Budapest, officially the capital of Hungary and popularly known as the “Queen of the Danube,” has been formed by a truly rich (if slightly turbulent) mix of cultures throughout the past millennia. Since the Celtic Eravisci tribe settled the area in the fourth century B.C., it has been home to the Romans, Mongols, Ottomans, and Habsburgs, among others.

Prague, for decades hidden behind the Iron Curtain, has since been revealed as one of Europe’s most beautiful cities, a dusty jewel awaiting your exploration.  This city on the Vlatava is divided into several parts: old town and new town on one side of the river, the mysterious quarter of Mala Strana on the other, and then the old castle, and St Vitus’s cathedral, from above.  The Charles Bridge connects the two sides, and seethes day and night with activity...

Once the capital city of Poland, Krakow today remains the cultural center of this country. Home to nearly a quarter of Poland’s museum holdings and fine examples of a wide range of architectural styles, this city was understandably named as one of the nine European Cities of Culture in 2000.