Welcome to the heart of Europe.
Hungary, Slovenia, Austria and Italy offer an unforgettable combo of rich history, colorful cities, delicious food, mesmerizing nature and great people.
Program:
DAY 1:
ARRIVAL IN VIENNA Welcome to Austria and its historical capital, Vienna. Meet with your tour director and get to know the details of your tour!
OPTIONAL: Cruise on Danube with dinner
DAY 2: VIENNA
You will start your day with a sightseeing tour of capital Vienna where you will visit Ringstrasse, a circular road surrounding the Innere Stadt district of Vienna, Hofburg with famous Spanish riding school, Parliament, City Hall, Palace Urania and Karl’s Cathedral, famous Graben Street to the St. Stephen’s Cathedral and more. Of course, you will not miss even the visit of the famous Schöbrünn palace. Afternoon will be free at leisure for shop ping or tasting of the famous Sacher cake in one of many coffee shops in the city center.
DAY 3: MELK – LINZ – SALZBURG
Leave the royal capital behind you and drive to wards Salzburg. Your first stop will be the fameous Melk Monastery, Benedictine abbey which contains the tomb of Saint Coloman of Stockerau and the re mains of several members of the House of Baben berg, Austria’s first ruling dynasty. Continue to Linz, the third biggest city in Austria and capital of Up per Austria region. Lunch and walking tour of this constantly changing and developing city. Arrival to Salzbrug in late afternoon, check in and free time.
DAY 4: SALZBURG
Begin with a guided tour of the city that will include views of the Residence, the Carillon, the Cathedral, the Franciscan Church, Mozart Square and city lo cations of “The Sound of Music”: Mirabell Gardens and Nonnberg Abbey. Afternoon will be free for in dividual exploring and shopping. 4OPTIONAL: Afternoon Hallein saltmine visit.
DAY 5: SWAROVSKI SALTMINE – INNSBRUCK
In the morning departure to Innsbruck, but before arriving there you will stop to visit the famous Crystal Museum Swarovski. Crystal Worlds was opened in 1995 to mark the centennial anniversary of the company’s founding, when artist André Heller de signed a unique and magical place. This beloved attraction has brought moments of wonder to over fifteen million visitors from all around the world. Overwhelmed and almost blinded from the shining crystals you will continue to the center of Inns bruck – the capital of Tyrolia to admire medieval buildings. You will take a look of the famous Golden Roof, St. Jacob’s cathedral and Hofburg imperial palace.
Accommodation in hotel and free time.
DAY 6: BOLZANO – GARDA LAKE
Leave Austria behind and drive to Italy and Dolomiti region. On your way you will pass also Austrian Alps, before entering famous Sud Tirol region. Pass by Merano and admire the typical Tirolese ar chitecture. Stop in Bolzano, historical and medieval capital of Alto Adige region. Visit the magnificent town with gothic and romanic elements and stop for lunch. In the late afternoon accommodation in Garda lake area, free time and overnight.
DAY 7: GARDA LAKE
Free time to enjoy by famous Garda lake riva. You can enjoy the lake beach or visit one of numer ous entertainment parks nearby (Gardaland, Aquasplah, Zoo Safari…).
OPTIONAL: Gardaland, ZOO safari Milano shopping tour Cooking class
DAY 8: VERONA – VENICE
Check out from hotel on Garda lake and drive to the Adriatic. On your way you will stop in the romantic Verona, a town of romantic story about Romeo and Juliet protected also by UNESCO World Heritage Site. Guided tour of the city will take you to the love ly square Piazza delle Erbe, Roman amphitheater, Juliet’s house and other historical sites. Some free time for lunch and exploring Verona on your own. Later on, drive to Venice area. Arrival in late after noon, accommodation, free time.
DAY 9: VENICE Welcome to the most romantic city in the world, Venice. Embark the taxi boat and take a guided tour of Venice city. Your tour will take you around St. Marco’s Square to see the Basilica with famous mosaics and its bell tower, Astrological tower, the Doge’s palace - residence of Doges, cross the Rialto bridge and listen to the stories of famous Venetians. Free afternoon to enjoy city by yourself, find true souvenirs from Murano glass, and have a coffee on St Marco’s square. In the evening return to hotel for overnight.
OPTIONAL: Gondola ride through Venice’s canals
DAY 10: VENICE – TRIESTE - LJUBLJANA
Say goodbye to Venice and drive towards Slovenia. On the way, stop in Italy’s most cosmopolitan city, Trieste. Glorious Habsburgs made it “the little Vienna on the sea”, and in its characteristic mixture of languages, people and religions one easily senses its combined Central European and Mediterranean spirits.
After guided tour of Piazza Unità and on to the monumental palazzi and the Greek Orthodox Church of San Nicolò on the Trieste Canal Grande (Grand Canal) and the center of the neighborhood built at the behest of Maria Theresa of Austria, lunch in traditional trattoria and drive to Ljubljana.
Arrival in the late afternoon, accommodation and overnight stay
DAY 11: LJUBLJANA
Start your day with a visit of beloved Slovenian capital, Ljubljana. Your guide will take you around and show you most important attractions, such as Preseren’s square, Triple bridge, fish market, town hall and many others. To wrap up the whole Lju bljana story, you will also take the funicular up to the castle hill, to learn more about Ljubljana and Slovenia’s history and of course admire amazing view from the top. Lunch and afternoon free at lei sure, to enjoy city on your own. In the evening join you group for a dinner where you will talk about most memorable moments of the tour and plan for new ones.
DAY 12: BALATON LAKE - BUDAPEST
Check out from hotel and drive to Budapest, capital city of Hungary, imperial country that used to be a part of Austro – Hungarian empire.
On your way, stop at Europe’s largest freshwater lake – Balaton. Visit Tihany peninsula and enjoy some free time by the lake. Arrival to Budapest in the late afternoon.
Check in the hotel free time and overnight.
OPTIONAL: Take a cruise on Danube river and enjoy the city from another perspective
Day 13 BUDAPEST
After breakfast you will taste the spirit of the capital city of Hungary divided on the banks of Danube river.
You will admire Andrássy Avenue, Hero’s square, famous Fisherman’s bastion, Mathias church, parliament house and end of course ad mire the view over the city from the Citadella hill.
Afternoon will be free to enjoy and explore city on your own.
OPTIONAL: dinner with traditional Hungarian folklore or Private cruise on the River Danube – Take a relaxing boat cruise along Budapest’s legendary waterfront with optional lunch, craft beer theme, wine theme etc.
Day 14
Choose from a wide range of excursions, visits and activities tailored perfectly to your requirements – here are just a few ideas for your 3rd day in Budapest:
Gala Concert – Less well known than its illustrious Viennese neighbour, Budapest hosts equally outstanding musical recitals – so why not enjoy a visit to the Hungarian State Opera for a recital or a concert ?
The Thermal Baths – Budapest is on a geothermal “hot spot” in the earth’s crust where piping hot mineral waters emerge direct from the ground so thermal baths are a historic institution with the locals and you can enjoy the genuine Hungarian Thermal Bath experience here in the city today. You will feel like a new person after your spa treatment!
If not cooking your own dinner like a local enjoy dinner in another of Budapest’s excellent restaurants this evening. Overnight Budapest.
Day 15
Here are just a few more of the many programmes you can choose from as you enjoy another exciting day in the Hungarian capital.
Hammer & Sickle Experience – get a sense of what life was like during 50 years of communism. Learn how it all began and how big brother told Hungarians what to do and what not to do, what daily life was like behind the “iron curtain”, how children were brought up, how families lived, how and where we could travel, how long it took to get a passport and many other interesting experiences from black markets to banana lines.
Bon-Bon Making Workshop – Learn how to make traditional Hungarian sweets at Szamos Gourmet Palace, a charming cafe & chocolate manufacturing shop in the heart of Vörösmarthy Square.
End your stay in Budapest in real style and select from our range of Gala Dinner options this evening – the following are just a few of the many on offer:
– Queen Elizabeth Ballroom at Gundel
– Historic Boat Restaurant on the Danube
– The Knights’ Room at Alabardos in Budapest Castle
– Candlelit Dinner Cruise along the Danube
Day 16
This morning its time to head for the airport.
Depending on your flight time we may be able to organise an excursion to the delightful historic town of Szentendre a short distance along the Danube from Budapest.
Our Service included:
ØTransfers
ØEnglish speaking Guides
ØAccommodation in 4* hotels on BB basis
ØLunches
ØDinners and Farwell dinner
ØEntrance to Schönbrünn palace
ØEntrance to Melk monastery
ØEntrance to Swarowski crystal museum
ØVenice return boat ride
Ø Entrance to Ljubljana castle and funicular ride
Ø Tourist tax
SIGHTSEEING TOURS INCLUDED:
- VIENNA
- LINZ
- SALZBURG
- INNSBRUCK
- BOLZAN
- VERONA
- VENICE
- TRIESTE
- LJUBLJANA
- BUDAPEST
