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 4 miles or up to 4 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.

What You'll Learn

  • Enjoy a private concert at the Strahov Monastery and explore the monastery 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 Schonbrunn Palace, the former imperial summer residence and one of the most important cultural monuments in Austria.
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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.
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18 days
17 nights
39 meals
16 B 11 L 12 D
DAY
1
In Transit to Program
In Flight
DAY
2
Arrive Krakow, Check-in, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Krakow
D
Novotel Krakow Centrum

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.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. 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: At the hotel.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
3
Wawel Castle & Cathedral, Chopin
Krakow
B,L
Novotel Krakow Centrum

Activity note: Walking approx. 2.5 miles; Approximately 3.5 hours of standing and walking throughout the day; Terrain includes cracked cobblestones, sidewalks, and will go through some crowded areas.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

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: 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 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.

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.

DAY
4
Auschwitz & Birkenau
Krakow
B,L,D
Novotel Krakow Centrum

Activity note: Getting on/off motorcoach, driving approx. 2.5 hours, about 84 miles; Approximately 3.5 hours of standing and walking during scheduled activities.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

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: 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.

DAY
5
Art Nouveau, Collegium Maius, Icons of Polish Modernism
Krakow
B,D
Novotel Krakow Centrum

Activity note: Walking approx. 3 miles; 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: We will set out on foot and walk to 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. We’ll then explore 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.”

Lunch: On your own.

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. In the late afternoon, we will meet at the hotel and go to dinner.

Dinner: At a local restaurant.

Evening: At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.

DAY
6
Welcome to Budapest
Budapest
B,L,D
Continental Hotel Budapest

Activity note: Getting on/off motorcoach, driving about 250 miles, or 7 hours, with a stop for lunch.

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.

DAY
7
Heroes' Square, Andrassy Avenue, Pest
Budapest
B,D
Continental Hotel Budapest

Activity note: Getting on/off motorcoach, riding about 2 hours; 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: We’ll begin the day with a panel discussion by two acclaimed local speakers. Following the discussion, we will board our motorcoach and 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: On your own.

Afternoon: Enjoy some time for personal exploration. 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.

DAY
8
Szabó Ervin Library, Downtown Pest
Budapest
B,L
Continental Hotel Budapest

Activity note: Getting on/off public transportation; riding about 1.5 hours. Approximately 3 hours of standing and walking throughout the day. Extent/duration of walking and other free time activities according to personal choice.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We will take the tram 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 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 local restaurant.

Afternoon: We will visit St. Stephen's Basilica, the largest church in Budapest. The rest of the afternoon is free to see and do what interests you most.

Dinner: 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.

DAY
9
Castle District, Royal Palace
Budapest
B,L,D
Continental Hotel Budapest

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. Extent/duration of walking and other free time activities according to personal choice.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: 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: 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.

DAY
10
Welcome to Vienna
Vienna
B,L,D
Austria Trend Hotel Ananas

Activity note: Getting on/off motorcoach; driving 2.5 hours to Vienna. Getting on/off public transportation; riding about 20 minutes. Walking up to 2.5 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.

DAY
11
Understanding Austria, Imperial Vienna
Vienna
B,L,D
Austria Trend Hotel Ananas

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: 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 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. 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 to go to dinner via public transportation.

Dinner: At a local restaurant.

Evening: After dinner, we will walk to the Kursalon Music Hall. This concert hall, designed by Johann Garben in the style of the Italian Renaissance, is where Johann Strauss II used to charm the crowds with his outstanding compositions. We will enjoy some of those compositions, as well as others by Mozart and other members of the Strauss Family. After the concert, we will return to the hotel via public transportation.

DAY
12
Treasures of the Habsburgs, Free Time
Vienna
B
Austria Trend Hotel Ananas

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: Free time to see and do what interests you most.

Dinner: On your own.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
13
Great Musicians of the Vienna Classic, Belvedere Palace
Vienna
B,L,D
Austria Trend Hotel Ananas

Activity note: Getting on/off motorcoach; driving up to 3.5 hours. Getting on/off public transportation; riding under 1 hour. Approximately 4 hours of standing and walking throughout the day.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

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: 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.

Dinner: At a Heuriger, or traditional wine tavern.

Evening: At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.

DAY
14
Welcome to Prague
Prague
B,L,D
K+K Hotel Central, Prague

Activity note: Getting on/off motorcoach, driving approx. 210 miles, about 4 hours; Walking approx. 1 mile, about 30 minutes, over 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 Trebon.

Afternoon: Upon arrival, we will check-in and get our rooms. Take some time to freshen up and relax before we meet for a general information meeting.

Dinner: At a local restaurant.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
15
Old Town & Jewish Ghetto, Music in the Czech Republic
Prague
B,L
K+K Hotel Central, Prague

Activity note: Getting on/off motorcoach, driving approx. 1/2 mile, about 1/2 hour; Getting on/off public transportation, riding under 1/2 hour; Walking approx. 2.5 miles, about 3 hours, over cobblestones, city streets, and uneven ground.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We will board a motorcoach and ride 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,” 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: On your own.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
16
Architecture of Prague
Prague
B,L,D
K+K Hotel Central, Prague

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 approx. 9 miles, about 1 hour. Walking approx. 2.5 miles, about 3 hours, over cobblestones, uneven terrain, unavoidable stairs.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

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: Aboard a boat on the Vltava.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
17
Strahov Monastery, Free Time
Prague
B,D
K+K Hotel Central, Prague

Activity note: Getting on/off motorcoach; driving approx. 8 miles, about 1 hour; Walking approx. 1 mile, about 1.5 hours, some cobblestones.

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. Here we will enjoy a private concert from local musicians.

Lunch: On your own.

Afternoon: Free time for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. We will meet at the hotel in the late afternoon to transfer to dinner.

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.

DAY
18
Program Concludes
Prague
B

Activity note: Hotel check-out by 12:00 Noon. See your program’s “Transportation 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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