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.
Participant Reviews
Based on 27 Reviews
SHOWING
Eastern Europe is an area less familiar to many Americans, who may have negative or inaccurate preconceptions about these countries. This Road Scholar trip Jewels of Eastern Europe is ideal for revealing the fascinating history of these countries. Highly recommended.
— Review left October 31, 2025
Amazing experience in two beautiful cities! Our group leader, Anna, as well as our local guides and lecturers, enthusiastically shared with us the rich cultural histories of these capitals. As a musician, I was especially impressed with the musical events, talks, and concerts, including those available in our free time. RS-scheduled highlights for me were opera at the National Theatre in Prague and an extended visit to The House of Music in Budapest--spectacular venues. And while all of the meals were delicious, the dinner cruise on the Danube was particularly special. Finally, I felt safe in both cities at all hours, even when venturing out on my own, whether on foot, on the trams or other public transit. I loved this RS experience and agree that these cities are "jewels."
— Review left October 24, 2025
We just returned from the Budapest/Prague trip. Weather was great and both cities, although very different from each other, were wonderful, each in her own way. But what really made the trip fabulous were our guides, Ana, Maria and Nina. I miss them already and learned so much. I am looking forward to my next RS adventure.
— Review left September 19, 2025
The tours of Budapest and Prague were a transformative experience.
The structure of the program, a combination of selected lectures,
pre-experience background information and selected tours was perfect
for me to effectively pice things together in Europe for the last several hundred years. I'd recommend Road Scholar to anyone wanting more than a simple tour. It was simply edifying.
— Review left June 15, 2025
4.5 out of 5. Peter, our coordinator did a good job helping us in many ways. Agi, our local guide for Budapest was very knowledgeable, personable, and approachable. The visit to a small town outside of Budapest, named Ocsa,was well worth the travel time. There, the local church official for the Romanesque Church sang a prayer for us and sounded like an angel. Back in Budapest, the drone show seen from the dinner river cruise was spectacular. The contemporary architecture of the Hungarian House of Music was beautiful. The several hour bus trip from Budapest to Prague was well-timed w/ lunch and a walk in a large park on the way. In Prague, we could have benefited from a much longer tour of the art museum called the National Gallery at the Trade Fair Palace. The avant-garde evening program at the New Stage theatre was not enjoyable. Somehow, RS needs to screen performances first before devoting one of our evenings to something like this. I would recommend viewing the House of Communism for a refresher even though subjectively presented. RS’s tours in both cities of the Jewish Quarter were very worthwhile. Although going to the Terezin concentration camp was not on the itinerary, RS was able to quickly arrange a van, staffed by our knowledgeable, local guide, Yanna, to take interested participants.
— Review left June 1, 2025
I would give this program four out of five stars. Budapest and Prague are incredibly beautiful cities, which I have been longing to see for quite some time. The cities themselves make this a five star trip, but some of the little things like a bad mattress in the first hotel, having two different guides on top of one group leader, and not having a better picture of the BEST options for the limited free time we had made the trip as a whole good but also uneven. I personally did more reading about Budapest ahead of time whereas I should have done the same for Prague, rather than having the expectation that I would get better guidance towards the best choices than we did. Also, be forewarned that many restaurants take reservations and those can be difficult to get “the day of.” Both of our city guides gave out great handbooks which made for late night reading yet great to have now that I am home. Last of all if you can extend your stay even by one day in each city, I would recommend that but also be forewarned that ALL museums in Budapest are closed on Mondays.
— Review left May 16, 2025
This was an amazing trip, both Budapest and Prague are enchanting cities and once you have been there you would want to go back. The leaders were fantastic !
— Review left November 25, 2024
this was the first package tour my husband and i have ever taken and it was even better than we had hoped. They pack a lot into each day, all well chosen and the guides were knowledgeable, personable, and fun.
— Review left November 24, 2024
I strongly recommend this tour! Budapest and Prague are remarkable cities, all the more so because of our EXCELLENT guides. They made the program a COMPLETE SUCCESS! They presented information in very engaging ways, with stories and anecdotes and relevant connections between past and present, and their passion and enthusiasm were delightfully infectious. I loved the variety of experiences: walking tours, lectures, excursions, and informal conversations that helped me appreciate the Hungarian and Czech people: their culture, their passions, their centuries of challenges, and their tenacious dedication to their countries and each other. I gained an appreciation for how they lived and suffered and found joy amidst painful situations, and how very resilient and kind they are. And there was no language barrier, as most people graciously spoke English. Our guides helped to open my eyes and my heart to these wonderful people. They gave me memories of a lifetime.
— Review left November 3, 2024
This is a wonderful program! The knowledgeability of the leader, docents and lecturers was very impressive. They all exhibited awesome diplomatic leader skills. All of the components were certainly interesting and enjoyable. The daily itinerary locations added depth and greater understanding to the area/places we visited. So glad to have participated and highly recommend!
— Review left November 1, 2024
The trip to Budapest and Prague was a wonderful experience with terrific guides. We saw and learned so much! This was a great way to get to know two iconic cities.
— Review left October 7, 2024
Having been independent travelers for the past forty years made us skeptical. Now that we have completed our first Road Scholar Trip, we are now Advocates.
What a great surprise! We enjoyed our fellow travelers, the educational experience, our guides and the accommodations. The cost of the trip was a real bargain too!
We hope we see our new friends again and we are certain to make new ones on our next trip.
Thank You Road Scholar !!
— Review left September 21, 2024
This trip to Budapest and Prague was a wonderful trip! ! Our expert guides brought history to life, and I loved the variety of experiences we shared in two of the most gorgeous cities in the world.
— Review left September 7, 2024
If you want to experience more than just the usual tourist destinations in the cities you visit, Road Scholar is for you! History is shared in an entertaining manner and your experience is more meaningful, memorable and unique.
— Review left May 28, 2024
Road Scholar's trip to Budapest and Prague was one of our best travel experiences ever. The trip is designed with good leaders, lecturers, and tours, as well as offering free time. I highly recommend this trip.
— Review left May 19, 2024
This is a great program. It offers a perfect blend of organized time and free time. The instructors are excellent. Each city is fascinating in different ways. Highly recommend.
— Review left May 19, 2024
This program offers an excellent insight into Central Europe, politically, culturally, and more. The artistic presentations were superb. It also provided excellent insight into the two countries during the Soviet regime.
— Review left November 26, 2023
This trip to two cities in East Europe was interesting from a number of perspectives. Each city had a rich architectural,artistic and musical history, and each was major participant in political events over past centuries. Most recently they have evolved from a repressive communist society into a free market community
— Review left November 17, 2023
After the worst of the Covid-19 pandemic I was excited but intimidated to travel internationally. After joining a Road Scholar trip I feel equipped to travel to new places. And I will try another Road Scholar trip because participants are treated as adult travelers.
— Review left June 25, 2023
This was an awesome experience and I learned a lot about the counties I visited.
— Review left May 19, 2023
This was a wonderful and magical trip. I will never forget it.
— Review left October 16, 2021
A great balance between programmed time and free time. Particularly like lectures on history, politics, and cultural aspects. Lively group of fellow travellers makes you laugh and enjoy the cities. Superb guides!
— Review left October 21, 2019
This was our sixth Road Scholar experience and each has been wonderful. This adventure in Budapest and Prague was stellar. Our local leaders (Haidy - sp?) and Tereza were phenomenal. Peter, our Group Leader, was superb, as well. Highly recommended!
— Review left October 4, 2019
This was our first Road Scholar experience. We have travelled on our own many times and were a little worried about joining a tour group. This tour exceeded our expectations. It was well planned and well paced. We will be doing this again!
— Review left September 13, 2019
Can you help me by sending me the form that I completed to enroll in this program from which I just returned.
Also, may I see how much Paid for the entire program?
RS, I need to see where I would have purchased trip insurance. I thought I had purchased it as I always do. But Road Scholar informed me they have no record of my having purchased it. I also called Aon and they said the same. What would the insurance have cost? Would I have paid for it separate from the program?
Is there a way for me to see the form I completed and submitted to RS?
Thank you.
Susan Goodwin
— Review left June 20, 2019
This trip was outstanding! Road Scholar exceeded my expectations. Our trip leader Agnes and local guides Aggi and Tereza were amazing. We learned about history, art, music, architecture, and politics from interesting lecturers as well as Agnes, Aggi and Tereza, saw so many incredible sights, and attended some excellent concerts and the opera. The optional tours of the Jewish areas in both cities were very well done and worthwhile. I highly recommend this trip!
— Review left June 18, 2019
The cities are wonderful gems to visit but the three main guides made this a superlative trip!
— Review left May 27, 2019