London to Budapest

Welcome to London. Upon arrival, we’ll transfer you to your hotel, where you can settle in and enjoy some free time to relax or explore independently. Later this afternoon, you’ll find detailed information about the tour’s start displayed on the notice boards at the hotel reception to help you prepare for the days ahead.
Please note: This tour may have travellers joining or departing at various points along the route, meaning group composition can change during the tour.

We begin the day with a panoramic tour of London led by a local guide, highlighting the city’s rich culture and history. You’ll see iconic landmarks such as the Houses of Parliament, the River Thames, and Buckingham Palace, where you may catch the famous Changing of the Guard, depending on the schedule. In the evening, we gather in Piccadilly for a leisurely walk through Leicester Square, Chinatown, and Soho—areas known for their lively streets, theatres, and vibrant nightlife. You’ll have plenty of options for dinner before we return to the hotel.

This morning, we visit the British Museum, one of the world’s oldest, where we’ll discover artefacts tracing cultures from across the globe. At lunchtime, you'll have free time to explore Camden, an area famous for its vibrant and eclectic street market, where you can browse unique stalls and choose from a variety of eateries for lunch. Around 4:00 p.m., we’ll travel to Colchester, England’s oldest recorded town, and enjoy a leisurely stroll through its historic streets. Later, we continue to Harwich to board the ferry for an overnight crossing to the Netherlands, staying in en suite cabins. Please note, cabin availability is limited, so the itinerary may be adjusted, possibly involving a daytime ferry to Amsterdam with an overnight stay in Antwerp, or travel by train or flight instead.

We arrive in the Netherlands at Hoek van Holland around 8:00 am and visit Volendam, a charming, traditional fishing village known for its maritime heritage. Afterwards, we travel to Amsterdam for a guided city tour, which includes notable sights such as iconic windmills, the Rembrandt statue, the modern elegance of the South District, and the historic diamond-cutting tradition at Museum Square. The tour concludes with a walk into the heart of Amsterdam, where it ends and you’ll have free time to explore at your leisure.

We leave Amsterdam and travel to Germany, stopping first in Hamelin, a charming town famous for the Brothers Grimm fairy tale of the Pied Piper. You can stroll through its quaint streets and browse the local shops. Continuing our journey, we pass through Marienborn, the historic former border crossing between East and West Germany until reunification in 1990. We arrive in Berlin in the evening, ready for the next stage of our tour.

Today we explore Berlin, Germany’s vibrant capital, with a local guide. From the coach, we’ll take in iconic sights including Museum Island, the Television Tower, the main shopping streets of the city centre, the Old Cathedral—damaged during World War II—the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag parliament building, and the city’s expansive parks. We’ll pause to visit the Holocaust Memorial and the Berlin Wall Memorial Museum, both poignant reminders of Germany’s complex 20th-century history. The afternoon is yours to discover Berlin at your leisure. Early this evening, we’ll transfer you to the bustling Kantstrasse area, known for its lively atmosphere and dining options.

We travel through forested areas to Dresden, a city celebrated for its remarkable architectural and artistic heritage, making it one of Germany’s key cultural destinations. You’ll have time to visit some of its stunning palaces and enjoy lunch at one of the many local restaurants or cafés. In the afternoon, we continue to the Czech Republic and arrive in Prague. We’ll head to the lively Old Town Square, an excellent place for your first experience of the city’s vibrant atmosphere. You’ll find a wide choice of restaurants offering Czech specialties alongside international cuisines such as Chinese, Indian, and Italian. Afterwards, we return to the hotel for the evening.

Today we explore Prague, often described as the Baroque jewel of Europe. A local guide will take us on a panoramic tour of the city’s most remarkable monuments, including a visit to Prague Castle, with admission included. Afterwards, we’ll enjoy a scenic boat ride on the Vltava River, also included. The afternoon is yours to wander and discover the city at your own pace.

We depart early for Bavaria in Germany, arriving in Munich around midday. You’ll have free time to explore the historic city centre at your leisure and enjoy lunch. In the afternoon, we continue to Austria, arriving in Innsbruck—set in the heart of the Alps. You’ll have time to wander through Innsbruck’s Old Town and the Golden Roof area, where you can also enjoy dinner.

Today we visit the Swarovski Museum, renowned worldwide for its exquisite crystal creations. We’ll explore the impressive gardens and learn about the craftsmanship behind these sparkling pieces. Afterwards, you’ll have some free time to wander through the historic centre of Innsbruck. Our journey then continues along scenic mountain roads to Kitzbühel, a charming Tyrolean town famous for its ski resort and the legendary Hahnenkamm Race, one of the most prestigious events in alpine skiing. We will arrive in Salzburg by the end of the day.

We begin the day in Salzburg, exploring the city famously linked to Mozart. The Renaissance and Baroque architecture here is particularly striking, set beneath the imposing Salzburg Fortress. Later, we travel through the scenic Austrian lakes and mountains to reach St. Wolfgang, a well-known pilgrimage site. We then continue to Traunkirchen on the shores of Lake Traunsee, where we take an included cruise to admire four of the lake’s castles before disembarking at Gmunden. From there, we journey onwards to Vienna, arriving in the evening.

We’ll begin the day with a guided panoramic tour of Vienna, taking in the city’s grand boulevards, splendid palaces, expansive parks and bustling central districts. In the afternoon, you’ll have free time to explore at your leisure. Later, we’ll provide a transfer to the Grinzing district – a historic wine-growing village now part of the city, famed for its traditional taverns. You’ll have time to enjoy dinner here before returning to the hotel.

We’ll travel for approximately three hours to reach Budapest, Hungary’s vibrant capital. Upon arrival, you’ll have free time for lunch in the bustling Váci utca, known for its shops and lively atmosphere. Afterwards, we’ll enjoy an included boat trip along the Danube River, offering striking views of historic Buda on one side and cosmopolitan Pest on the other. We’ll then set out on a panoramic tour of this city often called the "Queen of the Danube," highlighting its key landmarks. The afternoon is free for you to explore at your leisure. In the evening, there is an optional outing to a traditional Magyar show, featuring dinner.

After breakfast, our tour concludes, leaving you with lasting memories of your journey.