Grand Imperial Cities

From London St Pancras, we take the Eurostar to Brussels, continuing to Frankfurt for the night.

• Dinner
• Eurostar Meal (First Class only)

We board a train for the journey south through Germany, crossing the Austrian border on our way to Vienna, the magnificent city of Mozart. We spend the next three nights in the Austrian capital.

• Breakfast, Dinner

A guided tour showcases the Imperial architecture of the Ringstrasse - a wide avenue that encircles the Old City- as well as the impressive Hofburg Palace, built by the indomitable Hapsburgs. We also see the impressive Opera House and Vienna's grand Parliament building. Afterwards, we make our way to spectacular Schönbrunn Palace, the summer residence of the Imperial family, sitting down to a slice of cake and cup of Austrian coffee in an elegant café followed by free time to stroll through Schönbrunn's elaborate gardens and immaculate state rooms.

• Breakfast

You're free to keep sightseeing at your own pace today. Vienna's glorious Gothic cathedral, the Stephansdom, is located at the very centre of the city. This Gothic masterpiece is famed for its stunning tiled roof, patterned with brightly coloured chevrons and Viennese eagles, and by climbing the 553 steps to the top, you'll be rewarded with one of the best views of the city. Alternatively, a ride on the giant Ferris wheel in the Prater Gardens offers a more laid back way to drink in Vienna's skyline. After a busy day, why not pop into one of the many al fresco eateries for a slice of delicious Austrian sachertorte.

• Breakfast

We travel to Budapest, experiencing this city of two halves from a unique perspective this evening. The flatter, lively region of Pest looks across the water to its older, historical neighbour, the hilly Buda, which rises up away from the banks of the river. The city was once the joint capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and tonight, after dinner at a traditional restaurant, we embark on an illuminated night-time tour by coach. Tracing the Danube south, our evening is filled with stunning views of the city after dark, including the famous Szechenyi Chain Bridge and spectacular Gellert Hill.

• Breakfast, Dinner

A guided coach tour introduces us to Budapest's other main sights by day. We pass impressive buildings and monuments on both sides of the Danube, including the Neo-Gothic Parliament building, designed to look like the Palace of Westminster, Budapest Castle, Matthias Church and the more modern Fishermen's Bastion. Later, we enjoy a ride on the Children's Railway, a service operated by Hungarian schoolchildren that runs through the woods set in the hills above Buda and offers magnificent views of the greenery which surrounds the city.

• Breakfast

With a free day, you might like to unwind with a visit to one of the public yet ornate bath houses dotted around the city, such as the Art Deco Gellért thermal baths. For something slightly different, you could visit Statue Park, known locally as Szoborpark and located in a quiet suburb of Buda. Described as a 'Communist theme park', it contains a large statue of Lenin and Cubist statues of Marx and Engels. This evening, why not pay a visit to one of Budapest's popular ruin bars?

• Breakfast

We depart Budapest by train, travelling through Slovakia to the Czech Republic and arriving in Prague for a three-night stay amid the copper-domed churches of 'The City of a Hundred Spires'

• Breakfast, Dinner

A guided walking tour through the narrow streets of Prague's Old Town reveals some of the city's most famous sights. We begin at Hradcany Castle, the largest medieval complex in Europe, before strolling across the 14th-century Charles Bridge to admire the 75 statues built along its walls as well as views of the Gothic spires of St Vitus' Cathedral in the distance. We also stop at the city's renowned astronomical clock. Dating back to medieval times, it's one of the oldest working pieces of its time, showing the relative positions of the sun, moon, earth and zodiac constellations.

• Breakfast

Enjoy a free day to continue getting to know Prague better. Gourmet restaurants, cocktail bars and trendy cafés are easy to find. If you're looking for something more authentic, you can feast on pork and dumplings washed down with beer in a traditional pub, or 'hospody', ahead of a leisurely amble along the Vltava River or a gentle cruise through the city, perhaps the most relaxing way to see the sights.

• Breakfast

Catching the train from Prague, we travel through the Bohemian countryside into Germany, following the route of the River Elbe to Berlin for two nights. On arrival, we set out on a guided walking tour of Germany's capital to uncover its fascinating history, contrasted with the city's vibrant present. We see the remains of the Berlin Wall, a poignant reminder of the city's turbulent past that's now decorated with colourful street art, and the Brandenburg Gate. A spectacular 18th-century neoclassical monument, this is the city's oldest surviving gate and is a symbol of unity in Germany.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Your day is free to keep sightseeing. You could visit the Reichstag and Checkpoint Charlie, which details the history of the Berlin Wall, or head to Potsdam, home to the Baroque flower gardens of Park Sanssouci. Alternatively, you may like to visit the imposing Opera House, home of the world-famous Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, or the Pergamon Museum, featuring a wealth of wonderful exhibits, including life-size replicas of Ishtar Gate and the Altar of Zeus. Perhaps take a stroll through Berlin's Old Quarter en route to Charlottenburg Palace, the only remaining royal residence from the Hohenzollern dynasty. Make sure you also find the time to try a Bratwurst or pretzel for an authentic taste of German cuisine.

• Breakfast

We travel by rail to Brussels after checking out of our hotel. Here, we join the Eurostar to London St Pancras.

• Breakfast
• Eurostar Meal (First Class only)