ITINERARY
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Departure from the U.S.
Today is a travel day. Arrange your international flight to leave your home city and arrive in Budapest, Hungary tomorrow morning. The airport code is BUD. Do a multi-city search, as you will be returning from Prague (airport code PRG). We highly recommend that you consider arriving one day early to rest from jet lag. We are happy to arrange an extra night for you at our hotel this evening.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Arrival in Budapest / Sightseeing Tour of Pest / Welcome Dinner
Upon arrival in Budapest, hail a taxi to transport you from the airport to our hotel. It is important that you arrive in the morning so that you do not miss the afternoon sightseeing tour which will leave the hotel at 2pm. Please plan to arrive one day early if your connections do not allow you to arrive before noon.
This afternoon the group gathers for a sightseeing tour of the Pest side of the city. View the Opera House, Hero’s Square and its Millennium Monument (where much of Evita was filmed), marvel at the architectural displays, and visit the Central Market. This evening, meet for a cocktail in our hotel’s bar, and then share a festive Welcome Dinner at the famous Gundel Restaurant. The evening is free for gay nightlife. (Welcome Dinner included)
Saturday, September20, 2008
Sightseeing Tour of Buda
After breakfast at the hotel enjoy another half-day sightseeing tour in this fantastic city. Visit the magnificent Parliament Building, one of the largest buildings in the world and one of the best known sights and symbols of Budapest. It has 691 rooms! Cross the famous Chain Bridge from Pest into Buda to view the monumental edifices on Castle Hill, including the Buda Castle, the Fisherman’s Bastion, and Mathias Church. Continue to Gellert Hill Citadel and the Statue of Liberty with magnificent views of the city.
Returning to the hotel at the conclusion of the tour, the remainder of the day is free at leisure. We highly recommend taking an optional cruise on the Danube River this evening to see the city’s monuments illuminated. We can organize a private boat if there is enough interest among the group members. (Breakfast)
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Free Day in Budapest
After breakfast the entire day is free to explore on your own. You might consider visiting the gorgeous Jewish Synagogue and adjacent Holocaust Memorial. The Museum of Fine Arts is one of the most impressive art galleries in all of Europe. Take advantage of your final night in Budapest to enjoy one of the city’s fine musical events, if you so desire. (Breakfast)
Monday, September 22, 2008
Budapest to Vienna / Schönbrunn Palace
After an early breakfast we transfer to Vienna, Austria, arriving in time to have a late lunch together at the KunstHaus Restaurant. Here we meet our local guide and commence a city sightseeing tour, starting with a photo stop at the nearby Hundertwasser Haus museum. Next we visit Schönbrunn Palace, one of the most important cultural monuments in Austria, a position it occupies by virtue of its long and colorful history. Protected by a preservation order, the whole complex (which includes the palace, the park with its fountains, statues and architectural features as well as the zoo, the oldest of its kind still in use in its original function) was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1996
We check in at our centrally located hotel after visiting the Palace, and the evening is free to explore gay nightlife, enjoy a classical music concert, or attend the opera. (Breakfast / Lunch)
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Vienna Sightseeing
This morning enjoy a guided walking tour of the historic center of Vienna to become more familiar with our new (and opulent) surroundings. See the State Opera House and the exterior of the Belvedere Palace and Hofburg Palace. Visit St. Stephens Cathedral and also the Splendor Room at the National Library.
We conclude the walking tour in the city center, which is a perfect place to select one of the restaurants we recommend for lunch. Or skip the lunch idea and go straight for the world-famous Sachertorte at the Hotel Sacher (next to the State Opera House)! The remainder of the day is free to explore on your own, to go shopping, partake of coffee and pastries at a sidewalk café, enjoy cultural events and gay nightlife. (Breakfast)
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Free Day in Vienna
After breakfast at our hotel, enjoy a full free day to sample the bountiful cultural possibilities in Vienna. There are world-class museums and exhibitions, not to mention the Lippazaner Stallions! Your tour manager will help you make the most of your day in one of the most beautiful cities in the world! (Breakfast)
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Vienna to Prague
Depart Vienna after breakfast this morning, bound for the Czech Republic and magical Prague. We go directly to lunch on the Prague Castle Hill at the Strahov Monastery restaurant. After lunch we continue our exploration of Castle Hill, visiting the Prague Castle, the Old Royal Palace, St. Vitus Cathedral, the Golden Lane and Daliborka Tower, plus St. George’s Basilica.
Following the tour, we check in at our centrally-located hotel. The remainder of the evening is free for cultural events and gay nightlife. (Breakfast / Lunch)
Friday, September 26, 2008
Prague Sightseeing
After breakfast at the hotel we take a walking tour of the city starting at our hotel. The tour includes the Municipal House, the Old Town Square, Charles Bridge and many beautiful locations within walking distance from the hotel.
After a break for lunch, we have organized an optional guided tour of the historic Jewish Quarter. The area is closed to the public on Saturday, so this afternoon is our only opportunity to visit. Our local guide is organizing the tour, and will base the price on the number of participants. Please indicate your interest in taking the tour in the appropriate place on the reservation form. Payments will be made directly to the guide in Prague. Those not taking the tour of the Jewish Quarter will have a free afternoon, and the evening is totally free. (Breakfast)
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Free Day / Farewell Dinner
Today is completely free to continue sightseeing, shopping, or exploring on your own. You may want to take an optional riverboat cruise or perhaps join one of the many concerts presented in the various churches and noble residences in the city. The tour manager will be available to assist you with your plans.
This evening Toto Tours hosts a festive Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant to bid goodbye to the Hapsburgs and each other. (Breakfast / Dinner)
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Departure
The tour ends officially after breakfast. Arrange your international flight to depart at any convenient time today. We provide one group transfer to the airport, timed to accommodate the greatest number of departing tour participants. If this transfer does not meet your needs, we will assist you in arranging your private transfer to the airport. We are also happy to assist with hotel arrangement if you wish to extend your stay in Prague. (Breakfast) |
