September 26 - October 9, 2018

Transcription

1 World Heritage of Central Europe Poland - Czech Republic - Slovakia September 26 - October 9, 2018 Dear Travelers: We invite you to explore the rich heritage of Central Europe, including Poland, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia, with local expert Dr. Chrisopher Skutela, this fall! Magnificent castles, stunning river gorges, and cosmopolitan cities await you! Our journey will begin in Warsaw, the capital of Poland. Today the city is vibrant and dynamic, with more than a quarter of its area occupied by parks. We ll visit Marie Curie s home in New Town, and also the UNESCO World Heritage Old Town, including the Royal Road and Royal Castle. We ll then travel south to Krakow to marvel at Ojcow National Park en route to the Eagles Nests castles, perched on limestone cliffs. In Krakow, we ll find the legendary den of the dragon at Wawel Castle, and visit one of Europe s largest market squares. We ll visit the thriving Jewish Quarter and the Auschwitz-Birkenau memorial the next day. Near Zakopane, we ll float leisurely through the Dunajec Gorge on traditional rafts that will give you a unique perspective of the stunning countryside. We ll enjoy a Highlander feast, sampling traditional food and entertainment of the Goral people of Southern Poland. We ll also explore the awe-inspiring Tatra Mountains by cable car to the top of Kasprowy Wierch. In Slovakia we ll see the majestic Orava Castle and historic Bratislava on the Danube River. We ll marvel at the geologically magnificent Punkva Cave and Macocha Gorge in the Czech Republic, a wonderland of stalagmites & stalactites. Our journey concludes in Prague, the very heart of Europe. We ll stroll along the Charles Bridge and delight in the charms of this world-renowned city. Please join us for a very special look at Central Europe with a superb leader. We hope you will join us! Best Regards, Margaret M. Betchart President, Betchart Expeditions Inc. for AAAS, Sigma Xi, ACS & the Planetary Society

2 LEADERSHIP Leading the expedition for Betchart Expeditions will be Dr. Christopher Skutela. Christopher holds a PhD in Tourism Sciences and has been leading trips throughout Europe for the past 14 years. A poet, philosopher, and translator based in Krakow, Christopher has a deep passion for the cultural, historical, and geographical wonders of Central Europe. We are pleased to add this program with Christopher to our European offerings, including trips to explore Tuscany, Wild France, and Spain with Mark Walters and the Aegean, Peloponnese, and Northern Greece with Dr Ken Sheedy. Christopher looks forward to sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm about this unique region with you! POLAND & CENTRAL EUROPE POLAND Warsaw GERMANY Prague CZECH REPUBLIC Český Krumlov AUSTRIA Moravsky Kras caves Brno Częstochowa Auschwitz- Birkenau Oravský Podzámok Ojcow National Park Vistula River Dunajec Gorge Krakow Zakopane Kasprowy Wierch SLOVAKIA Bratislava HUNGARY UKRAINE ITINERARY Days 1/2 New York to Warsaw Depart New York or other US gateway city for Warsaw, Poland, arriving the morning of Day 2. Transfer to hotel (2 nights) Enjoy a welcome dinner with the group. Day 3 Warsaw Old Town World Heritage Site Today we ll explore Warsaw, a city which has risen like a phoenix from the ashes of World War II. Originally established in the 13th century as a seat of power, the city has continuously been pushed and pulled from prominence. In the 18th century, it flourished, with great palaces and churches. During World War II, the city and nearly all of its monuments were destroyed. Today, the mighty landmarks are once again standing tall. Our route will take us to the Royal Castle. In 1939, under intense peril from the German army, the castle staff emptied the museum of artwork, as well as architectural pieces, such as the wood paneling, parquet floors, and stucco-pieces. It was then dynamited, but the pieces that were saved helped immensely in its reconstruction. The castle and Old Town have been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. From the Royal Castle, we ll wander through the Old Town and admire its lovely bustling square, surrounded by colorful tall buildings. We ll also visit New Town, and the home of Marie Curie. New Town is just a bit younger than Old Town, established also in the 13th century, but was the first area developed outside Warsaw s protected walls. Further out from New Town, we ll also see the Russian Wedding Cake -- the Palace of Culture and Science-- the tallest building in Poland, which was built as a gift from Russia to Poland in Our day in Warsaw will conclude with a visit to the former Jewish Ghetto, the forced home of over 450,000 Jewish residents, with impressive stories of courage and resilience. Day 4 Warsaw to Krakow We ll head toward the beautiful city of Krakow this morning. We ll stop at the famous Black Madonna shrine, a bejeweled icon revered for centuries. As we get closer to Krakow, we ll marvel at medieval castles perched on limestone cliffs in Ojcow National Park. Afternoon at leisure in Krakow. Day 5 Krakow & Wieliczka World Heritage Sites This morning we will delve into the fascinating history of Krakow and explore Krakow s great landmark, Wawel Castle. It sits above Old Town, filled with secrets and legends. The most famous tale is of

3 the Wawel Dragon, a many-headed creature that lived in a cave at the base of the castle. The dragon was slayed after a terrifying reign by Krakus. We will see the dragon s den as we tour the castle, and admire the fire-breathing sculpture that has been installed to guard the den. Following along the Royal Road, we ll visit one of Europe s largest market squares, Rynek Glówny, which has been buzzing with activity since the 13th century. We ll see Kazimierz, the restored Jewish Quarter, which is now having a renaissance of its own. After lunch, we ll head to the unique Wieliczka Salt Mine. The salt mine has been in use for 900 years, and is now on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Surprisingly, the salt mines are filled with hundreds of works of art, including statues and grand chapels, all created by the miners, and completely made of salt. The result is a whimsical and thought-provoking experience. Day 6 Auschwitz Birkenau World Heritage Site and Schindler s Factory Today we ll visit the tragic, historical site of Auschwitz-Birkenau. The museum is a comprehensive memorial to those who were executed or imprisoned in these concentration camps, which operated from 1940 to the fall of the Third Reich in After our tour, we ll head back to Krakow to explore Oskar Schindler s factory, now a world-class museum. The exhibits focus on Krakow during the Nazi occupation and include historical documents, photographs, recordings, and artifacts. Day 7 Krakow to Zakopane This morning we ll say goodbye to Krakow and travel through the spectacular countryside of southern Poland. We will board a traditional wooden raft on the Dunajec River, for a leisurely float through a stunning gorge. The raftsmen have had their profession passed down from father to son for generations, and may even tell us folk tales as we float through the verdant canyon. We ll then make our way to Zakopane, at the foot of the Tatra Mountains. Although Zakopane is a quintessential ski town, it buzzes with activity yearround. We ll walk through the main promenade, Krupowski Street, which is remarkable for its distinctive wooden architecture. We ll discover the artistic cemetery, in which notable Polish heroes lie, including poets, musicians, and resistance-fighters, as well as the mastermind behind the unique Zakopane architecture, Stanislaw Witkiewicz. The cemetery is striking due to the fanciful grave markers that adorn the plots. In the evening enjoy a Highlander feast, a chance to sample southern Poland s hospitality and delicacies. Day 8 Zakopane & Tatra Mountains Today we ll board a modern cable car and zoom to the top of Kasprowy Wierch, 6,500 feet above sea level. The views from the peak and the ride up and down the mountain are outstanding! Marvel at the dwarf-pinecovered valleys below, and take a short hike to the meteorological observatory, which is the highest building in Poland.

4 Warm up with a cup of coffee or tea at the restaurant on the mountain top, and savor the beautiful views. Day 9 Zakopane to Bratislava, Slovakia This morning we ll head across the border to Slovakia, passing first through the village of Chocholow, a preserved outdoor museum filled with intricate wooden homes built by the Góral highlanders. Once we reach Slovakia, we ll explore the spectacular Orava Castle, built in the 13th century and famously filmed as a standin for Dracula s Castle in the 1922 classic film, Nosferatu. The castle sits perched high on a limestone cliff and is one of the most beautiful and largest castles in Slovakia. We ll end our day in Slovakia s capital - Bratislava, an invigorating city on the banks of the Danube River. Day 10 Bratislava to Brno, Czech Republic Today we ll take a morning walking tour of Old Town Bratislava, a charming pedestrian-only area filled with quaint cafes and the stunning Primatial Palace. We ll then continue on to Brno in the Czech Republic. We ll explore Moravian Karst, a protected geological region which contains more than 1,100 caverns and gorges, including Punkva Cave and Macocha Gorge, two of the most significant geological formations in central Europe. We ll marvel at the giant stalactite column that greets visitors at the entrance of the cavern, and then view Mirror Lake, which perfectly reflects the cavern ceiling above. Deeper inside the cave we ll board a boat to float along the Punkva River which runs underground through the cave system. We ll pass through narrow caverns and still lakes, and be awed by the stalagmites and stalactites that surround us. This afternoon we ll have a walking tour of Brno, the second largest city in the Czech Republic. Day 11 Cesky Krumlov World Heritage Site & Prague We ll depart Brno this morning for Cesky Krumlov, a UNESCO World Heritage site. A wonderful example of a European medieval village. The town is centered around a large castle complex, whose Baroque theater still functions today for occasional performances. In the afternoon, we ll continue on to the very heart of Europe - Prague! Day 12 Prague World Heritage Site Today we will explore Prague. Both reverently ancient and cosmopolitan, Prague is a city of contradictions and wonders. We ll walk along the pedestrian-only, dazzling Charles Bridge and be

5 entranced by its beautiful architecture and baroque statues. In the Old Town, the Astronomical Clock, with its symbolic figures and steady rotation of apostles has been marking time since We ll visit Prague Castle, an immense complex and home of the current Czech Republic president. We ll explore the famous Jewish Quarter, home of Franz Kafka (where a surreal statue has been erected in his memory), and see the best preserved pre-world War II Jewish district in all of Europe. Day 13 Kutna Hora World Heritage Site & Prague Today we ll venture to Kutna Hora, about 45 miles outside of Prague. The town center itself is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, and contains the awe inspiring Gothic St. Barbara Cathedral, as well as remnants of the royal silver mines that led to the town s prosperity. We ll visit the Ossuary, an eerie chapel dating from the 13th century, filled with intricate sculptures made from the bones of as many as 40,000 people. In the evening, enjoy a festive farewell dinner in Prague! Day 14 Prague to New York Transfer to the Prague Airport for flights home. RESPONSIBILITY Betchart Expeditions Inc., the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society, the American Chemical Society (ACS), and The Planetary Society act only as agents for the passenger with respect to transpor tation and hotels, and exercise every care possible. However, we can assume no liability for injury, damage, delay, loss, accident or irregularity in connection with the services of any airplane, ship, motor coach, or any other conveyance used in carrying out the arrangements of the tour. We cannot accept any responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delay or changes in air or other services, sickness, weather, strike, war, quarantine, terrorism, acts of God, or other causes beyond our control. All such losses or expenses will have to be borne by the passenger, as tour rates pro vide for arrange ments only for the time stated. We reserve the right to substitute another leader of similar expertise or reserve the right to cancel any tour prior to departure, in which case the entire payment will be refunded with no further obligation on our part. The right is also reserved to decline to accept or retain any person as a member of the tour. No refund will be made for the unused portion of any tour unless arrange ments are made in sufficient time to avoid penalties. The price of the program is based on current tariffs and rates, and is subject to change. Any tariff, exchange rate, or fuel increases will be passed on to participants. Baggage is carried at the owner s risk entirely. It is understood that the air ticket when issued shall constitute the sole contract between the passenger and the airline concerned. The airlines concerned are not to be held responsible for any act, omission, or event during the time passengers are not on board their plane or conveyance Betchart Expeditions Inc. All rights reserved. Photos courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. Map by April Milne. CST# RESERVATIONS #1509 Yes! I/we want to join World Heritage of Central Europe Expedition, September 26 - October 9, 2018, offered by AAAS Travels, Sigma Xi, ACS, and The Planetary Society. Please reserve space(s). As a deposit, I/we enclose a check for $ ($1,000 per person) payable to Betchart Expeditions Inc. Trust Account. Name(s) Age Age Address City State Zip Phone: Home ( ) Work ( ) Address Membership: AAAS Sigma Xi ACS Planetary Society Accommodations Preference: Twin Single Twin Share: with a friend or Nonsmoker Smoker assign a roommate Signature Date Signature Date Please Mail To: World Heritage of Central Europe 2018 Betchart Expeditions Inc Montebello Road Cupertino, CA SIGMA XI ACS The Planetary Society THE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH SOCIETY

6 AAAS Travels ACS & Sigma Xi Expeditions The Planetary Society BETCHART EXPEDITIONS Inc Montebello Road, Cupertino, CA FIRST CLASS World Heritage of Central Europe! Poland - Czech Republic - Slovakia September 26 - October 9, 2018 COSTS & CONDITIONS Expedition Fee: $4,295 per person twin share (plus air fare of approx. $895 from JFK or Chicago to Warsaw, with return from Prague. Single Supplement is $795. Expedition Fee Includes: Land transport; group airport transfers; accommodations twin share; breakfasts, 6 lunches, 2 dinners; tips to drivers and local guides; entrance fees; leadership, administration. Expedition Fee Does Not Include: Air fare; independent airport transfers; some meals; gratuities to expedition leader; personal items such as laundry, phone calls, beverages at meals, alcoholic beverages, sodas, snacks, personal insurance, or baggage handling (please bring wheeled luggage); or passport. What to Expect: This expedition is planned for travelers who would enjoy exploring the World Heritage of the central European nations of Poland, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia, with a talented local leader. Learn about the historical and cultural heritage and scenic landscapes of these fascinating nations while you explore renowned sites from the 13th century to WWII. This expedition will be a tremendous experience for travelers with an appetite for adventure who would like to explore this renowned region. The group will take time for both planned and spontaneous stops to walk, photograph, and talk with local people. Weather should be fall-like with vibrant days, golden and red leaves, and chilly nights. We will have a grand adventure of discovery! (No smoking in vehicles, during lectures, or meals, please.) Air Fare & Airline Ticketing: For the recommended flight schedule, please contact Betchart Expeditions, (800) Accommodations: Are in comfortable first class hotels, all based on twin share. Limited singles are available for a supplement of $795. Reservations, Deposits, & Payments: Please mail a deposit of $1,000 per person with the completed reservation form to: World Heritage of Central Europe 2018 Betchart Expeditions Inc Montebello Road Cupertino, CA The balance is due June 25, Cancellations & Refunds: The initial deposit is refundable up to 90 days before departure less a handling fee of $100 per person. There is no refund after the 90-day period unless your place is resold, then only the $100 handling fee is withheld. There are no refunds for unused meals or other expedition features. Questions? Please call Marisa Eide, Betchart Expeditions Inc. Direct Line: (800) Betchart 800#: (800) or (408) Fax: (408) marisa@betchartexpeditions.com On the web: