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Eastern Europe Tours
Best of Berlin, Prague & Vienna in 12 Days Tour 2021
Brandenburg Gate in Berlin
Prague's Old Town Square
Charles Bridge in Prague
Czech Beer Tasting
Melk Abbey in Austria
Belvedere Palace in Vienna
Vienna's Opera House
Best of Berlin, Prague & Vienna in 12 Days Tour
Any listing of Europe's great cities must include these three, where a banquet of travel thrills awaits you. Beginning in Berlin and ending in Vienna — with Prague, Dresden, and the Danube in between — our dozen-day tour explores the very heart of Europe. From the music of Strauss to the dynasty of the Habsburgs and the idealism of the Velvet Revolution, these remarkable cities have sparked the dangers, hopes, and beauty of Europe — yesterday and today. Join us for the Best of Berlin, Prague & Vienna in 12 Days!
Sep 1–Sep 12 (We–Su)
Sep 22–Oct 3 (We–Su)
You'll get at least 23 group sightseeing events — at no extra cost!
Here's what you'll see and do on our Berlin, Prague & Vienna tour:
Historic Berlin walking tour
East Berlin walking tour
Otto Weidt's Workshop (when available)
National Memorial to the Berlin Wall
Berlin cultural Q&A
Dresden walking tour
Frauenkirche (when available)
Nelahozeves Castle
Terezín Memorial
Historic Prague walking tour
St. George's Basilica (when available)
Jewish Museum in Prague pass
Český Krumlov Castle and Baroque Theater
Melk Abbey
Historic Vienna walking tour
Habsburg Vienna walking tour
Vienna Opera House (when available)
Hofburg Imperial Apartments
Plus you'll get all this, too.
A small, friendly group of 24 people — half the size of most tour groups
Full-time services of a professional Rick Steves guide and local experts who will make the fascinating history, art, and culture of Berlin, Prague, and Vienna come alive for you
All group transportation from Berlin to Vienna
11 nights' accommodations (all but two are three-night stays) in memorable, centrally located hotels
All breakfasts and half your dinners
All tips for guides and driver
Group sightseeing events subject to change.
Day 1: Welcome to Berlin
We'll have a "Welcome to Berlin" meeting at 5 p.m. at our hotel. On our way to dinner together, we'll get oriented to our neighborhood and marvel at the modernity of 21st-century Berlin.
Light walking: 2–4 miles throughout the day on mostly level terrain. No bus. Sleep in Berlin.
Day 2: Berlin's Historic Heart
We'll begin our day with a walking tour through the historic heart of Berlin. At the Brandenburg Gate, we'll hear how locals felt on the day in 1989 when the Berlin Wall suddenly became irrelevant. We'll continue our walk past thought-provoking memorials tracing this city's most tumultuous century, from World War I to today. For lunch, a member of Berlin's extensive Turkish immigrant community will introduce us to some traditional Turkish specialties, the city's most popular ethnic cuisine. After a full day of sightseeing, you'll be set free to take in more of Berlin's vibrant culinary scene, or simply relax at a neighborhood beer garden.
Strenuous walking: 2–8 miles throughout the day with lots of hills, stairs, and uneven terrain. No bus. Sleep in Berlin.
Day 3: Today's East Berlin
This morning we'll trace the path of the poignant Berlin Wall Memorial and explore more of ever-changing East Berlin. We'll visit a Cold War-era metro "ghost station" and a once-destroyed Jewish neighborhood, now renewed with a flourish, sampling some of Berlin's finest finger foods along the way. Our morning ends at the workshop of heroic Otto Weidt, with the rest of your afternoon and evening free to live like a Berliner.
Day 4: Resurrected Dresden
Today we'll board our bus and head south to delightfully Baroque Dresden. We'll start our visit with a walking tour of the reborn-from-the-ashes city, including the city's greatest symbol of pride: the inspiring Frauenkirche, destroyed during World War II and rebuilt in the 1990s with donations from around the world. From there you'll be free to contemplate the priceless pieces in the Zwinger Museums' Old Masters Gallery, Royal Palace, or Green Vault.
Light walking: 2–4 miles throughout the day on mostly level terrain. Bus: 3 hours. Sleep in Dresden.
Day 5: Terezín and Prague
We'll continue south to the Czech Republic today, stopping in the fortified town of Terezín, which was converted into a concentration camp in 1941. Today it's the Terezín Memorial, and we'll go inside to learn its story. Just down the road, we'll find a completely contrasting experience in Nelahozeves, birthplace of Czech composer Antonín Dvořák, where we'll stop for lunch and a tour of the Renaissance castle perched high above the Vltava River. Later this afternoon we'll arrive at our hotel in Prague's Baroque Old Town. After settling in, we'll take an orientation walk through the Old Town and end our day with dinner together.
Moderate walking: 2–6 miles throughout the day with some hills and stairs. Bus: 5 hours. Sleep in Prague.
Day 6: The People's Prague
We'll enjoy a full morning of sightseeing with our local guide, beginning with a walking tour of the Old Town Square. After learning about the Velvet Revolution, the people's march that toppled the Communist regime in 1989, our morning will end in the proudly preserved Josefov neighborhood, with its Old Jewish Cemetery and historic synagogues. The rest of the afternoon and evening are free for you to explore more of the Josefov neighborhood (with your Jewish Museum in Prague pass) on your own.
Strenuous walking: 2–8 miles throughout the day with lots of hills, stairs, and uneven terrain. No bus. Sleep in Prague.
Day 7: Royal Prague
This morning we'll hop on a local tram to take us across the Vltava River and up the hill to the most massive castle complex in continental Europe: Prague Castle. We'll tour the impressive St. Vitus Cathedral, Old Royal Palace, St. George's Basilica (when available), and the Golden Lane. Is Prague really home to the best beers in Europe? We'll find out by sampling one together at a local brewery, followed by free time for more sightseeing on your own. This evening will be a great time to catch a classical concert in one of Prague's many venues.
Day 8: Delightful Český Krumlov
Today we'll hop on our bus and head for the centuries-old town of Český Krumlov. Our first stop is the castle fortress and one of Europe's best-preserved, and still-functioning, 18th-century Baroque theaters. Later this afternoon you'll have time to explore this photogenic old town of quaint shops and cobbled lanes — maybe even join your guide and fellow tour members on an afternoon rafting expedition before dinner together.
Moderate walking: 2–6 miles throughout the day with some hills and stairs. Bus: 3 hours. Sleep in Český Krumlov.
Day 9: Melk and Vienna
After an early morning drive to the Danube Valley, we'll tour the artistic treasures and Baroque wonders of Melk Abbey and cruise Austria's prettiest stretch of the Danube: the Wachau Valley. Then we'll set course for the one-time capital of a powerful empire — and our tour's grand finale — Vienna. Tonight, we'll enjoy an orientation walk, followed by dinner together.
Moderate walking: 2–6 miles throughout the day with some hills and stairs. Boat: 2 hours. Bus: 5 hours. Sleep in Vienna.
Day 10: Habsburg Vienna
This morning we'll stroll through Vienna's most sophisticated sight: the royal Hofburg Imperial Apartments. Afterwards, we'll explore more of opulent Habsburg Vienna on a walking tour through town. Your afternoon is free to explore a world-class museum or two, or slow down to enjoy sipping a coffee in the city where Europe's café scene was born.
Strenuous walking: 2–8 miles throughout the day with lots of hills, stairs, and uneven terrain. No bus. Sleep in Vienna.
Day 11: Historic Vienna
This morning, we'll make our way to Vienna's dazzling Opera House (when available) before continuing by tram to the elegant Belvedere Palace for a tour, including a roomful of Gustav Klimt's wildly gilded — he called them "erotic" — paintings. (Ponder The Kiss and decide for yourself.) The rest of your day is free to explore more of Vienna's highlights and maybe stop to savor every chocoholic's dream: Viennese Sacher torte. Tonight we'll meet for our last dinner together at a traditional Viennese Heuriger, where we'll share travel memories and toast new friends. Prost!
Moderate walking: 2–6 miles throughout the day with some hills and stairs. No bus. Sleep in Vienna.
Breakfast is provided, but there are no group activities today. It's a breeze to reach Vienna's airport by train, bus, or taxi. You'll have easy connections to home, back to Prague, or on to Budapest and other points in Europe. Auf Wiedersehen!
Our tours are physically active! It's an essential part of the Rick Steves tour experience. On our Best of Berlin, Prague & Vienna in 12 Days tour — among other things — you'll need to happily…
Be on your feet, walking and standing, for up to three hours, indoors and outdoors, in all weather conditions.
After orientation and transportation lessons, be able to navigate towns and cities on your own.
I very much enjoyed the tour. In addition touring the main three cities, we also got to see a number of smaller, but equally wonderful sites. It was a very well-rounded tour.
"Vienna was the highlight for me - great museums, architecture, as well as the whole cafe culture (the cakes there are the best I have ever seen!)."
We were so well directed and cared for. The tour took us to all the highlights of the countries and the additional tour guides were so informative. We learned so much!! Yams did such a good job of guiding us all through cities, on and off public transportation and to our hotels. She was always there if we had any questions or needs. It was a fantastic experience for my family! And we had so much fun!
"So many. I think the skyline of Prague!. In Berlin the wall. Also the story of the Jewish people throughout our travels."
This was my first time travelling with Rick Steves and I doubt I will ever travel with any other tour company again. This tour was everything and exactly what it claimed to be.
"As an exhausted traveler walking into the hotel room in Vienna (Hotel AM Stephansplatz) and having St Stephens cathedral staring in at me from my window!!! It took my breath away! It felt like I could reach out and touch it. I opened the windows wide and laid on my bed and listened to the bells and felt renewed energy. So many other "wow" moments like cruising down the Danube river in the sunshine drinking white wine and eating apricot cake!"
This was a great tour for us. Our tour guide Jana did a great job. The pace, locations and walks were just right to make it a memorable experience.
"The tour of the Terezín concentration camp was a sobering and powerful experience. The stories of the camp were really made an impression."
I had a very positive overall tour experience. The RS books (3) that came with our tour were very useful and helpful. Our guide (Jana) was outstanding in every way and the local guides good to very good. Our bus and driver excellent. The hotel rooms and breakfasts all generally good to very good. The level of activity and sight seeing for me was very good to excellent. Our group meals however were only so-so as far as I was concerned.
"Right after our Danube river cruise, arriving at our hotel in Vienna located directly across the plaza from the magnificent St. Stephens Cathedral."
Jana was absolutely great! However, I felt the overall pace of the tour was at time's grueling. I know Rick Steve's tour are strenuous, but this one seemed excessive. Five to six miles a day, everyday was a lot. I would suggest a ratio of for every 2 hours of walking, a 30 minute break would be nice. I feel we lost tour members along the way that choose to Opt out of several days touring due to the pace. I would also revisit th
"Terezin was very moving and memorable."
Excellent trip director. Overall very good. Some improvements could be made. In my opinion, which is very personal. At the first 3 sites, much time was spent on the Holocost, a horror that must never be forgotten or be allowed to be forgotten. Nevertheless, IMHO the Prague visit to the Jewish cemetery could be cut. More time on the wonderful Prague architecture.
"There was none. Frankly, nothing about these countries is that great, much less "wow.""
there is so much to see and do in Berlin that it maybe should be a whole week by itself. We missed so many museums, Loved seeing Mucha and Klimpt. Prague and Vienna were wonderful and I definitely will return to thosr cities. Many Kudoes to Jana!!
"My tour of the Spanish Riding School. I wish we were there during their performance schedule, Enjoyed Wofgang, our Vienna guide"
This was an amazing tour with a well planned itinerary. The subject matter of WWII and life under Communist rule was well laid out. I enjoyed having free time to make choices on what to spend it on. Our guide was fabulous, local guides were also well chosen.
The tour was beyond my expectations. The content was thoughtful, and the guides were knowledgeable! I'll be back soon Rick!
"There were so many WOW moments. For me, it was rafting in Cesky Krumlov. It's something i never thought I'd be able to do, and it showed a unique back-road perspective of a fairytale land."
This was my first RS tour and it exceeded all expectations. It wasn't just historical buildings and facts. I also gained a real sense of the people both past & present.
"When we left Berlin on the way to Prague, as the bus passed the wall's East Side Gallery along the Spree river, Jana played John Kennedy's 'Ich Bin Ein Berliner' speech. That experience will be with me forever...."
This was my first RS Tour and it more than met all my expectations. It was both well organized and fast paced. The tour discussed history, culture, politics, religion, geography, food and fun facts. I liked that we did so much walking because I feel that is the best way for me to personally experience both a city and its people.
"The most poignant moment for me was when Jana played JFK's "I am a Berliner" speech as our bus slowly drove past the wall. I am old enough to remember both."
It was consistently fun, entertaining, and interesting. I can't recall a single bad experience.
"It's hard to single out. My breath was taken away by the architecture in Dresden, particularly our first sight after crossing the bridge of Katholische Hofkirche, but I also loved the Danube cruise, and dinner on the outskirts of Vienna."
Amazing chance to appreciate the rebirth of this region after the suffering and sacrifices of WWII and post war communist rule. Our tour guides shared first hand knowledge. They showed us the beauty of the landscape and resilience of its people.
"Our Lady Church in Dresden. Years after being destroyed in WWII bombing, major community effort to rebuild as symbol of hope. Rubble was saved and included with new stonework. Melted cross from top of Church was replaced with solid gold cross through donations. Great story."
Waynesville, NC
We enjoyed everything on the tour. Jana#1 and Jana#2 worked so well together. Both were extremely friendly, well trained and went out of their way to share their knowledge and insights.
"Each city was impressive, but Dresden and Czechy Krumlov were my favorite spots."
I enjoyed the visits to the three main cities and the smaller stops in between. the coach was very comfortable and facilities (hotels and restaurants and tourist stops) were fine. I appreciated elevators in the hotels. Our two tour guides were outstanding.
"The visit to Terezin was especially meaningful to me as I had read Madeleine Albright's book Prague Winter. Also the cruise down the Danube was very very lovely."
Coeur D Alene, ID
This tour was well paced with three night stays in Berlin, Prague and Vienna, and free time in the afternoons to explore on our own.
"The Otto Weidt Workshop for the Blind is a hidden treasure I am sure we would not have found on our own. Learning the story of how Mr. Weidt saved many blind and deaf Jews was awe-inspiring."
I thoroughly enjoyed the tour. The guides, the accommodations, the trip itinerary was what I was looking for in a 12 day tour from Berlin to Vienna.
"My favorite WOW was going back to Berlin and Vienna after 49 years. I was there with a college group when I was young and innocent. I was very impressed by their transformation after 49 years. I especially enjoyed Prague even though it was very crowded the weekend we were there."
Mercer Island, WA
I liked the leaders and the daily guides.
"Terezin. I would have liked more time in the museum.."
Very good trip with two excellent guides, both named 'Jana', so that made it easy to remember! The hotels and neighborhoods we stayed in were all very good. We loved the breakfast buffets that they all served.
"Visiting Dresden and actually spending the night there. My grandmother's parent's were from Dresden and she used to tell their stories to us. Also, the fact that Dresden was pretty much destroyed during WWII and now is mostly rebuilt. Amazing what people can do!"
Fantastic guides, so much information and history, a little overwhelming at times. Didn't like the early starts but I understand why they are necessary. Thought the buddy system was brilliant. The bus rides went so quickly because of the talks, music, JFK speech and treats provided by the Janas. They are a great team and I felt so lucky to have both of them taking care of us. The hotels were fine, nothing fancy as advertised except for the Bellevue in Cesky Krumlov.
"Loved the group dinners. Can't just have one wow moment; I had a lot of them."
This was a great tour with superb guides that greatly added to the experience. I learned so much more than I ever expected. The tour group included many RS veterans along with first timers and it was fun getting to know everyone and their travel experiences. The level of activity was just as advertised and we had plenty of time for exploring on our own. There were no disappointments on this tour!
"My "wow" moments came in Berlin and Prague. Learning about the political and social environment that led to the construction of the Berlin Wall and the eventual removal was fascinating. Our local guide, Kevin, did a great job and he gave me a greater appreciation for what life was like during those years. The same is true about Prague and learning about the Velvet Revolution. Our tour guide, Jana, and local guide, Jana, were outstanding in describing life under Communism and post revolution."
Donalee
A great educational trip showing the resilience of the people of Berlin, Dresden, Prague and Terezin. Loved the vibrant neighborhood where we stayed in Berlin. Our guide, Jana, assistant guide, Jana, and all the local guides gave thorough, well prepared tours through a time not easy to step through but so important not to forget. There was a good balance of tour time and free time. Lots of walking!
"So many "wow" moments. The children's art in the Terezin museum .... so moving! Prague! Brought to life by our two Jana's and their stories of growing up there and gaining their freedom in 1989! Also amazed at how Dresden has been rebuilt. Would have loved more time there. Fun boat ride down the Danube, too!"
We saw so many things on this tour! I loved all of the tour guides, they were very knowledgeable. We also had many private tours and dinners we wouldn't have experienced if we didn't go on this tour. My husband and I met wonderful people that were part of our tour group. We just had a wonderful time. Jana our main guide was phenomenal. She made the tour so easy.
"My WOW moment, hmmm so many, I loved Berlin and Prauge was AMAZING but I have to say I loved the tour of the baroque theater in Cesky Kromlov. We got to under the stage to see how everything worked."
It was a lovely tour with very good guides.
"There were many wonderful moments when walking through a new city. Prague old town was the most beautiful place. Cesky Kumlov views from the river and also seeing the Baroque Theater."
I loved all the Tour Guides and there knowledge was pretty good on all of the topic's they spoke on. The whole tour was just GREAT, I had a wonderful learning curve to catch up on too. The places we went were very cool too, the Castles were so neat and well kept up. All the different BEER'S and Great food was awesome. Saw so many different thing's, Porcelain Plates, Painting's, Art work, Church's, Rain and Rivers, (where from Arizona, U.S.A.). Thanks for a Great Time. P.S. Jana Awesom
"River Cruse, Praha"
The BPV tour, led by Jana, was a terrific combination of history, scenery and socializing! Walking in the steps of those who lived and suffered in World War II, the Communist rule, and the Velvet Revolution was a once in a lifetime experience. This tour was well-planned and flawlessly executed. We enjoyed every minute!
"Meandering through the "Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe" in Berlin was an extremely powerful experience. Local guide, Ryan, provided an introduction to the memorial, offered some insights into symbolism of the memorial structure, and then left us to experience the memorial as individuals. By chance, our only gloomy, damp, raw day of the tour just added to the impact of the Memorial visit."
Our group of 28 travelers were very friendly and smart! I was told that Rick's groups are usually like that. Many had been on numerous RS trips all over Europe. Our trip was rigorous and on several days we walked for 7 to 8 miles. Our local guides were knowledgeable and willing to answer questions. Jana, our guide, made each day special by sharing her perceptions of life under Communism as a child and how conditions changed in 1989. Every day she provided us with a special treat.
"Our last dinner together in Vienna was so much fun and the food was plentiful and yummy. The cruise down the Danube was a once in a lifetime experience."
Franktown, CO
First tour we have done. Everything was outstanding. Ben, A+ in his guiding us through our trip. All the tour guides along the way were great. We had great weather, the group was great to be with and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.
"There were many --> topography of terror, the Soviet Garden in east Berlin. Cesky Krumlov was fantastic."
All the guides provided excellent history lessons for us that may have forgot or never studied it. The guided tour in mornings and leaving the afternoon to explore more on our own was great. We had a great group from a verity of professions that added a lot to the tours, and the get together. We were not expecting the hotels to as nice, we were pleasantly surprised.
"Too many to say, but I really enjoyed Berlin."
Awesome, fantastic, best tour so far. Everything seem to have aligned perfectly, the tour group, Ben our guide, all the local guides, esp Jess in Berlin and Wolfgang in Vienna, (hope I got his name right). We chose this tour because of our interests in WW2 and Cold War history. Visiting the 3 cities, esp Berlin, with-their hauntingly dark histories, walking tour of the cities and memorials with the excellent guides, unforgettable. Two thumbs way up.
"Lots of great moments and memories. The last supper in Vienna, WOW indeed! Party on the train, best rendition ever of " Oh Canada". La Traviata, SRO, at the Vienna Opera House."
I really liked all the hotels where we stayed. They were right in the middle of the downtown where we could conveniently immerse ourselves in the culture and ambiance of the area. Great experience! The actual tours in the various locations were very informative and immersed us in the history and culture of the areas. We had plenty of free time to explore on our own. I found the whole tour to be excellent regarding history and culture and would recommend it to anyone.
"Every day brought a wow moment regarding architecture and art to history. For me reading about the halocast and history of the Berlin Wall is one thing, but actually being where this occurred was a very sobering experience. The question remains, how could this have happened?"
I loved Berlin! The tram system made it so easy to get around that big city and see all the historical sites, current Reichstag Building, Spree River, Museum Island, and the old Jewish Quarter. The guides were great in explaining the history of Spandauer Vorstadt area, the Berlin Wall, etc. Prague was enchanting by day and night in the Old Town Square with the Astronomical Clock, museums and eateries. Vienna was beautiful! Loved the Opera, the Haus Der Musik, and Palace, the Danube.
"At the end of the Berlin tour, Ben took us to see Treptower Park. I was amazed at the size of the Soviet war memorial built by the USSR to honor their own Russian soldiers who died in the fight against Hitler. The sheer size of the place was astounding! WOW!"
Excellent tour. Ben was great local guides in Berlin and Austria especially strong.
"Concentration camp due to its bringing impact of genoicide home. Berlin also due to its history and the fall of Hitler and later the wall."
I had a wonderful experience. I had been to Berlin, and Vienna several times previously on my own and Prague as part of the Best of Eastern Europe tour. Regardless of that it was still very much worthwhile to visit them as part of the tour group. I am an enthusiastic supporter of Rick Steves tours and recommend them to my acquaintances. I appreciate all the behind the scenes planning, thought, and work that goes into putting these together.
"Can't pick just one."
I was blown away by the organization of very busy days, the use of experts in every city, and the allocation of afternoons to explore the cities on our own. Every element of the trip clicked like a well-oiled machine. Wow! Kudos to Rick Steves' Corp for recognizing the unique talents and value of Ben, our guide. Extremely knowledgeable, professional, multi-talented individual, who worked tirelessly to make this a once-in-a-lifetime trip. Suggest 2 more dinners up front.
"When my wife and I turned the corner on the 2nd Floor of the n the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna to see a spectacular Raphael --- the Madonna with the Christ Child and Saint John the Baptist. Took our breaths away!"
This was a very enjoyable tour. The guides were fantastic. Ben took very good care of us, things ran very smoothly. Ben was very knowledgeable. He knew a lot about the culture and history of the places we visited. He also had a few team building games that enabled us to get to know the other tour members. He was really remarkable and I appreciate all he did for us.
"The last dinner at the wine garden and the bus ride back home were special. Our guide in Berlin (Jess) who taught us so much about the holocaust, near the end of his time with us he put on a skullcap to enter Jewish burial grounds. When I realized he was Jewish that was an emotional moment."
Marilee
This tour is difficult at first as we revisit the Nazi era and the Soviet occupation of eastern Berlin and Germany. A must in this time. But today, Berlin is very progressive. We stayed in a walk-friendly neighborhood filled with wonderful cafes, yet were close to the tram and railway so it was easy to get to the more crowded tourist areas. Prague is as beautiful as they say, but Vienna is beautiful and vibrant. Staying in the core of each of these cities allows you a lot of wander time.
"It had to be the Baroque theatre at the Krumlov Castle. It's amazing to see what the artists--stagecraft and actors--were able to accomplish given the opportunity thanks to the reigning aristocracy. Later we had a backstage tour of the Vienna Opera House. What we saw was a modernized version of the Krumlov theatre's stagecraft--the art continues."
Ingleside, IL
The tour was very nice. Big City vibes were very nice, but the charming little cities are next on the to do list!!
"2 words...CESKY KRUMLOV! WOW, doesn't even cover it! The big cities were very nice, Cesky Krumlov needed more time! Rafting was out of this world...small town BIG time love! The people were SO nice, I would have loved another night to really explore the streets and town."
Holger was an excellent and patient guide. Kevin, our Berlin tour guide and our guide at Terrezin were outstanding. The hotels were charming and well located but without air conditioning or enough fans for each room - the heat was unbearable at night and made it impossible to sleep. Big detraction. This tries people's patience and makes it difficult for some to remain positive - stresses the group dynamic. Overall, I enjoyed (almost) every minute (No sleep due to heat was a drawback.)
"Dinner at Heuriger Schubel Auer was special."
Overall, the tour experience was positively a memorable experience.
"The history and sites in Berlin and the rebuilding of Dresden. The fact that I could be in East Germany as an American was awesome. I grew up in Europe, and during that time I wasn't allowed in East Germany and the wall was still up."
Milton Freewater, OR
I am loathe to use only superlatives, but this entire tour experience for me was terrific! We have never participated in a Rick Steves tour before, so we didn't quite know what to expect. (We have watched numerous Public Broadcast shows, however!). We felt like the activity level was perfect and really appreciated the mixture of activities and free time. We were able to pack a lot into those days! And lastly, our fellow tour group members were well connected and we made some wonderful friends.
"Too many to mention! Both my husband and I learned a lot about Berlin and found we enjoyed the city (and the location of our hotel) very much. Our guide, Holger, was so knowledgeable about his city and really provided a lovely introduction to the city. The local guides were stellar as well. Other "wow" moments included the memorial at Terezin and the beautiful city of Prague. The short cruise on the Danube was memorable and picture perfect. See? Too many!"
Our tour experience was wonderful! Holger was a superb tour guide - helpful, kind, knowledgeable and definitely on top of everything. We could not have been in better hands. Every city on the tour had its own personality that shone through with the help of Holger and all our local guides, which was just as important as the monuments and museums.
"For me, my "wow" moment was to see how the people of Berlin have acknowledged their recent history from World War II and Soviet domination for all to see in a way that seeks to bear witness that this must never happen again. This was most evident at the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe."
Our guide was excellent. The tour was great. With global warming it was very hot in prague and berlin-in the 90's-hotels need to have fans or air conditioning. This is important to prevent heat stroke and to enable good sleep to prevent falls. The population taking your tours is older and needs these things. Unfortunately, you will need to find hotels that offer these.
"the architecture in prague"
This tour far exceeded my expectations. One of the reasons I travel is to gain perspective. I was unprepared for how much I would be affected by the history - especially in countries that were formerly communist. I'm old enough to remember when the Berlin wall came down, but I really never understood how the United States was a beacon of democracy for those behind the iron curtain. As our local guide said in Vienna - you think of yourselves as a young country but you are the oldest democracy
"I think our final dinner in Vienna. The whole trip came together for me - in this restaurant full of tradition, in such a beautiful country and a wonderful group of people."
San Deigo, CA
although my husband and I have traveled extensively, this was our first group tour. I was a bit apprehensive about the group aspect, but my worries were unfounded. We found ourselves amongst a group of interesting people who were all there for the same reasons we were[INVALID] to get to know the people, culture and history of new places. Our group was led by Holger. In addition to being a wonderful person, he was incredibly knowledgeable about all of the places we visited.
I absolutely loved this trip. We gelled as a group, right away. Our tour guide, Holger, and the local guides, all worked to make sure we immersed ourselves into the local culture. Each city on this tour offered something quite different, and each grabbed your heartstrings for different reasons. I am now in love with Berlin and Prague, Berlin for its colorful urban street art and checkered history, and Prague for its vibrancy and stunning architecture.
"There were many, but one "wow" moment was in Prague. Holger arranged an optional outing for those of us in our group that were interested in attending a local jazz club performance in the evening. I absolutely loved seeing the 'Sunny Swing' band at the 'Jazz Dock Bar & Cafe' in Prague. The music and venue were awesome, and we were simply transported back in time, listening to their lively music."
We learned so much on this tour about WWll, the Nazi, the Jews, the bombing and so on. We had wonderful city guides who were extremely knowledgable. My favourite part of the tour were the small cities: Dresden, Cesky Krumlov, & Melk. The cruise down the Danube was definitely a highlight for me. The group of 26 people took a little while to gel, but by the end it was hard to say goodbye.
"Cruising down the Danube River was wonderful! The sun was out, there were ruins, villages and churches dotting the banks. I felt like I got a taste of what a long river cruise would be like."
Excellent guides, overall tour guide Jana, and local guides. Excellent food. Great variety of planned activities. Excellent way to travel Europe is with Rick Steves tours. This one was just as great as all other RS tours that we have enjoyed.
"Loved Schoenberg summer castle. It should be a permanent part of the tour, not just an additional option."
Independence, MN
Wonderful blend of various historical periods presented by very knowledgeable guides. Free time to explore on your own was an ample amount. Lead tour guide, Jana, was outstanding.
"Definitely the Habsburg summer palace. Would recommend that becomes part of the guided tour in the future."
Orlanda
It was an amazing trip filled with history, culture, traditional cuisines, and many other surprises along the way. I always dreamed of visiting Prague, Vienna and Berlin, and the trip organized by the lead guide Jana did not disappoint. We were welcomed on the first day and everything about the trip was well planned and seamless. I appreciated the free time in the afternoon to pursue personal interests or other recommendations by Jana that were not included in the tour.
"Seeing the beautiful Cesky Krumlov. It was so unexpected. This small city is worth a week stay in order to get both relaxation and history. I had a memorable lunch over seeing the river."
This was one of the best experiences of my life. I was so looking forward to the tour and the experience blew my expectations out of the water. Jana was incredible as were all of our local guides. The coordination and flexibility of the tour were fantastic.
"It was something so little - an optional wine festival in Prague. I don't even drink and I had the time of my life. It was a beautiful night and Jana help us have an incredible time. The camaraderie and laughter that night are things I will remember for the rest of my life."
The local guides were very good. It was nice to have the guided tours in. The morning and being able to explore on our own in the afternoon. The orientation tours when we arrived in a place were very helpful.
"Seeing the st. Stephens cathedral and have it be the first view when leaving the hotel."
enjoyable, found it a bit slow, a bit overwhelming with the Jewish,Nazi component. It was very interesting for two days but by day 5, i was out of it.There is alot more to some of the first couple of areas we visited that we did n't get to.. need to revisit the length, reduce it down a bit. Once we got going the tour got going, we really enjoyed it. I did notice the marketing angle of as we got closer to the end our accommodation and included meals got better. tricky!!
"learning about the Nazi's raise to power before WW2 as explained by Jess.."
One of the best tours I've taken with Rick Steve's.Berlin is magnificent. So much history. The Holocaust Memorial was very moving, and the museums on Museum Island were outstanding. And of course, Vienna was classy and elegant, a very beautiful city.
"viewing Czech artist Alfons Mucha's Art Nouveau stained-glass craftsmanship at the St. Vitus Cathedral, truly a joy to behold. Pure genius and breathtakingly beautiful."
I started the tour without having done much preliminary reading, and I am pleased to report that what I experienced would have been what I would have hoped for had I studied first. I appreciate the learning experience of both the histories and contemporary affairs. The streets and buildings we explored kept my head on a swivel. I can't say for certain since I had never been to any of these cities, that we saw the most important or visually stunning sights, but I suspect that we did.
"This question is difficult to answer. I suppose I was most impressed by Vienna and my favorite part of that was the Kunst Historical Museum (not by any great margin) we visited on a free afternoon. It was overwhelming to see so much art and history in one place. One afternoon was not even close to enough time to see it all. We'll just have to go back."
This tour is exactly as listed in the program materials. Hotels were located in places you wanted to be with good transportation options for things further away. The level of activity is clearly written for each day. I liked the local guides and the possibility of free time each day. There was variety in the tour with some especially nice touches in the shorter stays.The buddy system worked very well with not alot of time spent in making sure that all were present.
"I loved the castle theatre tour in Cesky Krumlov. Not only did we see the indie of the theatre but the downstairs part that showed how things actually worked was amazing. This was a special tour only for us."
Phenomenal. Every day was great. A lot of thought went into the planning. Our guide, Jana Kratka, had some kind of surprise in store every couple of hours, it seemed. She also filled the hours on the bus with great information and entertainment. The amount of free time each day was just right. The guides at each site were very knowledgeable and engaging. I have no complaints -- everything was pleasing.
"Impossible to pick one; there were many. I will say, one terrific surprise was when we were leaving Berlin and passing a large surviving section of the Wall, and Jana played a passage from JFK's Berlin speech in 1963 over the bus's audio system. And then she explained the controversy over his "Ich bin ein Berliner" statement, and how he really had it right and did not say "I am a jelly donut." To top it off, she had brought the Berliner jelly donuts and passed them out. That was a great moment."
This review is for myself and travel companion, Linda. Jana and the local guides were exceptional in terms of being informative and fun at the same time. The accommodations were excellent. The bus driver, as usual, was great. The one recommendation relates to the group meals which were average.
"For Linda, it was the medieval town of Chesky Krumlov, the medieval fair, and the theater. For myself, the diversity of architecture in Prague. Also, I had studied and learned a lot about the Memorial to the Murdered Jews. I finally got to see the final implementation of the memorial."
The tour was conducted flawlessly. Which means we were able to experience the sites, people, culture and food without distraction. We followed the agenda, our rooms and meals were ready when promised, we had sufficient time to ourselves and plenty of time together. Given the number of places we went in the relatively short period of time, one has to be impressed with the quality of the tour!
"Seeing so many beautiful places that were hidden 30 years ago..."
Very good trip in every way. Jana was great. Everything was well organized and interesting. A very nice group of people and lovely places to experience.
"Cannot pick out one single moment... the churches were magnificent.. the art, statuary, architecture were one beautiful thing after another... so nice to have Jana and the tour guides explaining all and giving context."
The tour was exactly as I hoped it would be! And more! The itinerary was an intriguing blend of past and present, major sights and small treasures. I appreciated the mix of guided tours with free time exploration. I was interested in the challenge and freedom of limiting luggage to carry-on only. And pleased with the result. I enjoyed meeting our fellow travelers and sharing their perspectives. I loved the tone set by our tour guide and feel that her skill set was incredible.
"In spite of the many "wow" sights packed into this tour, I was moved most by a "first impression"...the impact of encountering daily life near our hotel, the Kastanienhof, in Berlin's Prenzlauer Berg. In the context of symbolic and impressive European sights, it was the sight of parents shepherding their children on bikes and toddlers negotiating cobblestones with ease on their way to the park, and the sounds of Zionskirche bells, swooshing electric buses, and outdoor cafe chatter that wowed!"
Jana was an excellent guide.
Jana was fantastic. Our guide Kevin was inspiring in Berlin, as was our Terrazine guide.
"Kevin's exposition of Nazi Germany and divided Berlin."
We had a tremendous experience touring Europe! We have friends who had taken a Rick Steves Tour and spoke very highly of their experience. We opted for our first trip to Europe to be a Rick Steves Tour based on their recommendation. We are SO happy we took this tour. It was an experience that we'll cherish for the rest of our lives.
"I don't normally have "wow" moments... but I'll admit that I involuntarily gasped out loud when I saw the beauty and the opulence of the Baroque theater in Cesky Krumlov."
Sholeh
This was our second Rick Steves tour, and we were impressed once again with the depth and breadth of the experience and the attention to details. We enjoyed the trip very much, learned a great deal and have fantastic memories. We loved our outstanding tour guide Jana, who was knowledgable, kind and a terrific leader. We met many wonderful fellow travelers whom we shared great experiences with. We had a fine balance of group activities as well as free time to ourselves.
"So many favorite moments - Berlin is just incredible - Local Berlin guide Kevin made the history come to life. Rebuilt Dresden and Prague were absolutely gorgeous - Cesky Krumlov is a gem - Danube Wachau valley cruise was amazing. All the WW2 historical sites, in particular Terezin, will stay with me forever."
The tour was very educational but so much fun too. We had great guides, especially Jana, and we had a wonderful group of people to travel with. There was a good variety of experiences, and a fair amount of free time to wander on our own. Thank you Jana for all the Metro passes and the various treats you shared with us!
"There were so many moments that wowed for very different reasons. The one that has stuck with me was when I was standing next to the Berlin Wall and saw where someone had written the word "Madness"."
Rio Verde, AZ
It was absolutely outstanding! The history was phenomenal! The tour guides (Torben and the local city guides) were fantastic!
"Probably Ryan's tour of the Berlin Wall. He was very interesting- had some amazing stories."
For me this tour was life changing! Every day with Torben and our group brought new information, new insight and new experiences. It was humbling and uplifting. This trip connected me to a part of the world and history that really came alive for me. So did the people I encountered in each locale and a wide variety of circumstances. After the exhilaration of this trip I am more optimistic, more confident and feel like I understand my place in the world better.
"So many are swirling through my mind. I Think being in the secret synagogue in Terazin that was only discovered relatively recently effected me in a profound way. The courage, faith, hope and resilience reflected there was inspiring and sobering."
We absolutely loved our guide, Torben, and the rest of our group members. This was my third RS tour and my husband's first. I was wowed, as before, and he says he'd do another one in the future which is a great sign! With two young children (who stayed home) I loved not having to make any plans for this trip other than how to get to and from our start and ending cities. This particular tour is especially jam-packed with activities and history (and cobblestone streets). We had a fabulous time!
"Our "vacation from our vacation" day in Cesky Krumlov was especially memorable. I went rafting with about half of our group that afternoon which was a lot of fun. The views all around this small town are just gorgeous and the dinner we enjoyed together here was probably the largest meal I've ever had in my life. Delicious."
We really enjoyed this excellent tour. For any history buff, they would definitely get their fill in that regard The area covered has a long and extensive history, with some very important events happening relatively recently toward the end of the last century. While Berlin may not be the most beautiful city in the world, it is a vibrant, youthful and energetic one, full of optimism and promise. Prague and Vienna made up for what Berlin lacked in looks.
"Always hard to choose just one of these, but I would have to say a totally unexpected and surprising wow moment was when our daily guide in Prague took and showed us the Prague library book tower. I thought - wow- in an area not too far from mass book burnings less than a century ago, here was the opposite: a monument to the power and value of books to a free society. Very impressive, and for me, very moving."
North Saanich, BC
Although my husband and I are experienced travellers, this was the first tour (of any kind) that we have tried. We found it to be an extremely positive experience. I thought Torben was a perfect guide, our fellow tour members were a great group of people, and the destinations and experiences were an excellent mix. We learned a lot on this tour. The three night stays in the main cities were adequate, but I would have liked more time in Dresden. It is so hard to fit everything into 12 days.
"No particular wow moment but, as I review the 12 days in my mind, some highlights were: the Berlin Wall walking tour, the Velvet Revolution tour in Prague, backstage at the Vienna Opera, the Jewish cemetery in Prague, Torben's "lectures" while on the bus and the snacks he was always offering us - loved the vegan curry wurst. Good mix of tour activities and free time."
It was our first Rick Steves tour, and it greatly exceeded my expectations. We have travelled quite a bit and were used to organizing our own trips, so we had some reservations about losing flexibility, being on a tour bus, and travelling with a group of strangers. None of these were an issue. The group dynamics were great; we found ourselves travelling with a group of new friends. The bus travel was comfortable. We learned SO MUCH, e.g. that history is about perspectives, not one version.
"There were many. A couple of the most moving were the Berlin Wall walking tour and the art produced by the children being held in the the Terezin concentration camp. The tour of the Baroque theatre in Cesky Krumlov and the backstage tour of the Vienna Opera were also definitely highlights. The throngs of tourists and stag parties in Prague were (negative) WOW moments!"
Was a fantastic tour. Informative. Well planned out. Lots of different local tour guides who were very knowledgeable!
"Wow moment was in Prague. The beauty of the architecture."
Gloria Mayumi
As always, I enjoyed my tour immensely. I learned so much and have developed a deeper appreciation for each destination included in the tour. Torben is an exceptional guide and the tour members were all delightful, friendly and warm. I highly recommend this tour (and all of the tours) to everyone.
"I had two wow moments: Sad WOW: Terezin. It is one thing to hear about this place from history books, but it's another thing to actually see it. The exhibit showing artworks made by Holocaust victims - both young and old - was moving and heartbreaking. Fun WOW: Jazz night in Prague (thanks Torben!) / Concert at St. Salvatore Church Prague - Music truly is food for the soul. I must add the rafting in Cesky Krumlow as a wow moment too....more like a "wow that was tiring...but fun! =)"
Torben is exceptional Exceeded expectations
"It was all great"
The overall tour was good but the negatives are that the guided tours involved too much standing and listening to the tour guide giving us a highly detailed history which was relatively interesting but in the long run of very little overall value. Really how many of us will remember all of the fine details of the abbey, church or empire beyond the next two weeks. These details were interesting at the time but not for long term memory.
"There was no wow moment."
"I was really interested in the Soviet Berlin Battle memorial. This was a fascinating and impactful visit. I had no idea that this monument existed."
Every part of the tour was great. Ben is an outstanding tour guide; so knowledgeable, attentive, great sense of humor. What a delight and surprise that we could attend the Vienna opera even if sold out. Ben shepherded us through the process of standing room ticket opportunity. Guides at each stop we're extremely knowledgeable. It is what we value in these tours. Folks on the tour helped to form a wonderful community for the 12 days. Our accommodations were great, so well located.
"The Wow is the total deep impression of the tour. The history touched me deeply. Seeing the resiliency of people and resiliency of places that had been so destroyed...rebuilt...Guides did a great job presenting various points of views. I expected a gray, depressing Berlin and saw green, resurrection, and hope for all of us if we can only remember and learn from history."
We visited Berlin, Dresden, Terezin, Prague, Czesky Krumlov, and Vienna, all places we'd never been before. This was our first Rick Steves Tour. I can not understate how much I enjoyed it. Our tour guide, Ben, was fantastic. The various tour guides in the places we visited we equally well informed, engaging, and excellent. We loved meeting the other people on the tour and relished the new friends we made.
"I had two - the first was the 4 hours we spent in Terezin, and the second was the day we spent in Czesky Krumlov. Our visit to a concentration camp and the reflection on that visit that followed was a life changing event, especially when considering what is currently happening in various parts of the world, including the tyranny of the current administration in Washington DC. And Czesky Krumlov was simply a really cool place. Specifically, the Baroque Theater, the raft trip, the dinner."
Ben is a fantastic guide! His depth of knowledge blended with his passion for travel enhanced my experience throughout the tour.
"The cathedral in Dresden"
Ben was outstanding as our guide. The tour was packed with intriguing culture, fascinating history, beautiful settings, delicious food, and wonderful fellow travelers.
"Cesky Krumlov of the Czech Republic was a jewel."
Had a fabulous time! Ben and all of the local guides were top notch and knew their history!
"Getting to see the Lipizzaner Stallions being led past right in front of the tour group! Good timing, Ben!"
The tour was fantastic and went without a hitch (except for rain). Our guide, Ben, was amazingly knowledgeable, patient, organized, humorous, and approachable. We had to discuss serious subjects but it was done with respect and impartiality. Ben and the extra guides did a tremendous job putting history in perspective and imparting so much knowledge. It was great!!
"Going into Cezy Kumlav, very nice break from the rest of the big cities and very charming."
This was an exceptional tour that combined wondrous sites, in-depth history, culture, architecture, food and great guides that brought the venues we visited to life. This was my third Rick Steves tour and once again it exceeded my expectations. Our tour guide, Ben, was passionate about this area of the world and it's history. The tour was extremely well choreographed and we made every moment count. The hotels and meals were great and the ratio of group to individual time was perfect. Well done!
"As usual, so many to choose from. While I loved every place that we visited, Ceský Krumlov in the Czech Republic was my very favorite. A quaint, beautiful town/village with beautiful architecture, landscapes, gardens, shops and people. Prague was a very close second."
In spite of unseasonably cold weather, we made the best of every situation and site we visited. Jana was always well prepared and considerate of each tour group member (she was incredible!). Local guides were extremely good and often hilarious personalities. You couldn't get the type of experience we had by traveling alone. The guides brought the places we visited to life. We also had the advantage of having a great mix of wonderful people in our group.
"I loved the Prague Cathedral and seeing the Berlin Wall and Brandenburg Gate, and the Vienna Opera House. However, all of the palaces in Europe couldn't compete with the cruise on the Danube! Beautiful scenery, great company, and an excellent local apricot schnapps made for a memorable time, in spite of the lousy weather."
I truly enjoyed my first Rick Steve's tour. It was informative and extremely organized.
"The last evening together. Buffet dinner at a wonderful restaurant in Vienna."
This was our first Rick Steves tour. I was very impressed how well everything was organized. The local guides, for the most part, were outstanding. Jana could not have been better. We all loved her! I felt that we got in touch with each city on an intimate level by walking and taking the public transit system, which I haven't done before. The freedom you gave Jana to choose some of the local things to do, restaurants, the "budget" to buy local cuisine, put the tour over the top. Well done
"I think it was towards the end. The first evening of the tour, we were all strangers. The final dinner party, we were all friends. We all celebrated the tour with a song that we serenaded Jana with. Ask her."
Outstanding but probably will never return. Flight over and back were horrible.
"Dresden. I know the story from the destruction during WWII. Baroque theater in Kreike , amazing. River tour on the Danube. Fantastic."
Jana did an outstanding job leading this tour. She's maybe our best leader yet, and we have had some good ones. Her personal stories and historical knowledge added so much to the experience. I know RS has little control over who signs up, but our fellow tour members were extremely nice, fun and engaged in the travel experience. The only negative was colder than usual/expected weather which was nobody's fault. There were so many positives to outweigh this. This was our 6th RS tour.
"The stage and the scene changing gear at the Baroque Theater in Cesky Krumlov was amazing. I had no idea that such a thing existed. Before entering, I presumed we would see just some old theater. No way! Can I have two? In Berlin our local guide Jess described the events and life of the young soldier in the iconic picture showing his escaping to the West. I remembered that picture (OK, I was pretty young) and hearing the full story was astonishing."
It was a great trip. We were with a fun group. Lots of history and very educational. I am still thinking about it after being home for a week!
"A few! The stumbling stones in Berlin and the magnitude of all who were lost. The beautiful Lutheran Church in Dresden. As a lifelong Lutheran, I don't think I have ever seen a more beautiful Lutheran Church! Prague was so fun and beautiful."
Jana was engaging, organized, informative and thoughtful. Good mix of history, planned time and meals, plus free time. Comfortable motor coach.
"The Danube river cruise."
Berlin was a surprise to me- not what I expected. Went on a Berlin Walks Street Art tour prior to our tour to get a feel of today Berlin. The city is just not war memorials. Our hotel neighborhood reminded me of San Francisco residential areas. Cafes, little shops, kids and parents going to schools. Loved the location. Prague- I needed more time. at least one more day. The architecture, churches, museums and just to wander the streets. The new hotel is gorgeous inside- it fits with the city.
"How can you say one- Loved Prague and all it was about"
This was our first tour and we were very impressed with the whole event. Jana was great- very knowledgeable, patient, helpful and personable. The coordination of events, hotels and transportation was exceptional. I was surprised that we could cover som much in so little time and still have time off for ourselves also. The hotels were all exceptional and offered fabulous breakfasts and comfort. The local restaurants that we went to offered a good variety of authentic foods and experiences.
Though the weather did not cooperate, it was a great tour. Those that choose this tour need to understand that it is very emotional at times. If you are interested in WWII history, this tour will be especially rewarding.
"Pinkas Synagague in Prague. Though I don't know if "wow" is the proper word. The walls inscribed with the names of thousands of Czech Jews murdered during the Holocaust was breathtaking. Follow that with the Terezin Children's Art Exhibit upstairs and I was speechless."
The overall tour experience was wonderful! The hotels, the group meals, and most of all our tour guide, Carlos Meissner, combined with the beauty of the cities that we visited made this trip a most memorable experience.
"There were many! Seeing Prague, overlooking the Charles Bridge in the evening was incredible! The beauty of the castle in the evening was surreal. Another very memorable evening from our trip was dinner and at a concert in the Municipal Building in Prague. As the pianist played during a delicious dinner, I felt as though I had stepped back in time!"
Any time between May and September is a good time to visit Berlin, Prague, and Vienna. However, the months of May, June, and September are best for combining the convenience of peak season with generally good weather and lighter crowds.
Czech Republic / Prague
In case you wish to book pre- or post-tour hotel accommodations, the contact information for the tour's first and last hotels is included in your tour confirmation email as well as the Itinerary section of your tour account. One month prior to the tour departure, you'll find the directions to your first tour hotel and a complete list of hotels where we'll be staying while on tour in the Documents section of your tour account.
Our tours don't include airfare, so your flight arrangements and transfers are completely up to you.
Most tour members arrange to fly into Berlin (BER) and out of Vienna (VIE) — choose "multicity" on flight-booking websites. Booking round-trip to one city will require a connecting flight, train trip, or additional overnight stay in Europe.
We suggest arriving a day or two before your tour begins to allow ample time to get over jet lag and be well-rested for the first few days of your tour. For more information about transportation options for getting to and from your tour, see your Rick Steves Berlin guidebook.
Berlin to Vienna
This is a very active tour! Most days are moderate to strenuously paced with 2–8 miles of walking, including hilly terrain and lots of stairs.
Great Guides Video


Navsight Land/Air is a Motion and Navigation Solution designed to make surveyors's mobile data collection easier.
Navsight Land/Air Solution consists in an Inertial Measurement Unit available at two different performance level and connected to Navsight, a rugged processing unit embedding the fusion intelligence and the GNSS receiver (option).
This solution has been designed to bring simplicity, versatility in a cost-effective package for testing and surveying applications.
Navsight Apogee grade delivers the best performance under GNSS outage, making it is ideal for challenging application such as car testing or aerial and land surveying applications.
Navsight Solution consists in an Apogee grade Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) connected to Navsight, a processing unit embedding the fusion intelligence and the GNSS receiver (option).
Horizon IMU brings Navsight to the most demanding environments such as high altitude surveying, highly dense areas, and applications where only a single antenna can be used.
Horizon IMU is based on a closed-loop FOG technology which enables ultra-low bias and noise levels. It allows robust and consistent performance even in low dynamics survey.
Navsight is available as INS with embedded GNSS, and as INS using your own GNSS receiver. You have the choice between an Ekinox grade or an Apogee grade IMU.
Navsight systems are not restricted to export and ITAR free.


Making terrorist threats is a relatively recently new offense at state and federal levels, having come to the forefront only after the attacks on 9/11/2001. As a law it's rather general, and it can be used not only to prosecute terrorists but against other offenders such as those who commit domestic violence or make bomb threats. Although exact definitions differ, generally a terrorist threat is made if a person threatens to commit violent crimes solely to cause panic or terrorize an individual.
The common definition of a criminal or terrorist threat has five main elements, which are discussed below.
* Willful threat: The subject must willfully threaten to commit an offense that will result in bodily harm or death. Threats can be made electronically, verbally or in writing.
* Specific intent: A threat must be made with intent to be perceived in that manner. If one threatens to blow up an airport, they are guilty regardless of whether they have the means to accomplish the goal.
* Specificity: The threat must be specific, unequivocal and unconditional, conveying the prospect of immediate execution.
* Incites fear: The threat must cause fear in intended victims, and it must be believable.
* Reasonability of fear: If a person threatens to blow up the Capitol Building with a UFO, it's unlikely that the threat will be taken seriously.
Do All Jurisdictions Have Terrorist Threat Laws?
All jurisdictions have some form of the terrorist threat law. They vary from one place to another, and it's important to consult a local criminal attorney who is familiar with jurisdictional law. The federal government has its own statutes, which are narrower than those of most states. Therefore, defendants who hire a criminal lawyer in Montgomery County can be charged and penalized by both state and federal government entities for the same offense.
Should a Person Call an Attorney?
In the years after 9/11, something as seemingly minor as calling in bomb threats to get out of taking a test can land one in prison for decades. This crime is taken very seriously at both state and federal levels. If one is charged with making a terrorist threat, they should visit Legalphilly.com to speak to a criminal lawyer in Montgomery County to discuss their legal options.


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©robypangy/iStock
By International Living September 28, 2022
Schengen Visa: What Countries Are in the Zone?
Lots of Europhiles dream of taking six months or a year to explore Europe…traveling from country to country…staying put for a while (maybe even renting an apartment or villa for a month or two) and getting to know a region…then moving on to the next enticing destination….
It's a lovely dream. But doing it—while possible—is not totally straightforward. This is particularly true if you're a citizen of a non-European country. Here's why…and how you can stay within the rules and still enjoy your European idyll:
What Is the Schengen Zone?
©iStock/Sean Pavone
Most of mainland Europe—26 countries, at present—belongs to the so-called Schengen Zone. The Schengen Zone has a uniform visa policy, and it has abolished passport controls and most other border controls within the Zone. Your passport will be checked—possibly quite carefully—when you first enter the Zone via a member country. But once you enter the Schengen Zone, your passport normally won't be checked again until you leave the Zone. So for most practical purposes, you'll treat the Zone as though it were a single country.
Non-Europeans can visit countries within the Schengen Zone as tourists for only limited amounts of time. For citizens of the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and many other countries, that limit is 90 days out of every 180 days. That 90-day limit holds for the entire Schengen Zone. So, let's say you want to visit France and Italy, both of which belong to the Schengen Zone. You can spend up to 90 days either in France or in Italy…or you can divide your 90 days between the two. But you don't get 90 days in each.
What Countries Belong to the Schengen Zone?
Current member countries of the Schengen Zone are the following: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
© iStock/Gal_Istvan
In addition, three European microstates—Monaco, San Marino, and Vatican City—effectively operate as part of the Zone, even though they aren't members.
And four European Union countries that aren't currently part of the Schengen Zone are obligated to join eventually. These countries are Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, and Romania. (More on that later.)
You'll notice that many countries in the Schengen Zone are also part of the European Union…but not all of them. There is a great deal of overlap—but the Schengen Zone and the EU are not the same thing.
How to Calculate Your Schengen Stay
As mentioned earlier, you can stay in the Schengen Zone for 90 days out of every 180-day period. Note that 90 days is not the same as three months.
You can take your 90 days all at one time…or you can enter and leave the Zone at will, racking up your 90 days bit by bit. But your 90 days are a rolling total…that is, at any given time, you can't have been in the Zone more than 90 days over the previous 180-day period. (Or, to look at it another way…by the time you reach Day 91 in the Schengen Zone, at least 180 days must have passed since your Day 1 in the Zone.)
If you enter and leave the Zone frequently, keeping track of your days can be difficult. Fortunately, you can find apps online that can help calculate the days for you. See: https://ec.europa.eu/assets/home/visa-calculator/calculator.htm and http://adambard.github.io/schengencalc/ as examples.
One tip: Make sure that passport control stamps your passport every time you enter or leave the Zone. If it doesn't, you have no way to prove how many days you've stayed.
Who Needs a Schengen Visa?
Citizens of many countries, including the U.S. and Canada, don't need a visa to enter the Schengen Zone for short stays. You simply show your passport on arrival in a Schengen country and are allowed entry for 90 days.
Other countries that are exempt from needing a visa include Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and numerous Latin American countries. You can see a complete list here: https://ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/sites/homeaffairs/files/what-we-do/policies/borders-and-visas/visa-policy/apply_for_a_visa/docs/visa_lists_en.pdf
How to Plan a Long-term Europe Stay…Within the Schengen Rules
As you can see, planning a long-term stay in Europe requires some fancy footwork to stay within the Schengen guidelines. But there are two main ways to do it.
After spending 90 days in the Schengen Zone, stay in a country outside the Zone for the remaining 90 days of the 180-day period. You can then return to a Schengen-Zone country for a further 90 days.
There are several nearby countries to choose from that are outside the Schengen Zone. In these countries you can pleasantly wait out the rest of your 180-day period. First, of course, are the four EU countries that haven't yet joined the Zone: Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, and Romania. There is Albania, which is not yet a member of the EU. And there are Ireland and the UK, which are members of the EU but are not part of the Schengen Zone.
And there are the North African countries, such as Morocco. (Turkey, while also a possibility, is currently considered relatively unsafe. In addition, at present U.S. citizens cannot obtain tourist visas for Turkey, although citizens of Canada and Australia can.)
Hopping in and out of the Schengen Zone for 90-day periods is certainly feasible for a year or so. After that, you may find it wearing. But it does let you "try out" Europe with no strings attached—you're simply a tourist. In the long run, you may decide you want to be a part-time expat, spending part of the year in Europe and the rest of it back home. Alternatively, you may decide to seek residence in a European country.
Which brings us to the second option for long-term stays….
Get a residence visa for a European country (even a Schengen-Zone country, if you like). You can then stay in that country for the duration of your residence visa. (This is usually a year.) The 90-day limit will continue to hold for all other Schengen-Zone countries…but you may find that limit more manageable when you actually live in Europe.
Unlike the requirements for tourist visas, which are uniform across the Schengen Zone, requirements for residence visas are set by each individual country.
Most countries offer at least one visa based on your showing economic self-sufficiency: that is, that you can support yourself (and any dependents) financially in the country without working. The amount of income required varies by country and in some cases by city/region within a country.
You'll also need to show that you have private health insurance valid in Europe. (This is true even if you are allowed to join a country's nationalized health system after you get your visa.) And you often will be asked to produce a police report from the place(s) where you lived previously.
Contact the consulate or embassy of the country that interests you for further details and requirements.
Finally, can you simply overstay your time limit in the Schengen Zone?
After all, your passport is only checked and stamped when you enter and leave the Zone….
Yes, it's possible—but it's not advisable. First, recent terrorist-related incidents in Europe have heightened security; some countries temporarily reinstate border controls—so a spot check of your passport is always possible. And second, if you are interested in visiting Europe regularly, you don't want a black mark against your name for having overstayed your welcome. You may be allowed to do so once…but authorities may be less forgiving a second time—and could deny you entry thereafter.
So if you want Europe to be part of your life regularly…stay within the rules.
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Midnight Squadron - We fly at night because we just ain't right!
2017 Cherry Blossom Rokkaku Challenge!
We tied for second place this year — tied with Running with Scissors. Charlie Don't Run won first place. They really didn't run, but still won pretty solidly, which tells you they got skills. It was a tough field — five teams, no newbies, and I think all were past winners.
I don't have any photos of this year's battle, yet, so here's an old Washington Post photo of Charlie (left) and Running (right).
We held first place through the first two heats! This was an impressive showing after a year without any practice at all. The field presented 9 teams, including Jim Cosca, Harold Ames and Charlie Don't Run; we'll add more detail later.


text:
Biden's Centers for Disease Control Now Thinks Its Job is to Control Our Speech
iPatriot January 6, 2023 January 5, 2023
Joe Biden's corrupt Centers for Disease Control now thinks its job is to control how we speak and the words we use about our "communities."
Like all fascists, it's all about controlling your speech and using the approve verbiage to push the administration's propaganda.
The CDC recently put out a "guide" it has entitled, "Preferred Terms for Select Population Groups & Communities." This guide is being pushed on hospitals and healthcare professionals to force them to use only the government-approved words, phrases, and technical terms.
The abstract at the top of the website reads, "Language in communication products should reflect and speak to the needs of people in the audience of focus."
That may be true if you are writing ad copy for Pepsi or an advocacy piece for a political campaign. But it is assuredly not true when you are supposed to be talking about science… you know, the topic actually in the CDC's purview.
Remember science?
Indeed, according to the CDC's own mission statement, being Biden's fascist language police doesn't seem to be in the description:
CDC works 24/7 to protect America from health, safety and security threats, both foreign and in the U.S. Whether diseases start at home or abroad, are chronic or acute, curable or preventable, human error or deliberate attack, CDC fights disease and supports communities and citizens to do the same.
CDC increases the health security of our nation. As the nation's health protection agency, CDC saves lives and protects people from health threats. To accomplish our mission, CDC conducts critical science and provides health information that protects our nation against expensive and dangerous health threats, and responds when these arise.
I just don't see the CDC's charge to correct wrong-speak in there, do you?
But, still, the CDC now thinks it should have the role of being the woke police. Check out some of its "suggestions":
Convict/ex-convict
Parolee
People/persons who are incarcerated or detained (often used for shorter jail stays, for youth in detention facilities or for other persons awaiting immigration proceedings in detention facilities)
Partner/child of an incarcerated person
Persons in pre-trial or with charge
People who were formerly incarcerated
Persons on parole or probation
Persons detained by or under the custody of (specify agency) (for example, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement [ICE] or other agencies)
Remember, years ago, when we all laughed at the joke that people were no longer working as "janitors" because they had become "sanitation engineers"?
We used to think those sorts of absurd reframing of language was just for fun. But that was before the woke fascists took over everything.
Now try this for disabled people:
Differently abled
Confined to a wheelchair or wheelchair-bound
People with disabilities/a disability
People who are deaf or hard of hearing or who are blind or have low vision
People with an intellectual or developmental disability
People who use a wheelchair or mobility device
this supposed "guide" is chock full of these little nuggets of fascist thought police warnings.
Is this the CDC's job?
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