Compare The Best of Eastern Europe by G Adventures vs Witness and Remembrance: Historic Learning and Preservation at Auschwitz by Road Scholar
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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4.5 | Great
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| Duration | 14 days | 13 days |
| Price From | $ 2,899 | $ 4,199 |
| Price Per Day | $ 207 | $ 323 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
| Physical Level |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Airfare included |
| Activities |
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N/A |
| Meals Included | 13 breakfasts |
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| Description |
From fairytale Czech towns to Budapest, the Pearl of the Danube, experience the unique culture, food, and history of Eastern Europe. This two-week trip through six Eastern European countries offers an intriguing combination of urban centres, village life, and outdoor pursuits. Visit castles, churches, and romantic town squares, indulging in Berlin’s café culture and Prague’s beer. |
Spend five days doing service work at Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp and learn about the Holocaust through lectures, discussions and expert-led excursions to important sites. |
Day 1 Berlin
Arrive at any time.
We recommend arriving a day or two early to fully explore this world-renowned city.
Day 2 Berlin
Explore this amazing city. Opt to visit the East Side Gallery, Checkpoint Charlie, world-class museums, or the Berlin Television Tower for a sweeping view of the area.
Berlin is an amazing city with tangible historical importance and a melting pot of different cultures and flavours.
Day 3 Berlin/Krakow
Travel to Krakow, Poland's cultural hub, stopping at the Pławniowice Palace grounds along the way. Take an orientation walk upon arrival and use the evening to explore this lively city.
Watch the scenery go by as you journey to Krakòw. En route, stop by the Pławniowice Palace grounds, one of the best maintained in Silesia. With free time in Krakòw, opt to explore the different neighbourhoods like the Jewish section and main square. Dip into a local milk bar for a real Polish meal.
Day 4 Krakow
Visit Auschwitz for a sobering look at the region's history. Spend the rest of the day exploring charming Krakow.
You may want to end your day embracing Polish social traditions in one of Krakow’s many cellar restaurants and pubs. Dive into the thriving social scene over a few vodkas in one of these cheerful establishments, Zubrowka (Bison Grass Vodka) is a must!
Day 5 Krakow
Take a free day to explore.
Opt to visit Rynek Główny - Europe’s largest medieval market square; savour a traditional Polish breakfast (kielbasa, yum), or sit back with a coffee and a slice of Poland's famous cheesecake (sernik babci) at one of the many cafes in the area. Then, walk it off with a stroll uphill to marvel at the impressive Wawel Royal Castle.
Day 6 Krakow/Prague
Take a scenic day train into Czech Republic. Soak up the atmosphere of Prague, a unique community where every street, ghetto, inn and theatre tells a story.
If you're in the area and want to experience traditional Czech pubs, which are guaranteed to be loud, lively, and packed with locals on any night of the week, this is the place to find restaurants serving traditional Czech cuisine such as fried pork cutlets, goulash, and dumplings.
Day 7 Prague
Enjoy an orientation walk with your CEO before exploring all Prague has to offer. Opt to visit the famous Charles Bridge, the clock tower in the main square or a traditional Czech beer hall with serious helpings of meat and potatoes.
Day 8 Prague
Enjoy an orientation walk with your CEO before exploring all Prague has to offer. Opt to visit the famous Charles Bridge, the clock tower in the main square or a traditional Czech beer hall with serious helpings of meat and potatoes.
Day 9 Prague/Český Krumlov
Travel to Český Krumlov. Spend time wandering the small city or visiting the small town's castle.
Day 10 Český Krumlov/Vienna
Take private van to Austria in time for a walking tour of Vienna's most beautiful sights, including the Hofburg and St Stephen's Cathedral. Later, check in to your accommodations, a G Adventures supported social enterprise.
There's plenty of time here to visit world-famous museums, the opera house or indulge in typical Austrian desserts like strudel or Sacher Torte.
Day 11 Vienna
Wander the elegant streets a little more, take in some of Europe's most distinguished art galleries or just settle yourself on a café terrace, order up a slice of mouthwatering Viennese cake and watch the world go by over coffee.
Day 12 Vienna/Budapest
Travel to Hungary to explore the beautiful city of Budapest. Visit a G Adventures-supported social enterprise café for a welcome drink. Opt to visit Buda Castle, window shop in Pest or soak in the city's famous thermal baths.
With the Danube River dividing old town, Buda, from the newer area, Pest, there is plenty to see and do. To gain deeper insight on local history, opt to pre-book the "Budapest History Walking Tour" on the checkout page ahead of time, to include this optional on your tour.
Day 13 Budapest
Spend a free day exploring this charming and historic city. Opt to take a boat trip down the Danube, or travel further afield to the Etyek wine country.
Day 14 Budapest
Depart at any time.
We recommend staying an extra night or two to experience all this city has to offer.
Day
1
Overnight flight to Berlin
In Flight
Day
2
Arrive Berlin, Explore Friedrichshain
Berlin L,D H+ Hotel4Youth am Mauerpark, Berlin Mitte
Lunch: At local restaurant - depending on arrival times
Afternoon: Orientation walk through the Friedrichshain or Berlin center.
Dinner: At local restaurant
Evening: Free time.
Day
3
Terror Museum, Wall, Brandenburg Gate, Potsdamer Platz
Berlin B,L,D H+ Hotel4Youth am Mauerpark, Berlin Mitte
Breakfast: Buffet breakfast at hotel
Morning: Excursion to the Holocaust Memorial (Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe) and visit to the Topography of Terror- an outdoor museum on the site of the former headquarters of the Gestapo and SS. Visit to one of the largest surviving segments of the Berlin Wall.
Lunch: At a restaurant near the Brandenburg Gate
Afternoon: Tour around Brandenburg Gate and visit Potsdamer Platz, the reunified city's new commercial centerpiece. One of Europe's busiest squares in the 1920's, and site of the world's first traffic light, the square was destroyed in WWII and become a no-man's land, bisected by the Wall during the Cold War. Potsdamer Platz in now home to the Berlin International Film Festival.
Dinner: At local restaurant
Evening: Free time
Day
4
Wannsee Conference Memorial House, Jewish Museum
Berlin B,L,D H+ Hotel4Youth am Mauerpark, Berlin Mitte
Breakfast: Buffet breakfast at hotel.
Morning: Visit the Wannsee Conference Memorial House and Education Site where SS representatives met to discuss plans to implement the "Final Solution."
Lunch: at local restaurant.
Afternoon: (continued) Visit the Wannsee Conference Memorial House and Education Site where SS representatives met to discuss plans to implement the "Final Solution."
Dinner: at a local restaurant.
Evening: Free time.
Day
5
Trasfer to Oswiecim for Service Program.
Auschwitz B,L,D Centre for Dialogue and Prayer (Hotel)
Breakfast: At hotel
Morning: Today will have a scenic drive from Berlin to Oswiecim/Auschwitz. (Oswiecim is sometimes still called Auschwitz, its German name, in reference to the Auschwitz concentration camp).
Lunch: en route
Afternoon: Arrive at the Center for Dialogue and Prayer. Orientation to Service Program.
Dinner: At the Center. While the evening meal in Poland sometimes consists of a cold entree, we have requested a hot meal for your arrival. Please note that alcoholic beverages are not available for purchase at the Center for Dialogue and Prayer.
Evening: Free time
Day
6
Auschwitz Jewish Center, Auschwitz I Camp
Auschwitz B,L,D Centre for Dialogue and Prayer (Hotel)
Breakfast: Buffet breakfast at Center.
Morning: Presentation by staff member of Center for Dialogue and Prayer and excursion to Auschwitz Jewish Center to learn about Jewish life in Oswiecim prior to World War II.
Lunch: At Center. In Poland, the heaviest meal is served mid-day, and usually consists of a soup, salad, meat, and starch.
Afternoon: Guided visit to Auschwitz I. This tour takes approximately three hours. Personal headphones are provided to each participant to better hear the group leader.
Dinner: At the Center. Dinners are lighter than American meals. In the evenings, they may serve one hot dish (like a sausage or pierogies) with a side or two, or cold foods such as cold cuts, cheese, and bread.
Evening: Free time
Day
7
Auschwitz II Camp Birkenau
Auschwitz B,L,D Centre for Dialogue and Prayer (Hotel)
Breakfast: Buffet breakfast at the Center.
Morning: Orientation and service work with the archives department of the Auschwitz museum. Work with archivists to help clean and preserve the artifacts used for displays at the museum as well as for travelling exhibitions.
Lunch: At the Center
Afternoon: Guided visit through the extermination camp (Auschwitz-Birkenau). This tour takes approximately three hours. Headphones are not available for this portion of the tour.
Dinner: At the Center
Evening: Free time
Day
8
Visit town center, Harmeze Monastery
Auschwitz B,L,D Centre for Dialogue and Prayer (Hotel)
Breakfast: Buffet breakfast at the Center
Morning: Visit and tour the town of Oswiecim, including teh former synagogue and Jewish cemetery.
Lunch: at the Center
Afternoon: Visit of survior's art exhibition at the Harmeze monastery.
Dinner: In town, at the Hotel Galicjia, which once entertained French President Jacques Chirac.
Evening: Free time
Day
9
Service Work, Auschwitz National Exhibitions, Holocaust Talk
Auschwitz B,L,D Centre for Dialogue and Prayer (Hotel)
Breakfast: Buffet breakfast at the Center.
Morning: Help maintain the grounds at Auschwitz, to minimize the impact of over one million annual visitors. Take a self-guided tour of the National Exhibitions at Auschwitz I. Your service work may include sweeping paths, raking leaves, and removing debris. While these tasks may seem ordinary, know that you are making an extraordinary contribution to the local community as well as the broader community of Holocaust survivors. By performing even small tasks with care and reverence for those who died, you provide a living, contemplative witness to history. You are also demonstrating to the local community an ethic of volunteering. Few people spend more than a few hours at these sites; your program will allow you to spend several days. When weather interferes with our planned service, we will make every effort to reschedule service hours
Lunch: At the Center
Afternoon: Presentation by a special speaker knowledgeable about the Holocaust.
Dinner: At the Center
Evening: Free time
Day
10
Today will include the completion of service work.
Auschwitz B,L,D Centre for Dialogue and Prayer (Hotel)
Breakfast: At Center
Morning: Continue service work at Auschwitz and self-guided visits to National Exhibitions.
Lunch: At the Center
Afternoon: Presentation by archivist for Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum.
Dinner: At the Center
Evening: Free time
Day
11
Travel to Krakow, Poland, visit the Galicia Jewish Museum.
Krakow B,L,D Campanile Krakow
Breakfast: At the Center
Morning: Coach transfer to hotel in Krakow.
Lunch: At local restaurant.
Afternoon: Walking tour of Kazimierz, the Jewish quarter of Krakow.Visit to Galicia Jewish Museum.
Dinner: Dinner at a local restaurant.
Evening: Free time
Day
12
Walking tour of the historic city center in Krakow.
Krakow B,L,D Campanile Krakow
Breakfast: breakfast at hotel.
Morning: Walking tour of historic Krakow including the town square.
Lunch: lunch at a traditional Polish restaurant.
Afternoon: Free time to continue to explore and enjoy Krakow and the historic town square, shop for souvenirs or return to hotel to prepare for departure.
Dinner: Farewell dinner at restaurant in the old city.
Day
13
Program Concludes
In Flight B
Breakfast: At hotel (or bag breakfast for those departing before the breakfast service)
Morning: Transfer to Krakow airport for return to U.S.
