Central European Cities

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 honouring 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 centre.

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 programmes, and preserved remnants like a section of the Berlin Wall to provide a deeper understanding of this period.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Visit the Wieliczka Salt Mine, an underground landmark and UNESCO World Heritage Site where salt has been mined since the 13th century. Explore chambers that reveal the evolution of industrial practices and discover chapels, statues, and artworks carved entirely from salt.

Discover Banská Bystrica, a vibrant city in central Slovakia known for its colorful architecture, mountain setting, and rich history. Explore SNP Square, a wide plaza lined with pastel buildings, cafés, and landmarks tied to the Slovak National Uprising, and see the distinctive Leaning Clock Tower.

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.

Visit one of Budapest’s most iconic thermal bath complexes, a Neo-Baroque landmark built in 1913. With 18 indoor and outdoor pools fed by natural hot springs, the mineral-rich waters are known for their therapeutic properties. Enjoy saunas, steam rooms, and outdoor chess areas where locals gather to relax.