We leave Western Europe behind as we venture to the exotic cities of Prague and Budapest. In Prague, we marvel at the startlingly beautiful old town and tour the labyrinthine castle that haunted writer Franz Kafka. Bohemian glass dazzles us as we browse the flourishing shops in this former Communist country, and we witness the scene of the “Velvet Revolution”. Then it’s off to Budapest where we surrender ourselves to steamy mineral spas, get serenaded by Gypsy music in one of the city’s most traditional restaurants, and sway to the rhythms of Hungarian dancers. We round out our trip with Budapest’s regal Opera House, and monuments of a bygone era in the Communist Statue Park. Tips on luxury hotels.