Germany/Austria/Czech Republic/Slovakia/Hungary
Sailing the Danube River Through Central Europe
Program No. 23683RJ
Sail through time along the Danube River from Hungary to Slovakia, Austria, Germany and the Czech Republic to study their compelling political and cultural histories with local experts.
Enroll with Confidence
We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. Learn more
Protecting the Environment
We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more
11 days
10 nights
25 meals
9B 8L 8D
1
In Transit to Program
In Flight
4
Free time, History of Central Europe
Danube River
7
Melk Abbey
Danube River
At a Glance
Transport yourself back in time in Central Europe, where even the larger cities seem to be frozen in the medieval era, with cobbled streets and historic architecture. As you sail along the Danube River, journey through authentic Europe with local experts eager to show you the secrets of their cities. On explorations of Vienna’s music history, Budapest’s architectural history and Prague’s political history, delve deep into the past while experiencing these cities like a local. Then, learn about the cities’ modern developments to understand fully the progression of Central Europe and immerse yourself in these beautiful countries that seamlessly blend old traditions with contemporary culture.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Participants must be able to stand for two hours at a time and walk 2-4 miles per day.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Learn about classical music in Vienna during a lecture with the talented musicians from the Vienna Philharmonic.
- Delve deep into history as you explore Cesky Krumlov, a small medieval town and UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Czech Republic.
- Study the beautiful architecture of Prague at the Charles Bridge.
General Notes
Please note that on this program, Road Scholar has the entire ship welcoming a maximum of 90 Road Scholars which will be divided into smaller groups, each with their own Group Leader. The small groups may occasionally come together for lectures.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Hana Kundratova
Hana Kundratova was born in Ostrava, Czech Republic. She graduated with a degree in education from Charles University and then moved permanently to Prague. Having formerly worked as a teacher, Hana has been an educational group leader and program coordinator throughout the Czech Republic and its neighboring countries since 1992.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Hana Kundratova
View biography
Hana Kundratova was born in Ostrava, Czech Republic. She graduated with a degree in education from Charles University and then moved permanently to Prague. Having formerly worked as a teacher, Hana has been an educational group leader and program coordinator throughout the Czech Republic and its neighboring countries since 1992.
Markéta Hegarová
View biography
After graduating from high school, Marketa worked for a British travel agency, specializing in guest relations, transport and group travel. Following that, she worked for the American company Thermo King in Prague and also began working as a group leader herself. She has passed exams in the special areas of architecture, art and the history of the Czech Republic. When not leading travelers around her home country, Marketa enjoys reading, traveling and listening to music.
Lucie Vítková
View biography
Lucie Vitkova’s interest in foreign cultures and languages began at an early age. After high school, she moved to Germany as an au pair and studied German at the nearby University of Salzburg, Austria. Later, she earned a degree in travel and tourism management at the University of Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic. After graduating, she worked at an international company as an assistant to executives. In 2016, she returned to her original career and started to lead groups and individuals.
Suggested Reading List
(13 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Sailing the Danube River Through Central Europe
Program Number: 23683
A Time of Gifts
Fermor effortlessly interweaves anecdote, history and culture in this exuberant account of a walk from Holland, up the Rhine and down the Danube, through Germany, Prague and Austria in 1933. Written not in the moment, but 40 years later, the accumulation of time and experience gives the book particular poignancy.
Budapest 1900
Written by a distinguished historian and native son, this richly detailed portrait of the city at its zenith includes hundreds of illustrations.
Lonely Planet Central Europe
With dozens of maps, color photographs and sections on history and culture, this practical guide introduces Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Poland and their neighbors.
Vienna, A Traveler's Literary Companion
Organized by neighborhood, these 15 alluring tales introduce both the city and its writers, including Arthur Schnitzler, Robert Musil, Stefan Zweig and even Franz Kafka, who had a long and complicated association with the city.
Central Europe Map
This colorful regional European map, like the sister map Europe Grand Tour (EUR185), covers from Paris and Amsterdam to Vienna, Prague, Warsaw, Budapest, Rome and Dubrovnik.
A History of Slovakia, The Struggle for Survival
A historian from Bratislava traces his nation's roots from the first arrival on the Danubian Plain to Slovakia's declaration of independence in 1993. A particularly solid discussion of the Communist period and the nation's relationship with the Czechs and Hungary.
Prague, A Traveler's Literary Companion
This anthology of 24 vivid stories by Czech writers, both contemporary and well-known, brings the city, history, spirit and people to life.
The Danube, A Cultural History
Beattie gives a comprehensive overview of the Danube’s role as a vital shipping artery and a uniting thread through the region’s turbulent history.
Danube
Mixing history, personalities and literature, Magris traces the course of the Danube from its source in the heart of the Austro-Hungarian Empire through the Balkans to the Black Sea in this anything but conventional travelogue, first published in 1986.
Mozart, A Life
Challenging myths surrounding Mozart’s health, religion and relationships, biographer Paul Johnson shows the great composer’s lasting impact on the musical world with insight.
Prague, Capital of the Twentieth Century, A Surrealist History
A survey of Czech culture from 1918 to the end of WWII, a golden age of modernism. Sayer deploys his encyclopedic knowledge by focusing on small details in Czech art, design, architecture, literature and music, ultimately weaving these threads into a vivid tapestry.
A Nervous Splendor, Vienna 1888-1889
A portrait of Vienna at the end of the 19th century, this book focuses on Crown Prince Rudolph, his devastating suicide and the rich texture of gossip and daily life at the Habsburg Court.
The Radetzky March
Magnificently set against the backdrop of the twilight of the Habsburg Empire, Roth's family saga takes in the sweep of history and empire in Central Europe. The richly textured novel opens at the battle of Solferino, when young Lieutenant Trotta saves the life of the Emperor.