The SDSU Kafka Project’s "Magical Mystery Literary History Tour" to the Czech Republic, Poland and Germany, June 15-24, 2008 will be led by KPBS anchor and SDSU adjunct professor Kathi Diamant, author of Kafka's Last Love. The 8-night/10-day tour will retrace one of the world’s great love stories, spending three nights Prague, two nights in Krakow, and three nights in Berlin. The package includes first class hotels, transportation between cities, comprehensive sightseeing, professional local guides, many meals, fees, taxes and a donation to the Kafka Project’s continuing search for a literary treasure. The 2008 Tour is currently filled but reservations are being accepted for the 2009 tour. Details: Kafka Project (619) 528-1108 or visit www.kafkaproject.com

Download the PDF brochure HERE

NEW!!!!Check out the Finalized Tour Itinerary

The Kafka Project is a non-profit international investigation into the last writings of the writer Franz Kafka, under the auspices of the College of Arts and Letters at San Diego State University. Since 1998, the SDSU Kafka Project has worked to recover the missing notebooks and letters of the literary genius Franz Kafka (1883-1924), confiscated by the Gestapo in Berlin, 1933. Tour proceeds will benefit the Kafka Project, a non-profit volunteer organization, funded by donations, grants and shared skills and knowledge.

$1845. pp (land only)
Optional Group Air Add-on

INCLUDES

*First Class Hotels In Each City
(based on double occupancy)
*Daily Full Buffet Breakfast
*(3) Dinners & (3) Lunches
*Sightseeing with Admissions
*Professional Travel Director Throughout
*Expert Local Guides In Each City
*All Transfers & Hotel Taxes

Magical Mystery Literary History Tour Final Itinerary

Day One – Sunday, 6/15
Depart from your gateway city. Before you head to the airport, pause for a moment and double check your carry-on bags for: airline tickets, passport, prescription medications, and toiletries. Note: It is important to check in at least 2 hours prior to your flight departure time for international flights. Enjoy appropriate in-flight meal service and look forward to an enlightening experience with your fellow travelers starting in Prague.

Day Two – Monday, 6/16
Arrive this morning. After clearing customs and claiming your bags, you’ll be met by our travel staff and transportation will be provided to the Hotel Casa Edith Stein in Prague. Please note: Complimentary transfers are provided only on group arrival and departure days.

Prague fast facts
You can drink the tap water
The currency is the Czech Koruna (about 16 to a $1.00)
The best way to get Czech Koruna is to use your ATM card
The city center is very busy with tourists during June
The real name of the city is Praha
The beer is really good

Hotel Casa Edith Stein
It has all the ingredients: coziness, conveniences, and a pleasant view. The cordial old-world and the comfort of the new, define the inviting atmosphere. A charming hotel located in a residential area in Prague. Built in a historic farmhouse from the 15th Century, totally renovated, Hotel Casa Edith Stein has 43 comfortable rooms. All have their own bathroom and are equipped with telephone, minibar, satellite-TV, free wireless internet (in lobby), hair dryer, and a safe for storing valuables. At the restaurant Vecchio Borgo you can taste excellent Czech and Italian dishes.

Casa Edith Stein (June 16-19)
U Perníkárky 2A/111
150 00 Prague 5
Prague Czech Republic
tel. 011 420 257 220 501
fax 011 420 257 220 497
e-mail: casaedithstein@volny.cz

Upon Arrival
Official check-in time is at 3:00pm. We will make every effort to accommodate an earlier check-in if needed. The afternoon is free to enjoy at your leisure, to relax and get acquainted with the Hotel Casa Edith Stein and the magical city of Prague.

Welcome Dinner (included)
Meet 6:00pm in the lobby
In the evening, we meet in the lobby for a welcome dinner at Vecchio Borgo restaurant. Attire: Casual, as it is throughout the program. The remainder of the evening is at leisure.

Day Three – Tuesday, 6/17
Breakfast (included each day) and Tour
After a buffet breakfast (opens at 7:30am) at the hotel, we leave at 8:00am for a tour of Prague including Prague Castle, Golden Lane, Astronomical Clock, and the Old Town.

Lunch (included)
Restaurant: 7 Angels
Please choose a menu:

Please advise menu choices asap (must order in advance)
Sorry no substitutions (and yes the goulash has meat in it)

Afternoon optional activity
Special Presentation at Czech Cultural Centre 4PM – 5:30PM

“The Journeys of Franz. K ” is a traveling exhibit, a photo cycle of black-and-white photographs of places Kafka traveled, including his favorite spots in Italy, Switzerland, France and Slovakia. Photographed by Jan Jindra and presented by Judita Matyášová, cultural manager and co-author of the project, we can explore the history and haunting beauty of Kafka’s places, and learn about the detective work involved in tracking down these sites. For more about project: www.franzkafka.info. The cost for this program is 15 Euros per person. Highly recommended.

Dinner at leisure

Day Four – Wednesday, 6/18
Breakfast and Tour
Following breakfast we leave at 8:00am to see the New Jewish Cemetery, the Strahov monastery library, then a walk through the Small Town passing Loreto Square. Then we go to the Wallenstein garden and the Kafka museum. The motor coach will pick up by the Kafka museum and return to the hotel.

Lunch on own

Optional Excursion
A walk over the Charles Bridge - this time with the explanation of the history, the statues, antireformation time, passing the Klementinum former Jesuit College, the statue of the Rabi Low, the story about Golem, passing the Pinkas Synagogue - history of Holocaust, the Old Jewish Cemetery, the Maisel Synagogue - talking about the history of the Jewish settlements in Bohemia from the 10th century until the Enlighten time of the Emperor Joseph II in1781 and the end of the Ghettos. You’ll see the house where Franz Kafka was born, houses where he lived - where he grew up, where he wrote Trial. Also the Spanish Synagogue - the statue of F.K. sitting on the invisible Giant, the Old New Synagogue, the Klaus Synagogue, the Ceremonial Hall - an informative journey detailing the traditions of the Jewish community here.
The cost for this 3-hour walking tour is 26 Euro
Please advise asap if you are interested, as we need a minimum of 6 participants for the tour to operate.

Evening optional Activity
Presentation at Museum of St. Charles Bridge 7:00PM – 8:30PM

Join Kathi Diamant, Kafka Project Director, as she talks about the discoveries of her two decades of research into the love story between the mysterious Dora Diamant and Franz Kafka, and the Kafka Project at a talk open to the public at the new Museum of St. Charles Bridge, with a book signing to follow. All tour members receive free admission to the museum and talk.

Dinner at leisure

Day Five – Thursday, 6/19
Breakfast and 8:00am departure
Following breakfast, please settle your incidental account with the hotel and arrange for your luggage to be brought to our motor coach for our departure to Krakow, Poland via the ancient city of Bedzin, where we stop for a visit.

Lunch is included en route.

Krakow fast facts
You can shower with the tap water but drink the bottled
The currency is the Polish Zloty (about 2.15 to a $1.00)
The best way to get Polish Zloty is to use your ATM card
The city center is very busy with tourists during June
The real name of the city is Krakow…not Cracow
The beer is really good

Hotel Pod Wawelem
Welcome to the modern and comfortable Pod Wawelem. The hotel is situated in the city centre in the heart of historic Krakow near the Wawel Royal Castle, a 10-minute-walk from the Main Market Square. At your disposal there is a restaurant, pub, terrace with a summer bar and a wonderful view of Krakow. Also has a steam room and fitness room. All rooms have a private bathroom with shower, self-controlled air conditioning, TV-Sat, radio, internet access, hair-dryer and coffee / tea facilities.

Hotel Pod Wawelem (June 19-20)
pl. Na Groblach 22
Krakow 31 101 Poland
tel. 011 12 426 26 26
fax 011 48 12 422 33 99
e-mail: rezerwacja@hotelpodwawelem

Upon Arrival
After check-in at Hotel Pod Wawelem, the balance of the afternoon is free to enjoy at your leisure, to relax and get acquainted with the hotel, or spend the afternoon exploring the heart of the city outside your door.

Dinner (included)
Meet 6:30pm in the lobby
Join us again this evening in the lobby for a short journey to the Main Market Square for a special dinner at Ristorante Da Pietro. The rest of evening is at leisure.

Day Six – Friday, 6/20
Breakfast and Tour
Following breakfast we depart at 9:00am for a fascinating half-day city tour of Krakow with a local guide that includes an entrance to St.Mary's Church in the main market square.

Lunch on own.

Optional Excursion
We are offering in the afternoon an optional private motor coach excursion to Auschwitz/ Birkenau Museum with a local guide.
The cost for this afternoon motorcoach tour is 26 Euro
Please advise asap if you are interested, as we need a
minimum of 13 participants for the tour to operate.

Evening optional Activity
Tour of Jewish Quarter and Presentation at Galicia Jewish Museum- 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm Visit Kazimierz, the old Jewish Quarter ending with a private tour of the Galicia Jewish Museum and a talk, open to the public, by Kafka Project Director Kathi Diamant on Dora Diamant’s life in Poland and the fate of her family.

Dinner at leisure

Day Seven – Saturday, 6/21
Breakfast and 8:00am departure
Following breakfast, please settle your incidental account with the hotel and arrange for your luggage to be brought to our motor coach for our departure to Berlin via the city of Wroclaw where we stop for lunch.

Lunch is included en route.

Berlin fast facts
You can drink the tap water
The currency is the Euro (check rate daily)
The best way to get Euro is to use your ATM card
The real name of the city is Berlin
The beer is really good

Honigmond Garden Hotel
For price, style, location and convenience, the Honigmond Garden Hotel is one of Berlin’s most popular boutique hotels. With its uber trendy Mitte neighborhood location, you’re just a short bus ride or walk from the heartbeat of Berlin. You’re also a block from the shops on Friedrichstrasse. With only 20 rooms and a fairyland garden this lovely restored hotel from 1845 with plenty of hot water for your shower, a five minute walk to the subway, and staff that aims to please is a real charmer.

Honigmond Garden Hotel (June 21-24)
Invalidenstrasse 122
Mitte Berlin 10115 Germany
tel: 011 49 30 28 44 55 77
Email: honigmond@t-online.de

Upon Arrival
After check-in at Honigmond Garden Hotel, the balance of the afternoon and evening is free to enjoy at your leisure, to relax and get acquainted with the hotel, or spend the time exploring this most exciting capital city.

Dinner at leisure

Day Eight – Sunday, 6/22
Breakfast and Tour
Following breakfast at the hotel we leave at 9:00am for a special Kafka in Berlin Tour featuring Dr. Hans Koch, Germany’s leading Kafka scholar. Dr. Koch, author of “Kafka in Berlin,” will lead the 3-4 hour tour of Kafka’s Berlin, crossing Berlin from east to west, beginning with the home of his love Felice Bauer and ending near Wannsee at the home of Heinrich von Kleist, one of Kafka’s favorite authors.

Lunch on own

Optional Afternoon Tour
Potsdam & Sanssouci Palace - 1:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m. Built as a summer retreat, from sketches drawn by Frederick the Great, Sanssouci literally means 'without worries' in French. A guide will take you through the palace's 12 rooms. Although this is a small palace, the original furnishings and lavish Rococo style architecture leave a grand impression. Please let me know if you are interested in this optional. Cost would be in the 35-euro range.

Dinner is at leisure

Day Nine – Monday, 6/23
Breakfast and Tour
After breakfast this morning we leave at 9:00am on a motor coach for an insider’s tour of Berlin featuring the Reichstag, Brandenburg Tor, and the Berlin Wall by a local expert guide.

Lunch on own

Dinner (Included)

Meet 6:00pm in the lobby
In the evening we have a farewell dinner at a special restaurant in Berlin.

Day Ten – Tuesday, 6/24
Breakfast and Departures
There is time for one more breakfast before boarding transportation to the Berlin airport for our flights home. You will receive detailed departure information from the travel staff to ensure your departure from the hotel is smooth and trouble free.

Note: Some travelers have made individual plans that may vary from this itinerary.

MORE INFO:

Itinerary (DOC)

Hotels (DOC)