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Czech Republic/Poland/Hungary/Austria

The Best of Central Europe: Krakow, Budapest, Vienna, Prague

Program No. 12259RJ
Immerse yourself in the exquisite artistry of four of Europe’s great cities, gaining a comprehensive understanding of historical monuments, cultural treasures and world-class art.

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At a Glance

From the elegance of a Chopin polonaise in Krakow to the grandeur of the Habsburg’s summer palace in Vienna, embark on an exquisite journey to learn about Central Europe’s most artistically rich cities and the great thinkers and creative geniuses who called them home. Private concerts, viewings of world-class art collections and in-depth discussion of some of Europe’s leading intellectuals create a detailed portrait of these royal capital cities.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Please note that although the activity level of this program is Keep the Pace, it is a long program, traveling to four different countries over the span of 18 days. Walking up to 5 miles or up to 5 hours per day with periods of standing, often in crowded areas. Terrain includes cobblestones, city streets and uneven ground; short uphill walks; standing at museums; many unavoidable stairs; use of public transportation.
Small Group
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.

Best of all, you’ll…

  • Enjoy a private concert at the Strahov Monastery and explore the library.
  • Admire the illuminated city of Budapest on an evening river voyage along the Danube River, passing such important sights as parliament, Chain Bridge and Castle Hill.
  • Explore Schönbrunn Palace, the former imperial summer residence and one of the most important cultural monuments in Austria.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
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Petra Bidlasová
Since 1997, Petra Bidlasová has been sharing her knowledge of Prague with lifelong learners from around the world. With an education in art history, she is currently working on her thesis on contemporary African art and post-colonial theory. For more than 10 years, she has been a lecturer of the Department of Modern and Contemporary Art at the National Gallery in Prague. In 2013, she became a professor of Modern Czech Art at CIEE Study Center for American students.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Petra Bidlasová
Petra Bidlasová View biography
Since 1997, Petra Bidlasová has been sharing her knowledge of Prague with lifelong learners from around the world. With an education in art history, she is currently working on her thesis on contemporary African art and post-colonial theory. For more than 10 years, she has been a lecturer of the Department of Modern and Contemporary Art at the National Gallery in Prague. In 2013, she became a professor of Modern Czech Art at CIEE Study Center for American students.
Profile Image of Dita Hradecká
Dita Hradecká View biography
Dita studied piano and musicology and began her career in the musical journalism field, first at the magazine “Harmonie” and then at a classical music radio station. She was a music critic for the daily newspaper Lidove noviny and has taught courses at NYU Prague. She is currently the PR and Marketing Manager for the Prague Philharmonic. “I believe music is one of the most wonderful things in life and a deeper knowledge of it can only increase our pleasure of listening,” says Dita.
Profile Image of Annamaria Orla-Bukowska
Annamaria Orla-Bukowska View biography
Annamaria Orla-Bukowska is a social anthropologist teaching at the Institute of Sociology at Jagiellonian University in Kraków, where she earned a Ph.D. American born and raised, she has lived in Poland since 1985. Her general field of research is majority-minority relations, cultural pluralism, and collective identities. She has co-authored "Rethinking Poles and Jews: Troubled Past, Brighter Future," as well as a chapter on Polish collective memory in "The Politics of Memory in Postwar Europe.”
Profile Image of Robert Siuta-Romanowski
Robert Siuta-Romanowski View biography
Robert Siuta-Romanowski was born in Krakow, the cultural capital of Poland. Surrounded by art and history at a young age, he decided to study art, theology and public relations at Jagiellonian University in Krakow. Robert is now finishing his Ph.D. in medieval symbolism and his research interests focus on the connections between science, faith, and art.
Profile Image of Markéta Hegarová
Markéta Hegarová View biography
After graduating from high school, Marketa worked for a British travel agency, specializing in guest relations, transport and group travel. Following that, she worked for the American company Thermo King in Prague and also began working as a group leader herself. She has passed exams in the special areas of architecture, art and the history of the Czech Republic. When not leading travelers around her home country, Marketa enjoys reading, traveling and listening to music.
Profile Image of Jana Pivonkova
Jana Pivonkova View biography
Jana Pivonková was born in Tábor in Southern Bohemia, Czech Republic. After studying at a hotel school in Prague, she worked at a travel agency in Cedok for 14 years and also organized sporting events for soccer, tennis, and ice hockey. Jana has been leading English- and German-speaking groups around Prague and abroad for over 30 years, and has worked with Road Scholar for over 20 years. She loves history, gardening, dancing and the accordion, and her travels include Cuba, Egypt, Tunisia and Japan.
Profile Image of Anna Pivonková
Anna Pivonková View biography
Anna Pivonková grew up in Prague and studied German at the Faculty of Arts of Charles University in Prague. Anna is a passionate drummer – she plays the West African drum djembe and accompanies African dance lessons. Apart from music, she is interested in history, architecture and modern art, especially if related to Prague. She is a licensed Prague group leader who loves meeting new people, good conversation and traveling.
Profile Image of Julia Lasek
Julia Lasek View biography
Julia Lasek was born in Tarnobrzeg, a town in south-east Poland. Although the neighborhood she grew up in was modern, there was an old Jewish cemetery in its midst. She pursued a degree in Jewish studies at the Jagiellonian University in Krakow, from which she graduated in 2004. During her studies, she learned Hebrew and Yiddish, wrote her thesis on Jewish architects in pre-war Krakow, and studied at the faculty of international studies and politics. In 2005, Julia became a professional city leader.
Profile Image of Karl Husa
Karl Husa View biography
Dr. Karl Husa studied at the University of Vienna and graduated in 1983 with a PhD on internal migration, residential mobility and suburbanization processes in the Vienna Region. Since 1996 he has been a professor for human geography at the Department of Geography and Regional Research of the University of Vienna. His research interests are the intersections of tourism and migration; population geography; spatial patterns of internal and international migration; and development studies, with a regional focus on Europe, Southeast Asia and the developing world.
Profile Image of Lisa Zeiler
Lisa Zeiler View biography
Born in 1966 in Vienna, Lisa Zeiler studied English and Art History at the University of Vienna and the University of Toronto, Canada. Since 2001 she has worked as a qualified Group Leader in Vienna, specializing in art and museum visits. She also organizes and teaches in Austria's most extensive guide training course. In addition, she works part time for an institute of the Austrian Academy of Sciences. Lisa sees herself as an ambassador of Austrian culture, history and character.
Profile Image of Felix Bergmeister
Felix Bergmeister View biography
Felix studied geography and economic education combined with English and American studies at the University of Vienna, where he also received his Ph.D. in human geography. He is a full-time researcher and lecturer at the university's Department of Geography and Regional Research. His research interests include Southeast Asia, cultural studies, tourism studies and critical development studies. An avid traveler, Felix spent two years on an around-the-world motorcycle trip, and is known for his penchant for remote destinations like Madagascar, La Mayotte and St. Helena.
Profile Image of Michaela Janecková
Michaela Janecková View biography
Michaela studied architecture at the Czech Technical University in Prague and theory and history of architecture, arts and design at the University of Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague. She now teaches Czech architecture and design at Charles University to U.S. students as well as a contemporary architecture course at the Architectural Institute in Prague, a school for international students. Michaela plans to finish her PhD theses at the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague in 2020, focusing on Czech postwar architecture.
Profile Image of Evy Pranter
Evy Pranter View biography
Evy Pranter grew up in Salzburg, the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. After finishing school, she settled in Vienna to study French and art history at Vienna University. She immediately fell in love with the city, with its rich heritage of history, arts, architecture, and music. After working in various tourism jobs and raising her children, Evy started her career as a local expert, which has continued for over two decades. Her specialty is the period around 1900 when the city exploded with new ideas in architecture, arts, medicine, music, and more.
Profile Image of Gergo Agoston
Gergo Agoston View biography
Gergo "Greg" Agoston, a native of Budapest, is an experienced travel leader and a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Manchester with a special focus on contemporary Hungarian politics and political history. He holds a B.A. in Chinese studies from ELTE University, and two M.A. degrees in politics and political economy from the University of Manchester. As an avid traveler, Greg lived in mainland China and the UK for over a decade, working in education and travel. After running his own company for several years, Greg decided to pursue his love of politics, culture, and history and started a Ph.D.
Profile Image of Matthias Hink
Matthias Hink View biography
Matthias Hink studied music at university, and currently plays viola as a member of the State Opera Orchestra. He also plays often with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Vienna Symphony Orchestra.
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.





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