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Day 3 • Fisherman's Bastion
Day 5 • Schönbrunn Palace
Day 7 • Salzburg
Day 9 • Passion Play
Day 11 • Regensburg
Day 1 • Departure from the USA
We start our journey with an overnight flight over the Atlantic to Budapest, Hungary.
Day 2 • Budapest
After arrival in Budapest, Hungary, we are met by our friendly Signature Tours International Manager who helps us board our awaiting motor coach that transfers us to our hotel. En route we enjoy a panoramic sightseeing tour with our Tour Manager. We have dinner and spend the night in Budapest.
Day 3 • Budapest
The cities of Buda and Pest lie on opposite sides of the River Danube, together comprising the capital of Hungary. Today we have a sightseeing tour that includes the Fisherman's Bastion. The Fisherman's Bastion is one of the most popular spots of the Castle District, as it offers a grand panorama of almost the entire city. It received its name from the medieval ramparts system that rose above the suburb named Fisherman's Town. In addition, there used to be a fish market behind the ramparts. We tour Mátyás Templom, which has been used over the centuries as a coronation church for the Hungarian kings. The slender and graceful architecture of this beautiful church dominates the main square. We stay the night in Budapest.
Day 4 • Château of the Esterhazy Princes
Day 4 • Budapest/Eisenstadt/Vienna
This morning we travel to Eisenstadt on the south slope of the Leithagebirge, whose forest makes you think of a huge park. It is at this point that the great Central European Plain begins. We visit the Château of the Esterhazy Princes. Prince Paul Esterhazy commissioned the Italian architect Carlone to build the great round court of honor. The Haydnsall (Haydn Room) was the great hall of state in the time of the Esterhazy princes. In the noble setting of this huge hall, decorated in the 18th century, Joseph Haydn, nearly every evening, conducted the orchestra of the princely court, often performing his own works. We continue to Vienna for dinner and overnight.
Day 5 • Vienna
Today we take a tour of Vienna, including Schönbrunn Palace, built by Emperor Leopold I for his son, Josef I. Marie-Antoinette spent her childhood here. It was in the concert room that Mozart, at the age of 6, astonished the empress and her courtiers with his amazing talents. Later, in the castle’s little theater, the prodigy directed his opera Der Schauspieldirecktor in 1786. In 1805 and 1809, Napoleon I set up his headquarters in Schönbrunn. We have time for lunch on our own and spend the afternoon at leisure on our own. Our Tour Manager is available with tips on what to see. We have dinner and stay overnight in Vienna.
Day 6 • Vienna
Day 6 • Vienna
Embarking on a half-day sightseeing tour of Vienna, we visit Mozart’s House (Figaro’s House) and the House of Music. Mozart lived in Figaro’s House from 1784 to 1787 and composed The Marriage of Figaro here. We have time for lunch on our own and an afternoon at leisure with guidance by our Tour Manager. We have dinner and stay in Vienna overnight.
Day 7 • Vienna/Salzburg
This morning we travel to the beautiful city of Salzburg. Salzburg was the home of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, who was born on January 27, 1756. By 1770, at the age of 14, Mozart already had behind him a career and volumes of music that more than one composer might envy. But, according to his father, a visit to Italy was necessary to complete a musician’s education, and so Wolfgang traveled to Italy where he would compose an opera. Mozart died on December 6, 1791 at the age of 35. We tour Mozart’s birthplace and then have dinner and stay the night in Salzburg.
Day 8 • Salzburg/Oberammergau
Our morning is at leisure before we depart Salzburg to travel to Oberammergau. There is free time for lunch on our way. We arrive in Oberammergau for the highlight of our trip, the Passion Play. We have dinner and stay the night in Oberammergau.
Day 9 • Oberammergau/PASSION PLAY
Today is the day we have all been waiting for! This small town of peasants and craftsmen, encircled by the wooded foothills of the Ammergau, owes its fame to the internationally renowned Passion Play. Performed only once every ten years, and involving 1,100 amateur actors from the local population, this play, re-enacting the final days of Christ, lasts an entire summer’s day. This is sure to be a day we will never forget. Dinner and overnight are in Oberammergau.
Day 10 • Oberammergau/Munich
After an unforgettable day in Oberammergau, we board our motor coach for transfer to Munich. Munich, a cultural center and the capital of Bavaria, is also the largest center for industry and commerce in southern Germany. Munich was host to the XX Olympic games in 1972. There is free time for lunch before an afternoon guided sightseeing tour, including Nymphenburg Palace and Frauenkirche, the largest and most important church in the capital city of Bavaria. Nymphenburg Castle was the one-time summer residence of Bavarian rulers and has been finished in the style of an Italian palace. We have dinner and spend the night in Munich.
Day 11 • Munich/Regensburg/Prague
Boarding our coach, we travel to Regensburg, a city with settlements dating back to the Stone Ages. We enjoy a panoramic tour upon arrival. There is time for us to have lunch on our own before we continue to Prague, where we have dinner and stay the night.
Day 12 • Prague
This morning we embark on a morning guided sightseeing tour of Prague. We visit Prague Castle. It, along with St. Vitus Cathedral, is one of the symbols of Prague, a spiritual center and an architectural work of Gothic art. Prague Castle, representing thousands of years of history of a Czech nation with the Old Royal Palace, the Basilica of St. George, various chapels, statues and many other historical monuments, make this one of the biggest castles in the world. We have time for lunch on our own and an afternoon to experience Prague. Take a walk to Charles’ Bridge or just relax! Our Tour Manager is available to direct us. At night, we gather for a Farewell Dinner and stay in Prague overnight.
Day 13 • Prague/Hometown, U.S.A.
Today we transfer to Prague Airport for our return flight to the U.S., taking with us many fun memories of a lifetime to share with friends and family back at home!!