesque quarter with ancient burgher houses, quaint side streets and St. Nicholas Church. The Lesser Town is a favorite setting for movies and commercials. From there you will cross famous Charles Bridge. Charles Bridge is a 14th century stone bridge linking the two sides of Prague. This magnificent structure, one of the city's finest attractions, is the main pedestrian route connecting the Old Town with the Lesser Town where Prague Castle sits. There are 75 statues on Charles Bridge, but most are copies, as floods and catastrophes over the centuries sadly damaged the originals. Perhaps the most interesting, as well as the oldest, is that of John of Nepomuk (8th from the right as you cross towards Prague Castle). Touching the statue is a Prague ritual. It is supposed to bring good luck and to ensure that you return to Prague soon. From here your walk will continue through to Karlova Ulice (Charles Street), the Old Town Square to the Astronomical Clock. This medieval tower clock is located at the southern side of the Old Town Hall Tower. When the clock strikes the hour (from 9.00 a.m. to 11.00 p.m.), the procession of the Twelve Apostles sets in motion, which is best seen from the Tower's Chapel.

Make your way to the theater which is within walking distance from your hotel for a unique performance experience. Black Light Theatre (in Czech černé divadlo) or simply Black Theatre, is a theatrical performance style characterized by the use of black box theatre augmented by black light illusion.

This form of theatre originated from Asia and can be found in many places around the world. It has become a specialty of Prague, with many theatres performing it. The distinctive characteristics of "black theatre" are the use of black curtains, a darkened stage, and "black lighting" (UV light), paired with fluorescent costumes in order to create intricate visual illusions. This "black cabinet" technique was used by Georges Méliès, and by theatre revolutionary Stanislavsky. The technique, paired with the expressive artistry of dance, mime and acrobatics of the performers is sure to create remarkable spectacles.

Český Krumlov is a lively, cosmopolitan town with a unique atmosphere surrounded by unspoiled countryside. Thanks to its unique medieval buildings it has been rightly protected by UNESCO since 1992. Dominated by a Castle stretching over the meandering Vltava River, Český Krumlov's narrow cobblestone streets wind along romantic nooks between patrician houses where you'll find attractive exhibits of world renowned artists, music festivals and concerts, and theatre performances. The cozy inns, coffee shops, and ancient taverns entertain a diverse international crowd. This is a town of incredible historical heritage, with 300 protected buildings in the historical center designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the second largest castle complex in the Czech Republic, and the oldest Baroque theater in the world. This visit to the Cesky Krumlov Castle concentrates on the original Castle interiors from the Renaissance and Baroque periods. The castle area is one of the largest in central Europe. It is a complex of forty buildings and palaces, situated around five castle courts and a castle park spanning an area of seven hectares.

Europe has more than its fair share of elegant cities, but Vienna really does shine among them. Sat on the banks of the River Danube, Austia’s capital is renowned for its beautiful baroque architecture and sprawling palaces as well as its incredible musical heritage which has earned it the moniker, the City of Music.

Vienna owes much of its grandeur to its time as the capital of the powerful Habsburg Empire, during which it became a centre for arts, science and music. Everywhere you look you’ll see magnificent buildings, from Hofburg Palace which served as the imperial winter residence, to the awe-inspiring Schönbrunn Palace where the Habsburg rulers would spend the summer.

St. Stephen’s Cathedral with its iconic tiled roof and soaring towers stands proud in the centre of the city, while the Ringstrasse that runs around the historic centre is lined with beautiful buildings such as the City Hall, Vienna State Opera and the Palace of Justice. It’s also where you’ll find a handful of the city’s museums and galleries including the Museum of Fine Arts, Natural History Museum, and Kunsthistorisches Museum. Just beyond the ring road is the Belvedere Palace and Belvedere museum, home to works by Gustav Klimt, Egon Schiele and Oskar Kokoschka.

Vienna isn’t just a beautiful city to look at, and there is plenty going on beneath the surface. Its theatres and concert halls are alive with opera, ballet, classic and contemporary music while those with an interest in equestrianism will want to visit the Spanish Riding School where beautiful Lipizzan horses perform classical dressage.

Duck into one of the city’s many coffee shops in between sightseeing for a mélange and a slice of sachertore, or hole up in a cosy wine tavern at the end of the day. Its residents certainly think it’s a wonderful place, with the city topping the annual Mercer Quality of Life Survey for the ninth consecutive year, and few who visit Vienna leave without feeling the same.

Travel back in time as you enjoy an evening of history and music with a classical Viennese performance at the Vienna Kursalon concert hall. This evening, you're invited to listen to a repertoire of favourites from iconic composers like Strauss, Schubert, Mozart and other Baroque musicians in a show complete with opera singers, ballet dancers, piano concertos and more. This experience is bound to offer you a romp through the golden age of Vienna’s classical music tradition in the early 19th century.

Enjoy a cocktail (or alternative beverage) in the reception room along with a an introduction to the history of the Spanish Riding School, followed by a rehearsal performance.

The Spanish Riding School in Vienna is the only institution in the world where the classic equestrian skills (haute école) has been preserved and is still practiced in its original form. Here you shall be treated to an unforgettable experience by the precision of movement of the Lipizzan horses, which move in perfect harmony with the music. The Spanish Riding School and its world-famous Lipizzaners offers the highest standard of horse-riding art in the Baroque ambiance of the Imperial Palace.

A fiacre ride is the most charming way to explore Vienna’s attractions. Looking around, it is hard to imagine this cityscape without the Viennese fiacres, since you can find horse-drawn carriage stands in nearly every different area of the city. The term "fiacre" originates from the French and refers to the hackney carriage stand in the Parisian Rue de Saint Fiacre. In 1720, the carriages, which had previously been referred to as "Janschky" coaches in Vienna, were renamed "fiacres".

Coffee break in one of Vienna's renowned traditional cafés will be included with a piece of cake and a cup of coffee. The Viennese coffee house is known around the globe as an oasis of 'gemütlichkeit' - expressed in English as a state or feeling of warmth and good cheer. Traditional cafés entice many with a wide variety of coffee's, international newspapers and pastry creations.

Your tour will include a view of the State Opera, a stroll on Graben and Kärntnerstrasse with its many historical buildings. You will visit St. Stephen's Cathedral, one of the most important Gothic structures of Austria, and symbol of Vienna, as well as the Mozart house, where Mozart spent the happiest years of his life, penning perhaps his most popular opera "The Marriage of Figaro".

Meet with your English speaking local guide for a walking tour through the downtown area. It contains the small, but preserved medieval city center, Bratislava Castle and other important landmarks. Bratislava's Old Town is known for its many churches, a riverbank promenade and cultural institutions. The city of Bratislava will amaze you with its history. The special charm of the Old Town of Bratislava will leave you absolutely dazzled by the beauty of it all. Wonderful architecture, fine examples of art and the history of Bratislava's Old Town - all will give you a real Slovakian experience. You'll also visit Michael’s Gate, walk to Main Square, Old Bratislava Town Hall, and the Primatial Palace. You will continue passing by the Opera House and finish your tour with an visit inside St. Martin's Cathedral, the largest and finest, as well as one of the oldest churches in Bratislava in which Queen Maria Theresa was crowned. Its 85 m high spire dominates the Old Town skyline.

The unification of Pest and Buda over 145 years ago, shaped the Hungarian capital into the city of Budapest we know today. It is now the tenth largest city in the EU, and a thriving hub of culture, history and beauty, both natural and man-made.

Impressive museums such as the Hungarian National Museum, along with Roman and Baroque architecture fill the city with signs of its compelling past. With a history dating back to Celtic and Roman times and a culture developing through the Renaissance humanist period, the city promises a wealth of fascinating tales around every corner.

Flowing through the city is the beautiful winding Danube, Europe’s second largest river, separating the two sides of Buda and Pest. In Buda you’ll find the impressive Buda castle, Matthias Church and Fisherman’s Bastion all sitting atop the hills which cradle the west of the city. While over in Pest you’ll find the Gothic revival-style Parliament building perched on the edge of the Danube along with St. Stephen’s Basilica an impressive array of shops and Central Market Hall.

This is a city which continues to intrigue and inspire its visitors.

Enjoy a walking tour of Jewish Budapest, once the largest Jewish community in Eastern Europe. The Jewish quarter is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage list of sights and this tour will show you not only the religious traditions but also other cultural contributions and Hungarian history. Explore the largest synagogue in Europe (Dohany), which leads through the cemetery and the memorial garden, as well as other precious places
of worship and leads your attention to hidden Jewish symbols across the neighborhood. Look for faded names of former Jewish stores, Jewish symbols and menorah decorations on balconies.

Visit the Roman Catholic Matthias Church, located in the heart of Budapest's Castle District. According to church tradition, it was originally built in Romanesque style in 1015. Although no archaeological remains exist. The church hosted several coronation ceremonies, royal weddings and baptisms and witnessed many turbulent events of the country.

Fishermen's Bastion is renowned as one of the top attractions in this charming city. The lookout towers and the decorative fortifications were built in the 19th century to serve as a lookout tower for the best panoramic views in Budapest.

Visit the Great Market Hall and taste some great Hungarian cuisine. You can get all sorts of goods on the three floors of the Great Market Hall, such as fruits, vegetables, dairy products, fantastic salamis, pickles, fresh fish, Hungarian paprika, Tokaj wines, various souvenirs, and even home style meals. If you are merely feeling peckish, there is an abundance of Hungarian snacks such as Langos, found in the upper floor food stands and eateries. If you love fresh goods, people watching, shopping, or just sightseeing in amazing places, you will love the Great Market Hall.

The Parliament house in Budapest is Europe's biggest and an architectural gem. It houses one of Hungary’s greatest treasure: the Holy Crown of St Stephen. As the millennial celebrations of 1896 approached, the nation's demand for representation channeled the conception of a unique Parliament building. The Palace of Westminster in part inspired the design, but a well-known Hungarian architect, Imre Steindl, laid out the plans in their entirety. The building stretches 268 meters in its length, along the Danube embankment. Ornamented with white neo-gothic turrets and arches, it forms the most outstanding landmark on the Pest side of the city. Statues of Hungarian monarchs and military commanders decorate the outer walls. The unique interior design includes huge halls, over 12,5 miles of corridors, a 96-meter high central dome, and 691 rooms.

Visit the industrial town of Esztergom, the capital of medieval Hungary, found by the Danube outside of Budapest. The settlement was the capital of Hungary from foundation of the state until 1301, and home of the Roman Catholic church in Hungary. In Esztergom you visit the Basilica, the largest one in Europe, and Hungary’s highest building. Built between 1822 and 1856, it is beautifully renovated, with a rich treasury of ecclesiastical art.

Visit Visegrád, a town fortified in the middle ages and guarding the important trade route along the Danube, which is dominated by the Citadel on the highest mountaintop. Here you visit the Citadel featuring a historical exhibition about the fortress and of the Holy Crown.

Head to Szentendre, a Mediterranean artists’ town just 20km of Budapest founded by Serbs that became a thriving little village of galleries, ateliers, museums. Szentendre is also called the 'town of churches' as it is home to a dozen spires of various denominations, from Greek Orthodox to Catholic. It is also home to a wealth of Museums and a nice walking and shopping street, as well as a promenade by the riverside. Entrances to the Marzipan museum is included on this tour and from Szentendre, you will return to Budapest by a scheduled boat.