Students in Prague
11-Day Study Tour to Poland and the Czech Republic
Would you like to see the best of Poland and the Czech Republic in 11 days? Join our 2012 study tour! The tour includes accommodation, airport transfers, a bilingual resident director, tours, on-site transport, pre-departure information, and health/accident insurance. We are now accepting applications.
Contact us to apply!
ITINERARY
May 21 Arrive in Krakow – Airport pick up
Accommodation in a 3-star hotel. Meet in the hotel lobby for an orientation meeting. Walk to the Old Town for a Welcome Dinner.
May 22 Tour of Krakow
Krakow is one city in Poland that can’t be missed. For centuries Polish kings and queens resided there before the capital was moved to Warsaw. Today the city prides itself on being the center of Polish culture. With over 6,000 historical buildings and monuments, Krakow is also a great place to learn about the country’s history. Since this was one of the few cities that was not destroyed during WW II, the Old Town still retains its medieval layout and some of the buildings date back to the 10th and 11th centuries. Due to its beauty and historical significance UNESCO named Krakow to its original list of World Heritage Sites in 1978. Krakow will enchant you with its charming Old Town, historic royal castle and cathedral on Wawel Hill, majestic churches and numerous museums, cafes and shops.
Jazz concert (or similar activity) in the evening.
May 23 Half-day trip to the Wieliczka Salt Mine
Imagine visiting a 17th-century chapel carved out of salt? At the Wieliczka Salt Mine you’ll be able to tour this chapel as well as other chambers all made out of salt by former miners. This 700-year-old salt mine (kopalnia soli) is a UNESCO World Culture and Heritage Site. In addition to functioning as a tourist attraction, it also serves as an underground health spa thanks to its special microclimate which is known for treating allergies and other health conditions.
Free evening in Krakow.
May 24 Day trip to the former Nazi concentration camps, Auschwitz and Birkenau
Not far from Krakow is the site of the largest Nazi death camps, Auschwitz and Birkenau. Most visitors recall the inscription on the gate to Auschwitz “Arbeit Macht Frei” (“work makes you free”) from films or books about the Holocaust. This is a chilling reminder of atrocities that occurred there. In 1940 the Nazis built the first death camp called Auschwitz. In need of more space, one year later the Nazis moved to nearby Brzezinka and created a much larger camp called Birkenau. It is estimated that between 1 and 1.5 million people died at these camps, and over 90% of them were Jews. Today the camps serve as a museum.
May 25 Day trip to Zakopane (in the Tatra Mountains)
If you would like to experience all of Poland’s hotspots then you can’t miss taking a trip to Zakopane and the Tatra Mountains. The Tatras are the highest range of the Carpathians Mountains stretching across the Polish-Slovakian border. After taking a cable-car ride up to the summit of Kasprowy Wierch you can stand with one foot in Poland and one foot in Slovakia. At the northern foot of the mountains is Zakopane. It’s considered the country’s “winter capital,” and it attracts about one million tourists per year. It is especially popular among skiers and hikers. Many tourists also enjoy Zakopane’s unique highlander culture and the so-called “Zakopane style” of wooden architecture created by Stanislaw Witkiewicz (1851-1915). Depending on the time of year of your study tour, your trip might include rafting on a wooden raft on the Dunajec River.
May 26 Day train to Prague
Accommodation in a 3-star hotel, dinner.
May 27 Full-day tour of Prague
Prague is considered one of the jewels of Central Europe. It’s the capital and the largest city of the Czech Republic with over 1.2 million people. Situated on the Vtlava River, it’s sometimes called the “city of a hundred spires” and the “golden city.” Tourists come from all over the world to see the famous Charles Bridge, the Prague Castle, and many other beautiful sights. You can spend hours wandering the cobblestone streets through the Old Town Square and admiring the city’s architectural treasures. The Old Town is the best place to buy typical Czech presents for family and friends.
May 28 Day trip to Karlove Vary
Karlove Vary, also known as Karlsbad, was founded in the 14th century by Czech King Charles IV. He discovered a hot spring there and used the water to heal his injured leg. Legend has it that he ordered a town to be built around the miraculous spring. The development of a spa gave rise to the new social and special-purpose buildings. The first public spa house (The Mill Spa) was built in the early 18th century, along with the Baroque church of St. Mary Magdalene. Karlsbad was increasingly becoming an important venue for gatherings, and the spa was visited by the elite of the 19th century, such as Beethoven, Franz Joseph I, Paganini, Chopin, Mozart, Freud, Gogol, Tyl, Purkyne, Dobrovsky and many others. Karlove Vary remains popular among the contemporary VIPs. Even stars such as Jude Law, Antonio Banderas, John Malkovich, Robert De Niro, Renee Zellweger and others show up there regularly.
May 29 Boat trip on the Vtlava River
See Prague from a different perspective—a river boat! During the trip you will see the most significant sights of Prague such as St. Agnes Convent, Prague Castle, Rudolfinum, the Charles Bridge and the National Theatre. Depending on your preferences, there will be lunch on the boat or a Czech folk dinner and dancing show. You will have free time to explore Prague before attending a soothing jazz concert in the evening with famous local & international artists.
May 30 Day trip to Karlstejn Castle
Located close to Prague, is one of the most stunning castles in the Czech Republic. This large Gothic castle founded in 1384 has a unique role in Czech history. It was built by Czech King and Roman Emperor Charles IV as a place to safely house the royal treasures, especially Charles’ collection of holy relics and the coronation jewels of the Roman Empire. Over the years the castle was reconstructed numerous times to reflect late-Gothic, Renaissance, and neo-Gothic styles. On your trip you’ll tour the castle and from the Great Tower you can see the breathtaking view of the national forest that surrounds the castle.
After returning to Prague, you’ll enjoy a special Farewell Dinner.
May 31 Departure from Prague
PRICES
$1650 per student
*All prices are based on a minimum of 5 participants in a double occupancy room. Prices will slightly increase for groups smaller than 5.
What’s Included:
-Airport Welcome
-Bilingual Program Director throughout the trip
-Welcome dinner in Krakow
-Accommodation in 3-star hotels
-Breakfast at the hotel
-Ground transportation (trains, taxis, etc.)
-Guided tours and trips included in the above itinerary
-Welcome dinner in Prague
-Riverboat tour or folk dinner
-Farewell dinner in Prague
-Airport drop-off
-Basic travel and accident insurance
What’s Not Included:
-Lunch and dinner
-Round-trip airfare to Krakow/from Prague
-Spending money
Contact us to apply today!
