CZECH REPUBLIC, AUSTRIA & HUNGARY

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SPECIAL EDITION

CZECH REPUBLIC, AUSTRIA & HUNGARY

Christmas Markets of Prague, Vienna & Budapest

D A I LY I T I N E R A R Y CZECH REPUBLIC, AUSTRIA & HUNGARY | CHRISTMAS MARKETS OF PRAGUE, VIENNA & BUDAPEST | SPECIAL EDITION


Shimmering Holiday Traditions

Classic Journeys provides unbeatable access to experiences around the globe.” Travel + Leisure

Celebrate the warmth, colorful tradition and shimmering sense of expectation that can only be found in Europe’s most legendary Christmas markets. This remarkable trip takes you to the finest ones in Prague, Vienna and Budapest and, en route, it offers a lovely, more intimate contrast with smaller-town fairs in Cesky Krumlov and České Budějovice in the Czech Republic. You’ll almost feel like you’re time traveling as you explore cities that have remained remarkably unchanged over the centuries. And with your friendly local guides, you’ll learn about the vivid history, experience rich cultural traditions, and get just the kind of advice you want if you’re shopping the stalls or looking for the perfect wooden toys, Bohemian crystal or even fresh-baked holiday pastry. There’s no more perfect way to capture the season’s spirit…and immerse yourself in a holiday shopping expedition like no other!



DAY 1

PRAGUE • Prague city tour • Prague Christmas market

We meet in what may well be the most walkable city in Europe – not to mention the site of one of its most legendary holiday markets. Wenceslas Square – named for the good king of Christmas carol fame – is transformed in season with brightly decorated market stalls, the scent of grilled cinnamon pastries, the sounds of local choirs, and a huge tree that towers over it all. The merchants sell everything from wooden toys and Bohemian crystal to mulled wine. The locals shop for their Christmas feasts here, too, and you’ll see roasted hams and barrels of fish. It’s tradition to tuck a carp scale into your wallet to ensure a New Year full of prosperity. Best of all the markets are right in the heart of this compact city, so it’s easy to explore all that Prague has to offer as you stroll with your guide. Prague is your guide's hometown, and he loves to show it off. Your first visit is to the Royal castle of Hradcany and St.Vitus Cathedral. Along the way, your guides share personal stories as you walk down into the winding alleys of the medieval Mala Strana district. You’ll cross the famous Charles Bridge (popular with artists, musicians and vendors), culminating at the Old Town Square where there’s a second, equally wonderful, market. Dinner tonight includes some of the local seasonal specialties that appear on menus at this special time of year. OVERNIGHT: PRAGUE MEALS: D

DAY 2

PRAGUE TO CESKY KRUMLOV • Cesky Krumlov city tour • Castle museum • Cesky Krumlov Christmas market • Dinner in Cesky Krumlov

Say “CHESS-key KROOM-loff” and you’re close to passing your first test in the Czech language. In any language, this village is a remarkable place. Like Prague, it too is a UNESCO historic site, but of a different sort. The Vltava River snakes around the heart of the town. Over it all floats a magnificent castle that was the family seat of the Rozmberk family for over 300 years. The Christmas market here is on a smaller, quieter scale for a real sense at how the lead-up to the holidays has always played in areas away from the big cities. Of course, you’ll have plenty of time to browse the small stalls in the picturesque town square. Cafés hang out over the banks of the river. Apart from a guided walk, you’ll also have time to roam and shop and lunch. One of the town’s special wonders is the massive castle that dates back to the 13th century. You’ll explore the complex of courtyards, Renaissance and Baroque fortifications for a revealing look at how the Bohemian founder and later the Habsburg princes lived. OVERNIGHT: CESKY KRUMLOV MEALS: B, L, D

DAY 3

ČESKÉ BUDĚJOVICE • Walking tour of the city • Budweiss brewery visit • Christmas market in Námesti Otakar II Square

Like so much of the Czech Republic, České Budějovice is a wonderful time capsule. As you stroll the narrow streets with your guide, it’s easy to imagine yourself in a long-ago century. In the 19th century, the town was known by the German name Budweis – and if that makes you think “Budweiser” and “beer”, you couldn’t be more right. The original brewery (unrelated to the American brand) is opened for you to look at the beermaking process that’s been at the heart of Czech life for 700 years or so. Be sure to save time for a meal in the brewery’s famous restaurant and beer hall where you can try traditional Bohemian specialties like pork tenderloin with peppercorn sauce. The lively Christmas market is held in the town square, ringed by stately Renaissance, Gothic and Baroque buildings. As you’ll see, the crafts and food items have interesting regional differences from the other markets you’ve already visited. Buglers, pipers and folklore groups make the spirit especially bright. OVERNIGHT: CESKY KRUMLOV MEALS: B, L, D

DAY 4

ČESKÉ BUDĚJOVICE TO VIENNA • Vienna city tour

Fuel up on muesli and yogurt…or go the sausage-and-cheese route for breakfast. This morning you’ll travel through scenic farmland and densely wooded hills to magnificent Vienna where you arrive in time for a lunch. Vienna is a terrific city for walking as you’ll discover as you strike out for a guided stroll. You’ll walk on the Ring, the famed circular boulevard lined with monumental buildings that capture the glory of the Habsburg Empire. You’ll explore the medieval lanes of the Inner City to Saint Stephen’s Cathedral, Austria’s pinnacle of Gothic architecture. Wander down The Graben, Vienna’s famous street home to beautiful shops and cafes. Spend some time in a coffeehouse for lunch and live as the Viennese do. About 25 Christmas markets are underway in the city, so it’s not unusual to bump into one of them around any corner. The splashiest is the Christkindlmarkt on Rathausplatz where the emphasis is on tradition. You won’t find representations of modern-day Santa Claus here. The Christ Child is at the center of it all and, keeping to tradition, a young blonde woman always plays the role. You’ll want to grab a packet of hot roasted chestnuts to nibble as you roam the aisles. OVERNIGHT: VIENNA MEALS: B, L

DAY 5

VIENNA • Schönbrunn Palace • Schönbrunn Christmas Market • Classical music concert



There is no finer expression of the power and glory of Imperial Vienna that Schönbrunn Palace, and it is the spectacular centerpiece of a day full of memorable activities. Enjoy a privately guided tour of the 22-room apartments of Emperor Franz Joseph and his charming wife, Elisabeth, known as Sisi. It’s truly one of the world’s most remarkable residences, the ultimate expression of the Habsburgs who ruled a vast swath of Europe for six centuries. The most romantic of all of the Viennese holiday markets happens right here in front of the palace. A giant Christmas tree is silhouetted against the baroque palace façade. Usually, there are 60 stalls or so and in keeping with the setting, the offerings are especially opulent. Music has always been an essential element of Vienna’s heritage, dating back to Mozart himself performing here. So, you’ll want to join your guide this evening in the city center to attend a concert. The Schönbrunn Palace Orchestra and Ensemble will play the works of classical composers, and the performance also includes dance and vocal performances. This is a cultural experience you’ll always remember. OVERNIGHT: VIENNA MEALS: B, D

DAY 6

VIENNA TO BUDAPEST • Guided walking tour • Budapest Christmas market • Farewell dinner

At the end of this morning’s drive, cross the Hungarian border and arrive in Budapest where you make the most of your time on a guided visit in the company of your new

friend Zsofi. The colorful hills of Buda lie on one side of the Danube; the cosmopolitan streets of Pest crowd up against the other bank. Together, they offer wonderful sights from Europe’s largest synagogue to Hero’s Square, narrow cobbled streets to the Royal Palace atop Castle Hill. Of course, you’ll explore the Budapest Christmas fairs on Vorosmarty Square and at the Basilica. It’s a fun final chance for some shopping. But if your luggage is already full, have no fear. One of the best treats at this market is chimney cake – dough wrapped around a pole, baked and then showered with sugar and cinnamon. After an expansive day of discovery, you may want to make a detour to the Gellért Hotel, the oldest spa hotel in Hungary. Tonight, enjoy a festive farewell dinner. Then, if you’re up for a lively last night, venture over to Vörösmarty tér, the impressive square where street musicians rule and you can relax with an after-dinner coffee at a café. OVERNIGHT: BUDAPEST MEALS: B, D

DAY 7

BUDAPEST • Morning at leisure • Depart for Budapest airport for flights home

On your own, you may want to get in some shopping or see the collection of Flemish and Dutch Old Masters at the Museum of Fine Arts as it opens after its renovation. When you’re ready to head home, Budapest airport is less than 45 minutes from downtown. MEALS: B



Tour Hotels

Hotel Paris Prague A landmark Art Nouveau structure, this beautifully restored hotel is located in the heart of Prague's Old Town. From the generously proportioned rooms, guests are just steps away from the gothic Powder Tower and the premier arts and shopping district. OVERNIGHT: PRAGUE | NIGHTS: 1

Hotel Bellevue Set in the medieval heart of Cesky Krumlov, this fine property was created by combining several historic buildings. The cozy rooms are steps away from some of Europe’s most scenic streets. There’s also a fine restaurant as well as sauna and spa. OVERNIGHT: CESKÝ KRUMLOV | NIGHTS: 2

The Harmonie Vienna The Harmonie Vienna boutique hotel is a hotel that marches to a different tune. At the heart of the hotel’s design is a visionary art concept that combines dance and art in a unique way. OVERNIGHT: VIENNA | NIGHTS: 2

Corinthia Hotel Budapest Behind its distinguished façade in the heart of Budapest, this 5-star hotel is one of the finest in the city. Newly renovated, it offers spacious guest rooms as well as a wealth of architectural detailing in the lobby. OVERNIGHT: BUDAPEST | NIGHTS: 1



READY TO BOOK? CLICK TO MAKE A RESERVATION

Or give us a call 1-833-387-1210 Mon-Fri 8:00AM – 5:00PM PST [email protected]

Tour Dates & Prices

Tour Dates Price per Person Double Occupancy

Price per Person Single Occupancy

December 13-19, 2020 $4,895 $5,490 December 12-18, 2021 $4,995 $5,590

Want a different date? Or your own date? Visit CLASSICJOURNEYS.COM/PRIVATE to learn more about private journeys.

Trip Essentials

TRIP LENGTH: 7 Days, 6 Nights

START: 12:00 PM Lobby oh Hotel Pariz, Prague, Czech Republic

END: 9:00 AM lobby of Corinthia Hotel, Budapest, Hungary

TERRAIN: Easy to moderate, with van support.

What’s Included • Memorable accommodations for 6 nights

• All breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 5 dinners

• Full-time experienced guide(s) who are with you throughout the trip and handle behind-the-scenes logistics

• Admissions to scheduled events as noted in the detailed daily itinerary

• Gratuities for hotels, meals, and baggage

• All land transportation during the trip

Above & Beyond Benefits • Privileged Access Events

• Wine on Us

• Invisible Check-In

• Perfect Pairings Dinners

TRAVEL WORRY-FREE! It’s easy with insurance from Travel Guard. Your policy can cover trip cancellation, travel delays, lost luggage, medical emergencies, and more. If you are traveling with kids, add them to your policy at no extra cost. Click here or call 800-826-4919 for details.

AMBASSADOR CLUB As a Classic Journeys guest, you are invited to join the Ambassador Club after your first Classic Journeys tour. As a member, you’ll have access to a whole suite of Ambassador benefits you can use immediately and as often as you like.

ENJOY THE UNEXPECTED When you travel with Classic Journeys, you can expect handcrafted surprises built into every trip, but some things just can’t be anticipated. Unusual weather, a once-a-year festival or an unscheduled site closing will inspire us and your local guide to improvise and modify this itinerary. Likewise, the hotels named here are used on the majority of our trips, but occasionally one of them can’t accommodate us. If that happens, you can count on us to let you know before departure and make sure you’re in a hotel of equal or better quality. It’s our goal to make your trip exceptional! **Any discount offered cannot be combined with other offers, and only applies to published (regularly scheduled pubic) departure dates in our catalogs or on our website.

You’ll enjoy these handcrafted travel experiences in Austria, Hungary and the Czech

Republic...

• Strolling the aisles of the world famous Christmas market in Vienna

• Savoring fascinating visits to a local brewery, a Cistercian monastery and a castle museum

• Learning the fascinating histories of the Habsburg capitals of Prague and Budapest on guided walking

tours

• Exploring from perfectly-sited historic hotels, including the grand and elegant Corinthia Hotel in Budapest

• Listening to the angelic sounds of a holiday-themed classical music concert

“I enjoyed every aspect of the trip! I felt a part of the culture. The restaurants were extremely good and allowed

me to try local cusine.” —Amy S., Powell, OH

THE Classic Journeys

Difference

You can expect the highest standards:

Included Activities: You’ll never be surprised with add-on fees on your activities that include snorkeling to cooking lessons. Small Group Travel: With an average of just 10-12 guests, it’s a small footprint that guarantees you access that’s off-limits to larger groups. Unmatched Value: “Excellent value” and “unbeatable access” are two of the reasons that Travel + Leisure has consistently voted us a World’s Best Tour Operator.

Luxurious Lodgings: Ours include coveted properties that appear in “World’s Best” and “Gold List” rankings. Local Guides: Your guides are locals who are always at your side like well-connected friends. Amazing Cuisine: From Michelin-starred restaurants to lunch in a farmhouse kitchen, you’ll have a seat for the region’s signature dishes.

HANDCRAFTING TRIPS OF A LIFETIME. At the end of the day, we fundamentally believe that every guest on every departure of every trip should have a trip of a lifetime. We’re fortunate to play the role of well-connected friend, linking our guests with amazing guides, artisans, winemakers, hoteliers, restaurateurs, naturalists, and too many others to list here. That’s what motivates me and our team — in our La Jolla HQ and around the world — every day. Join Us!

President & Founder

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“Enthusiasm isContagious”

AS TRAVEL + LEISURE NAMES CLASSIC JOURNEYS THE WORLD’S BEST TOUR OPERATOR FOR 2019, FOUNDER EDWARD PIEGZA REVEALS HOW IT FEELS.

ENTHUSIASTICALLY.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Just before publication of this issue, Travel + Leisuremagazine announced that its readers have voted Classic Journeys the World’s Best Tour Operator for 2019. It’s the second time Classic Journeys has won that recognition and the 14th consecutive year the company has been in the Top 10.

T+L_Editorial.indd 16 6/17/19 2:41 PM

Congratulations! How did you get the news?

I received a top-secret email and phone call from the editor of Travel + Leisure a few weeks ago with orders not to tell ANYONE. Friends and neighbors must have wondered why my smile has been so extra big lately. Now they know.

And how does it feel to be the World’s Best Tour Operator again?

Awesome. Humbling. So, so satisfying. Deeply gratifying to learn that we have achieved what we set out to do which is to handcraft trips of a lifetime for every guest who travels with us. I’m known as long-winded, so I could probably come up with 10 or 15 more ways to describe it if you want me to keep going.

Why do you think Travel + Leisure gave you this recognition?

Actually, it isn’t the T+L editors who make the decision. That’s the best part. Their readers cast the votes. So the people who do the traveling, the guests who explore the world with us and our competitors — they are the ones who raised their hands to tell T+L that Classic Journeys is the World’s Best Tour Operator based on their own experiences. Let me say it right here: “To all of you who voted for us, you are the World’s Best Guests!”

What do you think makes your guests the World’s Best Guests?

That’s easy. They are curious. They care about connecting with people of different cultures and immersing themselves in the world. They treasure experiences more than things. Like the old ad slogan went, they go for the gusto and crave the chance to have one-of-a-kind moments. They are incredibly interesting and interested people, and all of us at Classic Journeys count it as a real privilege to share in their passion for travel. And we feel that way on the

other 364 days of the year when we’re not celebrating recognition like this.

I guess this is what you meant when you told me that “Enthusiasm is contagious.”

Absolutely. That’s not our official motto, but it could be. We love what we do. We enjoy helping guests fi gure out how to invest their precious time and budget. I can honestly say that all of us feel that way — the Guest Services folks who interact with you while you’re planning your trip, the Tour Operations team members who plan all of the logistics, the local guides who lead each one of our trips full time. There’s just a huge amount of positive energy in what we do, and I think it truly is hard to resist. We’d climb into every one of our guest’s suitcases and go along with them if we could. Because we can’t, we call each guest while they’re on tour just to be sure they are having a trip of a lifetime.

Has anyone ever called Classic Journeys obsessive?

I hope so, because we are. Everything is in the details. For instance, we’ve created a special tour for the total eclipse of the sun which is going to pass over parts of South America in 2020. We’ve already analyzed likely traffi c patterns in the most remote areas and fi gured out how to structure our itinerary so that our guests will be in place in the path of totality while

the people who don’t plan ahead will be stuck in jams on

remote dirt roads. We enjoy obsessing about

details like that so that our guests never have to.

How can you top this?

Oh, we never let ourselves think of

it that way. We just continue to approach every

single guest on each and every departure like the most important guest we’ve ever had. It seems to be working! Of course, we keep looking for new ways to win more converts. For 2019, we’ve launched a new series of Classic Journeys that are based from

“I voted for you!”We’ve heard that expression so many times lately from guests who registered their votes with Travel + Leisure. Given the results, we know it’s true … and you know that your votes really count!

STAFF AND GUIDES

“I always feel like I’m traveling with a best friend. I prefer your local guides to the ones that other companies fl y in.”

ITINERARIES AND DESTINATIONS

“If it’s on my bucket list, you always seem to go there. Of course, with so many options you always seem to make my list longer and longer!”

ACTIVITIES

“On your trips, I’ve cooked with Michelin chefs, sung songs with Quechua schoolchildren, and walked on glaciers with the descendants of Vikings. Fun doesn’t begin to describe it.”

ACCOMMODATIONS

“How you manage so many 5-star properties on these trips shocks me. But please, please, please keep it up!”

FOOD

“I have never eaten so well so often so happily. When you people claim that you are foodies, you aren’t kidding.”

OVERALL VALUE

“We have never had a better vacation at any price.”

Contagious”

river cruise boats. On a diff erent note, seeing how many travelers can’t always fi nd as much vacation time as they really want, we have developed a series of 6-day or shorter quick trips that go as far afi eld as Iceland, the Galápagos and Morocco.

Final thoughts?

It’s always an honor to win recognition. But, for all of us at Classic Journeys, the biggest privilege is to share the dreams of our guests and make those dreams come true. That connection is the best feeling of all.

That’s easy. They are curious. They care

with people of

the people who don’t plan ahead will be stuck in jams on

remote dirt roads. We enjoy obsessing about

that our guests

CLASSICJOURNEYS.COM

T+L_Editorial.indd 17 6/17/19 2:41 PM

CZECH REPUBLIC, AUSTRIA & HUNGARY

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