Last week, 24 members of your Chamber family returned from an international adventure to Budapest, Vienna and Prague.
The trip started in Budapest, where the group was met by our English speaking tour guide who welcomed us to his country with open arms. The city tour consisted of visiting Heroes Square, the Opera House, Parliament, Vajdahunyad Castle (aka Dracula’s Castle) and the Castle District. The tour ended at Gellert Hill, which offers a breathtaking view over the two cities of Buda and Pest divided by the Danube River.
Our tour continued to Vienna and the impressive Hofburg Palace. Hofburg Palace is most well-known for being the residence of Empress Elizabeth, the Parliament building, City Hall and the Opera House. Following along the Ringstrasse, known for the Museum of Fine Arts and the Museum of Natural History, the group stopped at to view the historically unique housing structures of the Hundertwasser house.
The next day, the Chamber group visited Kahlenberg Hill, which provided a beautiful panoramic view overlooking the historic city of Vienna. Next, we visited Schonbrunn Palace, which was built in 1642 for the Crown Prince Josef and the Imperial Summer residence during the reign of Maria Theresa. The tour continued with a trek around the rest of Vienna, so we could see the city’s famous Baroque and Rococo styles first-hand.
Our arrival in Prague revealed why “The Golden City” is considered one of Europe's most gorgeous cities. The group visited Prague Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral, the largest of the Prague churches constructed over a period of six centuries. Prague is split by the Vltava River and consists of two “banks,” the left bank which contains the Prague Castle and Lesser Town and the right bank which houses Old Town, New Town and the Jewish Quarter. The group also visited the jaw-dropping Charles Bridge that connects the two.
Beyond these amazing marvels, there is a wealth of spectacular sights, quirky attractions and vibrant neighborhoods. Several participants extended their trip to visit Berlin and its top attractions. The tour led the group to Checkpoint Charlie, Brandenburg Gate, the Berlin Wall Memorial, Alexanderplatz and the TV Tower. Learning about Berlin’s history during the years of the Prussians, the Imperialists, the Nazis and the Cold War, offered a perspective on the path the city has taken to highlight its tradition, landscapes, culture and palaces.
The San Antonio Chamber connects you to the world by offering the very best of international travel opportunities with our bi-annual overseas Chamber trips. Join us for a once-in-a-lifetime trip in the future.