9 Day Czechia Tour

• Day 1: 

  Arrive in Prague
  Today we arrive in Prague and transfer to our hotel.
  
  Today we arrive in Prague, a city that rises like a medieval dream from seven hills flanking the banks of the Vltava River. Sometimes called Prague the Golden, sometimes Prague the City of 100 Spires, this enchanting capital has earned comparisons to Florence and Rome for its breathtaking beauty. Thomas Mann declared it one of the world's most magical cities; Goethe called it the prettiest gem in the stone crown of the world.
  
  Virtually untouched by war, Prague's architecture spans nearly every European style – Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo, Neoclassical, Empire and Art Nouveau – creating a living museum where centuries of history unfold along cobblestoned streets. This evening, we gather with our fellow travellers for our first dinner together, beginning our extraordinary journey through Eastern Europe's most captivating capitals and countryside.
  
  Overnight in Prague.

   

  Included Meal(s): Dinner
• Day 2: 

  Prague: Old Jewish Quarter & Wenceslas Square
  The cobblestones echo with centuries of stories as we embark on our walking tour through Prague's Old Jewish Quarter and the magnificent Old Town Square, where the famous astronomical clock has been marking time for over 600 years.
  
  We begin at the Old Jewish Cemetery, an incredible sight that leaves visitors speechless. Established in the 15th century as the second oldest Jewish cemetery in Europe, this sacred ground witnessed burials from 1439 to 1787. Today, 12,000 tombstones crowd together, leaning one against another at different angles and sizes, creating a graphic and surreal image that speaks to generations of Prague's Jewish community. We visit the Klaus Synagogue with its permanent exhibition called "Jewish Customs and Traditions," which illuminates the significance of synagogue life and Jewish festivals throughout the centuries.
  
  We then proceed to the Old Town Square, where the astronomical clock tells one of Prague's most haunting legends. Master clockmaker Hanus of Ruze designed this 15th-century marvel, but according to legend, Prague's town councillors blinded him for fear he would create another like it for a rival city. One day near the end of his life, he asked a friend to lead him to his great creation. As the figure of Death tolled the hour, Hanus thrust his hand into the clock's apparatus; it stopped, and centuries passed before a craftsman could be found skilled enough to make it work again.
  
  We finish our walking tour at Wenceslas Square in time for lunch (your own account), with the afternoon free to explore this cultural treasure. Prague's concert halls beckon – The Municipal House, Rudolfinium, Mozart Theatre, National Theatre, and State Theatre all host performances almost every night.
  
  Overnight in Prague.

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
• Day 3: 

  Prague: Prague Castle & Old Town
  Morning light illuminates the ancient stones as we travel through Prague's city centre to the magnificent Prague Castle complex. We begin our walking tour near Pohorelec Square, passing the imposing Cernin Palace as we make our way toward the castle grounds.
  
  Our path leads us past architectural treasures that span centuries: the Strahov Monastery with its famous library, the baroque Loreta with its carillon of 27 bells, the Capuchin Monastery, and the Archbishop's Palace. Before entering the castle, we pause by the ancient walls for a city panorama that reveals Prague spread below us like a living map of European history.
  
  We then embark on our two-hour exploration of the castle complex, entering the first courtyard with its famous fountain before proceeding to the Chapel of the Holy Cross. The magnificent St. Vitus Cathedral awaits, where we visit the choir and crypt before continuing to the third courtyard. Here we enter the Old Palace from St. George Square, then proceed toward the enchanting Golden Lane, where Franz Kafka once lived and worked.
  
  We descend via the Old Castle Steps, with photo opportunities revealing spectacular views, before stopping at St. Nicholas Church. Then comes the highlight – crossing the ancient Charles Bridge (Karluv Most), an artistic masterpiece built by King Charles IV in 1357. For over four hundred years, this bridge was the only link between Prague's two halves, and we admire the many baroque sculptures as we walk across this living gallery of art.
  
  Overnight in Prague.

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
• Day 4: 

  Prague - Konopiste - Karlstejn - Karlovy Vary
  The Bohemian countryside unfolds before us as we depart Prague for the Renaissance chateau of Konopiste, set dramatically in a hilly wooded park. This castle, built as a stronghold at the end of the 13th century, gained its present appearance from alterations made by its last owner, Archduke Franz Ferdinand d'Este, whose assassination in Sarajevo would trigger World War I.
  
  After exploring Konopiste's priceless interiors and learning about this tragic figure of European history, we continue to Karlstejn Castle, a Gothic fortress that once housed the imperial crown jewels. This magnificent stronghold, perched on a rocky outcrop, served as the secure treasury for the Holy Roman Empire's most precious regalia.
  
  We then proceed eastward to the famous spa town of Karlovy Vary (once known as Karlsbad), beautifully nestled in the valley of the Tepla River. This elegant resort has been one of Europe's oldest and largest health spas for centuries, its hot medicinal spring water drawing visitors from across the continent. The thermal springs, reaching temperatures of up to 73°C (164°F), have been renowned for their healing properties since the 14th century.
  
  Overnight in Karlovy Vary.

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
• Day 5: 

  Karlovy Vary
  Elegant colonnades and graceful facades create a fairytale atmosphere as we explore Karlovy Vary on our half-day walking tour. This sophisticated spa town has long been the favourite retreat of crowned heads and international celebrities, earning its reputation as the "Salon of Europe."
  
  As the old saying goes, "When the disorder becomes a disease, doctors prescribe the hot waters of Carlsbad." Our walking tour reveals the secrets of this healing paradise, taking us to the many springs and the graceful Mill Colonnade, where visitors have been "taking the cure" for centuries. The tradition involves sipping the mineral-rich waters from special porcelain cups while strolling the elegant promenades. A ride on the nearby funicular provides spectacular views of the surrounding landscape of beech and oak forests, where hiking trails wind through the Slavkov Forest.
  
  The afternoon offers leisure time in this charming town, perhaps to sample the famous Karlovy Vary wafers or browse the shops selling the distinctive Bohemian crystal and local Becherovka herbal liqueur.
  
  Overnight in Karlovy Vary.

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
• Day 6: 

  Karlovy Vary - Marianske Lanze - Cesky Krumlov
  We begin our day in Marianske Lazne, where the historic centre stretches along the spa colonnade with its unique singing fountain and main avenue lined with pastel-coloured Art Deco facades. Most of the elegant state spa buildings date from the second half of the 19th century and nestle amidst thickly forested hills, creating an atmosphere of refined tranquillity.
  
  From here, we venture into Southern Bohemia, where many towns retain their Bavarian or Austrian flavour from centuries of shared history. In the late afternoon, we arrive in the extraordinary town of Cesky Krumlov, one of Europe's most perfectly preserved medieval settlements.
  
  Medieval arcades and etched Renaissance facades in apricot, beige, and pea-green shades surround the cobblestoned square, where rust-red, pink, and golden Baroque buildings create a painter's palette of colours. A Plague Monument (Morovy sloup) stands in the centre, while the winding River Vltava separates the Old Town from the towering castle complex. This UNESCO World Heritage site represents one of the most exquisite examples of medieval European town planning, virtually unchanged since the Renaissance.
  
  Overnight in Cesky Krumlov.

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
• Day 7: 

  Cesky Krumlov: Castle Tour
  The mighty Renaissance castle of Cesky Krumlov dominates our morning, its towers and ramparts telling the story of the powerful Lords of the Rozmberks and later the Schwarzenbergs. This vast complex, one of the largest in Central Europe, houses a rich collection of period furniture, tapestries and historical weapons, earning its place on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1992.
  
  We explore the castle's remarkable painted tower, baroque theatre, and magnificent halls where nobility once held court. The complex tells the story of Czech aristocracy through five centuries, from Gothic foundations to Renaissance renovations to baroque additions. From the castle gardens, panoramic views reveal the red-tiled roofs of the old town spread along the horseshoe bend of the Vltava River.
  
  The afternoon belongs to independent exploration of the historical city centre below the castle. We wander through winding alleys lined with venerable Gothic and Renaissance houses, discover small shops and atmospheric cafes, and follow pathways along the river where artists set up their easels to capture the town's timeless beauty.
  
  Overnight in Cesky Krumlov.

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
• Day 8: 

  Cesky Krumlov - Prague
  This morning we transfer back to Prague via private coach with the balance of the day at leisure.
  
  Overnight in Prague.

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
• Day 9: 

  Departure
  Departure from Prague.
  
  STASTNU CESTU!

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast

*The red tour trail on the map does not represent the actual travel path.