Grand Tour of Central Europe

LeShuttle to Calais and overnight stay in Germany on a bed and breakfast basis.

Grand Tour of Central Europe

The Rhine Valley provides the backdrop today as we follow the river through some of Germany’s most scenic landscapes. We stop in charming Rudesheim am Rhein for time to explore and find lunch at your leisure, before continuing to our overnight hotel in southern Germany.

Grand Tour of Central Europe

We cross into Czechia for a taste of Plzen, home of the famous Pilsner Urquell beer. Time permitting, take a wander through the Old Town of pastel-coloured townhouses and grand squares, before our included guided tour of the Pilsner Urquell Brewery reveals the story behind one of the world’s best-known beers, before we continue to Prague for a three-night stay.

Grand Tour of Central Europe

Prague is yours to discover. Our guided walking tour takes us around the magnificent exteriors of Prague Castle, perched high above the city and reckoned to be the largest ancient castle in the world. The castle is a magnificent complex that has served as the seat of power for Czech kings, emperors and presidents. From here, we descend through the city’s historic streets into the atmospheric Old Town. See the famous Astronomical Clock and other highlights along the way, then enjoy the afternoon at leisure to explore further at your own pace. A reasonable standard of mobility is required for today’s tour.

Grand Tour of Central Europe

One of Europe’s most captivating cities deserves time to explore. Wander across the iconic Charles Bridge, admire the colourful streets of the Old Town or visit the imposing St Vitus Cathedral. Dinner is not included tonight, giving you the chance to sample the city’s restaurants for yourself.

Grand Tour of Central Europe

We depart Prague and head to the Leonardo Hotel in Budapest, where we stay for three nights. On the way, we visit Brno, Czechia’s ‘second city.’ With beautiful Art Nouveau villas, quirky sculptures and St. James Square full of trendy bistros, it’s an ideal stop for some lunch at your leisure.

Grand Tour of Central Europe

Budapest’s grandest sights take centre stage today. Our guided city tour takes in the highlights from the comfort of our own coach, revealing the character of both Buda and Pest, with sights including Castle Hill and St Stephen’s Basilica. Spend the afternoon exploring independently or take to the water on an optional Danube River Cruise, seeing the city’s spectacular landmarks from a whole new perspective, including the magnificent Hungarian Parliament.

Half Day

Grand Tour of Central Europe

A full day means there’s time to discover Budapest your way. Explore Buda Castle and Fisherman’s Bastion, stroll along the Danube or browse the bustling Central Market Hall. Or slow things down with a visit to the famous Széchenyi Baths, set in beautiful yellow Baroque buildings, or the historic Turkish-style Rudas or Veli Bej Baths. Dinner is not included tonight, so why not dine out and sample some Hungarian specialities?

Grand Tour of Central Europe

Our journey continues to Bratislava, the charming capital of Slovakia. Explore its compact Old Town, discover the hilltop Bratislava Castle or simply enjoy a coffee in one of its lively squares before we continue to Vienna. Tonight brings a special Austrian experience: dinner at a traditional Heuriger, accompanied by wine and live music.

Grand Tour of Central Europe

Vienna’s grand architecture and imperial heritage take centre stage today. Our guided city tour reveals highlights including the magnificent Ringstrasse, before we continue to Schonbrunn Palace. Explore the beautiful palace park at your leisure, with its grand gardens, fountains, tree-lined avenues and wonderful views of the palace. For a closer look inside, you can join an optional tour of the highlights of the Palace. Or simply pause for coffee and a slice of Viennese cake, or visit the zoo.

Full Day

Grand Tour of Central Europe

Take your time in one of Europe’s great cultural capitals. Admire Klimt’s famous The Kiss at Belvedere Palace, visit the magnificent Hofburg or step inside St Stephen’s Cathedral. Explore the Museum Quarter, browse elegant shopping streets or head to the Prater for a ride on its historic Ferris Wheel. And, of course, leave room for a slice of Sachertorte!

Grand Tour of Central Europe

Our journey home begins with a visit to Ceský Krumlov, one of Czechia’s most enchanting towns. Explore its winding medieval streets, colourful buildings and riverside setting, with the magnificent castle rising above the historic centre. Later, we continue to our overnight hotel in southern Germany.

Grand Tour of Central Europe

Our final sightseeing stop is Heidelberg, one of Germany’s most picturesque cities. Explore the atmospheric Old Town, browse its shops and cafés or admire the views towards Heidelberg Castle before we continue to our overnight hotel in Germany.

Grand Tour of Central Europe

After breakfast, we check out of the hotel and head to Calais for our journey home on LeShuttle.

See both sides of the Danube on a coach-based guided panoramic tour of Buda and Pest. Take in the heights of Castle Hill, admire grand boulevards, and view the gleaming dome of St Stephen’s Basilica as the city’s architectural drama unfolds.

Hear how thermal springs, Ottoman legacies, and Austro-Hungarian grandeur shaped Budapest’s spirit. See riverfront palaces and the neo-Gothic Parliament across the water, capturing the city’s sweep from royal fortifications to café-lined avenues.

Settle into an evening of gemutlichkeit with dinner at a traditional Heuriger, Vienna’s cherished wine tavern. In leafy suburbs where vines meet the city, sample regional wines alongside hearty specialties while local musicians provide live music in an intimate, convivial setting.

Discover the culture of new-season wines and rustic hospitality that has charmed emperors and poets alike. Candlelit tables, wood-panelled rooms, and garden courtyards offer a relaxed window into everyday Viennese life.

Stroll the Rhine promenade in storybook Rudesheim, framed by vine-draped slopes and castle-crowned heights within the UNESCO Upper Middle Rhine Valley. Duck into the cobbled Drosselgasse, where timber-framed taverns hum with convivial energy and Riesling heritage.

Absorb half-timber charm, wrought-iron signs, and glimpses of river traffic that shaped this trading town’s identity. Pause for photos and reflection as barges slip by below steep vineyards and the air carries a hint of slate and river breeze.

Join a guided walking tour that begins around the grand courtyards of Prague Castle, with views over terracotta rooftops and the spires of St Vitus. Meander downhill through historic lanes for evocative glimpses of Charles Bridge before reaching the heart of the city.

Arrive in Old Town Square and Astronomical Clock territory—where Gothic towers, baroque facades, and street musicians shape the atmosphere. Learn how emperors, merchants, and artists forged Prague’s distinctive character across the centuries.

Explore the cobbled heart of Bratislava Old Town, where pastel facades frame lively squares and café terraces. Pass through Michael’s Gate and trace coronation routes before looking up to the terrace-crowned Bratislava Castle watching over the Danube.

Learn how royal processions once converged at St Martin’s Cathedral and how the city blended Hungarian, Austrian, and Slovak influences. Compact and characterful, the centre invites a gentle wander among shops, courtyards, and sculpture-dotted lanes.

Experience imperial Vienna on a guided city tour circling the grand Ringstrasse, with views of the State Opera, museums, and the Hofburg. Continue to the Schonbrunn Palace gardens, the Habsburg summer residence, to wander formal parterres, Neptune Fountain vistas, and the Gloriette hilltop.

Gain context on the empire that shaped the city’s boulevards and salons. Manicured lawns, statues, and clipped hedges reveal baroque ideals of geometry, ceremony, and scenic spectacle across the palace park.

Explore the Heidelberg Old Town, where baroque streets and church spires line the Hauptstrasse. Cross or admire the Old Bridge over the Neckar and look up to the romantic ruins of Heidelberg Castle watching over rooftops and river bends.

Absorb the atmosphere of Germany’s oldest university town, founded in 1386. Market squares, sandstone hues, and scholarly traditions mingle as cafés spill onto cobbles and the castle’s terraced gardens beckon from above.

Cruise the Danube for a waterside perspective on Budapest’s finest architecture. Glide past the Hungarian Parliament, riverside palaces, and Buda’s cliffs with photo-ready angles of Buda Castle and Chain Bridge, accompanied by onboard commentary.

This optional experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour. The river’s changing light and broad sweep reveal how Budapest’s identity has long been tied to its legendary waterway.

Step inside Schonbrunn Palace for a curated look at the rococo state rooms where emperors entertained and Mozart performed as a prodigy. Admire gilded stucco, crystal chandeliers, and the mirrored splendour of the Great Gallery, evoking the rituals of Habsburg court life.

This optional experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour. Rich décor and royal anecdotes add depth to your garden visit, revealing the palace’s ceremonial heart.

Begin your time in Prague with a convivial welcome drink at the Hotel Duo, Prague. Meet your Tour Director and fellow travellers, raise a glass to the journey ahead, and hear practical pointers on local transport, currency, and nearby dining—all delivered in a relaxed setting.

Embrace a first taste of Bohemian hospitality as you learn the local toast, “Na zdraví,” and settle into the rhythm of Central Europe. This gathering sets expectations, answers questions, and creates an easygoing camaraderie before the sightseeing begins.

Explore the birthplace of golden lager on a guided tour of the legendary Pilsner Urquell Brewery. Trace the brewing process from mash tun to bottling line, step into atmospheric brick cellars, and—where available—taste the brewery’s famed unfiltered lager in the cellars where it matures.

Hear the story of the world’s first pale lager of 1842, perfected by brewer Josef Groll. Copper kettles, cool tunnels, and the aroma of Saaz hops set the scene for understanding how “Pilsner” became a global style.

Wander the serpentine lanes of Ceský Krumlov, encircled by a sweeping loop of the Vltava River. Renaissance and baroque facades frame artisan shops as the vast castle complex presides over the UNESCO-listed historic centre from a rocky promontory.

Hear how noble houses and merchants endowed the town with frescoed courtyards, arcaded squares, and pastel houses. River reflections, tiled roofs, and castle towers create a perfect tableau for leisurely exploration and photography.