Four Capitals, Four Countries: A HOT Journey Through Central Europe

This September, our group, 8 people, with the Tour Leader, Darren Frazier, embarked on a two-week journey by train weaving through history, culture, and cuisine in Berlin, Prague, Vienna, and Budapest—four capitals that once fell under the vast Austro-Hungarian Empire. Each stop carried its own flavor, yet together they painted a powerful timeline of resilience, artistry, and tradition.

In Berlin, we walked among symbols of division and unity—the Reichstag, Brandenburg Gate, and the Berlin Wall—before enjoying a lighter moment over hearty German dishes at our welcome dinner.

Prague charmed us with its Gothic beauty: the Astronomical Clock, Charles Bridge, and St. Vitus Cathedral. Winding through cobblestones with our professional Deaf guide, Jan, we felt like we had stepped into a living storybook.

Vienna dazzled us with grandeur—from Klimt’s The Kiss at the Belvedere to the sweetness of Sacher Torte. Visiting and mingling with the local Deaf Viennese for hours at a Deaf club was one of the highlights. A road trip to Melk Abbey and a riverboat down the Wachau Valley gave us fresh air and unforgettable views.

In Budapest, we soaked and felt renewed in thermal baths, explored Buda Castle atop of the city, and wandered in the jewish quarter, including the sombering ghetto —but the moment we’ll never forget was our exclusive tour of Hungary’s Parliament with Dr. Gergely Tapolczai, the nation’s first Deaf politician. To stand inside that building, guided by one of our own, was truly historic. 

The tour ended on a very late evening cruise on the mighty Danube river where the city of lights dazzled our eyes and drank our final celebratory drinks.

Over the course of 10 days with four professional Deaf guides, we connected not only with the past but also with the Deaf communities shaping these cities today. Every train ride—our chosen way of traveling this time—added laughter, surprises, and a sense of togetherness far different from hopping on planes or vans.

And of course, we sampled it all: German schnitzel, Czech goulash, Viennese pastries, Hungarian paprika-spiced dishes. Each meal became its own story, adding spice to the memories we carried home.

This trip reminded us why we travel: not just to see landmarks, but to connect—with history, with culture, with people. Central Europe gave us all three in abundance.