8 Day Itinerary
Day 1 - Fri: Prague Arrival &
Folkloric Evening
Arrive at Prague Airport, proceed through
immigration and pick up your baggage. You will then be met and transferred to
your hotel. After checking into your hotel, the remainder of the day is at
leisure. The 1,000-year-old capital, Prague, is Europe's best-preserved city.
The River Vltava divides the city in two with the Castle Quarter and Little
Quarter on the west and the Old Town and New Town on the east. Meet with your
tour director to learn more about the delights that are in store for you on your
tour. In the evening head to a local restaurant with your tour director and
fellow travelers for a typical dinner with a folkloric show to introduce you to
the food and customs of the Czech Republic. (D).
Day 2 - Sat: Prague's Old Town
This morning
take a leisurely walking tour to discover some of the lovely buildings in the
old part of the city. Start at the Old Town Square to view the Old Town Hall
with its intricate Astronomical Clock, which dates from 1410 and where a parade
of apostles takes place on the hour. Walk through the Jewish Quarter to see the
early Gothic Old-New Synagogue dating from 1270 and the Jewish town hall with an
interesting 16th century clock. Pass St. Nicholas Church, one of the finest
baroque buildings in Prague. Cross the Charles Bridge, which dates from 1357 and
is decorated with 30 statues dating from the 18th century. This is a lively
pedestrian area and usually people and musicians congregate here. The afternoon
is at leisure and you are free for dining. In the evening enjoy an opera
performance. (BB)
Day 3 - Sun: Hradcany Castle
Cross the Vltava River to take a half-day sightseeing tour of
Hradcany Castle, home to Czech rulers for over 1,000 years. This is the largest
castle complex in the world and full of buildings of many types and ages. See
the changing of the guard at the western entrance and walk through three
courtyards to St. Vitus' Cathedral, which was started in 1344 and finally
finished in 1929. This elaborate French Gothic building boasts elaborate
stained-glass windows and countless chapels and monuments. Visit the Old Royal
Palace with its huge Vladislav Hall, where horsemen used to joust, St. George's
Basilica and Golden Lane with Daliborka Tower. At the end of your tour the
balance of the day is free and you may like to explore the Hradcany area near
the castle. (BB)
Day 4 - Mon: Travel to
Vienna
Travel by motor coach to Vienna, which will take you
through the pleasant countryside of East Bohemia and South Moravia. See farms
and villages as you travel along and there will be some stops for refreshments
and lunch. Cross the border into Austria and on arrival in Vienna head to your
hotel and settle in. Then you will have some free time so that you can explore a
little on your own. Meet up with your fellow travelers and tour escort and head
to the Grinzing suburb in the hills above the city center. Sample some local
foods as you dine in a typical local Heurigen restaurant with entertainment.
(BB, D)
Day 5 - Tue: Vienna Highlights
On your morning sightseeing tour, visit the Hofburg Palace,
Habsburg residence from the 13th century to 1914 when the city was the seat of
the mighty Austro-Hungarian Empire. As you drive through Vienna's city center,
see the most important and imposing buildings including the Belvedere Palace,
Prater amusement park, the UN buildings and the world-famous Vienna State Opera
House. See the awe-inspiring St. Stephen's Cathedral with its colorful ceramic
roof tiles and walk through its interior. The afternoon is free when you may
like to shop in Kärntnerstrasse or you may wish to visit the Sacher Café, where
the famous Sachertorte was first created. In the evening enjoy a concert of
Strauss' and Mozart's music. (BB)
Day 6 - Wed: Vienna's Museum
Take a guided
visit to view the highlights of the Kunsthistorische Museum this morning. This
magnificent building was created to house the artistic treasures assembled by
the Habsburgs under one roof. Opened in 1891 and located on the Vienna
Ringstrasse, the Italian Renaissance building was conceived as a memorial to
Habsburg patronage. The Museum's collections range from Ancient Egyptian, Greek
and Roman Antiquities to collections of Medieval Art and splendid Renaissance
and Baroque masterpieces that are amongst the most important and spectacular in
the world. The balance of the day is free for independent sightseeing, shopping
and dining. (BB)
Day 7 - Thu: Depart Vienna for
Home
After breakfast, transfer to Vienna Airport for your
departure flight. (BB)