Day 1: Arrival in Prague

• Airport pick-up + hotel check-in

• Welcome dinner + orientation: "What is Central Europe?" discussion

Day 2: Prague - City of Kings and Revolutions

• Prague Castle + St. Vitus Cathedral + Golden Lane (medieval focus)

• Lunch in Old Town + Astronomical Clock

• Wenceslas Square + Velvet Revolution sites (modern history)

• Evening: Discussion on "Freedom and Resistance"

Day 3: Prague to Vienna

• Morning train or bus transfer to Vienna

• Stop at Lidice Memorial en route (WWII context)

• Arrival and short orientation walk through Vienna city center

• Dinner in local Austrian restaurant

Day 4: Vienna - Imperial Power & People

• Schönbrunn Palace + gardens tour

• Hofburg Palace walk (optional museum entry)

• Visit to House of Austrian History or Jewish Museum

• Evening: Talk or group reflection: "Power, Privilege & Protest"

Day 5: Vienna to Budapest (via Danube Boat or Scenic Route)

• Morning: Travel to Budapest (possible boat ride on the Danube or scenic train)

• Stop in Esztergom or Bratislava (optional short city break)

• Arrival + dinner in Budapest + short evening walk

Day 6: Budapest - Past & Present

• Buda Castle + Matthias Church + Fisherman’s Bastion (medieval)

• Parliament + Liberty Square + 1956 Memorial (modern)

• Visit: House of Terror (Communist and Nazi regime museum)

• Afternoon fun activity: Budapest Zoo or Thermal Baths (Szechenyi)

• Optional: River cruise on Danube at sunset

Day 7: Departure

• Group breakfast + airport transfers

Itinerary:

Three Capitals, One Story: Exploring Central Europe from the Middle Ages to Modern Times

Program Duration:

7 days / 6 nights (with arrival and departure days included)

Included Educational Elements:

• Daily reflection prompts or journal entries

• 2 guided evening discussions (Days 2 and 4)

• Optional light scavenger hunt or student-led presentations

Accommodation:

• Student-friendly, safe hotels or guesthouses in city centers

Meals:

• Daily breakfast

• 4–5 group lunches or dinners (traditional/local focus)

Optional Add-ons:

• Castle overnight stay in Moravia or Slovakia en route

• Local school visit or youth meeting (for cultural exchange)

• Professional workshop or speaker (journalist, activist, historian)

Program Strengths:

• Covers 3 major Central European capitals in one compact, meaningful trip

• Offers a balance of history, fun, reflection, and cultural immersion

• Aligns with U.S. school interest in European history and civics

• Easy to adapt for middle school, high school, or college-level learners