Imperial Castles

This tour explores the legacies of the centuries when European imperial emperors and countries competed to build the largest, most ornate, and most expensive castles and palaces. From Munich to Prague, Vienna to Salzburg, every day reveals another chapter of this extraordinary rivalry.

The journey begins with a welcome dinner at the Hofbrauhaus — the world's most famous beer hall — before heading north to Nuremberg's Imperial City with its Burg fortress and famous Hauptmarkt. Then onward to Prague, the immortal capital of the Czech Republic, also called the Golden City. Prague Castle, one of the largest castles in the world, existed since the 9th century and was rebuilt in 14th-century Gothic under Charles IV. An evening stroll takes in Jewish Prague, the Old Town Square, and the famous Astronomical Clock.

Vienna delivers Habsburg splendor: the Ring Road's imperial landmarks, St. Stephen's Cathedral, and Schonbrunn Palace — Austria's answer to Versailles — with pre-arranged access that bypasses the lines and apple strudel preparation in the Imperial Kitchen. The Czech chapter continues with the stunning Hluboka Chateau built in Windsor Neo-Gothic style and Cesky Krumlov, one of the best-preserved medieval towns in the world, ranked number two after Venice.

Salzburg brings Mirabell Gardens, Mozart's Birthplace, and Fortress Hohensalzburg. Innsbruck's Golden Roof beneath the Austrian Alps leads to a Tyrolean dinner with traditional yodeling, alphorn, and Schuhplattler dancing. The tour closes with Linderhof Palace deep in the forest and Munich's Residenz — the winter palace of the Wittelsbach family that ruled Bavaria for 800 years.