Slovakia, Poland, & Czech R. - Sample 12 Day Itinerary
Includes working with local Slovak towns, schools, and churches
Sample Itinerary:
Days 1, 2
Depart for Europe and arrive in Vienna, Austria the next day! After a brief tour of Vienna, transfer to Bratislava, the largest city in Slovakia. In the evening, stroll along the banks of the Danube River as we explore this beautiful city. Orientation time.
Days 3-6
In the morning we will transfer to Trencianska Tepla, a small village in western Slovakia, where we will spend the next few days. You’ll enjoy the culture and people of this area very much, complete with typical country Slovak cabins. While here, we will complete our service projects which may include: helping to clean the local town, painting, and visiting children in Slovak schools. It’s guaranteed you will get to know the local people “up close and personal” as you serve them with the love of Jesus! G-RUSH has many ministry connections in this area, so once the composition of the group is determined, more specifics regarding ministry will be provided. (Ministry days can be extended.)
In the evenings and afternoons, there will be excursions to various locations in the area, such as: enjoy the beautiful town Trencin with its spectacular castle complete with Roman inscription from an much earlier day; travel to Vrsatec Peak in the High Tatras, the main mountain range in Slovakia, where we have an evening Slovak BBQ with a breathtaking view; catch a village train to Trencianske Teplice, a famous spa town, and walk through the park and have a patio lunch at a local restaurant. There is much to do in this area……and you’ll be getting in on some of Europe’s best kept secrets!
Day 7
Today we will head to a small village with incredible surroundings called Oravsky Podzamok. Touring one of the most beautiful castles in Slovakia with the same name as the town – Oravsky Podzamok - (fully furnished with antique furniture, built on the rock). After that take a log ride and see the castle surroundings.
Day 8
With the majestic Slovak mountains on all sides, we will take a hike, visit some lakes, and take a gondola ride to the top of the second highest peak in the High Tatras range. It’s also time for a stop at a traditional Slovak restaurant where we will taste the Slovak national dish called “halusky”. In the evening, we will continue to Zakopane, Poland, a beautiful little mountain town, with its unique houses, people and village market. You won’t want to leave!
Day 9
We will be deeply moved as we visit two of the most infamous Nazi concentration/death camps - Auschwitz and Burkenau. In the evening we will stay in the captivating city of Krakow, Poland.
Days 10, 11
As we near the end of our once-in-a-lifetime journey, we will travel from Krakow to Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic. Along with Krakow, you will be stunned by its beauty! Walk along the riverbanks and explore historic old Prague, including the Market Square, St. Vitus Cathedral, Wenceslas Square, and the historic Charles Bridge. There will also be time for debriefing.
Day 12
Fly home after eleven life-changing days!
This itinerary is intended to be a tentative guideline for this trip. Activities may be moved around due to timing, weather and other unforeseeable circumstances.
Trip Focus:
In addition to the ministry projects, regular devotions and group discussions will integrate the days’ ministry and sightseeing activities with Biblical principles of service and leadership. All travelers will be impacted in the following ways:
1) Develop a broader global perspective and increased cross-cultural understanding.
2) Learn how their own gifts and talents can be used effectively to share the Gospel in both word and deed.
3) Come to better understand principles of effective Christian leadership, including having “a servant’s heart”.
4) Have an opportunity to consider a life-long calling to overseas ministry.
5) Grow close to Slovak people and mission team members.
