DAY 0 – DECEMBER 19

Departure in Manila. Check-in airline, enjoy inflight amenities and entertainment on-board.

DAY 1 – DECEMBER 20 (D)

Arrival in Budapest, capital of modern-day Hungary and transfer to your hotel for a 3-night stay.

DAY 2 – DECEMBER 21 (B/D)

Enjoy a sightseeing tour along Budapest’s elegant boulevards to Heroes’ Square, across the mighty Danube and up to Gellert Hill with splendid views over this famous river dividing Buda from Pest – the two sides of the city linked by the Chain and Elizabeth Bridges. The medieval cobblestone streets of the Castle District are a joy to wander and your tour also takes you to the Fisherman’s Bastion to witness the spectacular panorama across to the magnificent Parliament building, one of the largest in Europe. Continue to Rose Hill where you will be able to visit Gul Baba’s Tomb, the northernmost Islamic holy place in Europe. Finish on the popular pedestrian shopping street of Váci Utca. Overnight Budapest, Hungary.

DAY 3 – DECEMBER 22 (B/D)

Explore more of Budapest at your own pace and dip deep into the city’s unique culture. Perhaps try a spa treatment – these are very popular with the locals – as the city is on a thermal hotspot and has some of the few original Turkish Bath Houses in the world that still function. You can also visit the Darussalam Masjid, the most prominent mosque in the city. Later maybe enjoy a trip along the serene Danube itself for a new perspective of the city waterfront. Overnight Budapest, Hungary.

DAY 4 – DECEMBER 23 (B/D)

Leave Budapest this morning across the undulating plains of the Danube Valley to Esztergom to visit the awe-inspiring Basilica here and make an afternoon stop in Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, where there’s time to visit the imposing castle high on its rocky outcrop. Continue west into Austria and the erstwhile home of the great Hapsburg Emperors, Vienna for 3 nights. The plethora of fine buildings in the city’s centre will amaze you and the evening is a great time to see them illuminated in all their glory. Overnight Vienna, Austria.

DAY 5 – DECEMBER 24 (B/D)

Vienna is a stately city, with stupendous buildings, magnificent monuments and tree lined boulevards leading you from palace to palace. The emperors that made this city their home did not skimp on investing their wealth in great buildings. Today you’ll visit the masterpiece that was the summer residence of the legendary Empress Maria Theresa at Schoenbrunn Palace, with its great park and wonderful interior to rival Versailles. You’ll also visit the Hofburg, an amazing complex of city palaces and buildings where you may be lucky enough to glimpse the famous white Lipizzaner horses of the world-renowned Vienna Riding School. We will arrange time in the itinerary to visit one or more of the several mosques in Vienna and museums and galleries abound as you explore this afternoon. In the evening you’re spoilt for choice with top class opera and musical recitals a big favourite. Overnight Vienna, Austria.

DAY 6 – DECEMBER 25 (B/D)

At leisure in Vienna today to explore the city as your fancy takes you. You could climb to the upper reaches of the towering spire of Stephansdom cathedral, the enormous Prater Park is a great place in which to wander as the locals do, and you can ride its Big Wheel made so famous in the film “The Third Man”. Or you may prefer to try out one or two of the city’s specialty cakes in a typical pavement cafe in the delightful pedestrianized central zone amidst the exclusive boutiques. This is the city of Beethoven and Mozart and a whole family of Strausses, so look out for the small squares each featuring a statue of another famous composer. Overnight Vienna, Austria.

DAY 7 – DECEMBER 26 (B/D)

En route from Vienna today we cross the border into the Czech Republic and call in at Ceske Krumlov a wonderful spot seemingly encased in a medieval time warp. An included orientation tour will help you to make the most of your time here, and a good lunch is assured as excellent cafes and restaurants abound in the cobblestoned traffic free streets, nestling below one of the most amazing castles in the whole of Bohemia. During the afternoon follow the valley of the slowly meandering Vltava River to Prague for a 3-night stay. Overnight Prague, Czech Republic.