11 days from $1929*

Includes airfare, fuel surcharges, great hotels, transfers, many meals, touring and more!

Imperial Capitals of Central Europe: Budapest, Vienna, Prague & Berlin

Take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to visit four beautiful and historic Central European Capitals: Budapest, Vienna, Prague and Berlin. You'll explore this complex, multicultural arena of historic, artistic, scientific, industrial and commercial importance, dating back to the Roman Empire. These cities are among today's hottest travel destinations, and if you visit them with Friendly planet, you will enjoy all their charm, beauty and culture without paying a king's ransom. But don't wait too long, because at these prices, our Central European Capitals tour will sell out quickly.

Our Touring Program

Day 1: Depart New York. Your fascinating journey begins as you depart New York this evening on your overnight flight bound for Budapest, Hungary.

Day 2: Arrive Budapest. The capital of modern Hungary, Budapest is a lively and lovely city which lies on—and is divided by—the Danube River. Collect your luggage and set out on an orientation tour of the city. Continue to your centrally located hotel for check-in, then join your fellow travelers this evening for a glass of wine and a welcome briefing, followed by dinner. Atrium Hotel (B,D)

Day 3: Budapest. Budapest is one of Eastern Europe's most fascinating cities, a large urban center that manages to strike a nice balance between nature and development. Hills, islands and parks coexist with theaters, cafes, monuments and other buildings in an eclectic array of architectural styles. Your morning sightseeing begins on the Buda side of the city on Castle Hill, where you'll find Buda Castle, which houses the National Gallery, the city's history museum and a contemporary arts museum.

Continue to the easily recognizable and colorful roof of Matyas Templom, Saint Stephen's Basilica, the largest church in the city, and the cone-shaped towers and terrace Fishermen's Bastion. The afternoon is at leisure to explore on your own. Consider taking the funicular (Siklo) up from Clark Adam Ter near the Chain Bridge or take a horse-drawn carriage tour of Buda. You'll also find many wonderful bathhouses, left behind by the Ottoman Turks who occupied the city for nearly 150 years, including the art-noveau Gellert Baths in the historic Gellert Hotel, a favorite of locals and visitors alike.

Enjoy tonight at leisure or join our optional Folklore Evening. Dine on sumptuous Hungarian fare at a local restaurant as you enjoy the sights and sounds of a traditional folklore dance performance (app. $91 per person).* (B)

Day 4: Budapest, Szentendre, & Vienna, Austria. After breakfast, depart from budapest for the scenic Hungarian countryside and the charming artist's town of Szentendre, gateway to the picturesque Danube Bend region, whose charming, Mediterranean-style architecture of the town centre makes it a popular site for tourists. Szentendre is a town of arts and museums that has attracted more than 100 artists who live and work there.

After your visit to Szentendre, board your coach and drive west to the border. Cross into Austria. and continue to Vienna, often called the "cultural capital" of Europe and known throughout the world for centuries as the city of great music. Vienna was home to such greats as Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert and Johann Strauss, and its outstanding musical heritage continues to the present day through it's Vienna Philharmonic, the Vienna Boys' Choir and others. Hilton Danube

(Passengers on May 19 departure will stay at the Parkhotel Schonbrunn.  Passengers on the October 6 departure will stay at the Hotel Bellevue). (B)

Day 5: Vienna. Experience the city's glorious past on your panoramic morning tour, taking you along the Ring Boulevard, past Emperor Franz Josef's Hofburg Palace, center of the Habsburg empire for over 600 years and the main residence of the imperial family and the ornate State Opera, one of the world’s leading opera houses. Arrive at the magnificent Schonbrunn Palace, the baroque summer residence built for the Hapsburgs and one of the most important cultural monuments in Austria and a World Cultural Heritage Site since 1972.

Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure to explore on your own and relax in a charming Viennese cafe or take advantage of our optional half-day Vienna Woods Excursion.  You'll pass by Liechtenstein Castle on your way to the southern part of the Vienna Woods.  Continue to the Abbey of Heiligenkreuz and the former Mayerling hunting lodge.  Return to Vienna via Helenental, Baden and Hinterbruehl, home to the Seegrotte, the largest underground lake in Europe (app. $65 per person).* This evening, why not visit the wine village of Grinzing for a lively dinner complete with local entertainment and a taste of Grinzing's light and lovely local wine. (B).

Day 6: Vienna & Prague, Czech Republic. After breakfast, leave beautiful Vienna by coach and drive to the quaint town of Duernstein, situated in the heart of the magnificent Wachau Valley on the banks of the Danube. Continue across the Czech border and drive through the rich farmlands and pastoral countryside of Moravia to the graceful Renaissance town of Telc, a World Cultural Heritage Site located at the midpoint of an ancient provincial route leading from Vienna to Prague. Enjoy time to explore this lovely old town before continuing to Prague, one of Europe's most vibrant and colorful cities. Diplomat Hotel (B,D)

Day 7: Prague. The stunningly beautiful city of Prague was built on seven hills and served as a former capital of the Roman Empire. While the capitals of many other European nations were flattened or heavily damaged during World War II, Prague survived intact, and today, tourists and foreign expatriates descend on the City of a Hundred Spires to experience a dynamic city in the midst of transition to a fully modern society while framed in the beauty of past times.

On this morning's tour, visit the 12th century Strahov Monastery which contains the Museum of National Literature housing Bohemia's most important collection of ancient manuscripts. Continue on to the impressive Prague Castle, the city's top tourist attraction, which is really more of a district (called Hradcany) than a building. Within the castle walls are Spanish Hall, with paintings by Brueghel, Durer, Holbein, Leonardo da Vinci and Titian. St. Vitus Cathedral, Prague's largest church, with its brilliant stained-glass windows and gargoyles, the Romanesque St. George's Basilica, and the Golden Lane with rows of tiny houses once occupied by craftsmen are also found at Hradcany.

This afternoon is at leisure to visit the 14th-century Charles Bridge and explore the charming Old Town on your own, or take advantage of optional half-day tour to Castle Karlstejn. Founded in the 14th century by Emperor Charles IV, this medieval castle was was never conquered, and thus for centuries housed the Bohemian Crown Jewels and important imperial documents. Your detailed tour will acquaint you with the various fortifications and apartments of the castle (app. $87 per person)*. (B)

Day 8: Prague. A day at leisure to relax at an outdoor cafe, shop the bustling markets or explore the fascinating Jewish Quarter on your own. Another optional tour takes you to Terezin, a town that, during the Nazi occupation, served as a Concentration Camp. (B)

Day 9: Prague, Dresden & Berlin, Germany. After breakfast this morning, bid farewell to the "Golden City" as you board your coach for the drive across the border into Germany. Your first stop is Dresden, once known as the "Florence of the North" before it was devastated in fire-bomb raids at the end of World War II. However, in celebration of its 800th anniversary celebrated in 2006, many of its architectural gems have been restored.

During your tour, you'll view some of the city's finest architectural gems such as the magnificent Semper Opera House, the recently restored Frauenkirche church, and the Zwinger, a late-baroque complex of heavily ornamented pavilions. Enjoy the pleasant views from the Bruhlsche Terrasse, a raised promenade along the Elbe River then continue driving north to the German capital of Berlin. Hotel Excelsior (B,D)

Day 10: Berlin. The lively city of Berlin blends historic charm with contemporary flair. This morning's panoramic tour features both historic and modern city highlights such as the Gendarmenmarkt, Berlin's most beautiful plaza; Charlottenburg Palace, the oldest remaining Prussian palace; Brandenburg Gate, the symbolic site of the German division; the Olympic Stadium and much more. After your tour, enjoy a leisurely, sightseeing cruise on the River Spree.

Afternoon at leisure, or join an optional half-day tour of Potsdam.  The city of Potsdam is only 24-km from Berlin and was the site of the historic Potsdam Conference at the end of World War II. The first stop is the Dutch Quarter, a charming neighborhood lined with red brick houses. You’ll also visit the 19th century artist’s village, Russian Colony Alexandrovka.  Continue to Potsdam’s main attraction, the magnificent Sansouci, a complex of parks and palaces that once housed the Prussian and German royal families and is now the largest UNESCO World Heritage Site in Germany. (app. $165 per person)*

Day 11: Berlin/USA. This morning, bid Auf Wiedersehen to Berlin as you transfer to the airport for your flight back to the USA. Your exciting journey ends as you touch down in New York. (B)

*Note about Optional Tours:  All optional tours require a minium of 10 passengers to operate.  If the number of interested passengers fall below this minimum, your tour guide can suggest alternatives for local sightseeing. 

Destination FAQs

For quick answers to Frequently Asked Questions about travel to Hungary, click here.

For quick answers to Frequently Asked Questions about travel to Austria, click here.

For quick answers to Frequently Asked Questions about travel to Czech Republic, click here.

For quick answers to Frequently Asked Questions about travel to Germany, click here.

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Budapest, Vienna, Prague
& Berlin
Included Features

• Round trip flights from New York via British Airways (other gateways available upon request) (flight schedule)

• All intra-Europe ground transporation via luxury touring coach

• Superior First Class hotel accommodations with private bath

• 12 meals including 9 buffet breakfasts and 3 dinners

• All transfers with assistance and porterage

• Professional, English-speaking tour director throughout

Shop & Compare

Our tours may look similar to others you've seen, but we invite you to shop & compare. There are important differences that make Friendly Planet tours the best you can find.

No Compromise on Quality: Despite our extraordinary prices, there are no compromises on our Central European Imperial Cities tours. You'll stay in Superior First Class, centrally located hotels that are noted for their amenities and service.

Included Features: Your transfers are all included, not expensive extras as in other tours.

Credit Cards or Cash: You asked, and we listened! Whether you pay by check, money order or your favorite major credit card, your tour price on this tour is the same. No extra cost to charge your dream vacation to Central Europe. Credit Card Authorization Form.

Personal Service: Most important of all, the extra ingredient that makes our tours stand apart from others—the wonderful, personal attention you'll receive from our friendly staff in the USA and our representatives in Central Europe —is completely free of charge. Compare our Central Europe programs to others, feature for feature. You'll see for yourself that ours are the very best value for money you'll find anywhere.

Imperial Capitals of Central Europe Departures & Prices* Depart Return Book by Jun 13 After Jun 13 2008 DEPARTURES Mar 17 Mar 27 $1999 Apr 14 Apr 24 $2249 May 19 May 29 $2249 Jun 30 Jul 10 $2629 $2929 Aug 4 Aug 14 $2629 $2929 Oct 6 Oct 16 $2329 $2629 Nov 17 Nov 27 $1929 $2229

Tour prices are per person, double occupancy, including airfare. Prices in red reflect an early booking discount if you reserve by June 13, 2008. * Prices do not include Additional Taxes, Fees & September 11th Security Fee for this tour of $185.

Taxes & Fees Service Price Additional Taxes, Fees & September 11th Security Fee $185

Optionals & Upgrades Service Price Single Room Supplement $619 Reduction for child age 8-12 sharing room with 2 adults -$665 Comprehensive Travel Insurance (Recommended) $129

Important Note: If you are reserving this tour less than 60 days prior to departure, confirmation is subject to space availability. We will advise you within 48 hours if we can confirm your reservation. In the meantime, no credit cards will be debited for deposits or payments until we are able to confirm your reservations.

Waitlisting on Sold-Out Departures: If your preferred departure is sold out, you can place yourself on a waitlist by completing the online reservation form and submitting it to us. Just click on the "waitlist" button, complete the form and click "submit". In the comments box at the very bottom of the form, please write any notes regarding your request, especially any flexibility you might have in your dates of travel. This way, if your first choice doesn't clear, we can try for a second or third choice. We will make every effort to clear your space in a timely way so that you can join us on tour. You do not need to send any deposits for waitlists. When we clear your space, we'll contact you immediately by phone or email, and if you still wish to travel, we will arrange for deposits or payments at that time. We regret that we cannot accept waitlists beyond 35 days prior to departure. If you see "sold out" next to the dates you wish to reserve or waitlist, please note that this departure is now closed, including waitlist possibilities.

Flight Schedule: Click here for a full flight schedule.

Already Booked? Print and complete your Tour Registration Form (PDF).

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* Some tour prices reflect an early booking discount on select dates. Prices do not include Additional Taxes, Fees & September 11th Security Fee.

Though we do our best to provide accurate and up-to-date information on our site about our tours, sometimes oversights and typographical errors can occur. Please confirm all tour prices and details with us via email or phone prior to booking. We will not be held responsible for misunderstandings arising from such errors.