Avanti Destinations: Classic Central Europe
Day 1 Prague
Take a private transfer from the airport and check into your hotel.
Centrally Located Hotel In Prague, (N/A)
Day 2 Prague
After breakfast, take your tour. After, you have the day to yourself for exploration and relaxation.
Grand City Tour: Your grand excursion starts along the Vltava River past Manes Palace, Zofin Palace and the National Theatre, with a visit of Prague Castle with a guided courtyard walk. Then visit the historic Charles Bridge before crossing to the Hradcany district with a guided walk to visit Loretto Church, the Royal Palace, St. Vitus Cathedral, St. George Church and Golden Lane. Your tour ends with a visit of Old Town Square and the Astronomical Clock.
Centrally Located Hotel In Prague, (B)
Day 3 Prague
After breakfast you have the day free to explore, or you may elect to take an optional tour before your dinner.
3-Course Dinner at Plzenska Restaurant: Adorned with hand placed ceramic Art Nouveau mosaics, original wood panelling and stained glass windows, this restaurant offers some of the best traditional cuisine in Prague.
Recommended: Hotel Unic, (B, D)
Day 4 Prague, Vienna
After breakfast, you go to the rail station for your 1st class trip to Vienna.
Centrally Located Hotel In Vienna, (B)
Day 5 Vienna
This morning after breakfast, enjoy a tour of Vienna including Schönbrunn Palace followed by an afternoon and evening at leisure to relax or explore.
Historical City Tour with Schönbrunn: Your tour starts at the Ringstrasse to see the Museum of Applied Arts, the State Opera House, the Museum of Fine Arts and the Museum of Natural History. Also see the Hofburg, the Parliament, City Hall, the Burgtheater, the University and the Votive Church. The highlight of your day is a visit of Schönbrunn Palace, once a summer residence of the Habsburgs. (This tour begins at 9:45 a.m. with hotel pick up, lasts 3.5 hours, ends at the State Opera.)
Centrally Located Hotel In Vienna, (B)
Day 6 Vienna
After breakfast, you have the day at leisure for shopping, people watching or an optional tour or excursion.
Your dinner tonight with 8:00 p.m. reservations is at the Royal Piaristenkeller Restaurant. Dinner menu consists Viennese dishes, 1/4 liter of wine and wine cellar visit with glass of sparkling wine.
Centrally Located Hotel In Vienna, (B, D)
Day 7 Vienna, Budapest
After breakfast, you go to the rail station for your journey to Budapest.
Centrally Located Hotel In Budapest, (B)
Day 8 Budapest
Start with breakfast then a city tour for an overview of this historical city with plenty of free time in the afternoon to experience the cuisine and culture of this sophisticated “Paris on the Danube”.
Budapest City Tour: Pass the Parliament, cross the Danube on the Margaret Bridge to the Royal Castle on the Buda side, with a guided walk through Fisherman's Bastion, Matthias Church and the Citadel, cross the Elizabeth Bridge to Heroes Square, passing the Opera and St. Stephen's Basilica.
Centrally Located Hotel In Budapest, B
Day 9 Budapest
After a leisurely breakfast, find a sidewalk café for a little people-watching or take advantage of an optional tour or excursion.
3-Course Dinner at Kaltenberg Restaurant: In addition to a vast selection of dishes on our standard menu, we offer new specialities every week with organic beer brewed on the premises according to a Bavarian recipe and excellent wines. A band of three musicians makes sure customers have a really great time every evening from 6:00 pm.
Centrally Located Hotel In Budapest, B, D
Day 10 Budapest
After breakfast, check out of your hotel and continue on to your next Avanti destination!
Centrally Located Hotel In Budapest, B
Prague
Amid Prague's cobblestone streets and gold-tip spires, galleries, cafes, and clubs teem with young Czechs and "expatriates." New shops and restaurants have opened, expanding the city's culinary reach beyond the traditional roast pork and dumplings. The arts and theater also thrive in Prague. Young playwrights regularly stage their works, weekly poetry readings are standing room only, and classical music maintains famous standards, while the clubs are jammed. The arts - nonverbal theater, "installation" art, world music - are as trendy in Prague as in any European capital but possess distinctive Czech flavor. All of this is set against a stunning backdrop of towering churches and centuries-old bridges and alleyways. Prague achieved much of its glory in the 14th century, during the long reign of Charles IV, king of Bohemia and Moravia and Holy Roman Emperor. Charles established a university in the city and laid out the New Town, charting Prague's growth. Prague Castle is the most popular sight and is the largest ancient castle in the world with three courtyards.
Vienna
Vienna is dominated by imperial castles and places: Schonbrunn, the magnificent summer residence, the Imperial Coach Collection, the Palm House, the Butterfly House, Belvedere Palace, magnificent state rooms in Hofburg, and the imperial crown in the Treasury. Stop by Ringstraße - the showplace of the monarchy built where Emperor Franz Joseph ordered the demolition of city walls. Important buildings include the State Opera, the Museums of Fine Arts and Natural History, Parliament, City Hall and Vienna University. The world capital of music. A long line of great composers Johann Strauss, Haydn and Mozart, Beethoven and Schubert, Mahler and Schonberg all worked here. A city with splendid concert halls, such as the Golden Hall, from which the Philharmonic's New Year's Day concert is broadcast annually. International stars love to appear here in the State Opera, Volksoper, Konzerthaus, and at festivals like the Vienna Festival, the Klangbogen concerts during the Musical Summer, the Jazz Festval and the Haydn, Mozart and Schubert festivals.
Excursions
Vienna Shore Excursion: Private City Walk Vienna's Old Town, 2,5 hours
Vienna Shore Excursion: Private City Walk Vienna's Old Town, 2,5 hours
This interesting city walk offers you an initial overview of the history, culture and achitecture of Vienna, taking you through the most beautiful and elegant streets and passing by some of the most famous sights of the city.
At the end of this tour, you can continue exploring the city centre on your own.
Highlights:
- The Imperial Palace, residence of the Habsburgs for nearly 650 years (outside)
- St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Vienna's landmark (outside)
- State Opera House (outside)
- the Ringstrasse ('ring road')
Your private guide is always flexible and adapts the tour to your special interests.
Tour Duration: 2,5-3 hours
Tour can operate: Morning or Afternoon
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Physical Activity Level: Light to Moderate
Inclusions:
- Pick up at the landing stage of the cruise ship in Vienna
- One way transfer in private car from the pier to the city centre
- Private licensed English speaking guide (other languages available, but on request)
Not included:
- Meals
- Gratuities and personal expenses
- Entrances
- Return transfer to the ship (optional service upon extra charge)
Vienna Shore Excursion: Private City Walk Mozart in Vienna, 2,5 hours
Vienna Shore Excursion: Private City Walk Mozart in Vienna, 2,5 hours
During this city walk "On the Traces of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart", you discover Vienna's historic old town, passing by some of the most important locations of Mozart's life. This tour also includes a visit of the Mozart House. At the end of this tour, you can continue exploring the city centre on your own.
Highlights:
- Vienna's historic old town and former addresses of Mozart (outdoor)
- Visit of the Mozart House Vienna (indoor visit)
- St. Stephen's Cathedral (outdoor)
Your private guide is always flexible and adapts the tour to your special interests.
Tour Duration: 2,5-3 hours
Tour can operate: Morning or Afternoon
Physical Activity Level: Light to Moderate
Inclusions:
- Pick up at the landing stage of the cruise ship in Vienna
- One way transfer in private car from the pier to the city centre
- Private licensed English speaking guide (other languages available, but on request)
- Entrance fee Mozart House (visit with audio-guide)
Not included:
- Meals
- Gratuities and personal expenses
- Entrances other than stated above
- Return transfer to the cruise ship (optional service upon extra charge)
Vienna Shore Excursion: Private City Walk Imperial Palace, 2,5 hours
Vienna Shore Excursion: Private City Walk Imperial Palace, 2,5 hours
This privately guided walking tour through Vienna's historic old town takes you to the Imperial Palace ('Hofburg'), to visit the Imperial Apartments and the fascinating Sisi Museum.
Highlights:
- Visit of the Imperial Palace and the Imperial Apartments (indoor visit)
- Visit of the Sisi Museum (indoor visit)
- Augustinian Church
Your private guide is always flexible and adapts the tour to your special interests.
Tour Duration: 2,5-3 hours
Tour can operate: Morning or Afternoon
Physical Activity Level: Light to Moderate
Inclusions:
- Pick up the landing stage of the cruise ship in Vienna
- One way transfer in private car from the pier to the city centre
- Private licensed English speaking guide (other languages available, but on request)
- Entrance fee for the Imperial Palace (Imperial Apartments and the Sisi Museum)
Not included:
- Meals
- Gratuities and personal expenses
- Entrances other than stated above
- Return transfer to the ship (optional service upon extra charge)
Vienna Shore Excursion: Private City Tour of Vienna & Visit of Schoenbrunn Palace, 4 hours
Vienna Shore Excursion: Private City Tour of Vienna & Visit of Schoenbrunn Palace, 4 hours
This privately guided tour shows you the major historical sights along the Ringstrasse, before taking you to the magnificent Schoenbrunn Palace, former summer residence of the Habsburg family.
Highlights:
- Main sights along the Ringstrasse: e.g. Imperial Palace, National Museums, State Opera, Burgtheater, City Hall, Parliament etc. (outside)
- Visit of the Schoenbrunn Palace, privately guided tour (indoor visit)
Your private guide is always flexible and adapts the tour to your special interests.
Tour Duration: 4 hours
Tour can operate: Morning or Afternoon
Physical Activity Level: Light
Inclusions:
- Pick up and drop off at the landing stage of the cruise ship in Vienna
- Transfer in a private car
- Private licensed English speaking guide (other languages available, but on request)
- Entrance fee for Schoenbrunn Palace (Highlight Tour)
Not included:
- Meals
- Gratuities and personal expenses
- Entrances other than stated above
Vienna Shore Excursion: Private City Tour Art Nouveau and Viennese Architecture, 4 hours
Vienna Shore Excursion: Private City Tour Art Nouveau and Viennese Architecture, 4 hours
In addition to the familiar Gothic and Baroque buildings, Art Nouveau has a fixed place in Viennese architecture. Naturally, this tour also covers further architecural epoques, such as modernity.
Highlights:
- Architecturally interesting sights along the Ringstrasse: e.g. Imperial Palace, National Museums, State Opera, City Hall, Parliament etc. (outside)
- Visit of the Vienna Secession (inside visit)
- Visit of the Kunst Haus Wien (insde visit)
- St. Charles's Church (outside)
- Hundertwasserhaus (outside)
Your private guide is always flexible and adapts the tour to your special interests.
Tour Duration: 4 hours
Tour can operate: Tuesday to Sunday; Morning or Afternoon
(Vienna Secession is closed on Monday!)
Physical Activity Level: Light to Moderate
Inclusions:
- Pick up and drop off at the landing stage of the cruise ship in Vienna
- Transfer in a private car
- Private licensed English speaking guide (other languages available, but on request)
- Entrance fee for Vienna Secession
- Entrance fee for Kunst Haus Wien
Not included:
- Meals
- Gratuities and personal expenses
- Entrances other than stated above
Vienna Shore Excursion: Private City Walk & the Lipizzaner Horses, 5 hours
Vienna Shore Excursion: Private City Walk & the Lipizzaner Horses, 5 hours
From Tuesday to Friday (9am-1pm, excl. July), this package covers many interesting aspects of Vienna: Starting with a short Vienna Old Town City Walk, you follow your guide through the old town towards the Spanish Riding School, where you attend the Lippizaner's Morning Exercise, allowing an insight into the training of the Lipizzaner Horses and their riders. At the end of this tour, you can continue exploring the city centre on your own.
Highlights:
- Overview of the history, culture and architecture of Vienna
- Vienna's historic old town (outside)
- Attendance of the Morning Exercise at the Spanish Riding School (inside visit)
- Coffee break at the famous Café Central
Your private guide is always flexible and adapts the tour to your special interests.
Tour Duration: 4 hours
Tour can operate: Tuesday to Friday, 9am - 1pm (excluding July)
Physical Activity Level: Light to Moderate
Inclusions:
- Pick up at the landing stage of the cruise ship in Vienna
- One way transfer in private car from the pier to the city centre
- Private licensed English speaking guide (other languages available, but on request)
- Entrance fee for the Morning Exercise at the Spanish Riding School
- Coffee break at Café Demel (1 hot drink, 1 piece of cake)
Not included:
- Meals
- Gratuities
- Personal expenses
- Entrances other than stated above
- Return transfer to the ship (optional service upon extra charge)
Budapest
Caught between eastern and western Europe, Budapest has a character uniquely its own. It's also the last cheap, civilised city in Europe. Budapest can seem like one big sight, with each phase in its history, from the Ottoman period until the Communist days and from renaissance to revolution, leaving its mark on the city. For the tourist, a trip to Hungary's capital is dominated by the majestic sights of Buda. In the summer, there are open-air festivals at Szeged, Diosgyor Castle in Miskolc, Gyor and Pecs. Visit the former Royal Palace complex, the Matyas templom and the Belvaros. Margaret Island is a giant recreational park and feels pleasantly separated from the city bustle. Hungarian National Gallery houses Hungarian art since the birth of the nation. Although Esztergom is Hungary's most sacred city, home of the Archbishop and the nation's biggest church, it has a real-life edge. The first-time visitor to Szeged is invariably struck by its space and grandeur. One's immediate impressions of Hungary's third largest provincial city are of greenery and plazas, of broad.
Excursions
Budapest Shore Excursion: Private Half Day City Tour of Budapest, 4 hours
Budapest Shore Excursion: Private Half Day City Tour of Budapest, 4 hours
This privately guided tour shows you the major sights within on the Pest Side (e.g.the Opera House, St. Stephen's Basilica), as well the Buda Side (Castle Hill). One highlight of this tour is an inside visit of the Fishermen's Bastion and the impressive Matthias Church.
Highlights:
- Heroe's Square, Vajdahunyad Castle (outside)
- State Opera (outside)
- St. Stephen's Basilica (outside)
- Parliament Buidling (outside)
- Fishermen's Bastion (entry to upper terrace)
- Matthias Church (indoor visit)
Your private guide is always flexible and adapts the tour according to your special interests.
Tour Duration: 4 hours
Tour can operate: Morning or Afternoon
Physical Activity Level: Light
Inclusions:
- Pick up and drop off at the landing stage of the cruising ship in Budapest
- Transfer in a private car
- Private licensed English speaking guide (other languages available, but on request)
- Entrance fees for Fishermen's Bastion and Matthias Church
Not included:
- Meals
- Gratuities and personal expenses
- Entrances other than stated above
Budapest Shore Excursion: Private Full Day City Tour of Budapest, 8 hours
Budapest Shore Excursion: Private Full Day City Tour of Budapest, 8 hours
This extended privately guided full day basically covers all major sights and interesting locations within Budapest, also including inside visits of the Fishermen's Bastion, Matthias Church and the Parliament Building.
Highlights:
- Main sights, e.g. National Museum, State Opera, Heroe's Square, Great Synagogue, Central Market Hall, Gellért Hill, Citatel, Vajdahunyad Castle etc. (outside visits)
- Various Bridges above the Danube, e.g. Chain Bridge, Liberty Bridge, Elisabeth Bridge etc.
- Matthias Church (inside visit)
- Fishermen's Bastion (inside visit)
- Parliament Building (inside visit)
Your guide is always flexible and adapts the tour according to your special interests.
Tour Duration: 8 hours
Tour can operate: Full Day
Physical Activity Level: Moderate
Inclusions:
- Pick up and drop off at the landing stage of the cruising ship in Budapest
- Transfer in a private car
- Private licensed English speaking guide (other languages available, but on request)
- Entrance fees for Fishermen's Bastion, Matthias Church, Parliament
Not included:
- Meals
- Gratuities and personal expenses
- Entrances other than stated above
Budapest Shore Excursion: Private Half Day Tour Budapest Castle District, 4 hours
Budapest Shore Excursion: Private Half Day Tour Budapest Castle District, 4 hours
During this privately guided tour, you visit the Castle Hill of Budapest, with the Royal and Presidential Palaces, fascinating squares and medieval cobblestone streets. Highlights are inside visits of the Fishermen's Bastion and the impressive Matthias Church.
Highlights:
- Budapest's Castle Hill
- Royal and Presidential Palaces (outside)
- Holy Trinity Square
- Hess András Square
- Fishermen's Bastion (entry to upper terrace)
- Matthias Church of Our Lady (indoor visit)
Your private guide is always flexible and adapts the tour according to your special interests.
Tour Duration: 4 hours
Tour can operate: Morning or Afternoon
Physical Activity Level: Light
Inclusions:
- Pick up and drop off at the landing stage of the cruising ship in Budapest
- Transfer in a private car
- Private licensed English speaking guide (other languages available, but on request)
- Entrance fees for Fishermen's Bastion and Matthias Church
Not included:
- Meals
- Gratuities and personal expenses
- Entrances other than stated above
101 E Sangamon Ave.
Rantoul, IL 61866
USA