A Week In... Imperial Europe Tauck Partners' Savings – Deduct $260 per person May – June and $190 per person July – October. Certain restrictions apply; ask at booking for details. Tauck's one-week Eastern Europe tour enriches with the best of the region’s acclaimed highlights. In fact, a majority of the sights are part of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the historic districts of Vienna, Austria; Prague, Czech Republic; and Budapest, Hungary. From a 1,200-year-old castle to an opulent opera house, a palace rivaling Versailles to a well-preserved medieval town, collections of armor to Imperial treasures, this Eastern Europe tour provides non-stop amazement. Highlights include visits to Hofburg Palace, Schönbrunn Palace, Prague Castle, and Krumlov Castle; a special dinner and concert at a private venue in Vienna; and two Tauck Exclusives – a private gala wine reception and dinner hosted by former Czech nobility at Nelahozeves Castle, and a private guided tour of the beautiful Baroque libraries of Strahov Monastery in Prague. Day-by-Day Itinerary 2009 ItineraryDay 1: Hello Hungary Tauck's one-week Eastern Europe tour begins at 5:00 PM at Hilton Budapest Hotel. Your transfer from Budapest Ferihegy International Airport to Hilton Budapest Hotel is included. Meet your fellow travelers and your Tauck Director at the welcome cocktail reception that's followed by a dinner cruise on the beautiful Danube River. Meals: Dinner Lodging: Hilton Budapest Hotel, Budapest, Hungary Day 2: Sightsee Budapest A day of sightseeing in fashionable Budapest, divided by the Danube River, includes visits to Fishermen’s Bastion overlooking the river, with its Neo-Romanesque design, and the opulent State Opera House. View Heroes’ Square, bounded by the finest architectural works in Hungary; Chain Bridge; and the Parliament building, a Neo-Gothic masterpiece. If you'd like, join us for a visit to Dohany Synagogue (holidays permitting) before spending the afternoon and evening exploring the city on your own. Meals: Breakfast Lodging: Hilton Budapest Hotel, Budapest, Hungary Day 3: Legacy of the Habsburgs, Schönbrunn Palace Travel to Vienna, Austria, where your first stop is Schönbrunn Palace, an Eastern Europe tour highlight. It was built to rival Versailles with 1,400 rooms, including a Hall of Mirrors, and served as the summer residence for Austria’s emperors. Take a guided tour of the State Apartments, and see the expansive formal gardens. Tonight, experience a magical evening in Vienna where dinner at your historic five-star hotel (in a perfect location right on the Ringstrasse) is followed by a classical music concert in a private venue. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner Lodging: Grand Hotel Wien, Vienna, Austria Day 4: A day in Vienna, an Eastern Europe tour favorite The grand city of Vienna – whose historic district is a UNESCO World Heritage Site – is explored today, beginning with a walking tour through the Hofburg Courtyard, followed by a visit to the Schatzkammer, the Imperial Treasury (on Tuesdays this visit will not be possible and will be replaced with a guided visit to Kunsthistorisches Museum – the Fine Arts Museum). See the Gothic architecture of St. Stephen's Cathedral while strolling through Imperial Vienna. In the afternoon, choose from among the city's many museums – of which there over a hundred – parks or historic sites for your own exploration. Meals: Breakfast Lodging: Grand Hotel Wien, Vienna, Austria Day 5: Eastern Europe travel continues in historic Cesky Krumlov Admire vineyards, castles, and monasteries on your journey along Tauck's Yellow Roads from Vienna to the Czech Republic. Arrive in Cesky Krumlov, an outstanding example of a small, central European medieval town, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take a walking tour of the town, crowned by Krumlov Castle, built in the 13th century with Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque elements; you'll also visit the Baroque Castle Theatre. Continue on to Prague for a three-night stay right in the heart of the Czech Republic's historic capital city. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner Lodging: InterContinental Praha, Prague, Czech Republic Day 6: The best of Prague, city of crossroads Take a morning walking tour of Prague’s Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; stroll along ornate Charles Bridge and see the Astronomical Clock. Get a true taste of Prague during lunch at a local restaurant, then tour the Hradcany (Castle) district, linked to Old Town by Charles Bridge, and dominated by 1,000-year-old Prague Castle. It is the country’s traditional seat of power, and incorporates palaces, museums, monasteries, and halls for knighthood ceremonies. While there, enjoy a Tauck Exclusive – a private tour of the opulent Baroque libraries of Strahov Monastery – as well as visits to the immense Cathedral of St. Vitus, coronation site for Czech kings and queens, and St. Wenceslas Chapel, the most beautiful of the cathedral’s side chapels. Meals: Breakfast, lunch Lodging: Intercontinental Praha, Prague, Czech Republic Day 7: Before your eyes, centuries of history unfold More sightseeing amidst the squares and spires of Prague includes a choice today. You may choose to join us for a tour of the Josefov district, Prague's historic Jewish Quarter (holidays permitting). Highlights include Maisel and Pinkas Synagogues; a visit to the Jewish Cemetery, built in the 15th century; and the Old-New Synagogue, one of Europe's oldest places of worship still in use today. Or you can take an architectural tour of the city that includes the Renaissance-era Town Hall, as well as the Municipal House, a 19th-century Art Nouveau gem. Spend the rest of the day at leisure prior to tonight's exclusive farewell evening at 16th-century Nelahozeves Castle outside Prague – where you'll join a member of the Lobkowicz family (former Czech nobility) for a wine reception followed by a gala farewell dinner. Meals: Breakfast, dinner Lodging: InterContinental Praha, Czech Republic Day 8: Check out of the Czech Republic Tauck's Eastern Europe tour ends in Prague, Czech Republic. Fly home anytime. A transfer from the InterContinental Praha to Prague's Ruzyne International Airport is included; you should allow a minimum of 2 1/2 hours for flight check-in. Meals: Breakfast
await on Tauck's one-week Eastern Europe tour – book today! |
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| Double | Single | Triple | |
| 2009 Price per Person |
$3090 | $4084 | $3034 |
Need to Know
Airfare to the tour departure point and from the tour ending point is not included. Airfare may be purchased from Tauck for travel originating in the United States.
Hotel Rooms Before and After Tours – To avoid jet lag and possible flight delays, you may wish to make hotel arrangements for the nights preceding or following your tour. As a service, Tauck will book additional nights for you on a space-available basis using special rates only available through Tauck. Hotel room charges will be added to the tour cost. If you wish to spend additional nights, please consult the Extend This Journey section on this website and discuss it with the reservations agent when you book your tour.
Luggage Responsibility – Although every effort is made to handle your luggage carefully, we cannot be responsible, assume liability or accept claims for loss or damage to luggage and personal effects due to breakage, theft, or fair wear and tear through hotel, airline and group carrier handling. It is important for your own self-interest and protection that you make certain you have adequate insurance to cover these eventualities. Please refer to the Tauck Protection Plan for more information.
Personal Expenses - Phone calls, room service, alcoholic and bar beverages, mineral waters and soft drinks, laundry, airline excess luggage charges, airport departure taxes, vaccinations, visa fees and services, and other optional or incidental extras are not included and may be significant.
Tauck Director and Driver Gratuities - The customary gratuities to the Tauck Director and driver are not included. Gratuities should be extended on a voluntary, individual basis and not as a group.
Airline Security Measures – In the U.S., you must provide identification in the form of a passport at the time of airport check-in for travel to international destinations. Your passport name must match the name on your tour reservation and airline ticket or you may be denied boarding.
If you are traveling from an airport outside the jurisdiction of the U.S, you will need to determine what travel documentation and identification is required for that particular airport.
Due to heightened security regulations, certain items such as a metal nail file, pocket knife, cigarette lighter, or tweezers, and some liquid, gel, or aerosol items may not be permitted in your carry-on luggage. Please call your airline prior to departure to obtain current information on non-permissible carry-on items and recommended airport check-in times.
Air Conditioning – All the hotels and motor coaches used on this tour are air-conditioned for your comfort. European air conditioning in hotels should be considered as a climate-control system; most have three settings for the fan, plus a "cool" setting. Very few of the European systems actually have a temperature setting. In general, the amount of cool air that is produced from a European air-conditioning system may be less than what you may have in your own home. Some hotels in Europe do not operate their air-conditioning systems on a year round basis, but only during certain months of the year.
ATM and Credit Cards - We recommend that you contact your bank in advance of departing for this tour to determine whether you will be able to use your ATM and credit cards while traveling. When contacting your bank, notify them of your travel dates so that they will anticipate charges being made outside of your hometown and do not suspend your cards for what may appear to them to be “suspicious” charges. We also recommend that you make a photocopy of the front and back sides of your ATM and credit cards to leave behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your cards are misplaced, lost or stolen.
Clothing and Packing - The weather in this region of Eastern Europe is temperate and unpredictable. We suggest that you dress for comfort and convenience with a wardrobe that is flexible and allows for layering. Casual, cotton clothing is recommended. A light sweater or jacket will provide warmth on a chilly early morning walk or a late night stroll.
In Europe, especially in finer restaurants, it is generally customary to dress somewhat formally. Slacks or a dress for women and a jacket for men are acceptable dining attire. It is advisable to avoid wearing jeans, sneakers or shorts for dinner. You may also wish to dress up a bit for the welcome reception and the farewell dinner, but by all means be comfortable.
You will find a hair dryer located in your hotel guest rooms. Irons and ironing boards are available on request. Valet laundry and dry cleaning services are also available for a fee.
We recommend that you pack an adequate supply of your prescription medication in its original container to last through your entire journey, together with a copy of your doctor’s prescription (or a letter from your health-care provider on office stationery explaining that the medication has been prescribed for you), a list of the generic names of your medication, your travel documents and a change of clothing in your carry-on bag to avoid any inconvenience in the event that your flight or luggage is delayed.
Following is a list of recommended items to pack for your trip to Eastern Europe:
Cell Phones - We understand and appreciate the value of instant communication when we travel; it keeps us in touch with friends and family, and it's a reassurance in the event of an emergency. However, the use of cell phones can be disruptive to a tour and to other guests who are enjoying their vacation. As a courtesy to others, we ask that you refrain from using your cell phone during motor coach travel, during group functions, when sightseeing and when the Tauck Director is addressing the group as a whole. There are many ample opportunities to make or receive calls at times when it does not affect others.
Please contact your cell phone carrier to determine whether your service extends to Hungary, Austria and the Czech Republic.
Currency and Exchange Rates - Although it is not necessary for you to exchange money prior to your trip, it may be useful to have a small amount of local currency with you when you arrive. If upon arrival you require local currency, you can visit one of the many currency exchange facilities at the airport, use an ATM, or exchange currency at any of the hotels on the itinerary.
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Average Temperature
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|
|
Budapest, Hungary
|
Vienna, Austria
|
||
|
Month
|
Hi/Lo ºF
|
Hi/Lo ºC
|
Hi/Lo ºF
|
Hi/Lo ºC
|
|
January
|
34 / 24
|
1 / -4
|
36 / 27
|
2 / -3
|
|
February
|
40 / 28
|
4 / -2
|
39 / 28
|
4 / -2
|
|
March
|
50 / 35
|
10 / 2
|
49 / 35
|
9 / 2
|
|
April
|
61 / 43
|
16 / 6
|
57 / 41
|
14 / 5
|
|
May
|
70 / 51
|
21 / 11
|
67 / 49
|
19 / 9
|
|
June
|
75 / 57
|
24 / 14
|
72 / 55
|
22 / 13
|
|
July
|
79 / 59
|
26 / 15
|
77 / 59
|
25 / 15
|
|
August
|
78 / 58
|
26 / 14
|
77 / 59
|
25 / 15
|
|
September
|
71 / 52
|
22 / 11
|
69 / 53
|
21 / 12
|
|
October
|
61 / 44
|
16 / 7
|
57 / 43
|
14 / 6
|
|
November
|
46 / 35
|
8 / 2
|
44 / 35
|
7 / 2
|
|
December
|
37 / 28
|
3 / -2
|
39 / 30
|
4 / -1
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Prague, Czech Republic
|
|
||
|
Month
|
Hi/Lo ºF
|
Hi/Lo ºC
|
|
|
|
January
|
34 / 24
|
1 / -4
|
|
|
|
February
|
36 / 25
|
2 / -4
|
|
|
|
March
|
46 / 32
|
8 / 0
|
|
|
|
April
|
54 / 36
|
12 / 2
|
|
|
|
May
|
64 / 45
|
18 / 7
|
|
|
|
June
|
69 / 51
|
21 / 11
|
|
|
|
July
|
72 / 54
|
22 / 12
|
|
|
|
August
|
73 / 53
|
23 / 12
|
|
|
|
September
|
65 / 48
|
18 / 9
|
|
|
|
October
|
54 / 39
|
12 / 4
|
|
|
|
November
|
41 / 32
|
5 / 0
|
|
|
|
December
|
36 / 28
|
2 / -2
|
|
|
|
|
Average Rainfall
|
|||
|
|
Budapest, Hungary
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Vienna, Austria
|
||
|
Month
|
Inches
|
Millimeters
|
Inches
|
Millimeters
|
|
January
|
1.3
|
33
|
1.5
|
38
|
|
February
|
1.2
|
30
|
1.7
|
43
|
|
March
|
1.1
|
28
|
1.6
|
41
|
|
April
|
1.5
|
38
|
2.0
|
51
|
|
May
|
2.2
|
56
|
2.4
|
61
|
|
June
|
2.5
|
64
|
2.9
|
74
|
|
July
|
2.1
|
53
|
2.5
|
64
|
|
August
|
2.0
|
51
|
2.3
|
58
|
|
September
|
1.6
|
41
|
1.8
|
46
|
|
October
|
1.3
|
33
|
1.6
|
41
|
|
November
|
2.1
|
53
|
2.0
|
51
|
|
December
|
1.6
|
41
|
1.7
|
43
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Prague, Czech Republic
|
|
||
|
Month
|
Inches
|
Millimeters
|
|
|
|
January
|
2.7
|
69
|
|
|
|
February
|
1.9
|
48
|
|
|
|
March
|
2.6
|
66
|
|
|
|
April
|
2.1
|
53
|
|
|
|
May
|
2.4
|
61
|
|
|
|
June
|
2.8
|
71
|
|
|
|
July
|
3.0
|
76
|
|
|
|
August
|
2.8
|
71
|
|
|
|
September
|
2.6
|
66
|
|
|
|
October
|
2.9
|
74
|
|
|
|
November
|
3.2
|
81
|
|
|
|
December
|
3.3
|
84
|
|
|
Cancellation Fees – Regardless of reason, cancellations of confirmed bookings result in Tauck incurring costly penalties and cancellation fees from our travel and hotel providers. Therefore, if you have to cancel a confirmed booking, Tauck will charge you a cancellation fee according to when your cancellation notice is received in its Norwalk, CT office. To help limit your liability, Tauck offers a Tauck Protection Plan.
If you choose to purchase Tauck’s Guest Protection or Cancellation Fee Waiver, you will have your cancellation penalties waived. Please click here for more details.
If you choose not to purchase the Tauck Protection Plan, you will incur cancellation penalties per person as follows: