DAY
3 PRAGUE (THE ROYAL ROUTE)
Today we follow the route of the coronation processions for
the Bohemian kings and queens, linking two important royal
seats, the Royal Court and Prague Castle. Our Walking
Tour begins on the former site of the Royal Court, now
the Municipal House. We pass under the Gothic Powder
Gate and walk along one of Prague’s most historic
streets, the Celetna. We continue down the Celetna
until we reach Old Town Square, the site of much of
Prague’s colorful history. We will have time to explore the
square and its varied architecture before visiting the
Old Town Hall. Established in 1338 after King John of
Luxembourg agreed to set up a town council, the Town Hall
became a site for executions and uprisings. We can ascend
the Hall Tower where we will have wonderful views
over the city and the Town Hall Clock, which provides
one of Prague’s greatest shows each hour. Our walk
continues along Karlova Street before passing under Bridge
Tower, the entrance to the magnificent Charles Bridge.
The bridge connects the Old Town and the Little Quarter, and
is flanked by statues of the great Saints.
· Your
First Concert Performance will be today
DAY
4 DAY TRIP TO KARLOVY VARY (KARLSBAD)
Today we journey west of Prague, to visit Karlovy Vary.
The town was discovered by Charles IV in the 14th century
while on a hunting expedition and one of his dogs fell into
a hot spring. Knowing a good thing when he saw it, Charles
immediately set to work building a small castle in the area,
naming the town that evolved around it Karlovy Vary
(Charles’ Boiling Place). The first spa buildings were
built in 1522, the same year that a medical description of
the hot springs was published. By the end of the 16th
century, over 200 spa buildings had been built. Today there
are 12 hot mineral springs; the best-known is the Vridlo (Sprudel),
which rises to a height of 40 feet. At 162 degrees
Fahrenheit, it is also the hottest. After time to explore
more of the springs, we will visit the beautiful park
Dvorákovy Sady.
We continue with a visit to the
Jan Becher Museum
where we will learn about the history of the town’s famous
drink, Becherovka. Next we will return to Prague for the
night.
DAY
5 PRAGUE
Today we visit the 9th century Prague Castle that
overlooks the city center. Inside the Castle we visit
St. Vitus Cathedral, the city’s most distinctive
landmark built in 1344 on the orders of Charles IV. We
conclude our afternoon in Prague Castle with a visit to the
Royal Palace, the seat of the Bohemian princes. We
will also enjoy some free time before our performance.
· Your Second Concert Performance
will be today
DAY
6 TROJA PALACE & VLTAVA RIVER CRUISE
Our morning begins with a visit to Troja Palace, one
of the most striking summer palaces in the Czech Republic.
The exterior of the palace is modeled after an Italian
Villa, while the extravagant interior took over 20 years to
complete. We will take a guided tour of the palace before
strolling through the French-style gardens. The Vlatava
River has played a vital part in the history of Prague and
has provided inspiration for artists, poets and musicians
throughout the centuries. We will take a Vltava River
Cruise, which offers a unique view of many of Prague’s
most magnificent and important monuments and buildings,
including Hanavsky Pavillion, Old Town Bridge and Tower, the
Smetana Museum, Vltava Weir, the National Theater, and the
Church of St. Peter and St. Paul. Our two-hour cruise will
also include a Buffet Lunch featuring Czech cuisine
and live traditional music. The remainder of the afternoon
will be free to do any last minute exploring or shopping.
DAY
7 PRAGUE
This morning we will explore the Jewish Quarter,
beginning our sightseeing at the Old Jewish Cemetery.
Founded in 1478, this site was the only burial ground
available to Jews for over 300 years. Due to a lack of
space, people had to be buried on top of each other up to 12
layers deep. Today there are over 12,000 gravestones
crammed into the tiny space, but an estimated 100,000 people
are buried there. We continue with a tour of the Old-New
Synagogue, built around 1270; it is the oldest synagogue
in Europe and one of the earliest Gothic buildings in Prague.
· Your Third Concert Performance
will be today
DAY
8 DEPARTURE FROM PRAGUE
Your enjoyable and rewarding
tour will come to an end as your tour manager/guide accompanies
you to the airport for the return flight home.
