Compare Budapest, Vienna & Prague by SmarTours vs Northern Capitals (2024, Classic Group) by Insight Vacations
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 11 days | 14 days |
| Price From | $ 2,599 | $ 5,250 |
| Price Per Day | $ 236 | $ 375 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Group tour | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Premium |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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N/A |
| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Airfare included |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included |
8 Breakfasts and 3 Dinners |
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| Description |
Explore Germany for massive attractions, Budapest is one of Eastern Europe’s most lively cities, Also get an opportunity to scenic Hungarian countryside you will leisure to explore on your own and relax in a charming Viennese café exploring to Prague. While you will see exiting Europe attractions on the tour. |
Experience the city of Berlin from both sides of the now crumbling wall, as your Local Expert guides you through the history of this once divided city, and the stories behind Berlin icons like the Brandenburg Gate, the Tiergarten and the Reichstag. Across the North Sea in Denmark, explore the enchanting Tivoli Gardens and absorb the opulence contained within Christiansborg Palace—the historic seat of Danish power. Journeying onwards into Finland, the famed and fashionable Helsinki food market is home to an abundance of aromatic stalls, serving up local delicacies, like smoked reindeer and licorice. |
Day 1: Depart USA
Your fascinating journey to Eastern Europe begins this evening with an overnight flight to Budapest.
Day 2: Arrive Budapest (Hungary)
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Radisson Blu Beke or similar
Late morning arrival to start your Budapest tours in this delightful Hungarian capital. You’ll be met and escorted to your centrally located upscale hotel. This evening your Tour Director hosts a welcome dinner and briefing.
Day 3
Meals: Breakfast
Budapest is one of Eastern Europe’s most lively cities. On your morning tour, your guide will introduce you to the history and sights of the city. Enjoy a panoramic view from Fishermen’s Bastion located on Castle Hill. You’ll also see the 13th century Matthias Coronation Church and the Citadel on Mount Gellert. Afternoon at leisure. Perhaps take a leisurely cruise on the romantic Danube River.
Day 4: Danube Bend Excursion.
Embark on a morning excursion to the scenic Hungarian countryside. Voyage to the charming artist’s town of Szentendre, a real gem at the gateway to the picturesque Danube Bend region. Free time to explore before returning to Budapest where you may revel in the fine arts and architecture at your own pace
Day 5: Budapest/Vienna (Austria).
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Radisson Blu Park Royal Palace or Parkhotel Schönbrunn or similar
Cross the border into Austria and drive to begin your splendid Vienna tours in the center of the Hapsburg Empire. Experience the city’s glorious past on a panoramic tour taking you along the Ring Boulevard, past Emperor Franz Josef’s Hofburg Palace and the ornate State Opera to a masterpiece of Gothic architecture, the Cathedral of St. Stephen’s. Dinner tonight is at your hotel.
Day 6
Meals: Breakfast
A full day at leisure to explore on your own and relax in a charming Viennese cafe. A must see is the magnificent Schonbrunn Palace, the baroque summer residence built for the Hapsburgs.
Day 7: Vienna/Prague (Czech Republic).
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation:
Journey across the Czech border through rich farmlands to Moravia. Visit the quaint towns of Duernstein and Telc en route to Prague, one of Europe’s most vibrant and colorful cities. Occidental Praha Five or similar
Day 8
Meals: Breakfast
The beautiful city of Prague was built on seven hills and served as a former capital of the Roman Empire. On this morning’s tour, visit the impressive Hradcany Castle and the Old Royal Palace, former residence of Bohemian kings. See the 14th-century Charles Bridge and explore the charming Old Town. Afternoon at leisure.
Day 9
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
A day at leisure to relax at an outdoor cafe, shop the bustling markets or explore the fascinating Jewish Quarter on your own. Tonight, celebrate with your fellow travelers at a festive dinner.
Day 10: Prague/Helsinki (Finland)
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Scandic Hotel or similar
After breakfast, bid farewell to the glorious cities of Eastern Europe and board a short flight to Helsinki, the charming capital of Finland, situated on the Baltic Sea. Orientation tour is included on arrival.
(For Land Only package, tour ends on this day in Prague. The flight to Helsinki and the Helsinki hotel is NOT included. )
Day 11: Helsinki/New York
Meals: Breakfast
Enjoy your leisure morning in Helsinki to explore on your own or try a real Finnish sauna! Later, transfer to the airport for your non-stop flight back to the USA. Your exciting journey ends as you touch down in New York.
Day 1: Welcome to Berlin
Welcome to the vibrant city of Berlin. In the afternoon, perhaps visit the KaDeWe department store - the shopping center of West Berlin which during 40 years of division, became the shop window of the West. In the evening, join your Travel Director and travel companions for your Welcome Dinner with wine.
Hotel NH Collection Berlin Mitte am Checkpoint Charlie, Berlin.
Dinner with Wine
Day 2: The Spirit of Berlin Relaxed Start
In the morning, sightseeing with a Local Expert takes you along the Unter den Linden, past the Humboldt University and Opera House. Stop a while on Museum Island before passing Brandenberg Gate, a symbol of the reunification. See Norman Foster’s glass dome which crowns the Reichstag building before embarking on a journey through the Tiergarten. Spend the afternoon exploring at your leisure or relaxing at your hotel.
Hotel NH Collection Berlin Mitte am Checkpoint Charlie, Berlin.
Breakfast
Day 3: Across the Sea to Copenhagen
Depart Berlin and continue through northern Germany to Rostock for the sea crossing to Denmark. A peaceful journey through the Danish countryside brings you to the capital, Copenhagen. In the evening, delight in the enchanting atmosphere of the famous Tivoli Gardens.
Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel, Copenhagen.
Breakfast
Day 4: Wonderful Copenhagen
Explore Copenhagen with a Local Expert, taking in the sights of Denmark's capital, the Christiansborg Palace seat of the Danish Government, Rosenborg Castle and Amalienborg Palace, home of the royal family. Visit the waterfront to admire Hans Christian Andersen’s Little Mermaid gazing across the harbor. Stroll through the old town and admire the colored houses with pretty squares and Copenhagen's 18th century cathedral designed by Christian Frederik Hansen. This is where King Frederik X of Denmark married Queen Mary and known for its neoclassical architecture. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel, Copenhagen.
Breakfast
Day 5: To Stockholm, City of Islands
Enjoy a view of Kronborg Castle, reputedly the Elsinore home of Hamlet, during the short ferry crossing to Sweden. Your journey then continues through fertile farmlands, dotted with neat farmhouses and barns. Travel along the shores of peaceful Lake Vättern to Stockholm, beautifully situated on an island studded bay.
Clarion Hotel Amaranten
Breakfast
Day 6: Stockholm and a Baltic Cruise
With a Local Expert, visit the imposing City Hall with its impressive Gyllene salen, the Golden Hall, covered with 18 million gilded mosaic tiles and the Blå hallen, the Blue Hall, is the venue for the Nobel Prize banquets. Cross the harbor to Gamla Stan, the medieval heart of the city to see the cathedral and the Royal Palace. In the afternoon, board your cruise ship for the overnight voyage to Finland. Enjoy dinner onboard and then take in the breathtakingly beautiful scenery from the comfort of your A-Class, sea-view cabin, while the northern sun hangs over the horizon, showing almost no sign of setting in mid-summer.
Serenade/Symphony—Tallink & Silja Line Ships.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 7: Fashionable Helsinki Relaxed Start
Disembark your Baltic cruise and explore Helsinki, the trendsetting city of top fashion and design, alongside a Local Expert. Wander through the aromatic stalls of a traditional food market and sample local produce like liquorice or smoked reindeer.
Klaus K Hotel, Helsinki.
Breakfast
Day 8: Finnish Countryside
Venture into the lush Finnish countryside and join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at Bosgård Organic Farm. Learn about their sustainable practices and try some authentic produce from the farm. Later, visit the picturesque town of Porvoo, one of the most photographed places in Finland. Spend the evening at leisure back in Helsinki.
Klaus K Hotel, Helsinki.
Breakfast
Day 9: Surrender to the Magic of Tallinn
This morning cross the sea to Estonia. Choose between a stroll with your Local Expert through the cobbled streets of the Old Town, a scene straight out of a fairy-tale and hear about Estonian arts and crafts. Or join your Local Expert to walk up Toompea Hill for panoramic views of the city and afterwards visit the market square with its old German weighing house, pharmacy and Town Hall. Enjoy free time this afternoon to browse Tallinn’s shops, famous for fine amber and silver jewelery.
Swissotel Tallinn.
Breakfast
Day 10: On to Riga Relaxed Start
Today you make your way to the Latvian capital of Riga. Explore Riga's Old Town with your Local Expert, including a visit to the old aircraft hangars that now house the Riga Central Market, one of the largest in Eastern Europe. Enjoy the vibrant colors and flavors when sampling some of the local delicacies as you wander through the maze of stalls.
Radisson Blu Elizabete Hotel, Riga.
Breakfast
Day 11: Explore Vilnius
Cross into Lithuania and visit the Hill of Crosses before arriving in the capital city of Vilnius.Walk along the streets of bohemian Užupis, a Vilnius neighborhood that proclaimed itself a republic in 2002. A member of the government introduces you to its quirky history and artistic flair.Choose from a hand-picked selection of local restaurants for your Dine-Around Evening.
Radisson Blu Hotel Lietuva, Vilnius.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 12: Rejuvenated Warsaw
Pass lakeside Augustow during a scenic journey through Masuria, a region blessed with a plethora of lakes and forests. Your destination will be the Polish capital, faithfully rebuilt after the devastation of World War II.
The Westin Warsaw.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 13: Exploring Warsaw Relaxed Start
Join a Local Expert for an exploration of the city. Pass the tiered Palace of Culture and stroll through Łazienki Park to the Chopin Memorial. Take a moment to reflect at the Monument to Ghetto Heroes, before walking to the Market Square in the Old Town. In the evening, join your newfound friends and Travel Director for a Celebration Dinner at a local restaurant and enjoy a fine selection of local dishes, with wine.
The Westin Warsaw.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 14: Depart Warsaw
Time to say goodbye to your new friends as your journey through Poland comes to an end.
Breakfast
