YOUR O.A.T. ADVENTURE TRAVEL PLANNING GUIDE®

Jewels of : , & 2022

Small Groups: 8-16 travelers—guaranteed! (average of 13)

Overseas Adventure Travel ® The Leader in Personalized Small Group Adventures on the Road Less Traveled 1 Dear Traveler,

At last, the world is opening up again for curious travel lovers like you and me. And the O.A.T. Jewels of Bohemia: Czech Republic, Slovakia & Hungary itinerary you’ve expressed interest in will be a wonderful way to resume the discoveries that bring us so much joy. You might soon be enjoying standout moments like these:

In my mind, there is nothing more quaint and picturesque than the rural villages that dot the countryside of the Czech Republic. To immerse myself in their traditions and everyday life, I explore rural communities like Slavonice, a small village nestled on the border with Austria. You’ll see what I mean when you experience A Day in the Life of a small, family-run farm here, where you’ll have the opportunity to meet the owners, lend a hand with the daily farm chores, and share a Home-Hosted with your hosts around the warmth of a bonfire.

I believe the most moving stories you’ll hear are from the locals who live and work in the regions you travel to around the world, and that is what I found to be true in when I spoke with Zdenek Vacek, a local teacher and lifelong Prague resident, about the Velvet Revolution. I was saddened to hear the reality of their turbulent past under the Czech Communist regime. You’ll hear his harrowing story as well when you sit down with him in a local café to discuss his life as a child under communism. He’ll also talk of his participation in the 1989 Velvet Revolution, where hundreds of thousands of Czechs peacefully demonstrated for the end of the Communist Party. He’ll talk candidly of his experience and offer his perspective on how modern-day politicians have drastically drifted from this revolutionary spirit.

The way we see it, you’ve come a long way to experience the true culture—not some fairytale version of it. So we keep our groups small, with only 8-16 travelers (average 13) to ensure that your encounters with local people are as intimate and authentic as possible. It’s also why your O.A.T. Trip Experience Leader will be a resident “insider” who can show you the culture as only a local can.

To ensure that your adventure is truly unique, put your own personal stamp on it. You can arrive early and stay later, add a pre- or post-trip extension, spend time in a Stopover city, or combine two or more trips. Plus, your itinerary offers ample free time so you can pursue your own interests.

So until the day comes when you are off to enjoy your Jewels of Bohemia: Czech Republic, Slovakia & Hungary adventure, I hope you will relish the fun and anticipation that this O.A.T. Adventure Travel Planning Guide® will inspire. Should you have further questions, feel free to call our Regional Adventure Counselors at 1-800-955-1925.

Love and peace,

Harriet R. Lewis Vice Chairman, Overseas Adventure Travel

P.S. For further peace of mind, please know that we are EXTENDING our Risk-Free Booking Policy through 12/31/21. Learn more at www.oattravel.com/risk-free-booking.

USA Today “Best Tours” 10Best Readers’ Presented by Choice Awards Solo Traveler

2 CONTENTS

A Letter from Harriet Lewis ...... 2 The O.A.T. Difference...... 4 The Freedom to Personalize Your Experience ...... 6 Grand Circle Foundation...... 8 The Leader in Solo Travel ...... 9

JEWELS OF BOHEMIA: CZECH Shopping: What to Buy, Customs, REPUBLIC, SLOVAKIA & HUNGARY Shipping & More ...... 88 Your Adventure at a Glance: Where You’re Going, What it Costs, DEMOGRAPHICS & HISTORY and What’s Included ...... 10 Czech Republic ...... 91 Your Detailed Day-To-Day Itinerary ...... 12 Facts, Figures & National Holidays ...... 91 Optional Tours ...... 30 The Czech Republic: A Brief History ...... 91 Pre-Trip Extensions ...... 31 Slovakia ...... 92 Post-Trip Extensions ...... 44 Facts, Figures & National Holidays ...... 92 Dates & Prices ...... 54 Slovakia: A Brief History ...... 93 Hungary ...... 94 ESSENTIAL TRAVEL INFORMATION Facts, Figures & National Holidays ...... 94 Travel Documents & Entry Requirements. . . 55 Hungary: A Brief History ...... 95 No Visas Required ...... 56 Germany...... 96 Requirements for the Czech Republic ..... 56 Facts, Figures & National Holidays ...... 96 Rigors, Vaccines & General Health ...... 58 Germany: A Brief History ...... 97 Vaccines Required ...... 59 ...... 98 Money Matters: Local Currency Facts, Figures & National Holidays ...... 98 & Tipping Guidelines...... 61 Poland: A Brief History ...... 99 Air, Optional Tours & Staying in Touch ..... 66 Austria ...... 100 Optional Tours ...... 66 Facts, Figures & National Holidays ...... 100 Communicating with Home from Abroad . . 67 Austria: A Brief History ...... 101 Packing: What to Bring & Luggage Limits . . . 69 ...... 102 Suggested Packing Lists ...... 70 Facts, Figures & National Holidays ...... 102 Electricity Abroad ...... 73 Romania: A Brief History ...... 103 Climate & Average Temperatures ...... 75 RESOURCES ABOUT YOUR DESTINATIONS: Suggested Reading ...... 105 CULTURE, ETIQUETTE & MORE Suggested Film & Video ...... 109 The Culture of ...... 79 Religion and Religious Observances ...... 80 Language ...... 80

O.A.T. Health & Safety Measures...... 115 Notes...... 116 Map ...... 119

3 EXPERIENCE THE O.A.T. DIFFERENCE in Central Europe

This adventure not only showcases iconic sights, but takes you beyond them to experience the culture through unique activities, engagement with the natural world, and authentic encounters with local people. Since our founding in 1978, O.A.T. has become America’s leader in personalized small group journeys on the road less traveled. SMALL GROUPS: 8-16 TRAVELERS LOCAL MODES OF TRANSPORTATION (AVERAGE OF 13)—GUARANTEED To see the world like the locals, you should The world feels more intimate and engaging travel like one. Our small group size allows when your experience of it is also personal us to take the roads and waterways that are and genuine. That’s why our groups never less traveled, and we often follow them using exceed 16 travelers. This gives you access to the same unique modes of transportation people and places larger groups simply can’t that the locals use—be it a canoe, a camel or a reach. More authentic interactions. Deeper vintage cab. bonds with your travel mates. Personal service from your Trip Experience Leader. Smoother UNIQUE LODGINGS transitions. And a far more satisfying Our lodgings reflect the local character, experience than any traditional tour offers. from smaller family-run hotels and historic manors to comfy inns. Occasionally, larger THE BEST TRIP EXPERIENCE LEADERS hotels closer to city centers are used. Wherever Your English-speaking, O.A.T. Trip Experience you stay, you’re assured fine comfort and Leader is a resident of the region you are hospitality. visiting, so you will get a true insider’s perspective that brings each place alive—the OUR WORLDWIDE OFFICES stories, , customs, hidden treasures With 36 regional offices around the world, and more. we are perfectly poised to leverage our local relationships to deliver an excellent experience AUTHENTIC CULTURAL CONNECTIONS and value. During this trip, you’ll be supported Engage with local people through visits to by our team in Prague. farms, factories, markets, and artisans’ studios; school visits; Home-Hosted ; and more.

Raft along the Vltava River in Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic Connect with local people in the Czech Republic

4 THE PILLARS OF DISCOVERY En riching. Inspiring. Unforgettable. These features form the foundation of your Jewels of Bohemia adventure.

GRAND CIRCLE FOUNDATION (GCF) VISIT discuss how modern-day Czechs are divided GCF was established in 1992 to help change about their attitude toward the post-Communist people’s lives in the world where we live, work, government and current administration. and travel. To date, we have pledged or donated A DAY IN THE LIFE $200 million worldwide. Do you ever wonder, “What would it be like By investing in the places we explore— to live here?” when you visit new lands? Let’s including local schools, cooperatives, or arts find out during your O.A.T. A Day in the Life, an centers—we hope to give locals the skills and exclusive, immersive experience that places you confidence they need to become leaders of in the heart of a community where you’ll meet their generation and preserve their heritage for various people where they live, work, and play; many years to come. We’re proud to play a part visit the neighborhood school; lend a hand with in preserving precious locales like the Bryggen daily chores; and break with our hosts. waterfront district of Bergen, a living example This adventure includes A Day in the Life of the glory days of the Hanseatic League, and experience in a rural Czech farming village supporting villages like Harmi in Estonia, where you’ll meet with the owners and get a whose once-struggling school is now a center firsthand insight into the inner workings of of community life. a traditional Czech farm. You may even get CONTROVERSIAL TOPICS hands-on experience by helping with some of Every culture has its joys and achievements, the farm’s daily chores before sharing a and we celebrate them all. But every place featuring regional specialties. also has its challenges, and to gloss over them HOME-HOSTED EXPERIENCES would not do justice to those whose stories Stories shared. Differences solved. Taste buds need to be told—nor to you, as a traveler who engaged. Good will extended. It’s amazing the deserves more than a -coated version of things that can happen across a table, things. So our Trip Experience Leaders will so we’ll break into groups of 4-5 to join a local lead frank discussions on controversial issues, family in their home for a snack or a meal. and introduce you to people whose stories will This is a rare opportunity to witness family expand your understanding. life, learn local customs, and taste some For example, we’ll meet with a lifelong Prague home-cooked fare. resident who grew up under the boot of On this adventure, we’ll share a meal with a Czechoslovakia’s communist regime from birth. Czech family in their home in Cesky Krumlov He’ll delve into his own harrowing accounts and witness what life is like in this small from childhood, and then how he joined town in South Bohemia as they go about their hundreds of thousands in Wenceslas Square evening routine. As you get to know your during the Velvet Revolution—the nonviolent hosts, take the time to ask questions and get a movement which finally led to the downfall better sense of not just local Czech culture, but of the Communist government. We’ll also also family dynamics and culinary traditions.

5 You're in control with THE FREEDOM TO PERSONALIZE YOUR EXPERIENCE Exclusively with O.A.T. Your Choice. Your Adventure. Your Way.

It’s your adventure, so why not make it exactly what you want it to be? We offer an exclusive variety of options that let you tailor your adventure so it’s completely your own. In fact, O.A.T. is the only travel company to offer this level of flexibility and choice for a truly personalized experience.

PRE- OR POST-TRIP EXTENSIONS 2. Great value: All extensions include Every O.A.T. adventure offers at least one accommodations, daily , and optional pre-trip and one post-trip extension. airport transfers. Here’s why more than 55% of O.A.T. travelers 3. Continuity and camaraderie: You’ll usually choose to take a pre- or post-trip extension: travel with the same Trip Experience 1. You’ll maximize your discoveries—often Leader who leads your main trip, enjoying in an even smaller group than your main more of his or her insider expertise— adventure (on average, 6 travelers with a and more time to bond with the group. dedicated Trip Experience Leader)—and take advantage of your included airfare.

Optional Extensions offered with your Europe adventure

Berlin, Wittenberg, Dresden & the NEW! Poland: Krakow, Auschwitz & Warsaw Elbe River Valley 5 nights pre-trip from $1695 5 nights pre-trip from $1695

Brandenburg Gate, , Germany Wawel Castle, Krakow, Poland

Vienna: Palaces, Music, Architecture NEW! Transylvania: Myths, Castles & & Medieval Fortresses 5 nights post-trip from $1595 6 nights post-trip from $1695

Belvedere Palace, Vienna, Austria Bran Castle, Transylvania, Romania

6 ARRIVE EARLY, STAY LATER , and roundtrip private airport Extending your time abroad—with us or transfers. Here are a few popular destinations: on your own—is the best way to broaden • London or Paris: $895 per person your experience. It’s also a practical way to • Rome or Amsterdam: $795 per person maximize the value of the international airfare covered in your main itinerary. Other O.A.T. Stopovers are available. If the city you’re interested in is not offered, our Regional Expand Your Discoveries Before Adventure Counselors can arrange your airfare. or After Your Adventure COMBINE ADVENTURES Arrive early in the first destination on your You’re already overseas. Why not see more and pre-trip extension or main adventure, or stay maximize your value by avoiding the cost and later in the last city on your main adventure or length of another international flight? Here’s post-trip extension. By coming early, you can why 2,250 O.A.T. travelers combined two or rest after your flight and adjust—with time to more adventures in 2019: explore. By staying later, you have extra time to relax, pack, or continue exploring. • Save a total of $600-$3000 per person when you combine two adventures compared to the This option lets you take advantage of our cost of taking each trip separately. lower group rates, with prices from $75 per • Apply the 5% or 6% Frequent Traveler Credit person per night—including accommodations, you earn on your first trip to your second trip. private airport transfer, and daily breakfast. • Sir Edmund Hillary Club members save an • Arrive early in Prague for $75 per extra $250-$350 per person when booking person, per night multiple trips in a calendar year. • Arrive early in Berlin on the Elbe River • Our Regional Adventure Counselors make all Valley pre-trip extension for $100 per the arrangements for a seamless experience. person, per night Combine this trip with our The Baltic Capitals • Arrive early in Krakow on the Poland pre-trip & St. Petersburg adventure—for a total cost extension for $75 per person, per night of $6190-$7790 per person—and save $800- • Conclude your main trip with more time $1300 per person versus taking each trip in Budapest for just $75 per person, per night separately. • Spend more time in Vienna at the end of AIR PREFERENCES the Austria post-trip extension for $125 per 54% of our travelers customize their air person, per night itineraries: • Spend more time in at the end • Choose your departure city and airline of the Transylvania post-trip extension • Depart from one city and return to another for $75 per person, per night • Upgrade to Premium Economy or Accommodations are at the same hotels where Business Class you begin or end the main trip and optional extensions, so transitions will be seamless. FREEDOM OF CHOICE DURING YOUR ADVENTURE NEW! Stopover in any major international city Our itineraries provide a balance of included Travelers with O.A.T. airfare have the activities and free time so you always have the opportunity to Stopover in popular cities. Your flexibility to participate in included activities, go price includes 3 nights accommodations, daily off on your own entirely, or do a mix of both.

7 GRAND CIRCLE FOUNDATION Changing people’s lives, one village, one school, one person at a time

GIVING BACK TO THE WORLD WE TRAVEL Dear Traveler, Since our inception in 1992, the Grand Circle In 1992 we established Grand Circle Foundation has pledged or donated more than Foundation, an entity of the Lewis Family $200 million to projects around the world. Foundation, as a means to give back to the world that had already given us so JOIN OUR GENEROUS TRAVELERS much. We’ve pledged or donated more We consider each and every one of our travelers than $200 million worldwide to support to be partners in our worldwide giving. the education of young people and the Some travelers, however, are so inspired by preservation of international treasures the schools and villages they visit, they are and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. compelled to give more. In fact, our travelers have donated more than $1 million in 2019 Of , none of this would be possible alone. And because we have no administrative without your help. A portion of the costs, 100% of donations are used to help proceeds of every adventure is donated to change people’s lives. Grand Circle Foundation—so just as your life will be enriched by the discoveries BETTER OUR OWN COMMUNITIES— you’ll make on your journey, you’ll also ALL AROUND THE WORLD help to enrich the lives of the people you’ll In addition to the destinations where we travel, meet along the way. we strive to better the communities where Thank you for traveling with us, and for we work—from our headquarters in helping to change people’s lives. to our 36 offices around the world. In Boston, more than 99% of our associates participate Love and peace, in community service each year. Worldwide, nearly all of our offices organize annual community service events of their own. Harriet R. Lewis Chair, Grand Circle Foundation How you can help To learn more about ongoing Foundation projects, you can sign up for our weekly e-newsletter, the Inside Scoop, at www.oattravel.com/community/the- inside-scoop. When you do, you’ll not only receive updates on Grand Circle Foundation, but the latest news and discoveries on all things Grand Circle and Overseas Adventure Travel.

SCAN ME See how Grand Circle Foundation is giving back in this video Open the camera feature on your mobile device, and hover the lens over this code to scan it. A pop-up notification will take you www.grandcirclefoundation.org directly to the video.

8 THE LEADER IN SOLO TRAVEL in Central Europe—and Around the World

ON THIS ADVENTURE … FREE Single Supplements: We don’t charge The leader in solo-friendly a single supplement on this adventure and travel for Americans— optional trip extensions—a savings of $900- by the numbers $1,395 per person compared to other travel companies. But single spaces fill quickly, so early reservations are advised. More than 50% of all O.A.T. travelers are women who travel solo One of our most popular trips for solo travelers. More than 535 solo travelers joined us on this adventure in 2018 and 2019—either In 2022, we’re offering 30,000 independently or sharing a room with a singles spaces across all O.A.T. mother, daughter, sister, or friend. adventures. That’s 86% more than High ratings: More than 92% of these solo offered in 2019 travelers rated their adventure excellent.

On average, half of your group will also be 92% of our 30,000 single spaces traveling independently, so it’s easy to forge have FREE Single Supplements. The special bonds as you experience unforgettable remaining 8% have the lowest single moments together. supplements in the industry.

You’ll be in good hands, thanks to your dedicated local Trip Experience Leader (a In 2022, we’re offering 25 exclusive resident of Central Europe), and the expertise women’s departures on some of our of our regional office team in Prague. most popular itineraries

Increased Single Space: In 2022, we have 146% more single spaces than in 2019, with up to 8 single spaces per departure. NEW! 101+ SCAN ME See available FREE single space at Tips for Solo www.oattravel.com/bca2022. Women Travelers Exclusive Women’s Departures: We are This complimentary, 96-page thrilled to offer a women-only departure booklet is a comprehensive of Jewels of Bohemia: April 1, 2022. Space collection of savvy tips is limited so don’t delay. Join our traveling specifically for seasoned women travelers going solo. Learn about sisterhood today! safety for solos, packing like a pro, the best travel apps, self-care on the road, and more. Scan this code to view an online copy or to request one by mail.

9 Our best value in 5 years—with a savings of up to $400 per person

J e w e l s o f B o h e m i a : Czech Republic, Slovakia & Hungary Small Group Adventure Czech Republic̆”ũÖėŽā̇!āŭĴƘbũŽĿķŋƑ̇œķÖƑŋłĢóā̳Ά̳SlovakiăũÖŶĢŭķÖƑÖ̳Ά̳Hungary: Budapest

Countries: 3 Ά!ĢŶĢāŭ̆5

Small groups: 8-16 travelers—guaranteed! It’s Included (average of 13)

Explore in a small group of 8-16 30 meals—13 breakfasts, 9 , FROM PER DAY DAYS • • travelers (average group size of 13) and 8 dinners (including 2 Home- $ $ Hosted meals) 3195 213 15 • International airfare, airport transfers, government taxes, fees, and airline fuel • 21 small group activities Including international airfare surcharges unless you choose to make Services of a local O.A.T. Trip your own air arrangements • FREE Single Supplement Experience Leader All land transportation • • Gratuities for local guides, drivers, • Accommodations for 13 nights and luggage porters Maximize Your • 5% Frequent Traveler Credit toward your Discoveries & Value next adventure—an average of $247

Optional extension s : SCAN ME Berlin, Wittenberg, Dresden Watch our #1 most popular video & the Elbe River Valley for this adventure 5 nights pre-trip from $1695 Travel from only $339 per night Open the camera feature on your mobile device, and hover the lens over this code to scan it. A pop-up notification will New! Poland: Krakow, Auschwitz take you directly to the video. & Warsaw 5 nights pre-trip from $1695 Travel from only $339 per night Vienna: Palaces, Music, Architecture & Sachertorte 5 nights post-trip from $1595 Travel from only $319 per night New! Transylvania: Myths, Castles & Medieval Fortresses 6 nights post-trip from $1695 Travel from only $283 per night PLUS, see Dates & Prices for Stopover city options

The Neo-Romanesque Fisherman’s Bastion, Budapest, Hungary

Jewels of Bohemia: Czech Republic, Slovakia & Hungary

10 A N D P O L L Itinerary Summary G ab E e POST-TRIP EXTENSIONS R (Elbe) M A U S T A Prague R I N Ruckl Crystal Factory Schoenbrunn A Y (Optional Tour) Vienna Pre-trip extensions: 5 nights in Berlin, Palace D e an Wittenberg, Dresden & the Elbe River va alac ub ta re P e PRE-TRIP EXTENSIONS l CZECH lvede V Be Valley OR New! 5 nights in Poland: Potsdam Berlin P REPUBLIC From Budapest (Optional Tour) O

L Sighisoara Krakow, Auschwitz & Warsaw Wittenberg G A Pisek E Transylvania lb N vice Třebíč E jo e udě Sibiu Brașov D é B Bran R esk DAYS DESTINATION Meissen Č Castle Sinaia M Slavonice Dresden Trebon ROMANIA

A Terezín Český Krumlov Lednice Pitesti 1 Fly to Prague, Czech Republic N Prague From Y Budapest Bucharest CZECH 2-4 Prague REPUBLIC D Danube anube Warsaw Bratislava 5-7 Cesky Krumlov AUSTRIA Carnuntum P SLOVAKIA O L To A Prague Danube 8-9 Slavonice N To/From U.S. D Internal flight Győr Budapest Krakow Land route CZECH Train route 10-11 Bratislava, Slovakia REP. Auschwitz 040Miles HUNGARY 12-14 Budapest, Hungary What to Expect 15 Return to U.S. Post-trip extensions: 5 nights in Vienna: Palaces, Music, Architecture & Sachertorte OR New! 6 nights in Transylvania: Myths, Pacing: 5 locations in 14 days with two 2-night stays and some early mornings Castles & Medieval Fortresses Physical requirements: Travel on some rugged paths, as well as bumpy, cobblestone roads, both by bus and on foot; climb uneven stairways. Several drives Arrive Early, Stay Later of 3 to 5 hours each Flight time: Travel time will be 12-19 hours and will most likely have two Prices below include accommodations, daily breakfast, and private airport connections transfer. View all physical requirements at www.oattravel.com/bca2022 • Arrive early in Prague on your main trip for $75 per person, per night • Arrive early in Berlin on your Elbe River Central Europe: The O.A.T. Difference Valley pre-trip extension for $100 per person, per night Our Best Value in Over 5 Years: Save up to $400 per person with lower prices • Arrive early in Krakow on your Poland than last year, and travel at the lowest price and per diems in the industry. pre-trip extension for $75 per person, per night People-to-People Experiences: Enjoy a glimpse of life in the Czech Republic • Conclude your main trip with more when you savor a Home-Hosted Dinner in Cesky Krumlov, where you’ll sit down time in Budapest for just $75 per in even smaller groups of 4-6 travelers with a local family and share a meal and person, per night lively conversation. And experience A Day in the Life of a Czech farming village, • Spend more time in Vienna at the end of where you’ll meet the family that owns the land, and learn about farm life in the your Austria post-trip extension for $125 Czech Republic when we roll up our sleeves and help out with the chores. per person, per night • Spend more time in Bucharest at the O.A.T. Exclusives: Learn about a Controversial Topic in Prague when you meet end of your Transylvania post-trip extension for $75 per person, per night a teacher who participated in the 1989 Velvet Revolution against the Communist regime, and talk about how people and politicians in modern days have drifted from that revolutionary spirit. More than 92% of travelers rated this trip excellent

Information & Reservations 1-800-955-1925 www.oattravel.com/bca2022

11 Jewels of Bohemia: Czech Republic, Slovakia & Hungary

YOUR DETAILED ITINERARY

BEGIN YOUR ADVENTURE WITH AN OPTIONAL PRE-TRIP EXTENSION 5 nights in Berlin, Wittenberg, Dresden & the Elbe River Valley

Day 1 Depart U.S. Day 5 Berlin • Wittenberg • Meissen • Dresden Day 2 Arrive Berlin, Germany Day 6 Dresden and Elbe River Valley tour Day 3 Explore Berlin Day 7 Dresden • Overland to Prague via Day 4 Berlin • Optional Potsdam tour Sudetenland and Terezin • Home-Hosted Lunch • Begin main trip

OR 5 nights in Poland: Krakow, Auschwitz & Warsaw

Day 1 Depart U.S. Day 5 Transfer to Warsaw • Explore Podgorze and Kazimierz Day 2 Arrive in Krakow, Poland Day 6 Explore Warsaw • Optional Day 3 Explore Krakow Chopin recital Day 4 Explore Auschwitz Day 7 Fly to Prague, Czech Republic • Join main trip

Day 1 Fly to Prague, Czech Republic Day 2 Arrive Prague, Czech Republic

Depart the U.S. today on your overnight flight to • Destination: Prague, Czech Republic Prague, Czech Republic. • Accommodations: Le Palais Art Hotel or similar

Afternoon: Depending on what time you arrive in Prague, an O.A.T. representative will meet you at the airport and assist you to your centrally-located hotel, about a 45-minute

Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-955-1925

12 drive. Hotel amenities may include a bar, bistro, • Stop to smell the roses at the Botanical and fitness center depending on where you stay. Garden of the City of Prague: A wonderful Typical rooms come with air-conditioning, oasis tucked just outside the city center, satellite TV, safe, minibar, wireless Internet Prague’s largest botanical garden offers a access, and private bath with hair dryer. place for locals and visitors alike to relax in nature. The garden boasts more than thirty You’ll get to know your Trip Experience Leader hectares of manicured lawns, flower beds, and small group, including those arriving from and a greenhouse devoted to tropical flora. one of our two pre-trip extensions: Berlin, There is also a cafe on the premises and a Wittenberg, Dresden & the Elbe River Valley or vineyard where you can enjoy a tasting. New! Poland: Krakow, Auschwitz & Warsaw, at 6pm during a short orientation walk around the • How to get there: About a 10-minute taxi neighborhood. ride, about $8 USD. • Hours: 9am-7pm, daily. Dinner: On your own after your orientation • Cost: About $4 USD. walk. Perhaps you’ll enjoy dinner at one of • Step back in time at the Prague Municipal the many restaurants nearby or at the hotel’s House: Take a tour of Prague’s most prom- on-site bistro. inent Art Deco building, built between 1906 Evening: The reminder of the day is free for you and 1912, to transport yourself to another to explore the area or settle into your room. era. Visitors can see the Municipal House’s ceremonial halls, parlors, bars, and concert Freedom To Explore: During your three days halls—including the so-called “American in Prague, you have the freedom to explore bar,” the first watering hole in the Czech this historic city on your own during your free Republic into which women could enter time. Below are some recommended options for unaccompanied by a man. independent explorations: • How to get there: About a 30- to 35-min- • Visit the Naplavka farmer’s market: Located ute walk or a 10-minute taxi ride, about $8 on the banks of the Vltava River beneath the USD. Vysehrad fortress, this Saturday market is a • Hours: 10am-6pm, daily; tours must be popular place for locals to spend their day off. reserved in advance. Come browse the produce stalls for a tasty • Cost: About $12 USD. treat, sample Czech beer and wine, and enjoy local people-watching—all while soaking in Day 3 Explore Prague views of the Prague Castle in the distance. • Destination: Prague If you’re not in Prague on a Saturday, don’t • Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner fret: the city boasts three additional farmer’s • Accommodations: Le Palais Art Hotel markets available on other days of the week; or similar check with your Trip Experience Leader for opening days. Breakfast: Served at the hotel beginning at 7am, featuring Czech and American dishes. • How to get there: About a 30-minute walk or 10-minute taxi ride, about $8 USD. Morning: Our Trip Experience Leader will • Hours: 8am-2pm, Saturdays. lead a Welcome Briefing this morning around • Cost: Free. 8am, when we will introduce ourselves and review our itinerary in more detail (including

Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-955-1925

13 any changes that may need to occur). Our Trip Day 4 Explore Prague • Controversial Experience Leader will also discuss logistics, Topic: The ideals of the Velvet Revolution safety and emergency procedures, answer versus today’s conservative Czech politics questions we may have, as well as introduce with Zdenek Vacek any optional tours available. • Destination: Prague We’ll then begin our Czech Republic travel • Included Meals: Breakfast experiences with a guided walking tour of • Accommodations: Le Palais Art Hotel Prague with a local guide, departing the hotel or similar early at 9am to avoid the crowds at key sites. Nestled in a bend of the Vltava River, Prague’s Exclusive O.A.T. Activity: Today’s discoveries spires have endured to create one of Europe’s will feature a Controversial Topic: We’ll meet most recognizable skylines. While other with a local professor to talk about the the European capitals were leveled during World Velvet Revolution, learning about his firsthand War II, Prague survived virtually intact. We’ll experience of life under Communism and witness a few of its enduring landmarks during how modern-day Czechs are divided about our tour, but we’ll also head down less-visited their attitude toward the post-Communist side streets—and tuck into a family-owned café government and current administration. Read for a brief coffee break—to get a better sense of more about this conversation below. the pace of life in Prague for everyday residents. Breakfast: Served at the hotel beginning at Lunch: At a local restaurant featuring Czech 7am, featuring Czech and American dishes. after concluding our tour around 1pm. Morning: We’ll board our bus around 8:30am Afternoon: Around 2:30pm, you’re free to and drive roughly 30 minutes to our first make your own discoveries. Perhaps you’ll visit destination of the day: Strahov Monastery. Josefov (Prague’s Jewish Quarter). The Prague Founded in 1140, this sprawling complex sits Ghetto and vibrant Jewish community have high atop Petrin Hill on the opposite side contributed to Prague’s character since the from Prague Castle. Offering visitors the same tenth century. Around 6:30pm, we’ll reconvene sweeping views of the city below as Prague at the hotel and walk about 5 minutes to a local Castle does—but without the crowds—the restaurant. monastery also boasts an impressive church, a library containing a number of rare medieval Dinner: Around 6:30pm at a local restaurant manuscripts, maps, and globes, and one of the to enjoy a Welcome Dinner featuring best collections of Gothic, Baroque, and Rococo locally-inspired dishes. You’ll get to know paintings in central Europe. your fellow travelers and we’ll toast to the adventures ahead. Then around 10:30am, we’ll walk to a local café to meet with Zdenek Vacek, a local professor Evening: You have the freedom to spend the and lifelong Prague resident who will speak rest of your evening as you wish. Perhaps you’ll with us about a Controversial Topic: The end take an evening stroll in town or enjoy a Czech of Communism in 1989, and how modern-day Pilsner at a local bar. Czechs are divided about their attitude toward the post-Communist government and current administration.

Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-955-1925

14 Mr. Vacek was born in Prague and grew up among them—accusing him of abandoning the beneath the boot of the Communist regime. democratic principles that drove the revolution, When he was six years old, his father was taken and instead adopting a populist agenda aimed from his home and detained by Communist at courting disaffected rural citizens, and police, who had come to nationalize his favoring strong relationships with foreign business. During the Prague Spring of 1968, authoritarian governments such as Russia and he dodged bullets fired by Soviet soldiers who China. Zeman was then narrowly re-elected in had come to crack down on liberal reforms. 2018 against a liberal candidate, Jiří Drahoš, a Then in 1989, Mr. Vacek joined hundreds of chemist and former head of the Czech academy thousands in Wenceslas Square—including his of sciences, by a thin but decisive margin of own students—during the Velvet Revolution, 51.5% to 48.5%. His re-election marked a the nonviolent movement which finally led to victory for anti-immigrant, far-right forces the downfall of Czechoslovakia’s Communist in Czech Republic, and tilted its politics in an government. The café where we have met Mr. anti-western direction. Vacek is situated in the same location where Zeman and his current prime minister—Andrej this famed revolution took place. Babiš, a former Communist Party member, While the end of Czech Communism was and modern-day billionaire that owns the a cause for celebration for him and his state-run print media—are frequent targets compatriots, the years since have been of mass protest. Notably, in 2014, on the anything but harmonious. Although liberals 25th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution, and intellectuals in Prague and other urban a crowd of thousands greeted Zeman in centers looked forward to a new age of Prague with angry chants of “resign, resign,” democracy and enlightenment, many Czechs going so far as to pelt him with eggs and who live outside of the cities in rural areas feel other objects. Many believe that the pair of that the post-Communist reforms have left leaders threatens to undo the progress made them behind and believe they lack meaningful toward democracy and human rights in the representation in the national government. The 30 years since the revolution, ushering in a country’s decision to join the dark age of oligarchy—or worse, a return to in 2004 has been especially contentious, with Communist rule. some believing that their economic interests We’ll learn more about this controversy, and national identity have been threatened. availing ourselves of the unique perspective We’ll hear more about this side of the issue on offered by Mr. Vacek—an opportunity Day 6 from the point of view of a local from exclusively available through O.A.T.’s local Cesky Krumlov. connections in the region. We’ll listen to his Today, the modern Czech Republic is a stories of life before the Velvet Revolution, divided nation, and its scandal-plagued and how he feels betrayed by President Zeman president, Miloš Zeman, sits at the center of who once joined him in his fight for liberty and the controversy. Zeman participated in the democracy. Our conversation with Mr. Vacek Velvet Revolution and was elected to office will last around an hour, with 30 minutes to in 2013—the first Czech president to be ask questions and gauge your own opinion. Our directly elected by the people instead of the Trip Experience Leader will be ready to help parliament. Zeman, however, quickly courted facilitate the conversation. As you continue controversy with many liberals—Mr. Vacek your journey through Czech Republic, be sure to

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15 pay attention to local people and ask questions Breakfast: Served at the hotel beginning at as you travel between city and country, judging 7am, featuring Czech and American dishes. for yourself how opinions are split. Morning: We board our bus around 9:30am We conclude our conversation at around and begin our overland journey to Cesky 11:30am, then walk to visit Mala Strana, which Krumlov, stopping around 10:15am to visit translates to “the lesser side.” Our Trip the Vojna Memorial. Located in the middle of Experience Leader will introduce us to this area a forest, Vojna was originally built by German as we explore its streets. Mala Strana is linked to prisoners of war after World War II as a labor Prague’s Old Town (Stare Mesto) by the Charles camp to work in the nearby uranium mines. Bridge. Originally an eighth-century market With the Communist takeover in 1948, Vojna town, today Mala Strana is a neighborhood transitioned into a notorious forced labor of cobbled streets, boutiques, and Baroque camp for political prisoners. Today, the Vojna churches and palaces. As you explore with your Memorial is a powerful reminder of the many Trip Experience Leader, you’ll witness the Czech victims of the Communist regime. iconic John Lennon wall and stroll along the Around 11:30am, we’ll drive about 1.5 hours and tree-lined lanes of Kampa Park. stop in Pisek, a picturesque Bohemian town Lunch: On your own starting around 1:00pm. founded in the 13th century on the banks of the Perhaps you’ll choose to dine at the Kampa Park Otava River. Restaurant, which overlooks the Charles Bridge. Lunch: At a local restaurant in Pisek around Afternoon: Free time continues into the 1pm, featuring Central . afternoon. Afternoon: We’ll depart Pisek around 3pm and Dinner: On your own. Perhaps you’ll drive roughly 1.5 hours to Cesky Krumlov. Upon try vepřo-knedlo-zelo, a local specialty arrival around 4:30pm, we’ll check in to our made of bread , roast , and hotel. Depending on which hotel you stay in, it stewed . may feature massage facilities or a restaurant. Typical rooms offer satellite TV, minibar, safe, Evening: You have the freedom to spend the wireless Internet, and private bath with hair rest of your evening as you wish, making dryer. In order to preserve the integrity of any final discoveries during your last night the original building, air conditioning is not in Prague. possible in the rooms.

Day 5 Travel to Cesky Krumlov • Visit Later this afternoon, join your Trip Experience Vojna Memorial Leader on an orientation walk to get acquainted with the vicinity around your hotel. The • Destination: Cesky Krumlov walk will conclude around 6:30pm at a local • Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner restaurant. • Accommodations: Hotel Ebersbach or similar Dinner: At a local restaurant around 6:30pm, Activity Note: Today’s transfer to Cesky including locally-inspired Czech dishes. Krumlov will be about 4 hours long, broken up by intermittent stops. Evening: You have the freedom to spend the rest of your evening as you wish.

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16 Freedom To Explore: During your three days and bustle of the city while taking in pictur- in Cesky Krumlov, you have the freedom esque views of the city from afar. Designed to explore this red-roofed town on your in the baroque style in the 17th century, own during your free time. Below are some the manicured appearance of the garden recommended options for independent compliments the stately stature of the Cesky explorations: Krumlov Castle. Experience the tranquility of water trickling down the garden’s fountains, • Visit the Egon Schiele Art Centrum: Discover behold whimsical floral designs, and soak up the distinct style of 20th-century painter the beauty of nature here. Egon Schiele during a visit to this museum. View countless pieces of his art, which he is • How to get there: A 10- to 15-minute walk. most notable for portraying twisted figures • Hours: 8am-5pm, daily in October-April, of people with alluring facial expressions. and 8am-7pm, daily in May-September. Schiele’s work is known to be an early form of • Cost: Free. expressionism, a popular art style that con- veys emotions through different mediums. Day 6 Explore Cesky Krumlov • Rafting on Home-Hosted Dinner The location of the museum also has signif- Vltava River • icance because Cesky Krumlov is where his • Destination: Cesky Krumlov mother was from. Stroll through the museum • Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner to see portraits of people from the perspective • Accommodations: Hotel Ebersbach or similar of Schiele, and discover works of art by other Exclusive O.A.T. Activity: Today’s discoveries various local artists. will feature a Home-Hosted Dinner with a local • How to get there: A 5- to 10-minute walk. Czech family. Expect simple, hearty fare as you • Hours: 10am-6pm, Tuesday-Sunday. enjoy this unique opportunity to experience a • Cost: About $6 USD. slice of everyday life in Cesky Krumlov. Read on • Take a step back in time at the Museum below to learn more about this experience. Fotoatelier Seidel: Follow in the footsteps of Activity Note: Early spring and fall departures some of the first photographers in the region may not offer the rafting excursion, and as their photos take you on a journey through adverse weather conditions may preclude time. Discover images that date back to the rafting at any time of year. late 19th to early 20th centuries, and see displays of antique cameras used to capture Breakfast: Served at the hotel beginning at the photos showcased here. This is a unique 7am, featuring Czech and American dishes. experience as the Museum Fotoatelier Seidel is only one of a few museums of its kind Morning: Around 9:45am, we’ll witness the in Europe. Cesky Krumlov of today when we join a local guide on a walking tour. Nestled inside a • How to get there: About a 5-minute walk. narrow loop of the Vltava River, this romantic • Hours: 9am-5pm, daily in October-April, town with its hilltop castle was once a wealthy and 9am-6pm, daily in May-September. trading center and a favorite of European • Cost: About $4 USD. nobility. Today, its confection of red-gabled • Stroll through the lovely Castle Gardens: roofs, elegant bridges, and storybook castle Spanning over 25 acres, this serene garden is lures lovers of history, culture, and architecture a great location to relax and escape the hustle alike. Established in 1250 by the Lords of

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17 Krumlov, the 14th through 16th centuries traditional favorites you may enjoy would brought a period of great splendor to Cesky be rajska, a traditional creamy Krumlov, which became a stop along one of served over bread dumplings and boiled , or the main trading routes to Italy. We’ll walk knedlo vepro zelo—roasted pork with dumplings the winding, cobbled streets to admire the and . splendidly preserved historic buildings of the This experience offers us a rare opportunity to medieval town, a UNESCO World Heritage connect with local culture on a more intimate Site, and ascend to the top of the hill to stroll level: In our hosts’ homes, we’ll see the family through the courtyards and gardens of Cesky go about their evening routine and witness Krumlov Castle, a Renaissance jewel that what life is like in this small town in South encompasses more than 40 buildings, a castle Bohemia. As you get to know your hosts, take brewery—and live bears who roam the castle’s the time to ask questions and get a better sense moat. We’ll also visit the recently opened Castle of not just local Czech culture, but also family Museum, which features precious artifacts dynamics and culinary traditions. previously hidden in castle depositories. After our visit, around 12:15pm, we’ll walk down Evening: We’ll arrive back at the hotel around from the castle back to town. 8:30pm tonight. You have the freedom to spend the rest of your evening as you wish. Lunch: On your own around noon. Perhaps you’ll trysvíčková, a meat dish with sirloin steak, , and a thick cream sauce. Day 7 Explore Vyssi Brod Monastery • A conversation about restitution and Afternoon: We’ll have some free time to property rights in Sudetenlands • Treetop make our own discoveries before we walk hike at Lipno Lake to a peaceful rafting excursion through the historical heart of Cesky Krumlov around • Destination: Cesky Krumlov 3pm, discovering this city from a different • Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch perspective. We’ll paddle about three miles • Accommodations: Hotel Ebersbach or similar on the gentle waters of the undulating Vltava Breakfast: Served at the hotel beginning at River, with six travelers and an instructor 7am, featuring Czech and American dishes. in each raft. This 1.5-hour-long trip is easy enough for the novice but passes through Morning: We’ll gather in a meeting room in parts of the city that will charm the more our hotel around 8am to meet Oli, a local from experienced rafters as well. Following our Cesky Krumlov, and engage in a conversation rafting adventure, you’ll have some free time to about the controversy surrounding the relax before dinner. Sudetenland region in western Czech Republic.

Dinner: Around 6pm, we’ll drive approximately Following World War II, thousands of ethnic 30 minutes to tonight’s special dinner Germans were expelled from this region. location—in the the home of a local Czech The expulsion was a direct result of the family to enjoy a Home-Hosted Dinner. German occupation of Czech Republic (then known as Czechoslovakia), beginning in 1938 In an even smaller group of no more than 5 and remaining throughout the war. Czech people, you’ll enjoy a taste of Czech culture and resistance groups demanded the deportation of engage in lively conversation over a dinner of ethnic Germans from their country and sought freshly-prepared, home-cooked dishes. Some

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18 the Allied Nations’ support. In the months from her how this experience remains a bitter following the end of World War II, Czech subject in areas of Czech Republic that used to president Edvard Beneš gave his support of this be Sudetenland, like Cesky Krumlov. idea as well, calling it the “final solution of the Since the collapse of Communism, however, German question.” Sudeten German representatives in Bavaria However, the end of the war also brought about have been pressing the Czech Republic for the widespread chaos—central governments were return of properties that families had been unstable and it was difficult to carry out the stripped of during the expulsion. Other Sudeten deportations with any formal process. Many Germans merely seek reconciliation with the expulsions were carried out by local authorities, country their families once called home. Over mostly consisting of armed volunteers. Several 75 years later, the scars of this period time have thousand Sudeten Germans died during the yet to heal, with Czechs falling on either side of expulsion—some violently, others succumbing the issue. During our 1-hour conversation with to hunger and illness. Oli, we’ll listen to her story and have plenty of time to ask our own questions. Opportunities In the deportation order’s original plan, only to meet with locals and learn about the issues a few hundred thousand Sudeten Germans affecting them can occasionally be emotional were to be affected, individuals that had been and challenging—but we believe they are the disloyal to Czechoslovakia and had acted as best way to really get to know the heart of a Hitler’s “fifth column” during the occupation. destination. Yet as the Nazi atrocities in occupied Czechoslovakia escalated, Czech resistance Then around 9am, we’ll board our bus and groups—as well as a majority of the Czech drive 45 minutes outside Cesky Krumlov and population—called for the deportation of even your Trip Experience Leader will guide a tour of more Germans, regardless of whether there Vyssi Brod Monastery, a Cistercian monastery had been an investigation or even an inference with roots that stretch back to the middle of the of guilt. In the end, around 1.6 million Sudeten 13th century. Considered the spiritual center of Germans were deported to West Germany South Bohemia, the monastery also features while another estimated 800,000 were sent to a richly decorated library that dates back to Soviet-controlled East Germany. the Baroque period. At the onset of World War II, the religious order lost control of the Oli’s family experienced this expulsion monastery—first to the Nazis, and then to the firsthand: Her grandfather’s fiancée, pregnant Soviets. Following the Velvet Revolution, the with their child, was deported from Cesky monastery was returned to the monks, who Krumlov because she was Sudeten German. Her have begun restoring it to its former glory. Our family’s home was then given to a Czech family. tour concludes around 11:30am and we’ll then She gave birth in West Germany—then known drive about 30 minutes to the small town of as the American zone—but in the interim, Rozmberk nad Vltavou. Czech Republic had fallen under Communist rule. It was therefore many years before Oli’s Lunch: At a local restaurant in Rozmberk family was able to be reunited. This is a tragic nad Vltavou around 12pm featuring typical tale, but sadly one of many, and we will learn .

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19 Afternoon: Following lunch, we’ll drive After our brewery tour around 10:30am, we’ll roughly 40 minutes to Lipno Lake, a body of drive about an hour then stop in Trebon, an water created by damming the Vltava River. ancient walled town set among rolling hills and Here, we’ll enjoy a “treetop hike” along a long ancient fish ponds. Established in the middle of wooden walkway for views of the surrounding the twelfth century, Trebon has been a popular Sumava countryside, the massive lake, and the center of Czech fish farming since the Middle distant Alps. After our hike around 3:45pm, Ages and remains a picturesque spa town. There we’ll depart for Cesky Krumlov, arriving is also a brewery here that has been producing around 4:45pm. Bohemia Regent lager since 1379. We’ll stroll through the park surrounding Trebon’s Dinner: On your own. The town hosts a variety Renaissance-era chateau, and visit the town of restaurant options including medieval center to admire the series of -colored taverns, a barbecue cellar, and even an Italian burghers’ houses and ancient fortifications. pizzeria. Lunch: At a local restaurant in Trebon around Evening: You have the freedom to spend the noon featuring regional fare. rest of your evening as you wish. Perhaps you’ll take one last stroll through town or rest up for Afternoon: After lunch, we’ll have around 30 tomorrow’s transfer to Slavonice. minutes of free time to explore independently. Then we’ll walk about 15 minutes to our Day 8 Budvar Brewery in Ceske private motorcoach and depart Trebon around Budejovice • Explore Trebon • Slavonice 2:30pm, continuing on to Slavonice. We’ll arrive around 3:45pm and have time to settle • Destination: Slavonice in at our centrally-located hotel, which may • Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner feature a pool, sauna, and restaurant, and • Accommodations: Hotel Dom u Ruze typical rooms include satellite TV, wireless or similar Internet access, minibar, and private bath. Activity Note: Today’s transfer to Slavonice will Around 4:45pm, we’ll reconvene in our hotel be about 3 hours long, with stops along the way. lobby and walk approximately 5 minutes to our next discovery: an hour-long, hands-on visit Breakfast: Served at the hotel beginning at to a local ceramics workshop from 5pm to 6pm. 7am, featuring Czech and American dishes. Our creations will be fired, then delivered to our hotel tomorrow. Morning: We depart Cesky Krumlov by bus around 8:15am for an overland journey to Afterwards, we’ll walk back to our hotel to Slavonice. En route, we’ll stop around 9:15am meet our private motorcoach which will take in southern Bohemia’s regional capital, Ceske us to to our dinner destination; around a Budejovice, to visit the famous Budweiser 5-minute drive. Budvar Brewery for a tour led by a brewery worker. While the history of brewing in Ceske Dinner: Around 6:30pm, we’ll enjoy dinner Budejovice dates back to the 13th century, together a local restaurant, including Budweiser Budvar was founded here in 1895 local dishes. (the U.S. brewer chose the name Budweiser in 1876 because it was synonymous for superior beer).

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20 Evening: You have the freedom to spend the in 2013, the building was redesigned to be rest of your evening as you wish. Perhaps the community house you see today, which is you’ll enjoy a nightcap in town or at the hotel’s open to everyone. restaurant. • How to get there: A 5- to 10-minute walk. Freedom To Explore: During your two days in • Hours: Tuesday-Sunday. Slavonice, you have the freedom to explore this • Cost: Free. charming village on your own during your free • Ascend the Church of Our Lady’s Assumption time. Below are some recommended options for Tower: Walk up 176 steps to the top of this independent explorations: tower to take in panoramic views of the village below. See the area from a different • Step inside the carving studio of Jiří Netík: perspective here as you take in overhead Known for his incredibly distinct and detailed views of the red-roofed buildings neatly lined sculptures, Jiří Netík is revered in the local in rows, verdant fields beyond the village, and community and beyond. Notable icons like people going about their daily lives. the crown prince of Liechtenstein and former Pope Benedict XVI own original pieces de- • How to get there: A 5- to 10-minute walk. signed by Netík. Explore his carving studio to • Hours: Daily. see where he gains inspiration and creates his • Cost: About $2 USD. sculptures. You may also learn about how the A Day in the Life creative spirit runs in his family as his wife Day 9 Slavonice • of a and son are also artists. It is recommended Czech farming village that you call the studio to plan the date and • Destination: Slavonice time of your visit. • Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner • How to get there: A 5- to 10-minute walk. • Accommodations: Hotel Dom u Ruze • Hours: Daily in July-August. or similar • Cost: About $2 USD. Exclusive O.A.T. Activity: Today’s discoveries • Explore the Slavonice Community House: will feature A Day in the Life of a rural Czech While the community house you’ll explore farming village. We’ll meet with the farm today features a visitor center, café, and owner, help out with some of the chores, and exhibition hall, this building has a compli- learn about everyday farming life during lunch cated history that you’ll dive into during your with our hosts. Depending on your departure, visit. Established in 1932, the community today’s A Day in the Life experience will take house was built solely for Germans, meaning place either at a horse farm in Placovice the local Jewish and Czech populations were (described below) or a goat farm in Penikov. banned from entering the building. When Read more about this experience below. the Germans were pushed out after World Breakfast: Served at the hotel beginning at War II, plans were put in place to reconstruct 7am, featuring Czech and American dishes. the community center as a cinema, but the renovation was never completed. Eventually Morning: We’ll be joined during breakfast by community leader Roman Steffl, who will set the stage for today’s activities—experiencing our A Day in the Life of a rural Czech village. Roman was born and raised in Slavonice,

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21 and his love for his small town led him to was old enough, Olga spent all her spare time become a leader of cultural life and to work helping her neighbor with his horses and to preserve local traditions. Roman is also a learned to ride them. After eight years of work, professional musician and founder of a local she was able to buy her own horse and rent a Slavonice band. Currently, he is a technical stable. Today, Olga breeds and trains all the director at the Slavonice Cultural House, an horses on her farm to prepare them for horse organization which plans concerts, workshops, shows and to sell or lease them. and cultural projects for the community; he After getting to know our hosts, we’ll head also runs charity projects for children from outside to take part in some of the farm’s disadvantaged families. In his spare time, daily chores—perhaps learning how to Roman gives guitar lessons at the local musical brush and feed the horses. Then we’ll enjoy school and organizes free concerts with one of a horse-training demonstration at around the two bands he plays with. As we get to know 11am. Olga practices what is known as Roman, we’ll also begin to appreciate how “horse whispering”—a variety of natural important community is in his small town. horsemanship that takes an empathetic We’ll say goodbye for now to Roman as we’ll approach to training. Afterwards, we’ll head see him later on today, then depart our hotel back to the main house around 11:30am to help around 8:45am and continue on with our day’s prep the midday meal together. discoveries: Taking advantage of our small Lunch: Around 1pm, we’ll sit down around group size, we’ll spend some time getting to a crackling bonfire and enjoy a hearty lunch know a farm owner (or a family member) and featuring traditional cuisine. During this time, learn what everyday life is really like on a rural you’ll have the opportunity to learn more about farm in the Czech Republic. Depending on your daily life on the farm. We’ll also have a chance departure, you will either visit a horse farm or to speak more with Olga’s mother, Ludmila, a goat farm. For those who visit the horse farm, listening to her stories and learning what we’ll journey about about 20 minutes outside farm life is like for her. A former tour guide, Slavonice to the small village of Placovice. Ludmila met her husband, Olga’s father, while There are only eight buildings in the whole studying at university. For most of her life she town, laid out in the shape of a horseshoe. The lived in the city of Prague, a metropolis when region also once belonged to Sudeten Germans compared with little Placovice. And while she who were forced to leave Czechoslovakia in sometimes feels very much like a city mouse 1946 (which we learn about on Day 6). in the country, Ludmila packed up and moved We’ll be greeted there by farm owner Olga her life to this rural village to help her daughter Guevarová and her husband Pavel around realize her dream of owning and operating the 9:15am. Olga has loved horses since she horse farm. was a little girl of six, when her neighbor’s Afternoon: At 1:30pm, we’ll depart the farm to grandfather—and paternal figure to young return to Slavonice. Upon arrival around 2pm, Olga—first helped her up onto one of his we’ll meet up again with community leader ponies. The daughter of a Czech mother and Roman. Roman will welcome us into his home, Nicaraguan father, Olga experienced bullying giving us the chance to see the differences at a young age due to her dark coloring and between life in the countryside and in town. was often called a “gypsy.” Her love of horses helped her deal with the bullying—when she

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22 During the hour of so we spend with Roman, been carefully landscaped with a series of feel free to ask him any questions you have woodlands, lakes, streams, gardens, and about the tight-knit Slavonice community. tree-lined chateaux—all of which have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We’ll return back to our hotel around 3:15pm, When we arrive, we’ll head to Lednice Castle. and then you’ll have some time to relax or We’ll meet with a local guide around 2:30pm, continue exploring the town’s medieval streets and they will take us on a tour of the immense on your own. If you’d like, around 6pm you structure, which was built in the Neo-Gothic may choose to visit a nearby 700-year-old wine style; then we’ll get to wander among cellar for a tasting featuring local vintages. the tropical plants in the Castle’s original Dinner: We’ll gather together around 6:30pm iron-framed greenhouse. for a festive dinner at our hotel’s restaurant We continue our transfer a little after 4pm, complete with traditional Moravian music. arriving in Bratislava around 5:15pm to check Evening: You have the freedom to spend the in to our hotel. Typical rooms have coffee- rest of your evening as you wish. and -making facilities, safes, minibars, flat-screen TVs, wireless Internet, and private Day 10 Slavonice • Explore Trebic and bath, while amenities may include a restaurant, pool, sauna, and steam rooms. We enjoy some Lednice • Travel to Bratislava, Slovakia time to relax before our Trip Experience Leader • Destination: Bratislava, Slovakia leads us on a brief orientation walk of our • Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner surroundings at 6:30pm. • Accommodations: AC Hotel by Marriott Dinner: Around 7pm, we’ll enjoy dinner Bratislava Old Town or similar together at a local restaurant featuring local Breakfast: Served at the hotel beginning at specialties. 7am, featuring Czech and American dishes. Evening: You have the freedom to spend the Morning: We leave the Czech Republic around rest of your evening as you wish. Perhaps 8:30am by bus and travel to Bratislava, capital you’ll begin your discoveries in Bratislava this of Slovakia. En route, we’ll stop for a visit to evening by enjoying a nightcap at one of the Trebic around 10:30am, an ancient Moravian bars or restaurants located within walking city that is home to one of Europe’s best distance of the hotel. preserved Jewish ghettos—a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Jewish and Christian cultures Freedom To Explore: During your two days co-existed here from the Middle Ages up to the in Bratislava, you have the freedom to explore 20th century, and our hour-long stroll will take Slovakia’s capital on your own during your free us to Trebic’s ancient synagogue. time. Below are some recommended options for independent explorations: Lunch: At a cozy cafe in Trebic around 11:30am featuring traditional Czech cuisine. • Visit Bratislava’s Old Town Hall: Trace the history of Slovakia’s capital city and discover Afternoon: Then, around 12:30pm, we continue the establishment of the city’s government on to Lednice, arriving about two hours later. here. Built in 1868, the museum is the oldest Over the centuries, the region surrounding of its kind in Bratislava and has an abundance Lednice (and its twin town of Valtice) has

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23 of information about the city’s history. Morning: Just as in the Czech Republic, During your visit, you can also ascend a tower the Velvet Revolution spelled the end of for panoramic views of the city below. Communism for Slovakia, a densely forested • How to get there: A 5- to 10-minute walk. country with towering mountains in Central • Hours: 10am-5pm, Tuesday-Friday; Europe’s heartland. Its capital, Bratislava, 11am-6pm, Saturday-Sunday. is situated along the Danube in Slovakia’s • Cost: About $2 USD. southwestern tip, close to the border with Hungary and Austria. Our morning walking • Behold the art housed at the Nedbalka tour will begin around 9am with a local guide Gallery: Located on an older street in and focus on Bratislava’s compact Old Town, Bratislava, the Nedbalka Gallery fuses history home to a variety of 14th- and 15th-century and modernity. Showcasing more than 1,000 structures that include the Old Town Hall, the pieces of art created by more than 80 local Neo-classical Archbishop’s Palace, and St. artists, the gallery is most notable for its Martin’s Cathedral, a Gothic coronation church modern 19th- and 20th-century art pieces. where several Hungarian Habsburg kings and In addition to enjoying the works on display queens were crowned. here, notice the modern architectural style of the gallery’s interior. Lunch: After our walking tour, we’ll head to • How to get there: A 10- to 15-minute walk. a local restaurant around noon to enjoy lunch • Hours: 1pm-7pm, Tuesday-Sunday. together, including local dishes. • Cost: About $5 USD. Afternoon: During your free afternoon, perhaps • Take in panoramic views from the UFO you’ll check out the sweeping views of the restaurant: Board an elevator and ascend to city from the ramparts of Bratislava Castle, the UFO restaurant, which offers stunning whose origins stretch back to the days of the views of the city below, including the New Roman Empire. Or, you may choose to join our Bridge—one of the world’s biggest hanging optional Jewels of Slovakia tour that includes a bridges. You may choose to dine in the wine-tasting at a family-owned winery, a light revered restaurant’s dining room, or simply dinner, and a visit to a traditional blueprinting enjoy the sights. If you would like to dine at workshop—a Slovak folk art that involves the UFO restaurant, reservations are encour- printing intricate patterns on white fabric. aged because a table is not always guaranteed. Dinner: On your own. Perhaps you’ll savor a • How to get there: A 30- to 35-minute walk. hearty bowl of kapustnica— with • Hours: 10am-11pm, daily. sauerkraut, potatoes, mushrooms, ham, and • Cost: About $8 USD. . If you join the Optional Tour, a light dinner is included and you will return to the Day 11 Explore Bratislava • Optional hotel around 8pm. Jewels of Slovakia tour Evening: You have the freedom to spend the • Destination: Bratislava rest of your evening as you wish. You might • Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch choose to take in one last view of the Danube • Accommodations: AC Hotel by Marriott illuminated at night. Bratislava Old Town or similar

Breakfast: Served at the hotel beginning at 7am, featuring Slovakian and American dishes.

Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-955-1925

24 Day 12 Bratislava • Explore Roman ruins at Evening: You have the freedom to spend the Carnuntum • Travel to Budapest, Hungary rest of your evening as you wish. Perhaps you’ll indulge in a popular beverage of Budapest, • Destination: Budapest, Hungary fröccs, which is a refreshing mixture of wine and • Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner soda water. • Accommodations: Hotel President Budapest or similar Freedom To Explore: During your three days in Budapest, you have the freedom to explore Breakfast: Served at the hotel beginning at the “Queen of the Danube” on your own during 7am, featuring Slovakian and American dishes. your free time. Below are some recommended Morning: After breakfast, we depart Bratislava options for independent explorations: around 8:30am by bus and begin our journey • Take a dip in the Széchenyi Thermal Bath: to Budapest, Hungary. En route, we’ll stop at “The Queen of the Danube” holds another the Roman city of Carnuntum around 9:15am, significant title as the “City of Spas.” Because which began as a Roman army camp along of the abundance of thermal baths here, spa the Danube River in what is now Austria. At culture has become a large part of Budapest’s its peak, some 50,000 people lived here, and society. For centuries, people have enjoyed after 1,700 years Carnuntum’s ancient glory the medicinal properties and soothing affects is currently being recreated from the site’s of the baths located along the Danube River. extensive ruins. After our roughly 2-hour visit, Aqua therapy is a common healing technique including a tour of the open-air museum, we recommended by doctors, which is another cross into northwestern Hungary, stopping in way these spas are utilized. Slip into the Gyor around 12:30pm, an ancient city situated thermal waters here and relax alongside at the confluence of the Danube, Rába, and locals enjoying the warm natural spas too. Rábca rivers. • How to get there: A 20- to 30-minute ride Lunch: At a local restaurant around 12:30pm in on public transportation. Gyor featuring regional dishes. • Hours: 6am-10pm, daily. Cost: About $22 USD. Afternoon: We’ll take a stroll to admire the • Baroque and Neo-classical structures in Gyor’s • Learn how to cook like a local at Budapest pedestrian-only historic core then depart for Makery: Browse through a menu of tradition- the final leg of our journey to Budapest around al dishes, like lecsó—a —and 2:30pm. We’ll arrive around 4:30pm and check select one that you’ll prepare during your in to our centrally-located hotel that may visit. All of the ingredients will be delivered feature a restaurant, and typical rooms includes to you at a station here, along with a tablet a safe, minibar, satellite TV, and private bath. that will feature a step-by-step video of Our Trip Experience Leader will guide us on a the recipe. This unique experience not only brief walk around the hotel’s vicinity before teaches you how to prepare a traditional dish some free time to settle in. but also allows you to be in charge of the full preparation of the dish. Dinner: We’ll depart our hotel around 6pm How to get there: A 10- to 15-minute walk. and enjoy a stroll to a local restaurant where • Hours: 12pm-8pm, Tuesday-Sunday. we’ll enjoy dinner together around 6:30pm, • Cost: About $25 USD. including local specialties. •

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25 • Catch an organ concert at St. Stephen’s to uncover hidden highlights and witness Basilica: Enter the imposing St. Stephen’s unmissable sites like Pest’s city center and Basilica, one of the most important cathedrals Buda’s Castle Hill—a massive castle complex in Hungary, to enjoy an organ concert. Behold and UNESCO World Heritage Site—from a local the neoclassical architectural style of the site vantage point. while you sit back and relax to the soothing Then around 9:45am, we will re-board our rhythms of the music. private motorcoach and head toward the Jewish • How to get there: A 10- to 15-minute walk. Quarter, arriving around 10am. Originally a • Hours: 8pm, daily. ghetto during WWII, Budapest’s Jewish Quarter • Cost: About $35 USD. today is a lively district full of art galleries, Controversial shops, and bustling courtyards. During our Day 13 Explore Budapest • one-hour guided tour we’ll witness such Topic: The negative impact of Roma sights as the Great Synagogue—the largest in school segregation with Romani woman Europe—its Moorish design further enhanced Judit Ignacz • Evening Danube River cruise by Byzantine, Romantic, and Gothic elements. • Destination: Budapest Around 11am, we’ll finish our explorations here • Included Meals: Breakfast and drive 15 minutes to an area of the city more off the beaten path: District 8. • Accommodations: Hotel President Budapest or similar District 8, or Józsefváros, is where the majority Exclusive O.A.T. Activity: Today’s discoveries of Budapest’s Roma population can be found. will feature the Controversial Topic of school While distinctly less glamorous than the more segregation between Roma and Hungarian touristed areas of Budapest (and considered children. We’ll speak to a local Romani a “no-go zone” for local Hungarians) its woman and educational volunteer about the charming side streets, pop-up shops, and little inequalities this segregation creates for Romani cafes offer visitors a respite from the tourist children, her own firsthand experience of being crowds. Here, we will meet Judit Ignacz, a local Romani in Hungary, and the steps programs Romani woman and educational volunteer, like the Uccu Roma Informal Educational who will share with us the Controversial Topic Foundation are taking to bridge the educational of segregation in schools between Roma and gap. Read below to learn more about this Hungarian children and its negative impact on conversation. Romani citizens.

Breakfast: Served at the hotel beginning at The Roma, once more commonly referred to 7am, featuring Hungarian and American dishes. as “gypsies,” are the largest ethnic minority in Europe. In Hungary alone, over 750,000 of Morning: With a local guide, we depart by its citizens are of Romani background—and bus and embark on a morning city tour of the have been subjected to violence and official undisputed “Queen of the Danube” today persecution based purely on their race. They around 9am. Budapest is divided by the also suffer from extreme poverty, poor health river, with Pest (the left bank) to its east, and care, and inadequate housing. This cycle of Buda (the right bank) to its west. A popular poverty has been allowed to continue as the destination for international travelers, education system is not designed to serve Budapest’s iconic landmarks are often bustling this at-risk community, but instead practices with visitors. We’ll stroll down side streets

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26 segregation between Roma and Hungarian secondary school Romani students from all over children. In fact, 61% of Roma children attend Hungary to meet and engage in a meaningful schools in which all or most of the children conversation with their young Roma peers. are also Roma. Many of these schools provide Judit will first take us on an hour-long walking a lower quality of education—yet addressing tour of the neighborhood, during which she segregation does not appear to be a priority for will engage us in interactive conversation. the government. Then we will settle into a local café where we Barely a fifth of Romani students complete will have around 30 minutes to ask Judit any secondary education and only one percent questions we may have. Throughout, Judit will continues on to college or a trade school. share with us her own personal experiences And while Hungary was one of the twelve growing up Roma in Hungary—and the acts countries with significant Roma minorities that of discrimination she has endured due to her participated in the Decade of Roma Inclusion ethnicity. Judit will describe the numerous (2005-2015), this educational segregation has challenges she and her fellow Roma people increased, with 30% to 44% of Roma children face on a daily basis, such as being followed affected since 2013. Romani people also face by security while shopping, denied access significantly lower life expectancy and higher to clubs, and experiencing racism on public levels of poverty, which can be attributed to transportation. She’ll also share the struggles this lower educational standard. A recent study of landing a job, renting an apartment, and by the Hungarian Central Statistical Office catching up with educational studies after revealed that among Roma between the ages of graduating from a segregated Roma school. 15 and 64, a staggering 80% had not achieved 8 While this Controversial Topic may be or more years of schooling. This included 16% emotionally challenging, it’s necessary of Roma people who had not finished primary to understand every aspect of Hungary, school and another 63% who did not complete and travelers often find it a rewarding and secondary education, compared to a mere 1% to eye-opening experience. We’ll thank Judit and 9% of non-Roma citizens. say goodbye around 12:45pm, after which we’ll These grim statistics—coupled with her drive back to our hotel. own life experience—compelled Judit to Lunch: Our city tour will wrap up around 1pm. become a Uccu Roma Informal Educational At this time, you can enjoy lunch on your own Foundation volunteer. The Uccu Foundation at the Great Market Hall, the oldest and largest was established in 2010 initially as an answer indoor market in Budapest where you can enjoy to a series of racially motivated hate crimes local Hungarian specialties. against Roma people in Hungary between 2008 and 2009. The current number of young Roma Afternoon: Enjoy a free afternoon to make your volunteers like Judit is only around 45, but still own discoveries. You may wish to head to the growing. These young Roma are driven by an turreted Fisherman’s Bastion for panoramic intrinsic motivation to fight against prejudice views of the city, or spend some time at the and stereotypes, which they themselves have famous Chain Bridge, which was first opened often experienced firsthand. The foundation in 1849 to link the two provincial towns of provides an opportunity for primary and Buda and Pest, and now stands as a symbol of Hungarian liberty.

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27 Dinner: Your free time continues into the Around 5:45pm, we’ll meet at our hotel and evening for you to enjoy dinner on your reminisce on the highlights of our adventure own. From old-fashioned taverns to more and then walk to our dinner location together. modernized eateries, Budapest offers an array Dinner: Enjoy a Farewell Dinner of of restaurant choices. locally-inspired dished around 6:45pm at Evening: Around 8:30pm, we’ll depart our a local restaurant to celebrate our travel hotel by bus and drive roughly 30 minutes to experiences. tonight’s activity. We’ll gather for an hour-long Evening: You have the freedom to spend the evening cruise on the Danube River—an rest of your evening as you wish. Perhaps you’ll opportunity to witness Budapest’s monuments enjoy a final nightcap in the city, or rest up for illuminated, from Pest’s Danube Promenade tomorrow’s return home. to the Buda Castle District. We’ll return to the hotel around 10:30pm. Day 15 Return to U.S. or begin Day 14 Explore Budapest post-trip extension • Destination: Budapest • Included Meals: Breakfast • Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Breakfast: Served at the hotel beginning at • Accommodations: Hotel President Budapest 7am, featuring Hungarian and American dishes. or similar Morning: Depending on your specific flight Breakfast: Served at the hotel beginning at arrangements, you’ll transfer about 45 minutes 7am, featuring Hungarian and American dishes. to the airport sometime this morning for your return flight home. Or, begin your post-trip Morning: We’ll depart our hotel around 9am extension to either Vienna: Palaces, Music, and take a short 10-minute subway ride to Architecture & Sachertorte or New! Transylvania: Parliament Square, home to one of Europe’s Myths, Castles & Medieval Fortresses. oldest legislative bodies, the imposing riverside Hungarian Parliament Building. In the square, we’ll meet a local expert around 9:15am to learn about the Hungarian Uprising of 1956, a time when students and workers took to the streets of Budapest in the first major threat to Soviet control of the region. Following our tour, we’ll walk to a local restaurant for lunch.

Lunch: Around noon, we’ll enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, featuring .

Afternoon: After lunch, you have the remainder of the afternoon to make more independent discoveries in Budapest. Perhaps you’ll visit Heroes’ Square where you can witness a memorial to the great leaders in Hungary’s history, including the Millennium Monument.

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28 END YOUR ADVENTURE WITH AN OPTIONAL POST-TRIP EXTENSION 5 nights in Vienna: Palaces, Music, Architecture & Sachertorte

Day 1 Budapest, Hungary • Day 4 Explore Vienna • Optional Transfer to Vienna Footsteps of the Great Composers tour Day 2 Explore Vienna • Heurigen Day 5 Vienna • Schoenbrunn Palace Wine Dinner Day 6 Vienna • Return to U.S. Day 3 Vienna • Belvedere Palace

OR 6 nights in Transylvania: Myths, Castles & Medieval Fortresses

Day 1 Budapest, Hungary • Transfer to Day 5 Explore Sibiu • Optional Inside a Brasov, Romania Transylvanian Village tour Day 2 Brasov • Visit Bran Castle Day 6 Sibiu • Explore Bucharest Day 3 Brasov • Explore Sighisoara • Sibiu Day 7 Bucharest • Return to U.S. Day 4 Explore Sibiu

Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-955-1925

29 OPTIONAL TOURS

During your trip you will be able to book optional tours directly with your Trip Experience Leader. He or she will ask you to confirm the payment for these tours by filling out a payment form. Optional tours can only be purchased with a credit or debit card. We accept Visa, MasterCard, and Discover credit cards. We also accept Visa and MasterCard debit cards, but it must be a debit card that allows you to sign for purchases.

In order to correctly process these charges, there can be a delay of 2-3 months from the date of your return for the charges to be posted to your account. Therefore we ask that you use a card that will not expire in the 2-3 months following your return.

Please note: Optional tour prices are listed in U.S. dollar estimates determined at the time of publication and are subject to change. Optional tours may vary.

Jewels of Slovakia (Day 11 $80 per person)

Experience a sampling of the best Slovakia has to offer when we visit a local winery. First, you’ll enjoy a wine-tasting before interacting with the family who owns the winery to discuss their daily life and wine production in the area. Then, you’ll participate in a traditional blueprinting workshop. Learn more about blueprinting—a Slovak folk art that involves printing intricate patterns on white fabric—during conversations with the artist and hands-on activities.

Please note: In order for this optional tour to operate, a minimum of seven travelers must participate.

Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-955-1925

30 PRE-TRIP Berlin, Wittenberg, Dresden & the Elbe River Valley

INCLUDED IN YOUR PRICE

» Bus transportation from Dresden to Prague » Services of a local O.A.T. Trip » Accommodations for 3 nights in Berlin at Experience Leader the Maritim Hotel or similar, and 2 nights in » Gratuities for local guides, drivers, and Dresden at the Hyperion Hotel or similar luggage porters » 11 meals—5 breakfasts, 4 lunches, » All transfers and 2 dinners » 7 small group activities

PRE-TRIP EXTENSION ITINERARY

Explore Berlin, the divided city that has blossomed anew in the era of reunification. Then discover how Dresden, Germany’s artistic hub for centuries before the destruction of World War II, has risen from the ashes, fully restored and gleaming.

Day 1 Depart U.S. Dinner: On your own. Perhaps you’ll try a local specialty eisbein (pork knuckle). In Berlin, Depart the U.S. today on your international the knuckle is boiled in sauerkraut for several flight to Berlin. hours until the meat is tender enough to fall off the bone. Day 2 Arrive Berlin, Germany Evening: You have the freedom to spend the • Destination: Berlin, Germany rest of your evening as you wish. You may • Accommodations: Maritim proArte Hotel choose to use this time to settle in, or begin Berlin or similar your explorations of Berlin. Afternoon: After an overnight flight, an Freedom To Explore: During your three O.A.T. representative will meet us at the full days in Berlin, you have the freedom to airport and assist with your transfer to the experience Germany’s capital city on your centrally-located hotel. Depending on where own during your free time. Below are a few you stay, amenities may include a restaurant, recommended options for independent café, bar, and fitness center. Typical rooms explorations: feature satellite TV, wireless Internet, safe, minibar, and private bath with hair dryer. Upon • Visit Botanischer Garden, named one of the arrival around 5:15pm, we’ll take part in a short most beautiful botanical gardens in the world. briefing from our Trip Experience Leader. Let the variety of international flora enchant you as you stroll through a transplanted

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31 tropical rainforest. While the gardens are the zoo next door. This is an ideal excursion close in proximity to Berlin’s main attrac- for those looking to immerse themselves tions, the peaceful environment feels worlds in German culture, whether by interacting away from the hustle and bustle of the city. with local store owners or grabbing a tradi- After you’ve stimulated your senses in the tional bite. greenhouse portion, deepen your discoveries • How to get there: 15 minutes from your with a visit to the Botanical Museum. Here, hotel by public transportation you’ll witness the unique biological and • Hours: 10am-8pm Monday through archaeological findings as you examine the Saturday, closed on Sundays collections of three passionate, renowned • Cost: Free botanists. • How to get there: Approximately 30 min- Day 3 Explore Berlin utes from hotel by public transportation • Destination: Berlin Hours: 9am-8pm daily • • Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Cost: $7 • • Accommodations: Maritim proArte Hotel • The Chamaleon is Germany’s leading Berlin or similar attraction in contemporary theater. This Breakfast: Served buffet-style at the hotel exciting new art form deliberately blurs the beginning at 7am, featuring German and boundaries between acrobatics, dance, music, American dishes. and theater—in order to create something thrilling and cutting-edge. Located in the Morning: Today, we’ll depart our hotel by bus center of Berlin, this company has been around 9am to see Berlin’s highlights on an entertaining audiences since 2004. The included city tour. The second-largest urban group describes themselves as “committed area in Europe, Berlin is an enormous city, to presenting innovative circus productions but most of its iconic sites are relatively close from all over the world in a warm, beautiful together. Divided at the end of World War II, space where hospitality is our top priority.” blockaded by the Soviets during the Cold War, • How to get there: 20-minute walk from riven by a cruel grey wall, and finally delivered your hotel, or one stop away on the com- by the sledgehammers of freedom fighters, muter train. Berlin is once again a united city. We’ll discover • Hours: 12-6pm Mondays, 12-8pm many facets of history on our tour which Tuesdays- Fridays, 12-9:30pm Saturdays, includes a look at the outside of the Olympic 12-6pm Sundays Stadium (made infamous by the 1936 Summer • Cost: $40-$60 depending on the show Olympics) and the exterior of pre-World War II Tempelhof Airport. • Visit Bikini Berlin, a self-described “oasis in the heart of the city, an urban hub and social Lunch: At a local restaurant around 1pm, universe.” The modern complex features featuring local specialties. shopping, restaurants, work spaces, and a movie theater. To enjoy a panoramic view of Afternoon: After lunch around 2:30pm, we Berlin, head up to the green rooftop terrace conclude our discovery walk with a visit to free of charge and enjoy a peaceful manicured the Berlin Wall Documentation Center. Then atmosphere in an otherwise busy city. You around 4pm, use your newfound knowledge of can even see the animals moseying around

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32 Berlin to explore the city on your own. Perhaps Lunch: On your own today. Your Trip you’ll like to explore Schloss Charlottenburg, Experience Leader is happy to provide local the largest remaining palace in the city. restaurant recommendations. Those travelers who joined the optional tour will enjoy an Dinner: We’ll gather for a Welcome Dinner included lunch at a local restaurant around 1pm. around 6:30pm at a restaurant near our hotel. Afternoon: Continue your free day into the Evening: You have the freedom to spend the afternoon—or if you joined the optional tour, rest of your evening as you wish. You may return to Berlin around 3pm. choose to enjoy a glass of Berliner Weisse at a nearby bar, a popular sour beer that is Dinner: On your own. Perhaps you’ll try a often served in a bowl-shaped vessel with regional specialty, königsberger klopse (German raspberry syrup. meatballs) served in a white sauce flavored with lemon and capers.

Day 4 Berlin • Optional Potsdam tour Evening: You have the freedom to spend the • Destination: Berlin rest of your evening as you wish. You may • Included Meals: Breakfast choose to see a show at the CHAMÄLEON • Accommodations: Maritim proArte Hotel Theatre, known for its innovative circus Berlin or similar productions.

Activity Note: The Optional Tour is not available on Mondays or any other day that Day 5 Berlin • Wittenberg • Cecilienhof Palace is closed. Meissen • Dresden • Destination: Dresden Breakfast: Served buffet-style at the hotel • Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner beginning at 7am, featuring German and American dishes. • Accommodations: Hyperion Hotel Dresden or similar Morning: Explore Berlin on your own today. Activity Note: Our total transfer time today is The city’s lakes and forests provide retreats in up to 5 hours, with stops along the way. an urban setting, while its divided history has led to a unique collection of architectural styles. Breakfast: Served buffet-style at the hotel If you find yourself in the old Soviet sector beginning at 7am, featuring German and of the city, keep your eyes open for extant American dishes. Ampelmannchen, the “little traffic light man” who adorned East German traffic lights. Morning: We check out of our hotel this morning and board a bus around 8am for Or, you may wish to join an optional tour Dresden. First, we stop in Wittenberg around around 8:30am to historic Potsdam, a UNESCO 9:45am and enjoy a short walking tour with World Heritage Site, which features Sanssouci our Trip Experience Leader in this city that’s Park, Cecilienhof Palace, the New Garden, and famous for its connection to Protestant leaer Glienicke Bridge. Martin Luther. Around 11am, we continue to Meissen.

Lunch: At a local restaurant in Meissen around 1:15pm, featuring local specialties.

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33 Afternoon: After lunch around 2:30pm, our itself is also well-known for it’s varied Trip Experience Leader guides an informative architectural styles, including Baroque and stroll of this European center of porcelain, set Neo-renaissance. on the banks of the Elbe with its castle and • How to get there: About a 1-minute walk. soaring Gothic cathedral. • Hours: 10am-6pm, Wednesday-Monday. An hour-long drive through scenic forests and • Cost: About $16 USD. farmlands brings us to Dresden around 4:30pm. • Experience the Museum of Hygiene: This We’ll have some time to relax after we check permanent exhibit was founded in 1912 by into our centrally-located hotel. Depending Karl August Lingner, a Dresden businessman on which hotel you stay in, it may feature a and manufacturer of hygiene products. The restaurant, lounge, bar, and fitness center. museum features an extensive collection Typical rooms include a safe, wireless Internet, of approximately 45,000 items related to coffee- and tea-making facilities, and private bodily awareness and healthy behavior. Most bath with hairdryer, robe, and slippers. Around of these items originate from the early 20th 6pm, our Trip Experience Leader will then lead century and onwards. Major themes through- us on a short vicinity walk on the way to dinner. out the exhibit include living, dying, eating, drinking, sex, and beauty. Dinner: At a local restaurant around 6:30pm, featuring regional cuisine. • How to get there: About a 30-minute walk. • Hours: 10am-6pm, daily. Evening: You have the freedom to spend the • Cost: About $10 USD. rest of your evening as you wish. Perhaps • Delve into the auto world at Glaserne you’ll begin your explorations of Dresden with Manufaktur: This car factory and exhibition a famous sweet treat. Dresdner Eierschecke is a space is owned by German car manufacturer three-layered sheet which includes Volkswagen and was designed by architect pudding, , and egg whites. Gunter Henn. It opened in 2002, originally Freedom To Explore: During your two days in producing the Volkswagen Phaeton. By 2017, Dresden, you have the freedom to experience it was dedicated to producing the electric the city on your own during your free time. version of the Golf, a very popular car in Below are a few recommended options for Germany. Factory visitors have an opportu- independent explorations: nity to test drive VW vehicles for 30 minutes, take a virtual tour of Dresden, and experience • Visit Dresden Royal Palace: For almost various exhibits pertaining to VW’s electric 400 years, this royal palace served as the and hybrid technologies. Car buffs won’t want residence of the electors and kings of Saxony. to miss this. Today, it is a museum complex divided • How to get there: About a 30-minute walk. into five sections: Historic and New Green • Hours: 9am-7pm, Monday-Saturday; Vault; Numismatic Cabinet; Collection of 10am-6pm, Sunday. Prints, Drawings and Photographs; Dresden • Cost: About $8 USD. Armory with the Turkish Chamber; and the Dresden State Art Collections. The building

Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-955-1925

34 Day 6 Dresden and Elbe River Valley tour Day 7 Dresden • Overland to Prague via • Destination: Dresden Sudetenland and Terezin • Home-Hosted • Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Lunch • Begin main trip • Accommodations: Hyperion Hotel Dresden • Destination: Prague, Czech Republic or similar • Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Breakfast: At the hotel starting at 7am, Activity Note: Our overland transfer to Prague featuring German and American dishes. by bus will take around 9 hours, including stops along the way. Morning: Today, we’re off around 9am to tour the city of Dresden and the Elbe River Breakfast: At the hotel starting at 7am, Valley by motorcoach. Situated in a broad featuring German and American dishes. floodplain, Dresden was founded in the Morning: We’ll board a bus around 8am for our twelfth century by Slavs. In the 16th century, transfer to Prague for our Jewels of Bohemia: the finest painters, architects, and musicians Czech Republic, Slovakia & Hungary adventure. from across Europe began to flood the city, En route to Prague, we’ll pass through the Elbe which remained a cultural hub until World Valley and the dramatic sandstone landscape of War II, when Allied aircraft used incendiary Saxon Switzerland. We’ll pause in Sudetenland bombs to burn Dresden to the ground. The city around 10:30am and discover the flavor of life was completely destroyed, and thousands of in this historic region of the Czech Republic. civilians were killed. Kurt Vonnegut, himself Here, we’ll visit Skanzen Zubrnice, an open-air a survivor of the air raids, chronicled these museum of historic dwellings, where we’ll events in Slaughterhouse-Five. Following the enjoy a glimpse of agricultural traditions during war, Dresden was rebuilt from the ground up, a farm presentation. an eternal reminder of the folly of war and strength of the human creative spirit. Lunch: Enjoy a Home-Hosted Lunch around 11:45am near Skanzen Zubrnice. Lunch: At a local restaurant around noon, featuring regional specialties. Afternoon: Around 1:30pm, we’ll drive for about 30 minutes and pause for a somber Afternoon: Enjoy the rest of the afternoon reminder of the Holocaust at Terezin, whose and evening to explore Dresden on your own. fortress was used as a Gestapo prison during Perhaps you’ll venture over to one of the oldest World War II. buildings in the city, the Dresden Royal Palace, located within walking distance of our hotel. We’ll leave Terezin around 3:45pm and continue on to Prague, arriving around 5pm Dinner: On your own—perhaps enjoying the to settle into our hotel to begin our main hearty this region is known for. adventure. Evening: You have the freedom to spend the rest of your evening as you wish. You may opt for an evening stroll to make any final discoveries in Dresden before our transfer to Prague tomorrow.

Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-955-1925

35 OPTIONAL TOUR

Potsdam (Day 4 $120 per person) Join us on an optional tour of Potsdam, residence of the Prussian kings until 1918—and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We’ll walk through the gardens of Sanssouci Park, visit Cecilienhof Palace, where the Potsdam Conference of August 1945 took place to lay the groundwork for Germany’s postwar fate, and stroll through the landscaped grounds of New Garden (Neuer Garten). Then, we’ll make a brief stop at Glienicke Bridge, which became known as the “Bridge of Spies” during the Cold War, as the superpowers used its midpoint as a place to exchange captured agents. We’ll also enjoy an included lunch at a local restaurant before returning to Berlin. Optional Tour is not available on Mondays or any other day that Cecilienhof Palace is closed.

Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-955-1925

36 PRE-TRIP Poland: Krakow, Auschwitz & Warsaw

INCLUDED IN YOUR PRICE

» Flight from Warsaw to Prague, » 4 small group activities Czech Republic » Services of a local O.A.T. Trip » Accommodations: 3 nights in Krakow at Experience Leader Hotel Kossak or similar and 2 nights in » Gratuities for local guides, drivers, and Warsaw at Polonia Palace Hotel or similar luggage porters » 10 meals—5 breakfasts, 3 lunches, » All transfers and 2 dinners

PRE-TRIP EXTENSION ITINERARY

Discover two of Poland’s historic and cultural epicenters—Krakow and Warsaw. Explore the centuries-old streets of Krakow with its stunning architecture, experience an emotionally-charged tour of the Auschwitz concentration camp of World War II, and venture through rebuilt Warsaw, Poland’s energetic capital city.

Day 1 Depart U.S. of its air-conditioned rooms typically include a TV, minibar, safe, iron, coffee- and tea-making Afternoon/Evening: Today, you’ll depart facilities, Wireless Internet, and hair dryer. on your overnight flight from the U.S. to Krakow, Poland. Around 6pm, our group will come together for a 30-minute orientation walk around the vicinity Day 2 Arrive in Krakow, Poland of the hotel. • Destination: Krakow Dinner: At around 6:30pm, we’ll enjoy a • Included Meals: Dinner Welcome Dinner at the hotel restaurant, • Accommodations: Hotel Kossak or similar toasting to our arrival in this historic city.

Activity Note: Groups not staying at the Hotel Evening: You’re free to relax at the hotel after Kossak will have dinner at a local restaurant your flight or continue celebrating the kickoff instead of the hotel. of your journey with your fellow travelers.

Afternoon: We will arrive in Krakow, Poland, Freedom To Explore: During your three this afternoon and transfer 30 minutes by bus nights in Krakow, you have the freedom to to your hotel. Likely located in the heart of explore this former capital city—also known Krakow, the hotel is situated near charming as “Little Rome” or “Polish Jerusalem”—on sites such as the medieval Market Square. Each your own during your free time. Below are a few recommended options for independent explorations:

Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-955-1925

37 • Learn about glass artistry at the Workshop • Discover Soviet culture at the Forum and Stained Glass Museum: Observe artists Przestrzenie Café Club: This former and craftsmen as they form unique stained Communist hotel forum is now home to glass items, and make your own small numerous art galleries and performance memento out of provided materials under the spaces, and concerts, serving as a cultural guidance of an artist. Located in the oldest and social hub for Krakow. Popular among the glass studio still in operation in Poland—over younger generation, this destination is prime one hundred years old, you may also wish for taking in a contemporary art exhibition to take a guided tour through the museum, or simply people watching over a coffee and providing background on the premises and local fare from the on-site eatery. origins of the workshop. Over 200 stained • How to get there: A 25-minute walk. glass windows created here can be spotted in • Hours: From 10am, daily. the city of Krakow, including windows in the • Cost: Free. Wawel Castle and Franciscan Basilica. Plan to spend approximately 1 hour here during Day 3 Explore Krakow your visit. • Destination: Krakow How to get there: A 5- to 10-minute walk. • • Included Meals: Breakfast Hours: 12pm-5pm, Tuesday-Saturday. • • Accommodations: Hotel Kossak or similar • Cost: About $9 USD. Breakfast: Served buffet-style at the hotel • Visit the historic Wieliczka Salt Mines: The starting at 7am, featuring hot and cold choices. mines, almost 2 miles in length, 450 feet deep, and often called “the Underground Salt Morning: Around 9am, our group will come Cathedral of Poland,” feature 20 chambers together for a 45-minute Welcome Briefing. and an underground lake. You’ll venture During this briefing, we’ll introduce ourselves deep into the mines, with over 900 steps to and review our itinerary in more detail descend, and learn about the technology and (including any changes that may need to occur). history of the construction. Once belonging Our Trip Experience Leader will also discuss to the Polish royal family, the mines are over logistics, safety and emergency procedures, as 700 years old and listed as a UNESCO World well as answer any questions we may have. Heritage Site. Not only are they former salt mines, but they are also an art gallery of salt Then, around 10am, we begin our discoveries rock sculptures, featuring chiseled mythical of Krakow on a 3-hour city tour, first walking figures. During your visit, it’s even possible and later riding through its lovely streets in golf to taste the salt in several spots within the carts—which, in recent years, has become a mines. Standard mine tours are approximate- popular way of seeing the sights. While Poland ly 2 hours. moved its capital to Warsaw in 1596, Krakow remains the country’s cultural and intellectual How to get there: A 45- to 50-minute taxi • epicenter, teeming with avant garde art, ride, about $13-$15 USD. jazz music, and students. Unlike many of Hours: 7:30am-7:30pm, daily, • the surrounding cities, Krakow managed to April-October. escape significant damage during World War Cost: About $24-$26 USD. • II, making it a historical hub and giving it a reputation as one of the most beautiful cities in central Europe. Krakow’s Old Town—or Stare

Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-955-1925

38 Miastro—in particular offers seven centuries of Day 4 Explore Auschwitz Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture, • Destination: Krakow all surrounded by a ring of parkland known as • Included Meals: Breakfast the Planty. • Accommodations: Hotel Kossak or similar Lunch: Around 1pm, you’ll have lunch on Activity Note: Today, we’ll visit the Auschwitz your own. Your Trip Experience Leader can concentration camp which may be a provide recommendations on the best locales particularly emotional experience. for whatever your preferences are. Try to find —hearty, Polish dumplings. Or seek out Breakfast: Served buffet-style at the hotel , or “Hunter’s Soup,” made of sausage, starting at 7am, featuring hot and cold choices. sauerkraut, mushrooms, and . Morning: Around 8:30am, we’ll drive 1.5 Afternoon: After lunch, you have the rest of the hours to reach Auschwitz, arriving around day to do as you’d like. Or, you can explore the 10am. Here, we’ll delve deep into the camp’s medieval splendors of Krakow independently. controversial history and role in the Holocaust Perhaps you’ll mingle with the many jazz during a two-hour tour led by a local guide. musicians, students, and street artists that bring the city to life. You may also care to visit While the Auschwitz concentration camp the Krakow Underground Museum, an exhibit complex was used to contain the diverse which illuminates the close connection between enemies of the Nazi regime, it is infamous medieval Krakow and other European cities for its shocking treatment of the 1.1 million during the same time period. Jews who were deported there from European countries occupied by or allied with Germany. Dinner: On your own. Consider asking your The Jews who were sent to Auschwitz often Trip Experience Leader about their favorite faced starvation, extreme cold, hard labor, restaurant. One delicacy to look out for is constant abuse, and in some cases, death upon , an open-face, toasted arrival. In total, at least 960,000 Jews were on baguette or other type of long bread, killed in Auschwitz, in addition to thousands of topped with sautéed mushrooms, and Roma, Poles, Soviet prisoners of war, disabled sometimes various other ingredients. people, as well as members of the LGBTQ community. Today, the complex stands as a Evening: On your own—you may retire to your stark reminder of one of the darkest periods room to rest before tomorrow’s explorations. in history. As we discover different historic Or, you may choose to venture out to discover buildings and areas of the concentration camp, Krakow’s nightlife. Your Trip Experience Leader we’ll learn stories of the brave and resilient can provide recommendations of the best bars individuals who endured this brutal period and restaurants in the area. in history.

We depart by bus back to Krakow around noon, enjoying some snacks on the road. We’ll arrive back around 1:30pm.

Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-955-1925

39 Lunch: On your own anytime after we arrive a local guide will take us through the museum, back in Krakow after 1:30pm. Perhaps you a tour of roughly 1.5 hours. Once a former might seek out zurek soup, made with rye bread enamel factory where Schindler employed and featuring hearty ingredients such as Jews to save them from concentration camps, ham, sausage, and potatoes. this museum provides a unique perspective on life in Krakow from 1939-1945, displaying Afternoon: Your afternoon is free to spend as 45 meticulously-restored rooms designed to you wish. Maybe you’ll visit the local stained show what streets, hair salons, train stations, glass museum to observe the process of this and more looked like in Krakow during this traditional art form. contentious period in history. Dinner: On your own—your Trip Experience At approximately 11:30am, we’ll drive about Leader can recommend an interesting local 15 minutes to the Kazimierz neighborhood restaurant for you to try. A popular dish you of Krakow, a former Jewish district. Our may want to seek out is golabki, boiled cabbage Trip Experience Leader will take us through leaves stuffed with minced pork or beef, this historic district until about 12:30pm, at chopped onions, and or barley. which point we’ll walk to a local restaurant in Evening: You are free to make your own Kazimierz for lunch. discoveries in Krakow, spend time with your Lunch: Around 12:30pm at a local restaurant. fellow travelers at the hotel, or retire to your room to rest. Afternoon: Around 1:45pm, we will drive 30 minutes to the train station to take our train Day 5 Transfer to Warsaw • Explore to Warsaw, which departs around 2:45pm and Podgorze and Kazimierz will take nearly 3 hours. Upon arrival, we’ll check in to our hotel and have about 1.5 hours • Destination: Warsaw free to rest or explore. Depending on where we • Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner stay, our hotel is likely located within the city • Accommodations: Polonia Palace Hotel center, featuring modern accommodations or similar and amenities, typically including a safe, Breakfast: Served buffet-style at the hotel complimentary access to the fitness center, and starting at 7am, featuring hot and cold choices. wireless Internet.

Morning: Today, around 9am, we’ll depart Shortly before 7pm, our group will reconvene by bus for Warsaw, the capital of Poland, with and walk to a nearby restaurant. stops along the way. Our luggage will be driven Dinner: We’ll have dinner at a local straight to Warsaw aboard a different bus and restaurant around 7pm, serving Polish and will be waiting for us upon arrival. international cuisine. At around 9:45am, we’ll stop first at Podgorze, Evening: Enjoy the freedom to explore Warsaw a neighborhood of Krakow that was once home this evening. Stroll through the city at night or to the Jewish ghetto during the Nazi regime. enjoy a beer at the hotel bar with your fellow Here, a local guide will lead us through this travelers and take in the spirit of the city. historic central square before we leave to visit Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory Museum around 9:45am. We’ll arrive at about 10am and

Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-955-1925

40 Freedom To Explore: During your two days in foreign excavation sites ever obtained by a Warsaw, you have the freedom to explore this Polish museum. Plan to spend approximately formerly war-torn capital on your own during 1-2 hours here. your free time. Below are a few recommended • How to get there: A 15- to 20-minute walk. options for independent explorations: • Hours: 10am-6pm, Tuesday-Sunday. • Learn about the history of Polish Jews at the • Cost: About $8 USD, free on Tuesdays. POLIN Museum: The Hebrew word “Polin” • Meander through the trendy Rozyckiego refers to a legend about the arrival of the Bazar and Praga district: This up-and- first Jews to Poland. This museum tells the coming neighborhood has undergone rapid 1,000-year-old history of Polish Jews and transformation in recent years, now it is educates visitors about past and present home to clubs, restaurants, theaters, and Jewish culture. Situated in the former Jewish artist studios. Located on the left bank of the Ghetto of Warsaw, visitors can explore mul- Vistula River, Praga boasts some of Warsaw’s timedia exhibits and period-specific galleries oldest surviving structures after World War providing insight into how Jews came to live II. It’s also home to the city’s oldest market, in Poland, how they once flourished, the which now is filled with over 300 shopkeepers horrors of the second world war, and finally, selling clothing, accessories, and fresh food. the postwar years. Designed by Finnish • How to get there: A 20-minute taxi ride, architects Rainer Mahlamäki and Ilmari about $15 USD. Lahdelma, the building is comprised of glass, • Hours: 8am-5pm, daily. copper, and concrete, and faces the memorial • Cost: Free. commemorating the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising of 1943. Plan to spend 2-3 hours exploring Day 6 Explore Warsaw • Optional the museum. Chopin recital How to get there: A 10-to 15-minute taxi • • Destination: Warsaw ride, about $6-$8 USD. • Included Meals: Breakfast • Hours: 10am-6pm, daily. • Accommodations: Polonia Palace Hotel • Cost: About $6-$8 USD, free on Thursdays. or similar • Spend an afternoon at the National Museum: Breakfast: Served buffet-style at the hotel Founded in 1862, the National Museum is one starting at 7am, featuring local cuisine and of the oldest museums in Europe, featuring seasonal dishes. a collection of over 830,000 paintings and sculptures of both foreign and domestic Morning: Around 9am, we’ll embark by bus origin. From ancient times to modern day, on a 3.5-hour city tour of Poland’s flourishing peruse paintings, sculptures, drawings, capital, Warsaw. Unlike Krakow, much of prints, photographs, coins, as well as Warsaw was destroyed in World War II, and utilitarian objects and designs. The museum since then, the city has used its vivacious also features a selection of archaeological spirit to rebuild. We’ll stroll through the films, as well as the largest and most valuable Łazienki Park together, Warsaw’s largest collection of archaeological artifacts from park and home to the 13th-century Ujazdów Castle. Then, around 11am, we’ll arrive in Warsaw’s Old Town, where we can see a fusion of Renaissance, Baroque, and Gothic

Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-955-1925

41 architecture, designed to make the area look Evening: If you choose to take the optional as it did in the 17th and 18th centuries. On top Chopin tour this evening, you’ll return to the of colorful open-air cafés and art stalls, the hotel around 8:30pm, with the remainder of Old Town houses the Royal Castle—or Zamek the evening on your own. If you decide not to Królewski—built in the 1740s as a precise join the Chopin recital concert, you are free recreation of the 14th-century original. Also to explore more of this historic city, return in the Old Town is Warsaw’s monument of a to your room to rest before your explorations sword-wielding mermaid—the beloved symbol tomorrow, or join fellow travelers in the main of the city—as well as St. John’s Archcathedral, hotel area for a nightcap to discuss the day’s one of the oldest churches in Warsaw. Our tour activities. will end around 12:30pm in the Old Town.

Lunch: On your own—your Trip Experience Day 7 Fly to Prague, Czech Republic • Leader can recommend their favorite local Join main trip restaurant. For those who enjoy a wholesome • Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch stew, bigos is a common Polish staple: chopped Breakfast: Served buffet-style at the hotel meat of various kinds simmering in sauerkraut starting at 7am, featuring local cuisine and and fresh, shredded cabbage. seasonal dishes. Afternoon: The remainder of the day is yours Morning: Around 8:45am, we’ll depart our to explore the city on your own. Perhaps you’ll hotel and transfer by bus to the airport to fly stroll the cobbled streets or relax in one of the to Prague, Czech Republic, where we’ll join many charming cafés. Or, you might take local our fellow travelers to begin our discoveries transportation back to the hotel and explore the of Jewels of Bohemia: Czech Republic, Slovakia surrounding area. & Hungary. As the evening approaches, at around 5pm, Lunch: Depending on our flight schedule, we’ll you can join us for an optional Chopin recital either receive boxed lunches or enjoy lunch at Warsaw’s concert hall. It is an exclusive upon arrival in Prague at a local restaurant. opportunity to have a special evening with the romantic compositions of Fryderyk Chopin. Enjoy a welcome drink around 5:15pm before taking your seat with the general audience for the music performance around 5:30pm.

Dinner: On your own for those who do not attend the Optional Chopin recital. Your Trip Experience Leader can recommend their favorite local restaurant. Explore Warsaw’s thriving culinary scene and try a hearty, traditional meal at a local restaurant. For those who do join the Optional Tour, dinner is at a local restaurant around 6:30pm.

Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-955-1925

42 OPTIONAL TOUR

Chopin recital (Day 6 $105 per person) On this Optional Tour, join a general audience at Warsaw’s concert hall for a Chopin recital. Enjoy a welcome drink before taking your seat for an evening of classical music as the instruments fill the space with their melodies. After the concert, gather with the group for an included dinner.

Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-955-1925

43 POST-TRIP Vienna: Palaces, Music, Architecture & Sachertorte

INCLUDED IN YOUR PRICE

» Bus transportation from Budapest to Vienna » Services of a local O.A.T. Trip » Accommodations for 5 nights in Vienna at Experience Leader Hotel Rathauspark or similar » Gratuities for local guides, drivers, and » 10 meals—5 breakfasts, 2 lunches, luggage porters and 3 dinners » All transfers » 3 small group activities

POST-TRIP EXTENSION ITINERARY

City of waltzes and Habsburg glory, Vienna still charms with elegant architecture, thriving arts, and lush gardens. Witness the Ringstrasse, sip local vintages in the wine district, and explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Schoenbrunn Palace.

Day 1 Budapest, Hungary • Afternoon: Lunch is followed by an orientation Transfer to Vienna walk led by our Trip Experience Leader around 2:15pm. The balance of the afternoon is free for • Destination: Vienna, Austria you to make your own discoveries in Vienna. • Included Meals: Lunch, Dinner Perhaps you’ll pay a visit to Naschmarkt, one • Accommodations: Hotel Rathauspark of the city’s oldest markets, dating back to the or similar 16th century. Breakfast: Served buffet-style at the hotel Dinner: We’ll reconvene around 6:30pm beginning at 7am, featuring Hungarian and tonight for dinner at a local restaurant, American dishes. featuring regional cuisine. Morning: Today, we’ll board our bus around Evening: You have the freedom to spend the 8:30am and begin our approximately 4-hour rest of your evening as you wish. You may transfer to Vienna. Around 12:30pm, we’ll choose to continue exploring Vienna, or enjoy a check-in at our centrally-located hotel. nightcap at the hotel’s bar. Depending on where you stay, it may feature a restaurant and bar while typical rooms include Freedom To Explore: During your four days in a mini bar, wireless Internet access, cable TV, Vienna you have the freedom to explore this and private bath with hair dryer. vibrant city on your own during your free time. Below are a few recommended options for Lunch: At a local restaurant around 1pm, independent explorations: featuring local specialties.

Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-955-1925

44 • Enjoy a unique Viennese coffee experience at exotic fruit, to handmade scarves, to pastry Palmenhaus. Featuring greenery both inside stands here, and on Saturdays, Naschmarkt and out and adjacent to a peaceful butterfly transforms itself into a bustling flea market. garden, this café—which was once a green- Take your time to peruse the plethora of house built for Austrian royals—provides a stalls, perhaps stopping at an antique store or unique dining experience. It’s a favorite spot two or sampling a number of delicacies from of locals, and you’ll get the chance to interact around the world like Turkish . with patrons as you sip a cup of Viennese • How to get there: An approximate coffee surrounded by colorful flora. Revel 10-minute taxi ride from the hotel. in the detailed Art Nouveau architecture, • Hours: 6am-9pm, Monday-Friday; 6am- and relax in the warmth of the glasshouse’s 6pm, Saturday. tropical setting (complete, of course, with • Cost: Free. palm trees). • How to get there: An approximate Day 2 Explore Vienna • Heurigen 10-minute walk from the hotel. Wine Dinner • Hours: 10am-midnight, Monday-Friday; • Destination: Vienna 9am-midnight, Saturday; 9am-11pm, • Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Sunday. • Accommodations: Hotel Rathauspark • Cost: Free. or similar • Get a glimpse into Austria’s music culture at Breakfast: Served buffet-style at the hotel Weiner Staatsoper, the opera house built in beginning at 6:30am, featuring Austrian and the 1860s as the first building on Vienna’s American dishes. iconic Ringstrasse (Ring Road). This ornate building houses the Vienna State Opera, who Morning: We’ll depart our hotel by bus around produce over 50 operas a year. You’ll also find 9am this morning for our our Vienna city tour, the Vienna Philharmonic and the Vienna State which features the Ringstrasse, probably the Ballet here. Whether you visit to catch a live greatest achievement of the Emperor Franz performance or to embark on a guided tour, Joseph. This boulevard encircling the Innen you’ll find yourself among intricate marble Stadt was mapped out in the 1860s along the décor, perhaps gazing upon the massive ramparts Joseph II had begun clearing 80 chandelier in the center of the auditorium. years prior. The Neo-classical buildings along • How to get there: An approximate the Ringstrasse bring together all the greatest 25-minute walk or 10-minute tram ride architectural styles in a celebration of all from the hotel. that seemed possible during the Industrial • Hours: Tours offered hourly between 10am Revolution. and 3pm. Lunch: On your own after the city tour around • Cost: Around $8 to $10 USD. 12:30pm. Perhaps you’ll enjoy one of Austria’s • Shop like a local at Naschmarkt, one of the national dishes—wiener . This simple oldest markets in all of Vienna dating back Austrian staple is made from a thin, breaded to at least the 18th century. The market is a veal cutlet and then deep-fried in oil or . mosaic of treats for the senses, serving as a produce market and traditional open-air market at once. You’ll find everything from

Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-955-1925

45 Afternoon: Enjoy independent discoveries museums featuring Austrian art from the 18th of Vienna this afternoon, perhaps taking in to the 20th centuries, and we’ll explore one of one of the city’s renowned museums. When the renowned galleries as well as the gardens. the weather agrees, the entertainment moves Our tour will last approximately 3 hours. outdoors to the sidewalks. Lunch: At a local restaurant around noon, Around 5:30pm, we’ll drive about 30 minutes featuring a selection of regional cuisine. to the Grinzing wine district, the location Afternoon: The rest of the day is free for you of various authentic Heurigen restaurants. to explore on your own. Make discoveries at The Heurigen tradition began when Emperor your own pace in the city that served as home Joseph II passed a law stating that small and inspiration to some of the world’s greatest local winemakers were allowed to serve their artists, thinkers, and musicians. vintages and food to members of the public so long as they sold only wine of their own Dinner: On your own. Perhaps you’ll enjoy making. Many people then opened the gardens a popular local dish, Austrian . This of their own homes and small estates, and hearty beef stew is seasoned with , visiting one of these establishments became a onions, and tomatoes, and is usually topped traditional outing for the city dwellers. It’s a with dumplings. rich tradition that is maintained today. Evening: You have the freedom to spend the Dinner: We’ll participate in this local tradition rest of your evening as you wish. when we gather for dinner together around 6pm with local vintages at an authentic Day 4 Explore Vienna • Optional Footsteps Heurigen restaurant in the Grinzing wine of the Great Composers tour district. • Destination: Vienna Evening: Following dinner, we’ll arrive back • Included Meals: Breakfast at the hotel around 8:30pm where you have • Accommodations: Hotel Rathauspark the freedom to spend the rest of your evening or similar as you wish. Breakfast: Served buffet-style at the hotel Day 3 Vienna • Belvedere Palace beginning at 6:30am, featuring Austrian and American dishes. • Destination: Vienna • Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Morning: The day is free to relax or explore on your own. Perhaps you’ll enjoy a tour of • Accommodations: Hotel Rathauspark Wiener Staatsoper, the Vienna State Opera or similar house. Or, you may join our optional Footsteps Breakfast: Served buffet-style at the hotel of the Great Composers walking tour around beginning at 6:30am, featuring Austrian and 9am, which features museum visits and sites American dishes. associated with Mozart and Beethoven. Tour Morning: We’ll depart our hotel around 8:30am highlights include the Mozart House Museum, this morning and take public transportation where the composer lived from 1784 to 1787, to the magnificent Belvedere Palace around and a visit to the House of Music, a museum 9am, which is actually two palaces set amidst a splendid park. Both palaces are home to

Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-955-1925

46 with a floor dedicated to Mozart, Beethoven, Lunch: On your own. There are a variety of and other great masters of the Viennese music cafés and restaurants on the grounds of the tradition. Palace you may choose to visit.

Lunch: Travelers who joined the optional tour Afternoon: Enjoy time to make final discoveries will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant around in Vienna at your own pace, or prepare for your 12:45pm. Otherwise lunch is on your own. morning departure tomorrow.

Afternoon: All travelers will enjoy a free Dinner: We toast our adventure tonight around afternoon to continue exploring Vienna. After 6pm during a Farewell Dinner together in a exploring the Vienna State Opera House this local restaurant. morning, you may have purchased tickets for a Evening: Following dinner, you have the performance this afternoon. freedom to spend the rest of your evening Dinner: On your own. You may choose to dine as you wish. Perhaps you’ll enjoy one final at the hotel’s on-site restaurant or any of the Austrian beer or apfelstrudel (apple ). eateries within walking distance of the hotel.

Evening: You have the freedom to spend the Day 6 Vienna • Return to U.S. rest of your evening as you wish. Perhaps you’ll • Included Meals: Breakfast opt for an evening stroll through the city to see Breakfast: Served buffet-style at the hotel it come alive at night. beginning at 6:30am, featuring Austrian and American dishes. Day 5 Vienna • Schoenbrunn Palace Morning: After breakfast, we transfer for • Destination: Vienna 45 minutes to the airport for our morning • Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner flight home. • Accommodations: Hotel Rathauspark or similar

Breakfast: Served buffet-style at the hotel beginning at 6:30am, featuring Austrian and American dishes.

Morning: We leave our hotel this morning around 9am and hop aboard the local subway to visit the expansive summer estate of Habsburg royalty, Schoenbrunn Palace (whose name means “beautiful spring”). Featuring 1,400 rooms, meticulously maintained gardens, and an architectural legacy that stretches back to the 17th century, the palace is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our visit spans from 10am-12pm, and includes a tour of palace highlights and free time to spend exploring the palace’s park.

Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-955-1925

47 OPTIONAL TOUR

Footsteps of the Great Composers (Day 4 $125 per person) This half-day walking tour follows in the footsteps of two of the world’s greatest composers, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Ludwig van Beethoven—and how their paths are said to have crossed in Vienna. Our first stop is the Mozart House Museum, where we’ll learn about the legendary composer’s life, family, and friends at his residence from 1784 to 1787. Then, we head to the House of Music, a museum featuring an entire floor dedicated to Mozart, Beethoven, and other great masters of the Viennese music tradition. Lunch is included at a local restaurant.

Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-955-1925

48 POST-TRIP Transylvania: Myths, Castles & Medieval Fortresses

INCLUDED IN YOUR PRICE

» Accommodations in a centrally-located » Services of a local O.A.T. Trip hotel 2 nights in Brasov, 3 nights in Sibiu, Experience Leader and 1 night in Bucharest » Gratuities for local guides, drivers, and » 11 meals—6 breakfasts, 3 lunches, luggage porters and 2 dinners » All transfers » 6 small group activities

POST-TRIP EXTENSION ITINERARY

Experience the Transylvania region of Romania, a castle-dotted landscape whose well-preserved, Old-World character evokes an era of bygone, macabre figures both mythical (Count Dracula) and actual (Vlad the Impaler). You’ll also discover there is so much more to this picturesque region nestled at the doorstep of the Carpathian Mountains—from charming medieval villages to grand Gothic cathedrals.

Day 1 Budapest, Hungary • Transfer to curative factors and geographic beauty Brasov, Romania has helped make Sinaia “the Pearl of the Carpathians”—the favored destination of • Destination: Brasov Romanian royalty and a region rich in palaces, • Included Meals: Lunch luxury hotels, fine dining, and skiing. • Accommodations: Hotel in Brasov or similar Lunch: At the Palace Hotel Restaurant, located Morning: Today, we’ll board our private in a former hotel dating back to the 1900s. motorcoach and drive to the airport to catch our It was originally opened by the first king of flight to Romania. Upon arrival, we’ll gather Romania to feed and entertain local and visiting our luggage and begin our overland transfer to nobles—today, we will get the chance to dine Brasov via motorcoach. After around 2 hours, here, enjoying local Romanian specialties. we’ll stop in Sinaia to stretch our legs and grab some lunch. Afternoon: We’ll continue our drive to Brasov after lunch, arriving around 1.5 hours later. With its sub-Alpine climate and the protection After checking in, the rest of the afternoon is of surrounding mountains, Sinaia has long free to rest after our day of travel or explore the convinced visitors of its ideal location for surrounding area. recreational mountain sports. The atmospheric pressure is low, the air is free of allergens and Dinner: We’ll reconvene in the hotel lobby pollutants, and the water is rich in minerals. to join our Trip Experience Leader on an Some people even believe the sunshine feels orientation walk to Brasov’s main square where different here. This combination of natural you’ll enjoy dinner on your own. There are

Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-955-1925

49 many options to choose from here—your Trip Lunch: On your own—ask your Trip Experience Experience Leader will be happy to share some Leader for recommendations. Perhaps you’ll recommendations. try ciorbă ţărănească, a traditional barely soup usually made with carrots, onions, celery, and Evening: You have the freedom to spend the peppers as well as meat such as pork or beef. rest of your evening as you wish. Afternoon: This afternoon, we’ll embark Day 2 Brasov • Visit Bran Castle on a walking tour of Brasov with our Trip Experience Leader. Continuously settled • Destination: Brasov since the Bronze Age, the region that is now • Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Brasov has been enriched by people of many • Accommodations: Hotel in Brasov or similar heritages—Romans, Saxons, and Hungarians Breakfast: At the hotel with Romanian and among them—as well as by traders from all American options. over Europe and beyond who arrived in this long-thriving economic center. You’ll see Morning: Climb aboard our private motorcoach some outstanding medieval architecture in this morning as we set off to explore one of Brasov, which is not far from the geographic Romania’s most infamous destinations—Bran center of Romania and is the largest city in the Castle, often referred to as Dracula’s Castle. Transylvania region. We’ll also visit the Black Church: Built between 1384 and 1477, it is the Prince Vlad Tepes, the son of Vlad Dracul and largest Gothic church in Romania and one of the person who inspired Bram Stoker’s 1897 ’s finest. Seeing this famed and novel Dracula, used this castle as headquarters ancient church, you might feel as if you’ve for his incursions into Transylvania. This stepped back into the Middle Ages. 15th-century ruler became known as “Vlad the Impaler” for his practice of impaling After about an hour, you’ll have around 2.5 enemies of the kingdom, which was greatly hours to explore independently. threatened by the Ottoman Turks at the time. Stoker’s work of fiction drew inspiration Dinner: Together, we’ll walk to a local from this bloody practice, the family name, restaurant to enjoy a dinner of local Romanian and the castle-dotted mountain landscape of specialties. Transylvania. Evening: You have the freedom to spend the You’ll see the interior and exterior of Bran rest of your evening as you wish. Perhaps you Castle, which was built in 1377 to protect nearby will opt to join your Trip Experience Leader for Brasov from invaders as well as serve as a a drive in our private motorcoach to an elevated customs station. In 1920, the people of Brasov, viewing point where we can admire the city who owned the castle, offered it as a gift to below twinkling in the night. Queen Maria of Romania, and the castle soon became her favorite residence. After a guided Day 3 Brasov • Explore Sighisoara • Sibiu tour of the castle’s interior, we’ll have some • Destination: Sibiu free time to stroll through the castle garden and • Included Meals: Breakfast explore the nearby local market. • Accommodations: Hotel in Sibiu or similar We’ll then head back to Brasov, arriving in time Breakfast: At the hotel with Romanian and for lunch. American options.

Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-955-1925

50 Morning: After breakfast, we’ll continue our Along the way, we’ll also meet with one of Transylvania adventure to Sighisoara—about a Sibiu’s local seniors for a conversation about 2-hour drive. Romania’s pension system.

Upon arrival, we’ll set off to discover Afterwards, we’ll experience Romania’s Sighisoara, an UNESCO World Heritage site. public transportation system as we hop a ride A fortified medieval city with a history dating to our next destination—the Astra Open Air back to the 1100s, Sighisoara is known for Village Museum, the largest open-air museum its colorful buildings, pedestrian-friendly in Europe. cobblestone streets, and charming Old Town. Lunch: We’ll stop for a picnic lunch at the Astra Together with our Trip Experience Leader we’ll Open Air Village Museum, a picturesque spot to set off on a walking tour, stopping to discover enjoy a typical Romanian midday meal. some of the city’s historical gems, such as The Clock Tower, The Armory, and the infamous Afternoon: We’ll return to our hotel via public Torture Museum. transportation. The remainder of the day is yours to continue exploring Sibiu. Perhaps Lunch: On your own in Sighisoara—ask your you’ll discover the famous houses with Trip Experience Leader for recommendations. eyes—simple ventilation windows found in the Afternoon: After lunch, we’ll continue our attic of many of Sibiu’s homes that create the journey to Sibiu via private motorcoach. We’ll illusion of watchful eyes peering down from the check into our hotel; after settling in, the rest of rooftops. the afternoon is free. Dinner: On your own in Sibiu—ask your Trip Dinner: On your own in Sibiu—ask your Trip Experience Leader for recommendations. Experience Leader for recommendations. Evening: On your own. You may wish to listen Evening: You have the freedom to spend the to some live music at one of Sibiu’s cozy cafes. rest of your evening as you wish. Day 5 Explore Sibiu • Optional Inside a Day 4 Explore Sibiu Transylvanian Village tour • Destination: Sibiu • Destination: Sibiu • Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch • Included Meals: Breakfast • Accommodations: Hotel in Sibiu or similar • Accommodations: Hotel in Sibiu or similar

Breakfast: At the hotel with Romanian and Breakfast: At the hotel with Romanian and American options. American options.

Morning: Today we’ll discover Sibiu, one of Morning: Enjoy a free day in Sibiu, talking the Transylvania’s most charming medieval cities. time to discover more of this 12th-century Ideally situated at the base of the Carpathian city. Maybe you’ll walk across the Bridge of Mountains, Sibiu is best explored by foot, which Lies—rumored to creak beneath the feet of we will do today on a walking tour with our Trip anyone being less than honest. Or you may Experience Leader—from its Piata Mare, Sibiu’s climb Sibiu’s Gothic Lutheran Cathedral for center since the 15th Century, to its Upper and sweeping views of the city. Lower Towns, separated by cobblestone stairs.

Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-955-1925

51 Or, you may wish to join today’s optional tour: Day 6 Sibiu • Explore Bucharest Inside a Transylvania Village. We’ll drive to • Destination: Bucharest nearby Sibiel village, located in the Romanian • Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner countryside, via private motorcoach. Upon arrival, we’ll switch to a more rural mode of • Accommodations: Hotel in Bucharest transportation, as we board horse-drawn carts or similar for a tour of Sibiel. We’ll end our tour at the Activity Note: Today’s overland transfer will home of a local Romanian family, who will take approximately 7 hours including a 2-hour show us how to make sarmale—savory stuffed lunch stop along the way. cabbage rolls served at every family event and considered the of Romania. Breakfast: At the hotel with Romanian and American options. Lunch: On your own in Sibiu. Morning: We’ll begin our overland transfer to Or, if you have joined our optional tour, we’ll Bucharest this morning via private motorcoach. sit down and enjoy the sarmales we just made The trip will take approximately 7 hours with the local family. This is a great opportunity in total, including a 2-hour stop in Pitesti to ask any questions we may have about along the way. day-to-day life in rural Transylvania. Lunch: In Pitesti at a local restaurant. Afternoon: Travelers who have remained in Sibiu may wish to return to the hotel to rest Afternoon: We’ll arrive in Bucharest this up before going back out to dinner, or perhaps afternoon and set off to explore the city continue to explore the city’s Upper and Lower by motorcoach. This is an old city that has Towns—admiring the colorful houses and served as the capital of Wallachia, and later cobblestone streets. Romania, since 1659. Today, it is noted for its broad, tree-lined boulevards, well-kept If you have joined our optional tour, we’ll parks, and mix of architectural styles that return to Sibiu via private motorcoach combine Neoclassical 19th-century structures after lunch. with monumental 20th-century edifices (the latter built for the most part to satisfy the late Dinner: On your own. Perhaps you’ll opt to try a dictator Nicolae Ceausescu). You’ll drive along traditional Romanian dish such as tochitură—a Victory Avenue to Revolution Square, where stew made with various types of meat such as recent events in history are inscribed. pork, beef or poultry. After our tour, we’ll check into our hotel to Evening: On your own—ask your Trip relax and refresh before dinner. Experience Leader for recommendations. Dinner: Tonight, we’ll walk together to a local restaurant for a Farewell Dinner. Toast your fellow travelers and celebrate the highlights of your Transylvanian journey.

Evening: After walking back to the hotel, the rest of the evening is on your own.

Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-955-1925

52 Day 7 Bucharest • Return to U.S. Morning: After breakfast, we’ll transfer to the airport via private motorcoach for our morning • Included Meals: Breakfast flight home. Breakfast: At the hotel with Romanian and American options.

OPTIONAL TOUR

Inside a Transylvanian Village (Day 5 $105 per person) Discover what life is like inside a Transylvania village. We’ll drive to nearby Sibiel village, located in the Romanian countryside, via private motorcoach. Upon arrival, we’ll switch to a more rural mode of transportation, as we board horse-drawn carts for a tour of Sibiel. We’ll end our tour at the home of a local Romanian family, who will show us how to make sarmale—savory stuffed cabbage rolls served at every family event and considered the national dish of Romania. Then we will sit down with the family and enjoy the sarmales we just made together. This is a great opportunity to ask any questions we may have about day-to-day life in rural Transylvania.

Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-955-1925

53 Jewels of Bohemia: Czech OUR SMALL GROUP ADVENTURE COVID-19 VACCINATION POLICY To ensure the safety of all of our travelers, we are requiring that all travelers Republic, Slovakia & Hungary joining us on one of our Small Group Adventures must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at least 14 days prior to departure of their adventure— and provide proof of their vaccination on-site. 2022 Dates & Prices For more details, please visit www.oattravel.com/covid-update.

MAY 8; APRIL; AUGUST- MAY 13-29; DEPART FROM M A R C H OCT 14-28 SEPTEMBER JUNE JULY OCT 1, 4 NOVEMBER

New York $ 3395 $3295 $3795 $4095 $3895 $3495 $3195

Baltimore, Boston, Detroit $ 3495 $ 3395 $ 3895 $ 4195 $ 3995 $ 3595 $ 3295

Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, Miami, Newark, $ 3595 $ 3495 $ 3995 $ 4295 $ 4095 $ 3695 $ 3395 San Francisco, Seattle, Washington, DC Houston, Minneapolis, Orlando, $ 3695 $3595 $4095 $4395 $4195 $3795 $3495 Philadelphia, Portland, Tampa

Dallas, Phoenix, San Diego $ 3795 $3695 $4195 $4495 $4295 $3895 $3595

Additional departure cities are available. Upgrade to Business Class may be available for the international portion of your flight. Call for details.

APRIL; OCT 14-28; MAY 8; MAY 13-29; M A R C H NOVEMBER SEPTEMBER J U N E J U L Y A U G U S T O C T 1 , 4 Without international airfare $2395 $2295 $2795 $2895 $2695 $2595 $2495

BCA2022

NEW! STOPOVERS RISK-FREE BOOKING POLICY: RESERVE WITH CONFIDENCE— All O.A.T. Stopovers include 3 nights in a centrally- NOW THROUGH 12/31/21 located hotel, daily breakfasts, and roundtrip We will waive any change fees if you transfer to another departure date for any private airport transfers. reason—up until 24 hours prior to departure. See details at www.oattravel.com/ London or Paris: $895 per person riskfree-booking. Rome or Amsterdam: $795 per person Other O.A.T. Stopovers are available. If a city you Prices are per person. Airfare prices include government taxes, fees, and airline fuel are interested in is not offered, we can arrange surcharges. All prices and availability are effective as of the date of this publication, and are your airfare for that, too. subject to change without notice. Standard Terms & Conditions apply, please visit our website: Call your Regional Adventure Counselor for full www.oattravel.com/tc. Every effort has been made to produce this information accurately. We details at 1-800-955-1925. reserve the right to correct errors.

For specific departure dates, current availability, and detailed pricing, visit www.oattravel.com/bca2022pricing

SAVE UP TO 10% WITH FREE SINGLE SUPPLEMENTS SHARE YOUR LOVE OF TRAVEL OUR GOOD BUY PLAN We offer FREE Single Supplements on all New travelers you refer will instantly save The earlier you reserve your departure of our adventures and pre- and post-trip $100, and you’ll earn increasing rewards— and pay in full, the more you’ll save—up extensions. up to a FREE trip! to 10%—plus, you’ll lock in your price. Each departure has limited solo space For details, visit www.oattravel.com/va For details, visit www.oattravel.com/gbd available—call today to reserve.

Publication Date 5/14/21

Information & Reservations 1-800-955-1925 www.oattravel.com/bca2022

54 TRAVEL DOCUMENTS & ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Your Passport • Must be in good condition

• Must be valid for at least 6 months after your scheduled return to the U.S.

• Must have the required number of blank pages (details below)

• The blank pages must be labeled “Visas” at the top. Pages labeled “Amendments and Endorsements” are not acceptable

Need to Renew Your Passport? Contact the National Passport Information Center (NPIC) at 1-877-487-2778, or visit their website at www.travel.state.gov for information on obtaining a new passport or renewing your existing passport. You may also contact our recommended visa service company, PVS International, at 1-800-556-9990 for help with your passport

Recommended Blank Pages Please confirm that your passport has enough blank pages for this adventure.

• Main trip only: You will need 3 blank passport pages.

• Pre-trip to Berlin & Dresden, Germany: You will need an additional blank page, for a total of 4 passport pages.

• Pre-trip to Krakow & Warsaw, Poland: You will need an additional blank page, for a total of 4 passport pages.

• Post-trip to Vienna, Austria: No additional passport pages are needed for this extension.

• Post-trip to Transylvania, Romania: You will need an additional blank page, for a total of 4 passport pages.

• Both a pre- and a post-trip extension: You will need 2 additional pages, for a total of 5 passport pages.

• Stopover in Amsterdam, Helsinki, Munich, or Rome: You will need to add 2 additional pages to the applicable total listed above.

• Stopover in Barcelona, Copenhagen, Istanbul, London, Madrid, or Paris: You will need to add an additional page to the applicable total listed above.

55 No Visas Required We’ll be sending you a detailed Visa Packet with instructions, application forms, and fees about 90 days prior to your departure. All visas information listed is only applicable if you are taking an optional stopover extension to a country with a required visa. In the meantime, we’re providing the information below as a guideline on what to expect. This information is for U.S. citizens only. All visas and fees are subject to change.

• Turkey (optional stopover only): Visa required. We suggest you obtain an e-visa in advance through the Turkish government’s website as visas cannot be obtained upon arrival.

Traveling Without a U.S. Passport? If you are not a U.S. citizen, or if your passport is from any country other than the U.S., it is your responsibility to check with your local consulate, embassy, or a visa services company about visa requirements. We recommend the services of PVS International, a national visa service located in Washington D.C.; they can be reached at 1-800-556-9990 or www.pvsinternational.org.

Traveling With a Minor? Some governments may require certain documentation for minors to enter and depart the country or to obtain a visa (if applicable). For further detail on the required documentation, please contact your local embassy or consulate.

Emergency Photocopies of Key Documents We recommend you carry color photocopies of key documents including the photo page of your passport plus any applicable visas, air itinerary, credit cards (front and back), and an alternative form of ID. Add emergency phone numbers like your credit card company and the number for your travel protection plan. Store copies separate from the originals.

If you plan to email this information to yourself, please keep in mind that email is not always secure; consider using password protection or encryption. Also email is not always available worldwide. As an alternative, you could load these documents onto a flash drive instead, which can do double-duty as a place to backup photos during your trip.

Overseas Taxes & Fees This tour may have taxes and fees that cannot be included in your airline ticket price because you are required to pay them in person onsite. All taxes are subject to change without notice and can be paid in cash (either U.S. or local currency). If applicable, you will receive a list of these fees with your Final Documents.

Requirements for the Czech Republic You will need to bring additional documentation for the Czech Republic, so please read carefully.

56 According to the U.S. State Department and Czech Embassy, all foreign tourists must be able to provide proof of medical coverage, if asked. Not all travelers will be asked—in fact, most travelers won’t—and even some local officials are unaware of this rule. But occasionally, travelers are asked at passport control in Prague or by medical personnel. And if that happens to you, we want you to be prepared.

Specifically, you must be able to show proof of coverage that meets these requirements:

• Be for a minimum of 30,000 Euros (about $37,000 US dollars at the time of writing).

• Cover possible medical expenses and hospitalization charges while traveling.

• Be valid in Schengen countries like the Czech Republic. Schengen countries are the European Union countries that have signed the Schengen Agreement—for example, Austria, France, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, etc.

• Include evacuation or repatriation coverage—it must cover the cost of getting you back home if you need to return for medical reasons.

The good news is that our Travel Protection Plan DOES meet these requirements. So what type of documentation you should bring depends on if you purchased Travel Protection with us or not.

If you purchased our Travel Protection Plan: All you’ll need to bring is a copy of the coverage from our plan provider. You can download and print a copy of your coverage for this purpose. Go online to www.gct.com/tpp or oattravel.com/tpp, and follow the links to the plan provider’s website. This will redirect you to where you can print a copy of your coverage. TIP: In our experience, the page from Part B with the schedule of benefits is usually enough to satisfy local officials.

If you did not purchase Travel Protection with us: You will need to bring some other form of proof of coverage. If your own health insurance meets the requirements above, contact your insurer for a letter stating that you are covered. A certificate of coverage or proof of purchase from a private insurer or another Travel Protection Plan will also suffice, as long as the requirements listed above are met. However, Medicare cards are not acceptable, since Medicare does not cover medical expenses abroad.

57 RIGORS, VACCINES & GENERAL HEALTH

Is This Adventure Right for You? Please review the information below prior to departing on this adventure. We reserve the right for our Trip Experience Leaders to modify participation, or in some circumstances send travelers home, if their condition would adversely affect the health, safety, or enjoyment of themselves or of other travelers.

PACING • 5 locations in 14 days with two 2-night stays and some early mornings

• International flights to Czech Republic depart around midnight

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS • Not appropriate for travelers using wheelchairs, walkers, or other mobility aids

• You must be able to walk 5-6 miles unassisted and participate in 4-6 hours of physical activities each day

• Agility and balance are required for embarking inflatable rafts

• We reserve the right for Trip Experience Leaders to restrict participation, or in some circumstances send travelers home, if their limitations impact the group’s experience

CLIMATE • Daytime temperatures range from 35-70°F

• The Czech Republic and Hungary have relatively temperate climates, while Slovakia may see larger seasonal changes in temperature

• The hottest months are June-August, when mid-day temperatures can reach more than 95°F

• April weather can be unpredictable and can change quickly within a short period of time

TERRAIN & TRANSPORTATION • Travel on some rugged paths, as well as bumpy, cobblestone roads, both by bus and on foot; climb uneven stairways

• Travel by 30-passenger coach, 50-passenger boat, and raft

• Several drives of 3 to 5 hours each

ACCOMMODATIONS & FACILITIES • Hotel rooms are smaller than those in the U.S. and offer basic amenities

58 • All accommodations feature private baths

Steps to Take Before Your Trip Before you leave on this adventure, we recommend the following:

• Check with the CDC for their recommendations for the countries you’ll be visiting. You can contact them online at http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel or by phone at 1-800-232-4636.

• Have a medical checkup with your doctor at least 6 weeks before your trip.

• Pick up any necessary medications, both prescription and over-the-counter.

• Have a dental and/or eye checkup. (Recommended, but less urgent)

Vaccines Required

COVID-19 Overseas Adventure Travel requires that all travelers are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and are able provide proof of their vaccination upon arrival at their destination. A full vaccination is defined as having been inoculated at least 14 days prior to departure by an approved vaccine. This requirement is not contingent on the countries the tour visits, but a strict company policy due to the nature of the pandemic.

Medication Suggestions • An antibiotic medication for gastrointestinal illness

Traveling with Medications • Pack medications in your carry-on bag to avoid loss and to have them handy.

• Keep medicines in their original, labeled containers for a quicker security screen at the airport and a better experience if you get stopped by customs while overseas.

• Bring copies of your prescriptions, written using the generic drug name rather than a brand name to be prepared for any unforeseen loss of your medications.

We recommend checking with the State Department for medication restrictions by country: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel- Country-Information-Pages.html. (Pick the country and then follow the links to “Local Laws & Special Circumstances”; if you don’t see any medications specifically mentioned, then you can presume major U.S. brands should be OK).

Staying Healthy on Your Trip Jet Lag Tips

• Start your trip well-rested.

59 • Begin a gradual transition to your new time zone before you leave or switch to your destination time zone when you get on the plane.

• Attempt to sleep and eat according to the new schedule.

• Avoid heavy eating and drinking caffeine or alcoholic beverages right before–and during– your flight.

• Drink plenty of water and/or fruit juice while flying

• Stretch your legs, neck, and back periodically while seated on the plane.

• After arrival, avoid the temptation to nap.

• Don’t push yourself to see a lot on your first day.

• Try to stay awake your first day until after dinner.

Allergies

If you have any serious allergies or dietary restrictions, we advise you to notify us at least 30 days prior to your departure. Please call our Traveler Support team at 1-800-221-0814, and we will communicate them to our regional office. Every effort will be made to accommodate you.

Water • Tap water in the region is safe to drink, but is processed differently than in the U.S. so it can still upset your stomach or feel “heavy”. Therefore, you might want to drink bottled water instead.

• Bottled water is readily available for purchase and is relatively inexpensive. (Bottled water is not included in the price of your tour.)

• Inspect each bottle before you buy it to make sure the cap is sealed properly.

• When in doubt about the water, salads, or ice, just ask the restaurant or your Trip Experience Leader.

• It is OK to brush your teeth with tap water.

Food • We’ve carefully chosen the restaurants for your group meals. Your Trip Experience Leader can suggest restaurants for the meal you take on your own.

• Be very careful with food sold from vendors on the street, and with uncooked .

60 MONEY MATTERS: LOCAL CURRENCY & TIPPING GUIDELINES

Top Three Tips • Carry a mix of different types of payments, such as local currency, an ATM card, and a credit card.

• Traveler’s checks are not accepted in the countries on this itinerary.

• You will not be able to pay with U.S. dollars on this trip; you will need local currency instead.

Local Currency For current exchange rates, please refer to an online converter tool like www.xe.com/ currencyconverter, your bank, or the financial section of your newspaper.

Euro Countries The euro is the official currency in many member countries of the European Union. Unless otherwise listed, the countries you will be visiting will use the euro. Euro banknote and coin denominations are as follows:

• Banknotes: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 euros

• Coins: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents; 1 and 2 euros

Czech Republic Czech legal tender is the Czech crown or koruna (CZK pr Kr.), divided into 100 hellers. Banknote and coin denominations are as follows:

• Banknotes: 100, 200, 500, 1000, 2000, and 5000 CZK

• Coins: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 CZK

Note that coinage below the crown (i.e. hellers) as well as the 50 CZK note are no longer in circulation. Prices given in CZK and hellers – i.e. Kr. 36.70 – will be rounded to the nearest crown. Although some establishments will accept euros, the exchange rates are usually not favorable, and any change will be in Czech crowns. If possible, use local currency or credit/debit cards.

Hungary The official currency of Hungary is the forint (ft), made up of 100 fillers. Banknote and coin denominations are as follows:

• Banknotes: 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, 10,000, and 20,000 forints

• Coins: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200 forints

61 Note: Banknotes of all denominations are printed in the same size and they are sometimes similar in color. It’s very easy, therefore, to mistake one bill for another. Please pay attention to the numerical value of each bill in your hand every time you make a cash transaction.

Poland The Polish monetary unit is the zloty, which is divided into 100 groszy. Banknote and coin denominations are as follows:

• Banknotes: 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200 zloty

• Coins: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 groszy; 1, 2, and 5 zloty

Romania Romania’s official currency is the leu (plural lei), and 1 leu = 100 bani. Banknote and coin denominations are as follows:

• Banknotes: 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, and 500 lei

• Coins: 1, 5, 10, 20, and 50 bani

ATMs are by far the best way to get cash locally, and at the best exchange rates, but there are also many exchange offices that offer a good rate and don’t charge a commission. You will need to show an ID – your passport – to change money. Changing cash at hotels is very expensive, and banks often refuse to change money at all these days.

How to Exchange Money If you want to exchange money before your trip, you can usually do so through your bank or at an exchange office. Your departure airport in the U.S., a travel agent, or an AAA office are also possible outlets. Or you can wait and change money on the trip instead—but it might be helpful to arrive with some local currency in case you run into a bank holiday or an “out of order” ATM.

On your trip, the easiest way is to withdraw funds from a local ATM. The ATM will give you local money and your bank at home will convert that into U.S. dollars.

You can also exchange cash at some hotels, large post offices, and money exchange offices. To exchange cash, you’ll usually need your passport and bills in good condition (not worn, torn, or dirty). New bills (post 2004) are best.

Please note that many banks in Europe will only exchange money for their own customers. One exception is in the Czech Republic, where it is more economical to try a bank first. Never exchange money on the street. All exchange methods involve fees, which may be built into the conversion rate; ask beforehand.

62 ATMs When using the ATM, keep in mind that it may only accept cards from local banks, and may not allow cash advances on credit cards; you might need to try more than one ATM or more than one card.

Many banks charge a fee of $1-$10 each time you use a foreign ATM. Others may charge you a percentage of the amount you withdraw. We recommend that you check with your bank before you depart.

Lastly, don’t forget to memorize the actual digits of your card’s PIN number (many keypads at foreign ATMs do not include letters on their keys—they only display numbers.)

Czech Republic: ATMs are widely available in large cities and small towns.

Slovakia: ATMs are available throughout large cities and small towns in Slovakia.

Hungary: ATMs are available throughout large cities and small towns in Hungary.

Germany: ATMs are readily available throughout Germany.

Poland: ATMs are widely available throughout larger cities and small towns in Poland.

Austria: ATMs are widely available throughout Austria.

Romania: ATMs are common throughout large cities and small towns in Romania.

Credit & Debit Cards Even if you don’t plan on using a credit card during your trip, we still suggest that you bring one or two as a backup, especially if you are planning a large purchase (artwork, jewelry). We also suggest that you bring more than one brand of card (i.e. Visa, MasterCard, American Express) if possible, because not every shop will take every card. For example, although the Discover card is accepted in some countries outside the U.S., it is not widely adopted, so other brands will work at a much larger range of stores, restaurants, etc.

Czech Republic: Credit and debits cards are widely accepted in the Czech Republic.

Slovakia: Credit and debit card use is common in Slovakia.

Hungary: Credit and debit cards are widely accepted.

Germany: Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in Germany.

Poland: Credit and debit card use is common in Poland.

Austria: Credit and debit cards are readily accepted in most places in Austria.

Romania: Credit and debit card use is common in Romania.

63 Chip Cards Many countries have adopted a new type of credit card that has an embedded computer chip. These cards are inserted into the reader instead of swiped. The card owner then authorizes the purchase using a PIN instead of signing.

This new technology is only now gaining traction in the U.S., so occasionally there are machines in other countries that can’t read U.S. cards. Or the machine can read the card, but asks for a PIN. This doesn’t happen often, and is nothing to worry about. You can usually resolve the situation by asking the cashier to let you sign. (If you don’t speak the language, just mime signing on your hand.) If you are not able to sign for a purchase, such as at an automated ticket booth, you can use another form of payment, such as a debit card that has a PIN.

Notify Card Providers of Upcoming Travel Many credit card companies and banks have fraud alert departments that will freeze your card if they see suspicious charges—such as charges or withdrawals from another country. To avoid an accidental security block, it is a good idea to notify your credit card company and/or bank you will be using your cards abroad. You can do this by calling their customer service number a week or two before your departure. Some banks or credit card companies will also let you do this online.

You should also double-check what phone number you could call if you have a problem with a card while you are abroad. Don’t assume you can use the 1-800 number printed on the back of your card—most 1 800 numbers don’t work outside of the U.S.!

Tipping Guidelines Of course, whether you tip, and how much, is always at your own discretion. But for those of you who have asked for tipping suggestions, we offer these guidelines.

• O.A.T. Trip Experience Leader: It is customary to express a personal “thank you” to your Trip Experience Leader at the end of your trip. As a guideline, many travelers give $8-$12 USD (or equivalent in local currency) per person for each day their Trip Experience Leader is with them. Please note that these tips can only be in cash. If you are taking any of the optional extensions, your Trip Experience Leader during the extension(s) may not be the same as the one on your main trip.

• Housekeeping staff at hotels: $1-2 per room, per night

• Waiters: When dining as a group, your tip is included—there is no need for you to leave an additional tip. When dining on your own, you can simply round up the bill. Or if you want to leave a really nice tip for excellent service 5-10% of the check is enough.

• Taxi drivers: Tipping is not customary, but many locals will round up the fare and let the driver keep the change. In Germany, taxi drivers will not assist you with luggage without mandatory tips.

64 Please Note: Your tour price includes gratuities on the main trip and optional extensions for local guides, drivers, and luggage porters that may assist you during the scheduled activities on your adventure. All tips are quoted in U.S. dollars; tips can be converted and paid in local currency or in U.S. dollars. Please do not use personal or traveler’s checks for tips.

65 AIR, OPTIONAL TOURS & STAYING IN TOUCH

Land Only Travelers & Personalized Air Quick Definitions

• Land Only: You will be booking your own international flights. Airport transfers are not included.

• Air-Inclusive: You booked international air with us. Airport transfers are included as long as you didn’t customize your trip’s dates (see next bullet).

• Personalized Air: You booked international air with us, and have customized it in some way. If you have customized your trip’s dates to arrive early, stay longer, or stop on your own in a connecting city, airport transfers will NOT be included. You must also arrange your own accommodations for any additional nights. For your convenience, a preliminary list of your included hotels is available on your My Account at www.oattravel.com/myaccount under “My Reservations”.

Airport Transfers Can Be Purchased For eligible flights, airport transfers may be purchased separately as an optional add-on, subject to availability. To be eligible, your flight(s) must meet the following requirements:

• You must fly into or fly home from the same airport as O.A.T. travelers who purchased included airfare.

• Your flight(s) must arrive/depart on the same day that the group arrives or departs.

Airport transfers can be purchased up to 45 days prior to your departure; they are not available for purchase onsite. To learn more, or purchase airport transfers, please call our Traveler Support team at 1-800-221-0814.

If you don’t meet the requirements above, you’ll need to make your own transfer arrangements. We suggest the Rome to Rio website as a handy resource: www.rome2rio.com.

Optional Tours Optional tours are additional add-on tours that allow you to personalize your adventure by tailoring it to your tastes and needs. And if you decide not to join an optional tour? Then you’ll have free time to relax or explore on your own—it’s about options, not obligations.

What You Need to Know • All optional tours are subject to change and availability.

66 • Optional tours that are reserved with your Trip Experience Leader can be paid for using credit/debit cards only. We accept MasterCard, Visa, and Discover credit cards; we can also take MasterCard or Visa debit cards as long as the card allows you to sign for purchases. (You won’t be able to enter a PIN.)

• To ensure that you are charged in U.S. dollars, your payment will be processed by our U.S. headquarters in Boston. This process can take up to three months, so we ask that you only use a card that will still be valid three months after your trip is over. The charge may appear on your credit card statement as being from Boston, MA or may be labeled as “OPT Boston”.

• Your Trip Experience Leader will give you details on the optional tours while you’re on the trip. But if you’d like to look over descriptions of them earlier, you can do so at any time by referring to your Day-to-Day Itinerary (available online by signing into My Account at www.oattravel.com/myaccount).

Communicating with Home from Abroad

Cell Phones If you want to use your cell phone on the trip, check with your phone provider to see if your phone and service will work outside of the U.S. It may turn out to be cheaper to rent an international phone or buy a SIM card onsite. If you want to use a local SIM, just make certain your phone can accept one.

Calling Apps Another option is to use a smartphone app like Skype or FaceTime. These services are usually less expensive than making a traditional call, but you’ll need a Wi-Fi connection and the calls may count towards your phone plan’s data allowance. Many smartphones—and some tablets or laptops—come with one of these apps pre-installed or you can download them for free from the appropriate apps store.

Calling Cards and 1-800 Numbers When calling the U.S. from a foreign country, a prepaid calling card can be useful because it circumvents unexpected charges from the hotel. Calling cards purchased locally are typically the best (less expensive, more likely to work with the local phones, etc.).

One reminder: Do not call U.S. 1-800 numbers outside the continental United States. This can result in costly long distance fees, since 1-800 numbers do not work outside the country.

Internet Most hotels in Eastern Europe will have Internet services available, some for free, some for an hourly charge. WiFi service is fairly common, but may be limited to a public area, like the lobby. If you’d like to use WiFi when and where it is available, you’ll need to bring your own device. Or you could chose to rely on hotel computers instead—many hotels will also offer a limited number of computers in the lobby or business center for guests to use.

67 How to Call Overseas When calling overseas from the U.S., dial 011 for international exchange, then the country code (indicated by a plus sign: +), and then the number. Note that foreign phone numbers may not have the same number of digits as U.S. numbers; even within a country the number of digits can vary depending on the city and if the phone is a land line or cell phone.

Czech Republic: +420 Poland: +48

Slovakia: +421 Austria: +43

Hungary: +36 Romania: +40

Germany: +49

68 PACKING: WHAT TO BRING & LUGGAGE LIMITS

Luggage Limits

MAIN TRIP LIMITS

Pieces per person One checked bag and one carry-on per person.

Weight restrictions Varies by airline. The current standard is 50 lbs for checked bags and 15 lbs for carry-ons.

Size Restrictions Varies by airline. Measured in linear inches (length+width+depth). Generally, 62 linear inches is the checked bag limit; carry-on limit is 45 linear inches.

Luggage Type Duffel bag or soft-sided suitcase. Please do not bring a hard-sided (clamshell) suitcase.

TRIP EXTENSION(S) LIMITS

Same as the main trip.

REMARKS/SUGGESTIONS

Luggage rules: Luggage rules and limits are set by governmental and airline policy. Enforcement of the rules may include spot checks or may be inconsistent. However one thing is the same across the board: If you are found to have oversized or overweight luggage, you will be subject to additional fees, to be assessed by—and paid to—the airline in question.

Don’t Forget: • These luggage limits may change. If the airline(s) notify us of any changes, we will include an update in your Final Documents booklet.

• It’s a good idea to reconfirm baggage restrictions and fees directly with the airline a week or so prior to departure. For your convenience, we maintain a list of the toll-free numbers for the most common airlines on our website in the FAQ section.

• Baggage fees are not included in your trip price; they are payable directly to the airlines.

69 Your Luggage • Checked Luggage: One duffel bag or soft-sided suitcase. Look for one with heavy nylon fabric, wrap-around handles, built-in wheels, and a heavy duty lockable zipper. Please do not bring a rigid (plastic shell) suitcase.

• Carry-on Bag: You are allowed one carry-on bag per person. We suggest a tote or small backpack that can be used as both a carry-on bag for your flight and to carry your daily necessities—water bottle, camera, etc—during your daily activities.

• Locks: For flights that originate in the U.S., you can either use a TSA-approved lock or leave your luggage unlocked. Outside of the U.S. we strongly recommend locking your luggage as a theft-prevention measure.

Clothing Suggestions: Functional Tips As you will experience a wide range of temperatures and weather conditions, we suggest several layers of clothing. If you like to hand-wash your clothes, look for fabrics that will dry out overnight. You can buy clothing designed especially for travel, with features like wrinkle- resistant fabric or built-in sun protection.

• Footwear: Comfortable, supportive walking shoes are essential. You’ll be on your feet a lot during the trip, and walking over some rough and slippery surfaces. The soles of your shoes should offer good traction.

• Light rain gear is recommended. Regardless of when you travel, rainfall is a possibility. While it may not rain on your trip, we suggest you bring a waterproof shell or coat, preferably with a hood. This might be a better choice than a folding umbrella, which is usually less effective in wind. (Plus it can be tricky to try to hold onto an umbrella and take photos at the same time.)

• Layers are key. We suggest wearing layers, so you can adjust to warmer and cooler conditions as needed.

Style Hints • Dress on our trip is functional and casual. You might want to bring one slightly dressier outfit for dining on your own at nicer restaurants or for the Farewell Dinner, but that is completely up to you.

Suggested Packing Lists We have included suggestions from Trip Experience Leaders and former travelers to help you pack. These lists are only jumping-off points—they offer recommendations based on experience, but not requirements. You may also want to consult the “Climate” chapter of this handbook.

And don’t forget a reusable water bottle—you’ll need it to take advantage of any refills we offer as we are working to eliminate single-use plastic bottles on all of our trips.

70 Recommended Clothing ‰Shirts: A mixture of short and long-sleeved shirts. ‰Trousers and/or jeans. ‰Shoes and socks: Shoes should be comfortable walking/ running shoes or low-cut hiking shoes, with arch support. Bring at least a couple pairs of medium- to heavy-weight socks for long walks.

‰Underwear and sleepwear ‰Light rain jacket/windbreaker with hood ‰Wide-brim sun hat ‰Swimsuit for hotel pools or saunas

Seasonal Clothing Recommendations For summer departures (June- August): ‰Although high temperatures tend to be in the high 70s, temperatures can easily spike into the 80s and 90s. A few shorts and some lightweight tops will help you cope with an unexpected heat wave.

‰Despite the potential for higher temperatures, you’ll also want at least one piece to layer—a light sweater, a vest, or jacket—in case it gets cool at night or in case you are somewhere where the air conditioning is chilly.

For spring and fall departures (April, May, September, October): ‰Light sweater and/or a warm jacket ‰Gloves and a scarf

For winter departures (January- March, November, December): ‰Winter coat, hat, warm gloves, scarf, and long underwear

Essential Items ‰Daily essentials: toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, hairbrush or comb, shaving items, deodorant, etc. Our hotels will provide the basics like soap and shampoo, but if you are sensitive to fragrances or new products, you may wish to bring your preferred brands. Most hotels do not provide a washcloth, so you may wish to pack one.

‰Spare eyeglasses/contact lenses

71 ‰Sunglasses, 100% UV block ‰Sunscreen, SPF 15 or stronger ‰Cold-water hand-wash laundry soap such as Woolite and plastic hang-up clothespins ‰Light folding umbrella ‰Moisturizer and sun-blocking lip balm ‰Packets of pocket-size tissues ‰Moist towelettes and/or anti-bacterial “water-free” hand cleanser ‰Electrical converter & plug adapter: see “A Word about Electricity” for details ‰Camera gear with extra batteries or battery charger

Medicines & First Aid Gear ‰Your own prescription medicines ‰Travel first aid kit: Band-Aids, headache and pain relief, laxatives and anti-diarrhea tablets, something for upset stomach. Maybe a cold remedy, moleskin foot pads, antibiotic cream, or allergy medication.

‰An antibiotic medication for gastrointestinal illness

Optional Gear ‰Travel alarm or travel watch with alarm ‰Folding walking staff, sold in most camping stores (preferably rubber-tipped) ‰Hanging toiletry bag (with hook to hang on doorknob and pockets to organize items) ‰Basic sewing kit ‰Reading materials ‰Travel journal/note pad and pens ‰Phrase book ‰Pocket-size calculator for exchange rates

72 Home-Hosted Visits Many of our adventures feature a visit with a local family, often as part of the A Day in the Life experience. It is customary, though not necessary, to return your hosts’ generosity with a small gift. If you do bring a gift, we recommend that you bring something the whole family can enjoy, or something that represents your region, state, or hometown. Get creative and keep it small—peach jelly from Georgia, maple sugar candy from New England, orange blossom soap from California; something that can be used or used up is best. When choosing a gift, be certain to consider the local culture as well. For example, we do not recommend alcohol in Muslim countries because it is forbidden in Islam, and your hosts may be religious. Not all O.A.T. adventures include a Home-Hosted Visit; please check your final itinerary before you depart.

Electricity Abroad When traveling overseas, the voltage is usually different and the plugs might not be the same shape.

Voltage Electricity in this region is 220-240 volts. In the U.S. it is 110 volts. Most of the things a traveler will want to plug in—battery chargers, MP3 players, tablets or computers—can run off both 110 and 220-240. But you should check the item or the owner’s guide first to confirm this before you plug it in. If you have something that needs 110 volts—like a shaver or a hairdryer—you can bring a transformer to change the current. (But transformers tend to burn out, so it might be better to leave whatever it is at home.)

Plugs The shape of plugs will vary from country to country, and sometimes even within a country depending on when that building was built. To plug something from the U.S. into a local socket you’ll need an adapter that fits between the plug and the socket. Since an E or F socket will take a C plug, you’ll only need one adapter, though it may be easier to purchase an all-in-one, universal adapter/converter combo. Versatile and lightweight, these can usually be found at your local electronics goods or hardware stores. Sometimes you can buy them at large retailers too, like Target or Walmart. If you forget to bring an adapter, you might also find them for sale at the airport when you arrive at your destination.

Different plug shapes are named by letters of the alphabet. Standard U.S. plugs are Type A and Type B. Here is the list of plugs for the countries on this trip:

Czech Republic: C

Slovakia: C

73 Hungary: C

Germany: C and/or F

Poland: C and E

Austria: C and/or F

Romania: C

Type C Type E Type F

Availability Barring the occasional and unpredictable power outage, electricity is as readily available on this adventure as it is in the U.S.

74 CLIMATE & AVERAGE TEMPERATURES

Czech Republic: In spring, variable weather reigns: some years it’s warm, in others it’s cool. Summer days are typically very warm, though there may still be some brisk days. Temperatures start to fall in early autumn, and winter weather begins settling in by early November. In general, you can expect average spring temperatures in the low 60s, summer in the 70s, and fall in the 50s. However, if you’re traveling in July or August, be prepared for heat waves that can spike the temperatures up past the average and into the 90s.

Slovakia: Because of Slovakia’s landlocked position, seasonal extremes are common without the curbing effects from the Atlantic Ocean. This means that summer can be extremely hot while winter weather can bring bitterly cold temperatures. Weather can fluctuate more during spring and fall, with some days on the cool side but with the occasional warm day. By the end of October, temperatures have started to drop and the evenings are chilly.

Hungary: Hungary is completely landlocked, and its inland position cuts it off from the moderating influence of the Atlantic Ocean. Consequently, seasonal weather is more prone to extremes. Summers can be very hot and winters absolutely frigid. If you’re traveling during the peak of summer, be prepared for some high temperatures, though it could also be comfortable and pleasant. As fall approaches, some days may be on the cool side, but stints of warm weather still occur. By late October, the air is usually brisk and evenings are chilly.

Berlin, Germany: Summer in Berlin, between May and August, is pleasantly warm with lots of sunshine July and August, the hottest months, are also unpredictable – with the possibility of going from sunny to rainy very quickly. Winters can be quite cold and damp although extreme weather is rare. Snow, however, is common and days can be cold, clear, and frosty.

Austria: Austria has a central European climate: variable weather reigns, and rain and drizzle are common occurrences year-round. Spring weather is moderate, with intermittent sun and showers; afternoons in early spring average about 60° F and about 70° later in the season. Summers are typically sunny and warm, though you should be prepared for a few cloudy and wet days. Evenings, too, can get quite chilly. Autumn weather with some drizzle comes early to this region of the world, so by November it can be on the brisk side, with daytime temperatures in the mid to high 40s, and evenings that dip into the 30s.

Poland: Poland has a long border with the Czech and Slovak Republics in the south and a coastline on the Baltic Sea in the north. Most of Poland has a very similar climate and the same sequence of weather throughout the year. Winter cold increases towards the east and in the southern mountains, while the coastlands of the Baltic Sea have slightly milder winters and cooler summers. Precipitation is well distributed around the year with a summer maximum of rain, often heavy and accompanied by thunder. Much of the winter precipitation is snow. Summer temperatures do not differ very much over the country. It rarely gets excessively hot but fine, sunny spells of weather and occasional droughts occur. Winters are distinctly cold and the length of really cold spells varies considerably from year to year.

75 Sibiu, Romania: Sibiu is a city resting in the center of Romania, in the Transylvania region. Its climate is defined as moderately continental, with cold, below freezing winters and mild summers. The temperatures average a comfortable mid 70s during the summer months, but nights still bring a chill. Snow is common during the winter months, from December to mid-March.

NOTE: If you are taking one of our optional stopovers before or after your OAT adventure, please be aware the climate and temperatures might be different from what you experienced during your tour. To prepare for weather differences and pack appropriate clothing, we recommend the following world weather sites:

• www.intellicast.com

• www.weather.com

• www.wunderground.com

Climate Averages & Online Forecast The following charts reflect the average climate as opposed to exact weather conditions. This means they serve only as general indicators of what can reasonably be expected. An extreme heat wave or cold snap could fall outside these ranges. As your departure approaches, we encourage you to go online to www.oattravel.com/myaccount for your 10-day forecast.

76 Average Daily High/Low Temperatures (°F), Humidity & Monthly Rainfall

MONTH PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA

Temp. High-Low % Relative Average # of Days Temp. High-Low % Relative Average #of Days Humidity (am-pm) with Rainfall Humidity (am-pm) with Rainfall JAN 34 to 24 91 to 84 15 36 to 26 87 to 79 13 FEB 36 to 25 92 to 76 12 40 to 28 88 to 72 11 MAR 46 to 32 89 to 63 16 51 to 35 85 to 58 15 APR 54 to 36 83 to 51 16 60 to 40 78 to 50 14 MAY 64 to 45 79 to 53 17 69 to 49 77 to 52 14 JUN 69 to 51 80 to 55 17 75 to 55 76 to 53 15 JUL 72 to 54 81 to 54 18 79 to 58 75 to 49 15 AUG 73 to 53 85 to 53 16 79 to 57 80 to 50 12 SEP 65 to 48 90 to 60 15 71 to 51 85 to 56 14 OCT 54 to 39 91 to 68 16 59 to 42 89 to 64 15 NOV 41 to 32 91 to 83 17 45 to 34 88 to 77 16 DEC 36 to 28 90 to 85 14 38 to 30 86 to 80 14

MONTH BUDAPEST, HUNGARY BERLIN, GERMANY

Temp High-Low % Relative Average # of Days Temp. High-Low % Relative Average # of Days Humidity (am-pm) with Rainfall Humidity (am-pm) with Rainfall JAN 36 to 25 86 to 77 7 35 to 26 89 to 83 23 FEB 40 to 27 85 to 68 6 39 to 27 90 to 76 18 MAR 51 to 35 81 to 57 6 47 to 33 88 to 64 20 APR 60 to 41 75 to 51 7 54 to 37 84 to 54 16 MAY 70 to 51 73 to 51 8 65 to 45 78 to 50 15 JUN 75 to 56 72 to 51 8 70 to 53 79 to 55 19 JUL 79 to 59 76 to 48 7 73 to 56 80 to 53 18 AUG 79 to 59 76 to 48 7 73 to 55 84 to 54 17 SEP 71 to 52 82 to 52 5 66 to 50 89 to 59 17 OCT 59 to 43 86 to 60 5 56 to 42 90 to 71 17 NOV 45 to 34 87 to 75 8 45 to 35 89 to 81 22 DEC 38 to 28 86 to 79 8 38 to 30 89 to 86 23

77 MONTH VIENNA, AUSTRIA KRAKOW, POLAND

Temp. High-Low % Relative Average # of Days Temp. High-Low % Relative Monthly Rainfall Humidity (am-pm) with Rainfall Humidity (am-pm) (inches) JAN 39 to 31 84 to 75 1 33 to 22 88 to 82 1.2 FEB 43 to 33 82 to 68 2 35 to 24 88 to 76 1.2 MAR 50 to 38 81 to 62 4 45 to 31 89 to 66 1.2 APR 61 to 46 76 to 54 2 54 to 38 85 to 58 1.6 MAY 70 to 55 76 to 54 7 64 to 46 84 to 58 2.4 JUN 75 to 59 76 to 57 4 69 to 52 85 to 61 3.1 JUL 80 to 63 76 to 54 7 71 to 55 86 to 60 2.4 AUG 80 to 64 78 to 54 5 71 to 54 90 to 61 2.8 SEP 70 to 57 84 to 61 5 64 to 48 92 to 67 2.0 OCT 60 to 48 86 to 65 2 55 to 40 92 to 71 1.6 NOV 47 to 39 86 to 75 3 42 to 32 90 to 82 1.6 DEC 40 to 33 85 to 78 2 36 to 26 89 to 84 1.6

MONTH SIBIU, ROMANIA

Temp. High-Low % Relative Average # Days of Humidity (avg) Rainfall JAN 35 to 20 87 11 FEB 40 to 21 79 10 MAR 50 to 30 71 11 APR 61 to 39 67 13 MAY 70 to 48 68 15 JUN 76 to 53 71 14 JUL 79 to 56 71 13 AUG 79 to 55 72 10 SEP 71 to 48 76 11 OCT 61 to 38 78 9 NOV 48 to 29 80 10 DEC 38 to 23 86 12

78 ABOUT YOUR DESTINATIONS: CULTURE, ETIQUETTE & MORE

O.A.T. Trip Experience Leaders: A World of Difference During your adventure you’ll be accompanied by one of our local, expert Trip Experience Leaders. All are fluent in English and possess the skills, certification, and experience necessary to ensure an enriching adventure. As locals of the regions you’ll explore with them, our Trip Experience Leaders provide the kind of firsthand knowledge and insight that make local history, culture, and wildlife come alive. Coupled with their unbridled enthusiasm, caring personalities, and ability to bring diverse groups of travelers together, our Trip Experience Leaders ensure that your experience with O.A.T. is one you’ll remember for a lifetime.

The Culture of Central Europe The three countries visited on your main itinerary—the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary— all have very rich, and very distinct cultures. But they also have significant overlap, which makes sense when you consider that up until this century, these nations did not even exist in their current sovereign states but were variously part of each other. Much of this had to do with the Hapsburg dynasty who controlled most of Central Europe (and beyond) from late medieval times till the 20th century. On a cultural level, that meant that Germanic culture was held as the ideal. This is often expressed as an appreciation for cooperation, for precision and accuracy, and a certain level of formality.

In the Czech Republic and Slovakia, this comes through in the way people appreciate good manners and well-behaved children. You are expected say “good day” to everyone you meet, and to be polite. If you are not, don’t be surprised if local grandmas cluck their tongues at you. At the same time, Czechs and Slovaks have a dark sense of humor and they love to poke fun at themselves and especially, the government. But one thing they do thank the government for is its traditional support for the arts. During the Soviet era (and still today), the Czechoslovakian as well as the Hungarian governments subsidized many programs for artists as well as theaters and concert halls, so attending plays and musical performances is a regular and affordable pleasure for all members of society.

History has shaped the Hungarian people in slightly different ways. Hungarians have struggled for centuries to find their own identity while under the control of more powerful states, from Austria to Turkey to Germany and the Soviet Union. Especially among the older generation, there is a sense of somber nostalgia called the “Trianon Syndrome” that harkens to a post-World War I Treaty that whittled Hungary down to about 60% of its previous size. The country has yet to fully recover from this loss, and some still look back on the pre-Trianon years as Hungary’s golden age. On the other hand, most Hungarians have a strong sense of pride about their fierce Magyar forebears, their legendary cuisine, and their close family ties. Regarding the latter, they are not insular and will extend true hospitality to all guests.

79 Religion and Religious Observances All three countries were Christianized during Roman times, and the spread of this new religion was largely attributed to the Byzantine monks saints Cyril and Methodius. But in the early medieval era, the region’s nobles cast their lots with the Roman Catholic church, and the Holy Roman Empire. In the 16th century, an early version of Protestantism took hold in Bohemia. The Hapsburgs were threatened by this movement, which rejected the church-state concordat that Hapsburg power rested upon. And so they launched an aggressive counter-Reformation, forcing many people to re-convert.

Though most people were nominally Catholic, the region still had many Protestant strongholds. Today, after nearly half a century of Communist rule, religion is not a major force in any of the three countries. Most people identify as non-believers, and though some religious traditions are bound up in the observance of local holidays and customs, church attendance is low. The Jews were once a large and vibrant community here, particularly in Prague and Budapest. But most were killed or forced to flee during the Holocaust. Today, Hungary has the region’s largest Jewish population at a little over 100,000. But most Hungarian Jews are not religiously affiliated and consider themselves Jews by ethnicity.

Language In the Czech Republic, the majority of the population speaks the official language, Czech, as their first language. Among the other languages spoken by minorities in the Czech Republic are Romani, German, and Polish. Prior to 1989, learning Russian in school was mandatory. Today, especially among young people and in cities, English is the most popular foreign language and about a third of the people speak it (more in cities).

In Slovakia, the people speak Slovak. It is mutually intelligible to Czech speakers, and both languages belong to the West Slavic language group, which uses the Latin (Roman) alphabet (versus the Cyrillic). Overall, just over 12% of the population speaks English, but that number is much higher in tourist areas and in the capital, Bratislava. The next most popular foreign languages are Hungarian and German.

The situation is similar in Hungary, where nearly 100% of the people speak the official Hungarian language. Just over 12% speak English nationwide, but the number is higher in cities and among young people. German is the next most popular foreign language.

Taking Photographs The etiquette of photographing most people in Europe is about the same as it would be on the streets of your hometown. You need permission to take a close-up, but not for a crowd scene. Consent is especially important if you want to take a photo of a child or minor—ask their parent for permission first. To get a great portrait, show interest in your subject and try to have a bit of social interaction to put them at ease. Then use sign language to inquire if a picture is OK.

80 Safety & Security As you travel, exercise the same caution and awareness that you would in a large American city. Don’t be overly nervous or suspicious, but keep your eyes open. If you are venturing out after dark, go with one or two other people.

Carry a one-day supply of cash in your pocket. Carry most of your money, and your passport, in a travel pouch or money belt under your shirt. Replenish your pocket supply when you are in a safe and quiet place, or in our vehicle. Don’t leave valuables unattended in your hotel room. Most hotels will offer use of a hotel safe at the front desk or an electronic in-room safe (for which you can set your own personal number). Please utilize them.

Pickpockets may create a sudden distraction. In any sort of puzzling street situation, try to keep one hand on your wallet or money belt. If an encounter with a local turns out to be long and complicated and involves money or your valuables, be very careful. Con artists sometimes target travelers.

Czech and Like their neighbors, the Czech Republic and Slovakia share a culinary heritage that emphasizes meat, potatoes, dumplings, and fermented vegetables (usually, sauerkraut). These are often served with heavy gravies or , but the high-caloric impact is somewhat mitigated by the fact that most Czechs and Slovaks eat their heaviest meal at lunch, and have a lighter supper of just cold cuts and condiments. You’ll also find that in the major cities, young chefs are experimenting with lighter and healthier versions of the classic dishes they grew up with.

One dish everyone in both countries knows is vepro-knedlo-zelo. It’s shorthand for veprové s knedliky a kyselé zeli, a succulent roast pork and dumplings concoction that is often seasoned with , and served with sauerkraut. You will see it on just about every restaurant menu. Dumplings figure in many other dishes. Houskové knedlíky are bread dumplings made with , , egg yolks and , sometimes with bread cubes added to the mix. After the rises it gets boiled or steamed, then sliced. Bramborové knedlíky are potato dumplings, which are heavier. There are even fruit-filled dumplings (ovocné knedlíky) that are often served with cottage cheese as a main course.

Bryndzové halušky are potato dumplings (similar to Italian ) that are topped with a creamy, soft, Slovakian sheep’s milk cheese that has its own EU protected designation of origin status. It is then topped with crumbled bacon bits and a garnish like chopped , onions or dill. The national dish of Slovakia, it’s also popular in the Czech Republic, especially in .

Dumplings are the perfect accompaniment to svicková na smetane, beef that is marinated in vinegar and herbs; then roasted with vegetables; then simmered till tender. The broth and vegetables are pureed with sour cream to make a sauce, and it all gets garnished with cranberries.

Kureci kapsa are chicken breasts stuffed with ham and cheese, and grilled. If you are on the go, grab a párek v rohliku, a Czechoslovakian . The small parek sausage will be completely enclosed within the bun, like pigs in a blanket.

81 Don’t leave without trying palacinky, the regional version of crêpes. This delicate, thin pancake can have a sweet filling (such as jam, fruits, ice cream, sweet cheese or chocolate) or a savory one (perhaps spinach, mushrooms, ham, or salmon with dill sauce). Besides being popular entrees, they are sold as snacks at special palacinky stalls.

For you can try laskonky, two crispy filled with caramel or chocolate buttercream. Koláce are pastry wheels filled with cheese or fruit such as prunes or apricots, similar to a danish. Trdelnik is made by wrapping dough around a metal or wooden stick, then roasting it over an open flame. The tubular treat is then dusted with sugar, and topped with nuts and cinnamon. Veternik is a profiterole made of puff pastry filled with vanilla and caramel cream. The whole pastry is then dipped in a shiny caramel icing for a belt-busting grand finale.

Pubs are an integral part of Czech and Slovak life, and the region brews some of the best beer in the world. In the Czech town of Plzen, brewing dates as far back as the founding of the town, in 1295. Plzen is internationally known for its award-winning Pilsener Urquell, and there are numerous other local beers that perfectly accompany the region’s hearty food.

Hungarian Cuisine It won’t take long for you to figure out that paprika (paprikás) and sour cream (tejföl) figure prominently in many classic Hungarian dishes. But don’t be fooled, Hungarian food is delicious and diverse, and even dishes accented with paprika have distinctive tastes, thanks to the eight different grades of “red gold” that are used here. You’ll find this in the two most famous national dishes: chicken paprikash and gulyas (goulash), a saucy beef dish that in Hungary is more like a soup than the stew you may be familiar with.

Similar to gulyas, pörkölt is a hearty stew of beef, pork, lamb, chicken, or liver simmered with , paprika and other , and served with a side of chewy nokedli (egg noodle ). It’s at its finest, and Hungarians like to say, “It’s not a real Sunday without pörkölt.” Those home cooks might also be serving töltött káposzta, rolls of pickled cabbage stuffed with seasoned rice and ground pork or beef, in a sauce accented by sour cream. It is a favorite around and .

Halászlé or fisherman’s soup is cooked in a kettle over an open fire. It is based on Danube river fish like carp, catfish, perch, or pike and seasoned with hot paprika, giving it a bright red color. If you order it a la Baja, it will have thick and mainly carp. Szeged-style will have four types of fish. For a hearty snack, lángos is the way to go. This popular is a crispy, chewy, deep-fried flatbread smothered with sour cream and garlic sauce, and topped with grated cheese and sometimes, sausage and bacon.

If you’re a vegetarian, try lecsó. Similar to the French ratatouille, it’s a stew of peppers, tomatoes and onions. Some cooks do put meat in it but typically it is served just with bread and a dollop of sour cream. Try also uborksaláta, a salad of thinly sliced cucumbers dressed with white vinegar, dill, and onions.

82 Palacsinta are Hungary’s answer to crepes. They can have sweet or savory fillings, and they are always served rolled. The famous Budapest restaurant Gundel serves their own version filled with a rum- cream which is then flambéed, and drizzled with chocolate sauce.

This brings us to dessert, an area where Hungary shines. Austrians may claim strudel as their own, but the beloved pastry most likely originated in Turkey and made its way to Hungary first, where it was modified and eventually exported to Vienna. In Hungary it is called rétes, and the dough is flakier. One imperial Hungarian said that the dough must be thin enough that “one could read a love letter through it.” Where Austrians prefer their strudel with apples, Hungarians like plum, poppy, sour cherries or sweet turo cheese as a filling.

The most famous Hungarian cake of all is the Dobos , named after the master confectioner who invented it in 1885. It includes six layers of sponge cake covered in chocolate buttercream with a glistening topping of caramel. It is a staple at the many famous coffeehouses of Budapest (and Vienna), and not to be missed. Another favorite is somlói galuska, also based on sponge cake but less intricately composed. The cake is topped with chocolate cream, , rum and whipped cream, and it is another specialty of the renowned Gundel restaurant

German Cuisine varies greatly from region to region. The southern regions of Bavaria and Swabia share many dishes among them and with their neighbors to the south, Switzerland and Austria. In the West, French influences are more pronounced, while the eastern parts of the country have much in common with and there are marked Scandinavian influences in the northern coastal regions. But the region that is often viewed as having the most classic German cuisine is Saxony.

When dining in Berlin (or in other cities) you’ll have no shortage of international options, along with restaurants serving the regional specialties of Saxon cuisine. Like most regional German , Saxon food is hearty, with an emphasis on sauces and the Klösse or Knödle, that is, the dumpling.

The Saxons didn’t invent sauerbraten, a tangy pot roast that is eaten all over Germany. But they do have a distinctive way of making it: Sächsischer Sauerbraten uses beer instead of wine to marinate the beef before its long, slow . Try also Dresdner Wiegebraten, a Dresden meat loaf made with minced pork, veal and beef bound with eggs, breadcrumbs, anchovies, bacon and herbs that gets slathered with butter before roasting. For something a little lighter, there’s Hochzeitssuppe or “wedding soup.” The chicken-based broth has soft pork and asparagus dumplings garnished with fresh .

Like the rest of Germany, Saxony is partial to potatoes. Try them in Sächsische Kartoffelsuppe (Saxon potato soup), a rich, creamy puree of potatoes and broth studded with onions fried in bacon fat, finely chopped greens, and bacon and sausage bits—all seasoned with ginger, nutmeg, salt and pepper. A special version is made with succulent shrimps and shrimp broth. The bounty of the North Sea also enlivens Leipziger Allerlei, a casserole of shrimp or crayfish mixed with

83 cauliflower, carrots, peas, asparagus, and mushrooms, baked with a creamy sauce topped with bread crumbs. For lunch, try Buchweizenpfannkuchen, a buckwheat pancake that may be served with syrup and cranberries, or with salmon and a salad.

Saxons claim to have invented the kaffeeklatsch, the German custom of socializing over coffee and cake. Here it’s called Gaffee un Guchn, and one of the most delicious you must try is the Dresdner Eierschecke, a three-layered cake filled with custard and cream. Another Dresden confection is Dominosteine, a cake of marzipan, and apricot marmalade covered in chocolate. Meissner Quarktorte is a light Saxon with raisins, almonds and rum.

Berlin is famous for its street food, including the ubiquitous . These are savory cones of seasoned meat grilled on a rotisserie and sliced into pockets filled with salad. Though Turkish in origin, it’s a Berlin favorite. Try also the iconic , a flavored with curry, ketchup and Worcestershire sauce. It was invented in 1946 by Herta Heuwer, a Berlin housewife who decided to spice up her family’s diet by trading some booze for seasonings from some British soldiers.

Currywurst is a classic example of post-war, East German cuisine—a style that arose during a time of severe shortages, when the people of the former German Democratic Republic (East Germany) had to get inventive with very economical ingredients. Another example of this is Jägerschnitzel, a breaded pork and bacon patty with a creamy mushroom sauce.

Today, there is a widespread nostalgia for these homespun East German dishes, which are popping up on the menus of some of Berlin’s hippest restaurants. The trend is called Ostalgie, a combination of the German words for “east” and “nostalgia”. And even though very few people in the former GDR will be crying in their beer, longing for the good old days, they will be washing down their food with steins of good old Erdinger Weissbier, Sternberg, or Augustiner—some of the most popular beers produced here.

Where the Rhine enters Germany in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, the cuisine blends the heartiness of Westphalia with the Rhinelanders’ love of sweet and sour tastes. An example is Rheinischer Sauerbraten. The regional version of this ubiquitous, marinated pot roast adds raisins and crumbled lebkuchen (gingersnaps) to give the tangy gravy a touch of sweetness. It might be accompanied by , a potato pancake with raisins, served with a plum purée.

Another beefy favorite is Pfefferpotthast, a peppery stew. It’s perfect with salted boiled potatoes (Salzkartoffeln), and gherkins or pickled beets. Enjoy Westfälischer Schinken (Westphalian ham), made from pigs raised solely on acorns. The meat is dry cured and smoked over beechwood and juniper. Try some wafer-thin slices on Westphalian pumpernickel, with a smear of malty brown Düsseldorfer . Duck into any Westphalian tavern, and you might nibble on caraway-flavored Nieheimer cheese. It is aged between layers of hops—which makes it go quite well with the local Altbier, Kölsch or Bönnsch beer.

If you’ve worked up an appetite, enjoy the bounty of Westphalia with a Bergische Kaffeetafel. It means “Bergisches Land Coffee Table” and though it includes coffee, the “table” will be set with sausages, ham, , potato pancakes, egg dishes, jams, , , and pastries.

84 Heading south into the Rhineland-Palatinate, the signature dish is dampfnudeln, a yeasty steamed dumpling with vanilla sauce. If they are topped with powidl (a plum jam) and sprinkled with poppy seeds, they are called germknödeln. No need to wait for dessert to enjoy this delight, which is often a main course. But if you prefer your dumplings savory, dampfnudeln can be enjoyed with mushrooms and béchamel sauce; or with gravy and rolls of beef stuffed with bacon and pickles called Rouladen. You can also satisfy your carbo cravings with Reibekuchen or Kartoffelpuffer, crispy deep-fried potato patties or pancakes, often served with applesauce.

Another Palatinate specialty is Saumagen, which mean’s “sow’s stomach.” Here, the stomach lining of a pig is used as a casing to hold a mix of minced veal; diced potatoes and vegetables; and spices such as , cardamon, nutmeg, and parsley. The filled Saumagen is simmered, then sliced and fried. Enjoy it with mashed potatoes, sauerkraut, and a dry white wine. Along the Mosel, try the local Döbbekooche, a crusty potato pie covered with sausage pieces or bacon.

The state of Baden-Württemberg is renowned for cuisine, and is home to more than a quarter of Germany’s Michelin-starred restaurants. The region is famous for its delicate white spargel (asparagus), as well as for hearty dishes like Badische Schaeufele, a smoked pork shoulder simmered in wine with garlic, , juniper berries, and other spices. Or perhaps you’ll try a slow-roasted duck breast prepared as the Benedictine monks did, with dates and figs.

Don’t miss Maultaschen, the Swabian region’s answer to . Here, pockets of dough are stuffed with spinach, meat or cheese; and eaten as a main course or in a beef broth. Another Swabian specialty that is eaten all over Germany is Spätzle, an irregular shaped egg noodle. But the most famous dish of this state is the Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte or Black Forest Cake. It’s a chocolate filled and frosted with fresh cream and cherries soaked in Kirschwasser (cherry schnapps), and decorated with chocolate shavings.

In the state of Hesse, you must pay your respects to the town that gave us the hot dog, Frankfurt. But these are not just any old dogs, they are Frankfurter Würstchen, smoked pork sausages in a natural sheepskin casing. There is also a variant made with 100% beef called Frankfurter Rindswurst. If you have it with a curry-flavored ketchup, it is called a Currywurst.

You might need a sense of humor to enjoy this Hessian favorite: Handkase mit Musik. It means “hand cheese with music,” referring to the handmade cheese that is marinated and served with onion, nuts, caraway and typically, a glass of apfelwein, a tart cider. The “music” part comes from the flatulence this pungent pub fare is said to cause. If you want something more refined, Bethmännchen are exquisite cookies made from marzipan, almonds, sugar and rose water.

In Bavaria is the land of sausages, starting with bratwurst. There are many varieties all over Germany, but in Bavaria you must try Nuremberg or Nürnberger bratwurst. These were the first sausage to receive the European Union’s Protected Geographic Indication (PGI) status. To be labeled as Nürnberger bratwurst, these small, coarsely-ground pork sausages must be 2 ¾–3 ½ inches long; contain mace and marjoram; and be made within the metropolitan Nuremberg limits. The most popular way to eat them is Drei im Weggla or “three in a bun.”

85 The good news is that you can enjoy so many of these dishes all over Germany, regardless of their regional origins, but sometimes with different names. Case in point: you don’t have to be in Berlin to get a berliner. These deep-fried, yeasty jelly donuts are popular everywhere, though in some Rhine ports they may be called krapfen.

Polish Cuisine As with many European countries, feels the influence of many cultures: Lithuanian, Ukrainian, Jewish, Hungarian, German, etc., as well as a pinch of Russian, Italian, and Turkish. The focus is on meat, especially chicken and pork, and winter vegetables (cabbage in the dish bigos), and spices, as well as different kinds of noodles – particularly the pierogi. Traditionally, Poles take their festive meals seriously, and feast days — like or Easter Breakfast — can involve days of preparation.

Normally the main meal is eaten in mid-afternoon or later, and involves three courses, starting with a soup, such as bouillon or tomato or more festive barszcz (beet) followed sometimes by an appetizer. The main course is usually meaty — a roast or breaded pork cutlet. Vegetables, though now replaced by leaf salad, were traditionally served as ‘surówka’ - shredded root vegetables with lemon and sugar (carrot, celeriac, beetroot) or fermented cabbage. Popular side dishes are now boiled potatoes, and, less commonly the traditional kasha (cereals). Meals often conclude with a dessert such as makowiec, a pastry, or drożdżówka, a type of yeast cake.

Austrian Cuisine Austria has quite a bit of culinary overlap with neighboring Germany. But you have only to consider the scope of the Hapsburg Empire to understand the many influences that have also shaped the national cuisine: the empire once ruled over Switzerland, Holland, Alsace, Burgundy, Spain, Bohemia, Moravia, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, Croatia, Slovenia and Italy, and happily appropriated many of their ingredients and cooking techniques. This is to say nothing of the Turkish influence that wafted westwards across the Austro-Hungarian empire.

One constant on Austrian menus is the national dish, , the classic Viennese veal cutlet which is pounded till thin, breaded, fried and served with wedges of lemon and greens. It can also be made with chicken or pork. Meat lovers will want to try Tafelspitz, a filet of beef (or veal) that is gently simmered with vegetables, and served with applesauce and . Late spring brings spargel, or asparagus, which are particularly tender and flavorful here. They’ll appear as specials on many menus, often served with a delicate hollandaise or just butter, lemon, and toasted bread crumbs.

Like mac and cheese on steroids, kasspätzln is a Tyrolean casserole of chewy, hand-made egg noodles that are mixed with sauteed onions, covered with bergkaäse, a strong local cheese, and baked till browned. Before serving, it is topped with crispy fried onions and parsley. Another Tyrolean favorite is speckknödeln, a bacon dumpling that is often served as an appetizer or in or clear soups. It is just one of the dozens of different dumplings that grace the Austrian table. Frittatensuppe or “pancake soup” is a Styrian specialty that is popular all over Austria. It’s a bowl of clear beef consommé with strips of cooked crepes or pancakes.

86 Practically every Austrian town has its share of Würstelstande, or sausage booths. These street stalls are the go-tos for snackers on the go, and the sausage of choice will usually be a wiener sausage, which Austrians will only ever call a “Frankfurter.” You can also ask for a bratwurst, a Käsekrainer (which is studded with cheese), or a Debreziner, which is a lightly-smoked, reddish sausage spiced with paprika.

One thing Austria can thank the Turks for is coffee. Legend has it that when Hapsburg troops chased the Turks out in 1683, the retreating invaders left behind bags of coffee beans. Within two years the first Viennese coffee house opened, and the rest is history. In 2011, UNESCO designated Viennese coffee house culture as part of humanity’s intangible cultural heritage, saying that the coffee houses have a “very specific atmosphere” and are places “where time and space are consumed, but only the coffee is found on the bill.”

In fact a few other wonderful things are consumed in these beloved establishments, like heavenly Austrian pastry. Try a slice of Sachertorte, a classic chocolate sponge cake layered with apricot jam, and covered in chocolate ganache. It’s available all over, but for the quintessential Viennese experience, try it where it originated, at the Sacher Hotel, or at the famed Demel bakery. Austria must also thank the Turks for introducing apfelstrudel. Powidltascherl are plum jam turnovers dusted with sugar.

If you’re too full for pastry, at least leave room for a Mozartkugel. These small, round candies are balls of pistachio marzipan and nougat, covered with dark chocolate—the perfect accompaniment to your Einspänner, a double shot of espresso topped with whipped cream.

Romanian Cuisine If you like unpretentious food with robust flavors, you’ll love what arrives on your plate in Romania, whose cuisine weds fresh local ingredients with the culinary influences of Turkey, Hungary, Saxon Germany, Austria, , and Russia.

Certain ingredients make a regular appearance at the Romanian table, such as smantana, a sour cream. It’s the base for de usteroi, a ubiquitous garlic sauce. Do try the national dish, sarmale (or sărmăluţe). These are cabbage rolls stuffed with pork and rice. Also popular is , a -type cheese made from cow, goat, or . Perhaps, like the Romanians, you’ll grow to love , a Mediterranean herb that’s a cross between parsley and celery. You can also expect to see a green pepper (raw or pickled) on the side of your plate or soup bowl.

What’s inside that soup bowl will likely be ciorbă de perișoare or “sour soup with meatballs.” Every Romanian family has their own recipe for this tangy soup with soft balls of meat and rice. What adds the sourness is usually borş, a fermented wheat bran, but often zeamă de varză acră (sauerkraut juice), vinegar, or lemon are used. Before serving, sour cream and egg yolks are swirled in to add a silky richness. This soup is so beloved, even pizza shops serve it to perk up late-night pub crawlers. Other kinds of ciorbă made with chicken or fish are also popular.

87 Romanian pastrami may be the pride of every New York deli, but here where it originated, you will find that the pastrama method of brining, seasoning, and smoking is applied to a whole variety of meats, including veal, mutton, beef, pork, or even goat. In fact, the pastrami that Romanian Jews first brought to New York in 1872 was originally made with cured goose breast. You’ll find that here, too.

Romanians like their pastrama thinly sliced as an appetizer; or as an entrée served with mămăligă (Romanian polenta) and garlic sauce. The most popular meat here is pork, especially around Christmas when it was traditional to slaughter a hog and use it, nose to tail, to make a whole array of holiday dishes. Tochitură is one of them (but now available year round)—a thick pork stew cooked in tomatoes and wine, and topped with a fried egg. Fish lovers should try Romanian trout (pastrav), which is served at countryside trout farms called pastavarie.

Vegetarians are not left out of the feast. You will find a huge array of pickled vegetables, and fresh salads such as salată roşii (tomato salad), salată castraveţi (cucumber salad), or salata de vinete, a creamy spread. There’s also ghiveci de legume, a savory stew that can contain over 20 braised vegetables.

At street stalls you can try or mici. The name means “little ones,” but these small, skinless sausages pack a big flavor punch. Or, grab a fresh-baked (Romanian ).

For sweets, there’s papanaşi, a bombshell of fried dough and sweetened curd cheese, topped with jam and cream. Placinta are similar to crêpes. There are savory versions but most popular are the sweet ones filled with sweet cheese, apples, sour cherries, Nutella, or jam. Or try , a traditional holiday sweet bread filled with walnuts, poppy seeds or cream cheese.

There are good Romanian to pair with your meal. But a true Romanian would advise you to “aid your digestion” with a glass of tuica plum . Pofta mare, or “hearty appetite!”

Shopping: What to Buy, Customs, Shipping & More There may be scheduled visits to local shops during your adventure. There is no requirement to make a purchase during these stops, and any purchase made is a direct transaction with the shop in question, subject to the vendor’s terms of purchase. O.A.T. is not responsible for purchases you make on your trip or for the shipment of your purchases.

Returns If you discover an issue with an item, you should contact the vendor directly and expect that any resolution will take longer than it would in the U.S. We recommend that you keep a copy of all your receipts, invoices, or contracts, along with the shop’s contact information. Keep in mind, local practice may vary from U.S. standards, so don’t assume that you have a certain number of days after the purchase to speak up or that you are guaranteed a refund.

88 Crafts & Souvenirs

Czech Republic In the Czech Republic many stores sell a wide range of crafts and tourist goods, such as Bohemian glass, porcelain, crystal, peasant pottery, wooden toys, jewelry, and folk carvings. Modern artwork and crafts are sold at private art galleries.

Slovakia Handicraft shops in Slovakia feature pictures painted on glass or wood, puppets in elaborate costumes, and shepherd axes. Travelers who enjoy musical instruments from other countries should keep their an eye out for a fujara, a type of flute that is played upright like an oboe. At 3 feet long, it might not fit in your carry-on, but it is typically Slovakian. Slovakia is also known for its wines and for slivovica, a potent plum brandy.

Hungary Look for exquisite Herend porcelain, cut glass, fine peasant embroidery and needlework, homespun cloth, carpets, charming carved wood objects and, of course, dolls in national dress. Other excellent buys are recordings of classical and folk music.

Germany Popular German buys include Nymphenburg porcelain, cutlery, high-quality cameras and binoculars, loden clothing, goose-down comforters, Rosenthal china and glassware, and chocolate. Munich is Germany’s fashion capital—there are plenty of chic boutiques, especially on Theatinerstrasse, Maximilianstrasse, and Schwabing’s Leopoldstrasse.

Value Added Tax: Depending on how much you spend on certain goods, you may be eligible for a partial refund of Germany’s 16% Value Added Tax (VAT). You must obtain a special form for VAT from the store. Ask the shopkeeper or salesperson for details, and be sure to save all receipts for Customs.

Poland Polish folk objects make good mementos and are an excellent value. Some interesting possibilities include embroidery, lace, dolls in folk costumes, prints and engravings, amber, pottery, and woodcarvings. The wide range of chain stores specializing in different local wares makes shopping in Poland relatively easy. Desa stores carry tapestries, painting, sculptures, and porcelain.

Austria Popular buys include glassware, crystal, porcelain, petit point, musical instruments and scores, fur hats, ski wear, and, of course, lederhosen (leather pants), loden-cloth coats, and sachertorte (). But be forewarned: the quality of Austrian wares is exceptionally high, and so are the prices!

89 Value Added Tax: In Austria, a Value Added Tax is levied on most articles, services, and meals, and ranges from 10% to 30%. Depending on how much you spend on certain goods in specially marked Tax Free Shopping stores, you may be eligible for a partial refund of this tax. Ask the shopkeeper or salesperson for details. Be sure to save all receipts and the special Global Tax Refund forms for Customs, as receipts alone are not enough.

Romania Bucharest is renowned for its hand-woven carpets, which can be purchased from several authorized retailers in the city. For real bargains consider crystal, porcelain, ceramics, and china, of which good-quality items can be purchased at relatively low prices in local shops. Local arts and crafts can be purchased at Artizanat stores that specialize in dolls, masks, and embroidered objects made by local craftspeople.

U.S. Customs Regulations & Shipping Charges For all things related to U.S. Customs, the ultimate authority is the U.S. Bureau of Customs & Border Protection. Their website, www.cbp.gov has the answers to the most frequently asked questions. Or you can call them at 1-877-227-5511.

The top three points to know are:

• At time of writing, your personal duty-free allowance is $800 for items brought with you. Items totaling more than $800 are subject to duty fees.

• Items shipped home are always subject to duty when received in the U.S. Even when the shop has offered to include shipping and duties in the price, this typically means shipping to the nearest customs facility and payment of the export duties—not door-to-door shipping or payment of the import duties. All additional duties or shipping charges would be your responsibility. Unless an item is small enough to send by parcel service (like FedEx), chances are you will need to arrange shipping or pick-up once the item is in the U.S. and will need to pay customs duties.

• It is illegal to import products made from endangered animal species. U.S. Customs & Border Protection will seize these items, as well as most furs, coral, tortoise shell, reptile skins, feathers, plants, and items made from animal skins.

90 DEMOGRAPHICS & HISTORY

Czech Republic

Facts, Figures & National Holidays • Area: 30,451 square miles

• Capital: Prague

• Languages: Czech is the official language.

• Ethnicities: Czech 64.3%, Moravian 5%, Slovak 1.4%, other 29.3%

• Location: The Czech Republic is bordered by Austria, Slovakia, Poland, and Germany.

• Geography: Landlocked in Eastern Europe, the Czech Republic comprises the ancient provinces of Bohemia and Moravia, with a mountainous rim on the German border to the west.

• Population: 10,644,842 (estimate)

• Religions: Roman Catholic 10.4%, Protestant 1.1%, other or unspecified 54%, none 34.5%

• Time Zone: The Czech Republic on , six hours ahead of U.S. EST. When it is 6am in Washington D.C., it is noon in Prague.

National Holidays: Czech Republic

In addition to the holidays listed below, 07/05 Saints Cyril and Methodius the Czech Republic celebrates a number of 07/06 Jan Hus Day national holidays that follow a lunar calendar, such as Easter. To find out if you will be 09/28 St. Wenceslas Day traveling during these holidays, please visit www.timeanddate.com/holidays. 10/28 Independent Czechoslovak State Day

01/01 New Year’s Day 11/17 Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day 05/01 Labor Day/May Day 12/25 Christmas Day 05/08 Victory in Europe Day 12/26 St. Stephen’s Day

The Czech Republic: A Brief History Though the Czech Republic is less than 50 years old, its culture dates to the 5th century BC, when groups of Celts calling themselves “Boii” settled in Bohemia, which means “home of the Boii.” By the 6th century, the Celts were replaced by Germanic and Slavic tribes. Around 631 AD, Samo, a Frankish merchant living in the area, formed a coalition of Slavic tribes, became their king, and won victories against the Avars and the Franks. His short-lived kingdom was the first Slavic state.

91 A unified Slavic state continued with the formation of Great Moravia, an empire that included the Duchy of Bohemia. The region soon fell under the influence of German dukes, and in 950 became part of the Holy Roman Empire. Fast-forward to the 14th century, the Czech golden age. Under the enlightened reign of Charles IV, who was elected Holy Roman Emperor in 1355, Bohemia was a center of power, culture and prestige.

By the 14th century, Jan Hus, a rector at Charles University in Prague, advocated for church reform and against corruption. He gained a huge Czech following two centuries before the Protestant Reformation. Hus was burned at the stake in 1415, and in 1419 his followers stormed Prague’s Town Hall and tossed Catholic councilors out the window in what is called the “Defenestration of Prague.” Bohemia and Moravia remained Protestant strongholds, but as the Hapsburgs consolidated power, they confiscated Protestant lands. The Hapsburgs dominated for 300 years, leaving an ambiguous legacy. Though they suppressed dissent and imposed Austrian culture, they also provided stability. Under Empress Maria Theresa and her son Joseph, serfdom was abolished, public education was provided, and the region’s Jews gained rights. An industrial middle class emerged. And there was a renewal of and culture.

World War I brought the end of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and the establishment of the first independent Czechoslovakia—a joint state between ethnic Bohemians, Moravians, and Slovaks. Czechoslovakia thrived until Hitler annexed the country in 1939. Bohemia and Moravia became a protectorate of the Reich, and Slovakia became a puppet state. Prague was spared significant physical damage, but the resistance was destroyed and two-thirds of the nation’s Jews were murdered. In 1945, the Nazis withdrew; Czechoslovakia was reconstituted; and in 1947 2.5 million resident ethnic Germans were expelled to Germany and Austria.

The Soviets took power in 1948, sending thousands of Czechs to prison. Resistance emerged in the 1960s with president Alexander Dubcek, who espoused “socialism with a human face.” It smiled upon the world during the Prague Spring of 1968, when there was an outpouring of democratic sentiment. Dubcek loosened restrictions on the press, speech and travel. But in August, 1968, the Soviets invaded with Warsaw Pact troops, replaced Dubcek with a hardliner, and began reprisals against protest leaders (including activist-playwright, Václav Havel).

As Communism fell across Europe in 1989, the most striking revolt was in Czechoslovakia. When Prague police brutally attacked a peaceful student demonstration, dissidents led by Václav Havel negotiated the government’s resignation on December 3, and Havel was elected president. Forty years of Soviet domination were swept aside in what has been called “the Velvet Revolution.” Soon after independence, differences between the Czechs and Slovaks became irreconcilable. So on January 1, 1993, they agreed to a “Velvet Divorce” and split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The Czech Republic joined NATO in 1999, and the EU in 2004. Today, the Czech Republic is a pluralist multi-party parliamentary democracy. The country has held numerous free elections without incident, and the economy has remained relatively robust.

Slovakia

Facts, Figures & National Holidays • Area: 18,933 square miles

92 • Capital: Bratislava

• Languages: Slovak is the official language; Hungarian is also spoken.

• Ethnicities: Slovak 80.7%, Hungarian 8.5%, Roma 2%, other and unspecified 8.8%

• Location: Slovakia is bordered by Austria, Ukraine, Hungary, Poland, and the Czech Republic.

• Geography: Situated in central Europe, Slovakia has a strategic position as a “bridge” between the countries of Austria (on its west) and Ukraine (on its east), and Hungary (to the south) and Poland (to the north); it’s also bordered by the Czech Republic (to the northwest). The land has rugged mountains, rich in mineral resources, and vast forests and pastures. The Carpathian Mountains dominate the topography of Slovakia, with lowland areas in the southern region.

• Population: 5,445,027 (estimate)

• Religion: Roman Catholic 62%, Protestant 8.2%, Greek Catholic 3.8%, other or unspecified 12.5%, none 13.4%

• Time Zone: Slovakia is on Central Europe Time, six hours ahead of U.S. EST. When it is 6am in Washington D.C., it is noon in Bratislava.

National Holidays: Slovakia

In addition to the holidays listed below, 07/05 St. Cyril & St. Methodius Day Slovakia celebrates a number of national 08/29 National Uprising Day holidays that follow a lunar calendar, such as Easter. To find out if you will be traveling 09/01 Constitution Day during these holidays, please visit www. timeanddate.com/holidays. 11/01 All Saints’ Day

01/01 Republic Day 11/17 Fight for Freedom and Democracy Day

05/01 Labor Day 12/25 Christmas Day

05/08 End of World War II 12/26 St. Stephen’s Day

Slovakia: A Brief History Slovakia only gained true independence as a nation in 1993, after the peaceful dissolution of the Czechoslovak federation that it had variously been part of for most of the 20th century. But sovereignty aside, Slovak culture has been evolving for hundreds, if not thousands of years.

What is now modern-day Slovakia has been inhabited since Paleolithic times. The earliest identifiable people were the Celts, who arrived around 400 BC and colonized lowlands along the Danube and its tributaries. They lived in small huts and established villages around hill forts. Romans set up shop here around 174 AD, but their focus turned elsewhere Huns and Germanic

93 tribes moved in. By 500 AD, Slavic tribes had established themselves in settlements along the Morava, Váh, and Hron rivers. Growing in number, they became the progenitors of the Slovak people. By 830 AD, they united with Bohemia and Moravia to form Great Moravia.

Great Moravia was conquered by Hungarian Magyars in the 10th century, and for nearly 1,000 years, Hungarian domination continued. In fact, Hungary’s first king, Saint Stephen, established eight counties in what is present-day Slovakia, and the region was the frontier of the Kingdom of Hungary throughout the medieval era. When Turks invaded in the 16th century, they captured much of south and central Hungary (and Slovakia). Budapest was taken, but the Hungarian royalty moved to Bratislava. They paid obeisance to the Austrian Hapsburgs, upon whom they depended for defense against the Turks. And so Slovakia became a Hapsburg territory, and between 1526 and 1830, 19 Hapsburg rulers of Hungary were coronated in Bratislava.

The emergence of a Slovak national identity dates to the late 18th century, coincident with the appearance of a written language. The romantic nationalism that swept Europe in the early 19th century also swept Slovakia, and was focused on literature and folklore. But after the failed Hungarian Revolution of 1848, Hungary’s weakness left an opening for a political Slovak national political movement. It was sidelined in 1867 after Hungary and Austria reached a compromise and formed the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Slovakia’s dream of independence did not materialize until 1919, when it joined with Bohemia, Moravia, Czech Silesia and Carpathia Ruthenia to form Czechoslovakia. During the interwar period, this was the only true democracy in Eastern Europe.

When Hitler annexed Czechoslovakia, Slovakia became a client state headed by Josef Tiso, a Catholic priest and Nazi collaborator. Under his rule, nearly all the Jews remaining in Slovakia were deported to death camps in Poland, or killed in Slovakia. In 1944, the Slovak Uprising attempted to overthrow the Tiso government. It was put down by the Nazis, but guerilla operations continued until Slovakia was liberated in 1945 by the Red Army and Czech, Slovak, and Romanian partisans. After the war, a reunited Czechoslovakia became a Soviet satellite.

The nation endured the repression and hardships of the Stalin years. But in the 1960s Czechoslovakia enjoyed a period of liberalization under Slovak-born president Alexander Dubcek. This ended with the “Prague Spring” of 1968, when the Soviets invaded with Warsaw Pact troops. The dissidents moved underground until 1989, when they helped bring about the fall of communism during the Velvet Revolution. In 1993, Slovaks and the Czechs agreed to separate in what is called the “Velvet Divorce.” Thus, Slovakia finally became truly independent.

Slovakia joined both NATO and the European Union in 2004. Today, Slovakia is a modern country with a strong market economy, complemented by a comprehensive social security system that offers universal health care, free education and generous civil liberties.

Hungary

Facts, Figures & National Holidays • Area: 35,911 square miles

• Capital: Budapest

94 • Languages: Hungarian (Magyar) is the official language.

• Ethnicities: Hungarian 85.6%, Roma 3.2%, German 1.9%, other 2.6%, unspecified 14.1%

• Location: Hungary is located in central Europe

• Geography: Hungary is a landlocked country that has borders with seven countries: Austria, Slovenia, and Croatia to the east; and Romania to the south; Ukraine to the northeast; and Slovakia directly to the north. Most of Hungary is a fertile, rolling plain lying east of the Danube River, and drained by the Danube and Tisza Rivers.

• Population: 9,897,541 (estimate)

• Religion: Roman Catholic 37.2%, Calvinist 11.6%, Lutheran 2.2%, Greek Catholic 1.8%, other 1.9%, none 18.2%, unspecified 27.2%

• Time Zone: Hungary is six hours ahead of U.S. EST. When it is 6am in Washington D.C., it is noon in Budapest.

National Holidays: Hungary

In addition to the holidays listed below, 05/01 Labor Day/May Day Hungary celebrates a number of national 08/20 Hungary National Day holidays that follow a lunar calendar, such as Easter. To find out if you will be traveling 10/23 1956 Revolution Memorial Day during these holidays, please visit www. timeanddate.com/holidays. 11/01 All Saints’ Day

01/01 New Year’s Day 12/25 Christmas Day

03/15 1848 Revolution Memorial Day 12/26

Hungary: A Brief History Hungary has been populated for half a million years. It was settled by Illyrians, Thracians and Scythians, and the Celts arrived around 400 BC. Romans established a province in western Hungary called Pannonia, but left in the 2nd century AD, when Attila the Hun briefly took over.

The progenitors of modern Hungarians were the Magyars. In 895, seven Magyar tribes under the leadership of Árpád formed an alliance. (These chiefs are depicted in the iconic statues of Budapest’s Heroes’ Square.) They were fierce and superior horsemen who conquered lands as far west as Spain. But the Magyars realized that their survival depended on forming ties with more powerful entities—namely, Byzantium or the Holy Roman Empire. They chose Rome.

Magyar rule was solidified in 973, when Géza, the great-grandson of Árpád, had himself and his grandson Vajk baptized—gaining the favor of Rome. Vajk took the Christian name Stephen (István) and in 1000 he became the first King of Hungary. His kingdom lasted 500 years and its endurance gave Hungary a strong taste for sover”ignty. But by 1526, nearly all of Hungary was occupied by Ottoman Turkey. The remaining western and northern parts gained the protection

95 of Austria. But when the Hapsburgs drove the Turks out in 1686, they also made the rest of “liberated” Hungary an Austrian province. Over time there were setbacks (and revolts) under the Hapsburgs, but also an economic and cultural flowering that continued into the 20th century.

In 1848, Hungary revolted against Hapsburg rule and failed. But in 1867, Austria and Hungary formed a federated dual monarchy with two parliaments, two capitals (Vienna and Budapest) and a hyphenated name: Austria-Hungary. Hungary was industrialized, and its economy soared. When Austrian Archduke Ferdinand was assassinated in 1914, Hungary entered World War I as a German ally. Losses were enormous, the empire dissolved, and unrest broke out. Large minorities within Hungary’s borders clamored for independence, and got it, thanks to the Treaty of Trianon. It gave lands to the new nations of Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, and Romania, reducing Hungary to 40% of its traditional size—a loss many Hungarians still mourn.

To recoup its former lands, the increasingly right-leaning Hungarian government of Miklós Horthy turned to fascist Italy and Germany. Hungary did recover some lands, but it was also drawn into World War II as an Axis ally. After the Hungarian army was virtually decimated, Horthy tried to negotiate a separate peace with the Allies. But Hitler invaded, installed the pro- Nazi Arrow Cross party, and resumed the murder of thousands of Jews, partisans, Romani, and intellectuals. In December 1944, the Red Army had encircled Budapest and a two-month siege began. By the time the Nazis surrendered in April 1945, much of Budapest had been destroyed.

The Soviets occupied Hungary after the war and made it a satellite state. In October 1953, 50,000 Budapest students began an anti-Soviet demonstration calling for Hungary’s liberal-minded Imre Nagy to be Prime Minister. The secret police fired on them and overnight, Hungary was in revolt. Nagy formed a government and offered amnesty to those involved in the violence. But when he announced that Hungary would leave the Warsaw Pact and pursue neutrality, the Soviets stormed in with tanks. The world watched in horror as nearly 20,000 Hungarians died.

Communism fell in 1989 and on October 23—33 years after the 1956 Uprising—Hungary became the Republic of Hungary. The new Hungary joined NATO in 1999; and the EU in 2004. The current Prime Minister, Viktor Orbán, a onetime anti-Communist, now serves his fourth term. He has moved far right and been criticized for increasing authoritarianism.

Germany

Facts, Figures & National Holidays • Area: 137,846 square miles

• Capital: Berlin

• Languages: German is the official language; Turkish is also spoken in Berlin.

• Location: Germany is bordered by Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Switzerland, the North Sea, and the Baltic Sea.

96 • Geography: Located in central Europe, Germany is bordered on the west by the Benelux countries and France, and on the east by Poland and the Czech Republic. Switzerland and Austria are to the south. Germany’s northern coastline is met by the North Sea and the Baltic.

• Population: 80,854,408 (estimate)

• Religions: Protestant 34%, Roman Catholic 34%, Muslim 3.7%, other 28.3%

• Time Zone: Germany is on Central European Time, six hours ahead of U.S. EST. When it is 6am in Washington D.C., it is noon in Berlin. begins the last Sunday in March and ends the last Sunday in October.

National Holidays: Germany

In addition to the holidays listed below, 05/01 May Day Germany celebrates a number of national 10/03 Day of German Unity holidays that follow a lunar calendar, such as Easter. There are also some holidays that 11/01 All Saints’ Day are not national holidays, but are widely observed. To find out if you will be traveling 12/24 Christmas Eve during these holidays, please visit www. 12/25 Christmas Day timeanddate.com/holidays. 12/26 Boxing Day 01/01 New Year’s Day

Germany: A Brief History For many contemporary travelers, the history of Germany has been overshadowed by its role in the two World Wars of the past century. But that belies the two millennia of history and culture that is the legacy of Europe’s Germanic people, and which awaits your discovery.

During the Bronze and Iron Ages, Germanic tribes from southern Scandinavia and Northern Germany expanded, mixing and clashing with Celtic, Baltic, Slavic, Gaul, and Indo-European people. Settling east of the Rhine and north of the Danube, in a region the Romans dubbed “Germania,” they never unified. But they repulsed nearly all efforts of Rome to colonize them. The Romans were only ever able to subdue Germania’s southern and western flanks.

With the 5th century fall of the Western Roman Empire, Germanic Franks rose as the largest tribal confederacy of the middle Rhine. They spread to Gaul, absorbing all of France; and as far west as Poland. There was no unified German nation but by 800 AD, there was a Holy Roman Empire with the Frankish king Charlemagne as Emperor. For 1,000 years, the Holy Roman Empire mostly controlled Europe, and German prince-electors mostly controlled the Empire.

The Holy Roman Empire became a collection of duchies, principalities, Free Imperial Cities, and ecclesiastical states that spread across the larger kingdoms of Germany, Italy, Bohemia, and Burgundy. In 1440, the Austrian Hapsburg dynasty took control of the Holy Roman Empire (and held it until 1806). But all the imperial states became embroiled in the Thirty Years War

97 (1618–1648), which was sparked by a revolt of Bohemian Protestants, but grew into a deadly struggle between Bourbon and Hapsburg powers. Most of Central Europe was devastated by the conflict.

The prospect of a unified German nation began to coalesce during the Seven Weeks War in 1866, when the Prussian army under Otto von Bismarck defeated Austria. Prussia’s superior firepower convinced other German states that Austria was no longer a force. Bismarck then formed a North German Confederation without Austria—the forerunner to the unified German Empire of Kaiser Wilhelm I. Bismarck fostered alliances and instituted universal health care, pension plans, and other social welfare programs. But after Wilhelm I died in 1888, his grandson Wilhelm II rejected liberal reforms in favor of imperialism, which led to Germany’s involvement in World War I. Its defeat ended of the German Empire with the 1919 Treaty of Versailles.

The punitive provisions of the Versailles agreement opened the door for the Nazis. In 1933, a government was formed with Hitler as Chancellor. By 1934, Hitler took over as Fuhrer and established a totalitarian regime. German Jews were targeted by vicious propaganda and stripped of their rights. By 1939, half of Germany’s 500,000 Jews had fled. The Final Solution was implemented in 1941, and the ensuing Holocaust killed 6 million Jews and 11 million others. Meanwhile, Germany began annexing territories and the world was drawn into war.

The Allies defeated the Axis powers in 1945, leaving a partitioned Germany with a decimated political, social, and economic infrastructure. Yet despite its ruin and enormous burden of shame, the Federal German Republic (West Germany) became a parliamentary democracy, a NATO member, a founding member of the European Union, and one of the world’s richest countries. When the Iron Curtain fell in 1989, the German Democratic Republic (East Germany) demanded reform. German reunification took place in 1990. Since then economic integration of East Germany has been difficult, but progressing. Angela Merkel, the Chancellor since 2005, has helped Germany retain its position as a leader of the EU, and indeed, of the free world.

Poland

Facts, Figures & National Holidays • Area: 120,728 square miles

• Capital: Warsaw

• Government: Republic

• Language: Polish is the official language. It is a Slavonic language. Unlike Russian, it uses the familiar Roman alphabet, but with many additional accents. German, Russian, English, and French are spoken by most members of the travel industry and in hotels.

• Location: Situated in the heart of Europe, Poland’s low-lying plains extend from the Baltic shore in the north to the Tatra Mountains on its southern border with the Czech Republic and Slovakia. To the east of the Polish border are Lithuania, Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine; to the west is Germany.

98 • Population: 38,562,189 (estimate)

• Religion: Catholic 87.2%, Eastern Orthodox 1.3%, Protestant 0.4%, other 0.4%, and unspecified 10.8%

• Time zone: The time in Poland is six hours ahead of Eastern Time in North America: when it is 12 noon in New York, it is 6 pm in Warsaw and Krakow.

National Holidays: Poland

In addition to the holidays listed below, 05/01 Labor Day/May Day Poland celebrates a number of national 05/03 Constitution Day holidays that follow a lunar calendar, such as Easter. To find out if you will be traveling 08/15 Assumption of Mary during these holidays, please visit www. timeanddate.com/holidays. 11/01 All Saints’ Day

01/01 New Year’s Day 11/11 Independence Day

01/06 12/25 Christmas Day

12/26 Boxing Day

Poland: A Brief History Poland’s sovereignty has never been easy or taken for granted. From its earliest incarnation as an independent state in 966, Poland has been occupied by foreign powers, sandwiched between hostile neighbors and even wiped off the world map for 123 years. But through it all, there have been remarkable leaders and a commitment to cultural preservation that continues to inspire.

The first nation builders were the Slavs. Their most prominent clan, the Polanie (“people of the open country”) gave the nation its name, and the Piast dynasty. The most important Piast ruler was Duke Mieszko. In 966, he consolidated power by being baptized a Catholic and marrying Doubravka, a Bohemian princess. Mieszko’s son Boleslaw expanded his dominion to an area roughly equivalent to Poland’s current borders. He became Poland’s first legitimate king in 1025.

Kazimierz III the Great presided over a period of prosperity and expansion from 1333–70. He was a visionary who promoted legal, educational, and civil reforms. Among them was a law providing privileges for Jews, which set the stage for Poland as a haven for a group that made significant cultural contributions for 600 years. He built universities and founded so many new towns it gave rise to a saying that Kazimierz “found Poland built of wood, but left it in stone.”

When Kazimierz died without heir, the Polish Princess Jadwiga married the Grand Duke of Lithuania, Jogaila. Their two states became the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in 1569. It had a central parliament and local assemblies, and an elected king. But a fatal loophole was that in the absence of a serious Polish contender, nobles could elect a foreigner. This opened the door for rampant bribery and a series of kings whose allegiances were not with Poland.

99 By the beginning of the 17th century, foreign invaders carved up the kingdom. Most devastating was the Swedish invasion of 1655–70, called “The Deluge.” Next came the Ottomans, but Poland had a bright moment when King Jan III Sobieski defeated the Turks at the Battle of Vienna in 1683, preventing their further spread into Europe. He was unable to prevent Poland’s collapse: In 1772, the Commonwealth was partitioned by Prussia, Austria, and Russia. It was divided two more times, despite a revolt led by Tadeusz Kosciuszko, hero of the American Revolution.

In 1795, Poland ceased to exist as a nation, its borders erased for 123 years. But its spirit was kept alive by nationalist societies, and by romantic artists like the composer Frederic Chopin. It wasn’t until after World War in 1918 that an independent Polish state came back into existence. The Second Republic only lasted 20 years before the Nazi occupation of World War II. The Germans first targeted Gdansk, then Warsaw, and met fierce resistance. But the Poles were outnumbered and underarmed. The Nazis intended to make Poland their living room by evicting its inhabitants. A million Poles were murdered in camps; nearly all of the nation’s three million Jews were exterminated; and when the Soviets came in 1944, they continued the genocide. By the end of the war, 20% of the Polish population had died, and Poland became a Soviet satellite.

The postwar years saw various protests, but it wasn’t until the Gdansk shipyard strikes of 1980 that change happened. The workers’ main issue was the right to unionize, but in their “21 Demands” they sought far-reaching changes in areas from food supplies to free speech to maternity leave and more. The Solidarity Strike was joined by workers in mines, factories, and more. Through the leadership of Lech Walesa, the protests remained non-violent, but the struggle lasted till the end of the decade. When the Iron Curtain fell, Walesa was elected President, and Third Polish Republic was born. Poland joined NATO in 1999, and the EU in 2004.

Austria

Facts, Figures & National Holidays • Area: 32,382 square miles

• Capital: Vienna

• Languages: German is the official language. English is also spoken, particularly in all tourist areas and major cities.

• Location: Austria is bordered by Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein.

• Geography: Landlocked in Central Europe, Austria features the mountainous Alps in the south and west, but also is home to flat plains and gentle slopes in the north and east.

• Population: 8,665,550 (estimate)

• Religion: Roman Catholic 73.8%, Protestant 4.9%, Muslim 4.2%, Orthodox 2.2%, other 0.8%, none 12%, unspecified 2%

• Time Zone: Austria is on Central European Time, six hours ahead of U.S. EST. When it is 6am in Washington D.C., it is noon in Vienna.

100 National Holidays: Austria

In addition to the holidays listed below, 05/01 Labor Day/May Day Austria celebrates a number of national 08/15 Assumption of Mary holidays that follow a lunar calendar, such as Easter. To find out if you will be traveling 10/26 National Day during these holidays, please visit www. timeanddate.com/holidays. 11/01 All Saints’ Day

01/01 New Year’s Day 12/08 Feast of the Immaculate Conception

01/06 Epiphany 12/25 Christmas Day

12/26 St. Stephen’s Day

Austria: A Brief History Austria has been populated since Neanderthal times, but its most significant early culture was the Hallstatt, which arose around 400 BC when Celtic people settled along the shores of the Hallstatter See. The Celts formed a confederation called Noricum, established a prosperous salt trade, and forged iron implements. When Romans arrived in 15 BC, they made the area a province. In exchange for their excellent Noric steel (which the Romans used for swords), the Celts received protection—and they needed it, as Germanic Teutons and other tribes invaded.

When Charlemagne arrived in the 8th century and created a zone in the Danube Valley called the East March. In 976, the Babenburg dynasty became the margraves of this “eastern realm” or Österreich, German for “Austria.” The Babenburgs extended the territory and made Vienna their capital. When they died, Rudolf I took over in 1278, ushering in the dynastic powerhouse that dominated Europe for 500 years. Consolidating power through strategic marriages, they built a network from Spain to the Netherlands to Germany. The Hapsburgs were all prince-electors of the Holy Roman Empire, and from 1452 they elected their kinsmen as its Emperors. But holding power was not easy. In 1618 Europe erupted into a Thirty Years War that caused nearly eight million deaths. It was largely a contest between Bourbon and Austro-Spanish Hapsburgs. Things further destabilized when the Turks advanced to Vienna. They remained a threat until 1699.

Austria bloomed during the Enlightenment reigns of Maria Theresa and her son, Joseph II. They instituted reforms, and were patrons of the arts (with Mozart as their court composer). Decades later, a result of the Napoleonic wars was that the Holy Roman Empire was dissolved in 1806. But the Hapsburgs survived, creating a German Alliance of hundreds of small states. In 1867, Austria and Hungary united as a dual monarchy—and reveled in the Austro-Hungarian Empire’s cultural flowering. Vienna, newly magnificent after a flurry of building, was its epicenter. The Empire prospered until Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated in 1914, sparking World War I. The 1919 defeat of the Central Powers (Austria-Hungary, Germany, Turkey, and Bulgaria) ended the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which split into several nations per the Treaty of Versailles.

Austria became a republic, but suffered inflation, unemployment, and the loss of a national identity. Political tensions erupted into violent street fights, and in 1934, a Conservative government took legislative powers from the parliament, making Austria a fascist country.

101 Though the Treaty of Versailles had expressly forbidden the reunification of Germany and Austria, Hitler (himself an Austrian) had other ideas about this Anschluss. When the Nazis goose-stepped into Austria in 1938, they were welcomed by cheering crowds. Austria’s military, economy, and political infrastructure were integrated into Germany’s war efforts; the execution of Jews and resistors stepped up; and many Austrians participated in the Nazi’s crimes.

Austria was liberated by Allied and Soviet troops in 1945, a second republic was established, and Austria remained under occupation. In 1955, Russia demanded that Austria declare its neutrality as a condition for ending Soviet occupation. This status enabled Austria to be a bridge between East and West during the Cold War. But the nation never came to terms with its war history. That started in 1986, when former U.N. Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim ran for president. He won and served until 1992, and investigations into his wartime activities were inconclusive.

Austria joined the EU in 1995, adopted the euro in 1999, and is one of Europe’s most prosperous nations. It is considered a liberal democracy, and consistently ranks high for its quality of life.

Romania

Facts, Figures & National Holidays • Area: 91,699 square miles

• Capital: Bucharest

• Languages: Romanian is the official language. Hungarian and German are also spoken.

• Location: Romania’s location is sometimes described as being in central Europe or sometimes a southeastern Europe.

• Geography: The Carpathian Mountains cross the northern half of Romania and connect with the Transylvanian Alps near the central region of the country. Northwest of this mountainous arc is the Transylvanian plateau, and the great plains of Moldavia and Walachia lie to the southeast. The Danube River forms the southern boundary with Bulgaria, and then flows north and then east through Romania, entering the Black Sea through its large delta just south of Ukraine.

• Population: 21,666,350

• Religions: Eastern Orthodox 81.9%, Protestant 6.4%, Roman Catholic 4.3%, other (mostly Muslim) 0.9%, none or atheist 0.2%, unspecified 6.3%

• Time Zone: Romania is seven hours ahead of U.S. EST. When it is 6am in Washington D.C., it is 1pm in Bucharest.

102 National Holidays: Romania

In addition to the holidays listed below, 01/24 Unification Day Romania celebrates a number of national 05/01 Labor Day/May Day holidays that follow a lunar calendar, such as Easter and Pentecost. To find out if you will be 08/15 St Mary’s Day traveling during these holidays, please visit www.timeanddate.com/holidays. 11/30 St. Andrew’s Day

01/01 New Year’s Day 12/01 National Holiday

01/02 Day after New Year’s Day 12/25 Christmas Day

12/26 Second Day of Christmas

Romania: A Brief History The country we call “Romania” did not come to be until the 19th century, and since then, its borders have fluctuated. Individual Romanians may trace their lineage to the various groups who held sway here—, Turks, Slavs, Magyars, Saxon Germans, and Russians—but the national heritage is linked to the Dacian people. They likely migrated from Thrace and settled in Romania around 3,300 BC. By 300 BC, they had formed a military democracy. But Dacia died with its last king, Decebalus, who was defeated by the Roman emperor Trajan. Today Decebalus is a Romanian national hero symbolizing freedom and resistance to imperialism.

Rome occupied Dacia for less than 200 years, but their intense Romanization program left a lasting impact. Settlers from Rome were moved here. The local language was replaced with Latin. And the Romans mingled with the Dacians. Rome withdrew in 271 AD, unable to stem the tide of new invaders: Huns, Goths, Slavs, Bulgars, and Magyars. By the 10th century, a fragmented feudal society had emerged, with the nobles from outside ethnic groups, and serfs who were Romanian peasants. In the 14th century the first Romanian principality was formed, Wallachia, followed by Moldavia. Transylvania was a principality under the Hungarian crown.

These fiefdoms had shifting allegiances, but resisted the Ottoman Turks (even uniting briefly under Michael the Brave in 1600.) Still, they all became Ottoman vassals. When the Turks were beaten back from Vienna in 1683, Transylvania reverted to Hungarian (Hapsburg) rule. Wallachia and Moldavia remained part of the Ottoman Empire, but after the Russo-Turkish War of 1828, they became Russian protectorates. In 1859 the two principalities united under a single prince, Alexander Ioan Cuza. The new state was named Romania, and it became a kingdom in 1881.

Romania declared its neutrality during World War I. But towards the end it sided with the Allies and by so doing, it recouped much lost territory, including Transylvania. King Carol II was crowned in 1930 and set up a dictatorship, setting the stage for a takeover by the Fascist Iron Guard in 1940. Romania signed the Axis Pact and joined the Nazi’s assault on the Soviet Union. The Red Army “liberated” Romania in 1944, and a Communist government was elected in 1946.

Throughout the ‘50s Romania suffered a Stalinist terror during which most prewar leaders, intellectuals, and dissidents were imprisoned or killed. Even the came under fire, as the Soviets changed street and city names and imposed a Slavic orthography. When Soviet

103 troops withdrew in 1958, Romania’s obeisance to Moscow eroded. Its independent foreign policy was exemplified in 1968, when the leader Nicolae Ceauşescu refused to send Romanian troops to support the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia. Ceauşescu’s anti-Soviet stance earned him the admiration of the West, but his regime was corrupt and repressive.

By the 1980s, Ceausescu’s Romania was in severe debt and suffering severe shortages of food and fuel. When the Iron Curtain fell in 1989, a Bucharest rally of 100,000 turned against him. The dictator was forced to flee by helicopter, but ended up in army custody and was executed.

Romania’s transition to democracy and a market economy was difficult, and the 90s and early aughts saw several governments fall amidst public dissatisfaction. The country joined NATO in 2004, and the European Union in 2007. Though hit hard by the 2008 financial crisis, Romania’s economy has been relatively stable since 2011. The current Prime Minister, economist Florin Cîțu, took office in December, 2020.

104 RESOURCES

Suggested Reading

General The Habsburgs: The History of a Dynasty by Benjamin Curtis (2013, History) Discover how this Austrian family gained power—and held it—for more than 500 years, shaping all the nations featured on this adventure.

The Bridge of Sighs: A Novel by Olen Steinhauer (2003, Mystery) Set in an unnamed Eastern European country under Soviet control, this mystery follows a young member of the state’s police force on his first big case. The only trouble is that no one trusts him and his co-workers think he’s a spy. This is the first of a series that also includes The Confession and 36 Yalta Boulevard.

Czech Republic The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera (1984, Fiction) Passion, politics, and philosophy; loyalty and lies; these are just some of the themes explored in this novel, which follows a young woman in love with a philandering surgeon in Prague of the 1960s.

Me, Myself & Prague: An Unreliable Guide to Bohemia by Rachael Weiss (2008. Travel Narrative) When the author uproots herself and moves from Australia to Prague she hopes to reinvent herself in a specific way—as a worldly and chic novelist—but ends up discovering more about who she was all along.

The Garden Party and Other Plays by Václav Havel (1994, Plays) Written by the famed playwright who went on to become the first president of post-communist Czechoslovakia. These absurdist plays blend politics with typical wry Czech humor to capture the mood of a country on the brink of great change.

Love and Garbage by Ivan Klíma (1986, Fiction) When Klíma wrote this book in 1986, it was banned by the Communist regime. Three years later, after the fall of the Iron Curtain, it became a sensation. It follows the ups and downs of a dissident artist forced to be a garbage man in Communist Prague. He collects far more than trash.

Prague Winter: A Personal Story of Remembrance and War, 1937–1948 by Albright (2012, Biography) Former Secretary of State Albright describes her early life in Czechoslovakia during the Nazi occupation and World War II. Albright spent much of her childhood in exile in London, and was too young to understand the forces at work in her birth country. For that, she relies here on historical research but also the letters, journals, and articles of her remarkable family and their friends. A stellar example of how the personal becomes the political.

105 Slovakia A False Dawn: My Life as a Gypsy Woman in Slovakia by Elena Lacková (2000, Biography) In the late 1970s, Lacková began telling her life story to Milena Hübschmannová, a leading Romani scholar. It is a startling and moving glimpse at a long-despised culture, and the strength of its families. We follow Lacková from her World War II struggles, to her exhilaration as a youthful playwright, to her emancipation (and gradual disillusionment) as a female socialist state official. Filled with details about daily life, superstitions, gender roles, and more.

In the Name of the Father by Vladimir Balla (2017, Fiction) A combination of the author’s award- winning novella and three additional short stories, this satirical work explores the mind of a man who is looking in all the wrong places to place blame for his serial adultery, failed marriage, dysfunctional family relationships, and his wife’s mental illness. With his dark humor, Balla has been called “the Slovak Kafka.”

A Country Lost, Then Found: Discovering My Father’s Slovakia by Rick Zednik (2012, Memoir) In this touching memoir Zednik first describes what it was like for his father to break all ties with Slovakia (due to the 1968 Soviet invasion); the second half reveals what it was like for the author himself to visit Bratislava after the end of the Cold War, and rediscover his extended family.

A History of Slovakia: The Struggle for Survival by Stanislav J. Kirschbaum (2005, History) A ground-breaking work this is the first comprehensive study to describe the resilience of the Slovaks—from the 7th-century Avar invasions to the break with the Czech Republic in 1993.

The Luck of the Weissensteiners by Christoph Fischer ( 2012, Fiction) When Greta, who is both Slovak and Jewish, falls for Wilhelm, who is German, everything seems to go well. But then World War II breaks out, and trouble ensues.

Hungary Budapest: A Critical Guide by András Török (2016, Guidebook) Frequently updated and widely loved, this is more than your average travel guide, but a witty insider’s look at the quirks and pleasures of Hungary’s most dazzling city. Even if you never went here, this book would be fun to read.

Fatelessness by Imre Kertész (1975, Literature) This semi-autobiographical novel follows the experiences of a young Hungarian Jewish boy imprisoned at Auschwitz. Kertész drew on his own experiences there, and went on to be the only Hungarian to win the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2002.

The Bridge at Andau by James Michener (1957, Nonfiction) For a brief time in 1956, the bridge at Andau became an escape route for Hungarians fleeing the Soviet suppression of the famous popular revolt that wracked Budapest and riveted the world. Historian Michener was living at the Austrian-Hungarian border at the time, and captures here the dramatic nature of the true-life events surrounding the revolt and the plight of the refugees.

106 Budapest Noir by Vilmos Kondor (2012, Mystery) The death of a call girl in a seedy neighborhood a few days after the death of Hungary’s Prime Minister doesn’t seem to by of interest to anyone, except a dogged reporter. A classic noir-style mystery that unravels in 1930s Budapest.

Germany In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler’s Berlin by Erik Larson (2011, History) Acclaimed historian and author Larson follows the experiences of the American ambassador to Germany in 1933 as he and his family slowly come to realize the menace and danger that is Hitler’s Third Reich.

Dresden: A City Reborn Edited by Alan Russell, Anthony Clayton, and Alan Keith Russell (2013, History) On 13 February 1945, Dresden, one of the most beautiful and historic cities of Europe, was destroyed by British and American air raids. This book traces the city’s history from its medieval birth in 1206 through its world war II destruction and up through the 21st century.

The Woman from Hamburg: and Other True Stories by Hana Krall (2006, Non-Fiction) A journalist from Warsaw born in 1937, Krall reveals the lives and strange trajectories of her compatriots in these stories, profiles and interviews of survivors of WWII.

Tschick by Wolfgang Harrndorf (2014, Fiction) Two unpopular teenagers—one German and one Russian—”borrow” a car and go on a joyride across Germany. Although the protagonists are young, the story seems to delight adults too—it was recommended by the ambassador of Germany has one of the best modern stories from his country.

Before the Deluge: A Portrait of Berlin in the 1920s by Otto Friedrich (1995, History) A noted historian describes the raucous social, cultural and political scene in this most vibrant city, when Christopher Isherwood, Marlene Dietrich, Albert Einstein, Greta Garbo, Berthold Brecht Walter Gropius, Vassily Kandinsky and so many others made their home here.

March Violets by Philip Kerr (1990, Mystery) The first of a series that also includes titles such as The Pale Criminal and A German Requiem. Set in 1930s Berlin, these dark mysteries follow Bernard Gunther, a former police officer now turned private detective who specializes in finding missing people and people who don’t want to be found. The language is very much like a classic noir film from the 30s or 40s.

Berlin by Giles MacDonogh (1998, History) A study of the history, sociology, architecture, food, crime, and theater of one of Europe’s most intriguing cities—on the eve of its return as the capital of the Unified Germany.

Peeling the Onion by Günter Grass (2007, Memoir) The Nobel Prize-winning author describes his experiences growing up in Danzig (now Gdansk) and as a soldier in the Nazi Waffen SS. It is a real-life story of the themes he explored with magical realism in his masterpiece, The Tin Drum.

Martin Luther: A Life by Martin E. Marty (2004, Biography) A brief but engrossing biography of the fiery Protestant reformer who transformed western thinking, sending shock waves across Europe’s political as well as religious landscape.

107 The Silent Angel by Heinrich Boll (1992, Fiction) A German WWII deserter returns to his home town of Cologne after it has been carpet bombed, and encounters a city filled with shell-shocked people trying to survive both physically and spiritually. Nobel Prize winner Boll, a Cologne native, drew from his own postwar experiences to create this moving portrait.

Narcissus and Goldmund by Hermann Hesse (1930, Fiction) This classic tale reveals medieval Germany through the experiences of two men, one who chooses the monastic life, and the other traveling the world.

Culture Shock! Germany by Richard Lord (2008, Culture/Travel). Learn all you need to know to understand the modern German way of life.

Poland God’s Playground: A History of Poland by Norman Davies (2005, History) Critics regard this work as the best and most exciting history of Poland, covering 1,000 years in two volumes. The author also offers a condensed version—Heart of Europe: A Short History of Poland.

Gimpel the Fool and Other Stories by Isaac Bashevis Singer (1957, Fiction) From the master of Yiddish literature (and Nobel Laureate), this collection vividly depicts Jewish life in a rural shtetl, while mixing magic and reality.

Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly (2016, Historical fiction) Loosely based on the true story of an American who campaigned for a group of concentration camp survivors known as “the Rabbits”, this novel follows the intersecting lives of three very different women—a New York socialite, a Polish teenager, and a German doctor.

Austria A Nervous Splendor—Vienna 1888-1889 by Frederic Morton (1980, History) When the Archduke Rudolph I shoots his teenaged mistress and then himself at the royal retreat in Mayerling, the scandal sends shock waves throughout Austria. Here, the author traces how that event impacted Vienna’s greatest minds, among them Sigmund Freud, Gustav Mahler, Theodor Herzl, Gustav Klimt, and the playwright Arthur Schnitzler. Their stories are interwoven with that of the doomed Prince, who is buried just as Frau Klara Hitler gives birth to a son named Adolf.

When Nietzsche Wept: A Novel of Obsession by Irvin D. Yalom (2013, Fiction) Set in 19th-century Vienna, this novel is built upon a clever conceit: the psychoanalytic sessions between the impoverished and suicidal philosopher, Frederic Nietzsche; and distinguished physician Josef Breuer, who is undergoing his own existential crisis. The twist is that Nietzsche, too proud to seek help, does not know that he is Breuer’s “patient.” As the two meet in Vienna’s salons and coffeehouses, we encounter the personalities of the day, including Sigmund Freud, and gain a sense of the healing power of connection.

The Austrians: A Thousand-Year Odyssey by Gordon Brook-Shepard (1996, History) A noted historian, draws upon his long-standing associations with Austrian leaders and his special access to the private Hapsburg family archives to trace the identity of Austria as it developed over a millennium.

108 The Age of Insight by Eric Kandel (2012, Art) This book takes us to Vienna in 1900, where leaders in science, medicine, and art began a revolution that changed forever how we think about the human mind—our conscious and unconscious thoughts and emotions—and how mind and brain relate to art. Kandel traces the ideas and advances of Vienna, in rich and rewarding detail, and their enduring influence today.

The Habsburgs: The History of a Dynasty by Benjamin Curtis (2013, History) Discover how this Austrian family gained power—and held it—for more than 500 years, shaping all the nations featured on this adventure.

The Painted Kiss by Elizabeth Hickey (2005, Historical Fiction) The author, an art historian, imagines the relationship between the artist Gustav Klimt, and his younger model-mistress, the couturier Emilie Flöge. She was the inspiration for his famous work, The Kiss, and it was her name that he uttered as his dying words.

The Radetzky March by Joseph Roth (1932, Historical Fiction) Three generations of the von Trotta family see their fortunes rise and fall in the declining days of the Austro-Hungrian Empire. The irony of the book is that each time the Emperor Franz-Joseph bestows some favor upon someone, there are significant personal and political consequences.

The World of Yesterday by Stefan Zweig (1964, Biography) Written as both a recollection of the past and a warning for future generations, The World of Yesterday recalls the golden age of literary Vienna—its seeming permanence, its promise, and its devastating fall.

Romania In Search of Dracula by Raymond T. McNally (History) Examines the fictional vampire who made Transylvania world-famous, and traces the history of the legend and its roots in the historical Transylvanian figures of Vlad Dracul and his son, Vlad the Impaler.

Red Horizons: Chronicles of a Communist Spy Chief by Ion Mihai Pacepa (1987, True Crime). A former member of the Securitate, the secret police of Communist Romania, Ion Mihai Pacepa reveals the corruption and oppression inherent in the Nicolae Ceausescu government, which ruled Romania from 1974 to the dictator’s execution in 1989.

Suggested Film & Video

Middle Europe The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014, Comedy/Mystery) This film was shot primarily in Saxony (Germany) and it takes place in the fictional Republic of Zubrowka, but it beautifully conjures a rich Mitteleuropa nostalgia and has an uproarious story-within-a-story format—plus a killer cast. Ralph Fiennes is the debonair concierge of a grand hotel who deftly contends with his quirky staff, wealthy guests, fascist agents, and the theft of a priceless artwork. Directed by Wes Anderson at his light-hearted (but always precise) best.

109 Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Czechoslovakia Ice Mother (2017, Comedy/Drama) Hana, a recent widow, has her spirit nearly crushed by her dysfunctional family, with whom she gathers every Saturday for the traditional dinner. Things get disrupted when she meets Brona, who welcomes her into his quirky club of cold-water swimmers, but warms things up in other ways.

Kolya (1996, Comedy/Drama) An Oscar winner for Best foreign Language Film. Kolya is an aging ladies man and professional cellist, after being flippant with Russian officials, he loses his orchestra position. To make money, he marries a Russian woman for pay so she can get her papers. But when the cellist is left with 5-year old son, he changes his tune.

Kafka (1991, Drama) Directed by Steven Soderbergh and starring Jeremy Irons as the legendary Czech writer Franz Kafka, this unconventional biopic blends events of the author’s life with fantasy scenes from his fiction. Segments of striking black-and-white cinematography add to the moody allure of 1920s Prague.

The Shop on Main Street (1965, Drama). The Oscar for Best Foreign Film of 1965 went to this story about a disillusioned carpenter, Tono, who is appointed the “Aryan controller” of a button shop owned by an old Jewish woman. By Nazi decree, Tono is the shop’s new owner, but the kind Mrs. Lautmann is so senile, she thinks he is just a nice helper. The two end up forging a delicate bond, but when a roundup of Jews begins, Tono must make a terrible moral choice.

Fireman’s Ball (1967, Comedy) Made just before the Prague Spring, this is the last film that the renowned Miloš Forman directed before going into exile in the US. A masterpiece of the Czech New Wave, this veiled critique of Soviet bureaucracy is wrapped in a comic tale about a retirement fete being hosted by some small town firemen. None of the actors were professionals— they were the actual firemen of Vrchlabí, a Czech village.

Anthropoid (2017, Drama) Based on the true story of Operation Anthropoid, an attempt by World War II Czech and Slovak partisans to assassinate Reinhard Heydrich, architect of the Final Solution and the so-called “Butcher of Prague.”

Hungary Son of Saul (2015, Documentary). Winner of the Cannes Grand Prix, Oscar, and Golden Globe awards, this film by László Nemes follows a day and a half in the life of Saul, a Hungarian inmate at Auschwitz forced to work as a Sonderkommando—a prisoner ordered to remove corpses from the gas chamber.

Mephisto (1981, Drama) This retelling of the Faust legend takes place in 1930s Germany, where amoral actor Hendrik Höfgen rapidly rises to become Germany’s most famous actor, and head of the State Theater, by currying favor with the Reich. Sharply observant, yet untroubled by scruples, Höfgen realizes that his best performance is the one that takes place off stage as he acts the role of a loyal Nazi. Buoyed by the electrifying performance of Klaus Maria Brandauer, this gem by István Szabó was the first Hungarian film to win an Academy Award for Best Foreign Film.

110 Germany Goodbye, Lenin! (2003, Comedy/Drama) A German boy named Alex pulls off an elaborate scheme to prevent his fragile mother, a dedicated socialist, from experiencing a fatal shock. When she awakens in 1990 after a long coma, Alex strives to keep the fall of the Berlin Wall, the collapse of Communism, and the reunification of Germany a secret.

Bridge of Spies (2015, Drama) Steven Spielberg directed this Cold War thriller based on a true story about a lawyer (Tom Hanks) who must negotiate a delicate prisoner exchange: Francis Gary Powers, a U.S. pilot whose U-2 spy plane was shot down by the Soviet Union in 1960—for captured KGB spy Rudolf Abel. The title refers to the Glienicke Bridge that connects Potsdam and Berlin, where the exchange took place.

Cabaret (1972, Musical/Drama) Directed by Bob Fosse, this movie has it all: a killer Broadway score, a perfect cast, Fosse’s sultry choreography, pointed social commentary, and an electrifying portait of lost souls struggling to survive in Weimar-era Berlin on the cusp of Nazism. It did not win Best Picture, but took eight other major categories including Best Actress (Liza Minelli), Best Supporting Actor (Joel Grey), and Best Director (Fosse).

Das Boot (1981, Adventure) One of the most authentic war films ever made Das Boot is a raw and compelling portrayal of a German Atlantic U-boat crew and captain as they struggle to survive during World War II.

The Lives of Others (2006, Drama) A drama that marked the feature film debut of German filmmaker Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck. Set in East Berlin in 1984, an agent of the secret police conducts surveillance on a writer and his lover. As the story unfolds, he finds himself becoming increasingly absorbed by their lives. As intoxicating as it is chilling, this film quietly depicts the secret world of German espionage. In German with subtitles.

The Marriage of Maria Braun (1978, Drama) A young German woman marries her true love, then loses him when he is sent to the Eastern Front and is presumed dead. When the war ends, Maria must fend for herself, becoming a prostitute and eventually using her wiles to establish a bourgeois existence. But things get complicated when her husband returns. This is an engrossing, dynamic and often funny allegory for the scrappy rise of postwar Germany.

Look Who’s Back (2015, Comedy) Can Germany escape the specter of Nazism? Not according to this biting satire, in which der Fuehrer magically reawakens in 2014 in the square where his bunker once stood. He is horrified to learn that the country is led by a woman, Poland is a free state, and the Fatherland is full of immigrants. An out of work filmmaker thinks this eccentric character is just a comic Hitler impersonator, and he builds a reality show about him. As Hitler becomes a media sensation, others are shown to share his ideas about the future of Germany. Filmed Borat-style, many scenes feature real people reacting to this putschy provocateur.

Immortal Beloved (1994, Drama) After the death of Ludwig van Beethoven (Gary Oldman), the life and loves of the great composer are revealed in flashbacks as his friend and executor tries to solve the mystery of an unmailed letter to a mysterious lover.

111 Schindler’s List (1993, Drama) Spielberg’s masterpiece about a callow industrialist, Oskar Schindler, whose life is transformed as he gradually, then unceasingly works to save his Jewish workforce during World War II.

The Reader (2008, Drama) Based on the bestselling novel by Bernard Schink, this compelling story is an allegory for Germany’s struggle to come to terms with its Holocaust guilt. It centers on the secret affair of a 15-year old West German teen and a mysterious woman who is 20 years his senior. Fast forward six years, when the young man is now a law student observing a war trial, and is shocked to realize that the defendant is his former lover. Kate Winslet won an Oscar for her nuanced portrayal of the tormented Hanna Schmidt.

Poland The Pianist (2002, Drama) Three Oscar wins for this unforgettable, harrowing and true story of Wadyslaw Szpillman, an up and coming classical pianist who hid and survived for five years in the ruins of the Warsaw Ghetto after his entire family was deported to Treblinka.

Man of Iron (1981, Drama) A dissolute journalist is sent to report on the Solidarity movement in the Gdansk shipyards, knowing that his information is being funneled to state police. But as he becomes involved in the lives of shipyard workers, activists, and their leader Lech Walesa, things change. From one of Poland’s premier auteurs, Andrzej Wadja.

Austria Before Sunrise (1995, Comedy/Drama) Two strangers meet on a rain and decide to get off in Vienna for just one evening. As they explore some of the city’s most evocative landmarks, their conversations go from wryly philosophical to deeply personal, before they must decide to go their separate ways. Stars Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke collaborated on writing the sparkling dialogue.

The Third Man (1949, Drama) Based on a Graham Greene story and starring Orson Welles, this smart and stylish thriller is considered a masterpiece of cinema. Its moody camerawork, striking shots of Viennese landmarks, and jangling zither score perfectly build and release the tension of Cold War Vienna.

Amadeus (1984, Drama) The pious Italian composer Antonio Salieri is obsessed with his rival, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, whom God has favored with divine talent and worldly success— despite Mozart’s immaturity and vulgarity. The Oscar winner for Best Picture, this epic from director Milos Forman is gorgeously filmed, and lifted by its pitch-perfect performances by F. Murray Abraham (as Salieri) and Tom Hulce (as Mozart.)

Museum Hours (2012, Drama) A lonely guard at Vienna’s Kunsthistorisches Art Museum befriends an enigmatic American visitor, who has been called here due to a family emergency. Through conversations sparked by the art they both admire, the two begin sharing their lives, and the life of Vienna.

112 The Woman in Gold (2015, Drama) Helen Mirren stars as Maria Altmann, an Austrian-Jewish Holocaust refugee who successfully sued the Austrian government for the return of a major artwork that was stolen from her family by the Nazis: Gustav Klimt’s Portrait of Adele Bauer-Bloch, who was her aunt. Based on a true story.

Romania The Death of Mr. Lazarescu (2005, Drama) In this Romanian dark comedy from director Cristi Puiu, a 63-year-old man with a history of excessive drinking starts to feel ill and calls an ambulance for help. Mr. Lazarescu continuously tries to get assistance as his health starts to deteriorate fast. This cynical medical drama reveals Mr. Lazarescu’s unpleasant journey from one hospital to the next.

12:08 East of Bucharest (2006, Drama) A glimpse of Eastern Europe after that Cold War is presented in this 2006 drama comedy. It’s been sixteen years since Communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu was overthrown, and one Romanian newsman wants to put the nation’s revolution on the air after the fact. This satirical gem from director Corneliu Porumboiu revolves around the idea of bringing ordinary citizen on air to discuss how their lives have changed post- Communist rule.

113 Useful Websites

Overseas Adventure Travel World Weather www.oattravel.com www.intellicast.com www.weather.com Overseas Adventure Travel Store www.wunderground.com www.oatshop.com Basic Travel Phrases (80 languages) Overseas Adventure Travel Frequently www.travlang.com/languages Asked Questions www.oattravel.com/faq Packing Tips www.travelite.org International Health Information/CDC (Centers for Disease Control) U.S. Customs & Border Protection http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel www.cbp.gov/travel

Electricity & Plugs Transportation Security www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/ Administration (TSA) plugs-and-sockets www.tsa.gov

Foreign Exchange Rates National Passport Information Center www.xe.com/currencyconverter www.travel.state.gov www.oanda.com/converter/classic Holidays Worldwide ATM Locators www.timeanddate.com/holidays www.mastercard.com/atm www.visa.com/atmlocator

114 VACCINATIONS NOW REQUIRED FOR ALL TRAVELERS, SHIP CREW, TRIP EXPERIENCE LEADERS, AND COACH DRIVERS Plus, updated Health & Safety Protocols for our Land Tours

The health and safety of our travelers is always our #1 priority, and we understand travelers are concerned about exploring the world in light of the unprecedented crisis we are currently facing. To ensure your safety and give you peace of mind, we have worked with our regional team and listened to government guidance and feedback from our travelers to create these health and safety protocols for our trips. As we continue to make changes, we will keep our website updated with the latest information.

VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS • All travelers, ship crew, and Trip Experience AND UPDATED HEALTH & SAFETY Leaders will have their temperature checked PROTOCOLS FOR SMALL SHIP every time they return to the ship using a non- ADVENTURES contact infrared temperature scanner. • All travelers must be fully vaccinated against • All meals are served by the dining staff— COVID-19 at least 14 days prior to departure buffets are no longer available. and provide proof of vaccination upon VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS AND boarding the ship. If you are unable to UPDATED HEALTH & SAFETY PROTOCOLS provide proof of vaccination upon arrival at FOR SMALL GROUP ADVENTURES ON LAND your destination, you will have to return • All travelers must be fully vaccinated against home at your own expense. COVID-19 at least 14 days prior to departure. If To meet this requirement, please bring your you are unable to provide proof of vaccination original COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card upon arrival at your destination, you will with you on your trip. The white card must have to return home at your own expense. display your name, type of vaccine, and the To meet this requirement, please bring your date(s) the vaccine was administered. We also original COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card with suggest taking a picture of this card to keep for you on your trip. The white card must display your records as a backup. your name, type of vaccine, and the date(s) • All local Trip Experience Leaders, the vaccine was administered. We also suggest fully ship staff, and crew will be taking a picture of this card to keep for your vaccinated against COVID-19. records as a backup. fully • All coach drivers will be • All local Trip Experience Leaders will be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. vaccinated against COVID-19. • All public areas will be sanitized nightly and • All coach drivers will be fully vaccinated all ships are equipped with High Efficiency against COVID-19. Particulate Air (HEPA) filters.

Help us ensure travelers’ safety and health while on our trips. Please follow best health and hygiene practices to prevent the spread of illness—wash your hands regularly and cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing. Together, we can create a safer travel experience for everyone.

Learn more at www.oattravel.com/covid-update

115 Notes

116 Notes

117 Notes

118 A e b

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To Prague REP. G Wittenberg CZECH

119 YOUR TRIP EXPERIENCE LEADER

Your O.A.T. Trip Experience Leader is an insider who lives in the destinations you are exploring. They are not just knowledgeable, but personable and personal—eager to understand your own interests, and happy to share their own. This makes all the diff erence between just visiting a place, and experiencing its true spirit.

For your Jewels of Bohemia: Czech Republic, Slovakia & Hungary adventure, your Trip Experience Leaders have earned an overall “Excellence” rating of 99% in post-trip surveys completed by our travelers.

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