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Kick off the holiday season a little differently this year.
Head to Eastern Europe’s popular and festive Christmas markets to peruse stalls of handmade crafts perfect for everyone on your list. When you’re not shopping, you’ll have plenty of time to explore the streets of ancient Buda and modern Pest, get a taste for the Viennese cafe culture, and scan artsy Prague’s spire-studded skyline.
Your tour package includes
9 nights in handpicked hotels
9 breakfasts
3 dinners with beer or wine
3 sightseeing tours
Expert Tour Director & local guides
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Included highlights
Traditional Christmas markets from Budapest to Prague
Hungarian Parliament Building
Matthias Church
Danube River
Belvedere Palace
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An expert specializing in tours of this region is here to help.
Welcome to Hungary! Meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers at tonight’s welcome dinner.
Day 3: Sightseeing tour of Budapest
Included meal: Breakfast
Discover the major landmarks of both Buda and Pest in the city that straddles east and west on a guided tour. Then, take time to wander through the city’s Christmas markets on your own.
Trace this nation’s stormy history at Heroes' Square
Tour the lavishly decorated Hungarian Parliament Building
Cross the Danube and ascend Castle Hill
Take in the breathtaking views from Fisherman’s Bastion
Visit the medieval Matthias Church, once the site of Hapsburg coronations
Enjoy free time in Budapest or add an excursion.
Wine Cellar Dinner & Unicum Liqueur Tasting
From $149 per person
Day 4: Free day in Budapest
Included meal: Breakfast
Spend a free day in Budapest or add excursions.
Budapest: A Walk Behind the Iron Curtain
From $135 per person
Budapest Bath & Spa Visit
From $129 per person
Vienna3 nights
Day 5: Transfer to Vienna & Christmas market visit
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Travel west through the Danube basin en route to Vienna, Austria.
Make a photo stop at Schönbrunn Palace, the Rococo Hapsburg home
Spend free time exploring a local Christmas Market
Sit down for an included dinner this evening. Please note: On some departures the photo stop at Schönbrunn Palace will be replaced with entrance to Schönbrunn Palace on day 6 depending on the day of the week.
Day 6: Sightseeing tour of Vienna & Christmas market visit
Included meal: Breakfast
Get transported back to the Age of Empires on a guided tour of Vienna, filled with bright holiday lights and seasonal specialties at its many Christmas markets.
Step inside Belvedere Palace, home to the world's largest collection of paintings by artist Gustav Klimt, and admire the palace's impressive gardens
Travel down the Ringstrasse, passing the Parliament building, Vienna State Opera, and Kunsthistorisches Museum
See the grand Hofburg Palace, the Hapsburg’s preferred winter residence
Peruse stalls of handmade crafts in search of gifts perfect for everyone on your list
Enjoy a free evening in Vienna or add an excursion.
Please note: Belvedere Palace will be replaced with Schönbrunn Palace if the guided sightseeing falls on a Monday.
Traditional Viennese Heurigen Evening
From $165 per person
Day 7: Free day in Vienna
Included meal: Breakfast
Spend a free day in Vienna.
Prague3 nights
Day 8: Transfer to Prague
Included meal: Breakfast
Drive through the pastoral landscapes of Bohemia on your way to Prague, one of Europe’s most beautiful cities.
Day 9: Sightseeing tour of Prague & Christmas market visit
Included meal: Breakfast
Discover why Prague is known as the City of One Hundred Spires on a guided tour.
Visit Prague Castle, from which Charles IV governed the Holy Roman Empire
Admire the soaring Gothic vaults of St. Vitus Cathedral
Walk down to the Malá Strana district to sip a coffee at a local cafe
Cross the elegant Charles Bridge for breathtaking views of the city
Stroll through Old Town Square to view the 15th-century Astronomical Clock
End at the city's Christmas markets, where you'll enjoy traditional mulled wine and cookies
Enjoy free time in Prague or add an excursion.
Château Sychrov
From $205 per person
Day 10: Free day in Prague
Included meals: Breakfast, Farewell dinner
Spend a free day in Prague or add an excursion.
Then, celebrate your trip during a farewell dinner this evening.
Walking Tour of Prague's Jewish Quarter
From $159 per person
Flight Home
Day 11: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)
Transfer to the airport for your flight home or extend your stay to visit Salzburg, Austria.
Extension to Salzburg
It’s the birthplace of Mozart and setting for The Sound of Music, but that’s not all that makes Salzburg sing. Join your Tour Director and spend a couple days exploring this Austrian city, where Baroque churches and a UNESCO-listed old town will leave you in awe.
Salzburg3 nights
Day 11: Salzburg via Český Krumlov
Included meal: Breakfast
On the way to Salzburg, stop in the village of Český Krumlov for a tour of its UNESCO World Heritage-protected medieval quarter.
Day 12: Sightseeing tour of Salzburg
Included meal: Breakfast
Head to Salzburg, a city famed for its churches and musical history, where a local guide leads you on a walking tour of the Old Town.
View the University of Salzburg and the churchyard of St. Peter
See the Kapitelplatz, Residenzplatz, and age Market, in the city's Old Town
Enter the 17th-century Salzburg Cathedral, built in the Baroque style
Pass through scenery from the beloved film The Sound of Music
Enter the 17th-century Salzburg Cathedral, built in the Baroque style
Spend free time visiting the city’s Christmas markets
Enjoy a free evening in Salzburg or add an excursion.
Mozart Concert & Dinner
From $215 per person
Day 13: Free day in Salzburg
Included meal: Breakfast
Spend a free day in Salzburg on your own.
This evening, enjoy a farewell drink as you celebrate your trip with your fellow group members.
Flight Home
Day 14: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)
That's all it takes to secure your spot on tour with AutoPay. Then, pay for your trip in interest-free, monthly installments.†
Reviews
4.5 star rating
Overall rating 4.5 out of 5
Based on 31 authentic traveler reviews
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Featured
3.0 star rating
Not what I expected.
12/5/22 by 5th-time traveler Cindy
This was a great trip but not what I expected. I thought that since this trip is marketed as a "Christmas Markets" tour I expected it to have more of a holiday feel. The tour is basically the normal three city tour with a very short stop at a Christmas Market. For example, we were in Vienna for thre...
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5.0 star rating
12/12/22 by 2nd-time traveler Rita
4.0 star rating
Christmas markets for the win!
12/12/22 by 1st-time traveler Dawn
I’m a mostly solo traveler or at the very least I cobble together a trip with friends. But this trip may have turned me into a fan of tours! This one appealed to me specifically because every minute of every day was not planned for us, and we had a decent amount of free time to do what we wanted.
...
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Hotels, flights & FAQ
Here's the nitty-gritty—where you’ll stay, how you’ll get there, and what to know about your destination before you go.
Hotels
We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.
Radisson Blu Beke Hotel
This elegant, traditional hotel is located in Terézváros. Guests enjoy an indoor swimming pool, laundry services, and a restaurant. Nearby, you'll fin...
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Mercure Hotel Raphael Wien
This modern hotel is located in the Mariahilf neighborhood of Vienna. Guests enjoy a fitness center, sauna, and lounge. Nearby you’ll find the Ziegler...
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NH Prague City
This modern hotel is located in the Smíchov district of Prague. Guests enjoy a gym and sauna, restaurants with terraces, and tennis court. Nearby, you...
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NH Collection Salzburg City
This chic hotel is located a 10 minute walk from Salzburg's Old Town. Guests enjoy bicycle rentals, outdoor terrace, and on-site restaurant. Nearby yo...
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Flights
Round-trip flights are one more thing we handle to make your journey as smooth as possible. Our team of travel experts will find the best flight itinerary for you at a competitive rate, thanks to our partnerships with top airlines.
Add our airfare package and you'll get:
Round-trip flight for your tour
Airport transfers at your destination
A great price locked in today
24/7 support from our dedicated service team
Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes
This tour visits Hungary, Austria, and the Czech Republic (plus Germany on the tour extension). In order to enter these countries, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
We recommend having at least one blank passport page for entry stamps.
Beginning in 2025, U.S. and Canadian passport holders must register for an ETIAS travel authorization in order to enter many European countries.
Passport holders from over 60 visa-exempt countries (including the U.S. and Canada) will need to apply for an ETIAS travel authorization in order to visit 30 European countries. That means that even if you’ve previously traveled to any of these European countries without a visa, starting in 2025, you’ll need to get ETIAS authorization to visit them again. If you’re traveling to multiple countries with this requirement, you only need to complete the form once. All Go Ahead travelers are responsible for obtaining their own ETIAS travel authorization before departure. For more details, please visit our Help Center.
If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.
You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code VIM.
You will walk for at least 3 hours daily across mostly flat terrain with some cobblestone streets, hills, and stairs.
Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance. Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.
You should feel comfortable managing your own baggage at times.
Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special, individual mobility assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group as a whole enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing, individualized assistance to any one traveler.
If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.
Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in Budapest and depart from Prague (or Munich on the tour extension). A representative from Go Ahead Tours will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival.
Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost. (Please note that on the extension, the travel time between Salzburg and Munich is approximately two hours, and should be considered for travelers purchasing their own airfare.)
All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.
Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers, which may include train connections or flights.
Contact your airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights, which may include on-tour flights in addition to your round-trip flights to and from tour. Please note that your included on-tour flights may have more restrictive baggage limits.
Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage or exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.
Winters in the destinations visited on this tour are generally cold. To ensure you’re comfortable for outdoor sightseeing and celebrations, we recommend packing a coat, hat and gloves, as well as rainwear.
We also suggest packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered.
A sturdy pair of walking shoes, sneakers, or winter boots is recommended for sightseeing.
You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov.
If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered.
If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.
You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code VIM.
Hungary claims goulash as its national dish, but is also known for excellent salamis, cheeses, nut-flavored pancakes, freshwater fish, and preserved fruits.
Austria is known for its savory Wiener schnitzel and excellent wild trout, carp, and crayfish. Save room for dessert—especially the strudels of fruit and nuts and elegant chocolate cakes, such as the world-famous Sachertorte.
Czech food is hearty, and you’ll find large portions of veal, beef, and potato dishes. Some of the world’s finest beers are produced here, including the original Budweiser and Pils.
German food, on the tour extension, is hearty and substantial. Among the specialties are dumpling stews, sauerkraut, sausages, smoked cheeses, and dark breads. Bavaria produces some of the world’s purest beers, and white German wines are exceptionally good.
All destinations visited on this tour operate on the European standard 220-240 volts and use Types C, E, or F plugs with two small, round pins.
We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.
The strength of the air conditioning in European hotels is often not as strong or as cool as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada. When air conditioning is available, it is usually regulated seasonally and controlled centrally by the hotel.
Your hotels may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances. However, these amenities cannot be guaranteed.
You will use the Hungarian forint in Hungary, the euro in Austria (and in Germany on the tour extension), and the Czech koruna in the Czech Republic.
Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.
At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency or USD. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
We recommend tipping the equivalent of $8USD to $10USD per person per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $3USD per person per day for your driver.
If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD per local guide.
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