Archives: Voyages

Arrival in Prague, meet and transfer to your hotel. Rest of the day free.

Welcome to the heart of the Czech Republic, a nation known for its Communist past, its crazy passion for beer (Czechs consume on average 150 liters per person per year), and also for its sumptuous monuments such as the famous astronomical clock, the incredible Charles Bridge and Prague’s superb castle!

Depending on your arrival time, the day could be more or less busy. We recommend that you stroll through the cobbled streets of the old center in order to get a first glimpse of this wonderful city that is Prague. Take the opportunity to head towards the Vltava to follow the quays. In winter you will be amazed by the twinkling lights, while in summer the sunset is beautiful from here. In the background you will be able to see several monuments of the city such as Prague Castle and the Petrin Tower.

If you wish to dine at a local establishment, Prague is full of hostels and restaurants with local offerings. Start by trying the Kolkovna V Kolkovne or the Potrefena Husa, well-known places offering the best of Czech dishes: Goulash, Svickova and many others. Wash everything down with a good beer: we recommend the Kozel!

Not to be missed: Petrin Tower, Vltava, discovery of Czech culinary culture

Overnight in Prague 

After the night and breakfast at your hotel, we take you on a 2-hour guided walking tour through Prague’s old historic center to discover some of the city’s most remarkable places. You will admire the famous astronomical clock tower located in the very heart of the Old Town Square, a lively place with many small restaurants, terraces and street artists!

Continue further, towards Wenceslas Square. A wide street, straight ahead, leads to the junction between the center and the Museum. Take a small passage through a market where you will find many sellers offering fresh, local products; an unusual atmosphere in the heart of one of the most crowded arteries of the Czech capital. Along the way you will appreciate the many picturesque buildings and the variety of colors on the facades of the old Baroque houses. From the center we will continue to the Charles Bridge and Kampa Island where our walk will end.

The rest of the day is free, but what to do? Continue further and climb up to Prague Castle. Walking is preferred over taking the tram as it will allow you to enjoy the experience, take unforgettable photos and stop in the many small shops. The Castle can be visited, but you can also stay outside and stroll through the vineyards which produce great wine.

On the way down, do not miss crossing the Charles Bridge where painters and musicians mingle, making for a folkloric atmosphere. Along the sides of the bridge there are intriguing statues and gargoyles, perfect for unusual photos. Finally, enjoy a bird’s-eye view of other sights such as the golden roof of the National Theater, the castle in the distance and some other bridges under which you can see passing barges.

If you have some time left, head to Zofin where you can rent a pedal boat for an hour, or stroll along the Vltava and take in a unique view of all (or almost all) of Prague’s monuments. A bit of a sportive exercise but well worth it.

Do not forget to stop in order to eat! Some nice addresses, such as Bredovsky Dvur or U Modre Kachnisky are two very different establishments that both offer original, friendly cuisine. The first is rather “Czech” in that it looks like a beautiful hostel. The second has a tastier, more refined cuisine. Both are a treat for your taste buds!

Not to be missed: Charles Bridge, Clock Tower, Old Town Square, Kampa Island, Astronomical Clock, Wenceslas Square.

Meals: Breakfast
Overnight in Prague 

Free day to discover the city.

Your third day in Prague is the perfect opportunity to go off the beaten path and continue to discover the city. We suggest you redirect yourself to the heights of the city before heading towards the Petrin Tower which is a tribute to the Eiffel Tower in Paris. As you continue, you will pass the fabulous Strahov Monastery. Inside it is possible to admire old books and decorations straight out of a bygone era. Be careful, though…taking pictures is forbidden!

On the way down, you will pass in front of some embassies. Then you can visit the Wallenstein Gardens near the Czech Senate. The gardens are superb and can allow you to enjoy a little rest in the heart of a city which is teeming with activity. In the afternoon, head to Prague 7 and the Holesovice district.

Next, you can go to Letna Park (Letenske sady), stroll around and take pictures in front of the Prague metronome, which replaces an old statue if Joseph Stalin. Letna is a really nice park and a place to rest, have a bite to eat or drink a beer. The view is quite lovely, especially of the bustling center of Prague with the Vltava below. In the summer the park is especially lively, and it is not uncommon to find people grilling food or playing frisbee.

At the end of the day, we strongly recommend that you go to Naplavka, where the youth of Prague meet to enjoy the several bars built into old stone buildings facing the river. Checking out these modern, trendy bars recessed into the rock is a unique experience. If you are lucky, you can sit on a terrace and listen to an alternative music concert. In short, this is an ideal place to enjoy a summer evening you will not forget. For dinner, we invite you to the U Pavouka, a medieval tavern that offers a 5-course meal with free drinks, accompanied by a striking show with fire-eaters, jugglers and other artists!

Not to be missed: Petrin, Letna, Prague metronome, Naplavka, Strahov Monastery, Wallenstein Gardens

Meals: Breakfast
Overnight in Prague 

Train to Vienna. Rest of the day free to visit the city.

The fifth day of your trip takes you to Vienna, the ancient capital of an incredible kingdom where wealth, magic and art have mixed for hundreds of years. An eclectic, lively capital, Vienna is a city of nearly 2 million inhabitants, known for its cafes, gastronomy, as well as its classical music and opera.

On your first day, we suggest that you focus on the historic center. Why not go to the Prater amusement park and take a ride on its giant Ferris wheel from which you can discover the city from new heights? Then enjoy a Wiener Melange at Café Central while listening to classical music.

From a culinary point of view, do not hesitate to try all that Austria has to offer. The Wiener Wiaz Haus offers many typical and traditional dishes. You can also head to the Wirsthaus Am Wasserpark. Both these establishments offer affordable local dishes such as the famous and delicious schnitzel!

Not to be missed: Prater Ferris wheel, discovery of culinary culture

Meals: Breakfast
Overnight in Vienna 

After breakfast, enjoy a magnificent half-day guided tour of Vienna, starting with the Operngasse 8. Then we drive through the Ringstrasse Boulevard, passing some of the city’s best-known sites and monuments: the Vienna State Opera and its sumptuous façade and beautiful ornaments, where the “Opera Ball” is held every year; the grand Hofburg Palace, former winter residence of the imperial family, where Princess Sissi lived (there is also a museum dedicated to her); other gorgeous monuments and buildings such as the Museum of Art and History and the Museum of Natural History, whose exhibitions are so diverse and varied that it is impossible to explain all that you can see there!

You will also pass other highly symbolic places such as the neoclassical Parliament, the famous Burgtheater and the amazing City Hall. Take time to appreciate and photograph these interesting and impressive monuments.

The rest of the visit is definitely worth waiting for, as it is a guided tour of the famous Schonbrunn Palace. This former imperial residence is a UNESCO World Heritage site visited every year by millions of tourists from every part of the world.

This is your chance to discover the remains of a past golden era. You will see beautiful tapestries and magnificent rooms that will allow you to better understand the way nobles and royalty lived at that time. You can also stroll through the palace gardens or enjoy a cup of Viennese coffee and a piece of apple strudel. The tour ends with a return to the Vienna State Opera.

The rest of the day is completely free. We recommend that you visit the Kunst Haus Wien, a small museum that looks nothing like a museum although it highlights many local artists. Inside there is an amusing café while the outside is reminiscent of the colorful decorations of Alice in Wonderland. Or, if you prefer, the Vienna Zoo, founded in 1752, is worth a visit!

In the evening, head to Capa Cagrana for a cocktail and some music. This is the perfect place for a lively evening. For those who like a quieter end to their day, we recommend a walk on the Donauinsel in the evening, an opportunity to enjoy the sumptuous landscape of the Austrian capital embellished with the lights of the setting sun.

Not to be missed: Vienna State Opera, Grand Hofburg Palace, Museum of Art and History, Museum of Natural Science, Schonbrunn Palace, Kunst Haus Wien

Meals: Breakfast
Overnight in Vienna 

Free day to continue discovering Vienna.

On this free day, we invite you to get off the beaten path and start by visiting the University of Vienna, in particular its library.

Continue on your way, this time towards the Prater, a big amusement park where both locals and tourists gather to have fun! After that, stop off at the Naschmarkt Vienna’s most eclectic market, a great place to try out the local produce and grab a bite to eat (open from monday to saturday). For a quieter afternoon, choose one of the city’s pretty parks such as the Kurpark Oberlaa. You can end your stay in Vienna with a gourmet visit of the chocolate museum!

Other choices are also available. You may not know it, but Vienna and Austria are known for their vineyards and good wine. The Austrian capital is the only metropolis in the world to have such a big vineyard just a few minutes’ drive away; 650 hectares shared among 145 producers. What an opportunity to taste good local wine that you may not find elsewhere!

In the evening try to experience the National Opera. Vienna is a city that was once famous for its opera and classical music concerts. Entering the National Opera transports you back to an era when music, dance, beautiful gowns and magnificent chandeliers were the norm. A perfect place for an immersive Viennese experience.

Of course, you cannot forget to eat. While Vienna has many bars and restaurants, some are more worth the visit than others. These include Carmen Und Ich, Paul, and Casino Restaurant Wien, upscale establishments that offer excellent meals.

Not to be missed: Prater, Kurpark Oberlaa, University of Vienna

Meals: Breakfast
Overnight in Vienna 

Train to Budapest. Rest of the day free to discover the city.

This time you take the train to Budapest, a city known as the “Pearl of the Danube”. At first glance Budapest seems less “magical” than its Czech cousin, but if we take a closer look at it, the city will reveal many secrets. If you take the time to discover it, Budapest will turn out to be an exceptional city, especially for the curious.

Upon arrival, take a walk along the Danube Promenade to get a glimpse of the buildings and monuments you will visit in more detail the following day.

Do not hesitate to discover Hungarian culinary culture through some of the beautiful restaurants in the city, such as the Hungarikum Bistro or the Aszu Etterem, two particularly well-located establishments offering affordable and succulent cuisine.

Not to be missed: Danube Promenade, discovery of Hungarian culinary culture

Meals: Breakfast
Overnight in Budapest 

In the morning a half-day guided that will take you through some of the city’s best-known landmarks is planned. The tour starts with the “Chain Bridge” before continuing towards the Parliament, one of the most iconic places in Budapest. Visible from almost everywhere in the city, the Palace of Parliament is the place where Hungarian political life plays out every day.

You will then continue toward the bridge and Margaret Island. In summer Hungarian youth gather here to frequent the beer gardens, listen to music and enjoy the good life on the lively terraces. The tour then continues to the Castle district where you will see the Matthias Church, also called Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption-de-Budavar. Work here began in 1255 and ended in 1896! It is one of the most beautiful churches in the area with its huge 60-meter tower. Further on you can enjoy the view from the fishermen’s bastion and admire the recently rebuilt and renovated Royal Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The tour ends with a visit of Heroes’ Square and then St. Stephen’s Basilica.

Since the rest of the day is free, we suggest you visit the Central Market; it is composed of endless stalls offering excellent products such as local wines, cheeses, meats and spices, a real hodgepodge of smells, flavors and colors. Next head to the Great Synagogue, the largest in Europe and an integral place for the local Jewish community.

From here continue to the House of Terror, the name given to the headquarters of the Communist Party at the time of the USSR. A place steeped in the past with a scary name, it is a gripping museum which traces the history of the fascist and communist regimes that succeeded each other in Hungary. You will find countless archival documents as well as old interrogation and torture rooms.

Not to be missed: Chain Bridge, the Parliament, Margaret Island, Margaret Bridge, Matthias Church, Fishermen’s Bastion, Royal Palace, Heroes’ Square, St. Stephen’s Basilica, the House of Terror

Meals: Breakfast
Overnight in Budapest 

Free day to continue the discovery of Budapest

Want to relax after a busy week? We invite you to head to one of the Hungarian baths. Whether it is the Gellert Bath or the Szecheny Bath, swimming pools, spa and relaxation are main attractions. Enjoying the baths is a well-known activity for tourists and locals alike. Plan to spend a couple of hours in one of these beautiful places and time will seem to fly.

For a good restaurant before leaving, we recommend the Kisbirohaz Vendeglo or the Antre, which both offer quality menus. Be sure to try typical Hungarian food such as goulash, langos or kurtoskalacs, all a real treat for the tastebuds.

Not to be missed: Gellert or Szecheny Baths

Meals: Breakfast
Overnight in Budapest 

Transfer to Budapest airport. Return flight to Montreal

Meals: Breakfast