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Carew Travel invites you to join our excursion to exciting Budapest and Prague, two of the most popular destinations in Europe. For 18 years we have partnered with the Theatre Development Fund in offering tours around the world and Tdf has endorsed this tour. This trip includes four performances, roundtrip airfare from JFK, daily breakfast, 3 dinners, and 4 lunches, 3 nights in Budapest and 4 nights in Prague, private tours and more.
Visit Budapest and Prague in early spring during the lively musical season and enjoy 4 performances. These cities are gracious, beautiful and welcoming. Both have a rich and unique artistic heritage and a thriving musical scene. Each offers the visitor a view of European culture through the centuries from medieval times to the present. Enjoy 4 and 5 star accommodations in the heart of the cities. Experienced English speaking guides share their knowledge. This is a cultural adventure not to be missed. CALL 1-800-621-1113 for brochures and reservations.
1. Wednesday, March 17
We meet our tdf escort at New York/JFK airport and depart for Budapest at 8:00pm on British Airways. (Dinner-in flight)
2. Thursday, March 18
We arrive in London’s Heathrow airport where we connect to our Budapest flight departing at 8:30am. Upon arrival we meet our Budapest guide and have lunch. A panoramic tour of Budapest introduces the highlights of the Buda section, built on a hill overlooking the Danube. It boasts cobbled streets, and Hapsburg era architecture, and the immense Buda Castle with its commanding views of the Danube. Surveying Budapest from the bastions of Castle Hill, it's easy to see why the city was dubbed the "Pearl of the Danube". Its grand buildings and sweeping bridges are magnificent. We check into the centrally-located 5-star Corinthia Grand Hotel Royal for a three-night stay. The hotel has been restored to its original grandeur and has an excellent spa among its amenities. Our guide provides us with information about the immediate neighborhood. There is time to relax and freshen up before we meet for our welcome dinner at Gundel, Budapest’s elegant and famous restaurant. (Breakfast-in flight) (Lunch) (Dinner)
3. Friday, March 19
Following our daily breakfast at the hotel, we meet our guide and embark on a tour of the Pest, on the east bank of the Danube. It is a world of broad tree-lined avenues, elegant architecture, and is the cultural and commercial center of the city. We tour the Parliament Building, the 3rd largest Parliament building of the world. Ornamented with white neo-gothic turrets and arches, it forms the most outstanding landmark of the Pest side horizon. During this tour, you will have the chance to see the very richly decorated Staircase and the Cupola Room, where the Hungarian Crown Jewels and the Hungarian Holy Crown can be found. We have lunch at Gerbeaud, one of the world’s most famous coffee houses, a reminder of a bygone imperial era, and “pure nirvana for chocoholics.” Our afternoon tour includes a behind-the-scenes visit to the Budapest State Opera House and a visit to the Budapest Synagogue, the largest in the world. Returning to the hotel, there is free time for dinner on your own. In the evening we attend a Budapest Spring Festival musical event. (B) (L)
4. Saturday, March 20
Today is free. Why not enjoy a lunch cruise on the Danube or take an excursion to Szentendre, a small baroque city at the gate of the Danube Bend. In a beautiful natural setting, this artist’s town is just a 25-minute trip from Budapest. Tonight we have an evening cultural performance of opera, ballet of classical music.
5. Sunday, March 21
This morning we meet our guide and transfer via private motorcoach to the Budapest airport for our flight to Prague. Upon arrival we meet our local guide for lunch and an introductory tour of the Old Town. Prague’s architecture and its cobbled streets offer a panoramic view of European history from the medieval times to the present. It’s Old Town Square, over 600 years old, is one of the most beautiful historical sights in Europe. The Square is a veritable stage set bustling with outdoor cafes and throngs of people gathered to observe the hourly progression of allegorical figures on the famous 600-year old astronomical clock that dominates the center. It is a major iconic image of Prague. We check into the stylish, contemporary 4 star Hotel Andels for four nights. The hotel is conveniently near restaurants and shopping and the city center. Relax and refresh or explore the area around the hotel before we enjoy our welcome dinner. (B) (L) (D)
6. Monday, March 22
We meet our guide and visit Hradcany, the imposing Prague castle, considered to be the largest in the world. It is actually a
fortified town, a fortress-like collection of buildings and courtyards spanning the millennia from the 10th to the 20th centuries, situated high on a bluff on the west bank of the Vltava (Moldau) River overlooking Prague. Our tour includes the gothic St. Vitus Cathedral, the Royal Palace and Golden Lane. After lunch we take a behind-the-scenes tour of Prague’s historic Estates Theatre. This venerable theatre, forever linked with Mozart, is where the composer conducted The Marriage of Figaro and where he premiered his opera Don Giovanni. Music lovers and cinemaphiles should recognize the interior where Amadeus was filmed. This is one of the most beautiful historical theatres in Europe. There is time for dinner on your own before we gather to attend this evening’s performance. (B) (L)
7. Tuesday, March 23
We visit the elegant “Lesser Town,” with its winding streets lined with elegant villas , the section of Prague least affected by 20th century history. We cross the famed Charles Bridge, perhaps Prague’s most beloved and recognizable icon, named after the Emperor Charles IV, and for centuries the only bridge in Prague
across the Vltava. Today it is a pedestrian walkway, usually crowded with throngs of people, and it is a top priority on the list of Prague attractions. You may wish to return at night for a truly romantic stroll, with fairytale views of the Prague skyline, dominated by magnificent Prague Castle, an experience some have called “magical” and “spellbinding.” We visit the Veletržní Palác, which houses the National Gallery's collection of modern art, most of which is amazing. The works of major Czech artists look very good amid the Picassos and Klimts.
After lunch visit the Jewish Quarter, known as Josefov, whose history dates back to the 10th century. The Jewish Quarter, or the Prague Jewish Ghetto as it was later to become known, is the best preserved complex of Jewish historical monuments in the whole of Europe. Six synagogues remain, plus the Jewish Town Hall and the Old Jewish Cemetery - the most remarkable in Europe. We complete the day with a visit to the museum of the Czech composer Antonin Dvorak where we will have a private concert. Tonight, dinner is on your own. (B) (L)
8. Wednesday, March 24
Today you are free to explore Prague independently. Why not visit one of the several outstanding museums in the city including the Mucha Museum, celebrating the life and work of the world-acclaimed Czech art nouveau artist Alphonse Mucha. Cruises along the Vltava River are available offering a delightful vantage point for viewing the city. The city’s architecture is constantly fascinating, individual houses are distinct and lovely, and there’s Frank Gehry’s controversial (“It’s a jewel!” / “It’s a catastrophe!”), contemporary “Ginger and Fred” building that appears to be dancing with itself. And even if you never touch spirits, a stein of Czech Pilsner is a revelation. Tonight we have a farewell dinner. (B) (D)
9. Thursday, March 24
Following breakfast we transfer to the Prague airport for our British Airways flight departing at 11:00am and arriving at London Heathrow at 12:15pm. We connect to our BA flight departing at 235pm, and arrive JFK at 5:30pm. (Lunch-in flight)
This engaging experience includes:
- Roundtrip airfare on British Airlines: NYC-Prague-Budapest-Prague-NYC
- 7 nights in 5 star centrally-located hotels:
- 3 at Corinthia Grand Hotel Royal, Budapest,
- 4 at Andels Hotel, Prague
- Daily breakfast, 4 lunches, 3 dinners including Gundels
- 4 performances: (Ballet, Concert, Opera) 2 Budapest, 2 Prague
- Tours in Prague and Budapest
- English-speaking guides in each city
- Porterage of one piece of luggage
- Airport-hotel transfers in Europe
PROGRAM PRICES (based on a minimum of 15 people)
Per person (double occupancy) from New York: $3195
Single Supplement: $500
Plus Additional air and fuel charges estimated at: $250
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