Prague and Vienna hosted tour

Day 1. Arrive Budapest. Meet and transfer. Driver will wait on arrival hall. Transfer to 4* Hotel Radisson SAS.
Budapest is the capital of Hungary. Its entire social makeup is divided into two. On one side cosmopolitan and posh Buda, looking down from the lofty heights of its hills; on the other schizophrenic and scruffy Pest, blithely enjoying itself, oblivious to the twitching curtains of the neighbours across the way. And running between the two is the magnificent Danube. Europe's greatest river and immortalised in the music of Johan Strauss. This truly is a city with character.. Although only designated a single entity in 1873, for centuries the twin towns on the banks of the Danube together occupied one of the most strategically important sites in Europe. Straddling the river, the main route of communication across a continent, the cities were at the heart of not just Hungary's, but Europe's political, commercial and ideological life. Thus, the city found itself constantly invaded, subjugated and pulled by East and West. Yet somehow, in the twin cities was preserved the pride born of Hungary's founders, the Magyars. It is only recently, after the thawing of the Cold War that Budapest has been able truly to celebrate its uniqueness and remarkable cultural heritage.

Pick up from reception at 10-00 for Jewish Heritage tour. Driving along the River Danube to the St Stephen’s Park (World War II Victims Memorial), then continue to New Leopold’s Town the former middle-class Jewish district. Visit to the world’s second largest Synagogue, the Dohány Street Synagogue and the Jewish Museum (entrance) to both places, including the Jewish Garden, the Tree of Life and the Temple of Heroes. Cake and soft drink is included at Restaurant Kosher where tour ends.

The Budapest card represents a good investment for any visitor to the city. The card entitles holders to reduced or free entrance to most of Budapest's premier attractions as well as reductions at restaurants, and on city tours and free travel on all forms of public transport in the city centre.

Parlament. One of the largest state buildings in Europe, this neo-Gothic fantasy was completed in 1902 and remains one of Budapest's most dominant structures. The magnificent facade facing the river stretches for a quarter of a kilometre, while the vast central dome that rises above serves as a landmark for locals and visitors alike. Since the downfall of Communism the building is once again serving its original purpose as the seat of Hungarian democracy but it is still possible to visit and explore this fascinating building. When parliament isn't sitting you can even visit the members' gallery benches. The resplendent Hungarian crown jewels are also on show, under permanent ceremonial guard. A series of ramparts facing the river in Buda's splendid Castle District, the Fisherman's Bastion is named after the traditional defenders of this stretch of walls. In fact the Bastion bears testament to the whole of Hungary's fortitude over the centuries. The seven conical topped towers are representative of the seven original Magyar tribes that established the nation. The views across to the parliament building are fantastic and shouldn't be passed up.

In the heart of the Castle District the nearby Matthias Church is one of the city's most popular tourist draws. An attractive church in a Romanesque style it is easily recognisable by its patterned roof (a 19th-century addition) and elaborate main spire. The church has been in existence for 700 years but was stripped during the Turkish occupation when it served as the city mosque - requiring architect Frigyes Schulek to restore its splendour in the late 1800s. Contained within are an extensive display of religious relics and several notable works of iconography

Budapest's City Park (Varosliget) contains several attractions in the same place and you can find yourself spending most of a day exploring its features. One of Budapest's most celebrated landmarks and the largest church in the country, St Stephen's took over 50 years to build, only being completed in 1906. The views from the tower are among the most impressive in the city and it is well worth paying the extra and making the trip to the top if you visit. Hungarian Catholicism's most holy relic, the preserved right hand of St Stephen (the first Christian king of Hungary) can be found in the chapel within. It's perhaps not the prettiest tourist attraction in the world but it's certainly among the most fascinatingly macabre.

Day 4. Budapest , the driver will wait on reception at hotel in the morning 6:30 for private transfer to hydrofoil. 8-00 departure on Hydrofoil to Vienna. 14-20 arrive to Vienna.

One of Europe's most attractive capital cities, Vienna rewards visitors with its cosmopolitan ambience and magnificent grand architecture. Home to the Habsburgs, Mozart and Freud among other luminaries, and the backdrop for one of the most famous films of modern times, The Third Man, Vienna is a living work of art, still as beautifully refined as ever. Belvedere is a splendid rococo palace that is both a vast depository for artistic treasures and an architectural masterpiece in itself.

Originally built for Prince Eugene of Savoy, the palace now holds two excellent galleries displaying Austrian art from the Middle Ages to the present day, the Upper Belvedere concentrating on 19th and 20th-century works, and the Lower Belvedere housing baroque and medieval art. Gustav Klimt's The Kiss is just one highlight of the collection. Impeccably manicured gardens and leaping fountains complement the architectural beauty of the palace. A perfect escape from the confines of the city.

The Figaro House. Mozart and his family lived in this Viennese townhouse from 1787 to 1790 and the genius composer created numerous works in its confines, including the celebrated opera "The Marriage of Figaro". In between working, he received other musical luminaries such as Haydn and Schubert here. The architecture of the building is less impressive than its historical importance but the museum is a must-see for music fans and contains some interesting exhibits relating to the composer's life and work.

Private transfer from reception of FALKENSTEINER HOTEL at 9-30 to WIEN SUEDBAHNHOF

In terms of sheer beauty and architectural excellence, Prague is undoubtedly one of Europe's most attractive capital cities. The history of the city is echoed within the walls of the numerous baroque and Renaissance buildings which characterise this splendid city.

Prague is the Czech’s Republic capital and its international show piece. From magnificent Prague Castle to Wenceslas Square in the heart of the city, Prague rewards visitors with a diverse range of attractions, most situated within walking distance of each other. The Charles Bridge, flanked on either side by statues of monarchs and saints, serves as a timeless symbol of Prague's medieval history, while the Jewish quarter, adjacent to the old town square, is a constant reminder of the Nazi occupation during World War Two.

Having survived the centuries with its medieval architecture intact, Prague is one of the best-preserved capitals in Europe as well as being one of the most easily accessible of the great cities of Eastern Europe. Its historical legacy is only matched by its status as a European cultural centre.

Although "discovered" by modern tourism a couple of decades ago, and already one of Europe's favourite city breaks (particularly among the stag-do and hen-night brigades) Prague has the charm to still seem untired by the thousands of visitors who come here each day. And certainly the visitors show no sign of ever tiring of this historical but thoroughly modern thinking city.

If you're going to spend a few days exploring the city it might be a good idea to invest in a Prague card. The card entitles you to free admission to 40 attractions, including the main sights, with an optional extra fee entitling you to free public transport over a three-day period. Ask at the tourist office for full details

Day 8. The guide will wait on the reception at 10-00 ½ day private excursion Jewish heritage

The Jewish Quarter witnessed the most sinister and barbaric period in Prague's history. The thriving Jewish community was almost completely destroyed by a series of pogroms and deportations following the Nazi invasion of 1938. However, the remnants of Jewish life still live on through the synagogues and the famous Jewish cemetery, which typifies the overcrowded nature of the ghetto throughout its 900-year history.
Jewish Museum incorporating four synagogues, Old Jewish Cemetery and Ceremonial Hall

Day 10. Prague Private Transfer from the reception of hotel Ramada to airport.

4 nights, Budapest , Radisson Sas Beke hotel, 4****
2 nights Vienna, Falkesteiner am Scohttenfeld 4****
4 nights in Prague Hotel Ramada 4****

Prices on request. Please email your dates, number of people, hotel category preference and we will provide a quote.