Not Currently Being Offered.
Much of what is considered "western civilization" carries influences from the eastern regions of Europe. A diverse array of human
ideas in science, commerce, the arts, and unfortunately, war, has traversed this broad plain between Eastern civilizations and the
societies of the West. Our program in this wonderful region of Europe contains an alluring blend of experiences in enchanting rural
villages and pristine fields and forests along with the charm of old world cities offering irresistible shop-lined cobblestone lanes
and centuries of classic pre-Soviet architecture. We'll sample the regal cities of the Danube in Hungary's Budapest, Slovakia's
Bratislava, and Austria's Vienna. The Czech Republic, situated right in the heart of Europe, provides a host of rural delights, country chateaus, and
the wonders of Prague, called by celebrated German poet Goethe "the prettiest gem in the stone crown of the world." Join us for a
fascinating, and at times sobering, look behind the former Iron Curtain into the struggles and triumphs of societies that are quickly
relearning the concepts of individual freedom, democracy, and private enterprise.
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Day
1 |
ARRIVE
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY (D)
Your Adventure
in Eastern Europe begins in Budapest
today (flight not included) in
a part of the world that has
been bursting into the light
of freedom over the past two
decades. We'll be looking forward
to observing the results of their
democratic accomplishments and
sampling many of their Old World
Charms.
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Day
2
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ACTIVITIES IN BUDAPEST (B,D)
Budapest, Queen of the
Danube Walk 10 km, rated 2
Our Budapest walk takes us past
the massive Parliament, onto
garden-like Margaret Island,
and through a multitude of other
Budapest highlights along the
Blue Danube. An afternoon guided
coach tour offers stops at Heroes'
Square and the Millennium Monument,
Castle Hill with the elaborate
Fishermen's Bastion, and beautiful
Matthias Church. This evening's
special dinner offers a chance
to celebrate Hungarian folk culture
in a fun and atmospheric environment.
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Day
3
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BUDAPEST-BRATISLAVA,
SLOVAKIA (B,D)
Tata Between the Lakes
Walk 10 km, rated 1
Following a pleasant drive along "The
Bend" in the Danube, today's
walk is a lovely lakeside stroll
with our hospitable hosts in
Tata, "the town of waters." From
Tata, we'll dip back across the
border into Slovakia for an evening
in the capital, Bratislava, another
jewel of the Danube, set along
the river at the foot of the
Little Carpathian Mountains.
The after-dinner activity will
be a guided walking tour of Bratislava's
charming old town.
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Day
4
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BRATISLAVA-RUST,
AUSTRIA (B,D)
Devin Castle Nature Walk
10 km, rated 3
We'll begin our day with a lovely
nature walk offering splendid
views over the Danube River and
Devin Castle, a picturesque ruin
that served as a frontier outpost
of the Roman Empire's northern
border. After a lunch break in
Bratislava, we'll continue west
through the Carpathian Basin
into Austria (watch for storks
atop the chimneys!) to the charming
lakeside village of Rust.
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Day
5
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RUST-VIENNA,
AUSTRIA (B)
Mörbisch Vineyards & Villages
Walk 10 km, rated 1+
The friendly club in Mörbisch
has arranged a walk among vineyards
overlooking Neusiedler Lake,
and into neighboring Hungary.
From Mörbisch, our coach
heads north to Vienna, the imperial
court of the Hapsburg Dynasty
for six centuries. Our hotel
is within walking distance of
its famous coffee shops, the
National Opera House (Staatsoper),
the expansive Hofburg, St. Stephen's
Cathedral, and a host of enchanting
shops and stately 19th century
architecture.
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Day
6
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ACTIVITIES
IN VIENNA (B,D)
This morning's first activity
is a guided walking tour featuring
the heart of old Vienna. Following
time for lunch and more exploring
on your own, we'll visit Schönbrunn
Palace, marveling at just a portion
of the palace's 1,440 rooms and
strolling through the expansive,
beautifully manicured grounds.
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Day
7
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VIENNA-CESKÝ KRUMLOV,
CZECH REP. (B,D)
We'll return to the Czech Republic
today, and South Bohemia, a lovely
region of lakes, forests, farms,
and fields. Our destination is
Ceský Krumlov, a World
Heritage Site that is considered
one of Europe's most beautiful
medieval towns. After checking
into our hotel, we'll explore
this fascinating setting with
a tour of picturesque Krumlov
Chateau.
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Day
8
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CESKÝ KRUMLOV-PRAGUE,
CZECH REP. (B,D)
Ceský Krumlov
Heritage Walk 10 km, rated 2+/3
After a walk through Ceský Krumlov
with stunning views from surrounding
hilltops, we'll pass through
more pastoral Bohemian countryside
en route to Prague, capital of
medieval Bohemia and the modern-day
Czech Republic. We'll spend the
next three nights in this fascinating
city described by German poet
Goethe as "the prettiest gem
in the stone crown of the world."
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Day
9
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ACTIVITIES
IN PRAGUE (B)
Prague Castles and Vistas
Walk 12 km, rated 2+
Our excellent Prague walking
route explores Lesser Town and
Hradcany, offering panoramic
views over the Vltava River,
with the tile roofs and copper
domes of Lesser Town in the foreground
and the medieval skyline of Old
Town, New Town, and the Jewish
Quarter in the background. After
the walk, you'll have the afternoon
free to enjoy the sights and
shopping of Old Town.
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Day
10
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ACTIVITIES
IN PRAGUE (B,D)
Today's highlight is a visit
to Hradcany Castle: the imposing,
14th century St. Vitus' Cathedral,
the Royal Palace with expansive
Vladislav Hall and Horseman's
Staircase, and picturesque Golden
Lane, once occupied by castle
guards, craftsmen, and the poor.
The afternoon is free to finish
any final shopping and pack your
bags for tomorrow's flight home
before joining us for tonight's
Farewell Dinner.
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Day
11
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PRAGUE-USA
(B)
Optional Game Walk
8 km, unrated and not IVV sanctioned
Our Adventure draws to a close
today. The flight home from Prague
(not included) returns us to
the West with fond memories of
our experiences together and
a new appreciation for the Old
World Charms of Eastern Europe.
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