Imperial Capitals 2


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Detailed Trip Description

This fascinating vacation covers the central and eastern regions of Europe, focusing on the charming cities of the former Prussian and Austro-Hungarian Empires with their monumental architecture, eventful history, and solid traditions. Begin with two overnights in London, then cross the Channel by ferry and join your motorcoach headed for Brussels. Then, pass through the Duchy of Luxembourg to enter Germany with a stop in ancient Trier. Overnight in Frankfurt before traveling through Bavaria, visiting Nuremberg and Munich, and arriving in Mozart's hometown of Salzburg. Next, discover Vienna with a sightseeing tour that highlights the State Opera, Hofburg Palace, Parliament, and St Stephen's Cathedral. On to Hungary with a stop in Györ and two nights in Budapest where you'll admire the many bridges spanning the Danube, the Parliament Building, the Royal Castle, Fishermen's Bastion, and Mathias Coronation Church. On the way to Prague, stop in Bratislava and drink in the beautiful Bohemian landscapes. In Prague, encounter brilliant gothic and baroque architecture, including Charles Bridge and the old Town Hall. Back in Germany, visit Dresden, spend two nights in Berlin, and stop in medieval Hamelin. Back to the Channel for your return ferry ride to England and transfer to London for the final night of your exciting vacation.


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Trip Itinerary

Day 1 - On the Plane

 
Commercial Flights

Board Your Overnight Transatlantic Flight.

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Day 2 - London, United Kingdom

 
ARRIVAL IN LONDON, ENGLAND.
Hotels

Check into your hotel. In the afternoon you may want to start exploring the lively British capital. Uniformed Hosts are available to help you make the most of your stay.

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Day 3 - London, United Kingdom

 
Sightseeing

A full day to savor our rich program of optional activities: take a panoramic tour of London’s landmarks, visit the Tower of London, or choose an excursion to Windsor Castle.

River Cruises

Tonight maybe a leisurely cruise on the River Thames? (B)

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Day 4 - Brussels, Belgium

 
LONDON-BRUSSELS, BELGIUM.
Buses

Leave London in the early morning and head through the lush English countryside to the Channel port, where you board your ferry for the Continent. Here meet your Tour Director and board your luxury coach for the drive to Brussels. (B)

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Day 5 - Brussels, Belgium

 
BRUSSELS-LUXEMBOURG-THE RHINELAND, GERMANY-FRANKFURT AREA.
Sightseeing

Drive south this morning into the Duchy of Luxembourg. Cross the German border and make a stop in ancient Trier before continuing through the splendid scenery of the Moselle Valley.

River Cruises

A choice this afternoon of the included scenic drive along the shores of the Rhine or, even more thrilling, the optional Rhine cruise with vistas of the Lorelei Rock, hilltop castles, half-timbered wine villages, and terraced vineyards.

Hotels

Just a few more miles by coach to the overnight in the Frankfurt area. (B,D)

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Day 6 - Frankfurt, Germany

 
FRANKFURT AREA-NUREMBERG-SALZBURG AREA, AUSTRIA.
Sightseeing

Journey through the heart of Germany on the highway to reach Nuremberg, at one time Germany’s most beautiful city and much later famed for the war criminal trials which took place in 1945. Stop for a short visit.

Hotels

Drive south this afternoon through Bavaria, past Munich, across the German-Austrian border, and into the Salzburg area for an overnight. (B,D)

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Day 7 - Vienna, Austria

 
SALZBURG AREA-VIENNA.
Sightseeing

A morning to enjoy some optional sightseeing in Salzburg, Mozart’s hometown.

Sightseeing

In the afternoon journey through the Salzkammergut Lakelands of Sound of Music fame, past Mondsee to follow the Danube almost all the way to Vienna. (B)

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Day 8 - Vienna, Austria

 
Sightseeing

Start the morning with an included sightseeing tour featuring the State Opera, Parliament, and the Town Hall. Stop for a stroll in Heroes’ Square to view the Hofburg. Finally, an inside visit of St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Complete the day by joining the optional excursion to Schönbrunn Palace. (B)

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Day 9 - Budapest, Hungary

 
VIENNA-LAKE BALATON, HUNGARY-BUDAPEST.
Sightseeing

East today into Hungary through the historic city of Györ. Next, the vast stretch of Lake Balaton unfolds as you drive through some of its summer resorts. Reach Budapest by way of Martonvasar, where Beethoven wrote his Appassionata.

Optional cruise
River Cruises

Tonight an optional cruise on the Danube to enjoy the fascinating city illuminations. (B,D)

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Day 10 - Budapest, Hungary

 
Sightseeing

Buda Castle dominates the twin cities of Buda and Pest, separated by the broad ribbon of the Danube. Heroes’ Square typifies the modern capital, while along the riverbank you find the old inns and wine cellars. Included sightseeing takes in the Parliament building, Margaret Island, Fishermen’s Bastion, the Royal Castle, and Matthias Coronation Church. (B)

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Day 11 - Budapest, Hungary

 
BUDAPEST-PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC.
Sightseeing

Start the day by traveling into Slovakia. Once across the border, have a break in Bratislava, its capital. Drive north to cross yet another border into the Czech Republic. The highway will take you through Bohemia, an enchanted land of castles, spas, and picket-fenced villages. Evening arrival in Prague. (B,D)

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Day 12 - Prague, Czech Republic

 
Sightseeing

The wealth of Gothic and Baroque architecture here perhaps inspired Dvorak and Smetana, both Prague composers. Included sightseeing features landmarks such as the National Theater, Belvedere, Charles Bridge, and the old Town Hall with the Astronomical Clock. (B,D)

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Day 13 - Prague, Czech Republic

 
PRAGUE-DRESDEN, GERMANY-BERLIN.
Sightseeing

Discover more of Bohemia as you journey towards the German frontier. Next, the mountains and fortresses of the Erzgebirge range. Today’s highlight is a stop in Dresden, a magnificently restored city after its almost total destruction in World War II. In the afternoon travel north across the River Elbe to reach Berlin for two overnights.

Optional dinner

Maybe join the optional dinner outing. (B)

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Day 14 - Berlin, Germany

 
Sightseeing

Included sightseeing focuses on the Reichstag, Brandenburg Gate, and the Europa Center. Reunited Berlin has regained not only its territorial integrity but also the status of a German capital.

Museums

There is also the option of visiting Berlin's most important museums. (B)

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Day 15 - Berlin, Germany

 
BERLIN-RHINELAND.
Sightseeing

Back on the Autobahn this morning past Brunswick on the way to Hamelin. Stop and hear the story of the Pied Piper. Next, the grand scenery of the Teutoburger Forest and into the Ruhr, then farther west to the Rhineland for an overnight. (B,D)

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Day 16 - London, United Kingdom

 
RHINELAND-LONDON, ENGLAND.
Sightseeing

A comfortable drive this morning to the Channel port for your ferry crossing from the Continent to England. Through Kent return to London for an evening arrival. (B)

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Day 17 - London, United Kingdom

 
Departure flight.
Airport Transfers

Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (B)

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