We were in Prague last October and it was a beautiful city with so much to see and do. Like you we went with another couple who were long time friends. We stayed in a great hotel called the Aria library collection I believe. Great rooms by Europe standards. Multiple indoor and outdoor bars with great views. Amazing gardens onsite as well. Close to the bridge and well located for all the must see things. I would go back in a heart beat. But I will also add the Asian tourists were at times overwhelming. But it was like a wave and then they were gone off to somewhere else. So more a short term nuisance than real problem. I could have stayed another week easily.
We then took the train down to Vienna. Very easy ride. Vienna is a nice town and friendly for the most part. We saw plenty of all the must see sites and a few of the Operas and plays at night. It had some of the best restaurants and food, but it really wasn't a favorite city for me. It wasn't bad but just didn't capture me like some of the others did. Some claim it is the most interesting and beautiful city and the center of all things controlled by the old Royal family. We saw the all the Castles, Museums and such, and of course the Lipizzaner horses, but overall a bit blah.
Then off to Bratislava for a couple of days. The drive to Bratislava was a stark reality of what I imagined the Russian empire and behind the iron curtain looked like. Many old square box concrete apartment buildings, one after one in large complexes. Though the actual capital city has some very nice architecture and monuments. The amazing thing was looking at old bombed out buildings that hadn't been rebuilt yet right next to area's that were thriving. It was an interesting dynamic. Food was good, the stories we heard were even better. It was a nice stop along our trip. The country side was quite beautiful. But this area felt like the most authentic eastern bloc/Russian control influence. Very interesting looking at what they are doing to become part of the new world.
Finally we ended up in Budapest and spent our last four days there. A great city with so much to see and do. By far the most interesting and beautiful city that I have ever been to. I could have stayed there and explored for weeks. We even went to one of the oldest bath houses and spent half a day. These were built by the Ottoman empire when they had taken over way, way back then. Amazing with indoor and outdoor hot springs and mineral baths. Very interesting, especially when we are some of the very few Americans in there from what I could tell. Plenty of very big and round eastern European guys just like in a bond movie. Food was great and so many different types of restaurants. Beer was good all through the trip, but it seemed the largest varieties was found in Budapest. I also developed a fondness for their aperitifs after dinner. Most were a very strong alchol and a thicker base like a cough syrup, think a jaegermister style. The lights at night were amazing. Overall a great experience and a great trip to take with your wife and friends. Enjoy your trip!