Kraków to Prague: Exploring the Heart of Central Europe
May 25 - June 4, 2027
Every country has its own unique story to tell, and Slavic neighbors Poland and Czechia are no exception. These two modern democratic nations at the heart of Central Europe share not only a border, but deep historical connections that span ancient kingdoms, powerful dynasties, two world wars, communist rule and the transformation to democracy.
This exciting nine-day/ten-night photo adventure will take us from southern Poland, up into the mountains, across the historic Slavic states of Moravia and Silesia and on to the Czech Republic. The beautiful landscapes, history, culture and stunning architecture blend together, creating a rich visual tapestry perfect for a one-of-a-kind photography experience.
Our travels begin in Krakow, one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Our small group will explore this ornate medieval former capital of Poland, beginning our immersion into the Polish culture and history. We’ll visit churches, synagogues, the old Jewish quarter, the historic main square and some of the most interesting museums in Europe. We’ll also learn to make the Polish classic…pierogi!
Leaving Krakow behind, we head to the Tatra mountain region of Poland for round two of our Polish cultural and historical immersion. In addition to majestic landscapes, wonderful wooden churches and locals living at a slower pace of life, we’ll also be up close and personal photographing a centuries-old ritual important to the many Catholic Poles…the Corpus Christi procession.
From Poland, we cross the border into the Czech Republic and head to Ostrava, an area known for its past industrial and mining activities. During our two days here, we’ll visit two of the most important vintage mining sites…the Vitkovice ironworks and the Michal Mine. Both are now abandoned, affording us a unique opportunity to go inside the giant metal structures and even into a blast furnace. We’ll also pay a visit to the Wallachian Village Museum with its open-air collection of wooden houses, agricultural buildings, folk cottages and a blacksmith workshop.
Our trusty and comfortable bus takes us back across the border into Poland, making a stop at the interesting neighborhood of Katowice, which was built for the miners working there. The colorful brick buildings and details make for interesting compositions.
Later in the day, our group arrives in Wroclaw. Built across several river islands and rich with vintage architecture, this city was nearly destroyed during one of the last battles of World War II. We’ll spend a full day here, going up into towers for grand views of the city, visiting the University museum and its fabulous interiors and looking for some of the 1000 dwarf statues the city is famous for.
Leaving Wroclaw, we will make our way back to Czechia and its capitol, Prague. Along the way, we’ll stop at the most famous pottery town in Poland…Boleslawiec..arriving in Prague late afternoon. After settling into our beautiful hotel just off the Old Town square, we’ll have a casual walk to the Charles Bridge. We spend the next day exploring Prague and all its wonders.
As our adventure comes to and, we’ll enjoy a hearty group dinner and celebrate crossing borders and merging the past and present stories from the heart of Central Europe.
Every day will be packed with photographic opportunities, from locals going about their daily lives to picturesque landscapes to dramatic and historic architecture. Master photographer and educator Alan Ross will be by your side the entire way, providing photographic know-how and expertise in a light-hearted and supportive environment. Alan’s wife, Julie, will be along to keep things running smoothly so that your adventure is both fun and stress-free.
Joining Alan for photographic support is Daniel Rosca, a Romanian photographer and guide who will coordinate all aspects of our adventure, make sure our itinerary is maximized for the best photographic opportunities and advise on anything and everything photographic at our various locations.
To keep the experience small and intimate, our group is limited to 10 participants. We need a minimum of 8 folks to make this adventure a “go.” Price is $6,400 per person double occupancy, with a $700 one-time supplement for single occupancy. We will let you know when we’ve reached our minimum and it’s safe to book flights.
Included:
- Ten nights in unique accommodations, all with private bath
- Nine days of photographic support and instruction
- Various location and entrance fees
- Ground transportation in Poland and Czechia in air conditioned Mercedes Sprinter or similar
- All breakfasts and two dinners
- Specialized guides at some locations
- Private airport transfers from airport to hotel on the first day (or a few days earlier if arriving early) and hotel to airport on the last day of the tour
Not Included:
- Passport
- Lunches and dinners, except the two dinners mentioned above. You will probably spend 15 – 20 EUR per meal. In some places it will be more, in some less.
- Tips and gratuities
- Airport to Krakow and departure from Prague
- Travel/medical insurance (highly recommended)
- Bottled water and alcoholic beverages
- Personal expenses
Payment and Cancellation Policies
- Hold your spot with a deposit of $1,500. Final balance is due no later than March 31 and may be made in multiple installments.
- If you need to cancel before March 31, $750 will be refunded. Because of advance planning and deposits required, if the cancellation is within 60 days or less of the start of the trip, we will not be able to refund any of the workshop fee.
- Checks or payment through Venmo, Zelle or Apple Pay are very much appreciated, but payment can also be made through the website with either Shopify or PayPal.
- On the unlikely chance we need to cancel the workshop for any reason, you will be refunded the entire workshop fee.
Prerequisites & Activity Level
- Any and all camera formats are welcome, from DSLR to mirrorless to iPhone to large format film. You must be familiar with your camera’s operation and be able to carry all gear yourself.
- There are no strenuous hikes or treks planned, but many of these European cities have cobblestone streets and other uneven walking surfaces. You need to be physically able to handle them and walk at least a half mile.
- About a month before departure, you will receive detailed information to help you prepare for our adventure. From camera gear advice to packing suggestions, you’ll get lots of support to ensure your trip is one of learning and image making.