Tours could include:
5 historic cities available within 12 days
+ Return flights from London
+ Regional luxury coach touring
3 nights Krakow / 2 nights Budapest / 1 night Bratislava
2 nights Vienna / 3 nights Prague

Vienna has long had a mixed and diverse culture. The plethora of plush architecture in Vienna indicates its rich heritage as the home of the Hapsburg Empire for hundreds of years. Perhaps Vienna is best known as the home of classical music as most of the most important composers performed and lived here, chief among them Beethoven and Mozart.

Highlights include
St Stephen's Cathedral:
Completed in 1433 this imposing edifice is visible from many parts of the city which itself seems spectacular viewed from the North tower.
Hofburg:
From the 13th century until 1918 this Imperial Palace was home to the rulers of Austria. Today it is used for state functions and houses a number of museums.
Spanish Riding School:
The best example of Renaissance building in Vienna and is the stables for the housing and training of the Imperial horses.
Belvedere:
Built between 1721-23 this palace is a magnificent example of baroque architecture with terrific views and now including a museum of Austrian 19th and 20th century art.
Schloss Schönbrunn:
Used from the eighteenth century as the summer residence of the Hapsburgs this UNESCO World Heritage palace is surrounded by Baroque gardens.

Situated in the heart of Central Europe in the valley of the Vltava (Moldau) River, Prague having been spared many of the ravages of World War II still retains its historic charm. Often called 'The City of One Hundred Towers and Spires,' a title which reflects it's rich architectural heritage encompassing a litany of styles including Gothic and Art Nouveau. This mix is considered so unique that the centre has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Highlights include
Prague Castle:
The castle complex is almost a city in it's own right containing, the country's largest cathedral (St Vitus), state apartments, gardens, galleries and courtyards.
Charles Bridge:
Built as part of Charles IV's renowned building programme the bridge's reputation comes rightly from the series of sandstone carved statues added over time to its length mostly by the Jesuits.
Old Town Square:
Originating in the twelfth century this square is littered with architectural feats such as the Gothic Old Town Hall with its famous Astronomical Clock striking on the hour to reveal two Apostle figurines.
Wenceslas Square:
Prague's answer to the Champs-Elysées this square, really a boulevard is decorated with the bronze St Wenceslas Memorial headed by the impressive façade of the National Museum.
Municipal House:
Recently restored this exemplar of the Art Nouveau style currently houses the Prague Symphony Orchestra and is the spectacular setting for many concerts.

Sometimes referred to as the 'Paris of the East', this enchanting city straddling the second longest river in Europe, the Danube. The city is divided between hills of Buda and the expanse of Pest. Despite formally becoming one in 1873, both districts retain their distinct characteristics, with Buda being more mediaeval appearance and Pest more commercial. However the city as a whole retains vestages of various styles such as Turkish, Venetian, Empire and Art Nouveau.

Highlights include
Royal Palace:
This thirteenth century Royal Palace having survived many wars, houses both the National Gallery and the Historical Museum of Budapest but also affords unbeatable views of the city.
Chain Bridge:
It was the construction of the much lauded Chain Bridge, designed by an Englishman and constructed by a Scotsman, which first united the two districts in 1849.
Parliament:
Completed in 1902 this imposing building, stretching along the River Danube was modelled on Britain's Houses of Parliament.
Matthias Church:
The history of this church stretches back to at least the thirteenth century. The intervening years included its incarnation as a mosque the traces of which are still visible along with underground crypts, chapels and jewels.

Krakow

Once the Polish capital, Cracow in the southeast of the country is situated banks of the River Vistula. It was spared the fate that befell Warsaw during the second world war allowing its medieval centre to remain largely unspoilt. Evidencing almost every architectural period the old town has now been declared a World Heritage Site.

Highlights include
Market Square:
Dating from the thirteenth century Europe's largest market square, includes key attractions such as the Cloth Hall, based on 14th century merchants' stalls, containing the art galleries of the National Museum.
St Mary's Church:
The Gothic splendour of St Mary's Church contains Wit Stwosz's world famous wooden altar and the fifteenth-century Chapel of Our Lady of Czestochowa.
Jagiellonian University:
Founded in 1364 and among the oldest universities in Europe, Copernicus studied here and some of his astronomical instruments are on display.
Royal Castle:
Once housing royalty, this Renaissance castle with Gothic elements, includes a museum with access to the Royal Chambers, containing period furniture, paintings and Flemish tapestries.
Royal Cathedral:
This largely Gothic 11th century cathedral was a burial place for most of Poland's monarchs and it's tower commands an unrivalled view of the city.

Once the capital of Hungary and Slovakia's capital since 1969, Bratislava is well located on the River Danube and situated at the end of the long Carpathian mountains that stretch into Romania. Many city monuments convey something of its past Hungarian rule and the capital is a short distance from the Austrian and Hungarian borders.

Highlights include

Municipal Museum:
Housed in a Renaissance building in the old city it's fascinating permanent collections include its Natural & Social history exhibitions along with its intriguing 'torture chambers'.

The Castle:
Dating back to the 9th century, the castle became a royal residence for the Hungarian kings. The current design of a square building with four towers was completed in the 17th century, and affords splendid views overlooking the Danube.

The Slovak National Gallery:
The central building built in the 18th century and situated on the Danube embankment was originally a four-wing Baroque residence. Its extensive permanent collection now includes fine examples of Gothic art, Baroque art, 19th century art as well as modern Slovak painting and sculpture 1900-1948.

Primates' Palace:
Undoubtedly one of the most stunning architectural monuments in Bratislava. Its treasures include the Hall of Mirrors furnished with English tapestries where Napoléon and Francis I (the Habsburg emperor) signed the Bratislava Peace of 1805.