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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
24 ( 9B, 7L, 8D )
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.
Jitka Sosova holds degrees from Charles University and the Academy of Art, Architecture and Design in Prague. Jitka has worked for the National Gallery in Prague, as well as numerous other art institutions, including the Museum of Applied Arts and the Kampa Museum, and specializes in the field of Modern and Contemporary Art.
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.
Vladan was born in Belgrade, Serbia. During the wars of the 1990s in Yugoslavia, he immigrated to the Czech Republic — now splitting his time between Belgrade and Prague. He has been working as a group leader for almost 30 years and is fluent in Serbian, Czech and English. Recently, Vladan has been leading travelers off the beaten paths through countries of Central and Eastern Europe. In his free time, Vladan is interested in art, food, reading and history.
Dagmar Mikolaskova studied in the travel industry, and has been leading groups since 1988 in English, German and French. She also speaks Russian, Spanish and Chinese. Her other experiences include interpreting and hospitality work.
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?
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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.