Grand Imperial Cities

We begin our journey aboard the Eurostar, travelling from London
St Pancras to Brussels. We continue by rail to Frankfurt for the
night.

On Day 2, we take the train south through
Germany, crossing the Austrian border on our way to Vienna, the
magnificent city of Mozart. We spend the next three nights in the
Austrian capital.

Day 3 features a guided sightseeing tour
that showcases the city's Imperial architecture on the famous
Ringstrasse - a wide avenue that encircles the Old City- as well as
the impressive Hofburg Palace, built by the indomitable Hapsburgs.
We also see the impressive Opera House and Vienna's grand
Parliament building. Afterwards, we make our way to spectacular
Schönbrunn Palace, the summer residence of the Imperial family,
here you have free time to stroll through Schönbrunn's elaborate
gardens.

You're free to explore at your own pace. Vienna's glorious
Gothic cathedral, the Stephansdom, is located at the very centre of
the city. By climbing the 553 steps to the top of the cathedral
you'll be rewarded with one of the best views of the city.
Alternatively, a ride on the giant Ferris wheel in Prater Gardens
offers a more laid back way to achieve a superb view across the
city.

Leaving Vienna by train, we journey on to Budapest, a city of
two halves divided by the mighty River Danube and sewn together by
a collection of beautiful bridges. The flatter, lively region of
Pest looks across the water to its older, historical neighbour, the
hilly Buda, which rises up away from the banks of the river.
Budapest was once the joint capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire
and tonight we experience the city from a different perspective,
enjoying dinner at a traditional restaurant before an illuminated
night-time tour by coach. Tracing the Danube south, our evening is
filled with stunning views of the city after dark, including the
famous Szechenyi Chain Bridge, and spectacular Gellert Hill.

Day 6's guided coach tour introduces us to
Budapest's other main sights. We pass impressive buildings and
monuments on both sides of the Danube, including the Neo-Gothic
Parliament building, designed to look like the Palace of
Westminster, Budapest Castle, Matthias Church, and Fishermen's
Bastion. Later we enjoy a ride on the Children's Railway, a service
operated by Hungarian schoolchildren that runs through the woods
set in the hills above Buda.

We depart Budapest by train, travelling through Slovakia to the
Czech Republic. We arrive in Prague for three nights amid the
copper-domed churches of 'The City of a Hundred Spires'.

A guided walking tour through the narrow streets of the Old Town
on Day 9 reveals some of Prague's most
famous sights. We begin at Hradcany Castle, the largest medieval
complex in Europe, before strolling across the 14th-century Charles
Bridge to admire the 75 statues built along its walls and views of
the Gothic spires of St Vitus' Cathedral in the distance. We also
stop at the city's renowned astronomical clock.

This afternoon, and Day 10, are free for
you to continue exploring. Gourmet restaurants, cocktail bars and
trendy cafés are easy to find. If you are looking for something
more authentic, you can feast on pork and dumplings washed down
with beer in a traditional pub. Afterwards, take a leisurely amble
along the Vltava River or cruise gently through the city, perhaps
the most relaxing way to see the sights.

Heading through the Bohemian countryside into Germany, we follow
the route of the River Elbe on our way to Berlin. On arrival, we
head out on a guided walking tour of this once divided city. We
soak in the main sights including the incredible Brandenburg Gate
and a section of the Berlin Wall, which once divided East and West
Berlin.

Day 12 is free to keep sightseeing. You
could take in the Reichstag or Checkpoint Charlie, or
alternatively, visit Potsdam, former seat of the Prussian monarchs
and home to both Park Sanssouci, a Baroque flower garden, and the
elegant Sanssouci Palace. 

Boarding a high-speed train to Cologne on Day
13, we continue by rail to Brussels where we join the
Eurostar service travelling back to London St Pancras.

We offer a Standard Class and First Class rail options for
departures on this tour. You can find out which class each
departure is by clicking on the information button in the pricing
grid.

For the following depatures, in Vienna you will now be staying
at the Maxx by Steinberger Wien:

HUC2101s, HUC2101sa, HUC2103f, HUC2104s, HUC2105f,
HUC2106f, HUC2107f, HUC2108f, HUC2109s, HUC2112f, HUC2113f,
HUC2114s, HUC2119f, HUC2119fa, HUC2121f, HUC2121fa, HUC2122f,
HUC2123f, HUC2124s, HUC2126f.

For the following depatures, in Vienna you will now be staying
at the Archotel Kaiserwasser:

HUC2126fa