Road Scholar : Home
Grand Capitals of Poland, Hungary and Czech Republic

Program Number: 3347RJ
Start and End Dates:
7/11/2013 - 7/27/2013; 9/19/2013 - 10/5/2013; 10/17/2013 - 11/2/2013; 4/10/2014 - 4/26/2014; 5/29/2014 - 6/14/2014; 9/3/2014 - 9/19/2014; 10/16/2014 - 11/1/2014;
Duration: 16 nights
Location: Czech Republic/Poland/Hungary
Price starting at: $3,661.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type:
Meals: 42; 15 Breakfasts, 14 Lunches, 13 Dinners    
Meal Options: Low Fat; Low Salt; Vegetarian; Gluten Free    

Marvel at Central Europe’s most impressive capitals of then and now: from Warsaw’s amazing restoration following World War II and Krakow’s legendary charm, to the architectural highlights of Prague and Budapest’s landmarks spanning both sides of the Danube River. With university professors, local scholars and access to unique traditions and historic treasures, discover the heritage of these splendid cities and their nations.




Highlights

• Enjoy dinner in Lowicz with a local family who is working to restore the splendor of Lowicz Castle.
• Enjoy a classical music concert in the beautiful St. Nicolas Church at Prague's Lesser Town square.
• Local experts in Budapest answer questions and offer informal insight into Hungarian politics, history and daily life.



Activity Particulars

Terrain includes cobblestones, city streets, and uneven ground.




Date Specific Information

7-11-2013, 9-19-2013, 10-17-2013

The itinerary for this program date is as follows: Arrival Warsaw (Poland), 3 nights; coach to Krakow, 2 nights; coach to Budapest (Hungary), 5 nights; coach to Prague (Czech Republic), 5 nights; departure. see detailed itinerary for specifics.
Enjoy the latest in hearing technology — listening devices — on this date.



4-10-2014, 5-29-2014, 9-3-2014, 10-16-2014

The itinerary for this program date is as follows: Arrival Warsaw (Poland), 2 nights; coach to Krakow, 3 nights; coach to Budapest (Hungary), 5 nights; coach to Prague (Czech Republic), 5 nights; departure.
Enjoy the latest in hearing technology — listening devices — on this date.



Itinerary Summary

Arrival Warsaw (Poland), 3 nights; coach to Krakow, 2 nights; coach to Budapest (Hungary), 5 nights; coach to Prague (Czech Republic), 5 nights; departure.



Overnight flight from the U.S.A.
1 night
Arrival Warsaw (Poland)
3 nights

Warsaw University professors share their scholarship as they guide explorations and offer perspective on this historic capital on the Wisla River. Explore Warsaw’s Jewish Ghetto and see the Monument of the Warsaw Uprising. Scholar Andrzej Filipiak’s discussion of Catholicism under Communism underscores a visit to the St. Stanislaw Kostka Church, home parish of Solidarity priest Jerzy Popieuszko until his murder in 1984 by secret police.



Coach to Krakow
2 nights

Explore the UNESCO World Heritage site of Wawel Hill, a symbol of the entire nation where, for 500 years, Polish kings were crowned and buried in the nearby cathedral. Learn about Jewish history in Poland from scholar Robert Gadek, then walk the Kazimierz Jewish district for lunch in a local restaurant with Klezmer music.



Coach to Budapest (Hungary)
5 nights

An evening cruise on the Danube offers a view of Parliament and Castle Hill. On-site lectures bring you closer to Budapest’s many landmarks and to Hungary’s history. In the Danube Bend, scholars present art at the Christian Museum and rural life in Hungary at the Open-Air Museum in Szentendre. The nine groups of buildings each represent a region of Hungary.



Coach to Prague (Czech Republic)
5 nights
Departure

Local experts offer a portrait of this dynamic country from Bohemian enclave to Communist core to center of the global limelight. Attend an exclusive lecture on Czech religion at the Brevnov monastery and view the magnificent architecture of Prague Castle. Enjoy a folkdance performance and perhaps a cold Budweiser in its country of origin.
Accommodations
Warsaw: Hotel near picturesque gateway to Warsaw's Old Town and the Royal Palace. Krakow: Four-star hotel overlooks breathtaking Wawel Castle and riverfront buildings of the Old Town. Budapest: Three-star hotel on quiet street just next to the famous Grand Boulevard. Prague: Three-star hotel in heart of the city.

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!
 
Robert Gadek
Robert Gadek graduated from Jagiellonian University in 1995 with a degree in sociolinguistics, and since then served as director of the Judaica Foundation's Center for Jewish Culture in Kraców's Jewish quarter — Kazimierz. He is responsible for programs that strive to introduce Jewish culture to contemporary Poles, but also build bridges between Jews and non-Jews in Poland and on the international level. Since 2004, he has worked as deputy director of the Jewish Culture Festival in Kraców, the world's largest Jewish Festival presenting contemporary Jewish culture to an international audience of some 30,000 persons annually.
 
Zbigniew Kwichien
Zbigniew Kwichien earned his M.A. and Ph.D. in the history of modern international relations. He has taught at the Department of History and the American Studies Center at Warsaw University, and also lectures on modern history at Alexander Gieysztor Academy of Humanities in Pultusk.
 
Maria Johann
Maria Johann graduated from the Faculty of Management and American Studies Center at Warsaw University. She continued her studies, receiving her Ph.D. in the Collegium of Management and Finance at the Warsaw School of Economics. She is currently employed in the Strategic Management Department at Warsaw School of Economics as well as the marketing department at Warsaw Academy of Management. Maria is an author of about 40 publications and provides training in marketing for a variety of organizations.
 
Andrzej Filipiak
Andrzej Filipiak earned his M.A.. in English and in American studies and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. at the American Studies Center at Warsaw University. He teaches courses on American political thought and history of ideas. His research concentrates on the Catholic intellectual tradition, and his publications include several articles on religion, politics and issues relating to church and state. Andrzej is an active member of the Community of the Crucified Love, a charismatic Catholic community in Poland.
 
Meals and Lodgings
   Ibis Warsaw Old Town
  Warsaw, Poland 3 nights
   Hilton Garden Inn
  Krakow, Poland 2 nights
   Hotel Corvin
  Budapest, Hungary 5 nights
   Hotel Ibis Prague Old Town
  Prague, Czech Republic 5 nights
 Ibis Warsaw Old Town
Type: Hotel
  Description: This hotel is perfectly located near the picturesque gateway to Warsaw's Old Town and the Royal Palace. It is 1.9 miles from the railway station and 7.5 miles from Warsaw's Chopin Airport.
  Contact info: Muranowska 2
Warsaw,  00-209 Poland
phone: +48 22 310 10 00
web: www.ibishotel.com
  Room amenities: Each room has a radio, telephone, television, free Internet access and climate control. Hair dryers available at reception.
  Facility amenities: The hotel offers a restaurant, 24-hour bar, lounge, fax machine, air conditioning, free WI-FI Internet access in the lobby and all rooms, and a computer in the lobby.
  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

 Hilton Garden Inn
Type: Four-Star Hotel
  Description: Located in the center of Kraków with spectacular views of Wawel Castle over the Vistula River, the Hilton Garden Inn is only a few minutes' walk from the Old Town, the Market Square and the Jewish quarter of Kazimierz. Many museums and art galleries are also within walking distance.
  Contact info: Marii Konopnickiej 33
Krakow,  30-302 Poland
phone: +48 12 3999 000
web: www.hgi.com
  Room amenities: Each room has a television, telephone, safe, mini fridge, iron, free Internet access and a hair dryer.
  Facility amenities: The hotel offers two restaurants, a bar, fitness area, air conditioning, laundry services and facilities, Pavilion Pantry Market, safe and free Internet access.
  Smoking allowed: Yes
  Elevators available: Yes

 Hotel Corvin
Type: Three-Star Hotel
  Description: The Hotel Corvin is a small family-style hotel designed especially for Road Scholar groups in 1996 by a famous Hungarian architect. The hotel is located on a quiet street just next to the famous Grand Boulevard. One of its many charms is the rooms, decorated with children's drawings connected to the famous Renaissance King Matthias.
  Contact info: Angyal U.31
Budapest,  1094 Hungary
phone: +36-1-218-65-66
web: www.corvinhotelbudapest.hu
  Room amenities: Each room has a satellite television, mini bar, telephone, air conditioning, hair dryer, and a safe deposit box.
  Facility amenities: The hotel offers a restaurant, 24-hour bar in the lounge, air-conditioning, a library, laundry facilities, a shop, fax machine, and free Internet access in the lobby. The new lecture room is located across the street and offers a small library for participants.
  Smoking allowed: Yes
  Elevators available: Yes

 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 after: 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 out time: 12:00 PM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
Warsaw, Poland. 3:30 PM at hotel for light refreshments. You will be staying at Ibis Warsaw Old Town that night.
  End of Program:
Prague, Czech Republic. Following breakfast on the last day. You will be staying at Hotel Ibis Prague Old Town the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required.
Transportation (For Independent Travelers)
  Train or bus availability: Train and bus service runs from many major European cities to Warsaw. Take taxi from train station to the hotel.
To Start of Program
  Location:  Warsaw
  Nearest city or town:  N/A
  Nearest highway: E 30 (Warsaw-Berlin)
  Nearest airport:  Warsaw International Airport
  Transportation to site: Take a taxi from the airport to the hotel. It takes about 40 minutes and costs approx. 80 Polish zloty. Alternatively, you may take bus #175 and get off at bus stop "Uniwersytet" to change to bus #116. Get off at bus stop "Muranowska" and then walk about 150 meters to the hotel. It takes about 1 hour, and costs approx. 4.20 Polish zloty per bus ticket.
  From End of Program
  Location:  Prague
  Nearest city or town:  N/A
  Nearest highway: D1
  Nearest airport:  Prague/Ruzyn
  Transportation from site: The Group Leader can arrange a shuttle to take you from the hotel to the airport. It costs approx. 600-650 CZK per shuttle (approx. 4 persons).
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
(Thursday, September 19)
   
 In Transit: Depart US/Canada on international overnight flight to Warsaw.

Day 2: Explore Warsaw
(Friday, September 20)
   
 Morning: Arrive at Warsaw Frederic Chopin International Airport (WAW). Check in at hotel. Time to relax and get settled into your rooms.
 Lunch: Light refreshments at the hotel.
 Afternoon: Introduction to the program. Orientation excursion in Warsaw. See historical sites of Warsaw, such as the Ghetto Memorial, the Monument of the Warsaw Uprising, and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
 Dinner: Welcome dinner at a local restaurant.
   
Accommodations: Ibis Warsaw Old Town
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Wilanów Palace and St. Stanislaw Kostka Church / Chopin Music Concert
(Saturday, September 21)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast in the hotel dining room.
 Morning: Lecture: "History of Poland in its European Context." Coffee/tea break. Lecture: "The Catholic Church in Poland Under Communism and in the Transition to Democracy." Excursion to the St. Stanislaw Kostka Church, which was Solidarity priest Jerzy Popieluszko’s parish church until he was murdered by militant security police in 1984 – a major event in Polish political life of the 1980s that ensured his canonization. After Popieluszko’s funeral, attended by over half a million people, his church developed into a major Solidarity sanctuary. See a poignant memorial to Jerzy Popieluszko as well as an exhibition dedicated to him. Excursion to the Wilanów Palace, along the Royal Route with its beautiful aristocratic residences. Wilanów Palace, one of the most interesting Baroque structures in Warsaw, was the summer residence of King Jan III Sobieski. Wilanów was not destroyed during World War II. Dozens of rooms open for visits are fitted out with period furniture and decoration in various styles. On the upper floor, there is a Gallery of Polish Portraits with an extensive collection from the 16th to 19th centuries.
 Lunch: Light lunch at a local restaurant.
 Afternoon: Free time to explore on your own.
 Dinner: Explore local fare on your own.
 Evening: Chopin music concert. During a short intermission, a glass of sparkling wine will be served.
   
Accommodations: Ibis Warsaw Old Town
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4: Zelazowa Wola / Lowicz Regional Museum / Dinner with a local Polish family
(Sunday, September 22)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast in the hotel dining room.
 Morning: Lecture: "Current Polish Economic and Social Issues." Departure to Zelazowa Wola and excursion to the old, traditional manor house of Chopin’s Family. The house is now a museum that includes much of Chopin’s original memorabilia. The tranquility and charm of the place, the house itself, and a park adorned by over 100 specimens of plants donated by different countries makes for a pleasant stop. Continue to Lowicz, a small town known for cultivating the folk traditions in music, dress, embroidery and paper cutouts.
 Lunch: Light lunch at a local restaurant.
 Afternoon: Excursion to the Lowicz Regional Museum with a rich ethnographical exposition. Excursion to Sromów and a private Crafts Museum founded by a skilled artisan and passionate crafts collector. Set in a large garden full of gnomes and other models, the museum is housed in three modern buildings, two of which feature a series of historic scenes and village life - a country wedding, a pageant of kings, a Corpus Christi procession, the four seasons on the farm, etc. Other exhibits include paper cuts, regional costumes, folk paintings, decorated wooden chests and embroidery. The third building houses a collection of old horse carts and carriages.
 Dinner: For dinner, we will be hosted by a young Polish family living in a wooden cottage at the base of Lowicz Castle ruins. A traditional Polish welcome with a loaf of bread and salt followed by typical dishes of Polish cuisine.
 Evening: Grand welcome by the regional Lowicz folk band, folk music concert, and presentations of paper cutouts from colored paper. Farewell cannon shot. Return to Warsaw for overnight.
   
Accommodations: Ibis Warsaw Old Town
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Jasna Gora Monastery / Auschwitz & Birkenau Museum
(Monday, September 23)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast in the hotel dining room.
 Morning: Morning departure for Krakow. En route stop in Częstochowa to see the Jasna Gora Monastery with the Black Madonna. It is one of the most important places of religious worship in the Christian world, with tradition of pilgrimages dating back to the 14th century. The enormous role of Jasna Gora in the religious and cultural life of the nation can be seen from the names commonly used for this place: Capital of the Kingdom of Poland, the Confessional of the Nation.
 Lunch: Light lunch at a local restaurant.
 Afternoon: Continue to Oswiecim. Visit the Auschwitz & Birkenau Museum. The site of the camp now houses the Oswiecim State Museum, which displays exhibits and documents concerning Nazi crimes. Arrive in Krakow. Check in at the hotel.
 Dinner: Dinner in the hotel dining room.
   
Accommodations: Hilton Garden Inn
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Walking excursion through Krakow
(Tuesday, September 24)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast in the hotel dining room.
 Morning: Morning lecture: "Jews in Poland Before and After World War II." Walking excursion through Krakow, which retains the largest concentration of historical monuments and cultural treasures in Poland. Stroll through the Market Square, considered to be one of the largest town squares in Europe. The surroundings of the square have remained unchanged for almost 700 years. See St. Mary’s Church with the famous wooden altar, the Town Hall Tower, the Cloth Hall and the burghers’ houses. Every hour, you can hear the bugle call to the four corners of the tower of St. Mary’s Church. See Wawel Hill, a UNESCO site, with its Castle and Cathedral where Poland’s kings were once crowned. See the Royal Chambers, which are the largest and most impressive exhibition restored in their original Renaissance and Baroque styles, and the most valuable items – the magnificent 16th century Flemish tapestries; probably the largest collection of its kind in Europe. Excursion to the Kazimierz Jewish district in Krakow. In former times, Kazimierz was a separate town inhabited by Polish Jews and a major center of Jewish religion, learning and culture.
 Lunch: Lunch in a local restaurant located in the Kazimierz district, the former Jewish quarter of Krakow. A highlight is a Klezmer music concert.
 Afternoon: Free time.
 Dinner: Dinner in a local restaurant.
   
Accommodations: Hilton Garden Inn
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Travel to Budapest / Wieliczka Salt Mine
(Wednesday, September 25)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast in the hotel dining room.
 Morning: Excursion to the Wieliczka Salt Mine, a world class attraction. Over 700 years, many generations of Polish miners created the underground world with the rich interior decoration of the chapels, the original linings of the galleries, and the underground salt lakes. The Wieliczka Salt Mine is on the list of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage Sites. Departure for Budapest.
 Lunch: Picnic lunch en route.
 Afternoon: Continue on to Budapest. Arrive at hotel, check in and get settled. We will gather for a general information meeting.
 Dinner: Dinner in the hotel dining room.
   
Accommodations: Hotel Corvin
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: Hero’s Square, Castle District / Boat-ride on the Danube
(Thursday, September 26)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast in the hotel dining room.
 Morning: Lecture on the geography and history of Hungary.
 Lunch: Lunch in the hotel dining room.
 Afternoon: Sightseeing excursion by bus with short walk around Hero’s Square and the Castle District. During our bus ride, we will get acquainted with the structure of the city; the Grand Boulevard, the important avenues, the large parks, and we will crown our day with a picturesque view from the top of the Gellért Hill.
 Dinner: Boat ride on the Danube with buffet dinner.
 Evening: Boat ride on the Danube. As it gets dark we will enjoy the view of the illuminated city as we view its most important sights along the Danube; Parliament, Chain Bridge, Castle Hill, the New National Theatre, etc.
   
Accommodations: Hotel Corvin
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9: Jewish History Walk
(Friday, September 27)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast in the hotel dining room.
 Morning: Lecture on Hungary today (sociology, politics).
 Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant.
 Afternoon: Jewish history walk including a short walk in the one time ghetto. Visit the largest synagogue of Europe, and the Jewish Museum of Budapest.
 Dinner: Dinner in the hotel dining room.
 Evening: Free time. Spend the evening exploring the city, or attending a concert or opera.
   
Accommodations: Hotel Corvin
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10: Danube Bend / Szentendre
(Saturday, September 28)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast in the hotel dining room.
 Morning: All day excursion to the Danube Bend by bus. Esztergom was the capital of the Medieval Hungarian State for centuries. It has also been the Hungarian center of the Roman Catholic Church and today it is the residence of the Archbishop of Hungary. We will visit the Picture Gallery of the Christian Museum and the largest Roman Catholic church in the country. Visegrád, a former royal seat, is a small village today with about 2000 inhabitants.
 Lunch: Lunch in a hunting lodge with a beautiful view over the Danube Bend.
 Afternoon: Szentendre, a small, picturesque Baroque-Rococo style town, is the center of the Danube Bend. It is the Episcopal seat of the Eastern Church in Hungary. Szentendre is famous for its museums and art galleries.
 Dinner: Dinner in the hotel dining room.
   
Accommodations: Hotel Corvin
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11: Q&A Information Session with Local Experts
(Sunday, September 29)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast in the hotel dining room.
 Morning: Informal question and answer information session with local experts.
 Lunch: Explore local fare on your own.
 Afternoon: Free time to explore and visit museums. Free time optional program: Visit one of the traditional thermal baths, where you can try the indoor and outdoor pools, the steam bath, sauna, etc. (If you plan to take this option, please bring a bathing suit along with you.)
 Dinner: Farewell party and dinner with folklore entertainment in the hotel.
   
Accommodations: Hotel Corvin
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 12: Travel to Prague
(Monday, September 30)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast in the hotel dining room.
 Morning: Departure for Prague.
 Lunch: Picnic lunch en route.
 Afternoon: Continue to Prague. Arrive at hotel, check in and get settled. General information meeting.
 Dinner: Dinner in the hotel dining room.
   
Accommodations: Hotel Ibis Prague Old Town
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 13: Old Town, Charles Bridge / Boat Excursion
(Tuesday, October 1)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast in the hotel dining room.
 Morning: We embark on a city excursion in Prague. Explore the Old Town and the Charles Bridge.
 Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant.
 Afternoon: Discussion and lecture on the history and geography of the Czech Republic and post communist countries.
 Dinner: Boat excursion with dinner.
   
Accommodations: Hotel Ibis Prague Old Town
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 14: Nizbor / Jewish Ghetto
(Wednesday, October 2)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast in the hotel dining room.
 Morning: Half-day excursion to Nizbor where we will see the glassworks.
 Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant.
 Afternoon: We explore the Jewish Ghetto.
 Dinner: Dinner with a folklore performance.
   
Accommodations: Hotel Ibis Prague Old Town
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 15: Brevnov Monastery / Prague Castle
(Thursday, October 3)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast in the hotel dining room.
 Morning: Excursion to the Brevnov Monastery. Lecture on the religious situation in the Czech Republic.
 Lunch: Lunch at the Brevnov Monastery.
 Afternoon: A visit to the magnificent Prague Castle complex.
 Dinner: Explore local fare on your own.
   
Accommodations: Hotel Ibis Prague Old Town
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 16: Economic Lecture / Concert
(Friday, October 4)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast in the hotel dining room.
 Morning: Discussion and lecture on privatization and transformation of the Czech economy.
 Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant.
 Afternoon: 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.
 Dinner: Farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
   
Accommodations: Hotel Ibis Prague Old Town
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 17: Departures
(Saturday, October 5)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast in the hotel dining room.
 Morning: Transfer to the Prague Ruzyne International airport (PRG) for departures.
   
Meals Included: Breakfast

Free Time Opportunities
  
  Budapest Classical Concert
You will have the opportunity to attend a classical concert. More information will be available to you on your program.
  Szechenyi Spa
Visit the world famous Szechenyi Spa, the oldest and most beautiful thermal bath in Hungary.
  Krakow The Gallery of Polish Art of the 20th Century
The Gallery offers focused exploration of the main streams in 20th-century Polish art represented by a selection of over 400 works. Its core is made up of the works by Wyspianski, Malczewski, Pankiewicz, Stanislaw Ignacy Witkiewicz (Witkacy), and Kantor.
  Collegium Maius
Collegium Maius is one of Europe's first universities, with the astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus among its alumni. The museum is a sort of cultural repository; famous Poles donate their awards to be displayed here, a piano that once belonged to Chopin is on display, and there is a room dedicated to Copernicus’ stay at the university with facsimiles of the Italian doctorate he earned and his enrollment records.
  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
  Mucha Museum
Situated in the 18th century Kaunitz Palace, the Mucha Museum displays the work of Alphonse Mucha, most widely known for the posters he made for Sarah Bernhardt in the fashionable world of fin-de-sičcle Paris. On display are over 100 paintings, photographs, charcoal drawings, pastels, lithographs and personal memorabilia celebrating the life and work of this Art Nouveau artist. For additional information, visit www.mucha.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
  Warsaw National Museum
The National Museum houses the greatest Polish collection of ancient and medieval art. Its galleries are home to Egyptian and Mesopotamian artifacts, medieval religious portraits, Venetian paintings, and works by 19th and 20th century Polish masters including Stanislaw Wyspianski, Jan Matejko, and Stanislaw Ignacy Witkiewicz. For additional information, visit www.mnw.art.pl
  Royal Castle
The Royal Castle, formerly the residence of kings and the seat of the Parliament of the Polish-Lithuanian Republic, is a national symbol of Warsaw. It is now a museum, showing sculptures, furniture and paintings from such artists as Bernardo Bellotto. This particular Italian artist created panorama paintings of Warsaw, which are on display at the museum. These paintings survived the war and were of great help in reconstructing the city's historic monuments. Along with the Old Town of Warsaw, the Royal Castle has been added as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For additional information, visit www.zamek-krolewski.pl
  Warsaw Rising Museum
Polish spirit and pride has never been better represented than what can be seen at the Warsaw Rising Museum. A tribute to those who fought and died for Poland's freedom during the resistance, it is an educational and interactive experience including feature films, testimonials, slides and artifacts of Warsaw's residents. For additional information, visit www.1944.pl
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


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Budapest 1900


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Bury Me Standing


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Cadogan Guide Vienna, Prague and Budapest


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Eyewitness Guide Poland


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Heart of Europe, The Past in Poland's Present


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Hitler and the Holocaust


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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,



Kingdom of Auschwitz


Author: Otto Friedrich


Description: Otto Friedrich's slim book is an intensely personal account of the infamous Auschwitz death camp. He covers the entire history of Auschwitz in short chapters punctuated with eyewitness accounts and testimonies.



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.



Poland


Author: James Michener


Description: In his epic style, Michener presents the sweep of Polish history from the earliest days to 1983 in this massively researched novel. An excellent choice for the airplane.



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 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.



Resistance, the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising


Author: Israel Gutman


Description: An account of the Warsaw ghetto under Nazi control, gleaned from the author's first-hand experience. He also places the ghetto experience in the context of Jewish history in general.



The Complete Stories


Author: Franz Kafka


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



The Czech Reader, History, Culture, Politics


Author: Jan Bazant (Editor)


Description: A fascinating survey of Czech history, culture and politics, part of the World Readers series, and composed of the writings and impressions of luminaries, leaders and ordinary Czechs. Among the highlights are Joan of Arc’s letter to the Hussites, the composer Antonin Dvorak’s letter from the New World and literary selections from Kafka, Kundera and Vaclav Havel.



The Essential Guide to Being Hungarian, 50 Facts and Facets of Nationhood


Author: Ist Bori (Editor)


Description: Twelve authors well-versed in the manners and mindset of the Hungarians offer this illuminating guide to national character.



The Habsburgs, Embodying Empire


Author: Andrew Wheatcroft


Description: The Habsburgs ruled over more diverse peoples and cultures than any other European dynasty since the Roman period. With skillful scholarship and engaging style, Wheatcroft reveals the history of this family of eccentric monarchs.



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 Spies of Warsaw


Author: Alan Furst


Description: Alan Furst sets his richly atmospheric tale of espionage and love squarely amidst the leafy boulevards, grand squares, stately mansions and elegant cafes of the glittering 1937 capital. With a map on the inside covers, this isn't just a gripping novel, Furst's 10th WW II-era thriller, it's a guide to Warsaw of today.



This Way for the Gas, Ladies and Gentlemen


Author: Tadeusz Borowski, Barbara Vedder (Translator), Jan Kott (Introduction)


Description: A series of uninflected, austere stories, published in Polish after WWII -- and drawn from the author's experiences in Auschwitz and Dachau from 1943 to 1945.





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