Central Europe in 11 Days — Prague, Bratislava, Budapest & the Austrian Alps
This eleven-day route was prepared for a partner whose small group had already seen Vienna and wanted the western part of Austria instead. It runs one-way from Prague to Munich with a driver-guide, and it works as a starting point rather than a fixed departure — the order, the length and the stops can all be adapted.
The route takes in three capitals and the Alps: Prague and the spa town of Karlovy Vary, Brno and the Austerlitz battlefield, Bratislava with the Small Carpathian wine route, Budapest with the artists’ village of Szentendre, and then Hallstatt, the Dachstein glacier and Salzburg before the flight home from Munich.
Send us the group, the dates and the cities, and we come back with a tailored proposal at net rates.
Gallery
Day by day
Itinerary
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Day 1 — Arrival in Prague
Arrival at Vaclav Havel Airport Prague. Meeting with the English-speaking driver-guide and drive into Prague. Check-in at the hotel, free time in Prague, overnight.
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Day 2 — Prague city tour & the Vltava
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Morning city tour of Prague, 3 hours. Visit the Hradčany castle quarter with St. Vitus Cathedral and the Golden Alley. After a walk through the various castle courtyards, continue to the Lesser Town via Nerudova Street, known for its beautiful historical houses and symbolic decorations. Pass St. Nicholas Church and walk across Charles Bridge, one of the oldest bridges in Europe, connecting the Lesser Town with the Old Town.
Continue along Karlova Street to the Old Town Square, home to the Astronomical Clock, the Gothic Church of Our Lady before Týn and the statue of Jan Hus. Finally, reach the New Town, where the tour ends.
Prague is also famous for its glass and porcelain art, and traditional puppets are a charming souvenir to take home. Free time for lunch. In the afternoon, enjoy a river cruise on the Vltava. Free time in Prague.
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Day 3 — Karlovy Vary
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Full-day trip to Karlovy Vary, a historic spa town with a picturesque city centre. Escape the hustle and bustle of Prague for a relaxing day in this elegant town, nestled in a lush valley surrounded by forested hills.
Known for its thermal springs and old-world charm, Karlovy Vary boasts grand Neo-Renaissance and Art Nouveau architecture. On a guided tour, stroll along the beautiful colonnades, sip mineral water from a traditional spa cup, and visit highlights such as the Mill Colonnade, the Hot Spring Colonnade and the iconic Grandhotel Pupp, known from the James Bond film Casino Royale.
Learn about the town’s centuries-old spa traditions and the legend of its founding by Emperor Charles IV. Sample local specialities such as Becherovka herbal liqueur and traditional spa wafers. Enjoy some free time to shop for porcelain and glass, or take a peaceful walk along the Teplá river. Return to Prague, overnight in Prague.
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Day 4 — Brno, Austerlitz & on to Bratislava
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Departure for Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. En route, stop in Brno, the second-largest city in the Czech Republic, for a walking tour of the historical centre of this Moravian metropolis.
Visit the Austerlitz battlefield, the legendary site of the Battle of the Three Emperors — Napoleon, the Russian and the Austro-Hungarian forces. Continue to Bratislava for an evening arrival, check-in and overnight.
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Day 5 — Bratislava city tour & the Small Carpathian wine route
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Bratislava city tour, 3 hours. The first part is a walking tour lasting approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes. Discover the Slovak National Theatre and continue to the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra building, the Reduta. Do not forget to stroke the head of the famous “Man at Work” statue for good luck and to ensure your return to Bratislava. At the Main Square, take a photo with the Napoleonic soldier and hear the legend of the knight Roland — you can even refresh yourself at Roland’s fountain.
Walk past the Old Town Hall to reach a hidden gem, the Primate’s Palace. At Franciscan Square, admire the Franciscan Church, the oldest sacred building in Bratislava. Continue through St. Michael’s Gate and listen to stories about the executioner who lived nearby. Next is the Palace of the Royal Hungarian Chamber, once the meeting place of the Hungarian Parliament. The final stops of the walking tour include Academia Istropolitana, St. Catherine’s Chapel, Mozart House and Keglevich Palace, concluding at the iconic St. Martin’s Cathedral, where 19 Hungarian kings and queens were crowned.
Panoramic city tour by car: pass the Presidential Palace and drive through the Palisády district, known for its early-20th-century functionalist villas. A short stop at Bratislava Castle, then on to the Slovak Parliament building, ending at the Slavín Monument with its breathtaking view over Bratislava. Free time for lunch.
Afternoon on the Small Carpathian wine route, on the south-eastern slopes of the Small Carpathians. This is one of Slovakia’s eight wine-growing regions and, alongside Tokaj, one of the most significant. Arrive at the Red Stone Castle, one of Slovakia’s most romantic castles, whose vast cellars — once used for copper storage — are the largest of their kind in Central Europe. Entry to the castle is optional for an additional fee, or you can admire it from the outside.
Continue to the historic town of Modra, birthplace of the Slovak national hero Ľudovít Štúr, who was instrumental in the Slovak national revival and established the modern Slovak language standard. Next, head to Pezinok, the capital of Slovak wine production, for a walking tour through its historic centre with the option to visit the Majolica pottery factory, then on to the small town of Svätý Jur and its picturesque centre.
Finally, visit a local winery to learn about traditional wine production. The wines here are free from additives and colorants and are made by local winemakers. Enjoy a tasting accompanied by a small snack before returning to Bratislava for the overnight.
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Day 6 — Bratislava to Budapest (two options)
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Two options for the day.
Option 1: departure from Bratislava with a stop for shopping at Designer Outlet Parndorf. Afternoon arrival in Budapest and check-in. Evening river cruise on the Danube, free time for dinner, overnight in Budapest.
Option 2: departure from Bratislava with a short stop in Nitra, the oldest Slovak town, to visit the beautiful St. Emmeram Cathedral and Nitra Castle. Continue to Esztergom and visit its famous cathedral. Arrival in Budapest and check-in. Evening river cruise on the Danube, free time for dinner, overnight in Budapest.
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Day 7 — Budapest grand city tour & Szentendre
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Budapest grand city tour. Drive past the Parliament and cross the Margaret Bridge to the Buda side. In the Castle District, a short walking tour takes in the area’s main attractions, including Matthias Church and the Fishermen’s Bastion with its stunning views.
Cross back to the Pest side via Elisabeth Bridge. See the famous Central Market Hall and Europe’s largest synagogue. Continue through the City Park, passing the Széchenyi Thermal Baths and the Budapest Zoo. Stop at Heroes’ Square to admire statues of Hungary’s most prominent historical figures. Return to downtown Pest via Andrássy Avenue, passing the Opera House and St. Stephen’s Basilica. During the tour, your guide shares highlights from over 1,000 years of Hungarian history.
Afternoon: Szentendre artistic village tour. Visit Szentendre, a baroque town built on medieval ruins at the gateway to the Danube Bend. Known as the artists’ village, it is popular for its Mediterranean atmosphere and art scene. Walk through the historical centre, exploring its cobblestone streets, baroque architecture and churches. After the guided tour, free time to visit museums such as the Margit Kovács Ceramic Museum or the Marzipan Museum, or to browse local shops for Hungarian souvenirs. Return to Budapest.
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Day 8 — Széchenyi Spa & free time in Budapest
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Morning visit to the luxurious Széchenyi Spa — swim and relax in thermal waters surrounded by the charm of the Austro-Hungarian era. Free time for lunch. Afternoon shopping at Premier Outlet Budapest, with an evening return to the city.
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Day 9 — Sopron & on to Hallstatt
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Departure from Budapest to Sopron, one of Hungary’s most romantic towns, with winding cobbled streets, colourful houses and rich cultural heritage. Known as “the most loyal town”, Sopron and the Fertő region offer many opportunities for nature, culture and relaxation.
Continue to the picture-perfect Austrian town of Hallstatt. Enjoy a walk along Lake Hallstatt and through the charming town centre, then a short transfer to the hotel in the Dachstein area for the overnight.
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Day 10 — Dachstein glacier & Lake Wolfgangsee
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Take the cable car to the Dachstein peak (2,955 m), one of Austria’s highest mountains, and visit the spectacular ice cave at the summit. Return and transfer to Lake Wolfgangsee for a short walk along the scenic lakeside. Evening return to the hotel for the overnight.
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Day 11 — Salzburg & departure from Munich
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Departure for Salzburg. Please note that parking in the Salzburg city centre is not allowed: the group is dropped at the P+R terminal and continues by public bus to the centre with the guide.
Walking tour of Salzburg featuring Mirabell Palace and Mozart’s birthplace. Return by public transport to the vehicle and continue to Munich, with a drop-off at Munich airport for the flight home.
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