Post Soviet Democratization
Witness the exciting changes of Eastern Europe as you explore the vibrant history of Hungary, Slovakia and Poland on your faculty-led program.
- This program was developed in collaboration with Winthrop University Professor, Michele Wolf and planned to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Iron Curtain in the former Soviet Union.
Program Highlights
Local Cuisine
Enjoy typical dishes like Gulyás (Goulash), a delicious an hearty soup of meat and vegetables seasoned with Paprika.
Experiential Learning
Spend an afternoon at a folk dance experience where your tutor will delve into Hungarian folklore and traditions, and you will learn some traditional songs and dances. Experience the traditional music, dance and costumes capped off with a delicious meal.
Trabant Cars
Visit Nowa Huta - a pre-planned socialist city in traditional Trabant cars which are symbols of the Eastern bloc.
“It was very important to us that the experiences we had in the former Soviet Union were authentic. Our anchor city was Budapest, where we visited Terror Haza, which was the former headquarters of the dreaded secret police. The exhibits focused on crimes and atrocities committed by Hungary’s fascist and Stalinist regimes. Additionally, we visited Memento Park where socialist statues and art deemed unsuitable since the early ‘90s are united for display. Another highlight of our trip was an inside tour of the Hungarian Parliament. HTP was even able to incorporate a Segway tour of Budapest, which the students thoroughly enjoyed.”
— Michelle W. Professor, Winthrop University SC
Day-by-Day Details
DAY 1: OVERNIGHT FLIGHT
Fly overnight to Hungary.
Day 2: BUDAPEST
Arrive in Budapest. Meet your travel director and transfer to your centrally located hotel.
Explore this vibrant city on a guided Segway tour.
Welcome Dinner.
Day 3: BUDAPEST
Explore the ancient capital of Buda with a local guide, with stops at Gellert Hill, with breathtaking views of the city, the Castle district, the Fishermen’s Bastion and Matthias Church.
This afternoon, visit Memento Park to to see statues from the former socialist regime that once held prominence in public places.
At dinner this evening enjoy a traditional Gulyás (Goulash).
Day 4: BUDAPEST
Discover Pest, the eastern part of the capital, with visits to Parliament, the largest building in Hungary, City Park, Heroes’ Square, St. Stephen’s Basilica and the ominously named House of Terror today.
This afternoon attend a course related lecture.
Optional Danube Dinner Cruise.
Day 5: BUDAPEST
See the city’s Jewish quarter on foot today, stopping to visit the synagogue.
Immerse yourself in an Eastern European tradition with an afternoon visit to a spa and thermal bath.
Visit to the Zwack Unicum Visitors’ Center.
Dinner and Folklore Show
Day 6: BRATISLAVA
Travel to Vienna for a tour that includes highlights such as the State Opera House, Hofburg and Parliament, plus a visit to the Schönbrunn Palace.
Continue to Bratislava by hydrofoil on the beautiful Danube River.
Dinner.
Day 7: BRATISLAVA
A morning guided visit includes a drive around Bratislava Castle and a walk along the route of the coronation procession, with stops at St. Martin’s Cathedral and the neoclassical Primate’s Palace.
Dinner.
Day 8: BRATISLAVA
This morning, visit ancient Devin Castle, which was heavily militarized prior to the Velvet Revolution, then delve into Europe’s divided history on a walk along the Iron Curtain Trail.
Dinner.
Day 9: KRAKOW
Today, travel to Olomouc, the historical capital of Moravia and a city important to the region’s religious past. Enjoy lunch in Olomouc.
Enjoy free time for your own culinary discoveries this evening.
Day 10: KRAKOW
Explore Krakow with a guide this morning. Visits include Wawel Castle and Cathedral.
Your travel director will provide you with in-depth look at the city’s Jewish District in the afternoon.
Dinner
Day 11: KRAKOW
This morning, hop in a Trabant car, a symbol of the Eastern bloc, and visit one of only two entirely pre-planned socialist realist cities in the world, Nowa Huta.
In the afternoon, travel to the Wieliczka Salt Mine, which has been continuously producing salt since the 13th century.
Farewell Dinner.
Day 12: RETURN HOME
Travel to the airport for your return flight to the United States.
