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Germany/Austria/Czech Republic/Slovakia/Hungary

Sailing the Danube River Through Central Europe

Program No. 23683RJ
Sail through time along the Danube River from Hungary to Slovakia, Austria, Germany and the Czech Republic to study their compelling political and cultural histories with local experts.
Program
At a Glance
Duration
11 days
Program Begins
Budapest
Program Concludes
Prague
Meals
25 ( 9B, 8L, 8D )
Activity Level
Transport yourself back in time in Central Europe, where even the larger cities seem to be frozen in the medieval era, with cobbled streets and historic architecture. As you sail along the Danube River, journey through authentic Europe with local experts eager to show you the secrets of their cities. On explorations of Vienna’s music history, Budapest’s architectural history and Prague’s political history, delve deep into the past while experiencing these cities like a local. Then, learn about the cities’ modern developments to understand fully the progression of Central Europe and immerse yourself in these beautiful countries that seamlessly blend old traditions with contemporary culture.
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 Cesky Krumlov, a small medieval town and UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Czech Republic.
  • Study the beautiful architecture of Prague at the Charles Bridge.
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.
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Julia Auer
Julia Auer is an unusually versatile performer. After studying musicology at the University of Vienna she also completed her studies of the flute and musical pedagogy at the University of Music. She has devoted much of her time and interest to intensive research in historical sources and instruments, and she is a member of several Early Music groups. Julia now performs on a variety of flute instruments and is working on a thesis concerning orchestral instrumentation in the 18th century.
Please Note:
This expert may not be available for every date of the program
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Walter Auer
Walter Auer is the principal flute of the Wiener Philharmoniker, a position he has held since 2003. Before coming to Vienna, he served as the principal flute with the NDR Radio-Philharmonic Orchestra Hannover with Dresden Philharmonic for one year. Walter began flute lessons at the age of 10, and was awarded first prize in youth competitions several times. He also was a member of the Gustav Mahler Youth Orchestra under Claudio Abbado. Later, he studied at the University “Mozarteum” in Salzburg and finished his studies at the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra-Academy in Berlin. Walter has played numerous concerts with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, and frequently appears as a soloist in recitals and concerts around the world. He is in demand as coach and teacher, and teaches master classes in Europe, Australia, Asia and the U.S. As a passionate chamber musician, Walter Auer is also a member of Orsolino Quintett Berlin and Wiener Virtuosen.
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Zoltán Pogátsa
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.
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Jitka Sosova
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.
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Peter Iván
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.
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Anna Pivonková
Anna Pivonková grew up in Prague and studied German at the Faculty of Arts of Charles University in Prague. Anna is a passionate drummer – she plays the West African drum djembe and accompanies African dance lessons. Apart from music, she is interested in history, architecture and modern art, especially if related to Prague. She is a licensed Prague group leader who loves meeting new people, good conversation and traveling.
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Sona Prochazkova
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.
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Andrea Serles
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 Reading List
View Full List (13 Books)
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's continued commitment to our participants and their well-being is exemplified whether participating on a program in the United States or on one of our International programs, every Road Scholar participant receives coverage under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan.

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.