Age
15-18
Social Causes
None
Highlights
Bike Tour Through the Countryside, Tour a Concentration Camp, Endless Gelato & Castles
Trip Pace
Casual-Moderate
Physical Level
Moderate
About this Trip
The unique, unrivaled beauty of ancient castles and calm countrysides surrounded by moving WWII history
We are convinced that Prague is one of Europe’s best-kept secrets. It has the charm of Paris, the historical pull of Barcelona, and the beauty of Vienna. You’ll shop for fresh bread, pastries, and locally grown wares at the local market by the river, ride your bike through a beautiful tour of the countryside, and wander through castles, cathedrals, and cobblestone streets from nearly 1400 years ago.
Spend a somber and insightful day touring a Jewish concentration camp and learn more about the history and the role that humanity played–or failed to play–in the things that happened there.
Bring some nice clothes, because you’ll have a chance to experience a masterful production at the beautiful National Theater as well as learn to make a traditional three-course meal from a local chef. You’ll enjoy art, architecture, and gelato almost everywhere you go (is three cones a day too much?). Prague is everything a summer spent in Europe should be.
Youth & Parent Experiences
Who Can Go On This Teen Trip?
All youth, ages 15-18, who commit to and follow the rules and safety standards of Travel For Youth can attend this trip.
Is Prague safe?
Yes! Safety is, by far, our number one priority when we choose any location for our trips. We are keenly aware of the intense trust that is placed in us to provide a safe and life-changing experience for your child. As parents of three children, we do not take that trust lightly. Because of this, we will never take your child to a place that we, as the founders, do not deem safe for our own small children, and that we have not PERSONALLY visited and vetted from top to bottom.
Prague is currently ranked as #16 of the world’s safest countries, with its safety rating higher than that of the United States according to the Global Peace Index. Violent crime is extremely rare, and the most common types of crime involving tourists are petty theft, pickpocketing, or scamming near busy tourist sights, which is why we train and instruct our participants and leaders on how to take extra precautions in these areas.
You can read more about our robust safety precautions here.
What is the food like?
Czech food is hearty and satisfying. Some common meals involve bread or dumplings, soups, meats or sausages, and cooked vegetables. Some of our personal favorites are, chlebicky–open-faced sandwiches on fresh local baguettes; kolaches—a sweet pastry surrounding fruit or cream; and trdelnik—a cone-shaped dough filled with toppings like Nutella or sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar.
If you have a gluten allergy, eating around Prague can be more difficult as they do not provide many gluten-free options and gluten-based foods are central to their traditional cuisine. It is not impossible to travel in Prague with a gluten allergy, but it can be tricky. If you are set on taking a trip to Europe but are worried about gluten-free food options in Prague, we suggest checking out our Italy or Greece trip—both countries are much better at accommodating gluten allergies.
What are the housing accommodations going to be?
Again, safety is our number one priority. When we consider new locations, we personally go beforehand and scout out the safest, highest quality housing and neighborhoods available. We never stay in hostels and we personally go and vet every accommodation for cleanliness, location, safety, and privacy. In order to provide a more immersive cultural experience, and to better support and give back to the community we are visiting, we prioritize Airbnb’s or privately owned bed and breakfasts for the majority of our stay.
You will stay in a clean, local-styled Airbnb’s for your trip.
How can I prepare for my experience?
First and foremost, get a passport if you don’t already have one!
Next, keep your eye out for the information and resources that we will be sending you via email. The more you know and understand, the more this experience will mean to you and the more prepared you will be to make a meaningful difference.
This trip leans towards being a culture-heavy, sightseeing trip. You will use the metro at times to get around, but part of the magic of Prague is meandering down the beautiful storybook-like cobblestone streets and spontaneously popping in to explore hidden cathedrals or cafes. Because of this, be prepared to walk a few miles each day. You also need to be able to participate in a long bike ride through the countryside which involves some small rolling hills so being comfortable on a bike is necessary.
Lastly, practice getting uncomfortable: try new foods, start conversations with people you don’t know, put away your phone for a few hours every day, etc. Traveling is exhilarating and life-changing, but it can also be full of moments that are new, hard, or uncomfortable. New people, new cultures, new languages, and new food can be a lot to take in at times. Everything you do to get ready now will make it that much easier. Just know that we’ll be there to walk you through all of it and help make your experience amazing!