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Czech Heritage Tour
offered by supplier M15964 (view this supplier profile)
Key Information:
Tour Duration: 8
day(s)
Group Size: 4
- 12
people
Destination(s):
Czech Republic
Specialty Categories:
Cultural Journey
Season: March - October
Airfare Included: No
Tour Customizable: No
Minimum Per Person Price: 2400 US Dollar (USD)
Maximum Per Person Price: 2400 US Dollar (USD)
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The Czech lands boast an extraordinarily high number of cultural monuments. Over 2,000 nicely preserved castles and chateaux, cathedrals, gold-tipped towers and church domes, represent an important part of the national cultural heritage, both in terms of their number and in terms of their historical and artistic value.
Their significance transcends national borders, and more than a few of these structures are important even in the global cultural context.
All toped by modern European cities, full of energy, music, and art. Even though the Czech Republic’s area ranks it among small countries, its wealth of natural beauty and monuments of cultural heritage contribute greatly to its global prestige as a major cultural destination.
Your Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival to Prague
Upon arrival we are welcome at the airport by our local hosts and transferred to the hotel with a short panoramic Tour of Prague en route. Overnight: Hotel Akcent, Prague (3 nights)
Day 2: Prague
The capital of the Czech Republic it is its most valuable historical city reserve. In 1992 the historical core of the city covering 866 hectares was listed in the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage Register "Praga caput regni" has been inscribed in the Prague’s coat of arms. And rightly so! Since its beginnings Prague has always played an important role in the history of the nation, the country and Europe.
Since the Middle Ages Prague has been famous as one of the most beautiful cities of the world, and has been attributed adjectives such as "golden", "hundred-spired", "the crown of the world", "a stone dream". After breakfast we start our day with a guided sightseeing of Prague, including all major highlights this city has to offer. We’ll visit the Prague Castle after crossing the Charles Bridge and the Old Town Square with its Astronomical Clock.
Our Lunch will be served in a typical Czech Restaurant, from where will continue the exploration of the old part of the City. The Dinner, offered in a nice Praguese Restaurant, will be ‘spiced‘ by a folklore program. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 3: Prague / Karlstejn (drive)
This morning we take a half-day excursion to Karlstejn, just outskirts of Prague to visit the Gothic Castle in Karlstejn, built between 1348 to 1365, by the order of Karel IV, King of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperor. Karlstejn Castle was to become a treasury to keep the Crown jewels and priceless reliquaries safe during the Hussite Wars.
After our lunch in Karlstejn we return to Prague and have a free afternoon. In the evening – depending on the seasonal performance schedules – we’ll go to a Concert/Theatre/Ballet/Musical or to a Black Theatre Performance in Prague. (Breakfast, Lunch)
Day 4: Prague / Cesky Budejovice (drive)
After Breakfast we’ll leave Prague and drive first for Holasovice, where we visit the famous South Bohemian Rural Baroque Village (a listed UNESCO Heriatge Site). This South Bohemian village from the 13th Century is considered a true pearl of the rustic Baroque style. Its 22 farmhouses with painted Baroque gables in the front and rear gardens are situated around a central pond.
The pond was once used for breeding freshwater fish; the entire area is still known for its fish industry. The village is a living monument to rustic (peasant) traditions, such as those we know from The Bartered Bride, perhaps the most famous Czech opera. After our visit here we drive to the nearby Cesky Budejovice, where our lunch will be followed by a short sightseeing. Overnight: Hotel Klika, Cesky Budejovice (1 night) (Breakfast, Lunch)
Day 5: Cesky Budejovice / Ceska Krumlov (drive)
We leave in the morning Ceské Budejovice for the medieval town of Ceský Krumlov. A walk through the center of this South Bohemian town is a wonderful experience. Gothic and Renaissance houses, the large Renaissance Town hall on a sloping square and the Baroque Theatre, connected to narrow and winding streets, as well as dignified monasteries and churches were preserved without disturbing reconstruction and as a whole it represents a treasure of World’s Heritage importance.
The Castle (the second largest in Bohemia after the Prague castle) belongs among the most often visited places in Bohemia. Up to the present it gives evidence of the rich history of the important nobles of Rožmberk, who resided here between 1302 and 1600, the Eggenberg, to whom Krumlov belonged in the last three quarters of the 17th Century and to Schwanzenberg, who owned the castle in the period between 1719 and 1947.
After Dinner we’ll spend some time in the surroundings of Ceský Krumlov. Overnight: Hotel Cernice by Ceský Krumlov (1 night) (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 6: Ceska Krumlov / Brno (drive)
On our Heritage tour troughout the Czech Republic, we’ll drive this morning to Brno, via Jindrichuv Hradec where visit the Castle and historical town centre. Later we arrive in Brno, to star with our sightseeing. In the heart of Europe, Brno is proud of its architectural reminders of the past, many of which are being revitalized today.
Modernist buildings of the 1920’s and 30’s, including the Tugendhadt Villa by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, are receiving renewed international attention and inspiring new construction. The Tugenhad Villa is a masterpiece of the Modern Movement in architecture. Exquisite materials and modern technologies were used in the construction of this house.
After our visit here and a short walk at the city centre, we’ll have dinner and some free time to relax and shop around. Overnight: Hotel Slavia, Brno (1 night) (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 7: Brno / Kutna Hora / Prague (drive)
After our early Breakfast we will depart for the medieval town of Kutna Hora, a well-known UNESCO World Heritage Site. Kutna Hora - the silver heart of Medieval Europe - was one of the most important royal towns with silver mining in the world from 13th to 16th Century and competed with Prague economically, politically and culturally.
This royal city, endowed with monuments that symbolized its prosperity, it’s a jewel of the late Gothic period, and the Saint Barbara Church, the Cathedral of Our Lady at Sedlec, which was restored in line with the baroque taste of the early 18th Century, influenced in their turn the architecture of all Central Europe.
These masterpieces today form part of a preserved medieval urban fabric with a striking wealth of private homes. From here we’ll drive back to Prague for our farewell dinner and overnight. Overnight: Hotel Akcent, Prague (1 night) (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 8: Prague / Homebound
Depending on our outbound flight arrangements and after our Breakfast, we are transferred from our hotel to the Airport. After an enlightening experience of the country that can rightfully lay claim to be the cultural capital of Europe, we bid farewell as we are transferred to the airport. (Breakfast)
Price includes:
- Accommodation as mentioned or similar, including hotel taxes
- Meals as mentioned (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
- All sightseeing and transfers
- Services of an English speaking guide
- Entrance fees to museums and sites included in the itinerary.
Price does not include:
- International airfares and airport taxes
- Insurance
- Visa fee – if applicable
- Personal expenses, such as laundry, phone and bar bills
- Beverages
- Tips
- Services not mentioned above
Note: itinerary and/or daily activities could be subject of change due to local conditions.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Tour Prices for 2008:
USD / CAD: 2,400.00 - per person in double occupancy.
Single Supplement is USD / CAD: 380.00
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Czech Republic
Cultural Journey
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