10D Imperial Europe

The sophisticated city streets of Munich are your launch pad to an adventure through the capitals of Imperial Europe. Join your fellow travellers and your Travel Director this afternoon on an orientation tour., and spend some free time immersing yourself in the sights and sounds of the Bavarian capital. View the Marienplatz, the centre of Munich city life since the 12th century, and its iconic Glockenspiel, before a Welcome Reception to kick-start your journey.

Our captivating journey through Rome begins at the Vatican Museums where we join a Local Specialist to Dive Into Culture and admire Michelangelo's magnificent frescoed ceiling in the Sistine Chapel and his sorrowful Pietà in St. Peter's Basilica. We visit the enduring symbols of Ancient Rome, including the Circus Maximus, before spending the afternoon at leisure. Wander up Via del Corso on a shopping spree, soak up the coffee culture in one of Rome's lively piazze or discover the masterpieces of Rome in one of the city's many museums.

Delve into centuries of history as you join a Local Specialist for a guided sightseeing tour of Prague. View the impressive Gothic architecture of St. Vitus Cathedral in the grounds of the 1,000-year-old Prague Castle, then cross the river on your walking tour to the Old Town Square to see the Astronomical Clock, with its hourly Walk of the Apostles. The afternoon is yours to experience the city on your terms. Savour the delicious flavours of Trdelník in the Old Town Square, pay tribute to the saints that line the Charles Bridge or consider a relaxing lunch cruise on the Vltava.

Cross the lush landscapes of Moravia and stop in Bratislava to admire its eclectic Gothic, Baroque and Art Deco architecture. In the quaint Old Town, stop for a pick-me-up and unique MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at a social business café providing employment opportunities for vulnerable women. Continue across the Hungarian border before arriving in Budapest, the 'Paris of the East'.

Admire the iconic and unexpected highlights of Budapest on a guided sightseeing tour with a Local Specialist. See the famous Chain Bridge which connects the two ancient settlements that straddle the Danube, and the UNESCO-listed Castle Hill district. Here, you can enjoy superb views across the imposing Parliament building and Danube below. Spend the rest of the day at leisure before joining the Schieszl family for a hearty Hungarian dinner at our Be My Guest experience. Connect With Locals and hear the story of their winery.

A leisurely start to your morning could see you joining an Optional Experience guided tour of the magnificent Parliament Building. Cross the hilly landscapes of Transdanubia stopping in Győr to soak up its medieval atmosphere. Arrive in Vienna for an evening at leisure to indulge in the captivating melodies, art and architecture of a city that was once home to famous composers.

Explore the imperial splendour of Vienna during your guided sightseeing tour of Vienna with a Local Specialist. Admire Hofburg Palace, the former winter residence of the Habsburg Dynasty, the grand State Opera House and Ringstrasse, a beautiful sweeping boulevard built in the 19th-century to replace the city walls. Then, see the ornate colourful roof of St. Stephen's Cathedral, one of the city's most beloved icons. Maybe, visit the Baroque Schönbrunn Palace with its tranquil gardens or enjoy Vienna's musical talents at one of the performances for which the city is famous.

The enchanting landscapes of the UNESCO-designated Wachau Valley provide a picturesque backdrop for our leisurely drive past vineyards and fortresses en route to Salzburg. We see the impressive Benedictine Melk Abbey perched on a rocky outcrop above the Danube and learn about its royal connections. Arriving in Salzburg, we embark on a leisurely walking tour of its Old Town with a Local Specialist. Dine in your hotel this evening.

Leave Austria behind, bound for the Bavarian Capital, Munich. This evening, we celebrate an unforgettable journey through some of Europe's most memorable cities during a Farewell Dinner with your travel companions and Travel Director.

For now, it's time to say a fond auf Wiedersehen to Germany, your fellow travellers and Travel Director at the end of your exhilarating European experience.