Travel to imperial cities with glorious pasts and uncover a wealth of history, culture and tradition during this tour of the Old World. Discover treasures such as Buda castle Hill in Budapest, a collection of palaces, churches and monuments that attracts over 20 million visitors each year. Finally, end your journey in the German village of Oberammergau, where you'll witness one of the most powerful and moving Passion Plays ever performed on stage.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 - Budapest

Board an overnight transatlantic flight bound for the Hungarian capital.

Day 2 - Budapest

Arrive in Budapest, where a Go Ahead representative will be waiting to assist with hotel transfer. Tonight, enjoy an included welcome dinner. (B in flight, D)

Day 3 - Budapest

A professional guide leads this morning’s sightseeing tour of Budapest, a city divided by the Danube River into its old and new sections (“Buda” and “Pest”). After a stop at Heroes’ Square, explore the lavish interior of the Parliament building, modeled on London’s Palace of Westminster. Then cross the Danube and arrive in Buda. Ascend imposing Castle Hill for a look at the Royal Palace. After taking in the breathtaking views from Fisherman’s Bastion, visit the medieval Matthias Church, once the site of Hungarian coronations, and St. Stephen's Basilica, a neoclassical cathedral that is also Budapest's tallest building. (B)

Day 4 - Budapest

Today is free for you to spend however you wish in the Hungarian capital. You might choose to join an optional excursion to the Hungarian Puszta, where you’ll attend a unique equestrian performance followed by a traditional Hungarian lunch. (B)

$109 USD

Hungarian Puszta Journey into Hungary's grasslands, with a stop in the eastern European town of Kecskemet, then venture to a traditional horse farm before a three-course lunch.

Day 5 - Vienna

On today’s transfer through the countryside to Vienna, stop in Szentendre, a picturesque artists’ colony nestled on the banks of the Danube. Your tour director will lead you on a walking tour, including a visit to a Serbian Orthodox Church. Then continue on to Vienna, center of the Hapsburg dynasty. (B, D)

Day 6 - Vienna

On today’s guided sightseeing tour of Vienna, you’ll tour the Opera House, St. Stephen's Cathedral, the majestic monuments of the Ringstrasse and the Hofburg, once the hub of the imperial Hapsburg dynasty. And inside the regal Schönbrunn Palace, where Marie Antionette spent her childhood, you'll view the private chambers of Empress Maria Theresa as well as the lavishly decorated public rooms. You’ll also see the beautifully landscaped gardens surrounding the estate. Continue your tour of this brilliant city, as you travel along the Ringstrasse and pass the Hofburg, the former royal headquarters of the long ruling Hapsburg dynasty. This evening, journey to the nearby village of Grinzing for a traditional Austrian meal including wine at our optional Heurigen Dinner. The Heurigen is a traditional Austrian wine tavern. (B)

$89 USD

Heurigen Evening Drive down Vienna's "Ring," an area of wide boulevards, then continue to the scenic village of Grinzing for a traditional Austrian dinner.

Day 7 - Vienna

With a free day in Vienna, you might choose to shop in the posh boutiques of the pedestrian-only Kaerntnerstrasse, or behold the crown jewels and other royal regalia in the Hofburg’s Imperial Treasury. Alternatively, opt to take a cruise along the picturesque, though not blue, Danube River (seasonal). (B)

$85 USD

Danube River cruise Cruise along the legendary Danube River where you'll see the charming section of Wachay before stopping in Melk for a visit to a Baroque monastery.

Day 8 - Prague

Travel through the heart of the Czech countryside on your way to Prague, one of Europe’s most beautiful Old World cities. (B, D)

Day 9 - Prague

On this morning’s guided sightseeing tour, see the landmark Charles Bridge and visit the spectacular Hradcany Castle, where Charles IV governed the Holy Roman Empire and Vaclav Havel restored democracy. You’ll also see the soaring Gothic vaults of St. Vitus Cathedral, the Church of Loreto and the Golden Lane, named for the alchemists who once practiced their craft here. This afternoon, opt for our walking tour through Prague’s Jewish Quarter. (B)

$59 USD

Walking tour of Prague's Jewish Quarter Follow a local expert guide through the streets of Josefov, Prague’s Jewish Quarter, nestled between the Vltava River’s right bank and the Old Town Square.

Day 10 - Prague

With a free day today, browse the shops along the narrow alleys of the Old Town or discover the treasures of Old Town Square with its giant Astronomical Clock. You can journey inside St. James Church and explore its evocative Gothic interior, check out the rococo facade of Kinsky Palace, or consider a stroll through the elegant Wallenstein Gardens. Tonight, join our optional excursion to a lavish villa north of the city for a tour followed by dinner and a recital of classical music. (B)

$119 USD

Dinner at the Villa Visit one of the beautiful villas north of Prague. After your guided tour of the elegant halls and gardens, take in a live performance of classic music. Dinner is included following the concert.

Day 11 - Oberammergau

Travel through the Czech and German countryside on your way to Oberammergau, a German village where the townspeople have performed the Passion Play every ten years since 1632 in gratitude to God for delivering them from the plague. Along the way, stop to visit the Alpine city of Innsbruck, known for its majestic mountain views. Upon arrival in Oberammergau, settle into your hotel and join your group for an included dinner. (B, D)

Day 12 - Oberammergau

Enjoy a free morning to visit the town church and learn about the art of woodworking from Oberammergau's many artisans. Rejoin your group for an included lunch. Then get ready to watch Oberammergau’s 40th Passion Play. One of the most evocative and emotionally powerful plays you'll see in your lifetime, this seven-hour play gives you the feeling of actually stepping back in time to witness the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, complete with intermission for an included dinner. (B, L, D)

Day 13 - Munich

If your joining our tour extension, travel to Salzburg today. Otherwise, a Go Ahead representative escorts you to the Munich airport for your return flight home. (B)

Protect your investment with affordable travel protection

Basic Trip Cancellation/Interruption Coverage
Protect yourself in the event you need to cancel your trip or leave your tour unexpectedly due to an emergency. Or choose one of the comprehensive packages below, and receive a discounted rate!

TravelSafe Plus — For one low price, you’ll receive:

• Trip cancellation & interruption protection
• Medical & accident protection
• Baggage & property protection

TravelSafe Gold with Flight Cancellation Protection
Take advantage of the best possible deal for your investment dollar. For $60 USD more, you’ll get all of the above plus additional coverage (up to $1,000 USD) if the flight to your tour is cancelled due to reasons beyond your control.

Purchase your travel protection package early and receive an added benefit!
Purchase one of the above TravelSafe packages within 14 days of reserving your tour, and you’ll automatically receive AnyTime Travel Protection at no additional charge. This means you can cancel for any reason up to 72 hours prior to the departure of your initial flight and still protect your investment. You will be provided with a credit voucher towards your next Go Ahead tour.

What’s unique about these protection plans?

• Most primary travel protection companies don’t cover international travel.
• Under the AnyTime Travel Protection Plan, you can cancel for any reason and your investment is protected in the form of a credit voucher.
• Efekta travel protection covers lost or stolen cash while on tour.
• Efekta travel protection covers the cost towards replacement of valuable documents—such as passports, airline tickets and visas while on tour.
• In the event that your roommate cancels for a reason covered under the policy, you will be reimbursed for the single supplement fee, should you still choose to travel.
• The following policies are also available to be purchased separately:
  • Medical & Accident: $70 USD
  • Baggage & Property: $60 USD

Extended Protection Plan
The Extended Protection Plan allows you to purchase extended coverage for any travel you do before or after meeting up with your Go Ahead Tours tour group (with flights arranged by Go Ahead Tours).

For more detailed descriptions of the benefits available under Efekta Insurance International LTD's Travel Protection Plans please call 1-800-597-0350 or download a PDF copy of the Efekta Travel Protection booklet here.

Passport & Visa

This itinerary includes the following countries: Austria, Hungary and the Czech Republic. In order to enter these countries, U.S. citizens need a valid passport. The expiration date must extend at least six months beyond the date of your return to the United States. No visa is required for U.S. citizens. If you are not a U.S. citizen, you must contact each country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.

Health

There are no major health risks when traveling to Vienna, Budapest or Prague. For the latest updates and personal travel requirements, see your doctor or health-care provider.

Transportation / Walking on tour

Round-trip flights arrive in Budapest and depart from Prague. Included transportation on “Vienna, Budapest & Prague” is by private motorcoach. In your free time, you may wish to explore the cities by public transportation.

Vienna has a top-notch transportation system— one of the best in Europe. You can purchase tickets in singles or in bulk for S-bahn (above ground), U-bahn (underground), tram and bus lines. The waiting time for trains and subways is usually no more than five to 10 minutes.

Budapest also has an all-inclusive transportation system with links between the metro, “green trains,” yellow trams and red trolleybuses. Purchase tickets from newspaper stands, vending machines or metro entrances.

Prague is best explored on foot, but if you need to access the suburbs or transport to a hotel, trams and local buses are readily available.

Clothing & Packing Tips

Light, loose-fitting clothing that provides comfort when exploring the sights is essential for your tour. A sun hat, sunglasses and a sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers are recommended for sightseeing.

It’s always a good idea to be prepared for any eventuality—a lightweight sports jacket and emergency rainwear are advised.

If you plan to visit an especially elegant restaurant or attend the opera or theater, you will probably feel more comfortable with something more formal to wear.

Also, remember that bare legs and shoulders are officially not allowed in churches or other religious sites. Entrance may be denied on this basis.

Currency

The euro (in Austria), Hungarian forint and Czech crown are the currencies you will be using on your tour. Better rates of exchange are usually available in your destination countries rather than in the United States, although it is worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive. We advise that you take credit cards, bank/ATM cards and traveler’s checks, which can be exchanged for cash at local banks, as needed. We suggest that you inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans, so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges. Please note: With the conversion to the euro, it has been increasingly difficult to exchange traveler’s checks—both at banks and shops—and they often attract higher fees.

Tipping

At the conclusion of your tour, it is customary to offer your Go Ahead Tour Director and driver a gratuity. We recommend $2 USD per person per day for your driver and $4 USD to $6 USD per person per day for your tour director. If you have local guides on your tour, we recommend tipping $1USD per local guide per day.