Featuring Budapest, Vienna & Prague
August 19-29, 2020
Dear Alumni, Parents and Friends,
Join fellow Dickinsonians on an exciting adventure through the imperial cities of Central Europe that concludes with the epic Oberammergau Passion Play, which is staged only once in every 10 years. We’ll benefit from the expertise of both expert local guides and of our faculty host, Emeritus Professor of Religion Ted Pulcini.
This amazing small-group tour consists of great sightseeing, including a trip through Prague’s Old Jewish Quarter; fabulous cultural elements, such as excursions and lectures; and traditional entertainment that includes the Oberammergau Passion Play, which brings the story of Christ to life.
We anticipate the Dickinson spaces on this tour will fill quickly, so reserve your spot today, and feel free to share this brochure with family and friends who may be interested in traveling with you.
To book this Alumni Global Adventure, please call 866.452.6863 or visit https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/991457.
Sincerely,
Liz Glynn Toth '06
Director of Alumni Relations
Rate Per Person
DOUBLE: $6,399
SINGLE: $7,199
Included in the price: Round Trip Air from Philadelphia Intl Airport, Air Taxes and Fees/Surcharges, Hotel Transfers
Not Included in the price: Cancellation Waiver and Insurance of $500 per person
*All rates are per person and are subject to change. Please call for rates from other gatways outside of Philadelphia, PA.
Cultural Experiences
- Get to know Bratislava’s history on a city tour with a local expert.
- Enjoy a stop in the fairy-tale town of Cesky Krumlov.
- Embark on a magnificent tour of the “Golden City” of Prague, including Hradcany Castle.
Must-See Inclusions
- Visit magnificent Schönbrunn Palace, the summer retreat of the Habsburg dynasty for more than 200 years.
- Witness the performance of the 2020 Oberammergau Passion Play.
- Enjoy an unforgettable classical music concert featuring many fine melodies from the great composers—Mozart and Strauss.
Culinary Inclusions
- 16 Meals: 9 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 6 Dinners
- Enjoy dinner and sample regional wine in picturesque Grinzing.
Itinerary
Day 1: Overnight Flight Set out on an exciting cultural experience in the Imperial Cities of Central Europe featuring traditional entertainment and the epic Oberammergau Passion Play.
Day 2: Budapest, Hungary - Tour Begins Welcome to Budapest, the "Queen of the Danube," truly one of the world's most beautiful cities. Enjoy time at leisure to relax or explore before gathering for tonight’s welcome dinner. (D)
Day 3: Budapest Join a local expert who brings the city to life. Discover Matthias Church, site of many coronations of kings. Next, see the Fisherman’s Bastion with its white walls, towers and arcades for spectacular views. Continue to historic Old Buda and Gellert Hill, followed by the Parliament. At Heroes' Square, admire the imposing Millennium Monument, completed in 1904, which memorializes the 1,000th anniversary of Hungarian dominion. (B)
Day 4: Budapest - Bratislava, Slovakia - Vienna, Austria This morning we journey to Bratislava, the former Imperial capital of the Hapsburg Empire. During your visit, get to know the city’s history on an expert led tour. A scenic ride through the countryside takes you into the grand city of Vienna, the former capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Tonight, enjoy dinner featuring regional wine and a meal highlighting the local cuisine of the quaint winemaking region of Grinzing. (B, D)
Day 5: Vienna This morning, join a local resident for a visit to magnificent Schönbrunn Palace, the summer retreat of the Habsburg dynasty for more than 200 years. Continue to Vienna’s city center. En route, behold the beautiful architecture, scenic parks and gothic spires that fill the city. End your day with an unforgettable classical music concert featuring many fine melodies from the great composers — Mozart and Strauss. (B)
Day 6: Vienna - Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic - Prague Depart Vienna, crossing the border into the Czech Republic. Continue to the fairy-tale town of Cesky Krumlov. During some free time you may explore the well-preserved streets lined with Baroque architecture. Arrive in Prague, also known as “The Golden City" and "The City of a Hundred Spires." (B, D)
Day 7: Prague Your introduction to this fairy-tale city begins with a panoramic tour. Next, explore the majestic Hradcany Castle, including the gothic St. Vitus Cathedral. Then we stroll down the quaint, colorful Golden Lane. Discover the lovely statue-lined Charles Bridge. This afternoon visit Prague’s Jewish quarter, the historic Josefov, tells the moving and powerful stories of a community with roots in Prague dating back to the 10th century. This history comes alive on a guided tour of the neighborhood where Jewish residency was confined by law in the 13th century. Hear stories of success, heartbreak, perseverance and persecution. Learn about the golom, the automaton of ancient Jewish legends which protected 16th-century Jews. Visit the Old Jewish Cemetery, where the more than 12,000 graves are carefully fit into the tiny space, the oldest dating back to 1439. Explore the Jewish Museum and its synagogues and learn of their significance. (B)
Day 8: Prague - Oberammergau, Germany Travel the Czech countryside to Bavaria, Germany. Proceed to the picturesque village of Oberammergau, beautifully situated in the Bavarian Alps. (B, D)
Day 9: Oberammergau - Passion Play This afternoon, witness a performance of the epic Passion Play. The original performance dates back to 1634. During the Thirty Year War, Oberammergau was spared the Black Plague and for this reason, the citizens vowed that every ten years they would give a play to honor the last days of the life of Christ. The performers of this once-in-a-decade event are all native to the village. To lend authenticity to the performance, the cast starts to grow their hair and beards more than a year in advance. During a break in the performance, join your fellow travelers for dinner before returning for the remainder of your Passion Play performance. (B, L, D)
Day 10: Oberammergau - Munich Today we travel to Munich, the exciting capital of Bavaria. Feel the energy of this lively city during a tour that highlights Olympic Park; the world-famous Glockenspiel;* and Marienplatz, a beautiful square surrounded by shops, restaurants and cafés. Enjoy leisure time to explore fascinating Munich before gathering with your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner celebrating the end of an unforgettable trip. (B, D)
Day 11: Munich - Tour Ends Your tour comes to a close today. (B)
Faculty Host
Emeritus Professor of Religion Ted Pulcini began teaching at Dickinson in 1995 and retired in 2019. His teaching focused on biblical texts in their historical, social and comparative contexts, as well as on relations among Judaism, Christianity and Islam, both past and present. Over the years in teaching the New Testament, he often quoted the scholarly opinion that a gospel is best understood as a passion narrative with an extended introduction. And in his analysis of interreligious dynamics, he stressed that a flash point in Jewish- Christian relations has been the manner in which Christians have depicted Jesus’s condemnation, suffering and death. These perspectives underscore his interest in the continuing influence of the Oberammergau Passion Play. Ted holds a B.A. from Harvard College, an M.A. from Notre Dame, a Th.M. from Harvard Divinity School, a D.Min. from Catholic University, and a Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh. He is also an Eastern Orthodox priest, having served communities in Ohio, California, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania.
Always Included
- A professionally planned itinerary
- 4-star accommodations
- The services of a professional Tour Manager
- Expert local guides with insider knowledge
- Attraction entrance fees with preferential access
- Unparalleled sightseeing
- Enriching cultural experiences
- Comfortable on-tour transportation
- Hotel-to-hotel baggage handling
Arrive in Comfort and Style
On air inclusive tours, leave the hassle of getting to the airport behind. Enjoy complimentary home to airport transportation to and from the airport.* (Restrictions apply. Call for details.)
Travel Protection
Our industry-leading travel protection plan offers you a full refund, unlike many plans that only offer a voucher. Cancel for any reason right up to the day prior to departure.
Loyalty program
Members of The Collette Passport Club earn a $150 credit every time they travel. Save more as you get ready for your next adventure.