WOrld EurOpE K ienna raKow udapestpublic.media.smithsonianmag.com/journeys/tour/pdf/... · Solution. Tour Auschwitz and also visit the vast camp at Birkenau before traveling on to

Guaranteed small group of no more than 24 Smithsonian travelers per departure

Splendid city of art and architecture, culture and commerce, Prague ranks among Europe’s most beautiful and popular urban settings.

Day 1: Depart the U.S. for Warsaw, Poland

Day 2: Warsaw Upon arrival in Warsaw transfer to your centrally located hotel. Tonight enjoy a welcome dinner at the hotel. (D)

Day 3: Warsaw Virtually destroyed during World War II, Warsaw was rebuilt in the decades that followed. With the fall of Communism, the city became a dynamic and progressive capital while retaining much of its distinct Old World character. Explore the faithfully rebuilt Old Town, the Royal Castle, and the area of the former Jewish Ghetto and the Jewish Cemetery. This evening enjoy a private classical piano recital. (B)

Day 4: Auschwitz and Krakow Journey south to the industrial city of Oswiecim – Auschwitz in German – and the concentration camp that is now a museum chronicling the horrors of the Nazis’ Final Solution. Tour Auschwitz and also visit the vast camp at Birkenau before traveling on to Krakow, arriving late this afternoon. (B,L,D)

Day 5: Krakow A major center of Polish culture, Krakow survived World War II almost intact. Its authentic Old Town is a World Heritage site, and the Main Market Square is the largest medieval

square in Europe. Visit St. Mary’s Church, famous for its wooden altarpiece; the Royal Chambers of Wawel Castle, seat of royalty for more than 500 years; and Wawel Cathedral, Poland’s national sanctuary. (B)

Day 6: Wieliczka and Krakow A morning excursion features Wieliczka Salt Mine, the “Underground Salt Cathedral of Poland.” Admire magnificent statues of historic figures sculpted out of rock salt by miners and contemporary artists. Spend the afternoon in Krakow. (B)

Day 7: Budapest, Hungary Head south today through the snowcapped Tatra Mountains into the country of Slovakia where you stop for lunch. Reach your hotel in Buda’s elegant Castle District early this evening. (B,L)

Day 8: Budapest The Hungarian capital stretches along both sides of the Danube proudly displaying its rich cultural and historical heritage. Explore the magnificent Matthias Church, scene of several coro-nations, and stroll around the Fisherman’s Bastion for outstanding views of the Pest side. Visit the Dohany Street Synagogue, where Franz Liszt and Camille Saint-Saëns once performed. Enjoy a curator-led highlights tour of the Museum of Fine Arts this

Old WOrld EurOpE

Your Small Group Tour HighlightsExplore the faithfully rebuilt Old Town of Warsaw, now a World Heritage site ... Visit the Wieliczka Salt Mines and admire the intriguing salt sculptures created by mine work-ers and contemporary artists ... Discover Budapest’s cultural, historical, and architectural heritage and enjoy a private guided tour of the Museum of Fine Arts ... Follow in the footsteps of Habsburg monarchs at Vienna’s grand Schön-brunn Palace, and enjoy a classical music performance ... Explore Prague’s many architectural gems, including the colorful Old Town and Prague Castle

Day Itinerary Hotel Rating 1 Depart U.S. for Warsaw

2-3 Warsaw Polonia Palace Sup. First Class

4-6 Krakow Hotel Pod Roza Not rated

7-9 Budapest Hilton Budapest Deluxe

10-12 Vienna Hilton Vienna Plaza Deluxe

13 Bratislava Radisson Blu Sup. First Class Carlton

14-16 Prague

Grand Bohemia Sup. First Class

Praha

17 Depart Prague for U.S.

Ratings are based on the Hotel & Travel Index, the travel industry standard reference. Unrated hotels may be too small, too new, or too remote to be listed.

Vienna, Budapest, KraKow & prague

17 days from $5,497 total price from Boston, New York ($4,795 air & land inclusive plus $702 airline taxes and departure fees)

Join us for a fascinating journey to Eastern Europe and discover the culturally rich his-

toric centers of a newly revitalized region. From the faithfully rebuilt Old Town of Warsaw and Vienna’s splendid Schönbrunn Palace to Prague’s Charles Bridge and Budapest’s Castle District, witness the cultural and political renaissance of this beautiful and vibrant part of the world.

Read an article about Americans in Prague at SmithsonianJourneys.org/EasternEurope

Prague

Vienna

Budapest

Krakow

WarsawPOLAND

CZECH REPUBLIC

AUSTRIA

HUNGARY

DestinationMotorcoachEntry/Departure

BratislavaSLOVAKIA

Avg. High (°F) Apr May Jun Sep OctWarsaw 53 67 73 66 55Budapest 62 71 78 74 61Vienna 58 67 73 68 56

18 On The Web

EUROPE

afternoon then savor a typical Hungarian dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)

Day 9: Budapest Enjoy a full day at leisure to discover the “Paris of the East” independently. (B)

Day 10: Danube Bend and Vienna, Austria Journey through the delightful countryside of Western Transdanubia en route to Vienna and take in the stunning views of forested hills, medieval castles, and the meandering Danube. Stop to visit Szentendre, a charming small town with inviting artisan shops and a museum displaying the work of acclaimed ceramicist Margit Kovacs. (B,L)

Day 11: Vienna Follow the footsteps of imperial Habsburgs as you explore the ornate Vienna Opera House and the majestic Schönbrunn Palace, which richly demonstrates the tastes and aspirations of Habsburg royalty. This evening delight your palate with a traditional Wiener Schnitzel then enjoy a con-

cert of classical music. (B,D)

Day 12: Vienna Woods Today’s excursion to the Vienna Woods reveals the natural beauty of this region, which was once a royal hunting ground. Visit the medieval abbey of Heiligen-kreuz, the oldest continuously occupied Cister-cian monastery in the world, and

the spa town of Baden, once the summer residence of Habsburg monarchs. (B)

Day 13: Bratislava, Slovakia Drive to Bratislava and explore the many highlights of the Slovakian capital, including the historic castle area and the 18th-century classical-style Archbishop’s Palace. This evening enjoy dinner in the restaurant of a local family. (B,D)

Day 14: Brno and Prague, Czech Republic En route to Prague stop for lunch and a brief tour in Brno, the country’s second largest city. Upon arrival in Prague, enjoy an informal late afternoon walk through charming Old Town. (B,L)

Day 15: Prague Explore the Hradcany district, home of the distinctive 9th-century Prague Castle. Visit St. Vitus’ Cathedral, then enjoy a stroll along Golden Lane, with its picturesque artisans’ cottages. The remainder of the day is free. (B)

Day 16: Prague This morning visit Josefov, Prague’s historic Jewish ghetto, which was founded by a 10th-century colony of Jewish tradesmen. Visit the historic Old Jewish Cemetery and several of the once-thriving synagogues that are now part of the Jewish Museum. Enjoy a private tour of the exquisite Lobkowicz Museum, then celebrate your Eastern European adventure during a farewell dinner in the palatial settings of Prague Castle. (B,D)

Day 17: Depart Prague for the U.S. Transfer to the airport for your early return flights to the U.S. (B)

Your Price Includes• 2 nights accommodations at Grand Bohemia Praha

(Superior First Class)• 2 meals: 2 breakfasts• Transfer to airport

praguE – On YOur OWn3 days/2 nights for $295 total price

Single Supplement: $195

Extend your stay in the alluring Czech capital.

Post-Tour Extension

Your Tour Price Includes• Round-trip air transportation from listed cities• 15 nights accommodations in Deluxe, Superior First

Class, and unrated hotels • 25 meals: 15 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 6 dinners• Extensive sightseeing as described, including all

entrance fees• Services of a professional Tour Director• Lectures by Smithsonian Expert• Private motorcoach transportation throughout your trip• Luggage handling for one bag per person• Gratuities for Tour Director, local guides, dining room

servers, airport and hotel porters, and all drivers

Budapest’s London-inspired Parliament

2014 Tour Dates and Pricesincluding international airfare and all taxes, surcharges, and fees

May 20 Sep 2* Apr 29 Sep 30 Sep 9

Boston, New York $5,497 $5,697 $5,797

Philadelphia, $5,697 $5,897 $5,997

Washington, DC

Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati,

$5,797 $5,997 $6,097

Cleveland, Detroit, Miami, Orlando, Tampa

Dallas, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Minneapolis,

$5,897 $6,097 $6,197

Phoenix, Portland (OR), San Francisco, Seattle

Land Only $4,395 $4,595 $4,695

Please call if your city is not listed. Prices are per person based on double occupancy and include airline taxes, fuel surcharges and departure fees of $702, which are subject to change until final payment is made. Single travelers please add $1,395. All 2014 tour prices above (excluding airline taxes, fuel surcharges and departure fees) are guaranteed.

* Accommodations in Krakow will be at Stary Hotel

Business Class upgrade on round-trip transatlantic flight: $3,995 per person (upgrade is on request and pricing is subject to change).

Prague’s historic Jewish Cemetery

Read an article about Americans in Prague at SmithsonianJourneys.org/EasternEurope 19

Smithsonian ExpertsThomas Emmert, professor emeritus at Gustavus Adolphus College, is a historian of Central and Eastern Europe. He received his Ph.D. in Balkan and Russian history from Stanford University and has been awarded numerous

research fellowships. He is the author of several books, most recently, The Scholars’ Initiative: Confronting the Yugoslav Controversies (2009). Thomas will lead the April departure.

Bert Patenaude is an expert in modern European history and international relations at Stanford University, where he is a research fellow at the Hoover Institution. He received his Ph.D. from Stan-ford University and is the author

and editor of several books on European, Russian, and American history. Bert will lead the September 2 departure. Hugh Agnew (see page 6) will lead the September 30 departure, and the other depar-tures will be led by comparable experts.

Call 1-877-338-8687 or visit SmithsonianJourneys.orgTo Register