Overview
Our program brings you the best of both worlds: the consistency you rely on and the flexibility your group needs.
Introduce your students to the history, culture, art, and languages of central Europe on this journey through Berlin, Prague, Krakow, and Budapest. Your students will visit historic monuments including Brandenburg Gate, explore the vast collections of the Zwinger Museum in Dresden, and visit the powerful Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Itinerary
Day 1
Overnight flight to Germany (Berlin)
Day 2
Arrive in Berlin
Meet your Tour Director
Your 24-hour Tour Director will meet you at the airport and remain with your group until your final airport departure.
Berlin city walk
Explore Alexanderplatz, known to locals as “Alex,” once a cattle market and now Berlin’s bustling central square. Gaze up at the iconic TV Tower, built by East Germany to symbolize socialist pride. Nearby, admire the ornate Neptune Fountain and the striking red-brick Rotes Rathaus, Berlin’s historic town hall.
Day 3
Berlin guided sightseeing tour
Join a licensed guide to explore Berlin’s most iconic sites. Visit the Brandenburg Gate, once trapped in Cold War “no man’s land” and now a symbol of unity, and step into its Room of Silence to reflect on Germany’s past. Follow the route of the Berlin Wall, marked with crosses and wreaths honoring those who lost their lives. At Checkpoint Charlie, see the museum’s powerful exhibits on daring escape attempts, then continue to Potsdamer Platz, a modern hub rebuilt from the once-divided city center.
Topography of Terror visit
The Topography of Terror in Berlin is a museum and historical site that documents the crimes of the Nazi regime, particularly those committed by the Gestapo, SS, and Reich Security Main Office. It features exhibitions, educational programs, and preserved remnants like a section of the Berlin Wall to provide a deeper understanding of this period.
Optional
Berlin street art workshop (optional)
Explore Berlin’s vibrant streets on a guided tour and workshop, uncovering the graffiti and street art that define the city as an urban art capital. Local artists will share the history and cultural impact of street art while showcasing iconic works. Learn the unwritten rules of the craft, then express your creativity by spraying your own unique piece—though note that your artwork will remain on the wall as part of the city’s ever-evolving artistic landscape.
LEAP
LEAP Ich bin ein Berliner
Step into the lives of those impacted by the Berlin Wall through a group activity that brings history to life. Recite personal accounts, reflect on their experiences, and discuss the lasting repercussions to gain a deeper, more personal understanding of Germany’s past.
Day 4
Travel to Prague via Dresden
Stop in Dresden for a visit to the Baroque-style Zwinger Museum where Bavarian Princes once lived and collected master art works. The museum’s exterior, framed by statues of gods and goddesses, boasts 6 linked pavilions surrounding a vast esplanade embellished with pools and fountains. Tucked safely inside, you’ll find masterpieces such as Raphael’s Sistine Madonna and great works by Van Eyck, Vermeer and Veronese. The grand collection of Meissen (European porcelain) is a flattering ode to fine china.
Zwinger Museum visit
Explore the massive hallways and high-vaulted rooms of the grand Zwinger Palace in Dresden, which is considered a major landmark for German Baroque architecture. Housed inside this impressive building is a collection of artifacts documenting Dresden’s cultural heritage, including old master paintings and old scientific instruments.
Day 5
Prague guided sightseeing tour
Explore Prague with a guided tour of Old Town Square and its famous Astronomical Clock, where carved figures appear each hour. Walk across Charles Bridge with views of the Vltava and the city’s spires, then stop at the John Lennon Peace Wall. Finish at Prague Castle, a vast complex of courtyards and palaces that once housed the Habsburgs.
Prague city walk
Feel the inspiration behind Franz Kafka’s novels as you wander the medieval streets of Mala Strana. Continue into Josefov, the Jewish Quarter, to see Europe’s oldest synagogue, which dates back to 1270.
Day 6
Travel to Krakow
Krakow is one of Europe's most beautiful and historic cities, with its elegant Old Town and medieval market square, its vibrant old Jewish Quarter, and where cafes and bars sparkle amidst reminders of a more poignant past.
Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum guided visit
Auschwitz – hearing the name sends chills down your spine and sadness in your heart. The horrific Nazi death camp, located in southwest Poland, exterminated prisoners from 1940-1945. Now a museum and UNESCO World Heritage Site, Auschwitz is a reminder of the Jewish Holocaust – deaths of more than a million people; of violence, racism, anti-Semitism, and hatred. Since the liberation, Auschwitz has become an enduring symbol of the Holocaust. Several of the people that survived and were liberated became famous authors, writing of their unimaginable experiences there. These authors include Primo Levi, Elie Wiesel, and Viktor Frankl (who wrote Man’s Search for Meaning, and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize).
Day 7
Krakow guided sightseeing tour
Wawel Hill, Wawel Castle & Cathedral, Medieval Market Square, Cloth Hall, St. Mary's Basilica, Kazimierz Jewish Quarter
Optional
Wieliczka Salt Mine excursion (optional)
Today, you’ll visit the underground treasure of Poland, the Wieliczka Salt Mine. This site has been on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list for 35 years, and deservedly so—salt has been mined there since the 13th century. Your tour will unveil the intriguing changes in industrial practices throughout history as well as stunning artworks, chapels, and statues sculpted in salt.
Traditional Polish dinner
Day 8
Travel to Budapest via Bratislava
Bratislava city walk
Hlavne Namestie town square, Michael’s Gate, Cumil Statue
Day 9
Budapest guided sightseeing tour
Discover Budapest with a local guide, starting with a ride on the Castle Hill funicular to the Royal Palace in historic Buda. See the Hungarian Parliament lined with 90 statues, then visit Matthias Church, known for its vivid painted interior, before taking in sweeping views from Fisherman’s Bastion.
Optional
Szechenyi Thermal Baths visit (optional)
The Szechenyi Thermal Bath in Budapest is a Neo-Baroque complex built in 1913. It features 18 pools, including indoor and outdoor thermal pools fed by natural hot springs. The mineral-rich waters are renowned for their therapeutic properties, and the bath offers additional facilities such as saunas, steam rooms, and outdoor chess areas where locals often gather to play, making it a popular destination for relaxation and health treatments.
Goulash dinner
Day 10
Return home
Optional Extension
Add 2 Days in Vienna
Travel through the Hungarian countryside with a stop in the charming city of Győr on your way to Vienna. Enjoy a guided tour of the city’s most iconic landmarks, including Belvedere Palace, Hofburg Imperial Palace, the Vienna Opera House, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, and Schönbrunn Palace. In the evening, savor a traditional Wiener Schnitzel dinner before heading home.
TourFlex: Your Experience, Your Way
Explore Your Way
- Add experiences like theater tickets or unique excursions
- Swap activities for ones that better serve your group
- Extend the learning through go-aheads or stay-behinds
Go Your Way
- Choose the most accessible departure airport for your group
- Opt for 2-, 3-, or 4-star hotels that are centrally located or a convenient ride to major itinerary attractions
Dine Your Way
- Opt for pre-selected meals or encourage exploration by dining on your own
- Enjoy 2-3 course, culturally representative meals or opt for 3-course, authentic dinners at local restaurants
Already Included
WorldStrides Tour Director: A dynamic destination expert who makes learning come to life by leading your group's activities and discussions
Transportation to & from your destination
Hotel accommodations
Meals (unless otherwise noted on your itinerary)
Admissions to top attractions (details in itinerary)
Guided sightseeing tours & city walks (details in itinerary)
Tips for local guides and drivers
WorldAssist staff members available 24/7/365 should your group need extra help
Free high school credit for students who choose to complete WorldStrides free online coursework post-program
Professional development credits (CEUs) for educators
Scenes from Berlin, Prague, Krakow, and Budapest
Health & Safety
Additional health and safety measures may be available within your respective destination. Refer to your program-specific materials for complete details.
Financial Assistance
Financial Assistance
WorldStrides provides over $2.5 million in financial assistance each year to thousands of families. Families with annual adjusted gross incomes of less than $85,000 may qualify. One simple call to Customer Service and you’ll know how much may be available for your trip even before signing up. Please note: financial assistance is given on a first-come, first-served basis.
Payment Plans
Advantage Payment Plan
At program sign-up you can opt to pay in full, or break up the cost of your trip with the Advantage Payment Plan. This plan allows you to pay a small initial deposit, then have your remaining payments spread out into affordable monthly amounts.
EZPay
We offer an EZPay option, which is a simple way to pay for your WorldStrides program by scheduling hassle-free, automatic drafts from your checking account. With EZPay, you'll never be late or miss an installment.
Fundraising Tools
Our easy-to-use tools put students in the driver's seat of their own fundraising efforts. Students can send e-cards, share links on social media, and even send out printed letters through WorldStrides' Gift of Education program. In one click friends and family members can make a direct donation to the trip - with 100% of the money raised going to offset their trip price. Thousands of students pay for their entire trip each year through the Gift of Education.
Also, WorldStrides makes program-specific scholarships available as well as other scholarship resources. Ask your Account Manager for more information about scholarships and fundraising tools.