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An Adventure in Europe Specially created for Jane Example and John Example Itinerary Preview Vienna and Krakow September 01 – September 07, 2015 A Custom Itinerary designed by Go Real Europe Copyright 2015

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Page 1: 54a6d10c5d119 viennaandkrakow2015 1 2

An Adventure in EuropeSpecially created for Jane Example and John ExampleItinerary PreviewVienna and KrakowSeptember 01 – September 07, 2015

A Custom Itinerarydesigned by Go Real EuropeCopyright 2015

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ITINERARY OVERVIEWMembers of the Travel Group: Jane Example and John Example1. This is only a summary of your trip! Full-length itineraries include destination information,travel directions, maps, pictures, tips, and other details.2. Select “Hotels” on your client dashboard to see hotel pictures and descriptions.

Pre-Paid Tours and Activities:• Guided Walk through Vienna’s Inner City• Walking Tour of Krakow’s Historic Center

• Guided Bus Excursion to the Salt Minein Wieliczka

Pre-Paid Transportation:• Train Tickets from Vienna to Krakow• Public Transport Tickets for Vienna

• Private Transfer from Krakow Rail Sta-tion to Your Hotel

Pre-Paid Hotels, including Daily Breakfast:• 3 nights in the (Hotel T.B.D.) in Vienna • 2 nights in the (Hotel T.B.D.) in Krakow

Travel Information included in your itinerary:• City Maps of Vienna• Point to point travel directions• Destination information & travel advice

• Free Skype calling to landlines world-wide, and to mobile phones in the U.S.and Canada

Total Trip Cost for AllTravelers: N/AePlease see payment detailsand travel conditions here.

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ITINERARY CONTENTS1 September 01, 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4Arrival in Vienna Airport and Transfer to Hotel by Public Taxi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4Self Guided Visit to Vienna’s Inner City (Innere Stadt) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4Self Guided Visit to the Spittelberg Quarter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

2 September 02, 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6Guided Walk through Vienna’s Inner City . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6Self Guided Visit to the Ringstrasse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6Concert or Other Cultural Event in Vienna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

3 September 03, 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8Self Guided Visit to Imperial Vienna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8Self Guided Visit to the Karlskirche and Belvedere Palace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8Self Guided Visit to the Wine Village of Grinzing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

4 September 04, 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10Hip Vienna: Self Guided visit to the Naschmarkt and Museum Quarter . . . . . . . . . . . 10Visit to the Schönbrunn Palace and Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10Self-Arranged Taxi Transfer to Vienna’s Westbahnhof Station for Rail Departure . . . . . . 11Overnight Rail Journey from Vienna to Krakow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

5 September 05, 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12Arrival at Krakow Glowny Train Station and transfer to Hotel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12Guided Walking Tour of Historic Krakow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12Visit to Wawel Castle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12Self Guided Tour of Krakow’s Old Town . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

6 September 06, 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14Guided Bus Excursion to the Salt Mines of Wieliczka . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14Self Guided Tour of Kazimierz - Krakow’s Jewish Quarter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14Visit to the Schindler’s Factory Museum and the Former Jewish Ghetto . . . . . . . . . . . 15

7 September 07, 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16Self-Arranged Drop off at Airport by Taxi, Depart Krakow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

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DAY 1Arrive Vienna

September 01, 2015(Hotel T.B.D.)

Arrival in Vienna Airport and Transfer to Hotel byPublic TaxiTo Be Determined

For your arrival in Vienna we will provide information on the customsand passport procedures. We will also provide advice on whether to or-der a fixed price taxi or to take a metered taxi, and provide an estimateof the cost and time of the ride to your hotel. For those who prefer tomake a pre-arranged transfer, we will provide a link to a website whereyou can quickly and easily book a reliable transfer.Included: Arrival and transfer advice. Not Included: Taxi fare(about 35 EUR)Self Guided Visit to Vienna’s Inner City (Innere Stadt)

Afternoon

TOP SITES: ST. STEPHEN’S CATHEDRAL, THE GRABEN, MOZART HOUSE,CHURCH OF ST. PETERWhen the Viennese say they are going “into the city”, they are talk-ing about the Inner City (Innere Stadt). The Inner City corresponds toVienna’s original medieval city, which was once surrounded by defen-sive walls that stood where the Ringstrasse (Ring Street) now runs. Awarren of medieval alleyways crowded into the protected space be-tween the walls, creating a dense network of pedestrian streets thatremains to this day. Now these narrow lanes hum with constant ex-citement as a tremendous assortment of restaurants, cafes, bars, andfashionable shops fill the ground floors of beautiful historic buildings.Among many other historic attractions, the Inner City is home to themagnificent Gothic Cathedral of St. Stephan (Stephansdom), which hasbecome the most lasting and recognized symbol of the city.Included: Travel directions, tips, and information on the area. Mapmarked with attractions, restaurants, and other points of interest inthe area.

Self Guided Visit to the Spittelberg QuarterEvening

One of most enjoyable places for an evening out in Vienna is the Spit-tleberg quarter. Its narrow lanes are filled with pleasant traditionalrestaurants. The Spittelberg Quarter’s history stretches back to the1600’s, when the Austrian rulers imported artisans and servants fromHungary, Croatia, and other subject lands to help serve the Emperor’s

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DAY 1Arrive Vienna

September 01, 2015(Hotel T.B.D.)

court. Other immigrants were drawn to work in the nearby silk fac-tories. They built charming burgher homes which still line the Spittel-berggasse and nearby streets, lending a particular quaint atmosphereto the area. Several streets are fully pedestrianized, making it easy tostroll at leisure. Restaurants also take advantage of the absence ofautos to set up tables directly in the street. Throughout the district youcan also find crafts shops and art galleries.Included: Restaurant recommendations, Travel information on thearea

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DAY 2Vienna

September 02, 2015(Hotel T.B.D.)

Guided Walk through Vienna’s Inner City9:30 - 12:00 PM

This tour takes you back in history to explore the Vienna that stoodwithin the old city walls. You will learn about the humble beginningsof Vienna before it became the capital of a great empire and one ofthe most important cities in Europe. You will discover how Vienna’searly inhabitants lived and how they left their mark on the city andits beautiful Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture. Yourguide will discuss illustrious former residents such as Emperors andEmpresses, but will also tell stories of ordinary Viennese who helped tocreate a great city of trade and commerce. You will also learn about thetragic end of Vienna’s Medieval Jewish community. At the end of yourtour, your guide will give you his or her personal recommendations forrestaurants in Vienna which capture its sense of history and charm.Included: Private Guided Walking Tour.Self Guided Visit to the Ringstrasse

Afternoon

TOP SITES: RING STREET TRAMS, CITY HALL, NATURAL HISTORY MU-SEUM, ART HISTORY MUSEUMThe Ringstrasse, or the Ring Street, surrounds Vienna’s old townwhere the city walls once stood. The Austro-Hungarian Empire wasat the height of its prosperity when the monumental buildings whichline the Ringstrasse were built in the late 19th century. In this sectionof the Ringstrasse, you can see some of the most impressive of thesebuildings, including the neo-Gothic town hall, which is particularly mag-nificent when lit up in the evening hours. The large park and square infront of the town hall also serves as one of the city’s favorite gatheringplaces. A visit to the Kunsthistorisches (Art History) Museum or theNaturhistorisches Museum (Natural History) Museum, both of whichare both located on the Ringstrasse, is particularly rewarding. Anotherfun experience is to take a tram ride around the entire length of theRingstrasse. From the strassenbahn line you can relax and soak in thefull richness of the spectacle.Included: Travel directions, tips, and information on the area. Mapmarked with attractions, restaurants, and other points of interest inthe area.

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DAY 2Vienna

September 02, 2015(Hotel T.B.D.)

Concert or Other Cultural Event in ViennaEvening

Perhaps no city is more famous for its cultural scene than Vienna. Youcan enjoy a wide variety of performances in settings of exquisite beautyand elegance. Opera, ballet, and symphony are just some of yourchoices you will discover in the home of Strauss and the Waltz. Threeof Vienna’s concert halls are regularly ranked among the top ten venuesin the entire world for both their aesthetic appeal and their fine acous-tics, and of course the city’s musical companies are also consideredamong the best in the world. For those looking for a more affordableexperience, the Volksoper (People’s Opera) provides an opportunity tosee excellent performers in a nice setting.Concert is not included. At your request, we can help you selecta performance and puchase tickets for you. A 4% transaction fee anda $15 booking fee is added to the cost of the tickets (applied per travelparty, not per person).

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DAY 3Vienna

September 03, 2015(Hotel T.B.D.)

Self Guided Visit to Imperial ViennaMorning

TOP SITES: SPANISH RIDING SCHOOL, IMPERIAL TREASURY, ALBERTINAMUSEUM, BURGGARTEN, STATE OPERA HOUSEIn this area of Vienna you will discover the very heart of the Habs-burg Empire that once covered most of central Europe. Much of thisdistrict is consumed by the vast Hofburg Palace complex, once hometo Austria’s emperors and their administrators. Majestically stunning,the buildings of the Hofburg still evoke awe in the observer even if theEmpire they were built for is now long gone. Within the Hofburg youwill find many of the city’s top attractions, including the nearly 500 yearold Spanish Riding School, which stages equestrian performances bythe famous Lipizzaner Stallions. You can also visit the imperial apart-ments, gaze upon the imperial crown and other treasures, or browsethrough the imperial silver collection.Included: Travel directions, tips, and information on the area. Mapmarked with attractions, restaurants, and other points of interest inthe area. For those interested in the Spanish Riding School entry toMorning Exercises costs 14 EUR.

Self Guided Visit to the Karlskirche and BelvederePalaceAfternoon

TOP SITES: KARLSKIRCHE (CHARLES’ CHURCH), BELVEDERE PALACESAND GARDENSoutheast of the Ringstrasse you will find two of Vienna’s great-est treasures - the Belvedere Palace and the Karlskirche (St. Charles’sChurch). More than just a Viennese treasure, the Belvedere and Karl-skirche are actually two of the Europe’s most significant examples ofBaroque architecture. The Belvedere is actually two palaces connectedby a formal 3-level garden designed in the French style. A visit to thegarden offers many delights to the senses with its playful fountains,multi-tiered design, and setting amidst the two elaborate palaces. Thepalaces now house works of art, including a permanent exhibitionwhich includes the most famous works of Gustav Klimt, such as “TheKiss”.Many consider the Karlskirche second only to St. Peter’s Basilicaamong baroque churches. What makes a visit to the Karlskirche espe-cially notable is that you can ride an elevator up into the cupola of thechurch and then climb stairs up to the very top of the church, whereyou can examine the dome’s magnificent frescoes up close.

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DAY 3Vienna

September 03, 2015(Hotel T.B.D.)

Included: Travel directions, tips, and information on the area. Map-marked with attractions, restaurants, and other points of interest inthearea. Not Included: Entry fee to visit the palace (approx. 11 EUR) orchurch (8 EUR) interiors.Self Guided Visit to the Wine Village of Grinzing

Evening

Nothing better symbolizes the Viennese love of “gemütlichkeit” (roughlytranslated as coziness) than the wine villages and vinyards which hugthe gentle slopes beneath the Vienna woods. They are home to winetaverns known as Heurigen. The Viennese come to the Heurigen towhile away warm evenings drinking wine, listen to musicians play tra-ditional Viennese tunes (Wienerlieder), and enjoy each other’s conver-sation and company. The most famous of the wine villages is Grinzing,which is easily reached from the city center by tram. Despite its close-ness to the city center, a visit to Grinzing seems to transport you tothe countryside, as quaint cottages and cozy old farmhouses create acharming village atmosphere.Included: Directions to Grinzing (including tram tickets), Tips onordering wine and food. Not Included: The cost of meals and drinks.

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DAY 4Vienna

September 04, 2015

Hip Vienna: Self Guided visit to the Naschmarkt andMuseum QuarterMorning

TOP SITES: NASCHMARKT, LEOPOLD MUSEUM, THE MUSEUM QUAR-TERThe Naschmarkt is a long narrow market which has occupied thisarea since the 1500’s. The market is over a kilometer long and is filledwith a delightful variety of booths and small shops selling cheeses,meats, fresh fruits & vegetables, spices, and other exotic foods fromaround the world. You can also find souvenirs and other interestingtidbits. If you need a break from shopping, a number of nice sit-downcafes and restaurants are located within the market. On Saturdays themarket is extended even further by a huge flea market. In the fleamarket you will find paintings, beer steins, heirlooms, and other greatfinds to make your friends back home jealous.Near the market you will find perhaps the most fun spot in all ofVienna - the Museumsquartier. Once home to the Imperial Stables,the Museumsquartier is now home to several museums. In typicalViennese fashion, the courtyard of the Museumsquartier has beentransformed into an open air entertainment district. A delightful mix ofunpretentious cafes and bars attracts visitors to the Museumsquartierlong after the museums have all closed.Included: Travel directions, tips, and information on the area. Mapmarked with attractions, restaurants, and other points of interest inthe area.Visit to the Schönbrunn Palace and Park

Afternoon

The magnificent Baroque palace of Schönbrunn is most famously asso-ciated with the Empress Maria Theresa, who lived here surrounded byher administrators, retainers, and 16 little archdukes and duchesseswho also happened to be her children. On your tour of the palace,you will see numerous reminders of Maria Theresa, as well as many ofits other past imperial residents. The grounds surrounding the palaceform a beautiful park with a mix of formal gardens and woodlands.Throughout the park you will find enchanting fountains and statues.On a rise opposite the palace sits the Gloriette pavilion. From thereyou can take in a wonderful view - the meticulously groomed greenpark draws your eye to the graceful yellow Schönbrunn Palace, andthen to the red roofs of the city stretched out beyond.If you have kids, you will definitely want to visit the labyrinth and itsadjoining playground, although even without kids it can be great fun.Included: Travel directions, tips, and information on the area. Not

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DAY 4Vienna

September 04, 2015

Included: Cost of entry into the palace interior (about $15 USD) orlabyrinth (about $6 USD). Entry to the park is free.Self-Arranged Taxi Transfer to Vienna’s WestbahnhofStation for Rail Departure

9:15 PM

Your hotel front desk will also be happy to arrange a taxi pick up for you.Vienna taxis are generally reliable and honest, so this is cheaper than apre-arranged transfer. Your itinerary will provide more information onordering a taxi, as well as detailed information on navigating the trainstation and finding your train, making the whole process simple andstress free.Included: Instructions on taking a taxi to the rail station, instruc-tions for finding your train. Not included: Taxi fare.Overnight Rail Journey from Vienna to Krakow

22:12 – 06:54 by Rail

Tickets and sleeper reservations will be included with the purchaseof your itinerary for this overnight rail journey. Detailed directionsand instructions that make the trip easy and stress free will also beprovided in your full itinerary.Included: Tickets, Sleeping Car Reservations, Detailed Instructions.

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DAY 5Krakow

September 05, 2015(Hotel T.B.D.)

Arrival at Krakow Glowny Train Station and transferto Hotel6:54 AM

Upon your arrival in Krakow your driver will meet you on the platform.He will be carrying a sign with your name on it. The driver will drop youoff at your hotel. This is a private transfer. The price of the pickup isalready included in your itinerary cost so you will not have to pay thedriver.Included: Cost of the private transfer to your hotel, Arrival infor-mation.Guided Walking Tour of Historic Krakow

9:00 - 12:00 PM

On this 3 hour guided walking tour, you will discover the history andlegends of old Krakow and gain an excellent overview of the city. Themany layers of the city will be revealed to you as your guide pointsout medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture, and also showsyou some of the city’s most well-known as well as most-overlookedchurches and squares. You will learn about not only Krakow’s glorydays many centuries past, but also about its more recent strugglesduring Nazism and Communism oppression, and how they left a markon the city and its inhabitants.Included: Cost of the Private Guided Walking Tour.Visit to Wawel Castle

Early Afternoon

Krakow’s dramatic castle is situated on top of Wawel Hill, a limestonehill rising above the Vistula River and the city. During the earliest daysof Polish history a castle was built here and throughout the Medievaland Renaissance era it was an important residence of Poland’s rulersand a center of Christian influence. In addition to residing in the castlethere, Polish kings were also coronated and then buried in the castle’sbeautiful cathedral. Much of the carefully restored Royal palace isnow open for tours, and you will also find several important historical,archeological, and artistic collections within the castle. As the Medievalcapital of Poland and the resting place of so many of its past rulers,Wawel Castle represents for many the very heart of the Polish nation.Krakow is not a “full service”GoReal Europe destination. Itinerariesonly provide a brief summary of attractions and very basic travel direc-tions in Krakow. Entry costs into the interiors of sites is not included.

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DAY 5Krakow

September 05, 2015(Hotel T.B.D.)

Self Guided Tour of Krakow’s Old TownLate Afternoon

Krakow’s Old Town is the part of the city once contained within thehistoric Medieval walls. While the walls are now mostly gone, you willstill discover a rich heritage of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque archi-tecture. The Market Square is one of the largest and most breathtakingtown squares in all of Europe, and is lined by colorful Gothic buildingswith Baroque facades. The two most famous attractions on the MarketSquare are St. Mary’s Basilica and the Cloth Hall. The magnificent 600year old basilica was built from a combination of red brick and stone,creating a striking appearance both in its exterior and interior. TheCloth Hall sits in the very center of the square, and today merchantssell hand made goods and souvenirs there.Krakow is not a “full service”GoReal Europe destination. Itinerariesonly provide a brief summary of attractions and very basic travel direc-tions in Krakow.

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DAY 6Krakow

September 06, 2015(Hotel T.B.D.)

Guided Bus Excursion to the Salt Mines of Wieliczka8:30 - 12:00 PM

Wieliczka has been the site of Salt Mines since the Middle Ages. Overthe centuries, miners created a subterranean world so fascinating thatthe mines are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will exploremine shafts, cavernous chambers, and underground saline lakes, allspread out over nine different levels reaching of depth of over 1000feet. You will see the beautiful carving and statues the miners hewninto the salt rock, even visiting one cavern where a chapel was formedout of the rocky walls. You will also learn how mining technology hasdeveloped over time. This tour is not recommended for those who areclaustrophobic or have difficult walking.THIS IS NOT A PRIVATE TOURIncluded: Guided bus excursion, Standard visit to the Mines, El-evator passage out of the Mines, and Headphones. Not included:Elevator passage into the mines.Self Guided Tour of Kazimierz - Krakow’s JewishQuarter

Early Afternoon

Krakow was once home to one of Europe’s largest and most influentialJewish communities - numbering over 60,000 residents at its height.While most of its residents were tragically killed in the Holocaust, theyleft behind a rich historical legacy, including numerous beautiful syna-gogues now open for visitors. The greatest concentration of Jewish her-itage in Krakow is in the district known as Kazimierz. Originally foundedas a separate town from Krakow, Kazimierz grew to become Krakow’sJewish Quarter, although Christians have also always lived there aswell. While most residents today are no longer Jewish, the remainingstructures left behind by the Jewish community still indelibly mark thedistrict as Krakow’s Jewish Quarter. Today, the quaint architecture andnarrow streets of the district make it a popular locale for social life,and it offers an abundance of cafes, restaurants, and shops. You canalso visit the Galacia Jewish museum, which attempts to recreate thedistinct Jewish culture that left such a deep mark on southern Poland.If your itinerary does not include it separately, you may also want tofit in a visit to the outstanding Schindler Factory Museum across theriver.Krakow is not a “full service”GoReal Europe destination. Itinerariesonly provide a brief summary of attractions and very basic travel direc-tions in Krakow.

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DAY 6Krakow

September 06, 2015(Hotel T.B.D.)

Visit to the Schindler’s Factory Museum and theFormer Jewish GhettoLate Afternoon

During World War II Oscar Schindler saved the lives of more than 1,100Jews by employing them in his enamelware factory in Krakow. Untilrecently still used as a factory, the building now houses one of Europe’smost impressive new museums. It tells not only the story of Schindlerand the Jews he protected, but of the wider experience of Krakow dur-ing World War II. You will experience the history from the perspectiveof the persecuted Jewish community in Krakow, as well as from theexperience of other residents of Krakow, who also experienced terrorand oppression during the war. You will even see some events fromthe perspective of the German occupiers. Using a combination of im-ages, videos, music and street sounds, interviews, and artifacts, theexperience of visiting the museum is both chilling and enlightening. Itis a must for those interested in World War II history. Nearby, you canwalk the streets of the former Jewish Ghetto, and also see how localslive today in the neighborhood of Podgórze. Just above the neighbor-hood, the pleasant forested park of Bednarskiego provides a respitefrom the city, and for those with extra energy, a walk up to the KrakusMound provides an excellent view of the city.Krakow is not a “full service”GoReal Europe destination. Itinerariesonly provide a brief summary of attractions and very basic travel direc-tions in Krakow. Entry to the museum is not included.

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DAY 7Depart Krakow

September 07, 2015

Self-Arranged Drop off at Airport by Taxi, DepartKrakowTo Be Determined

Your hotel will be happy to arrange a taxi pick up for you and can giveyou an estimate of the price. If you are picked up two hours and 45minutes prior to departure, you should have plenty of time to catchyour flight. If you are leaving during rush hour, youmay want to budgetan extra ten to fifteen minutes. TheIncluded: Recommended Taxi Company, Information on taking ataxi or train to the airport. Not Included: Cost of the taxi or train fare.

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