Danube Study Tour
The Association embarked on a unique expedition for its 2009 Study Tour. With the help of CIE Tours International, The Association created an itinerary for a two week tour of Eastern Europe which included three days in Budapest, two days in Prague, and a seven day cruise up the Danube River. A total of 40 former Members and their guests participated in the tour, which took place from October 23 – November 5.
The trip commenced in Budapest, Hungary, where tour participants had the opportunity to tour the city and get a taste of the Hungarian cuisine, famous for its goulash. City highlights included the Hungarian Parliament Building, the Buda castle, the Opera House, and the view of the city of Budapest from the Fisherman’s Bastion. On Monday, October 26, the U.S. Embassy hosted study tour participants for a briefing by the Chargé d’Affaires, Jeffrey Levine. Mr. Levine enlightened the group with the history of Hungary, focusing on its time as a communist state and how the transition from communism has affected the Hungarian people.
Directly following the Embassy meeting, the group took a short bus ride to the banks of the Danube River where they boarded the river cruise ship, the MS Amadante, in preparation for the seven day journey up the Danube River. After departing from Budapest, stops along the river included Bratislava, Slovakia; Durnstein, Austria; Melk, Austria; Vienna, Austria; Salzburg, Austria; Passau, Germany; Regensburg, Germany; and Nuremburg, Germany. During each of these stops, the group participated in guided city tours and had plenty of opportunities for shopping, site seeing and dining in local restaurants and cafés. While in Vienna, the group toured the Austrian Parliament Building, and many participants also attended a Viennese classical music concert.
The river cruise experience proved to be unique, entertaining and educational. Meals onboard reflected the cuisine of the daily destination, and evening musical entertainment provided insight on traditional culture. Lectures were also held for guests on topics including the history of the Danube River and the European Union.
After the cruise portion of the trip, Study Tour participants traveled to Prague, Czech Republic, stopping in Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic while on route to Prague. The group spent two days in Prague, touring the Prague castle, the Astronomical Clock, Charles Bridge, and Wenceslas Square. An optional tour allowed participants to travel to Terezin, Czech Republic, the site of a Jewish Ghetto and Detention Camp.
On Wednesday November 4, Study Tour participants were invited to the U.S. Ambassador’s residence in Prague for a briefing with the Chargé d’Affaires Mary Thompson-Jones, who briefed the group on topics ranging from U.S Czech relations to the Czech Republic’s transition from the Czechoslovakian state.
As the Association likes to alternate between international and domestic destinations for its Study Tours, in 2009 the Association will plan a trip to a destination closer to home, and is looking into a possible tour to Puerto Rico. We welcome your input and suggestions and will provide you additional information in the coming months.
–Whitney Novak
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