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Vienna, Prague and Budapest Fall 2023

ROMTravel – An Art and Culture Trip

Figure 1: A night view of the Parliament Building, Budapest, Hungary. © Epistola8, Wikimedia Commons, 2016.

Once upon a time…. If you like music, fairytale architecture, writers, fascinating history, café society, romantic hilltop castles, ornate cathedrals and imperial palaces, come visit the golden cities of Europe. After all, you only get to live happily ever after once. This tour has off the beaten track delights you won't otherwise see and a witty, knowledgeable, urbane resource

person as your guide to city living in the Hapsburg’s Imperial style.

Trip Itinerary and Highlights Day 1 Arrivals in Budapest Individual arrivals at Ferenc Liszt International Airport. Budapest is one of the most photogenic cities in Europe. The dramatic skyline for which Budapest is most famous is peppered with 19th century

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architectural wonders alongside the Danube River. Notable landmarks include the majestic riverside Parliament Building and a collection of stunning basilicas. Welcome reception and orientation.

Day 2 Budapest City tour - see the Buda Castle and the surrounding area including Trinity Square, Matthias Church, Fisherman's Bastion, Dohany Street Synagogue and Memento Park. Welcome dinner.

Day 3 Budapest Sissi Castle was the summer residence of Queen Elizabeth and Emperor Franz Joseph. Experience the local Budafok Champagne and Wine Festival, a street festival with entertainment, food and wine; coffee and pastries at the famous Café Gerbeaud; and a folk performance and riverboat dinner on the Danube.

Figure 2: The terrace at Café Gerbeaud, Budapest. © BKP, Wikimedia Commons, 2009.

Day 4 Budapest to Vienna Travel by coach with a stop en route for lunch in historic Bratislava.

Day 5 Vienna City tour. Austria's capital offers a unique blend of imperial traditions and stunning modern architecture. It

is famous for its cultural events, imperial sights, coffee houses, cozy wine taverns, and the very special Viennese charm. In the afternoon, visit the Belvedere Museum’s collection of Impressionist, Art Nouveau and Eastern European art.

Figure 3: The Kiss by Gustav Klimt, (1908-09). © Belvedere Museum, Vienna.

Day 6 Vienna Schönbrunn Palace is a magnificent UNESCO World Heritage site with lush gardens. Afterwards, enjoy an equally magnificent pastry at a bakery coffee house. At Beethoven's house, now a museum, learn about how he dealt with his increasing deafness.

Figure 4: The gardens in Autumn at Schönbrunn Palace. © Zeynel Cebeci, Wikimedia Commons.

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Day 7 Vienna Area The Wachau valley is midway between the towns of Melk and Krems. It is known for its rolling hills, vineyards and fortresses. Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned in the castle above the town of Dürnstein. Melk Abbey, a lavish Baroque church with magnificent views across the valley, is a highlight. Stimulate your palate on a leisurely boat trip and wine tour in this scenic valley.

Figure 5: Singerriedl vineyard, Spitz, Wachau Valley, Austria. © Isiwal, Wikimedia Commons, 2018.

Day 8 Vienna Tour the Museum Quarter, Vienna’s exciting art complex near the Imperial Palace, featuring a mix of old Baroque and Modern architecture. It has renowned museums such as the Leopold Museum, with its numerous works by Schiele, the Museum of Modern Art Ludwig Foundation, and the Kunsthalle. A lively array of restaurants, cafés and bars make the quarter even more enjoyable. See Gustav Klimt's collection at the golden-domed Secession Building. Visit Mozart's house and Freud's practice room for two different ways to sooth your mind. End your day with a night at the world-famous Vienna State Opera.

Figure 6: Secession Building, Vienna. © Thomas Ledl, Wikipedia.

Day 9 Vienna Visit the lavish Hofburg Palace. In the chapel, experience the Vienna Boys Choir Sunday service. See Saint Stephen’s Cathedral with its two towers. Attend the Spanish Riding School rehearsal or training of the white Lipizzaner horses.

Figure 7: Saint Stephen's Cathedral, Vienna. © Bwag, Wikipedia, 2014.

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Day 10 Vienna to Prague Travel by coach.

Day 11 Prague Nicknamed “the City of a Hundred Spires”, Prague is known for its Old Town Square, the heart of its historic core, with colorful Baroque buildings, Gothic churches and the medieval Astronomical Clock, which provides an animated hourly show, and for fabulous food. Completed in 1402, pedestrian Charles Bridge is lined with statues of Catholic saints. City tour – including the above, plus Prague Castle, the Golden Lane, Saint Vitus, and the Infant Jesus of Prague. For a surprise, see the modern graffiti on (John) Lennon’s wall.

Figure 8: Astronomical Clock, Prague. © Steve Collis, Wikipedia, 2012.

Day 12 Prague The Jewish Quarter, completely surrounded by the Old Town, is one of the oldest areas of Prague and is wonderful for walking. Visit one of Prague's famous farmers markets. Discover what it was like to live behind the “iron curtain” at the Museum of Communism. See Kafka’s 11 metre (36 feet) high monument with 42 moving panels. Attend a National Marionette Theatre performance. End your day with some live jazz.

Figure 9: Old Town Square, Prague. © Jerzy Strzelecki, Wikipedia, 2015.

Day 13 Prague Visit Karlštejn Castle, a Disney-like Gothic castle and one of the most famous ones in the Czech Republic. Walk the Stag Moat below Prague Castle. Shop, stroll at leisure, or take the Brewery tour. Farewell dinner.

Day 14 Departures from Prague Individual departures from Václav Havel Airport.

Resource Person Christopher Hume was the Architecture Critic and Urban Issues columnist for The Toronto Star and has been a resource person on a previous European trip.

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ROMTravel Coordinator Eric Morrison is a journalist with wide experience as a world traveller in his roles at CTV News and The Canadian Press. He has led ROMTravel trips to Argentina, Chile - Easter Island, Japan, Russia and South Africa. He will also lead future ROMTravel trips to Tanzania and the High Arctic.

Trip Cost Per Person Double Occupancy: $ TBA

Single Supplement: $ TBA

All quoted costs are in $ CAD.

Tour begins at Budapest Ferenc Liszt International (BUD) Airport and ends at Prague Václav Havel (PRG) Airport.

International flight costs NOT included.

Figure 10: At Café Central, Vienna. © Clayton Tang, Wikipedia, 2013.

Figure 11: At Café Central, Vienna. © fotogoocom, Wikimedia Commons, 2015.

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Terms and Conditions A Tale of Three Cities: Vienna, Prague and Budapest

Fall 2023 Trip costs and Terms and Conditions, including insurance, will be announced as soon as possible.

For more information, please contact:

Eric Morrison ROMTravel Coordinator Phone: 416.691.6770 E-mail: Morrison.eric07@gmail.com

Figure 12: A night view of Prague Castle and Charles Bridge. © Jorge Royan, Wikimedia Commons, 2008.