Skip to Main Content
Road Scholar logo
Czech Republic/Hungary

Budapest and Prague: Capital Cities and Jewels of Central Europe

Program No. 21707RJ
Treat your senses to an enchanting blend of learning, adventure and fun as you take expert-led walks and dine on traditional foods in two Old World cities that are Europe at its finest.
WishlistShare
Start
  • 21707-Prague-Budapest-Capital-Cities-Of-Central-Europe-LgHoz.jpg
  • 21707-budapest-prague-capital-cities-jewels-central-europe-6c.jpg
  • 21707-budapest-prague-capital-cities-jewels-central-europe-5c.jpg
  • 21707-prague-2c.jpg
  • 21707-budapest-prague-capital-cities-jewels-central-europe-4c.jpg
  • 21707-budapest-prague-c.jpg
  • 21707-budapest-prague-capital-cities-jewels-central-europe-7c.jpg
  • 21707-budapest-prague-capital-cities-jewels-central-europe-9c.jpg
  • 21707-prague-3c.jpg
  • 21707-prague-1c.jpg
  • 21707-budapest-prague-capital-cities-jewels-central-europe-8c.jpg
  • 21707-prague-4c.jpg
  • 21707-budapest-prague-capital-cities-jewels-central-europe-3c.jpg
  • 21707-budapest-prague-capital-cities-jewels-central-europe-2c.jpg
  • 21707-budapest-and-prague-c.jpg
Small GroupCity DiscoveriesMulti-City Discoveries
Length
12 days
Rating (5)
Activity Level
Starts at
4,149
Flights start at
1,150

Enroll with Confidence

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. Learn more

Protecting the Environment

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more

Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
12 days
11 nights
What's Included
21 meals ( 10B, 6L, 5D )
5 expert-led lectures
12 expert-led field trips
3 performances
An experienced Group Leader
10 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Expand All
Activity Note
Depart North America on overnight international flights to Budapest, Hungary. Refer to your personal air itinerary for specific flight information.
Activity Note
Hotel check-in available from 2:00 p.m. Using public transportation; getting on/off the subway. Walking up to 1 hour. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).
Afternoon:
Once you get your room, take some time to freshen up and relax before we gather for our orientation session. Orientation: 5:00 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. We will learn from the Group Leader and a series of local experts who will give lectures and lead field trips. Program-related travel and transfers will be via private motorcoach, taxi, tram, and other public transportation where noted. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner:
At the hotel restaurant.
Evening:
We will learn about and practice using public transportation in Budapest with our Group Leader.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 6-7 miles, approximately 2 hours riding time. Walking and public transportation up to 3 hour.
Breakfast:
In the hotel dining room.
Morning:
We will begin our visit to Budapest with an expert-led field trip by motorcoach and on foot through the Buda and Pest sides of the city, passing such sites as Andrássy Avenue, Heroes’ Square, the Danube banks, the building of the Academy of Sciences, the Chain Bridge, and the Gresham Palace, one of the most beautiful Art Nouveau buildings in Budapest. We will also pass by Váci Street (the main pedestrian street) as well as the Danube Promenade. We will discover the inner city area during a short walk, passing by the Parliament Building and Liberty square.
Lunch:
We’ll enjoy a Hungarian lunch at a modern restaurant.
Afternoon:
We will explore the Retro Museum, an interactive three-story museum that shows how Hungarians lived in the 70's and 80's before the change of regime. We will hear from our local staff about the objects exhibited, and hear their personal stories of the era. We will continue the day with a short public transportation ride to the Main Market Hall and enjoy some free time before returning to the hotel by public transportation.
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting in/out of cabs to castle; alternate arrangements may be made based on group needs/interests. Walking/standing up to 4 hours; some stairs to negotiate. Extent and duration of walking and other free time activities according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
In the hotel dining room.
Morning:
Using taxis we'll cross the river to the arrive at the Museum of Music History, where we will take in a lecture and learn about Hungarian music and musical instruments. Afterwards, we will enjoy a short concert highlighting the use of these instruments. Continuing on our expert-led walk in the castle area of Budapest, where we will see the Mathias Church, Fisherman’s Bastion, and statue of St. Stephen, the first king of the Hungarians.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we will stop at the Hospital in the Rock for an expert-led visit. The hospital is located in caverns under Buda Castle. It was used as an air raid hospital during WWII and transformed into a nuclear bunker during the early Cold War. The rest of the afternoon will be free time. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. You may wish to explore the Hungarian Art Gallery which is nearby.
Dinner:
Enjoy local fare on your own.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach. Walking/standing based on activity level and selected route, up to 2.5 hours. Some stairs to negotiate. Walking, subway use, and other activities during independent exploration according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
In the hotel dining room.
Morning:
After arriving by motorcoach, we will explore the small town of Ócsa on foot, where we will visit the 13th-century church, village museum, and village center with a local expert. The town of Ócsa is a wonderful reflection of traditional rural life.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We will take a walk in the City Park area and learn about significant sites from a local expert. Next, we will explore the Hungarian House of Music during a guided visit. The Hungarian House of Music was designed by the Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto and has become the most internationally awarded building in Hungary. We will learn about the historical development of Hungarian music while admiring the setting of the museum in City Park, surrounded by trees. Afterwards, enjoy the rest of the day on your own. Perhaps you would like to visit the Széchenyi Thermal Baths in the City Park, or one of the many thermal spas in Budapest. Make sure to bring your bathing suit!
Dinner:
Explore local fare on your own.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a boat; some stairs to negotiate. Walking up to 2.5 miles, up to 2 hours; including periods of standing. Extent/duration of walking and other free time activities according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
In the hotel dining room.
Morning:
At the hotel, we will attend a lecture by a local expert on life in Hungary today, including such topics as the more recent political and economic landscape in modern Hungary. After the lecture we’ll take public transportation to the old Jewish section of the city. During our walk, we will discover the remarkable, hidden history of the old Jewish Ghetto, hear about the Jewish culture, pass by the Kazinczy (Orthodox) and visit the Dohány Synagogue, the Emmanuel Memorial, Raul Wallenberg Garden and see the Memorial to Carl Lutz and the Gozsdu-Courtyard.
Lunch:
Explore local fare on your own.
Afternoon:
Free time. We will meet in the hotel lobby, then drive by motorcoach to the river to board a ship for dinner.
Dinner:
We will say goodbye to Budapest during a dinner cruise on the Danube.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 330 miles, up to 7 hours riding time including a lunch break and bathroom breaks.
Breakfast:
In the hotel dining room.
Morning:
After check-out, we will depart Budapest on a private motorcoach to Prague, arriving in the late afternoon.
Lunch:
We will stop to enjoy a light lunch with a glass of local wine in Lednice near the Czech-Slovak border. This area is well known for its vineyards.
Afternoon:
Welcome to Prague! We will settle in at our hotel before attending an orientation where we will meet our Czech program staff.
Dinner:
At a typical local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach. Getting on/off a tram/public transportation; under 1 hour riding time. Walking and standing for up to 3 hours. Some stairs to negotiate.
Breakfast:
In the hotel dining room.
Morning:
We’ll begin our exploration of Prague with a tram ride to Lesser Town, a unique part of Prague with baroque palaces and St Nicholas Church. We’ll try to beat the crowds with a morning across walk across the Charles Bridge, one of the oldest stone bridges in Europe. Making our way through the twisty, narrow streets we’ll enter the impressive Old Town Square, the center of all events since the early Middle Ages, particularly famous for its Astronomical Clock. We will walk to the House of the Black Madonna, the first Cubist structure in Prague, to attend a lecture focusing on the architecture of Prague. We’ll learn from a local expert about the important architectural styles found throughout the city, such as Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque, Classicism, Neo-classical, Art Nouveau, and Cubism. Afterwards, we will visit the Museum of Decorative Arts, to see the exhibition which presents Czech cubism as a style that combines fine art, applied arts, and architecture. We’ll then continue our introduction to this magnificent city as we enjoy an expert-led walk around Wenceslas Square and the Old Town.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We will then enjoy an expert-led visit of the Municipal House and take in the spirit of pre-war Czechoslovakia. This important civic center was built on the site of the former Royal Court palace, next to the iconic 15th-century Powder Gate, between 1905 and 1912. Here, in 1918, Czechoslovakia announced its declaration of independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Dinner:
Dinner at the hotel.
Evening:
We will attend a musical performance. Further details about the performance will be provided by the Group Leader once on the program. (Please note that the date of this performance and dinner is subject to change depending on scheduling.)
Activity Note
New safety rules and regulations for entry into Prague Castle require that we may need to show a copy of your passport before entering. Please bring a copy of your passport with you on your program. Getting on/off a motorcoach. Walking and standing for up to 3 hours on uneven stone; stairs; walking uphill/downhill.
Breakfast:
In the hotel dining room.
Morning:
We will set out by motorcoach to discover the wonders of Prague Castle, home of Bohemian kings and a textbook of Prague architecture itself! Standing tall amidst the magnificent Hradcany District, or Castle District, it is said to be the biggest castle in the world. Generations of Prague’s architecture will unfold before us as we explore the Prague Castle complex with a local expert, including the Saint Vitus Cathedral, the Old Royal Palace, and Golden Lane. We’ll also enjoy the remarkable art collection and city views of the Lobkowicz Palace.
Lunch:
Lunch will be served in the castle area.
Afternoon:
We will enjoy a midday classic concert in the 17th-century baroque concert hall of the Lobkowicz Palace. The palace offers daily concerts featuring different composers, such as Bach, Vivaldi, Mozart, Beethoven, Dvorák, and Smetana. The rest of the afternoon is free to discover Prague on your own.
Dinner:
Explore local fare on your own.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Walking about 2 miles, approximately 2 hours, terrain in the Old Town and Jewish Ghetto includes cobblestone (some areas are cracked and not well maintained), city streets, and uneven ground. Extent and duration of walking and other free time activities according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
In the hotel dining room.
Morning:
At the hotel, we will get acquainted firsthand with the impact of communist rule and the changes following the fall of the Iron Curtain during a discussion and lecture about the challenges of European integration. The personal experiences of our lecturer will deepen our understanding of this time. Next, we will walk to the Jewish Quarter of Prague, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for a guided walking tour. Extensive historical records trace the existence of Prague's Jewish community back to the 11th century. The Old Jewish Cemetery is Europe’s oldest and best-preserved Jewish burial ground, its history dating back to the 15th century. The graves form a chronicle in stone of the history of the Prague ghetto.
Lunch:
Lunch on your own to explore local cuisine.
Afternoon:
We will enjoy an afternoon of time for exploring the city independently.
Dinner:
On your own.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach. Walking/standing up to 2.5 hours at gallery. Walking up to 1 mile, approximately 1/2 hour riding time. Elective: Getting on/off a tram; Some stairs to negotiate. Walking, subway use, and other free time activities according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
In the hotel dining room.
Morning:
We will drive by motorcoach to the National Gallery at the Trade Fair Palace, a gallery of magnificent art from the Middle Ages to the 21st century, including works by Van Gogh, Picasso, Monet, Gaugin, and Schiele, as well as lesser known Czech and Slovak artists like Alfons Mucha and František Kupka, a pioneer of abstract art.
Lunch:
Explore local fare on your own.
Afternoon:
We will enjoy an afternoon of time for exploring the city independently.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 12:00 Noon. See your program’s “Getting There” information regarding transfers.
Breakfast:
In the hotel dining room. This concludes our program.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on another rewarding program in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
Please select a day to update the map
Map details are not available for this location.





Recommended For You