Between the days of March 26-April 4, a select group of parents, administrators, teachers, and students of the Colegio Internacional de Caracas journeyed to Europe to visit the old and important cities of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire, an empire ruled for more than 700 years by the Hapsburg dynasty. The leading figures of the dynasty were instrumental in shaping the great civilized society of eastern and central Europe, and they left, as their legacy to humanity, the groundwork for great cities, celebrated centers of art and culture, and a wide variety of accomplishments in the fields of military arts, philosophy, ethics, and the natural and social sciences.

On a Lufthansa flight by way of Frankfurt, we arrived Saturday evening in Prague, the city on the banks of the Moldava River, the city of one hundred towers and five hundred cupolas. From there we travelled to Vienna where we became acquainted with history of the great city, including the living quarters of the now famous lovers, Emperor Franz Joseph and his consort, Sisi. The final stop on our itinerary was Budapest, the so-called “Pearl of the Danube,” the city of venerable bridges and the birthplace of freedom for the nations of eastern Europe.

Our return trip was filled with feelings of excitement, pleasant memories, and longings.

Here are some pictures of the trip.