Dead Drops & Double Agents: The Spycraft Tour of Europe

Apr 10 - 19, 2027

Step inside the hidden history of the Cold War on this 10-day small-group espionage journey through Berlin, Leipzig, Prague, and Vienna. This is not a standard European tour with a spy theme layered on top. It is an immersive exploration of intelligence, resistance, deception, and statecraft—experienced on the very ground where it unfolded.

Your guide is John Sipher, a retired senior officer of the Central Intelligence Agency and former Chief of Station, who spent decades operating in the world you will be studying. There are history tours, and there are intelligence briefings—but there are no other journeys that combine on-the-ground access with the perspective of someone who lived the profession at the highest levels. John is joined by expert local guides in each city, ensuring both strategic context and deep local insight.

Over ten days, you will explore key Cold War sites, meet regional experts, and still have time to walk, reflect, and absorb each city on your own terms. The program includes guided touring, private transfers, and carefully selected boutique hotels—designed for travelers who want substance, access, and a serious understanding of how espionage shaped modern Europe.

To preserve the depth of discussion and access, the group will be capped at about 15 participants. Final pricing will be determined by the total number of confirmed travelers. Once bookings and flights are secured, Tradecraft Travel will work individually with interested guests to arrange airport transfers in Berlin at the start of the program and in Vienna at its conclusion.

Agents are encouraged to submit a deposit of $1,400 per person to preserve their spots on this one-of-a-kind journey.

Inclusions:

A retired senior CIA officer guide
Accommodation with breakfast included
Private bus for transfers and tours mentioned on the itinerary
English speaking local guides for tours mentioned on the itinerary
Welcome dinner (fixed menu)
Lunch (fixed menu)
Entrance fees as mentioned
24/7 assistance

Not included:

Your airfare – let Tradecraft Travel know if you’d like to receive pricing
Airport transfers in Berlin, Vienna
Pre- or post-tour extensions
Visas (unless noted)
Hotel Porterage (1 piece of luggage per person)
Gratuities for services and experiences
Lunches, dinners and drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), unless specified in the itinerary
Excess baggage charges, and where applicable, baggage not included in your fare
Personal charges such as laundry, phone calls, SIM cards or room service
Early check-in or late check-out from hotels (unless otherwise specified)
Additional sightseeing, activities and experiences outside of your itinerary
Optional enhancements like room or flight upgrades, or local camera or video fees
Passport fees, immunization costs, and local departure taxes (when applicable)
Hotel local city tax, to be paid in destination at time of check out
Any other item not mentioned in the program

Please read the terms, conditions, and cancellation policies.

Itinerary

Trip Details
1. Your Chief of Station
2. Lodging at Each Hotel
Sat, Apr 10: Berlin
Sun, Apr 11: Berlin
1. Berlin Cold War and espionage tour with lunch (8 hours)
Mon, Apr 12: Berlin
1. East Berlin, DDR Museum and former Stasi headquarters tour
Tue, Apr 13: Leipzig
Wed, Apr 14: Prague
Thu, Apr 15: Prague
1. Museum of Communism, Wenceslas Square and Cold War Museum
2. Grand Café Society tour of Prague
Fri, Apr 16: Prague
1. Ideology, Resistance, and Power full-day tour
Sat, Apr 17: Vienna
Sun, Apr 18: Vienna
1. Espionage Vienna – Imperial Power, Military Secrets & Cold War Shadows
2. The Third Man and Vienna's Secret Underground tour
Mon, Apr 19: Vienna
1. Airport Transfer in Vienna (Optional)

Full Itinerary

Terms and Conditions
Updated on: Feb 17, 2026
How Do We Determine the Price of This Tour
Tradecraft Travel is pleased to be able to offer this boutique experience by working with Kensington Tours, a true expert in the field. The traveling group will include 10-15 persons plus other guides. The final program cost will be determined by the total number of passengers.
Given current market conditions, we estimate the price per person, double occupancy, will fall between $8,000-$9,200. The single supplement is $3,330.
Clients will receive final program pricing before final payment is due.
Deposits
The deposit process will have two phases.
- Phase One:
  - Clients willing to authorize deposits should click on the SAVE MY SPACE link to the right on this page. Tradecraft Travel will reach out to those who do for your credit card information and express authorization to post deposits of $1,400 per person to Kensington Tours, the ultimate supplier, when the tour minimum is met. Tradecraft Travel will hold this information until then.
  - Once ten deposit commitments are secured, Tradecraft Travel will submit the deposit authorizations to Kensington Tours for processing. Clients will be notified when this takes place. Once complete, deposits are subject to a $350 cancellation penalty per person.
- Phase two: Once the minimum has been met and the final number of travelers is known, Kensington will set the program price. Clients will be notified of this rate before final payment is due. Because Tradecraft Travel has to secure these installments in advance of Kensington Tours' deadline, each is a little earlier than Kensington Tours' due date.
  - 30% of the program price is due not later than October 31st, 2026. Your deposits count toward that figure, so you need only pay the difference.
  - Final payment will be due by December 31st, 2026.
Important disclosures:
- Tour quotes do not include airfare.
- As the tour fills and client arrival and departure times are secured, Tradecraft Travel will coordinate airport transfers for interested parties.
- Cost increases in currency exchange, government fees, taxes, surcharges or hotel/lodge tariff increases between quote date and start date are payable by the client.
- Availability cannot be guaranteed until booked. Kensington Tours will exercise best efforts to book hotels per the itinerary, however, in busy seasons and with client bookings made within 90 days of tour date we may be forced to offer substitutes.
- Payment of the program price constitutes your acceptance of the terms and conditions set out at www.privateguided.com/terms-and-conditions
- Living standards and practices at destination may differ from those in North America with respect to provisions of utilities, services and accommodation.
Cancellation and Refund Policy
Kensington Tours' cancellation and refund policies are set by how far in advance a cancels. For a tour start date of 10 April 2027:
- Cancel without penalty:
  - You can cancel your deposit without penalty by notifying Tradecraft Travel of your decision to do so until we reach our tour minimum of 10 deposited persons. Remember, your credit card will not yet have been charged, so this is a cancellation, not a refund.
- Partially refundable:
  - When we reach group minimum, Tradecraft Travel will process authorized deposits with Kensington Tours. Between that point and January 10th, 2027 (the date by which full payment is required), your payments are fully refundable less a $350 charge per person fee charged by Kensington Tours. Tradecraft Travel does not charge any additional penalty.
  - Cancellations between January 11th and February 9th 2027 will be subject to loss of 30% of the program price.
  - Cancellations between February 10th and March 11th 2027 will be subject to loss of 50% of the program price.
- Nonrefundable:
  - Cancellations on and after March 12th 2027 will be subject to loss of 100% of the program price.
Tradecraft Travel strongly recommends all agents secure travel insurance. Tradecraft Travel will offer policies underwritten by Allianz.