9 days in Danube Countries Itinerary

You might consider the city of Budapest, divided by the Danube River into two distinctive cities--Buda and Pest--to be essentially one large World Heritage Site.

Get a sense of the local culture at Fisherman's Bastion and Heroes' Square. Visit Liberty Statue and University Church for their historical value. There's much more to do: admire the landmark architecture of Hungarian Parliament Building, examine the collection at House of Terror Museum, contemplate the waterfront views at Danube River, and steep yourself in history at Shoes on the Danube Bank.

To find photos, ratings, traveler tips, and more tourist information, read our Budapest trip planner.

Bournemouth, UK to Budapest is an approximately 8-hour combination of train and flight. You can also do a combination of train and flight; or do a combination of car and train. Traveling from Bournemouth to Budapest, you'll lose 1 hour due to the time zone difference. Traveling from Bournemouth in December, things will get little chillier in Budapest: highs are around 5°C and lows about -1°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 14th (Thu) to allow time to drive to Gyor.

Győr is the most important city of northwest Hungary, the capital of Győr-Moson-Sopron County and Western Transdanubia region, and—halfway between Budapest and Vienna—situated on one of the important roads of Central Europe. On the 14th (Thu), appreciate the extensive heritage of Gyor Old Town Area, contemplate the long history of Pannonhalma Archabbey, and then buy something for everyone on your list at Gyor Plaza.

To see reviews, traveler tips, other places to visit, and other tourist information, go to the Gyor vacation maker.

Getting from Budapest to Gyor by car takes about 1.5 hours. Other options: take a train; or take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 5°C in December, and nighttime lows around -1°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 15th (Fri) early enough to go by car to Nitra.

Nitra is a city in western Slovakia, situated at the foot of Zobor Mountain in the valley of the river Nitra. Kick off your visit on the 15th (Fri): make a trip to Nitra Calvary, then step into the grandiose world of Nitra Castle, and then take in the architecture and atmosphere at Church of St. Michael the Archangel.

To see ratings, traveler tips, photos, and tourist information, refer to the Nitra trip site.

You can drive from Gyor to Nitra in 2 hours. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 16th (Sat) to allow time to drive to Bratislava.

Slovakia's capital, Bratislava, attracts visitors for its natural beauty and rich culture, offering a plethora of landscapes, outdoor activities, historical monuments, and a stately old town.

Kick off your visit on the 16th (Sat): explore the historical opulence of Bratislava Castle, take some stellar pictures from UFO Observation Deck, take in the spiritual surroundings of Blue Church of St. Elizabeth, then pause for some photo ops at Cumil, and finally visit Bratislava Old Town.

To see more things to do, reviews, traveler tips, and more tourist information, read our Bratislava itinerary builder site.

Traveling by car from Nitra to Bratislava takes an hour. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or take a train. In December, daytime highs in Bratislava are 5°C, while nighttime lows are 0°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 17th (Sun) to allow enough time to drive to Vienna.

The cultural, economic, and political center of the country, Vienna has developed from its early Celtic and Roman roots into a medieval and Baroque city, with an old town that was designated a World Heritage Site in 2001.

Museum-lovers will appreciate Belvedere Palace and Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien. You'll discover tucked-away gems like Ringstrasse and Hundertwasserhaus. Next up on the itinerary: see the interesting displays at Hofburg, make a trip to Historic Center of Vienna, admire the landmark architecture of Schonbrunn Palace, and take in the architecture and atmosphere at St. Stephen's Cathedral.

For photos, other places to visit, traveler tips, and more tourist information, read our Vienna route planner.

Drive from Bratislava to Vienna in an hour. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or take a train. In December, daily temperatures in Vienna can reach 5°C, while at night they dip to 0°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 19th (Tue) so you can travel back home.