Imperial Prague (1 night) is one of Europe’s most beautiful cities, and after meeting we’ll spend an easy afternoon discovering its bridges, cobblestone alleyways and magnificent Old Town. The next morning we marvel at local glassblowers as they ply their craft. Telc and Cesky Krumlov (2 nights) are remarkably preserved villages now recognized as historic sites. We’ll explore both and take a beautiful walk through the rolling grasslands to Rozmberk Castle.

Following the old Habsburg trade routes we enter Austria and the lush Wachau region along the Danube River. Through fields of flax, we walk to a paper mill and the serene monastery of Zwettl. The castle where Richard the Lionhearted was held hostage during the Crusades towers over baroque Durnstein (2 nights), one of Austria’s finest villages. Of course we explore the ruins. After a farmhouse lunch, we cruise the beautiful Danube.

Passing through fertile farmland, we enter Hungary en route to Budapest (2 nights). Our first afternoon there's time for a promenade along the Danube. In a fascinating daylong exploration, we ramble from the Royal Palace in Buda to Europe's largest synagogue and a district overflowing with cafes and musicians in Pest. On our final morning, we part company after breakfast with time for you to shop or explore on your own.