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 14-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, the High Tatras, 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 High Tatras, a Jewish dinner with entertainment, the Hungarian National Museum, a musical evening in Vienna, a cruise along the Danube, Melk Abbey, Cesky Krumlov, 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: Monday, June 5, 2023: Departure
Our journey will begin as we board our international flight bound for Krakow, Poland. (IF)
Day 2: Tuesday, June 6, 2023: Kraków
We will arrive in Krakow and meet our tour director and driver before transferring to our city center hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore the ancient capital of Poland, which has been settled since the Stone Age. We will enjoy a welcome dinner in our hotel this evening. (IF/D)
Day 3: Wednesday, June 7, 2023: Kraków
After breakfast we will begin with a guided walking tour of Old Town Krakow, which dates back to 1257, when it was founded by Prince Bolesav V. We will see the huge Grand Square and the Cathedral Church of St. Waclaw and Bistop Stanislaus. The Cloth Hall was built in 1349 and updated in the 16th century. We will also view the shoe factory where Pope John Paul II (Karol Kojtyla) worked when he was young. In the afternoon we will tour the Schindler’s Factory Museum. As well as hearing how factory owner Oskar Schindler saved the lives of many Jewish workers, we will also learn more about Krakow’s wartime years. The evening is at leisure to dine in the restaurant of our choice. (B)
Day 4: Thursday, June 8, 2023: Auschwitz, Krakow
Our morning we have a trip to Auschwitz, a concentration camp set up in 1940 where approximately 1.5 million were exterminated. The museum is now a UNESCO world heritage site. We will see the cell of St. Maximilian Koble, a Polish priest who was arrested for helping Jews. He gave his life in exchange for a fellow prisoner who had a wife and children. After a packed lunch, we will explore the Jewish district of Krakow, known as Kazimierz. In the evening we will enjoy dinner in a Jewish restaurant with live Klezmer music. (B/L/D)
Day 5: Friday, June 9, 2023: Wieliczka, High Tatras
After breakfast we will take a tour of a unique salt mine in Wieliczka, which is the oldest salt mine in Poland, dating back to the Middle Ages. For centuries it was the source of the country’s wealth and an integral part of Polish culture. We’ll go below ground to see some of the corridors and chambers. After lunch in the restaurant, we will continue to the High Tatras region. We’ll dine in our 4* hotel and have a relaxing evening. (B/L/D)
Day 6: Saturday, June 10, 2023: Levoča, Kežmarok, High Tatras
Our tour in the beautiful medieval town of Levoča will include seeing the world-famous altar in the Church of St. James, which is the highest wood-carved altar in Europe. It was carved by Pastor Paul of Levoča. We will dine in the town, which has many stunning Renaissance buildings. In the afternoon we will tour the UNESCO Church of the Holy Trinity in Kežmarok. This wooden articular church which dates back to 1717 has no metal parts, even the organ pipes are wooden! We will dine in our hotel. (B/L/D)
Day 7: Sunday, June 11, 2023: Banská Štiavnica, Budapest
After breakfast, we will continue our drive to Budapest stopping on our way in Banská Štiavnica in Central Slovakia. The town is in the middle of an immense caldera from an ancient volcano and as the town is such a good example of a preserved medieval town, it was granted UNESCO status. We will have free time to explore, then we will have a special lunch accompanied by local musicians playing Slovakian instruments. We will then travel to Budapest and the evening is at leisure. (B/L)
Day 8: Monday, June 12, 2023: Budapest
We will begin our tour the twin cities of Buda and Pest with a visit to St. Stephen’s Basilica and the Great Market Hall, where we will eat lunch. In the afternoon we will have wonderful views from Fisherman’s Bastion and visit the 13th century St. Matthias Church. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore the city independently. (B/L)
Day 9: Tuesday, June 13, 2023: Pannonhalma, Bratislava, Vienna
On the way to Vienna we will visit Pannonhalma Archabbey, which was founded in 996 by the Benedictines. Saint Martin of Tours was believed to have been born nearby. Today there are about 50 monks living in the monastery and there is also a high school and boarding school for boys. We will have lunch together on the way to Bratislava, where we’ll have a walking tour including the Dome of St. Martin. This is the coronation church of the Hapsburgs. We’ll end the day in Vienna and the evening is at leisure. (B/L)
Day 10: Wednesday, June 14, 2023: Vienna
Today is a free day to explore Vienna on our own. There is also the option (included in tour price) to join a local guide for a city tour which will acquaint us with the major sights of the city, including the elegant Kärntner Ring, St. Stephan’s Cathedral, and more. Once the tour is a guaranteed departure, you can book optional tours to the Spanish Riding School or other attractions in Vienna. 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 11: Thursday, June 15, 2023: Krems, Melk, Český Krumlov
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 Spitz. On arrival in Melk, we will have a group lunch, then visit the beautiful Melk Abbey before continuing on our way to Cesky Krumlov. We will have a free evening to explore the town, which was built around a 13th century castle with Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque elements. There are many Romas (Gypsies) that live in the town and we can experience some of their lively music. (B/L)
Day 12: Friday, June 16, 2023: Český Krumlov, Prague
This morning we will have a walking tour of Český Krumlov including the castle courtyard before the tour crowds arrive, followed by some free time. The town was preserved from bombing in WWII, so it has retained its medieval charm. We’ll drive to Prague in the afternoon and the evening is at leisure. (B)
Day 13: Saturday, June 17, 2023: Prague
Our Prague 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. After time for lunch, we will walk down to the historic Charles Bridge and cross the Moldau River to the Old Town Square and its renowned Astronomical Clock. 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 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 14: Sunday, June 18, 2023: Return
This morning we will transfer to 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
June 6-9, 2023
Hotel Golden Tulip
Krakowska 28
31 062 Krakow
Poland
Kežmarok, Slovakia
June 9-11, 2023
Hotel Hviezdoslav
Hlavné námestie 95
060 01 Kežmarok
Slovakia
Budapest, Hungary
June 11-13, 2023
Hotel Continental
Dohány u. 42-44
1074 Budapest
Hungary
Vienna, Austria
June 13-15, 2023
Hotel Regina
Rooseveltplatz 15
1090 Vienna
Austria
Czesky Krumlov, Czech Republic
June 15-16, 2023
Hotel Mlyn
Parkán 120, Vnitřní Město
381 01 Český Krumlov
Czech Republic
Prague, Czech Republic
June 16-18, 2023
Hotel Majestic Plaza
Štěpánská 645/33
110 00 Nové Město, Prague
Czech Republic
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.
The group itinerary is $1,785 round-trip from Indianapolis.
Flight No. | Date | From | To | Departs | Arrives |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
DL 2859 | June 5 | Indianapolis | Atlanta | 6:04 PM | 7:39 PM |
KLM 622 | June 5/6 | Atlanta | Amsterdam | 10:30 PM | 12:55 PM |
KLM 1995 | June 6 | Amsterdam | Krakow | 2:25 PM | 4:15 PM |
KLM 1352 | June 18 | Prague | Amsterdam | 8:50 AM | 10:25 AM |
KLM 641 | June 18 | Amsterdam | JFK | 1:25 PM | 3:25 PM |
DL 5422 | June 18 | JFK | Indianapolis | 7:29 PM | 10:05 PM |
Arrival: Please arrange to arrive in Kraków no later than 4:00 PM on Tuesday, June 6, 2023.
Departure: You are welcome to depart from Prague at any time on Sunday, June 18, 2023.
Pre- and post-tour nights can be booked through us.
Price based on a minimum of 15 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 in Cesky Krumlov
• All taxes and tips except as indicated below
• Round-trip air transportation and related taxes and fees ($1,785 round-trip Indianapolis)
• Single supplement ($700)
• 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.
• Final invoices will be sent in February 2023
• Final payment is due by March 20, 2023
• Reservations will be accepted after March 20, 2023, subject to availability
IMG is an excellent company that responds to claims quickly and efficiently. There are three possible policies depending on the amount of coverage you’d like. The brochure links are below.
iTravelInsured Travel SE is the most popular option.
iTravelInsured Travel Lite is the most economical option.
iTravelInsured Travel LX is the most expensive option.
Click here for a no-obligation quote. The contact details for Cave Insurance are listed on the website and brochures if you have any questions.
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.
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We look forward to welcoming you on the tour.
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