Prague, Poland and Berlin
June 15-30, 2013
Itinerary and accommodations | How to register | Important information | Contact us
Join UW-Madison as we travel from Prague, through
Poland, to Berlin, learning about the
culture and history
of thesebeautiful and fascinating European cities and the incredible stories of the
people along the way.
We’ll start in the Czech Republic where you’ll spend two days in Prague before traveling to Krakow, Poland, stopping at the unique ossuary in Kutna Hora. The medieval center of Krakow is an extraordinary relic, and the rich and storied history of Poland is on full display in her institutions and environs. From the splendor of Wawel Castle to the mind-numbing heartache of Auschwitz and Birkenau, the fabulous and tragic history of Poland is everywhere you turn.
On our way north we stop in Lublin, for many centuries a vibrant center of Jewish and Yiddish culture, before settling in for two nights in Warsaw. Almost completely destroyed in World War II, Warsaw has been lovingly reconstructed and represents the extraordinary strength and resiliency of the Polish people. This leg of your journey concludes in the city of Poznan with an opportunity to experience the folk traditions that have flourished in Poland for centuries.
The final stop is in the German capital of Berlin where, in addition to organized activities, you will also have plenty of time on your own to explore this city as you wish.
This is going to be a fascinating educational journey through 500 years of history, rich with equal parts glory and tragedy. Join us!
Itinerary
June 15
Depart the
United States to Prague
June 16: Prague
After arriving, enjoy a free afternoon to explore this beautiful city center, with a welcome dinner that night.
June 17: Prague
A tour of the Old Town Square, St. Nicholas Church, the Church of Our Lady, the Jewish Quarter, Wenceslas Square, Prague Castle, St. Vitus Cathedral, and Charles Bridge. We’ll also enjoy a dinner cruise on the Vltava River.
June 18: Prague to Krakow via Kutna Hora
On the way to Krakow we’ll stop in Kutna Hora, 14th century Bohemia’s greatest source of wealth, to visit the spectacular St. Barbara Cathedral and the extraordinary Sedlec Ossuary.
June 19: Krakow
Poland’s capital for 500 years, we’ll visit the beautiful city
center, St. Mary’s Basilica, the Cloth Hall, Wawel Castle, and Wawel Cathedral, and you’ll have some time to roam on your own in the afternoon.
June 20: Krakow
A full day excursion begins in Oswiecim, where we will pay
our respects at the State Museum of Auschwitz-Birke
nau, the location of history’s most extensive experiment in genocide, and then we’ll visit the amazing Salt Work Museum and
Salt Mine at Wieliczka.
June 21: Krakow
Today you’ll have a full day to yourself in this beautiful and fascinating city.
June 22: Krakow to Lublin to Warsaw
Lublin has one of the finest medieval urban complexes in
Poland, and we’ll visit the Market Square, Old Town Hall, and surrounding burgher houses. On our way to Warsaw we will stop at the Nazi concentration camp of Majdanek.
June 23: Warsaw
Lovingly reconstructed after almost total destruction in World War II, Old Town’s Royal Castle, St John’s Cathedral, the Market Square, and the Barbican are our destinations today.
June 24: Warsaw to Poznan
Next stop is Lowicz, a small town known for cultivating folk traditions in music, dress, and crafts, on our way to Poznan.
June 25: Poznan
In Poznan we’ll visit the museums and Old Town of Poland’s first capital, inhabited since approximately 800 AD.
June 26: Poznan to Berlin
After our arrival in Berlin, we’ll embark on a city tour featuring the Reichstag and Schloss Charlottenburg, the opera, and
Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church.
June 27: Berlin
Today's plan includes a walking tour of Berlin’s pre-war Jewish
neighborhoods that experienced their heydays in the 18th
and 19th centuries. You’ll see the site of the first synagogue, the Boys School, the Old Cemetery, and the New Synagogue and museum. Your afternoon will be free.
June 28: Berlin
A day trip to Potsdam to visit the lakes and palaces of the
Prussian Kings, German Emperors, and Soviet Commissars.
June 29: Berlin
Today will be completely unscheduled so that you can craft
an itinerary in Berlin to suit your own interests.
June 30
Return to the United States
Accommodations
Prague- Hotel Ambassador
Krakow- Hotel Andels
Warsaw- Hotel Polonia Palace
Poznan- Hotel Mercure
Berlin- Hotel Leonardo Royal Berlin
Important Information
Everyone is welcome to join our trips. A healthy amount of tourist walking will be required in order to visit the museums, churches, monuments, palaces, and other aspects of our city tours. An ability, and willingness, to maintain a group walking pace is necessary to fully enjoy this experience safely.
Travel Insurance
University of Wisconsin-Madison Continuing Studies expects all participants on our international travel programs to obtain travel Insurance to cover medical emergency, medical evacuation, repatriation, trip cancellation, etc. You may obtain travel insurance from your own insurance provider, travel agents and/or online. A good place to begin an online search is Squaremouth.com which allows you to see many different policies from many different travel insurance companies
Fee details
The price of this trip is $5,999. This includes: your roundtrip international airfare, all lodging, all ground transportation, all entry fees, all guide services, daily breakfasts, and most other meals. This price is based upon double occupancy; single supplement is $1,128 extra. Personal tips and drinks are extra.
Early reservations are essential and a deposit of $1000 per person is due upon registration. Your deposit is nonrefundable. We urge you to purchase trip cancellation insurance to recover your costs if you must cancel your plans to join us. Travel insurance information will be included in your registration confirmation packet.
How to register
Or contact Kim Seymour at 608-262-3731 or kseymour@dcs.wisc.edu to reserve your place today!
Traveler comments about previous trips
“Your tours are designed for those who share common interests and a love of learning.”
“This was the best historical trip we have ever done.”
“It’s difficult to imagine a trip that is more perfectly planned and executed.”
“The trip was a true bargain. There is no way that a few persons could attempt a trip of that magnitude physically or financially. Everything we experienced was spectacular.”
“Our guide had an impressive amount of knowledge to share – historical, religious, and cultural. The driver was friendly and very helpful.”
Your travel director
Doug Whittle, UW-Madison Director of Educational Travel, has traveled independently across Asia, Africa, Europe and Central and South America. In eight years with the University of Wisconsin-Madison he has designed and led over 50 trips, on 5 continents, for UW-Madison Continuing Studies.
Contact information
Kim Seymour, 608-262-3731, kseymour@dcs.wisc.edu or Doug Whittle, Director, 608-263-7787, dwhittle@dcs.wisc.edu