LADISLAS CIECHANOWSKI

Ladislas Ciechanowski studied history and international politics at the Fondation Nationale des Sciences Politiques in Paris and at Oxford. He has traveled extensively through eastern Europe, including Russia, the Baltic States, the Czech Republic, and Hungary. He has been leading trips to this region for many years and has guided numerous prominent Americans on their explorations here. His linguistic gifts (he is fluent in five languages), informed pan-European outlook, and expertise in the region make him an ideal traveling companion.

Days 1 and 2 New York/St. Petersburg, Russia
Depart on an overnight flight, arriving in St. Petersburg in the early afternoon. Gather tonight for a welcome dinner at our hotel.
Hotel Angleterre (D)

Day 3 St. Petersburg
This morning, take a specially arranged before-hours tour of the Hermitage Museum. After lunch, visit the Church of Our Savior on Spilled Blood, built on the site where Alexander II was assassinated in 1881, and the Peter and Paul Fortress, founded in 1703 to protect the city against the Swedes. This evening, dine on your own in one of the city’s fine restaurants.
(B,L)

Day 4 St. Petersburg
This morning, explore St. Isaac’s Cathedral, whose dome is covered with more than 220 pounds of pure gold leaf. Afterward, visit the Russian Museum, which contains one of the world’s greatest collections of Russian art. This afternoon, explore more of the city on your own, or take a guided tour of the opulent Yusupov Palace, where the “mad monk” Rasputin was poisoned in 1916. Later, enjoy a private visit to the Palace of Grand Duke Vladimir, and attend a concert in the Music Room, followed by dinner in one of the city’s fine restaurants.
(B,D)

Day 5 St. Petersburg/Prague, Czech Republic
This morning, transfer to the airport for our flight to Prague. After lunch in a local restaurant, depart on a walking tour through the Old Town Square to see the Astronomical Clock and the Municipal House. Then enjoy a private behind-the-scenes visit to the Estates Theatre concert hall (including a short recital) where Mozart first presented Don Giovanni in 1787(subject to rehearsal schedules).
Hotel Palace Praha (B,L,D)

Day 6 Prague
This morning visit the Strahov Monastery, and enjoy a private concert in the magnificent main hall. Later, visit the graceful Loreto Church and Prague Castle, a wonderful complex of buildings that has evolved over the last 1,000 years. Enjoy lunch at the Golden Pear restaurant and later, descend from the castle area by tram. The remainder of the afternoon is free for exploring Prague on your own. This evening we are joined by Dr. Barta, a local historian, who will describe the events in recent Czech history from World War II through the Communist period, the Velvet Revolution, and the secession of Slovakia to European Union membership.
(B,L)

Day 7 Prague
This morning explore Josefov, the city’s Jewish Quarter, which remained a walled ghetto until 1848. See the birthplace of Franz Kafka and visit the State Jewish Museum and Old Jewish Cemetery; the Pinkas Synagogue, now a memorial to the 77,000 Bohemian and Moravian Jews murdered by the Nazis; and the Old-New Synagogue, Europe’s oldest active synagogue. After lunch, there is free time to explore Prague on your own.
(B,L)

Day 8 Prague/Budapest, Hungary
This morning, travel to Bratislava, Slovakia’s capital city. After a brief tour of the city, enjoy lunch in a local restaurant. Continue on to Budapest, and take a walking tour of the Castle Hill district and visit the Matthias Church and the neo-Romanesque Fishermen’s Bastion. Later, check into our hotel, with views of the Chain Bridge and the Castle Hill.
Hotel InterContinental (B,L)

Day 9 Budapest
This morning, explore the lower city of Pest, beginning with a walking tour of the pedestrian area around Vörösmarty Square and Váci Utca, the main shopping thoroughfare. Stop for coffee at the elegant Gerbeaud café and conclude with a lunch of Hungarian specialties. This afternoon visit the fine late 19th-century Parliament Building to view the Crown Jewels. Later, visit Heroes Square where we view the Millennial Monument and the Museum of Fine Arts, the repository of the nation’s finest art collection that includes an impressive collection of Dutch, Spanish, and Flemish Old Masters.
(B,L)

Day 10 Budapest/Szentendre and Fót/Budapest
This morning drive north to the beautiful baroque village of Szentendre, a center for artists and handicrafts, on the banks of the Danube River. Here, enjoy a visit to the Margit Kovác’s Museum, which displays many fine works by the renowned Budapest artist. After some free time to explore this charming village independently, drive to Fót Castle to enjoy lunch as guests of Count and Countess Karolyi, and hear them recount tales of their extraordinary adventures and changing fortunes. This afternoon, drive south to visit Statue Park, just outside Budapest. After the change of the political system in 1989, the statues of Lenin, Marx, Engels, Dimitrov, and Ostapenko, among others, were removed from Budapest’s streets and put on display at this fascinating open-air museum. Later, depart on a private cruise on the Danube, followed by dinner at one of the city’s finest restaurants with a lively Hungarian folklore performance.
(B,L,D)

Day 11 Budapest/New York
This morning transfer to the airport for your flight to New York.
(B)

Vienna
June 5-8; June 19-22; September 18-21, 2006

Day 1 Budapest/Vienna, Austria
Meet your local guide in the lobby of the Hotel InterContinental for your transfer to the International Ferry Pier. Here you will board a hydrofoil for Vienna traveling along the Danube.

Upon arrival in Vienna this afternoon, you will be met at the pier by a local guide and transferred to the Grand Hotel Wien situated in the very heart of the city on the magnificent Ringstrasse, only a few steps away from the Opera House.
Grand Hotel Wien (B)

Day 2 Vienna
This morning meet your local guide for a walking tour of the Imperial District. You will see the Hofburg complex, the residence of the Habsburg family who ruled the Austro-Hungarian Empire until 1918, and visit the magnificent Gothic St Stephen’s Cathedral whose soaring structure enshrines the heart of the city.

Enjoy lunch at Griechenbeisl, which was established in 1540 and remains one of the city's most popular historic restaurants, where the food is Gutbürgerlich—hearty, ample home cooking. In the restaurant, you can view the signatures of patrons like Mozart, Beethoven, and Mark Twain.
(B,L)

Day 3 Vienna
Accompanied by your local guide, start your full day tour with a visit to the Schönbrunn Palace. This summer residence of the Habsburgs, with over 1,400 rooms, includes the ‘Hall of Mirrors’ in which Mozart performed for the Empress Maria Theresa when he was only six years old. Also walk through the extensive formal gardens and stop in the Carriage Museum.

Enjoy lunch at the elegant Café-Restaurant Residenz, offering wonderful pastries, located in the palace grounds. Following lunch return to the city center to visit the Hofburg Treasury, which contains the imperial crown of the Holy Roman Empire and the 15th century Burgundian Treasure.

This afternoon’s tour will conclude with a visit to the Kunsthistorisches Museum (Museum of Fine Arts), which contains one of the most important art collections of Old Masters in the world. Here you can admire paintings by Rubens, Rembrandt, Vermeer, Dürer, Raphael, Titian, Velazquez, and the world’s most comprehensive collection of works by Bruegel.
(B,L)

Day 4 Vienna/Home
This morning you will be transferred to the airport for your departure flight home.
(B)

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