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Friday, May 10. (D)*. DEPART FOR PRAGUE
Depart this evening, aboard any airline of your choice to Prague, Czech Republic. Dinner and light breakfast served on the plane.
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Saturday, May 11. (B.D). PRAGUE
Upon arrival at Prague International Airport. Take a taxi to the super deluxe ART NOUVEAU PALACE HOTEL where we stay for three nights. This evening we will have our Briefing with cocktails, followed by Gala Welcome dinner at the hotel's gourmet restaurant.
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Sunday, May 12. (B). PRAGUE
Our sightseeing this morning will take us to the Castle District where we will visit Hradcany Castle, the Gothic St. Vitus Cathedral and the Golden Late afternoon at leisure. This evening we will see the opera Nabucco by Verdi at the Estate Theater.
PRAGUE is called the Golden City of One Hundred Spires. If you stand on the ramparts of Prague Castle and look across the old town, you understand why. As far as the eye can see, the sun is reflected on the glittering surfaces of the spires, steeples, and domes. It is also one of the loveliest cities in all of Europe. Hradcany Castle and the Old Town are fine examples of Romanesque, Gothic, and Renaissance architecture.
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Monday, May 13. (B). PRAGUE
This morning we visit the Old Synagogue and Museum, the Jewish Cemetery as well as the Old Town Square with its world-famous Astronomical Clock and the Charles Bridge. This afternoon is free to visit one or two of the many fine museums in the city, including the Czech Museum of Music and the Mucha Museum dedicated to Alfons Mucha, originator of the Art Nouveau in 1895 which spread all over the world at the beginning of the 20th century.
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Tuesday, May 14. (B.D). PRAGUE - VIENNA
Today we drive southeast to cross border into Austria and arrive in Vienna to stay three nights at the deluxe GRAND HOTEL. Afternoon is free. This evening we will have dinner at a gourmet restaurant.
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Wednesday, May 15. (B). VIENNA
Morning sightseeing of this cultural capital of Europe to include the Hofburg, the former Imperial Palace, St. Stephens cathedral and one of Mozart’s homes where he wrote the opera Marriage of Figaro. Afternoon is free to visit fine museums.
VIENNA - From the time the Romans selected the site of a Celtic settlement for the location of one of its most important Central European forts, Vindobona, the city which grew up in the Vienna Basin of the Danube, has played a vital role in European history. Austria grew up around the city and developed into a mighty empire, but the Viennese character formed during the long history of the country can only be said to be a rich amalgam of the blending of cultures that have made Vienna what it still is today: a city whose people devote themselves to the enjoyment of the good life - music, art, literature, theater, architecture, education, food and drink - all are part of the gemütlichkeit of Vienna. Mozart, Schubert, Beethoven, the Strausses (all of them), Gluck, Mahler, Brahms, Liszt, Haydn, Weber, Schonberg - in the music world alone these are some of the outstanding names which are a part of the soul of Vienna.
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Thursday, May 16. (B). VIENNA
Today is free to see any of the fine museums within walking distance of the hotel including the Albertina and multitude of them in the Hofburg Museum quarter. This evening we will see the opera Otello by Verdi at Vienna State Opera.
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Friday, May 17. (B). VIENNA - BUDAPEST
Today, we will be heading southeast towards Hungary to reach Budapest. During our stay, we will be accommodated at the luxurious HOTEL MARRIOTT for three nights. This hotel is situated next to the scenic River Danube, and we will be assigned unique rooms that boast a stunning view of the river and the chain bridge. This evening we will see the opera Fille Du Regiment by Donizetti at the Hungarian State Opera.
BUDAPEST is that paradox among Eastern European capitals, a city where the pleasure of the table has lost none of its zing. Happily, for visitors enticed by monuments to an opulent past, Hungary’s former imperial city is filled with architectural treasures that have been handsomely preserved. Divided by the wide stately bends of the Danube River, Budapest is two cities in one. The halves present a startling contrast. On the east bank, modern, bustling, industrial Pest spreads across the low-lying Hungarian piedmont. On the west, 2000-year old Buda – the historic heart of the city and a pedestrian’s delight – wanders into a bastion of secluded hills.
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Saturday, May 18. (B). BUDAPEST
Morning sightseeing in this famous twin city will start in Buda with a visit to the 13th century Matthias Church and the Fisherman Bastion. In Pest, the famous commercial center, we will see St. Stephen’s Basilica, the Hungarian Parliament, Hero Square and the newly restored Synagogue. Afternoon at leisure. This evening we will see the opera Boris Godunov by Mussorgsky at the Hungarian State Opera.
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Sunday, May 19. (B.D). BUDAPEST
Today is free to take a boat ride on the Danube River, or take one of hot baths in Buda, or visit any of the fine museums. This evening we will have our gala farewell dinner at the famous GUNDEL Restaurant.
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Monday, May 20. (B). BUDAPEST - USA
Depart in the morning for the hotel to Budapest Airport for departure aboard your airline back home, arriving the same afternoon. See you on another H.A.T. Tour.
* B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner (including wine)