Prague, Vienna & Venice

Feel the inspiration for Franz Kafka’s novels as you stroll the medieval streets of the Mala Strana (Little Quarter). Stop in Josefov (Jewish Quarter), to view Europe’s oldest synagogue, dating from 1270.

Prague is the capital of the Czech Republic, built on seven hills astride the Vltava River. The beauty of Prague is legendary; Goethe described the city as “the most precious stone in the crown of this world.”. As the former capital of the Holy Roman Empire, the city was built on beauty and decadence from a wide array of architectural styles (including Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Art Nouveau). Wander through the courtyards of Hradcany (Prague Castle) where Europe’s grand ruling family, the Habsburgs, lived and reigned.

Stroll across the stunning Charles Bridge which spans 16 arches and is lined with 30 Baroque statues of religious figures.

Prague Castle in the Hradcany quarter, was named by the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest ancient castle in the world. Prague Castle represents virtually all of the architectural designs of the last millennium and contains several churches, a monastery, gardens as well as multiple museums.

For 600 years, Vienna was the glittering capital of the Habsburg Empire. Today, it is the capital of Austria. Vienna has an incomparable musical heritage, having at one point or another been the home of Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Haydn, Brahms, and Johann Strauss.

Follow in the footsteps of the imperial Habsburgs as a local guide brings you to the Hofburg, the family's 2,600-room palace that is now home to the Vienna Boys Choir. View the Belvedere Museum and Palace, St. Stephen's Cathedral, and Stephansdom. End the adventure with a visit to Schönbrunn Palace, where the Habsburg’s ruled until 1918 and six-year-old Mozart serenaded Marie Antoinette.

Stop just outside the city center for a visit to the 1,441-room Schönbrunn Palace, which was designed for the Habsburgs before becoming the imperial summer palace during the 40-year reign of Maria Theresa. It was the scene of great aristocratic events during the Congress of Vienna, including a performance by a 6-year-old Mozart.

The first thing you need to know about Ljubljana is how to pronounce it: Lee-yoob-lee-yana. Okay, now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s talk about everything else this Slovenian capital city has to offer. True to its historical significance, the Old Town center of Ljubljana remains intact despite two major earthquakes over the past 500 years. The rebuilding process did however create a unique blend of architectural works, as evidenced by the varied styles of the St. Nicholas Cathedral, St. Peter’s Church, The Triple Bridge and The Dragon Bridge—the latter of which is nicknamed “mother-in-law” due to the fearsome dragons on its four corners.

One of the lesser known, yet equally enchanting cities of Italy is the charming seaside village of Trieste. Featuring spectacular views, stunning architecture, a warm and welcoming culture and a storied history, a visit to Trieste is filled with pleasant surprises. From the many museums, castles and cathedrals to the pubs, trattorias and plazas, Trieste offers something for everyone.

Bubbling up on more than 100 islands in a lagoon off the Adriatic, Venice is an absolutely unique and unquestionably beautiful city. Step into Piazza San Marco, an airy expanse of arches, sunlight, and pigeons. The multi-domed Basilica on one end, completed in 1094 but decorated for centuries afterward, is the final resting place of the apostle St. Mark, Venice’s patron saint. The mosaics beneath the basilica’s outside arches depict the arrival of St. Mark’s body, stolen from Egypt in 828 by Venetian traders. The frothy Venetian Gothic Doge’s Palace stands next door. Continue on to a glass-blowing demonstration. Venetian glass has long been considered the best in the world, and its production was such a state secret that during the Middle Ages, any Venetian glassblower who attempted to ply his trade outside the city was immediately arrested.

Stroll through St. Mark's Square. Bordered by Venice's greatest historic buildings, St. Mark's Square is the center of both the city and its water transportation system, as well as a popular tourist attraction.

Enjoy a visit to the Doge's’ Palace, residence of the rulers of the Serenissima Republic. We will explore the ornate and grandiose rooms of the palace, including a walk across thefamous Bridge of Sighs to the cells, where Casanova was once imprisoned, as well as the Grand Council chamber, featuring Tintoretto's Paradise, said to be the world's largest oil painting.