This study tour focuses on the area ruled by the Hapsburg Dynasty—where students will take in the Baroque architectural splendor, the musical heritage of Europe’s greatest composers, and the striking beauty of the natural settings.  The tour will begin in wonderful Prague with its wealth of well-preserved architectural gems that span the ages.  Students will stroll at night on the enchanting Charles Bridge, wander the Old Town Square, tour the Castle complex, including the gothic St. Vitus cathedral, and explore the Jewish Quarter.  From there, students will head to Budapest, located on the banks of the Danube: Buda, hilly and woody, on the right bank, and Pest, flat and urban, on the left.  Here, students will visit Buda Castle, the Citadel, the Royal Palace and Heroes Square.  Budapest is also home to several fine churches—notably, St. Stephan’s Basilica—and museums.  The next stop is Vienna, the “Paris of the East,” celebrated for its music, art and architecture.  With its reminders of the Hapsburg imperial glories, Vienna is home to the Schönbrunn Palace, the Kuntshistorisches Museum, the Hofburg, as well as residences of Freud, Mozart and the inimitable Hundertwasser!  Salzburg, for years a favorite of Queens students, provides a contrast to the larger cities; small and compact, it is one of the most pleasant and easiest to navigate cities in Europe.  Its attractions include Mozart’s birthplace, the Baroque Dom church, and the towering Festung castle complex.  The study tour will end up in Munich, the capital and cultural center of Bavaria.  This large metropolis in the midst of conservative southern Germany is known for its world-class museums, beautiful parks and handsome architecture.  A day-trip to Dachau will make for a chilling reminder of the brutality of the past and a haunting memory for any visitor.

>There is no program supplement charged for this study tour.  For participants who pay their own expenses, the cost -- inclusive except for lunches, most dinners, and incidentals -- is $2800.