Travel on to Warsaw, Poland’s resilient and revitalized capital, for a two-day extension that adds powerful historical context to your journey. Begin with a guided sightseeing tour highlighting the Palace of Culture and Science, the former Warsaw Ghetto, the meticulously rebuilt Old Town, and the Royal Castle, symbols of the city’s past and present. On the following day, deepen your understanding of World War II history with visits to the Warsaw Uprising Museum and Pawiak Prison, offering a moving look at resistance, resilience, and remembrance before heading home.
Overview
Our program brings you the best of both worlds: the consistency you rely on and the flexibility your group needs.
Immerse your students in some of the most impactful moments in world history on this journey from Berlin to Kraków. Your group will explore the stirring collections of the Wannsee Museum and Topography of Terror, discover the infamous bombed city of Dresden, and take a peek behind the Iron Curtain on a guided tour of a nuclear bunker in Prague. Your students will also confront the lasting impact of the Holocaust at the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum.
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.
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
Jewish Museum visit
Located on the line that once separated East and West Germany, this stirring museum was built in the shape of a warped Star of David and focuses on the realities of Jewish life in Germany, from ancient times up to the horrors of the Holocaust.
Optional
Potsdam excursion (optional)
Discover Potsdam, once Germany’s “Little Hollywood” and the showpiece city of Frederick the Great. Admire Baroque castles, marble fountains, and pavilions like the Chinesisches Teehaus with its golden Buddha figures. Enjoy a guided visit of the Neues Palais, including the Grotto and Theater, stroll the gardens of Sanssouci Palace, and explore the Russian Colony for a glimpse into Potsdam’s unique cultural heritage.
Day 5
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.
Dresden city walk
Dresden, the capital of Saxony, sits along the River Elbe near the Czech border and is known for its rich cultural life. Visit the Frauenkirche, a Lutheran church destroyed in 1945 and later rebuilt as a symbol of reconciliation. See the Saxon State Chancellery, which reflects the city’s political history, and view the Fürstenzug, a massive porcelain mural depicting Saxon rulers. Together, these landmarks highlight Dresden’s recovery and its nickname, the “Florence of the Elbe.”
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
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 Castle visit
Explore the immense Prague Castle in the Hradčany Quarter, recognized by Guinness World Records as the largest ancient castle in the world. The castle complex showcases nearly every major architectural style of the past millennium and includes churches, a monastery, gardens, and multiple museums.
Cold War Museum visit
Explore a real underground bunker in the heart of Prague, once built to protect important officials during the Cold War. Filled with fascinating artifacts and stories, this hidden museum gives a glimpse into daily life and secret technology from a unique period in history.
Day 7
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.
Cesky Krumlov Castle visit
Ceský Krumlov Castle is one of the Czech Republic’s most remarkable landmarks, showcasing a blend of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture. Dating back to the 13th century, it features grand halls, ornate interiors, and one of Europe’s best-preserved Baroque theaters. Climb the Castle Tower for panoramic views of the town and Vltava River, and wander through courtyards and gardens that reveal centuries of history. While some sections close from November to March, highlights like the Castle Museum and Tower remain open.
Day 8
Kraków guided sightseeing tour
Largely untouched during World War II, Kraków offers a powerful setting to study European history, religion, and cultural continuity. At Wawel Hill, explore Wawel Castle and its cathedral to learn about Poland’s monarchy, political power, and the role of the Catholic Church. Walk through Rynek Główny, medieval Europe’s largest town square, and visit the Cloth Hall to understand trade, daily life, and urban design in the Middle Ages. Inside St. Mary’s Basilica, examine Gothic art and religious symbolism. In the Kazimierz Jewish Quarter, study Jewish history, culture, and resilience, deepening conversations around identity, tolerance, and 20th-century European history.
Day 9
Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum guided visit
Explore Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau on a guided visit to one of the most important historical sites of the 20th century. At Auschwitz I, examine original buildings and permanent exhibitions that document life and persecution within the camp. Continue to Birkenau to see the prisoner barracks, unloading ramp, and the ruins of gas chambers and crematoria. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Auschwitz stands as a memorial to the more than one million people murdered here and provides essential context for understanding the Holocaust, the consequences of hatred, and the importance of remembrance.
Day 10
Return home
Optional Extension
Add 2 Days in Warsaw
TourFlex: Your Experience, Your Way
With TourFlex, available for tours departing in October 2027 or later, you get the flexibility to shape an itinerary that's as unique as your group. Dial your trip up or down for more choice, more control, and more meaningful learning moments, all while getting the right experience at the right value.
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)
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
Field Research Guide (Discovery Journal)
Scenes from Central Europe
Health & Safety
WorldStrides has been tackling the unprecedented for the last 55 years. Our experienced team is leading the way, constantly evolving to meet the ever-changing landscape for student travel. In addition, we have an extensive network in place to ensure the health and safety of all our participants.
Doctors on Call
An exclusive relationship with the George Washington University Medical Faculty Associates that grants our travelers 24/7 access to medical care through telehealth consultations.
Name Badges
WorldStrides-branded lanyards provide clear identification and easy access to our WorldAssist phone number, should your student need help.
AXA Mental Health Services
For added peace-of-mind, all travelers have confidential access to a behavioral health care specialist while on tour should the need arise.
WorldAssist
WorldStrides staff members available 24/7/365 should your group need extra help.
Accident & Medical Insurance
For added protection, all travelers are automatically covered under WorldStrides' industry best accident, illness, and accident-related dental insurance.
24-Hour Tour Director
This 24-hour Tour Director be with your students at all times, leading them through the incredible destinations included in your program.
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.