Meet the Hapsburgs
And Their Eastern European Empire
September 11 – 21, 2003

 

A CENTURIES OLD FAIRY TALE

Once upon a time, in a land known as Europe, there lived the royal family of Hapsburg—one of the oldest and most prominent dynasties from the 15th to the 20th centuries. The family took its name from its castle of Habsburg (“Hawk's Castle”), built in 1020 in what is now part of Switzerland. The Hapsburgs came into European prominence with the elevation of Count Rudolf to the status of German king and Holy Roman Emperor Rudolf I in 1273.
     Rudolf greatly increased the power of his house by taking possession of surrounding kingdoms, which included Austria. And so began a very long reign of conspicuous consumption, which was greatly to shape the look of the European continent. The Hapsburgs continued their policy of acquisition through diplomacy and dynastic marriages with the houses of Bohemia and Hungary. 
     On the Danube River, the neighboring cities of Buda and Pest in Hungary were utterly destroyed by Mongols in the 13th Century, then sacked once again by conquering Turks in the 16th Century. Under the Hapsburg rule, the two cities underwent a dramatic renaissance with the construction of a spectacular royal palace and a university. Eventually uniting as one city in 1873, the lovely Budapest became world-renowned for its historical edifices and cultural heritage.
     With invading infidels coming from the south and east, the Hapsburgs preferred the relative safety of Bratislava, or Pressburg as it was then called, and chose it for the site of their permanent residence. They stored their royal crown, other jewels and treasures here, and rebuilt and remodeled and rehabbed the castle for a couple hundred years.
     Under the Hapsburg influence, Vienna became one of the fulcrums of European politics and cultural life. It displays all the pomp of an imperial city, including their palatial Hofburg residential complex of buildings, squares, courtyards and gardens. It is in Vienna that Hapsburg opulence reached its zenith.
     Prague achieved much of its present glory in the 14th century, but the Hapsburgs brought about the city’s golden age. Between 1576 and 1612, the culture-loving Emperor Rudolph II brought artists to Prague and art to its galleries, making it one of the elite cultural capitals of Europe.
     Alas, not every fairy tale ends happily. The prince doesn’t always get the girl, the glass slipper doesn’t always fit, and sometimes the golden carriage turns out to be an overly ripe pumpkin. In this sad tale of history, the final Hapsburg took a bullet in the head, the picture-book castles became museums, and wide-ranging borders got whittled down. Fortunately the Hapsburgs’ grandiose influence remains in the very foundations of the great cities they helped to establish. Toto Tours invites you to step back in time to Meet the Hapsburgs.

---

ITINERARY

Pre-Tour Day—Thursday, September 11, 2003
Departure from the U.S.

Arrange your international flight to leave your home city sometime today, arriving in Budapest, Hungary sometime tomorrow morning.

Day One—Friday, September 12, 2003
Arrival in Budapest / General Sightseeing Tour of Buda / Welcome Dinner

Upon arrival in Budapest, take a taxi on your own to our hotel. This afternoon, the group gathers for a sightseeing tour in the Castle Hill area of Buda. Climb the ramparts of the Fisherman's Bastion high above the Danube, and stroll along its promenade for a view of the green Buda Hills. See the colorful tiled roof and lacelike façade of Matthias Church, and wander the winding streets of the Old City. We include a visit to the famous Kiraly Spa, which is for men only on Fridays and has a mostly gay clientele. This evening dine at Fortuna on Castle Hill. The evening is free for gay nightlife. Overnight in Budapest.     (Welcome Dinner included)

Day Two—Saturday, September 13, 2003
General Tour of Pest / Free Afternoon

After breakfast at the hotel this morning, take a walking tour across the Chain Bridge from Buda into Pest. Tour the Jewish Quarter, visit the Central Market Hall and Vorosmarty Square. We also make a photo stop at the Parliament building. In the afternoon, return to hotel and the remainder of the day is free. You might want to visit Heroes Square, explore the city’s countless museums, walk through City Park, or enjoy thermal baths at the foot of Gellert Hill. Overnight in Budapest.     (Breakfast / Lunch)

Day Three—Sunday, September 14, 2003
Lake Balaton / Free Evening

After breakfast, transfer by motorcoach to the oblong-shaped Lake Balaton, about 68 miles from Budapest. Often called the nation’s playground, Balaton’s north shore has some historical villages, towns with splendid lakefront promenades, a number of artist's museums, warm-water springs, mountain scenery, and excellent hiking and biking trails. Take an optional bicycle excursion from Badacsony to Tihany. Return to Budapest in late afternoon and the evening is free.     (Breakfast / Lunch)

Day Four—Monday, September 15, 2003
Bratislava, Slovakia / On to Vienna

After breakfast, transfer to Bratislava, Slovakia, with late morning sightseeing tour of the Old City and castle, including lunch in town. After lunch, continue on to Vienna, Austria (just 45 miles away). In the afternoon take a short walking tour of historic center of Vienna. The evening is free to explore gay nightlife, enjoy a classical music concert, or attend the opera. Overnight in Vienna.     (Breakfast / Lunch)

Day Five—Tuesday, September 16, 2003
Vienna Sightseeing

After breakfast this morning, enjoy a half-day sightseeing tour in Vienna. Sights may include the 1,441-room Schönbrunn Palace, St. Stephen's Cathedral, the Imperial Palace Chapel, where the Vienna Boys Choir rehearses, and the Spanish Riding School, with its famed Lippizaner horses. The afternoon is free to explore on your own, cruise the fabled Danube River, visit museums, go shopping, partake of coffee and pastries at a sidewalk café, and enjoy gay nightlife. Overnight in Vienna.     (Breakfast)

Day Six—Wednesday, September 17, 2003
Melk Abbey / Baden / The Vienna Woods

After breakfast, transfer to the town of Melk, about 90 minutes west of Vienna. Tour the extraordinary 900 year old Benedictine Abbey. Lunch in Melk. Return to Vienna via the resort town of Baden where we enjoy a guided tour and perhaps a walk in the famous Vienna Woods. The evening is free. Overnight in Vienna.     (Breakfast / Lunch)

Day Seven—Thursday, September 18, 2003
Punkva Caves / On to Prague

After breakfast, depart Vienna on motorcoach for the Czech Republic. We break up the four-hour trip with a stop at the Punkva Caves, where we take a tour by train, boat and foot. After taking a train to the caves we walk half a mile underground to the foot of the Macocha Abyss. There we board a boat for the ride down the Punkva River and out of the cave. Afterwards we stop for lunch before arriving in Prague late afternoon. The evening is free for gay nightlife. Overnight in Prague.     (Breakfast / Lunch)

Day Eight—Friday, September 19, 2003
Prague

After breakfast take a city sightseeing tour. Start at Prague Castle, a 112-acre fortification dating back to 870 A.D, overlooking the city from a perch above the Lesser Quarter. Highlights are St. Vitus's Cathedral, the Old Royal Palace, St. George's Basilica, Old Town Square, the 14th Century Town Hall, the irresistible maze of Tynska Alley, and the funicular up Petrin Hill. After a late lunch, the remainder of the day is free to explore and enjoy Prague’s gay nightlife. Overnight in Prague.     (Breakfast / Lunch)

Day Nine—Saturday, September 20, 2003
Free Day / Farewell Dinner

Today is completely free to continue sightseeing, shopping, or exploring on your own. You may want to take an optional riverboat cruise or visit the elegant 18th-century Ledebourg and Palffy Gardens, where it might be possible to attend an outdoor concert. This evening Toto Tours hosts a Farewell to the Hapsburgs Dinner. Overnight in Prague.     (Breakfast / Dinner)

Day Ten—Sunday, September 21, 2003
Departure

Tour ends officially after breakfast. Arrange your international flight to depart anytime today. Transfer on your own to airport.     (Breakfast)

---

ACCOMMODATIONS

Budapest: Hotel K & K Opera, a sophisticated, modern first class hotel enjoys great popularity due to its welcoming atmosphere, a stylish interior design in bright colors, and its unbeatable central location next to the Opera house. Shops in the pedestrian area “Váci utca” and many key sights are within easy walking distance. The “Opera” underground station is just outside the hotel.

Vienna: Artis Hotel Wien, situated right in the heart of Vienna, just a short walk from the historic city center and close to many of the city's famous sights, such as Palace Belvedere, the Hundertwasser House, the State Opera, the Akademie Theater and the Konzerthaus.

Prague: Hotel Mercure, a newly opened hotel which was once an insurance company with one distinguished employee: Franz Kafka. In honor of the famous writer there's a statue in the lobby, and a hotel bar with his books. A dreary job is partly what drove him to write his depressing stories, but now the building itself is a beautiful example of romantic Art Nouveau interiors and facade. Mercure has a convenient central location. Most sites, such as Old Town Square are only moments away on foot. It's near metro and tram stops as well. Each of the 174 rooms has a minibar, hairdryer, massage shower, safe, satellite TV and internet access. There's one suite and two rooms are wheelchair accessible. Non-smoking rooms are on their own floor.

---

TOUR PREPARATION

Entry Requirements—For U.S. Citizens a valid passport is the only document required to enter Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, and the Czech Republic for stays of less than 90 days.

Immunizations—No immunizations are currently required for travel to the countries visited on this tour, but it is wise to have your inoculations up-to-date. Is your tetanus booster current?

Exit Requirements—There is currently an airport departure tax of roughly 700 Czech Koruna (about $25 U.S.) required of visitors leaving the Czech Republic, which is payable at the airport upon departure.

---

WHAT TO BRING

In September, average temperatures range from 48 to 72 degrees F. in Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, and Prague. You won’t need a suit jacket or tie, as the tour is informal and dinner attire will be dressy casual. Try to pack light and bring only two small pieces of luggage. Mix and match outfits! Pack any medications you require in a carry-on bag and leave expensive jewelry at home!

Suggested Packing List:

____ Passport.

____ Dressy, casual wear for dinners.

____ Shorts (1 – 2 pairs)

____ T-shirts (2 – 3).

____ Long pants (3 – 4 pairs)

____ Jeans (1 pair) for daytime activities.

____ Long-sleeve shirts (5 – 6).

____ Socks, underwear  for 11 days.

____ Light sweater for cool evenings.

____ Jacket for cool evenings.

____ Umbrella or other rain protection.

____ Comfortable walking shoes.

____ Daypack or fanny pack.

____ Sunscreen / lip balm / sunglasses.

____ Personal toiletries.

____ Camera, batteries & plenty of film (or digital memory cards).

____ A good book for the long flights.

---

MONEY MATTERS

We visit four countries with four different currencies. Exchange only small amounts of money into local currency upon arrival in each country. Otherwise, try to use your credit card/ATM as much as possible. Credit and Debit Cards work in most ATMs for cash withdrawals. Major credit cards are accepted at most restaurants, hotels, shops and tourist attractions.

---

LIABILITIES / DISCLAIMERS

Making a reservation with a deposit shall be deemed to be consent to these conditions: Toto Tours does not accept responsibility in whole or in part for any delay, loss, accidents, personal injury, sickness, medical expenses, or property damage occasioned by fault of any person from whatever cause. All participants are required to sign a standard liability form. The tour operators reserve the right to accept or decline any person as a member of the tour at any time and to make whatever changes become necessary with or without notice. Guaranteed departure with a minimum of twelve participants.

---

RESERVATIONS   

• fun-loving optimists who have a sense of humor and accentuate the positive;
• good natured realists who are willing to accept situations as they exist;
• undaunted by the unexpected, like occasional delays or bad weather;
• willing to forego some of the amenities we normally take for granted;
• eager to try new things & test limits;
• punctual;
• not whiners!

PRICE: $2,295 double occupancy

DEPOSIT:  $500

PRIVATE ROOM: $500 if available

FINAL PAYMENT: $1,795 double / $2,295 single

FINAL PAYMENT DUE: June 24, 2003

INCLUDED: Nine nights hotel accommodations; motorcoach transfers; Welcome Dinner; Farewell Dinner; meals, activities, and transportation as listed in the itinerary, fully guided and escorted tour.

NOT INCLUDED: Round-trip air transportation to Budapest, Hungary and returning from Prague, Czech Republic; meals and activities not specifically included in the itinerary; insurance; all alcoholic beverages; soft drinks; bottled water; laundry; telephone calls; faxes; airport transfers at beginning and end of tour; any other expenses of a personal nature. Tips to drivers and guides not included.