Road Scholar : Home
Central Europe Discovered: Prague, Bratislava and Budapest

Program Number: 15596RJ
Start and End Dates:
5/16/2012 - 5/31/2012; 6/5/2013 - 6/20/2013; 9/4/2013 - 9/19/2013; 10/2/2013 - 10/17/2013; 10/9/2013 - 10/24/2013; 5/14/2014 - 5/29/2014; 6/4/2014 - 6/19/2014; 9/3/2014 - 9/18/2014; 10/8/2014 - 10/23/2014; 10/15/2014 - 10/30/2014;
Duration: 15 nights
Location: Czech Republic/Slovakia/Hungary
Price starting at: $3,595.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type:
Meals: 41; 14 Breakfasts, 13 Lunches, 14 Dinners    
Meal Options: Low Fat; Low Salt; Vegetarian; Gluten Free    

Home to Europe's oldest Jewish ghetto, one of its youngest national capitals and the world’s largest medieval castle, these Central European nations have more to offer than mere superlatives. Trace the history, culture, economics, art and architecture that define and unite these nations, and learn about the amiable split between the Czech Republic and Slovakia and the continuing evolution of all three countries.




Highlights

• Informal meetings with local residents offer personal insight into daily life in Central Europe.
• Enjoy lunch at the Benedictine Wine Cellar of the Brevnov Monastery.
• An excursion to the Great Plain, a most typical Hungarian landscape, introduces the traditional village of Ócsa.



Activity Particulars

Walking on cobblestone streets.




Date Specific Information

6-5-2013, 9-4-2013, 10-9-2013, 5-14-2014, 6-4-2014, 9-3-2014, 10-15-2014

Enjoy the latest in hearing technology — listening devices — on this date.



10-2-2013

This program date is an Activity Level EASY. This program will involve less walking and additional coaching. Participants must be able to handle their own luggage, climb a few stairs, stand for up to an hour, get on and off a motor coach easily and walk a few blocks indoors or out.
Enjoy the latest in hearing technology — listening devices — on this date.



10-8-2014

This program date is an Activity Level EASY. This program will involve less walking and additional coaching. Participants must be able to handle their own luggage, climb a few stairs, stand for up to an hour, get on and off a motor coach easily and walk a few blocks indoors or out.
Enjoy the latest in hearing technology — listening devices — on this date.



Itinerary Summary

Arrival Prague (Czech Republic), 6 nights; coach to Bratislava (Slovakia), 2 nights; river cruise to Devin; coach to Budapest (Hungary), 6 nights; departure.



Overnight flight from the U.S.A.
1 night
Arrival Prague (Czech Republic)
6 nights

In the Golden City, Dr. Zdenek Barta and other scholars lead an inquiry into the many facets of the city’s past and present. See the Charles Bridge, adorned with 30 Baroque statues, and hear about the Czech Republic’s economic development. Discussions on Prague architecture highlight city excursions to the Prague Castle, Lesser Town and Old Town Square. In the village of Kutna Hora, learn about its historic silversmithing and its cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy a classical concert at one of Prague's many famous music venues.



Coach to Bratislava (Slovakia)
2 nights

Prior to 1919, Bratislava was known as Pressburg, though the Slovak capital has been a mixing pot of various nations for centuries. Visit Old Town for a taste of the capital's elegance and charm, as well as Devin Castle, founded in the 13th century, for a panoramic view of the town.



River cruise to Devin
Coach to Budapest (Hungary)
6 nights
Departure

University professors discuss the arrival of tribes in the Carpathian Basin and present-day Hungary, including health care, education and culture. Explore the Castle District of Buda, the UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the small town of Ócsa, whose 13th -century church and village center reflect traditional rural life. Learn about Jewish heritage in Budapest and hear what some residents really think about the nation’s conversion from communism to capitalism. Sample dishes made with the mild paprika pepper.
Accommodations
Prague: Three-star hotel in heart of the Old Town and five-minute walk to Wenceslas Square. Bratislava: Four-star hotel in city center and just a 10-minute walk from Bratislava Castle. Budapest: Boutique hotel in center of city and close to the St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the Synagogue and the Danube River.

Road Scholar Instructors
These instructors are participating on at least one date of this program. Please note that changes may occur.
Tomas Brychta
A native of Prague, Tomas Brychta has been a coordinator, leader and instructor of Road Scholar programs in the Czech Republic and Slovakia since 1992. He is the owner and CEO of Scantravel, an agency focused on educational services for foreign visitors to the Czech Republic, and is also the owner of the Hotel Petr in Prague. Travel is a passion for Tomas, and he has not only visited almost all of Europe, Egypt, Turkey, Uganda, India, North America, the former Soviet Union, and New Zealand, but speaks Czech, English, German, and Russian. When not spending time with his family, Tomas enjoys hiking, skiing, swimming, yachting and, of course, Road Scholar programs!
 
Zuzana Petrášková
Zuzana Petrášková is a native of Prague. She studied art history at Charles University and obtained her master’s degree from the University of Economics in Prague in 1981. She has shared her enthusiasm for art, history, and architecture on Road Scholar adventures since 2004. In her spare time, Zuzana loves to read literature, learn about history and art, ski, design jewelry, and create her own artwork. She loves travelling and has visited Turkey, North Africa, China, Hong Kong, the U.S., Russia, the former Soviet Union, and almost all of Europe. Zuzana currently lives in Prague with her two children.
 
Miklós Vörös
Miklós Vörös is a sociologist and cultural anthropologist, cultural heritage and cultural policy expert, and adjunct professor at the Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design, Budapest, Hungary. He graduated from the Karl Marx University of Economic Sciences in Budapest and the Department of Anthropology at the University of Chicago, and is currently writing his dissertation which will complete a Ph.D. in cultural history from the University in Pécs. He has published extensively in Hungarian, English, and German, edited three volumes in the fields of anthropology and cultural sociology, and acted as a cultural policy expert and consultant in government institutions and non-governmental organizations. Miklós has been a Road Scholar lecturer since 1998 and thoroughly enjoys the discussions that follow his lectures on Hungarian social history and contemporary politics.
 
Zoltán Pogátsa
Zoltán Pogátsa is currently working as an international political economist, focusing on issues relating to Central Europe and the Balkans. He has an M.B.A. and M.A. in political science and international relations, Southeastern European studies, and sociology. He earned his Ph.D. in 2004 in contemporary European integration from the University of Sussex in Brighton. He has lectured at various universities in Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Austria, Germany, France, the UK, Italy and Ireland.
 
Meals and Lodgings
   Hotel Ibis Prague Old Town
  Prague, Czech Republic 6 nights
   Mercure Bratislava Centrum
  Bratislava, Slovakia 2 nights
   Hotel Benczúr
  Budapest, Hungary 6 nights
 Hotel Ibis Prague Old Town
Type: Three-Star Hotel
  Description: The Ibis Prague Old Town Hotel is located in the heart of Prague. Prague is a historical crossroad where many merchants, artists and scientists met in the Middle Ages. It is known as "The Golden Prague," "City of Towers" and the "Heart of Europe."
  Contact info: Na Porici 5
Prague,  110 00 Czech Republic
phone: +420 266000999
web: www.hotelibis.cz
  Room amenities: Each room has a flat screen television, WIFI Internet access, air conditioning, telephone, and hair dryers and irons available at reception.
  Facility amenities: The hotel offers a restaurant, lobby bar with free WIFI Internet access and computer corner, laundry service and air conditioning.
  Smoking allowed: Yes
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights prior: N/A Please contact Road Scholar Travel Services if you would like assistance making hotel reservations for additional non-program nights. (800) 241-1404
  Check in time: 2:00 PM

 Mercure Bratislava Centrum
Type: Four-Star Hotel
  Description: This new 4-star hotel features 175 uniquely designed contemporary rooms. The hotel is located in the city center just a 10-minute walk from the Bratislava castle and the downtown pedestrian shopping area.
  Contact info: Zabotova 2
Bratislava,  811 04 Slovakia
phone: +421 259292111
web: www.mercure.com
  Room amenities: Each room has a satellite television, telephone, radio, coffee and tea making facilities, WIFI Internet access (for a fee), mini bar, safe box, hair dryer and air conditioning.
  Facility amenities: The hotel offers a restaurant, bar, lounge, air conditioning, WIFI Internet access (for a fee), fitness room, safe box, and dry cleaning.
  Smoking allowed: Yes
  Elevators available: Yes

 Hotel Benczúr
Type: Three-Star Hotel
  Description: Hotel Benczúr is situated on Benczúr Street, which lies parallel to the World Heritage Site of Andrássy Avenue. Aside from its excellent central location, the hotel is still referred to as a "green island," shut away from the noise of the city in a quiet and elegant neighborhood. Within walking distance are such sites as City Park, the Museum of Fine Arts, Heroes' Square, the Contemporary Art Gallery, Széchenyi bath and Vajdahunyad Castle.
  Contact info: Benczúr u. 35
Budapest,  1068 Hungary
phone: +36 1 479 5650
web: www.hotelbenczur.hu/en
  Room amenities: Each room has a television, telephone, mini bar, air conditioning, safe, WIFI Internet access and a hair dryer.
  Facility amenities: The hotel offers a restaurant, café, bar, safe, laundry facilities (for a fee), ATM, public pay phone, fax and copy machine (for a fee), shop, beer garden and computer in the lobby with Internet access.
  Smoking allowed: Yes
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights after: N/A Please contact Road Scholar Travel Services if you would like assistance making hotel reservations for additional non-program nights. 1-800-241-1404
  Check out time: 11:00 AM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
Prague, Czech Republic. 5:00 PM in hotel lobby. You will be staying at Hotel Ibis Prague Old Town that night.
  End of Program:
Budapest, Hungary. Following breakfast on the last day. You will be staying at Hotel Benczúr the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required.
Transportation (For Independent Travelers)
  Train or bus availability: Trains and buses available to Prague.
To Start of Program
  Location:  Prague
  Nearest highway: D1 (Bratislava)
  Nearest airport:  Ruzyne
  Transportation to site: Take the AAA taxi service from the airport directly to the hotel. There is an information desk in the arrival hall of the airport. Price is according to the taxi meter, so make sure that the driver has it turned on (approx. 600-650 CZK).
  From End of Program
  Location:  Budapest
  Nearest city or town:  In city center
  Nearest highway: Multiple highways in all directions.
  Nearest airport:  Budapest Liszt Ferenc
  Transportation from site: Take the airport shuttle bus (approx. 15 USD/person), or taxis (about 35 USD/cab for 3 people) are available. It takes about 30-45 minutes to get from the hotel to the airport, depending on traffic.
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: In Transit
(Wednesday, May 16)
   
 In Transit: International overnight flight to Prague.

Day 2: Welcome to Prague / Introduction
(Thursday, May 17)
   
 Morning: Arrive at Prague airport (PRG) and transfer to the hotel.
 Afternoon: Arrive at hotel and settle in. Meet at 5:00 PM for a general meeting and introduction to the program.
 Dinner: Welcome dinner in hotel dining room.
 Evening: Free time to rest and get over jetlag, or explore the area on your own.
   
Accommodations: Hotel Ibis Prague Old Town
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 3: Prague City Excursion / Dinner Cruise
(Friday, May 18)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast in the hotel dining room.
 Morning: An excursion brings us through the Old Town, a unique part of Prague, where we find the impressive Old Town Square, the center of all events since the early Middle Ages. The stone houses, churches, palaces, and monasteries in combination with the twisty narrow streets and alleys create a very special atmosphere. We will also see the Charles Bridge, one of the oldest stone bridges in Europe, adorned on both sides with a total of thirty Baroque statues.
 Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant.
 Afternoon: Discussion and lecture on Prague's architecture. Learn about the important architectural styles found throughout Prague, such as; Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque, Classicism, Neo-styles, Art Nouveau and Cubism.
 Dinner: Enjoy your dinner on a boat excursion down the Vltava River.
   
Accommodations: Hotel Ibis Prague Old Town
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Prague Castle
(Saturday, May 19)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast in the hotel dining room.
 Morning: Explore the Prague Castle complex where the Czech kings, Holy Roman Emperors and presidents of the Czech Republic (and Czechoslovakia) have had their offices. Prague castle is one of the largest castles in the world (according to the Guinness Book of World Records it is the largest ancient castle) and dates back to the middle of the 9th century. We will enjoy a classical concert in the Church of St. Nicolas in the Lesser Town. This beautiful, heavily decorated church is one of central Europe's finest Baroque buildings.
 Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant.
 Afternoon: Discussion and lecture on the history and geography of the Czech Republic. Follow the Czech Republic’s timeline from communism to freedom and democracy as we learn about Czech princes and kings, Habsburg emperors, and Czech presidents. Special attention will be given to Czech / Slovak relations.
 Dinner: Dinner in the hotel dining room.
   
Accommodations: Hotel Ibis Prague Old Town
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Cesky Stenberk / Kutna Hora
(Sunday, May 20)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast in the hotel dining room.
 Morning: Our morning excursion takes us to Cesky Stenberk, one of the most important Bohemian castles, founded in 1240. We will admire its magnificent location, strong fortification system and rich stucco decorations as well as the collection of ancient furniture and porcelain.
 Lunch: Lunch in Kutna Hora.
 Afternoon: Excursion to Kutna Hora, a town renowned for its silver mines. The historical center with its former mint and the Cathedral of St. Barbara is included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.
 Dinner: Dinner at a local restaurant.
   
Accommodations: Hotel Ibis Prague Old Town
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Brevnov Monastery / Jewish Ghetto
(Monday, May 21)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast in the hotel dining room.
 Morning: We depart for an excursion to the Brevnov Monastery, the oldest monastery in Bohemia. Here, we listen to a lecture on the history of the religious situation in the Czech Republic. Learn how radical changes in religion have affected the Czech Republic from the past to the present.
 Lunch: Lunch will be served in the Benedictine Wine Cellar of the Brevnov Monastery.
 Afternoon: We will visit the Jewish Town. The former Jewish Ghetto is a noteworthy quarter of Prague that boasts worldwide significance.
 Dinner: Money will be provided to explore local fare on your own.
   
Accommodations: Hotel Ibis Prague Old Town
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: The Privatization and Transformation of the Czech Economy.
(Tuesday, May 22)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast in the hotel dining room.
 Morning: Discussion and lecture on the privatization and transformation of the Czech economy. Learn about the different economic stages of the Czech Republic, from state and collective ownership to a free market. We will also compare Czech to Slovak ways of integration to European Union.
 Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant.
 Afternoon: Free afternoon to explore on your own.
 Dinner: Farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
   
Accommodations: Hotel Ibis Prague Old Town
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: Bratislava
(Wednesday, May 23)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast in the hotel dining room.
 Morning: Departure for Bratislava.
 Lunch: Lunch in Hustopece.
 Afternoon: Welcome to Bratislava. Arrive at hotel and settle in. We will become familiar with one of the youngest capitals in Europe, the city of Bratislava, situated on the banks of the Danube River. Bratislava has been a mixing pot of various nations and nationalities who lived together in peace and harmony. During our excursion through the Old Town we will feel the atmosphere of the capital's elegance and charm.
 Dinner: Dinner in the hotel dining room.
   
Accommodations: Mercure Bratislava Centrum
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9: Bratislava Castle / Folklore Performance
(Thursday, May 24)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast in the hotel dining room.
 Morning: Our lecture will discuss the history and politics of the Slovak Republic. We will also hear from “the other side” about the split of Czechoslovakia. We will consider what joins and what divides two Slavonic nations that are so geographically and historically close, and in what ways they choose to maintain their identities. In the Bratislava Castle, founded in the 11th century, we will have an opportunity to admire a panoramic view of the town. The Cathedral of St. Martin, where Maria Theresa was crowned Queen of Hungary, stood witness to a golden era in Pressburg (Bratislava's former name) when the city served as capital of the Kingdom of Hungary over the course of 300 years.
 Lunch: Money will be provided to explore local fare on your own.
 Afternoon: Free afternoon to discover Bratislava on your own.
 Dinner: Our stay in the former Czechoslovakia concludes with a farewell dinner. We will also be entertained with a special folklore performance.
   
Accommodations: Mercure Bratislava Centrum
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10: Danube cruise
(Friday, May 25)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast in the hotel dining room.
 Morning: We cruise on Danube River to Devin Castle.
 Lunch: Lunch at a country restaurant in Devin.
 Afternoon: Continue to Budapest by coach. Arrive at the hotel in Budapest where we will gather for a general information meeting and an illustrated introduction to the country.
 Dinner: Dinner in the hotel dining room.
   
Accommodations: Hotel Benczúr
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11: Budapest City Excursion
(Saturday, May 26)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast in the hotel dining room.
 Morning: Listen to a lecture on the history of Hungary. Follow 1100 years of Hungarian history, beginning in 896 when the Hungarian tribes arrived at the Carpathian basin through modern day.
 Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant.
 Afternoon: Enjoy a guided sightseeing excursion as we travel by bus and on foot to Buda and Pest, the former separate towns of the now united Budapest. Admire the castle in the district of Buda, a World Heritage Site, as we venture over bridges and avenues to learn about different architectural styles and everyday life in this cosmopolitan city.
 Dinner: Dinner in the hotel dining room.
   
Accommodations: Hotel Benczúr
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12: Hungarian National Museum or Folk Art Museum / Meeting Local People
(Sunday, May 27)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast in the hotel dining room.
 Morning: We will be presented with a sociology lesson to inform us about how people live in Hungary today. Topics to be covered will include work, education, housing, health, society, politics and other important factors.
 Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant.
 Afternoon: Enjoy a guided excursion through either the Hungarian National Museum or the Folk Art Museum. The choice is yours!
 Dinner: Dinner in the hotel dining room.
 Evening: Putting the theory of our morning lecture into practice, we will embark on a journey through different homes in Budapest to talk informally with family members and see how they live.
   
Accommodations: Hotel Benczúr
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 13: Jewish History Walk
(Monday, May 28)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast in the hotel dining room.
 Morning: Jewish history walk. Budapest has the largest Jewish community in Central Europe and today we will explore their former district. On our morning field trip, we will pass synagogues, memorial statues and historic buildings as we learn about their past and present.
 Lunch: Lunch in a local restaurant.
 Afternoon: Free time. Optional walk, market or spa visit.
 Dinner: Dinner in the hotel dining room.
 Evening: Concert.
   
Accommodations: Hotel Benczúr
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 14: Kecskemét / Ócsa
(Tuesday, May 29)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast in the hotel dining room.
 Morning: A guided excursion to the Great Plain, the most typical Hungarian landscape, will introduce us to the pretty art-nouveau buildings in Kecskemét.
 Lunch: Enjoy a country-style lunch at a local restaurant in Kecskemét, the regional center of the area.
 Afternoon: Enjoy the afternoon in the small town of Ócsa, whose 13th century church, village museum and village center reflect traditional rural life.
 Dinner: Dinner in the hotel dining room.
   
Accommodations: Hotel Benczúr
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 15: Group Discussion / Free Time
(Wednesday, May 30)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast in the hotel dining room.
 Morning: Informal group discussion with local experts.
 Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant.
 Afternoon: Free time. A spa or museum visit?
 Dinner: Farewell Dinner on a river cruise on the Danube.
   
Accommodations: Hotel Benczúr
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 16: Departures
(Thursday, May 31)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast in the hotel dining room.
 Morning: Transfers to the Budapest Liszt Ferenc airport (BUD) for departures.
   
Meals Included: Breakfast

Free Time Opportunities
  
  Budapest Fine Arts Museum
The Museum of Fine Arts, one of the major art galleries of Central Europe, has more than 100,000 artifacts. They are divided up amongst six collections: Egyptian Art, Classical Antiquities, Old Master Paintings, Sculpture, Prints and Drawings, and Art after 1800. It is the main collection in Hungary of non-Hungarian works of art. For additional information, visit www.szepmuveszeti.hu
  Great Market Hall
The covered Great Market Hall was built more than 100 years ago. The sheer size and splendor of the 3-story hall makes it one of Budapest's top attractions. There are restaurants, cafes and buffets, along with crafts and famous Hungarian paprika available to purchase.
  Szechenyi Baths, Spa, Swimming Pool
The Szechenyi Baths, Spa, and Swimming Pool is the largest wellness complex in Central Europe. It uses curing thermal water, and is located both outdoors and in historic buildings.
  Prague Convent of St. Agnes of Bohemia
The Convent of St. Agnes of Bohemia is a wonderful exhibition of medieval art in Bohemia and Central Europe, spanning from 1200 to 1550 AD. For additional information, visit www.ngprague.cz
  Sternberg Palace
The value of European art from the Classical Era to the close of Baroque is seen on permanent display, at the Sternberg Palace. For additional information, visit www.ngprague.cz
  Trade Fair Palace
The Trade Fair Palace holds magnificent art from the 20th and 21st centuries. An English audio-guide is available, and a glass panoramic elevator enhances your view of this art all the way to the 5th floor. For additional information, visit www.ngprague.cz
  Bratislava Primatial Palace
The Primatial Palace, regarded as the most beautiful Classicist building in Bratislava, was built in 1778. Entry to the palace offers visitors the chance to see its famous Hall of Mirrors, the scene of many historic events, most notably the signing of the Peace of Bratislava following Napoleon's victory over Austria-Hungary at the Battle of Austerlitz in 1805. For additional information, visit www.gmb.sk
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Suggested Reading List


A Concise History of Hungary


Author: Miklos Molnar, Anna Magyar (Translator)


Description: The author, a Hungarian historian, narrates the history of Hungary from little-known origins to 1988, encompassing the Magyars, the Austro-Hungarian empire and the Soviet era.



A History of Slovakia, The Struggle for Survival


Author: Stanislav K. Kirschbaum


Description: A historian from Bratislava traces his nation's roots from the first arrival on the Danubian Plain to Slovakia's declaration of independence in 1993. A particularly solid discussion of the Communist period and the nation's relationship with the Czechs and Hungary.



Amadeus


Author: Milos Forman


Description: The Oscar-winning account of Mozart's life, death and downfall, starring F. Murray Abraham as the cruel and mediocre Salieri.



Beyond the Chestnut Trees


Author: Maria Bauer


Description: Bauer interweaves recollections of her youth in Prague with an account of a return visit 40 years later in this affectionate, classic memoir.



Budapest 1900


Author: John Lukacs


Description: Written by a distinguished historian and native son, this richly detailed portrait of the city at its zenith includes hundreds of illustrations.



Budapest Exit, A Memoir of Fascism, Communism and Freedom


Author: Csaba Teglas


Description: A tale of life in Budapest from the Nazi invasion to the 1956 Hungarian revolution.



Budapest Map


Author: Berndtson & Berndtson


Description: A convenient map of the city center at a scale of 1:11,000.



Bury Me Standing


Author: Isabel Fonseca


Description: This marvelous portrait of the Roma, also known as the Gypsies, offers insight into their music, foods, religions and folk traditions, and also examines their influential but complex relationship with Eastern Europe.



Central Europe Map


Author: Freytag & Berndt


Description: This colorful regional European map, like the sister map Europe Grand Tour (EUR185), covers from Paris and Amsterdam to Vienna, Prague, Warsaw, Budapest, Rome and Dubrovnik.



Danube


Author: Claudio Magris


Description: A new edition of the gifted novelist's classic account of a Danube journey from its source in the heart of the late Austro-Hungarian Empire through the Balkans to the Black Sea. It's an intellectually charged, evocative portrait of the places and personalities of Central Europe.



Fatelessness


Author: Imre Kertesz, Tim Wilkinson


Description: Drawn from Kertesz's own experiences in Auschwitz and Buchenwald, this powerful novel by a Pulitzer Prize-winner tells the story of a teenage boy deported from Budapest to the Nazi death camps in 1944.



Great Country Houses of Central Europe: The Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Poland


Author: Lord Michael Pratt, Gerhard Trumler (Illustrator)


Description: An illustrated history of the palaces, villas, and castles of Central Europe, as well as the families that built them and the surrounding gardens, grounds, art and interiors. With 380 illustrations, 350 in full color.



I Served the King of England


Author: Bohumil Hrabal


Description: A rollicking trip through the history of 20th century Czechoslovakia, Hrabal's comic masterpiece follows the misadventures of a simple but hugely ambitious waiter in pre-World War II Prague, who rises to wealth only to lose everything with the onset of Communism,



Life with a Star


Author: Jiri Weil, Philip Roth (Introduction)


Description: A fictional account of the Holocaust told through the story of a young Czech Jew.



Lonely Planet Central Europe


Author: Lonely Planet


Description: With dozens of maps, color photographs and sections on history and culture, this practical guide introduces Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Poland and their neighbors.



Lonely Planet Czech Phrasebook


Author: Lonely Planet


Description: A palm-sized guide to pronunciation, basic grammar and essential vocabulary.



Night


Author: Elie Wiesel, Marion Wiesel (Translator)


Description: An moving account of a Jewish boy's terrifying experience during the Holocaust.



Open Letters, Selected Writings: 1965 - 1990


Author: Vaclav Havel, Paul Wilson (Editor)


Description: This inspired anthology of writings by the Czech poet-president Vaclav Havel collects 25 essays, letters and speeches written between 1965 and 1990, including those that directly influenced the Polish Solidarity movement.



Prague


Author: Arthur Phillips


Description: Don't be fooled by the title -- this engaging novel is set in Budapest. Five young American expats have settled themselves in what they consider the "second-best" eastern European city, where chance encounters and interactions determine how their lives will -- or won't -- be changed.



Prague Map


Author: Berndtson & Berndtson


Description: A laminated, detailed map of the center of Prague at a scale of 1:10,000.



Prague in Black and Gold, Scenes from Life in a European City


Author: Peter Demetz


Description: Both a history and accessible guide to the neighborhoods and architecture of the city.



Prague, A Cultural History


Author: Richard Burton


Description: A marvelous, intellectually stimulating portrait of Prague, and especially of its role as an inspiration for writers and artists, in the series Cities of the Imagination.



Prague, A Traveler's Literary Companion


Author: Paul Wilson (Editor)


Description: This anthology of 24 vivid stories by Czech writers, contemporary and well-known, brings the city, history history, spirit and people to life and includes a helpful map for the traveler.



Shosha


Author: Isaac Bashevis Singer


Description: A powerful novel of love set in the Jewish quarter of Warsaw as World War II erupts around the protagonists.



The Complete Stories


Author: Franz Kafka


Description: All of Kafka's stories, including The Metamorphosis, A Hunger Artist, and In The Penal Colony.



The Glance of Countess Hahn-Hahn (Down the Danube)


Author: Peter Esterhazy


Description: A confounding, postmodern novel, this meditation on travel, the Danube, and its history is great fun for those with an appreciation for wordplay and intellectual games.



The Good Soldier Svejk and His Fortunes in the World War


Author: Jaroslav Hasek, Cecil Parrott (Translator)


Description: The deeply funny story of a hapless Czech soldier in the Austro-Hungarian army, dismissed for incompetence only to be pressed into service by the Russians in World War I, then captured by his own troops.



The Haunted Land, Facing Europe's Ghosts After Communism


Author: Tina Rosenberg


Description: In this groundbreaking book, a journalist reports on how the newly democratized people of East Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic have confronted the horrors of their former governments.



The Hungarians, A Thousand Years of Victory in Defeat


Author: Paul Lendvai, Ann Major (Translator)


Description: A journalist who fled Hungary in 1957, Lendvai combines history, scholarship and anecdote in this uncommonly engaging account. With verve and authority, he covers the struggle of the Magyars' against the Tartars, Turks and Russians over the past millennium.



The Joke


Author: Milan Kundera


Description: The tale of a Communist student, who is imprisoned and stigmatized for a mere joke.



The Magic Lantern, The Revolution of '89 Witnessed in Warsaw, Budapest, Berlin, and Prague


Author: Timothy Garton Ash


Description: With a chapter each on Warsaw, Budapest, Berlin and Prague, this eyewitness account by an astute journalist and historian shows these vibrant cities during a time of great change.



The Palgrave Concise Historical Atlas of Eastern Europe


Author: Dennis Hupchick, Harold Cox


Description: The changing borders and complex history of Eastern Europe as told through 52 maps and accompanying essays, organized chronologically. An excellent reference, the book shows the rise of Poland, changing borders of the Ottoman Empire, Hapsburgs and fate of Yugoslavia in admirable clarity.



The Unbearable Lightness of Being


Author: Milan Kundera


Description: Kundera's intriguing novel, praised for its meditations on the nature of men and women, and on the fearful emptiness of life in Prague under Communist rule. We also carry Kundera’s collection of short stories The Book of Laughter and Forgetting.



Under the Frog


Author: Tibor Fischer


Description: Irony and wit pervade this novel set against the backdrop of the short-lived Hungarian revolution of 1956. The author's own experiences are played out by a cast of Kafkaesque characters all looking for a way though the turbulent days before the Russian tanks roll into Budapest.





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