Budapest Walk with Local Treats

Today your guide will show you how to snack around Budapest like a local, starting with a tram ride to the House of Parliament. Hop off the tram and take a short walk to your first treat: a coffee break at the First Strudel House of Pest. Energized by your cup of coffee, you’ll continue your walk down to St. Stephen’s Basilica—a handsome Neo-Classical building that is one of Budapest’s most significant cultural sites.

From there, we’ll head to the Great Market Hall to sample some traditional Hungarian fare, such as salami, sausages and cheese, while your local expert explains the intricacies of Hungarian cuisine.

Jewish Budapest

On your way into the Jewish Quarter, take a panoramic drive along the UNESCO-designated Andrassy Avenue. Among its beautiful neo-Renaissance architecture are such sites as Heroes’ Square, the Franz Liszt Memorial House, the House of Terror, and the Castle District.

You will get off the coach near the Dohány Synagogue. The Great Synagogue of Budapest (also known as the Central Synagogue) on Dohány Street is a good starting point to learn about Jewish Budapest. The Dohány Synagogue is the largest in Europe and the 2nd largest Synagogue in the world.

Budapest Panoramic Highlights with St. Stephen's Cathedral

This panoramic tour is a wonderful way to get an overview of the city if you have never been here before. It will carry you from Heroes’ Square, created in 1896 to honor the thousand-year anniversary of Hungary’s founding and its greatest historical figures, past some of the city’s most striking architectural sights—Dohány Street Synagogue, the Hungarian National Museum, the state opera house, St. Stephen’s Basilica and the truly stunning Parliament Building—to Castle Hill, which has been called the heart of the nation. The city of Buda began here, when King Béla built a strong keep in 1243 as a defense against Mongol invaders; a castle replaced the simple fortress, and over the centuries other castles replaced that one. The current castle is primarily 18th century; a museum dedicated to Budapest’s archaeological finds is housed there, and the Castle Hill district has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’ll go inside the magnificent 700-year-old Matthias Church, named for one of Hungary’s greatest kings, and then wend your way on foot to the picturesque Fisherman’s Bastion, whose seven fairytale-like towers represent the seven tribes that originally settled the region. It offers a glorious view of the city and the Danube below.

Note: Visits to the interior of Matthias Church may not be possible on some weekends and Catholic holidays.

"Morning with the Masters" at the Belvedere Palace

The Belvedere is a Baroque palatial complex commissioned during an immensely productive Habsburg building spree. Originally the summer residence of Prince Eugene of Savoy, the complex was acquired by Empress Maria Theresa after his death and turned into an exhibition venue for imperial art collections. In this way, The Belvedere become one of the first public museums in the world.

Today it is one of the finest art collections anywhere, making it an incredibly popular destination for Vienna tourism. Skip the crowds entirely this morning on your early private tour through the Upper Belvedere exhibits with Uniworld. You’ll appreciate the space and time to take in the palace’s expansive collection, including the world’s largest collection of works by Austrian artist Gustav Klimt. His most famous work, “The Kiss” is on display here.

Vienna's Historic Trails and Local Treats

In many ways a must-visit destination for both the art lover and the gourmand, Vienna is full of artistic and culinary treasures. Today’s walking tour is all about immersing ourselves in that side of this beautiful city.

Our menu for the day includes a stop for coffee and strudel at a local coffee house—a hallmark of Viennese culture—and a glass of Viennese wine from one of the city’s oldest cellars. These treats will fuel our walks to see the Kinsky Palace, the statues of the Heldenplatz, St. Stephen's Cathedral, and more.

Jewish Vienna

Explore the “City of Waltzes” from a Jewish heritage perspective on today’s outing. Beginning at the Judenplatz, you’ll learn about the community’s history and follow in the footsteps of some of the most internationally well-known figures. Your guide will take you by the Shoah Monument and Jewish museum, then stop at the Stadttempel, Vienna’s main temple and the only synagogue to have survived the “Night of Broken Glass”—a pogrom against Jews throughout Nazi Germany, Austria and other areas in the region. This temple dates back to 1826 and is the only synagogue in Vienna built in the simple, yet elegant, “Biedermeier Style.”

Note: The synagogue will not be available for visits on Jewish holidays; if unavailable, we will visit the Vienna Jewish Museum instead.

Dürnstein Walking Tour with Marillen Tasting

Dürnstein Village and Saffron Talk

The first Wachau Valley saffron crocuses were planted at the end of the 12th century, making saffron a valued crop for 700 years—but it disappeared from the terraced hillsides early in the 20th century. It wasn’t until 2007 that an ecologist found mention of it in an 18th-century document at Melk Abbey’s celebrated library. Bernard Kaar, who spent years researching the history of saffron and still more years cultivating the world’s only biodynamically certified saffron, is one of the Wachau’s most important producers. Meet Bernard and his wife, Alexandra, for a fascinating introduction to saffron—the plant, the spice, its cultural significance, and their farm’s uniquely sustainable methods of producing it.

Later walk along the town’s narrow streets, past 16th-, 17th-, and 18th-century houses; it’s an up-close look at over 300 years of architecture. Considering its diminutive size, the village of Dürnstein offers much to explore. The famous blue baroque tower of the abbey church is doubtless its best-known landmark, but the ruined castle above the town provides its most romantic tale. There Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned until he was found by his faithful bard, Blondel, and ransom could be raised—or so the legend goes.

This MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience supports Global Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.

Linz Town and Country: Linzertorte and Cider Farm Visit

Get to know Linz on foot with a local expert who will take you by all the major sites in town, from Mozart’s apartment to the old Jesuit Cathedral. You’ll stop for a bite at Konditorei Jindrak, home of the Original Linzer Torte. Enjoy a cup of coffee alongside this thin, buttery pastry made with ground nuts, filled with fruit preserves and topped with a lattice crust.

Next, the group will split in two, each half heading out to a countryside cider farm. There, you’ll be treated to a lunch of local specialties and house-made cider—an excellent way to immerse yourself in rural Austrian life and scenery, while also supporting local farmers. Both farms are entirely organic and give special care to the quality of the ingredients they produce, from the careful cultivation of their bountiful orchards to the livestock they keep in large grazing pastures. This type of farming produces less waste and—as you’ll see during your lunch there—better food.

This MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience supports Global Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.

Mauthausen Concentration Camp

Let's Go: Scenic Bavarian River Biking

Set off on an invigorating bike ride from Engelhartszell to Passau, led by an experienced professional bike guide. Wind your way through the lovely countryside, along the Danube’s right side, into the picturesque Danube Valley. These particular landscapes are some of the most beautiful in all of Europe—characterized by expansive vineyards, tree-lined slopes, and castle-dotted hillsides—and seamlessly blend the region’s cultural, historical and natural components together. Pedal onwards toward Passau, past more charming villages, meadows and orchards, rounding out your trip in Passau’s Old Town.

Village Day: Passau

You’ll have the opportunity to choose one of four different ways to immerse yourself in this wonderful city today, learning about local people, trades and pastimes. Your first option, a visit to a berry farm on a mission to provide good work for people with disabilities. There, you’ll be taken on a tour of the farm and enjoy a tasting of its products, such as jams and vinegars.

With another option, you’ll meet a family from Passau as you’re invited into their home. Your host may welcome you with food, drinks and or stories about their life in the city.

At still another, we’ll mingle with people at work around town, including an artist, a pub owner and others.

And finally, you may opt to set out on a hike popular with locals. Take in Passau’s best scenery as you stop at a castle—the Veste Oberhaus—and the Triftsperre nature reserve, then walk along the Ilz river delta.

Nights Out: Regensburg Cathedral Choir

This evening, Regensburger Domspatzen will treat you to a private concert in their famous Gothic cathedral. Literally translated to “The Regensburg Cathedral Sparrows,” the Domspatzen is the oldest boys’ choir in the world, dating back to the 10th century.

Regensburg Walking Tour

People have been describing Regensburg as “old and new” for a thousand years. A single structure perfectly illustrates this: Porta Praetoria, the gate built by the Romans during Marcus Aurelius’ reign. The gate and adjacent watchtower have been incorporated into a much newer building, but the plaster has been removed to reveal the ancient stones laid so long ago.

As you walk through the cobbled lanes of the UNESCO-designated Old Town, the city’s 2,000-year history is similarly revealed: the Stone Bridge that made Regensburg a 12th-century trading powerhouse, the Gothic town hall where the Imperial Diet met for three centuries, the 13th-century fortified patrician houses, and the spectacular Cathedral of St. Peter, whose magnificent 14th-century stained-glass windows alone are worth your walk.

You’ll have free time to explore on your own. It’s very hard to get lost in Regensburg because the spires of the cathedral are visible all over town, so don’t hesitate to roam. The historic quarter not only boasts almost a thousand beautiful old buildings, but also many cozy pubs and some great shopping. The ship is docked conveniently close, so it’s easy to drop your treasures off and go back for more.

“From Hops Field to Beer Stein” Farm Visit

Hops vines grow up their strings in a field tower almost twice a person’s height. They’re grown for their flowers, which add a distinctive flavor to beer—but the fields they grow in add a distinctive flavor to the hops. You could call it terroir for beer, and you can delve into hops cultivation and hops brewing today. Travel through Bavaria’s Holledau region, the largest hops growing district in the world, and meet an enthusiastic ambassador of hops growing and beer making. She will give you a quick and lively history of hops in Germany—including Bavaria’s law governing the making of beer, which has specified since 1560 that the only ingredients permitted in beer are water, barley and hops—and lead you on a tour through the growing fields her family owns, followed by a craft beer tasting in the cozy barn turned beer hall. It’s a delicious way to get to know a fascinating aspect of the international farm-to-table movement.

Jewish Regensburg

Join your local guide for a walking tour through the delightfully medieval town of Regensburg. Stroll over the Iron Bridge and on to the magnificent Stone Bridge, and pass by the architectural Gothic masterpiece of St. Peter’s Cathedral. Regensburg is the oldest documented settlement of Jewish people in Germany and your walk through the former Jewish Quarter (Neupfarrplatz) will introduce you to their enduring legacy here. See the Dani Karavan Monument memorializing the original Regensburg Synagogue and visit Oskar Schindler’s house.

Make your way to the New Synagogue for a presentation about Jewish culture and history in Regensburg.

Prague Old Town & Castle District

After breakfast, begin a magical tour of the city of Prague. Prague enjoyed a golden age in the 14th century, under the rule of Charles IV, King of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperor, and many of the buildings in the UNESCO-designated city core date to that era.

Prague Castle dates back even earlier. Construction on the oldest parts of the complex began in the 9th century. A drive across the Vltava River (you might know the Vltava as the Moldau, the namesake of the beautiful tone poem by beloved Czech composer Bedřich Smetana) brings you to the sprawling complex of towers, halls, cathedrals, courtyards, and houses, where kings, emperors, and presidents have had their offices for almost a millennium. Step down from the motorcoach and walk inside the castle's protective walls, taking in the Gothic structure of St. Vitus Cathedral, which took 600 years to build, and Vladislav Hall, whose intricate stone-vaulting system was one of the most advanced engineering feats of the late Middle Ages.

After visiting St. Vitus Cathedral and the Old Royal Palace, you can choose between re-boarding the motorcoach for a ride back to the hotel or continuing your guided walk through the picturesque Lesser Quarter to Charles Bridge, one of the city's most famous landmarks. The walking tour will end in Old Town Square, which is surrounded by majestic buildings, including the Church of Our Lady before Týn and Prague's City Hall, which boasts a famous medieval astronomical clock.

Prague's Old Jewish Quarter

Situated amid Prague’s Old Town is the best-preserved complex of historical Jewish monuments in all of Europe. The site of the former Jewish ghetto, the Jewish Quarter is home to the Jewish Museum in Prague, comprised of six synagogues, as well as the Jewish Ceremonial Hall and the Old Jewish Cemetery. This area escaped destruction during the Holocaust by becoming the planned site of a Nazi museum, and consequently also housed stolen Jewish artifacts from all over Europe. Visit this district with your guide to see some of the oldest preserved Jewish monuments on the continent and learn about the community’s turbulent past.