with Michael LaLiberte | April 2015 | 9 days
Day 1 Day 3
Board your overnight flight to Berlin! Guided Sightseeing of Berlin Ride past the Kaiser Wilhelm Gedächtniskirche (left Day 2 unrestored as a reminder of the ravages of war) and
down the glittery Kurfürstendamm, Berlin’s liveliest Arrive in Berlin street. Pass the Rathaus Schöneberg, where 1,500,000 West Berliners flocked to hear President Arrive in historic Berlin, once again the German Kennedy’s famous “Ich bin ein Berliner” speech in capital. For many years the city was defined by the 1963. On your way to the Eastern sector, pass the wall that separated its residents. Since the Reichstag, former seat of the parliaments of the monumental events that ended Communist rule in German Empire and the Weimar Republic. Arrive at the East, Berlin has once again emerged as a the Brandenburg Gate, once the symbol of the treasure of arts and architecture with a vibrant heart. undeclared Cold War, and now the symbol of a
reunited Berlin. It was at this gate that the famous Walking Tour of Berlin (time permitting) images of East and West Berliners dancing atop the Stroll among the cafés, restaurants and embassies crumbling Berlin Wall were filmed and broadcast of the elegant, tree-lined Unter den Linden, around the world. As you see where the Berlin Wall sometimes known as the Champs-Élysées of Berlin. actually stood, imagine the bleak watchtowers and Your tour director shows you the city’s most famous piercing spotlights that guarded “the border” until sites as you continue to the Reichstag, Germany’s November 1989. Journey down Unter den Linden, Parliament. The building, constructed in the late 19th once considered one of the world’s most elegant century, was the seat of the Weimar Republic boulevards. government until it was seized by the Nazis in 1933. Sir Norman Foster’s glass dome, added to the top of Visit the Checkpoint Charlie Museum the Reichstag between 1995 and 1999, is now one On the site where Checkpoint Charlie once guarded of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. the border between East and West Germany, you’ll
visit a museum devoted to the era of the Berlin Wall. Inspect the “escape cars” once used to cross the border. See if you can find the secret compartment where escapees hid. Then view a photo exhibit that evocatively portrays the 30-year separation of East and West Germany, reunified in 1989.
Group Leader-Arranged Activities Today your Group Leader will arrange for a visit to your sister school in Berlin.
Overnight in Berlin
Visit the Reichstag (time permitting) Day 4 The German Bundestag is elected by the German people and is the forum where differing opinions about the policies the country are formulated and Transfer to Prague via Dresden discussed. The most important tasks performed by On your way to Prague, stop in Dresden, and allow the Bundestag are the legislative process and the your Tour Director to give you an introductory parliamentary scrutiny of the government and its walking tour of this beautiful German city. Pass the work. Today you will learn more about the German renovated Semper Opera House, Zwinger Palace, government on a guided tour of the Reichstag and a statue of Martin Luther. You’ll also see the building. You will see the functions, working magnificent Grünes Gewölbe (Green Vault), where methods and composition of Parliament, as well as the Saxon crown jewels and priceless coins are kept. the history and architecture of the Reichstag Dresden, largely destroyed at the end of World War Building. Afterwards you will have an opportunity to II, offers a prime example of the rebuilt German visit the dome. success of the late 20th century.
Overnight in Berlin Arrive in Prague War II. Today Josefov stands in loving memory of Encounter the legendary beauty of Prague, former Judaism in Central Europe. You will visit the unique capital of the Holy Roman Empire. Dubbed the City of Old Jewish Cemetery, the Jewish Museum and the One Hundred Spires, the city boasts an enchanting Old-New Synagogue and the Spanish Synagogue. mix of diverse architecture, Bohemian culture, and storied history. Despite many recent changes, the Free Afternoon in Prague undeniable charm of centuries past still permeates Enjoy free time to discover the wonders of Prague. from the cobblestone streets and countless gothic Because of the compactness of the city, you may spires piercing the skies. wander from the city’s castle district, across a medieval bridge, and drink a leisurely coffee on Overnight in Prague Wenceslas Square (Vaclavske Namesti) in under half an hour. Consider a visit to the birthplace of Franz Day 5 Kafka, the National Gallery, or the Jewish Museum.
Wander through the elegant Wallenstein Gardens or browse for locally made crystal and glassware. Guided Sightseeing of Prague Your tour begins at the celebrated Prague Castle (Hradcany). In the castle’s courtyard, you’ll visit the magnificent St. Vitus Cathedral, which took over 600 years to complete. On the nearby Golden Lane, royal alchemists once labored (unsuccessfully) to turn lead into gold. More recently, on the same street, Franz Kafka turned his angst into some of the century’s finest fiction. You’ll also stroll through the quaint, cobbled streets of the Mala Strana, the backdrop for Milos Forman’s Amadeus . Cross the Charles Bridge, adorned with 30 beautiful baroque statues, to the 13th-century Old Town (Stare Mesto). Here you’ll see Market Square, famous for its 15th-century astronomical clock. You’ll also wander through Josefov, the traditional Jewish Quarter, home to the Jazz River Cruise oldest synagogue in Europe (built in 1270). Join an evening of jazz as you cruise down the Vltava River and admire Prague at night. Guided Excursion to Theresienstadt Travel to the fortress town of Terezín, or Overnight in Prague Theresienstadt. During World War II, the entire population was evacuated and this quaint medieval Day 7 town was used as a concentration camp for some 140,000 Jewish detainees. Theresienstadt was Transfer to Vienna twice beautified for visits by the Red Cross, who Vienna has long played a central role in the changing were wholly fooled by the town’s true purpose. Visit face of Europe and has adapted many times to war, the Ghetto museum, which displays artifacts and revolution, siege and the rise and fall of empire. The artwork by the Theresienstadt’s prisoners, and capital of Austria is also home to a strong music documentary films depicting this dark chapter in the tradition as well as buildings of imposing elegance town’s history. and beauty.
Overnight in Prague Walking Tour of Vienna Your Tour Director accompanies you on a stroll Day 6 through Vienna’s pedestrian zone. Pass the city’s world-famous Opera House and the 450-foot-high Guided Sightseeing of Prague’s Jewish Gothic St. Stephan’s Cathedral, a venerable symbol Quarter of the city. You’ll also see the Sacher Hotel-the A local guide will lead you on a stroll through esteemed chocolate Sachertorte was invented here. Josefov, Prague’s Jewish Quarter. For centuries Jews were forced to live separately in Josefov and Overnight in Vienna were then purged under Nazi occupation in World Day 8 palace’s beautifully landscaped gardens to see the
wonderful Neptune fountain, built in the late 18th century. Guided Sightseeing of Vienna
The residence of the imperial court for six centuries, Vienna is marked with the seal of the Habsburgs, a Free Time in Vienna family who once ruled over half of Europe. Your Enjoy today to explore Vienna on your own. You sightseeing tour takes you down the Ring, a series of might enjoy an excursion to the Hofburg Palace to wide boulevards commissioned by Emperor Franz admire its stately courtyards and ornate gardens, or Josef in 1857. Ride past the Parliament, the flower- visit the famous State Opera House. Otherwise, you adorned Rathaus (Town Hall), and the Hofburg, might choose to visit the city’s fine museums and where the powerful Habsburg dynasty ruled until churches, or spend your time in one of Vienna’s 1918. many cafés sampling the local delicacies.
Wiener Schnitzel Dinner Tonight, enjoy the authentic Austrian dish of wiener schnitzel , made with boneless meat thinned with a mallet (escalope-style preparation), coated in bread crumbs and fried.
Overnight in Vienna
Day 9
Transfer to the Airport for Your Return Flight Your tour director assists with your transfer to the Visit Schönbrunn Palace airport, where you’ll check in for your return flight Visit beautiful Schönbrunn Palace, where Marie- home. Antoinette spent her childhood. Here the six-year-old Mozart played for the empress inside the palace. Itinerary is subject to change After viewing the elegant interior, stroll through the
For complete financial and registration details, please refer to the Booking Conditions at www.eftours.com/bc .
Tour Highlights and Details
Overnight stays: Berlin (2 ) Prague (3 ) Vienna (2 )
Sightseeing tours led by an expert, licensed local guide of the following: Berlin Prague Theresienstadt Prague’s Jewish Quarter Vienna
Entrances included to the following sites: Reichstag Checkpoint Charlie Museum Golden Lane St. Vitus Cathedral Theresienstadt Jewish Museum, Cemetery & Spanish Synagogue Old-New Synagogue Jazz River Cruise Schönbrunn Palace
Included in the Program Price: Not included in the Program Price: • Non-refundable $95 deposit • Optional excursions • Round-trip airfare • Insurance coverage • Accommodations in clean, safe hotels • Beverages and lunches with private bathrooms • Transportation to free-time activities • A Tour Director available 24 hours-a- • Customary gratuities (for your Tour day from when you arrive until you Director, bus driver and local guide) depart (unless otherwise noted) • Porterage • Breakfast and dinner daily • Adult supplement (if applicable) • Sightseeing tours and excursions led by • Weekend supplement licensed local guides as specified • Shore excursions on cruises • Airport transfers and transportation • Any applicable baggage-handling fees between destination cities imposed by the airlines (see • Transportation to all included activities eftours.com/baggage for details) • Entrances fees and tickets as specified • Expenses caused by airline • EF walking tours and Tour Director-led rescheduling, cancellations or delays sightseeing as specified caused by the airlines, bad weather or • Cruises, trains or ferries as specified events beyond EF’s control • Support from EF representatives abroad • Passport, visa and reciprocity fees • 24-hour worldwide emergency service