Krakow Main Square Wawel Castle, Krakow Wieliczka Salt Mine Szentendre Budapest Schonbrunn Palace, Vienna Vienna Prague Castle
You are invited to join Rev. Dr. Scott Seay, Pastor of Brown County Presbyterian Fellowship, and Associate Professor of the History of Christianity at Christian Theological Seminary, on a 12-day tour to explore the cultural richness of five Eastern Europe countries, including Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Austria, and the Czech Republic. On the journey through Krakow, Kosice, Budapest, Vienna and Prague, you will see a rich diversity of cultures and learn historical perspectives on inter-religious exchange between Christians, Jews, and Muslims.
Highlights include Wawel Royal Castle, Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp, the underground Wieliczka Salt Mine, St. Elizabeth’s Cathedral, the artistic city of Szentendre, a gypsy dinner with entertainment, the Hungarian National Museum, a musical evening in Vienna, a cruise along the Danube, Melk Abbey, Prague Castle and so much more. Sign-up today for a fun-filled cultural adventure!
Key: IF = In Flight Meals, B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
Day 1: Tuesday, May 24, 2022: Departure
Our journey will begin as we board our international flight bound for Krakow, Poland. (IF)
Day 2: Wednesday, May 25, 2022: Kraków
We will arrive in Krakow and meet our tour director and driver before transferring to city center. A local guide will join us for a tour of this city, the ancient capital of Poland, which has been settled since the Stone Age. We will explore the Old Town and St. Mary’s Church. The historical district in Kraków’s heart is actually the medieval city established in 1257, by Prince Boleslav V, the ruler of Poland at the time. Kraków has preserved its original grid of streets arranged around the huge central Grand Square, with the Cathedral Church of St. Waclaw and Bishop Stanislaus. In the middle of the square is the Cloth Hall, built before 1349, and altered in the 16th century. We will pass by the shoe factory where young Karol Wojtyla worked during the Nazi occupation of Poland. We will walk down Kanonicza Street, passing by some of Kraków’s historical buildings. We will pause at building 21, “Deanery” where Pope John Paul II resided while in Kraków. Then we will proceed to Market Square where we will see the Mariacki Church. We will check into our hotel where we will enjoy a welcome dinner together. (IF/D)
Day 3: Thursday, May 26, 2022: Kraków
After breakfast we will begin our touring of Krakow with a guided walking tour of Krakow’s Jewish quarter, known as Kazimierz. We will hear about the history of the Jewish people in Krakow from before and after WWII and we will see the Oldest Synagogue in Krakow. Next, we will make our way to Wawel Royal Castle, where we will have a guided tour of the State Rooms and the Private Royal Apartments. In 1038, the city became the capital, and the Polish Monarchs took up their residence at the castle. After a break for lunch on our own, we will transfer to Oswiecim to visit the Nazi concentration camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau. It was here approximately 1.5 million people lost their lives, among them mostly Jews. Today the site serves as a museum and is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Our visit will include the cell of St. Maximilian Kolbe, O.F.M. Conv., who gave his life in substitution for a prisoner who was to be executed. We will return to Krakow where dinner and the rest of the evening will be on our own. (B)
Day 4: Friday, May 27, 2022: Kosice
We will depart Krakow this morning and make our way South to Kosice, a city in eastern Slovakia designated as the European Capital of Culture in 2013. Before getting very far from Krakow, however, we will make a stop at the Wieliczka Salt Mines for a tour. During our time in these underground mines, we will see numerous chambers, including the Chapel of St. Kinga, underground saline lakes, constructions made of timber and statues sculpted in salt. We will end with a visit to the Krakow Saltworks Museum before resurfacing. We will continue on our route to Slovakia. On arrival in Kosice, we will have a tour of the historical center, including the magnificent St. Elizabeth’s Cathedral, which is Slovakia’s largest church and one of only a few Gothic cathedrals that are located this far East. We will check into our hotel before dinner with Slovak specialties at a local restaurant. (B/D)
Day 5: Saturday, May 28, 2022: Budapest, Szentendre
After breakfast, we will continue our drive to Budapest stopping on our way in Szentendre, a city of artists with a lively Mediterranean atmosphere. We will have time for lunch on our own here before continuing the short distance into Budapest, where we will meet a local guide for an afternoon tour of the twin cities of Buda and Pest. In Buda, we will see many of the symbols of this city, including Castle Palace, Fisherman’s Bastion, a monumental structure of columns and arches built on the ruins of an ancient fortress, and the 13th century St. Matthias Church. After crossing the Chain Bridge into Pest, we will see the beautiful Romantic style squares, St. Stephen’s Basilica, and the wonderfully ornate Parliament. We will end the day with an evening full of gypsy entertainment and dinner. (B/D)
Day 6: Sunday, May 29, 2022: Budapest
This morning we will enjoy a guided tour of the Parliament building, one of the largest buildings in Hungary and home to hundreds of parliamentary offices. This will be followed by a visit to the Hungarian National Museum where a museum guide will acquaint us with several of the museum’s treasures. This afternoon will be free to explore on our own. Some options will include a dip in Gellért Baths, a walk along the Danube, or a visit to the House of Terror museum. Dinner will be on our own this evening. (B)
Day 7: Monday, May 30, 2022: Vienna
We will drive to Vienna today and upon arrival we will visit Schönbrunn Palace. This evening we will experience some of the special music Vienna has to offer as we visit a Grinzing, an “artists’ quarter,” where we will enjoy a “Heuriger,” a Wine Tavern that will include dinner, music and wine. (B/D)
Day 8: Tuesday, May 31, 2022: Vienna
This morning a local guide will join us for a city tour which will acquaint us with the major sights of the city, including Belvedere Palace, the elegant Kärntner Ring, St. Stefan’s Cathedral, and more. The remainder of the day will be free to explore on our own. Options will include Hofburg Palace and the State Opera House. (B)
Day 9: Wednesday, June 1, 2022: Prague
Departing Vienna this morning we will travel a short distance to Krems where we will board a boat for a cruise through the Wachau valley on the Danube to Melk. On arrival in Melk, we will visit the beautiful Melk Abbey before continuing on our way to Prague. On arrival in Prague, we will check into our hotel for dinner and overnight. (B/D)
Day 10: Thursday, June 2, 2022: Prague
Today we will discover why Prague has become one of the most popular destinations in Europe. Our sightseeing will begin with the Hradcany (Castle District) where we will visit the Royal Palace and St. Vitus Cathedral, as well as enjoy an impressive view over the city. From here we will walk down to the historic Charles Bridge and cross the Moldau River to the Old Town Square and its renowned Astronomical Clock. We will have free time to explore on our own and walk to Wenceslas Square, enjoying Prague’s liveliest street scene along the way. (B/D)
Day 11: Friday, June 3, 2022: Prague
This morning a local guide will join us for a tour of the ancient Jewish Quarter (Josefov). We will visit one of the synagogues and the Jewish Cemetery, a most astonishing sight, with gravestones almost piled on top of each other! We will tour the State Jewish Museum, which houses treasures and artifacts from the ghetto. At Ceremony Hall, we will see a moving exhibition of drawings by the children who were held at the Terezín Concentration Camp. We will have time to explore individual interests this afternoon before meeting up at our hotel to transfer to our traditional Czech farewell dinner with wine and beer and folk music entertainment. (B/D)
Day 12: Saturday, June 4, 2022: Return
This morning we will transfer to the Prague airport for our return flight. (B)
Please note this itinerary is copyrighted.
Our hotels are chosen for their quality, amenities and proximity to areas of interest. Whenever possible, we choose hotels in town centers, so that you are able to go off and explore in your free time. It may be necessary for us to substitute hotels for others of equal quality. You will be fully informed of any changes that affect you. Enjoy your stay!
Krakow, Poland – Additional pre-tour night available for $100 per person
May 25-27, 2022
Hotel Golden Tulip
Krakowska 28
31 062 Krakow
Kosice, Slovakia
May 27-28, 2022
Hotel Yasmin
Tyršovo nábrežie 1
Košice 040 01
Budapest, Hungary
May 28-30, 2022
Mercure Budapest City Centre
Vaci utca 20
1052 Budapest
Vienna, Austria
May 30-June 1, 2022
Novum Hotel Congress
Wiedner Guertel 34
1040 Vienna
Prague, Czech Republic
June 1-4, 2022
Andel’s by Vienna House
Stroupeznickeho 21
150 00 Prague
Transfers are automatically included if we have booked your flights.
If you have booked your own flights, we can still provide transfers, as long as we have your flight details on file and a phone number to give to the driver. We will include your transfer information in your final packet. Transfers will be arranged for each arrival, so that you won’t have to wait for other tour members if their flight is delayed. Transfers can be arranged for the day of your choosing, but we can’t arrange transfers if you arrive or depart by train.
Please note that individual transfers are booked through a third-party and you will be responsible to communicate with the company in case of delays.
Arrival: Please arrange to arrive in Kraków no later than 10:00 am on Wednesday, May 25, 2022.
Departure: You are welcome to depart from Prague at any time on Saturday, June 4, 2022.
Pre- and post-tour nights can be booked through us.
Price based on a minimum of 20 tour participants
• Transportation: via deluxe air-conditioned coaches
• Accommodations (double-occupancy) in superior 3-star and moderate 4-star hotels
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary
• Professional Tour Director throughout the tour
• Local step-on guides for city tours and major attractions
• Admission to all activities indicated in the itinerary
• Arrival and departure transfers
• Baggage handling when available
• All taxes and tips except as indicated below
• Round-trip air transportation and related taxes and fees
• Single supplement ($525)
• Meals and beverages not identified in itinerary
• Items of a personal nature, such as passports and visas. Passports must be valid for 6 months beyond return date.
• Passenger trip cancellation insurance (see below)
• Gratuities for tour director and driver
• Initial deposit of $350 will secure your place on the tour. Please send all checks to Reformation Tours, P.O. 64 Fiesta Circle, St. Louis, MO 63146 or pay online.
• Final invoices will be sent in February 2022
• Final payment is due by March 10, 2022
• Reservations will be accepted after March 10, 2022, subject to availability
We are now partnering with an award-winning company called Squaremouth, which helps travelers search, compare, and buy the best travel insurance for the lowest price. They offer excellent customer support and can help you find the best policy for your trip.
We will continue to assist clients who have a current policy with Roam Right Insurance, a division of Arch Insurance Company.
Regardless of reason, cancellations are costly, so we highly recommend purchasing travel insurance:
From time of deposit to until 100 days before departure (if not canceled by us): $100
From 99-15 days prior to departure: $350 cancellation penalty plus any non refundable deposits
14 days or less prior to departure: No refund– Cancellation charges also apply to additional accommodation reserved prior to and after the tour.
– Cancellations must be received in writing by 5:00 p.m. central time on the last business day of the applicable time period.
– For flight changes or cancellations, revision fees and/or airline cancellation charges will apply.
– Roommates canceling can result in a single supplement charge for the roommate. The Participant who cancels will be responsible for that charge if a substitute roommate cannot be found.
– Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance is strongly recommended.
Reformation Tours cannot assume responsibility for any additional costs or fees relating to the issuance and/or cancellation of air tickets or other arrangements not made through Reformation Tours.
Once this form is submitted, you will receive an instant email confirmation. Please check your spam folder if you don’t see it in your inbox.
Please note that all travelers are required to be fully-vaccinated against Covid.
REE22 Highlights of Eastern Europe
We look forward to welcoming you on the tour.
You can fill out your reservations online by clicking the “Book Now” tab (under the images).
You can either send a check made payable to “Reformation Tours” to 64 Fiesta Circle, St. Louis, MO 63146 or click here to pay by credit card (additional 3.5% fee).
We will continue to assist clients who have previously purchased Roam Right Insurance policies, which can be transferred to tours in 2021 and 2022. If you don’t have insurance, we are now offering clients the opportunity to compare and buy insurance directly:
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64 Fiesta Circle, St. Louis, MO 63146
Tel: (618) 222-9914
Toll Free: (800) 303-5534
info@reformationtours.com
CST # 2093421-30