Home » TFAS Events » Exploring the Future of Freedom in Europe

Exploring the Future of Freedom in Europe

July 27—August 3, 2024

Ljubljana, Vienna, Bratislava, Prague


//////////////////////

Join The Fund for American Studies (TFAS) on an exciting excursion this summer. From July 27 to August 3, 2024, a group of TFAS supporters will embark on an educational journey through the heart of Europe, where history comes alive and the echoes of World War II and the Cold War resonate through the ages. For 20 years, TFAS has been leading its supporters on educational trips related to its mission of advancing freedom around the world. Joining a TFAS trip offers you the opportunity to explore fascinating places in the company of people with shared interests, and to gain behind-the scenes access that other tours rarely provide.

The theme of this European adventure is: “Exploring the Future of Freedom in Europe: 35 Years After the Fall of the Iron Curtain” Our meticulously curated trip offers a unique opportunity to delve into the past, while gaining insights into the contemporary political and economic landscape of this dynamic continent. Traveling by private coach, we will visit the historic European capitals of Prague, Vienna, Ljubljana, and Bratislava, as well as picturesque venues in between.

Registration

All it takes is a $1,000 deposit per person to reserve your spot on this amazing trip. The total cost of the trip is $4,900 per person for double occupancy rooms (not including airfare). There is an additional charge of $952 if you are traveling alone. To receive more information, please contact TFAS Special Events Director Jane Mack at 202-986-0384 (ext. 226) or jmack@TFAS.org.

To register online, please visit this page and follow the registration instructions.

If you prefer to pay by check, please make your check payable to The Fund for American Studies, include 2024 Europe Trip on the memo line and mail to:

The Fund for American Studies
ATTN: Jane Mack
1706 New Hampshire Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20009

Register Today!

The deadline to register for this trip is March 31, 2024.

Event Overview

July 27 – 29 – Ljubljana, Slovenia
July 29 – 31 – Vienna, Austria
July 31 – Lunch in Bratislava
July 31 – August 3 – Prague, Czech Republic

Explore our interactive map and view the official trip itinerary for more details. The itinerary is subject to change.

Explore WWII Sites:

Heldenplatz (Heroes’ Square) near Hofburg Palace in Vienna

On this trip you will tour historic sites of World War II history, including Vienna’s Heldenplatz, and the Prague church where Czech resistance fighters made a heroic stand against the brutal Nazi regime after Operation Anthropoid. Our expert guides will provide context, ensuring a profound understanding of the events that shaped the course of history.

Cold War Relics and Insights:

You will trace the footsteps of the Cold War’s ideological struggle as we visit iconic sites such as an underground nuclear bunker from the 1950s, and Prague’s Wenceslas Square, where Soviet tanks crushed the Prague Spring uprising in 1968. Our local guides will immerse you in the gripping stories of espionage, division, and eventual liberation, giving you a keen understanding of the geopolitical tensions that defined an era.

Six people gather for a group photo in front of lush island scenery.
Thomas Poussard, Debbie Lawrence, Tom Lawrence, Joanna and Andrew Loucopoulos and Bob Pruger gather for a photo on Easter Island during their trip to South America in January 2018.

Current Political and Economic Perspectives:

Our journey extends beyond the history books, offering a contemporary lens on Europe’s political and economic landscape. You will engage in enlightening discussions with local experts, policymakers, and scholars to grasp the nuanced challenges facing the continent today. From the politics of NATO to the complexities of migration and economic integration, participants will gain a comprehensive view of Europe’s current affairs through interactive discussions led by seasoned historians, political analysts, and economists.

Cultural Immersion:

While you soak in the lessons of history, you will also savor the diverse cultures of Europe through immersive experiences. This is a rich opportunity to explore authentic cuisine and traditions of Europe, and meet TFAS alumni in each country we visit. Participants will also attend the poignant closing ceremony of our student program at Charles University in Prague and see firsthand how TFAS is developing leaders around the globe.

View Travel Brochure

itinerary

Below is a schedule of events. If you have any questions, please contact Jane Mack at jmack@TFAS.org or 202.986.0384 ext. 226.

Day 1: Saturday, July 27 – Ljubljana (D)

  • Morning
  • Welcome to Ljubljana, the capital and largest city of Slovenia.
  • Afternoon
  • Upon arrival to the Ljubljana airport and individual transfers to the hotel, you will meet our group for a short orientation tour of the city.

Day 2: Sunday, July 28 – LJUBLJANA / BLED / LJUBLJANA (B,L)

  • Morning
  • Experience a fantastic trip to Lake Bled and private boat ride to Bled Island.
  • Take in the incredibly beautiful glacial lake surrounded by the peaks of the Slovenian Alps.
  • Afternoon
  • Lunch before heading back to Ljubljana

DAY 3: MONDAY, July 29 – LJUBLJANA / GRAZ / VIENNA (B,L,D)

  • Morning
  • Departure from Ljubljana.
  • Afternoon
  • Stop for lunch in Graz, Austria.
  • Evening
  • Orientation tour in Vienna followed by dinner with local TFAS alumni.
  • Retire to the Grand Hotel Wein

DAY 4: TUESDAY, July 30 – VIENNA (B,L)

  • Morning
  • Enjoy the day in Vienna, explore the Schonbrunn
    Castle on a guided tour.
  • Afternoon
  • Have lunch, then visit the horse stables of the
    Spanish Riding School near Hofburg Palace.

DAY 5: WEDNESDAY, July 31 – VIENNA / BRATISLAVA / PRAGUE (B,L,D)

  • Morning
  • Departure from Vienna
  • Tour the capital of Slovakia, Bratislava, and enjoy lunch with local TFAS alumni.
  • Afternoon
  • Pass through the Moravia region en route to Prague.
  • Evening
  • Arrive in Prague and enjoy a welcome reception with local TFAS alumni at the famous VillaRichter in Prague.
  • Retire to the Alchymist Grand Hotel

DAY 6: THURSDAY, Aug. 1 – PRAGUE (B,L,D)

  • Morning
  • Tour the Prague Castle and see the Lobkowicz collection of art at the Lobkowicz Palace in the Castle complex.
  • Afternoon
  • Enjoy lunch in a superb restaurant. Experience
    World War II history at the Anthropoid Museum.
  • Hear Cold War stories on the Nuclear Bunker Tour.
  • Evening
  • Enjoy a local dinner in the popular R. Jelinek Plum
    Brandy Museum, where you can taste some of the local brandy.
  • Retire to the Alchymist Grand Hotel

DAY 7: FRIDAY, Aug. 2 – PRAGUE (B,L)

  • Morning
  • See Prague from another vantage point as you board a river cruise for lunch.
  • Afternoon
  • Meet TFAS students from throughout Europe at their program’s closing ceremony and
    reception.

DAY 8: SATURDAY, Aug. 3 – PRAGUE (B)

  • Individual departures from Prague.


Related Events

5
event

TFAS Alumni: Pass it On!

Join TFAS alumni from around the world on April 30 for TFAS Alumni Giving Day! For the first time in TFAS history, we’re giving TFAS alumni from around the world the chance to come together and pass the TFAS experience onto the next generation of courageous…

34th Annual Scholarship Dinner

Please join The Fund for American Studies (TFAS) on July 11, 2024, at The Four Seasons Hotel in Washington, D.C., for a special celebration honoring today’s congressional and business leaders and supporting our future leaders – the 2024 TFAS students. Your…

Exploring the Future of Freedom in Europe

Join The Fund for American Studies (TFAS) on an exciting excursion this summer through the heart of central Europe. Tour Ljubljana, Vienna, Bratislava and Prague from July 27 to August 3, 2024!