Meet the Hapsburgs
Budapest, Vienna & Prague
September 18 - 28, 2008
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.
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
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Departure from the U.S.
Today is a travel day. Arrange your international flight to leave your
home city and arrive in Budapest, Hungary tomorrow morning. The airport
code is BUD. Do a multi-city search, as you will be returning from Prague
(airport code PRG). We highly recommend that you consider arriving one
day early to rest from jet lag. We are happy to arrange an extra night
for you at our hotel this evening.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Arrival in Budapest / Sightseeing Tour of Pest / Welcome Dinner
Upon arrival in Budapest, hail a taxi to transport you from the airport
to our hotel. It is important that you arrive in the morning so that
you do not miss the afternoon sightseeing tour which will leave the
hotel at 2pm. Please plan to arrive one day early if your connections
do not allow you to arrive before noon.
This afternoon the group gathers for a sightseeing
tour of the Pest side of the city. View the Opera House, Hero’s
Square and its Millennium Monument (where much of Evita was filmed),
marvel at the architectural displays, and visit the Central Market.
This evening, meet for a cocktail in our hotel’s bar, and then
share a festive Welcome Dinner at the famous Gundel
Restaurant. The evening is free for gay nightlife. (Welcome
Dinner included)
Saturday, September20, 2008
Sightseeing Tour of Buda
After breakfast at the hotel enjoy another half-day sightseeing tour
in this fantastic city. Visit the magnificent Parliament Building, one
of the largest buildings in the world and one of the best known sights
and symbols of Budapest. It has 691 rooms! Cross the famous Chain Bridge
from Pest into Buda to view the monumental edifices on Castle Hill,
including the Buda Castle, the Fisherman’s Bastion, and Mathias
Church. Continue to Gellert Hill Citadel and the Statue of Liberty with
magnificent views of the city.
Returning to the hotel at the conclusion of
the tour, the remainder of the day is free at leisure. We highly recommend
taking an optional cruise on the Danube River this evening to see the
city’s monuments illuminated. We can organize a private boat if
there is enough interest among the group members. (Breakfast)
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Free Day in Budapest
After breakfast the entire day is free to explore on your own. You
might consider visiting the gorgeous Jewish Synagogue and adjacent Holocaust
Memorial. The Museum of Fine Arts is one of the most impressive art
galleries in all of Europe. Take advantage of your final night in Budapest
to enjoy one of the city’s fine musical events, if you so desire. (Breakfast)
Monday, September 22, 2008
Budapest to Vienna / Schönbrunn Palace
After an early breakfast we transfer to Vienna, Austria, arriving in
time to have a late lunch together at the KunstHaus
Restaurant. Here we meet our local guide and commence a city
sightseeing tour, starting with a photo stop at the nearby Hundertwasser
Haus museum. Next we visit Schönbrunn Palace, one of
the most important cultural monuments in Austria, a position it occupies
by virtue of its long and colorful history. Protected by a preservation
order, the whole complex (which includes the palace, the park with its
fountains, statues and architectural features as well as the zoo, the
oldest of its kind still in use in its original function) was added
to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1996
We check in at our centrally located hotel
after visiting the Palace, and the evening is free to explore gay nightlife,
enjoy a classical music concert, or attend the opera. (Breakfast
/ Lunch)
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Vienna Sightseeing
This morning enjoy a guided walking tour of the historic center of
Vienna to become more familiar with our new (and opulent) surroundings.
See the State Opera House and the exterior of the Belvedere Palace and
Hofburg Palace. Visit St. Stephens Cathedral and also the Splendor Room
at the National Library.
We conclude the walking tour in the city center,
which is a perfect place to select one of the restaurants we recommend
for lunch. Or skip the lunch idea and go straight for the world-famous
Sachertorte
at the Hotel Sacher (next to the State Opera House)! The remainder of
the day is free to explore on your own, to go shopping, partake of coffee
and pastries at a sidewalk café, enjoy cultural events and gay
nightlife. (Breakfast)
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Free Day in Vienna
After breakfast at our hotel, enjoy a full free day to sample the bountiful
cultural possibilities in Vienna. There are world-class museums and
exhibitions, not to mention the Lippazaner Stallions! Your tour manager
will help you make the most of your day in one of the most beautiful
cities in the world! (Breakfast)
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Vienna to Prague
Depart Vienna after breakfast this morning, bound for the Czech Republic
and magical Prague. We go directly to lunch on the Prague Castle Hill
at the Strahov
Monastery restaurant. After lunch we continue our exploration
of Castle Hill, visiting the Prague Castle, the Old Royal Palace, St.
Vitus Cathedral, the Golden Lane and Daliborka Tower, plus St. George’s
Basilica.
Following the tour, we check in at our centrally-located
hotel. The remainder of the evening is free for cultural events and
gay nightlife. (Breakfast / Lunch)
Friday, September 26, 2008
Prague Sightseeing
After breakfast at the hotel we take a walking tour of the city starting
at our hotel. The tour includes the Municipal House, the Old Town Square,
Charles Bridge and many beautiful locations within walking distance
from the hotel.
After a break for lunch, we have organized
an optional guided tour of the historic Jewish
Quarter. The area is closed to the public on Saturday, so
this afternoon is our only opportunity to visit. Our local guide is
organizing the tour, and will base the price on the number of participants.
Please indicate your interest in taking the tour in the appropriate
place on the reservation form. Payments will be made directly to the
guide in Prague. Those not taking the tour of the Jewish Quarter will
have a free afternoon, and the evening is totally free. (Breakfast)
Saturday, September 27, 2008
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 perhaps
join one of the many concerts presented in the various churches and
noble residences in the city. The tour manager will be available to
assist you with your plans.
This evening Toto Tours hosts a festive Farewell
Dinner at a local restaurant to bid goodbye to the Hapsburgs and each
other. (Breakfast / Dinner)
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Departure
The tour ends officially after breakfast. Arrange your international
flight to depart at any convenient time today. We provide one group
transfer to the airport, timed to accommodate the greatest number of
departing tour participants. If this transfer does not meet your needs,
we will assist you in arranging your private transfer to the airport.
We are also happy to assist with hotel arrangement if you wish to extend
your stay in Prague. (Breakfast)
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