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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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Art History & MuseumsSmall Group
Length
18 days
Rating (4.93)
Activity Level
Starts at
6,999
Flights start at
1,050

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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
18 days
17 nights
What's Included
39 meals ( 16B, 11L, 12D )
7 expert-led lectures
21 expert-led field trips
6 performances
An experienced Group Leader
16 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
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Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m. Luggage may be stored at the hotel so you may explore the area while you wait for your room to be ready. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).
Afternoon:
Once you get your room, take some time to freshen up and relax before we gather for our orientation session. Orientation: 5:00 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. We will learn from the Group Leader and a series of local experts who will give lectures and lead field trips. Program-related travel and transfers will be via private motorcoach, tram, and other public transportation where noted. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Walking about 5 miles, up to 4.5 hours of standing and walking throughout the day; terrain includes cracked cobblestone streets, staircases with no handrails, going through some crowded areas, uphill walk to Wawel Castle.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Krakow is the residence of Polish kings and is the first European city to be included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. For centuries, Krakow flourished due to its political status, and as a leader in the development of commerce, craft, art and science. A cradle of Polish culture, Krakow is truly a romantic city with a labyrinth of charming restaurants, coffee shops, and museums.The 16th century brought Krakow to a state of unprecedented splendor. At the hotel, we will hear a lecture from a local expert on Krakow as a center of art and culture for Poland. Following the lecture, we will walk to Wawel Castle and Cathedral, a symbol of national pride and a testament to the golden times in the “City of Kings.” We’ll explore the unparalleled collection of magnificent 16th-century Flemish tapestries including works by Michiel van Coxcie—the “Flemish Raphael”—and the breathtaking interior of the cathedral, which stands as a collective work of Italian genius.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After lunch we will continue on foot to the Old Market Square, one of the largest medieval Europe squares in existence. Its surroundings have remained unchanged for almost 700 years. We will then attend a concert of Chopin’s music at a nearby hotel entitled “Frederic Chopin, a Poet of the Piano.” In Poland, Chopin’s music defines a nation and the country’s long struggle for independence. Described by German composer Robert Schumann as “cannons hidden among blossoms,” it is the quintessence of Polish romanticism. No one before Chopin, nor anyone since, has been able to create a sonic universe from the melodies and rhythms surrounding Poles. The remainder of the afternoon is open to explore on your own.
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 90 miles, approximately 3.5 hours riding time. Walking up to 5 hours, approximately 3 miles; terrain includes cobblestones, dirt paths, uneven terrain, unavoidable stairs.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will depart by motorcoach to visit the Auschwitz & Birkenau Museum, a symbol of the Holocaust. The site of the camp houses the museum, where documents concerning Nazi crimes are exhibited. A local expert will lead us through the camp and museum.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We will then return to the hotel to take some time to rest and freshen up before dinner. On the way to the restaurant for dinner, we will go on an expert-led walk of the Kazimierz Jewish District. Don’t miss the Jan Karski Memorial Bench. The monument was erected in honor of the legendary emissary of the Polish Underground, known for his efforts to alert the Western Allies of the Nazi genocide during WWII.
Dinner:
We will dine in the Kazimierz District, the ancient heart of Jewish Krakow, where we will taste Jewish cooking delicacies and enjoy a nostalgic klezmer music concert.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Walking about 3 miles, up to 4 hours of standing and walking throughout the day; unavoidable steep stairs, sidewalks, crowded areas. Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll set out from the hotel on foot toward the Collegium Maius, one of Europe's first universities, is an incredible place of history and human advancement. The motto "Plus ratio quam vis,” which means "Reason over force,” is inscribed on the portal leading to the Copernicus Room. The inner courtyard, surrounded by 15th-century arcades, is one of Krakow's most magical sites. We will continue on to the Czartoryski Museum, a branch of the National Museum located in the Old Town. See the painting "Landscape with the Good Samaritan" by the great Dutch artist Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn. Also see "Lady with an Ermine" by Leonardo da Vinci, a supreme example of a Renaissance genius. Krakow is one of only a few places in the world that prides itself on having a painting by the old masters' old master.
Lunch:
On your own.
Afternoon:
Free time. This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Please note that the period scheduled for free time is subject to change depending on local circumstances and opportunities for independent exploration. In the late afternoon, we will walk to dinner together.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 250 miles, approximately 6 hours riding time. Walking about 1 mile, up to 30 minutes over cracked cobblestones, sidewalks, and crowded areas; standing up to 10-15 minutes.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will checkout and travel by motorcoach from Krakow to Budapest. We will see magnificent views as we cross the Carpathian Mountains, traveling through southern Poland and eastern Slovakia, to enter Hungary from the north.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant en route.
Afternoon:
Upon arrival in Budapest, we will check in and get settled. We will gather for a general information meeting, and then take an orientation walk in the neighborhood of the hotel to get acquainted with the area.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off public transportation; riding about 30 minutes. Walking approx. 3 miles, up to 3 hours; cracked cobblestone streets, sidewalks. Standing up to 3 hours. Getting on/off motorcoach; driving approx. 2 miles, about 1/2 hour. Extent/duration of walking and other free time activities according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll begin the day with a panel discussion by two acclaimed local speakers. Following the discussion, we will depart by public bus to the Castle District, where we begin an expert-led walk through the Civilian Town, the northern part of the district.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Continuing our walk, we'll visit the Fisherman's Bastion with its views across the river and marvel at the Matthias Church. The rest of the afternoon is free time. In the late afternoon, we will meet at the hotel and walk to dinner. On our walk, we will learn about the Jewish Quarter, which is the home of several synagogues, including the Great Synagogue on Dohany Street, the second-largest synagogue in the world.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant in the Jewish quarter. During dinner, local guests will join us for open discussion.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off public transportation; riding for under 1 hour. Walking about 3 miles, up to 3 hours. Cracked cobblestone streets, sidewalks, crowded areas. Standing up to 2 hours. Extent/duration of walking and other free time activities according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will take public transport and then walk through the Palace District and visit the beautiful palace, built for Count Frigyes Wenckheim, today the Metropolitan Szabó Library. During an expert-led visit, we will learn about the history of the building and the library, as well as have a private view of some precious items of the Budapest collection dating from the 15th to the 18th centuries. Then we will take public transport to Kossuth Square to explore the monuments around Hungarian Parliament and walk through the Liberty Square, which has several monuments connected to recent history. We’ll learn about the Hungarian Art Nouveau movement by viewing the magnificent roof of the National Bank in Hungary.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant. We will also be treated to a Strudel demonstration at the restaurant.
Afternoon:
Following lunch, we will adjourn for the day.
Dinner:
On your own.
Evening:
At leisure. This evening you may wish to attend a concert. Your Group Leader will give additional information during the program.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach, approximately 2 hours riding time. Approximately 3 hours of standing and walking throughout the day; terrain will include cobblestones and sidewalks. Extent/duration of walking and other free time activities according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
This morning, we will board our motorcoach and start our exploration at Heroes’ Square, where we will get an overview of 1,000 years of Hungarian history in a nutshell. We’ll take a stroll around the Vajdahunyard Castle and explore the City Park, then discover Andrassy Avenue, the most beautiful avenue of Budapest. We’ll receive insight into the golden age of Budapest during an expert-led visit to the former apartment of world-famous composer Ferenc Liszt, at the Old Music Academy. We will continue by motorcoach to discover the neighborhood of the National Theater and the Palace of the Arts, an award-winning piece of modern Hungarian architecture. We’ll also take an orientation ride through the city with expert commentary.
Lunch:
On your own.
Afternoon:
We will continue in the City Park with an expert-led visit to the Museum of Ethnography. We will hear about the design of the building which pays homage to ethnographic motifs. Inside the building artefacts will help us explore Hungarian folk culture. After the museum we'll take our motorcoach back to the hotel. In the evening, we will meet in the lobby and transfer by motorcoach to board a ship for a dinner cruise.
Dinner:
Dinner cruise on the Danube.
Evening:
We’ll spend the evening relaxing and enjoying the city view from the boat. Then, disembarking and riding by motorcoach, we’ll say goodbye to Budapest with a magnificent view from the riverbank. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Getting on/off motorcoach; driving approx. 154 miles, up to 3 hours to Vienna. Getting on/off public transportation; riding about 40 minutes. Walking and standing up to 2.5 hours.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
After checkout, we will travel by motorcoach from Budapest to Vienna. We will arrive at the hotel at lunch time.
Lunch:
At the hotel.
Afternoon:
After checking in and getting our rooms, we will convene for a general orientation meeting followed by a first acquaintance with the old town. Arriving by public transportation, we will explore on foot the winding streets and spacious squares of the old town around St. Stephen's Cathedral, the ancient core of Vienna, from the medieval lanes and alleys to the steel and glass Haas House in front of the Cathedral that dates back to the 13th century. We’ll also step inside the cathedral and learn about its history and architecture from a local expert. We'll walk along Graben, one of the most elegant streets in Vienna, with its magnificent baroque monument "Trinity Column," and we'll explore the area around Hofburg Palace, the former residence of the Habsburg family. During our walk, we’ll learn about the history of the city from the Middle Ages until the 19th century.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
After dinner, we will return to the hotel by public transportation. The rest of the evening is at leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off public transportation; riding up to 1 hour. Getting on/off motorcoach; riding up to 2 hours. Approximately 2.5 hours of standing and walking throughout the day.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will enjoy a lecture at the hotel entitled "Understanding Austria." Until the fall of the Habsburg dynasty after the WWI, Austria was a major power in Central Europe in various state guises. Although many Austrians did not consider the remaining small remnants of the former empire viable, contemporary Austria has become one of the most prosperous and stable member states of the European Union. We’ll learn about the development of Austria into a highly industrialized country. Then have an expert-led field trip by motorcoach along the Vienna Ring Boulevard. It was back in the 19th century when Emperor Franz Joseph decreed the demolition of Vienna's medieval fortifications and ramparts to make room for the city's expansion. This 'Boulevard of Splendor' is lined with many of the most important political and cultural institutions such as Parliament and Town Hall, Royal Palace, the prestigious State Opera and Burgtheater, University, and many large former palaces from the past nouveau riches of the day. We will continue on to the UN Quarter of Vienna.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We will enjoy an expert-led field trip to Schönbrunn Palace, the glamorous summer residence of the Habsburg family and a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. We will visit the main courtyard, the palace interior, and the best part of the Baroque park area, where we will have a photo stop. At the conclusion of the field trip, we will return to the hotel via public transportation. Take some time to freshen up before we meet at approximately 5:30 p.m. to go to dinner via public transportation.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
After dinner, we will attend a classical music concert in one of the numerous Palais locations in Vienna. After the concert, we will return to the hotel via motorcoach.
Activity Note
Getting on/off public transportation; riding about 20 minutes. Walking/standing about 2 hours. Extent/duration of walking and other free time activities according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will attend a lecture this morning at the hotel: "Treasures of the Habsburgs." The Habsburg dynasty created Vienna's major cultural institutions. One of them is the Kunsthistorisches Museum (Museum of Fine Art). We’ll enjoy an expert-led visit of the museum, which houses one of the greatest art collections in the world revealing the royal taste of the Habsburg rulers. Over the centuries they brought together the most precious and important paintings of the celebrated Old Masters.
Lunch:
On your own.
Afternoon:
The remainder of the day is free time to see and do what interests you most.
Dinner:
On your own.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving up to 3.5 hours riding time. Getting on/off public transportation. Approximately 4 hours of standing and walking throughout the day.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will explore the history of Vienna as the “Capital of Music” during this morning's lecture. After some information about the main Viennese music institutions as The Society of the Friends of Music and Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, we will get insights of famous composers who spent most of their lives in Vienna. Mozart initially enjoyed great success as a freelance composer and then later struggled. Beethoven started as a celebrated pianist but after having lost his hearing led a rather introverted life. Johann Strauß, however, was one of the first global superstars of music. We’ll listen to a delightful selection of works by these three composers. Later in the morning, we will have an expert-led overview by motorcoach of the Jugendstil landmarks of Vienna. The turn of the 20th century was a period of intellectual ferment; it was the time of Freud, writer Arthur Schnitzler, of Secession with such artists as Gustav Klimt and architects as Otto Wagner. They created revolutionary new styles. We will drive to the Vienna suburb Penzing, where Otto Wagner created a jewel of Vienna Jugendstil, Art Nouvaeu; the astonishing Steinhof Church, a Gesamtkunstwerk, which occupies a fantastic site on the Baumgartner heights in a former hospital area.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we will go by public transportation to the Belvedere Palaces. In the Museum of Austrian Art in Upper Belvedere, we will see works by such artists as Klimt, Schiele, Kokoschka, and more with a local expert.
Dinner:
At a Heuriger, or traditional wine tavern.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach, driving about 210 miles, approximately 4 hours riding time. Walking about 1 mile, approximately 1/2 hour; cobblestones.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will transfer from Vienna to Prague by motorcoach. En route, we will take a field trip to Trebon, a charming and perfectly preserved South Bohemian historical town with a rich history that goes back to the 12th century. We’ll enjoy its old town and the picturesque houses and medieval atmosphere of its square, Masarykovo Namesti, with our Group Leader.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant in Trebon.
Afternoon:
Upon arrival, we will check in and settle into our rooms. Take some time to freshen up and relax before we gather for a general information meeting.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off public transportation; riding under 1/2 hour. Walking about 4 miles, up to 4 hours; periods of standing; terrain in the Old Town and Jewish Ghetto includes cobblestone (some areas are cracked and not well maintained), city streets, and uneven ground.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will walk to the Old Town and Jewish Ghetto. Here we will experience the very special atmosphere of Prague’s twisty narrow streets and alleys, first stone houses, churches, palaces and monasteries. The former Jewish Ghetto is a noteworthy quarter of Prague. We’ll continue to explore the Lesser Town. Malá Strana (literally “little side”) was founded as a royal town in 1258 and is one of the most historic and beautiful places in all of Prague.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We will continue to the Museum of Czech Music, where we will enjoy a lecture from a local expert focusing on such artists as Smetana, Dvorak, Martinu, Janacek, Mahler, and others. We will walk over the picturesque Charles Bridge, named for our old friend King Charles IV. It was the only connection between the Lesser Town on the left bank of the Vltava River and the Old Town on the right for centuries. We’ll then take a tram back to the hotel and adjourn for the day.
Dinner:
On your own.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
New safety rules and regulations for entry into Prague Castle require a copy of your passport before entering; please bring one with you. Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 8 miles, up to 1 hour riding time. Walking up to 3 miles throughout the day, approximately 2-3 hours combined time standing and walking; terrain will include cobblestones (some areas are cracked and not well maintained), uneven ground, and unavoidable stairs. Getting on/off a boat for dinner.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
At the hotel we will enjoy a lecture with a local expert on the architecture and fine arts of Prague, featuring all-important Prague styles: Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque, Classicism, and respective revival movements, particularly concentrating on architecture of the 20th century: Art Nouveau, Cubism, and Functionalism. Heading out by motorcoach with our local expert, we will explore Prague’s breathtaking architectural treasure, Prague Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site reputed to be the most extensive ancient castle in the world. The large-scale palace complex comprises royal residences, churches, a monastery, and gardens.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant at Prague Castle.
Afternoon:
We’ll continue exploring Prague Castle before returning to the hotel with some independent time before dinner. We will then meet at the hotel and take a motorcoach to board a ship for a dinner cruise.
Dinner:
Aboard a boat on the Vltava River.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off motorcoach; driving approx. 8.5 miles, about 1 hour; Walking approx. 1 mile, about 1.5 hours; Some cobblestoned areas.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will board a motorcoach and set out on a field trip to the Strahov Monastery, a place where the knowledge of the Czech nation has been concentrated since 1140. Led by a staffer, we will see the Cabinet of Curiosities and view the Philosophical and Theological Halls of the monastery library. To conclude the visit, we will enjoy a private concert from local musicians before heading out on our own for the afternoon.
Lunch:
On your own.
Afternoon:
Free time.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 12:00 Noon. See your program’s “Getting There” information regarding transfers.
Breakfast:
At the hotel. This concludes our program.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on another rewarding program in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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Please Note: This program has itinerary variations on certain dates.
Oct 14, 2025 - Oct 31, 2025 (Krakow to Prague)
Sep 02, 2025 - Sep 19, 2025 (Krakow to Prague)
Sep 09, 2025 - Sep 26, 2025 (Krakow to Prague)
Sep 16, 2025 - Oct 03, 2025 (Krakow to Prague)
Oct 07, 2025 - Oct 24, 2025 (Krakow to Prague)
Oct 14, 2025 - Oct 31, 2025 (Krakow to Prague)
Oct 21, 2025 - Nov 07, 2025 (Krakow to Prague)
Nov 04, 2025 - Nov 21, 2025 (Krakow to Prague)
Nov 11, 2025 - Nov 28, 2025 (Krakow to Prague)
Apr 21, 2026 - May 08, 2026 (Krakow to Prague)
May 05, 2026 - May 22, 2026 (Krakow to Prague)
May 12, 2026 - May 29, 2026 (Krakow to Prague)
Jun 09, 2026 - Jun 26, 2026 (Krakow to Prague)
Jun 16, 2026 - Jul 03, 2026 (Krakow to Prague)
Sep 08, 2026 - Sep 25, 2026 (Krakow to Prague)
Sep 15, 2026 - Oct 02, 2026 (Krakow to Prague)
Sep 22, 2026 - Oct 09, 2026 (Krakow to Prague)
Oct 06, 2026 - Oct 23, 2026 (Krakow to Prague)
Oct 13, 2026 - Oct 30, 2026 (Krakow to Prague)
Nov 03, 2026 - Nov 20, 2026 (Krakow to Prague)





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