Join the USO for its overnight tour to two of the most fascinating cities in Europe. We’ll depart late Friday night and travel overnight via deluxe motor coach to arrive in Prague early Saturday morning. After breakfast, we’ll begin our exciting day in Prague, Europe’s golden city. It’s a city filled with history, art and culture, a city of contrast and mystery. On the guided tour of the city, you’ll see such sights as the Powder Tower, the old Town Square, and the Charles Bridge. You’ll also have plenty of time for shopping or you may want to participate in one of the many tours offered by local experts—for instance, literary tours, architectural tours, the castle tour, and more. Our accommodations will be in a comfortable 4-star hotel in the city’s main shopping and entertainment district. After an early morning breakfast at our hotel, we’ll depart for Karlovy Vary (Karlsbad) which is a world famous health resort and one of the most beautiful small towns in Eastern Europe. The town was founded by Charles IV in the mid-14th century after he discovered a hot spring while on a hunting trip in the Vary valley. This spring led to the town’s first mineral bathhouse, which was the beginning of Karlovy Vary’s growth and reputation. The town is also known as a shopping center and the capital of the Bohemian crystal and porcelain industry. We’ll have a city orientation and free time for shopping, sightseeing, or just relaxing at one of the many restaurants and cafes. Those wishing to visit the spa in Karlovy Vary should bring a swimsuit. We’ll depart Karlovy Vary late Sunday afternoon. Please bring your U.S. (blue) or EC passports. They are mandatory. Non-U.S. citizens should check with their consulate for visa requirements. Tour price includes transportation, one overnight in a comfortable 4-star hotel in downtown center, breakfast Saturday and Sunday mornings, city tour in Prague and orientation in Karlovy Vary, and a USO tour guide.

Transportation: German bus

Depart: Vogelweh Bowling Center 2330 (FRI)

Return: Approximately midnight (SUN)

Cost: $269 Adults (per person based on double occupancy) $249 Children

Single Supplement: $60

Venice and Florence

Friday- Monday, October 8-11

Visit beautiful Italy with the USO this Columbus Day! We'll depart from Vogelweh early Friday morning for our daytime travel to Italy!  After traveling through Switzerland and across northern Italy in the daylight, we will arrive at our hotel for an evening check in!  After a good night’s sleep and breakfast at our hotel, we'll continue to Venice, where you will have a guided walking tour through this famous city, seeing the canals, bridges, and quaint squares. Venice is totally without cars—they have never been permitted inside the city—so we'll take a boat ride to St. Mark's Square. There, we’ll meet our local guide who will show us the impressive and historic sights of Venice: St. Mark's Cathedral, the Ducal Palace, the Bell Tower, St. Mark's Square, the Bridge of Sighs, and much more. There will be ample time for sight seeing on your own, souvenir shopping, visiting museums and dinner in Venice before returning to our hotel. On Sunday morning, after breakfast, we’ll proceed to Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance, one of the most prolific periods of arts and culture. We'll meet our another local city guide who will show you some of the breathtaking architecture  and works of art such as the Duomo (cathedral) and the Baptistery, and the Basilica of Santa Croce with the tombs of Michelango, Machiavelli, and Galileo. On the Piazza di Signoria, you’ll see a replica of Michelangelo's David where it had originally been located. During your free time, you may admire the real David inside the Academia, or visit the Uffizi Galleries, with its wealth of treasures by Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Fra Angelico, and others. If you prefer shopping, Florence offers leather goods, embroidery, silver, and more souvenirs at large open-air markets.  We'll depart Florence Sunday evening for our return trip home, and we will arrive back in the Kaiserslautern area on Sunday morning. Bring euro for food and shopping. Many shops accept major credit cards. Passports are required for US citizens and military members. It is the responsibility of non-US citizens to take care of visa requirements. Tour price includes transportation, two overnights including breakfast in a medium category comfort hotel, boat transportation in Venice, local city guides in Venice and Florence, and a USO tour guide.  (Note:  Reservations for the Uffizi Gallery and Academy in Florence can be made in advance, on line, www.polomuseale.firenze.it, recommend after 2 p.m., Sunday)

Transportation: German bus

Depart: Vogelweh Bowling Center 0600 (FRI)

Return: Approximately 0830 (MON)

Cost: $449 per person (based on double occupancy)

Single Supplement: $120