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Germany/Austria/Czech Republic/Slovakia/Hungary

Sailing the Danube River Through Central Europe

Program No. 23683RJ
Sail along the Danube River from the Czech Republic to Austria, Slovakia, and Hungary to study their compelling political and cultural histories with local experts.
Program
At a Glance
Duration
11 days
Program Begins
Prague
Program Concludes
Budapest
Meals
25 ( 9B, 7L, 9D )
Activity Level
Imagine stepping back in time in Central Europe, where charming cities feel like living museums with cobbled streets and ancient architecture. Your learning adventure along the Danube is an exploration into the heart of authentic Europe. Our local experts are eager to reveal the hidden stories of their cities. Uncover Vienna’s rich music history, lean in to Budapest’s compelling political past and explore Prague’s stunning architectural heritage. You won't just see these cities; you'll experience them like a true insider. Then, connect the past to the present as you discover their modern developments, gaining a profound understanding of Central Europe's evolution. Immerse yourself in these beautiful countries, where ancient traditions beautifully intertwine with contemporary life.
Best of all, you'll...
  • Learn about classical music in Vienna during a lecture with the talented musicians from the Vienna Philharmonic.
  • Delve deep into history as you explore Budapest, a city that has weathered many storms.
  • Study the beautiful architecture of Prague from the Old Town Square to Prague Castle.
General Notes
Please note that on this program, Road Scholar has the entire ship welcoming a maximum of 90 Road Scholars which will be divided into smaller groups, each with their own Group Leader. The small groups may occasionally come together for lectures.
All Experts
Please Note:
These experts may not be available for every date of the program
Dr. Zoltán Pogátsa works as an international political economist, focusing on issues relating to Central Europe and the Balkans. He has an MBA and MA in political science and international relations, Southeastern European studies, and sociology. He earned his PhD in 2004 in contemporary European integration from the University of Sussex. He has lectured at various universities in Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Austria, Germany, France, the UK, Italy and Ireland. Dr. Pogátsa has been lecturing for Road Scholar groups for more than 30 years.
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.
Peter Iván is a Budapest native who holds a B.A. in cultural management, having participated a study abroad program at SUNY New Paltz in New York. He has over 25 years of professional experience in international cultural and business programs. For many years, he has been working as a group leader for Road Scholar programs in the Central European region, combining his passion for history, culture, and personal storytelling. Peter cherishes time with his wife—also a Road Scholar group leader—and their two grown sons.
Sona Prochazkova has been working as a licensed leader in the Czech Republic since 1992. She has specialized in sharing her hometown of Prague, leading visitors interested in music and Jewish history in the city. She is fluent in English, German, and Slovak. When not welcoming visitors to Prague, Sonia enjoys learning about history, traveling, and hiking.
Michaela Janecková 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.
Andrea Serles studied history at the University of Vienna, where she has been a research assistant and lecturer since 2013. She previously worked at the Austrian Academy of Science, editing sources related to the Danube trade, migration processes, and cultural transfer in medieval and early modern times. Her other fields of interest are the history of public finance, administration, and the constitution. Currently, she is researching the historical development of Central European transportation infrastructure. Mrs. Serles has published numerous scientific and popular articles.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Participants must be able to stand for two hours at a time and walk 2-4 miles per day.
Suggested Books and Resources
View Full List
You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
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Call 800-454-5768
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Peace of Mind

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.

Assurance Plan

Road Scholar is committed to the well-being of every participant, whether on a program in the United States or abroad. That’s why all participants are covered under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan, which provides 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during your program, as well as insurance for emergency medical evacuation.

Want to Protect Your Investment?

Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.

Sustainable Travel

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.