DAY 1: UK - Munich.
Fly to Munich where you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel for an overnight stay.

DAY 2: Munich - Nuremberg - Pilsen - Prague.
First stop is Nuremberg, Bavaria's 'second city'. Dating back to the 11th-century, the city was decimated during World War II, but some fine buildings survived, including the Gothic churches of St Sebald and St Lorenz and the elegant Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady). Then we cross the border into the Czech Republic and make a stop in Pilsen, world renowned for its lager, before continuing to the glorious Czech capital, Prague, for a three-night stay. (B)

DAY 3: Prague. Included sightseeing.
With its glorious skyline of gleaming spires and historic monuments, Prague is a truly impressive city, much of it unchanged in centuries. Our included city sightseeing tour shows you all the major sights of this beautiful city, renowned for its wonderful Baroque and Romanesque architecture. Highlights include the elegant National Theatre, the stunning Baroque Church of St Nicholas, the beautiful Charles Bridge and the ancient Town Hall with its famous astronomical clock. (B)

DAY 4: Prague. At leisure.
Make the most of a day at leisure in the Czech capital either exploring on your own or by taking one of our exciting optional excursions. Maybe you'd like to follow the music trail to Bertramka, a lovely old house in the suburbs where Mozart used to stay. It now houses a museum dedicated to the composer and regular chamber music concerts take place in the house and, weather permitting, garden. There are also plenty of great-value restaurants in which to sample the local cuisine. (B)

DAY 5: Prague - Bratislava - Budapest.
We head south-east by way of Brno into the new state of Slovakia for a stop in its charming capital, Bratislava, overlooked by an enormous castle set 100 metres above the Danube. Next we cross into Hungary to the country's beautiful capital city, Budapest, where you will stay for the next three nights. (B)

DAY 6-7: Budapest. Included sightseeing.
Budapest is actually two cities: Buda and Pest, set either side of the River Danube. Buda is the historic side and its heart is the Castle District, with its medieval houses, inns, antique shops, museums and restaurants, intertwined with cobblestone streets. Stroll across the Chain Bridge and you're in Pest, which also has many not-to-be-missed sights. You'll have a chance to spend a full day exploring this wonderful city, known as the 'Pearl of the Danube'. Our included sightseeing tour with a local guide takes in the Parliament Building, Margaret Island, Fisherman's Bastion, the Royal Castle and Matthias Coronation Church. You'll have plenty of time to explore the city at your own pace during these two days. (B)

DAY 8: Budapest - Vienna Woods - Mayerling - Vienna.
The highlight of today's itinerary will be a drive through the beautiful scenery of the Vienna Woods. Enjoy a short stop in Mayerling for a visit to the former hunting lodge where the lovers' suicide of Crown Prince Rudolf and Baronness Maria Vetsera took place in 1889. Afterwards, continue to Europe's music capital, Vienna, where you will stay for the next three nights. (B)

DAY 9: Vienna. Included sightseeing.
The swirling strains of a Strauss waltz are never far away in the Austrian capital, which abounds in elegance and sophistication. This was the seat of the Habsburg dynasty for over 600 years, and their influence is apparent everywhere - from the genteel coffee houses to the Hofburg Palace, a monument to Austria's glorious past and home of the Spanish Riding School. Our included city sightseeing tour allows you to discover the many delights of this historic 'city of music', home of great composers such as Johann Strauss, Mozart and Beethoven and also famous for its grand architecture. See the grand State Opera, the impressive Parliament building and the ornate Town Hall. Stroll in Heroes' Square to view the Hofburg Palace and also visit Strauss House where the famous composer Johann Strauss lived together with his wife from 1862 to 1878. The afternoon is yours to explore at your leisure. (B)

DAY 10: Vienna. At leisure.
The day is yours to discover more of the delights of the Austrian capital. Alternatively, there are a number of exciting optional excursions to choose from. (B)

DAY 11: Vienna - Salzburg.
First stop is Krems on the banks of the Danube, a beautiful town surrounded by hills and vineyards. Here you will enjoy an included cruise on the mighty River Danube, taking in the beautiful Wachau region. Afterwards, we continue to the lovely Alpine city of Salzburg, birthplace of Mozart, for an overnight stay. (B)

DAY 12: Salzburg (included sightseeing) - Munich.
Mozart's home town is full of Baroque splendour with an Italian feel, its skyline is characterised by medieval spires, domes and turrets. The most famous landmark is the splendid 11th-century Hohensalzburg Castle, which stands on a hill above the city. Our included city sightseeing excursion with a local guide takes you through the historic centre of Salzburg to see its many highlights. Later why not join in the fun at our optional Bavarian evening and farewell dinner? Ovenight in Munich. (B)

DAY 13: Munich - UK.
Transfer to Munich airport for your flight to the UK. (B)