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Activity note: Transfer time approximately 20 minutes, about 8 miles; Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m.
Afternoon: Hotel check-in is available at 3:00 PM. Luggage may be stored at the hotel so you may explore the area while you wait for your room to be ready. 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. For example; please confirm Unless otherwise noted, dinners on this program are typically a 3-course set menu and lunches on this program are typically a 2-course set menu. Breakfasts will offer a typical European-style breakfast buffet with breads, cheeses, cold-cuts, yogurt, fruit, cereals, juice, milk, coffee, tea, and water. Please note that water is included in the program cost at all meals. 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. 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.
Dinner: We will enjoy a welcome dinner in the hotel dining room.
Evening: At leisure.
Activity note: Approximately 3.5 hours of standing and walking throughout the day, about 1/2 mile between each location. Motorcoach will be available for 1 mile transfer to hotel after Old Market Square visit.
Breakfast: Hotel buffet.
Morning: The 16th century brought Krakow to a state of unprecedented splendor. At the hotel, we will hear a lecture on Krakow as a center of art and culture. 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: We’ll enjoy a light lunch at a local restaurant.
Afternoon: After your lunch, 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 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. The remainder of the afternoon is free time 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 motorcoach, driving approximately 1 hour each way to Auschwitz & Birkenau Museum, 15 minutes from dinner to hotel. Approximately 3.5 hours of standing and walking during scheduled activities.
Breakfast: Hotel buffet.
Morning: By motorcoach, we will 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: We’ll enjoy a light lunch at a local restaurant.
Afternoon: We will then return to the hotel Krakow to take some time to rest and freshen up before dinner. On the way to the restaurant for dinner, we will take a guided 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: During dinner, we will enjoy a klezmer concert. The rest of the evening is at leisure.
Activity note: Approximately 3 hours of standing and walking throughout the day, up to 2.5 miles.
Breakfast: Hotel buffet.
Morning: We’ll start our exploration with a visit to one of Krakow’s pearls, the Franciscan Basilica, with its gorgeous Art Nouveau interiors designed by Krakow's native son, Stanislaw Wyspianski. Besides covering the walls with sophisticated floral motifs, the artist also designed all of the stained glass windows, including the famed “God the Father.” 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.
Lunch: 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.
Afternoon: Enjoy free time this afternoon. Please refer to the list of free time activities, or the Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Before dinner, we will attend an evening 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.
Dinner: We will enjoy a meal at a local restaurant.
Evening: At leisure.
Activity note: Getting on/off motorcoach, driving about 250 miles, or 7 hours, with a stop for lunch.
Breakfast: Hotel buffet.
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: We’ll enjoy a light 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: We will enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant with wine.
Evening: At leisure.
Activity note: Getting on/off motorcoach for transfers between all locations, about 2 hours onboard all day. Approximately 3 hours of standing and walking throughout the day.
Breakfast: Hotel buffet.
Morning: We will start our exploration at Heroes’ Square, where we will get an overview of 1000 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 with an expert-led visit to the former apartment of world-famous composer Ferenc Liszt, at the Old Music Academy. We will continue by bus 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 bus ride of the city with expert commentary.
Lunch: 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.
Afternoon: Enjoy some time for personal exploration. In the late afternoon,we will meet 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: We will enjoy a meal 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 about 1.5 hours. Approximately 3 hours of standing and walking throughout the day.
Breakfast: Hotel buffet.
Morning: We will 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 century. Then we will take the tram to Kossuth Square to explore the monuments around Hungarian Parliament, and walk through the Liberty Square, which has several monuments connected to our 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 restaurant in downtown Budapest.
Afternoon: We will visit St. Stephen's Basilica, the largest church in Budapest.
Dinner: Explore local fare on your own.
Evening: At leisure. This evening you may wish to attend an optional concert. Your Group Leader will give additional information during the program.
Activity note: Getting on/off public transportation; riding about 20 minutes. Getting on/off motorcoach; driving about 1/2 hour. Approximately 3.5 hours of standing and walking throughout the day.
Breakfast: Hotel buffet.
Morning: We’ll begin the day with a panel discussion by two acclaimed local speakers. Then we’ll depart by public bus to the Castle District, beginning with an expert-led field trip to the Hungarian National Gallery, located within the Royal Palace. Its collections cover Hungarian art in all genres, including works of many 19th- and 20th-century Hungarian artists.
Lunch: At a local restaurant.
Afternoon: We will continue with an expert-led walk in the Civilian Town, the northern part of the district, including a visit to the Fisherman's Bastion and the Matthias Church. The rest of the afternoon is yours to enjoy on your own. We will meet at the hotel and transfer by motorcoach to board a ship for a dinner cruise.
Dinner: We will say goodbye to Budapest during a farewell buffet dinner cruise on the Danube. Hot and cold dishes, dessert, and 1 glass of wine or beer included.
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.
Activity note: Getting on/off motorcoach; driving 2.5 hours to Vienna. Getting on/off public transportation; riding about 20 minutes. Walking up to 2 hours in Vienna's old town, plus a 15-minute walk to and from the dinner restaurant.
Breakfast: Hotel buffet.
Morning: After checkout, we will travel by motorcoach from Budapest to Vienna, arriving in the late morning. We will check into the hotel.
Lunch: Hotel dining room.
Afternoon: We 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 medieval history of the city.
Dinner: We will enjoy dinner in Vienna at a local restaurant that is a 15-minute walk from the hotel.
Evening: At leisure.
Activity note: Getting on/off public transportation; riding under 1/2 hour total. Getting on/off motorcoach; riding about 2 hours. Approximately 2 hours of standing and walking throughout the day.
Breakfast: Hotel buffet.
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 excursion by bus 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. The excursion 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.
Dinner: At a local restaurant. Please note that the group will depart for dinner and this evening's concert at 5:30 p.m.
Evening: We will attend an evening concert at the Kursalon music hall, designed by Johann Garben in the style of the Italian Renaissance. Further details will be provided when they are available.
Activity note: Getting on/off public transportation; minimal riding. Walking/standing about 2 hours.
Breakfast: Hotel buffet.
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: Explore local fare on your own for lunch.
Afternoon: Free time to discover Vienna on your own. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities, which can be found in the first Information Packet. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions and give directions.
Dinner: Explore local fare on your own in one of the many Viennese cafés.
Evening: At leisure.
Activity note: Approximately 4 hours of standing and walking throughout the day. Getting on/off motorcoach; driving up to 3.5 hours. Getting on/off public transportation; riding under 1 hour.
Breakfast: Hotel buffet.
Morning: We will explore the very diverse lives of three of Vienna's most famous composers during this morning's lecture. While Mozart initially enjoyed great success as a freelance composer and then struggled, Franz Schubert led a rather introverted life, only known for his renowned "Lieder" to his contemporaries. Johann Strauß, however, was one of the first global superstars of music. All three composers were contributors to the most Viennese of musical forms—the Viennese waltz. We’ll listen to a delightful selection of works by these 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: We will next visit the Belvedere Palaces, including the Museum of Austrian Art in Upper Belvedere. We'll see works by such artists as Klimt, Schiele, Kokoschka, and more.
Dinner: We will enjoy our farewell dinner on the outskirts of Vienna at a Heuriger, a traditional wine tavern. Enjoy music, local food, and a glass of local wine.
Evening: At leisure.
Activity note: Getting on/off motorcoach; driving about 4 hours to Prague, with a stop in Trebon. Minimal walking.
Breakfast: Hotel buffet.
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 Trebon.
Afternoon: We will arrive in Prague, check into the hotel, and settle in. We will take part in a general information meeting.
Dinner: We will enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.
Evening: At leisure.
Activity note: Getting on/off motorcoach; driving about 1/2 hour. Getting on/off public transportation; riding under 1/2 hour. Approximately 3 hours of standing and walking throughout the day. Terrain in the Old Town and Jewish Ghetto includes cobblestone, city streets, and uneven ground.
Breakfast: Hotel buffet.
Morning: We will take a field trip to the Old Town and Jewish Ghetto to 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,” translated as Lesser Town), 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 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 will continue on 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.
Dinner: Explore local fare on your own.
Evening: At leisure.
Activity note: New safety rules and regulations for entry into Prague Castle require that we show a copy of your passport before entering. Please bring a copy of your passport with you on your program. Getting on/off motorcoach; riding about 1 hour. Approximately 2-3 hours of standing and walking throughout the day.
Breakfast: Hotel buffet.
Morning: We will enjoy a discussion and lecture at the hotel 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. Then we will explore Prague’s breathtaking architectural treasure, Prague Castle. Prague Castle is 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 free time before dinner. We will meet at the hotel and take a motorcoach to board a ship for a dinner cruise.
Dinner: We will enjoy dinner aboard a boat on the Vltava.
Evening: At leisure.
Activity note: Getting on/off motorcoach; driving 1 hour total to/from monastery. Walking about 1.5 hours total.
Breakfast: Hotel buffet.
Morning: We will set out on a field trip to the Strahov Monastery, a place where the knowledge of the Czech nation has been concentrated since 1140. Here we will enjoy a private concert from local musicians.
Lunch: 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.
Afternoon: Free time to explore the area on your own. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities, which can be found in the first Information Packet. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions and give directions.
Dinner: We will enjoy a farewell gourmet dinner in the pearl of Art Nouveau, the Municipal House of Prague.
Evening: At leisure.
Activity note: Hotel check-out by 12:00 Noon. See your program’s “Transportation Information” regarding transfers.
Breakfast: Hotel buffet. 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!