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

Your trip begins with a regularly scheduled overnight flight to Budapest aboard an internationally recognized airline.

Day 2 - Budapest

Welcome to Budapest, a city divided by the Danube River into its old and new sections, Buda and Pest. A Go Ahead representative greets you at the airport after you clear customs and then escorts you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax or begin acquainting yourself with the Hungarian capital. At an included dinner this evening, meet your fellow travelers.
Included meals: breakfast (in flight), dinner

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 and Budapest’s tallest building.
Included meals: breakfast
Included entrances: Parliament, Matthias Church,
St. Steven’s Basilica

Day 4 - Budapest

During your free day in Budapest, continue your personal exploration of the city. You might browse through the shops on Budapest’s sophisticated pedestrian shopping streets, take a short journey outside to the Vadaskert (Game Park) or tour the Jewish Museum. You may also opt for an excursion to a horse farm in the puszta grasslands region (seasonal) for an equestrian performance and lunch.
Included meals: breakfast

$109 CAD

Hungarian Puszta Your journey into the Hungarian puszta, or grasslands, begins with a trip to the town of Kecskemet, a pretty Eastern European town, to visit its town hall. Then venture farther into the puszta for a visit to a traditional Hungarian horse farm.  Please note: This excursion does not run in November or December and is weather dependent.

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, in time for an included dinner.
Included meals: breakfast, dinner
Included Entrance: Serbian Orthodox Church

Day 6 - Vienna

On today’s guided sightseeing tour of Vienna, you’ll tour the Opera House, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, themajestic 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 lavishly decorated public rooms and the private chambers of Empress Maria Theresa. Don’t miss the beautifully landscaped gardens surrounding the estate. This evening, opt to attend our Traditional Viennese Heurigen Evening. At this optional evening event, you’ll take a ride on the Prater Ferris Wheel and dine at a local restaurant where you’ll enjoy wine made by the people serving dinner.
Included meals: breakfast
Included entrances: Schönbrunn Palace, St. Stephen’s Cathedral

$99 CAD

Traditional Viennese Heurigen Evening Take a ride on Vienna’s Giant Ferris Wheel, which offers a one-of-a-kind view of the city. Then enjoy a scenic drive to the picturesque village of Grinzing. At dinner in Grizing, savor a traditional Austrian “Heurigen” cuisine in a cozy Old World setting, along with wine served by the very people who made it.

Day 7 - Vienna

Spend the day at your leisure. You might wish to take a stroll through Vienna’s pedestrian zone, stopping at the Hotel Sacher for a taste of its world-famous Sachertorte, or view the elegant Lipizzaner horses in the Spanish Riding School.
Another popular Viennese attraction is the enormous Ferris wheel in the Prater, once a royal park. Or choose to join an optional riverboat cruise along the scenic banks of the Danube including a stop in Dormstein.
Included meals: breakfast

$85 CAD

Danube River Cruise Journey to Durnstein for free time to explore, before your leisurely boat ride through the most charming section of the Danube, the Wachau. Please note: This optional excursion requires advanced reservations and is seasonal from mid-April through October.

Day 8 - Prague

Travel across the Czech border to Prague, one of Europe’s most beautiful cities, and arrive in time for an included dinner.
Included meals: breakfast, dinner

Day 9 - Prague

On this morning’s guided tour, discover why Prague is known as the City of One Hundred Spires. The pinnacles of the city’s churches and palaces create one of Europe’s most majestic skylines. 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. During free time this afternoon, you can wander the medieval lanes of the Old Town. Discover Wenceslas Square, Prague’s cosmopolitan heart, or cross the elegant Charles Bridge. Alternatively, join our optional tour of Prague’s Jewish Quarter.
Included meals: breakfast
Included entrances: Castle of Hradcany,
St. Vitus Cathedral, Golden Lane

$59 CAD

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 its evocative Gothic interior or check out the rococo façade of Kinsky Palace. This evening, join an optional excursion to Château Sychrov for a concert and dinner.
Included meals: breakfast

$119 CAD

Chateau Sychrov Visit the Château Sychrov, a 17th-century Baroque estate north of Prague. Then tour through the gallery of French kings and the chåteau’s gardens. Later, enjoy a private concert of classic Czech music. Dinner is included. Please note: This excursion requires advance booking and payment at least 20 days prior to departure.

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 Regensburg. Upon arrival in Oberammergau, settle into your hotel and join your group for an included dinner.
Included meals: breakfast, dinner

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, dinner included. Though the play does last for seven hours, with an intermission for dinner, it will be one of the most evocative and emotionally powerful plays you’ll see in your lifetime, giving you the feeling of actually witnessing the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus.
Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Included entrances: The Passion Play

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.
Included meals: breakfast
(In the case of early morning departures, breakfast may not be included.)

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 CAD more, you’ll get all of the above plus additional coverage (up to $1,000 CAD) 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 CAD
  • Baggage & Property: $60 CAD

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 tipping in your tour country’s currency, the equivalent of $3USD/CAD per person per day for your driver and $6USD/CAD to $9USD/ CAD per person per day for your Tour Director. If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD/CAD per local guide.

Tips can only be paid in cash. Please keep current local currency exchange
rates in mind when tipping.