Summer in Central Europe
To end off an amazing summer, my mom and I were whisked away on a European adventure through Budapest, Vienna, and Prague. This is the ultimate Central European triple-city itinerary, offering an amazing blend of deep-rooted history, fairy-tale architecture, and vibrant culture.
The first city we visited was beautiful Budapest. Divided by the Danube River into two sides, Buda and Pest, this city is full of lively markets, unique nightlife, and lots and lots of paprika. The city is most known for its natural thermal baths, so of course, we had to start our trip here! We visited the Széchenyi Thermal Bath, which is the largest and most famous of the baths. With its clear blue waters and iconic yellow walls, it is a must-see. Just remember to bring your own rubber slippers and towels!
During our stay we also got to see the famous Fisherman’s Bastion, Buda Castle, St Stephen’s Basilica, and much more. If you have time during your stay, a cooking class is a fun way to experience the Central Market Hall and get a taste of local flavours! Our food tour took us through the heart of the market, exploring all the best brands and vendors. After a quick shop, we went back to a local apartment to learn some traditional paprikash, along with tasting many other samples including meats, cheeses, and of course, wine.
To finish off our time in Budapest, we took an evening cruise on the Danube to see the famous Parliament building all lit up. Golden hour is the perfect time to visit for a beautiful sunset and city lights.
Moving on from Budapest, we took a quick train ride to Vienna, a town known for its classical elegance, various palaces, and world-class museums. This city is a history-lovers dream! It is filled with monuments and sights from the royal families, World Wars, and even the plague. There is also plenty of shopping ranging from high-end boutiques to local souvenir shops. However, Vienna is often considered the most expensive city on the route, so budget accordingly!
We only had one day here, so we spend the morning exploring Schönbrunn Palace and learning about the royal Habsburg family, one of the most powerful dynasties in the history of western civilization. The Palace was overflowing with landscaped gardens, royal state rooms, and even attractions such as a giant hedge maze and the oldest zoo in the world. In the afternoon, we took a walking tour of Vienna and learned about the more central attractions including St Stephens Cathedral, Hofburg Palace, and the Vienna State Opera House. We spent the evening enjoying local dishes such as Wiener Schnitzel and Apfelstrudel and got ready to depart to our next city, Prague.
Another quick train ride away and we arrived in Prague, a city known for its fairy-tale charm, medieval squares, and gothic architecture. The historic Old Town Square is the heart of the town, filled with baroque buildings, gothic churches, and the Astronomical Clock, which has hourly “shows” gathering large crowds (the show is lasts for about 35 seconds and will be missed if not looking closely). We spent our first day doing a 7-hour walking tour of the city exploring the Jewish Quarter, taking a scenic boat cruise in the afternoon, and finishing it off with a tour of Prague Castle.
The next day we took a day trip to Cesky Krumlov, the second most visited town in Czechia with plenty of medieval charm. This fairy-tale town has perfectly preserved 14th/16th century architecture that was not damaged during the war. The castle complex was passed between several royal families and even the Nazi’s, until it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992. This was our favourite tour of the trip, and I highly recommend taking a day trip, or even spending a few extra nights here, if you have the time.
Our last day was spent back in Prague, where we did another cooking class in a local apartment. The tour started at the oldest market in the area, where our guide took us through her favourite stalls and vendors. We got to try samples of pesto, honey, lentils, fish, cheese, mushrooms, and so much more.
We were then taken to her private apartment where we spent the morning chatting over a delicious brunch spread. Behind her apartment was the Vyšehrad fortress, so we spent the remainder of the day exploring the grounds and taking in the jaw-dropping views.
This trip was beyond anything we could have ever expected. You can easily get swept away in all the historic charm, winding streets, and captivating culture of Central Europe. There is so much to see, do, and explore, that you could spend weeks here and still have things to learn.
Written for Paull Travel by Alicia Bertram, September 2026
