Itinerary

Day 1 of PRE-TRIP EXTENSION Depart the U.S. for Slovakia

Depart the U.S. bound for Slovakia. The particulars of your arrival overseas are detailed in your flight itinerary and airline tickets.

Day 2 of PRE-TRIP EXTENSION Arrive Vienna and transfer to Bratislava, Slovakia

Upon arrival at Vienna International Airport, proceed through immigration, claim your luggage, and clear customs. If your luggage is delayed, fill in a PIR form before leaving the customs area; VBT representatives are not allowed into the customs area. (Please note: Also make certain that your VBT luggage tags are affixed to your bag so your VBT representative can identify you.) After exiting customs, enter the arrival hall and look for your VBT representative, who will be holding a VBT sign. They will transfer you by van to your Bratislava hotel. (Transfer time is approximately 60 minutes, depending on traffic.)

VBT provides you with a City Information Packet in your Final Travel Booklet that includes information and recommendations on what to see and do in Bratislava during your stay. You have the rest of the day to relax or begin your exploration of the city.

Day 1 of AIR PACKAGE Depart U.S. / Fly overnight to Vienna

Depart from the U.S. for Europe. The particulars of your arrival overseas are detailed with your flight itinerary and airline tickets.

Day 3 of PRE-TRIP EXTENSION Independent exploration of Bratislava

Europe's youngest capital city is too often overlooked by travelers to the region. Yet its rich history dates to the Stone Age, and its Old Town is a wonderland of Baroque architecture and whimsical bronze sculptures. The city's music and dining venues are a delight, some of its opera houses rivaling those of Vienna. Your accommodations in the heart of the Old Town are ideally situated for your exploration of this hidden gem. Explore the cobbled alleyways surrounding Michael's Gate. Take in a classical concert at the Bratislava Opera. Browse the Slovak National Museum, lodged within historic Bratislava Castle. Or enjoy the view from Slavin, a hilltop memorial to fallen Russian soldiers who liberated Bratislava from occupying Germans.

Day 2 of AIR PACKAGE Arrive Vienna and transfer to Bratislava, Slovakia

VBT Air Package guests: Upon arrival at Vienna International Airport, proceed through immigration, claim your luggage, and clear customs. If your luggage is delayed, fill in a PIR form before leaving the customs area—VBT representatives are not allowed into the customs area. (Please note: Also make certain that your VBT luggage tags are affixed to your bag so your VBT representative can identify you.) After exiting customs, enter the arrival hall and look for your VBT representative, who will be holding a VBT sign. They will transfer you by van to your Bratislava hotel. (Transfer time is approximately 60 minutes depending on traffic.)

VBT provides you with a City Information Packet in your Final Travel Booklet that includes information and recommendations on what to see and do in Bratislava during your stay.

Day 4 of PRE-TRIP EXTENSION Independent exploration / Join VBT Air Package guests

Spend another day enjoying Bratislava.

VBT Air Package guests arrive throughout the day.

Day 1 of BICYCLE TOUR Bratislava, Slovakia

Meet your VBT Leaders at the Arcadia Hotel in Bratislava at 11:00 a.m. (Frantiskanska 3, Bratislava, phone number +421 2 5949 0500). Please contact the hotel to advise of any travel delays or changes so the staff can pass the message on to your VBT Trip Leaders.

This morning, join your fellow travelers and VBT Trip Leaders for a brief orientation followed by a short walk with your bicycles through the historic pedestrian streets of Bratislava. The Danube bike path is just a short walk from the hotel. We begin our tour by cycling across the Danube under Bratislava's Novy Most (New Bridge), which is famous for its striking UFO Café offering panoramic views from the top of the bridge.

We continue on the bicycle path along the Slovakian (south) shore of the Danube. After a short ride, we arrive in the town of Cunovo, where we make a detour to ride along the wall of a dam for one of the Danube's numerous locks. Located at the end of the dam and jutting into the Danube is the unusual Danubiana Meulensteen Modern Art museum (closed on Mondays). Enjoy lunch on your own at one of the restaurants located on the dam. Upon returning to the Danube shores, you may notice one of Slovakia's Olympian rafters practicing in the artificial rafting canal.

Continuing along small country roads, we will say good-bye to Slovakia and the shores of the Danube and cross the border into our first Hungarian town, Rajka. From Rajka, enjoy a quiet ride on the back roads through the beautiful Hungarian countryside to the village of Hédervár, where our hotel, Héderváry Castle, is located. The castle hotel has a courtyard with a sycamore tree that is estimated to be over 700 years old!

In the evening, get to know your fellow travelers and Trip Leaders at our welcome reception, followed by a hearty Hungarian dinner.

Day 2 of BICYCLE TOUR Mosonmagyaróvár / Thermal Spas

After breakfast, we continue our bicycle tour to the town of Mosonmagyaróvár, located at the confluence of the rivers Mosoni-Danube and Lajta. The Donauradweg, or Danube Bike Trail, leads us through the town, which was a well known watch-post in the Roman era. Take time to explore its charming streets.

We continue on our ride into the town of Halászi, with its large Baroque church towers. Then pass through Puski and the little settlement of Dunaremete, with its scenic, tree-lined road leading to the Danube. Enjoy a picnic lunch prepared by your Trip Leaders in the countryside. After lunch, we ride to Lipot, where you will have the opportunity to enjoy the thermal spa fed by spring waters bubbling up from more than a mile below the surface of the earth.

In the afternoon, enjoy time at leisure at Héderváry Castle. If you prefer, take a bicycle loop to surrounding villages or to the beautiful Danube nature preserve of Szigetkoz. Tonight, learn about pálinka — Hungary's national fruit brandy — during a tasting presentation given by a local distillery. Afterwards, enjoy dinner on your own.

Day 3 of BICYCLE TOUR Gyor / Esztergom

This morning, we bicycle to the city of Györ, where you can stroll along quaint medieval cobblestone streets and browse the town's intriguing private art collections. Next, we transfer to the small village of Neszmely, where we're invited into the home of our lunch hostess. She will share her secrets for making the perfect strudel during a Hungarian cooking demonstration.

Later in the afternoon, you'll be amazed as the colossal basilica towering over Esztergom comes into view – from miles away! Esztergom was Hungary's capital for over two centuries, and you'll have time for a short loop ride in the area, or explore Esztergom at your leisure this evening from your ideally located accommodation.

Day 4 of BICYCLING TOUR Slovakian Countryside / Danube / Visegrad

Today, we return to Slovakia across the bridge linking Esztergom to the Slovakian city of Sturovo. Spend the morning riding through the bountiful farmlands of Slovakia before descending back to the shores of the Danube. As we continue along the International Danube bike path, enjoy some of the most spectacular vistas of the Danube.

Once again we cross the border into Hungary, this time at the town of Nagymaros. Here, we board a ferry for the short ride across the Danube to the historic village of Visegrad. As you view Visegrad Citadel towering above us, you'll understand how the city got its name — Visegrad is Slavic for “High-Castle”. We'll bicycle through the lush forests at the base of the castle mountain as we head toward our picnic spot to enjoy a typical Hungarian feast that you'll help prepare over an open fire. While our lunch is cooking, you might stroll along one of the forest paths to view the beautiful streams and waterfalls.

After lunch, we set off on our return ride to Esztergom. Tonight, we dine in a local restaurant.

Day 5 of BICYCLE TOUR Danube Cruise / Vác / Szentendre Island

Cross back into Slovakia this morning for a relaxing boat ride on the river Danube. Arriving in Nagymaros, we will embark on our bicycle journey around the Danube Bend to the town of Vác. You'll have time to explore this quaint town before taking a ferry to Szentendre Island, set in the middle of the Danube. This island with its peaceful villages is a cyclist's heaven. We'll stop at a wonderful horse farm to enjoy lunch and watch a show performed by skilled riders in traditional Hungarian costumes.

After lunch, we'll continue our cycle tour on Szentendre Island before crossing back to the mainland and joining the bike path along the Danube. Our accommodations for the last two nights of our vacation are located directly on the bike path, overlooking the Danube's shores. Enjoy a wonderful swim in the hotel's pool before dining on your own either on the hotel's terrace overlooking the Danube or in the town of Szentendre.

Day 6 of BICYCLE TOUR Skanzen / Szentendre

This morning's spin along the Danube Bike Trail leads to the Skanzen open-air museum. Here, recreated villages reveal the typical architecture and lifestyle of each of the seven regions of Hungary. Enjoy time to explore the museum, then cycle back to the town of Szentendre. Here, you'll meet one of the local artists and have time to explore the town's many stores and art galleries, with lunch on your own.

Return to the hotel for an afternoon at leisure. This evening, gather with your fellow passengers for an unforgettable evening and a farewell dinner.

Day 7 of BICYCLE TOUR Budapest / VBT No-Air Package ends

After breakfast, we'll conclude our Danube odyssey with a bicycle ride on the Danube Bike Trail, passing by the 3rd-century Roman ruins of Aquincum. Continuing on toward central Budapest, we'll cycle through Margaret Island, one of the finest parks of Europe, enjoying views of its beautiful rose and Japanese gardens. We arrive at our hotel in Budapest—the Andrassy Mamaison—at about 11:00 a.m., and our tour comes to an end.

VBT No-Air Package guests: Our tour concludes at the hotel after this morning's bicycle ride. The hotel will help you book a taxi at your own expense to the airport. Important: Train or air departures from Budapest prior to 1:00 p.m. are not recommended. If you depart earlier, you are responsible for your own transfer arrangements from the last hotel.

VBT Air Package: Spend tonight at the Mamaison Andrassy Hotel, one of the Leading Small Hotels of the World. VBT provides you with a City Information Packet in your Final Travel Booklet containing recommendations on what to do during your stay in Budapest. Your included day pass for Budapest's renowned public transportation system makes it easy to explore the sights of Budapest.

Day 8 of AIR PACKAGE Depart for U.S.

After breakfast*, transfer to the Budapest airport (approximately 30 minutes) for your departing flight**. Please note: Ensure that you are ready in the hotel reception area at the designated time. VBT recommends that you check your transfer time in your “Transfer Reminder” or with the hotel's reception desk the night before your flight.

Please note*: For guests with early-morning departures, breakfast at the hotel may not be available. Please check with the Front Desk to verify the times that breakfast is served.

Please note**: VBT transfer times and departure points are finalized in advance and cannot be modified for individual guests. If you extend your stay beyond the scheduled program dates, return transportation to the airport will be at your own expense.

Day 1 of POST-TRIP EXTENSION Independent Exploration of Budapest

If you have chosen the Post-Trip Extension, continue to explore Budapest on your own during your independent trip extension.

Budapest offers very different experiences on each bank of the river that flows through its heart, as well as a wealth of historic and cultural treasures not to be missed! Your included 2-day public transportation pass makes exploring easy.

On the Pest side of the river, you might visit the National Museum or the magnificent St. Stephen's Cathedral. Take in the grand Heroes' Square, or browse through Market Hall, the city's largest indoor market.

Across the river, on the Buda side, you might explore the vibrant Castle District, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you can view the Gothic Buda Castle and explore the district's bustling streets, squares, shops, and restaurants. And be sure to take in sweeping, panoramic views of the city from Fishermen's Bastion.

Budapest is also a city of spas, and you have many choices for enjoying its famous thermal waters. For your best view of the iconic Parliament Building, embark on a Danube cruise.

Day 2 of POST-TRIP EXTENSION Independent Exploration of Budapest

Continue your independent exploration of Budapest today with your included City Transportation Pass.

Day 3 of POST-TRIP EXTENSION Budapest Extension Concludes / Depart for U.S.

After breakfast* on the final morning, transfer to the Budapest airport (approximately 30 minutes) for your departing flight**. Please ensure you are waiting in the hotel reception area at the designated transfer time. VBT recommends that you check your transfer time in your “Transfer Reminder” or with the hotel's reception desk the night before your flight.

Please note*: For guests with early-morning departures, breakfast at the hotel may not be available. Please check with the Front Desk to verify the times that breakfast is served.

** VBT transfer times and departure points are finalized in advance and cannot be modified for individual guests. If you extend your stay beyond the scheduled program dates, return transportation to the airport will be at your own expense.

Hungary & Slovakia: The Best of the Danube 2012

Pre and Post Trip Extensions

Pre-Trip Extension

Bratislava 2012 - 2 nights for only $245

A hidden gem known to just a few, Bratislava never feels crowded like other European capitals. The small size of “new” Europe’s youngest capital makes it manageable for a short stay—yet seems disproportionate to its outsized, rich history which dates to the Stone Age. Bratislava has been the capital of two very different countries (Hungary and Slovakia), and your accommodations at a Leading Small Hotel of the World in the Old Town puts you in the perfect location to explore its long, rich heritage. Visit nearby Michael’s Tower, and amble along the cobbled, pedestrian-only alleyways that surround it. Admire the Baroque architecture and keep your eyes peeled for the whimsical bronze sculptures that surprise and delight. Towering over the Old Town and the Danube is Bratislava Castle which houses the Slovak National Museum—a must on any visit to Bratislava.

Bratislava also boasts a lively musical scene. The city’s numerous churches play host to classical concerts, and the city opera now rivals that of Vienna and Budapest—for a fraction of the cost. When you’re ready to relax and refresh, the Old Town offers many world-class restaurants and turns into a giant outdoor café in the evening, perfect for dining and people-watching after a day of sightseeing.

Only available with the Air Inclusive Package.

Note: Single supplement for this extension is $195.

Post-Trip Extension

Budapest 2012 - 2 nights for only $245

Budapest is often referred to as the “Paris of Eastern Europe”—and you will no doubt understand why when you experience the city’s stately boulevards, verdant gardens, and historic architecture. The Danube River divides the city between the wooded hills of Buda and the bustling boulevards of Pest. These contrasting city districts are linked by the famous Chain Bridge, an engineering marvel built in the mid 19th century. Most of Buda’s sights are located on Várhegy (Castle Hill), with its cobbled streets, beautiful Baroque architecture, Gothic and Renaissance houses, and—towering above all—the Royal Palace.

Your accommodations, in a Leading Small Hotel of the World, are located on the Pest side of the city just off the famous Andrassy Street, beneath which continental Europe’s first subway was built in 1896. This “little metro” is still in operation, and Line 1 is one of Budapest’s many tourist attractions. Included in your post-extension package is a complimentary 2-day pass for unlimited use of this metro and all of Budapest’s public transportation.

Only available with the Air Inclusive Package.

Note: Single supplement for this extension is $145.

Accommodations

Hotel Arcadia

Arcadia Hotel is housed in a beautiful 13th-century listed building that has been carefully renovated to maintain its well-preserved historic ambiance. The foyer is a definite eye-catcher, with arched hallways, an olive tree and a painted glass ceiling. Step inside and discover the magical interiors that lend a unique atmosphere to this splendid hotel. Arcadia Hotel is the first 5-star hotel in Bratislava and a member of the Leading Small Hotels of the World.

An excellent selection of national and international delicacies, with fine wines from all over the world, satisfy the most demanding gourmet at the hotel’s Restaurant L’Olive. Our guests appreciate the Library bar with open fireplace, which is open 24 hours a day, as well as the relaxed atmosphere of the Lobby lounge.

Arcadia Spa features a fitness center, whirlpool, sauna, steam bath and private Jacuzzi. End your Pre-Trip Extension in Bratislava the relaxing way: with a wonderful professional massage.

Hedervary Castle

Hedervary Castle is located between Gyor and Mosonmagyarovar, about 55 miles from Vienna-Airport and 100 miles from Budapest. This carefully restored Renaissance castle is one of the most imposing castle hotels in Hungary.

Hedervar Castle Hotel is made unique by its 18 rooms equipped with antique furniture and ancient Persian carpets, its 21 acres wooded parkland, its hunter room from the 19th Century, its Baroque salon (called “Sala Terrena”) decorated with frescoes, and the Baroque chapel of the Hedervary family. The English park is embellished by centuries-old trees, ranging from American magnolias to Chinese gingko trees.

The castle’s cuisine is something really worth mentioning. The waiters treat guests as though they were the Count of Hedervar themselves. In the elegant restaurant, called “a Grofnal” (“at the Count’s”), you can select from a wide range of dishes.

Bazilika Alatt Panzio

Set at the base of the hill that the centuries-old Basilica of Esztergom is located on, this charming inn was totally rebuilt and reopened in December of 2007. The location provides easy access to the town’s museums, galleries and restaurants, as well as the Basilica of Esztergom. There is a breakfast restaurant and a spa on site. Rooms offer a minibar, satellite TV and Internet connection.

Holiday Beach Budapest

The hotel is located on 2.5+ acres of land adjacent to the Danube River and offers gardens and outdoor swimming pool. There is a bathing house with sun-terrace, pool bar, sauna, Jacuzzi and tennis courts. Guests can savor both international and Hungarian cuisine in the restaurant and at the open-air grill-terrace. All rooms feature balconies or decks.

Mamaison Andrassy Hotel

The Mamaison Andrassy Hotel is a boutique hotel, located in the most exclusive Embassy neighborhood just off Andrássy Avenue in the Pest district of Budapest. Offering spacious, beautifully designed rooms and suites, this unique hotel was the first in Hungary to be accepted to the collection of Leading Small Luxury Hotels of the World. The hotel was designed and built in a Bauhaus style by Alfred Hajos in 1937. Completely renovated in 2001 and redecorated in 2007, the Mamaison Andrassy Hotel offers genuine and caring services for today’s traveler.

Rating Level

Easy

This tour offers easy terrain throughout the trip and is ideal for beginning cyclists.