May 2025 Eastern European Rotary Tours
Sponsored by Global Travelers Rotary Club

Two options:

Tallinn, Estonia to Budapest, Hungary

12 days, 11 nights, May 10 – 20, 2025

(with an optional additional day in Helsinki and/or
an optional additional day in Budapest)

or
Budapest to Tallinn

12 days, 11 nights, May 20 - June 1, 2025

Visit:

Tallinn, Estonia Riga, Latvia Klaipeda & Vilnius, Lithuania Warsaw, Poland (& Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial) Ostrava, Czechia (southbound) Prague, Czech Republic (northbound) Vienna, Austria Bratislava, Slovakia Budapest, Hungary

The cost is very reasonable, $1900 for either the trip south or for the return trip north. This includes the 19 passenger tour mini-bus and professional driver, 3 and 4 star hotels with breakfasts, walking tours and some other attractions (including the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum). This includes a $100 tip for the volunteer student tour guide. Airfare, lunches and dinners and optional activities are extra. (assumes double occupancy, otherwise $400 single supplement).

The May 10 - 20 group will start in Tallinn, Estonia and end in Budapest. There will be free days in Warsaw,Vienna and Budapest. The second May 20 - June 1 group will mostly trace the first group’s steps, but with free days in Budapest, Vienna and Warsaw (photos above), and also visit Prague, Czech Republic and Krakow, Poland, all wonderful places to visit. Both tours will visit the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum. We plan to arrive at the next destination before noon each day in most casess.  See Itinerary for details.

Ths will be more than an “ABC” tour (“another bloody castle (church, capital)”) (copying the bloody British).  There will be lots of old and interesting things to see, but this will be a traveling seminar conducted on the bus in the mornings en route to the next city, including the countries’:
 * History
 * Current economic condition
 * Current business climate
 * Political climate in relation to the EU and Russia
See "Why Tour Eastern Europe" (PDF download) or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuBroHJxnR0&t=475s Youtube.

Likely takeaway: Securing these countries’ independence in the European Union is important.

We will arrange an evening social event with Rotarians of at least one city we will visit as we can so you can talk with the locals and conduct a "hands on" project. These discussions will likely be the highlights of the tours that we will long remember.

We will have several walking tours of the cities, so these tours are best for those who can walk comfortably.

While these are "Rotary" tours, they are open to friends and family, so don't be shy. :)

Register

For more information: Frequently Asked Questions or contact us.

   Tallinn, Estonia                       Riga, Latvia

       Klaidpeda, Lithuania            Vilnius, Lithuania

Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial       Krakow, Poland

Prague, Czech Republic        Bratislava, Slovakia

These are fascinating countries, not only for their histories, but because of their location. The Baltic countries were part of the Soviet Union, and after difficult years after their independence in 1991 are improving economically. The people there treasure their independence passionately.

Poland has a somewhat different story, having been the area fought over and conquered and divided and subjugated through the millenia, positioned between the great powers in Western Europe and Russia. It remains a political hotbed today. Warsaw was surprisingly fun when I visited there, contrary to my preconceived ideas about Poland. Now Poland has demonstrated a great compassion for Ukrainian refgees. We hope to include some small project for the refugees whlie there, working through some Polish Rotary Club.

The other countries are ones more frequently visited by American tourists, with the international meeting places in Praque, Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest. The ancient architecture draws many to these cities.

But, for me, the most fun in visiting these countries is the people. Despite varying levels of prosperity, I found them mostly happy. They are welcoming and eager to talk with Americans. It is interesting to hear their perspectives and important for us to share our perspectives with them.

When you return home, you will be the envy of your friends, as few Americans will ever have the chance to explore these countries as you will have done.!

Register.

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