Explore Budapest's lower town of Pest, including the Parliament Building (the largest in Europe), St. Stephen's Basilica, Heroes' Square, Dohany Synagogue and the Opera House.

This afternoon in Buda, on the other side of the river, visit Castle Hill's Matthias Church, the Fishermen's Bastion and the Buda Castle Labyrinth, a maze of prehistoric caves which you explore by lamplight. After a dinner of Hungarian specialties at a local restaurant, view the beautiful city by night on a cruise along the River Danube. InterContinental Budapest B D

DAY 4: Budapest/Szentendre/Vienna, Austria

Take a scenic ride on the Children's Railway, a narrow-gauge railway run by children under adult supervision. The youthful engineers are dressed in miniature versions of the official MÁV (Hungarian State Railways) uniforms with all the appropriate paraphernalia. The train slowly winds almost seven miles through the Buda Hills and beautiful forest land, making the city appear far away.

Continue by coach to the artists' colony of Szentendre to visit the Hungarian Open-Air Museum, commemorating 18th- and 19th-century rural life. Take part in a hands-on demonstration on the art of marzipan figure making before continuing to Vienna for an à la carte dinner at your hotel. Le Méridien Vienna B L D

DAY 5: Vienna

Vienna is a beautiful city that is almost unchanged since its days as capital of the Austrian Empire, miraculously maintaining its old-world elegance.

Stroll through the city center to the 12th-century St. Stephen's Cathedral and the Hofburg Complex, the former residence of the Hapsburg family, to view the glittering crown jewels and an impressive collection of weapons and suits of armor.

Your afternoon is free to wander around the pedestrian center and explore the exclusive boutiques and intimate coffee houses, perhaps stopping to savor a famed Viennese pastry. You may wish to visit the Museum Quarter, Vienna's exciting arts complex, housing the renowned Leopold Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Arts. Le Méridien Vienna B D

DAY 6: Vienna/Schönbrunn/Vienna

Vienna, the city along the Danube, is famous as the home of Mozart, Beethoven and Strauss. It will forever hold memories of opulent palaces and aristocratic guests dancing the waltz at glamorous balls.

DESIGN YOUR DAYSM options fill the morning hours: visit the House of Music, a modern interactive and hands-on museum, where you have the opportunity to conduct a virtual Vienna Philharmonic orchestra or compose your own waltz. Alternatively, explore the fabulous Belvedere Palace with its stunning formal landscaped gardens and outstanding collection of art, including Klimt's famous painting The Kiss.

After lunch, explore the sprawling Palace of Schönbrunn, the summer home of the Hapsburgs. It was here amid frescoed ceilings, crystal chandeliers and gilded ornaments that the five-year-old Mozart played to the court. Attend a private Marionette Theater performance. Le Méridien Vienna B L

DAY 7: Vienna/Prague, The Czech Republic

Travel by train through the rolling countryside to Prague, the "Golden City," with a picnic lunch on board. Stroll through the cobbled streets of the Old Town Square, a center of activity for more than 500 years. Pause to admire the three vertical disks of the 15th-century astronomical clock that adorns the façade of the Town Hall and walk along the 14th-century Charles Bridge. Stop for refreshments at the art nouveau Municipal House before returning to your hotel by horse-drawn carriage. This evening, dine à la carte at the hotel. Hotel Palace Praha B L D

DAY 8: Prague

Explore Castle Hill with a private visit to the library of the 12th-century Strahov Monastery, a Baroque architectural jewel. Stop at St. Vitus Cathedral, the final resting place of "Good King" Wenceslas, before visiting the Museum of Miniatures.

Go beyond the city limits this afternoon to a glassworks factory for a demonstration by skilled Bohemian craftsmen. This evening's farewell dinner is at one of the city's best restaurants. Hotel Palace Praha B D

DAY 9: Prague

Go to the market to source local ingredients; then learn about Bohemian cuisine with a cooking lesson. Divide into teams and prepare popular Czech dishes in a cooking challenge.

The afternoon is at leisure before gathering for farewell drinks this evening. Hotel Palace Praha B

DAY 10: Prague/USA or Canada