Welcome to Enchanting Journeys

There simply is no way to tour Europe & not be awestruck by its natural beauty, epic history, dazzling artistic & culinary diversity. From soaring mountains to golden sands, a tapestry of quaint & contemporary cultures – always with enough rough edges to keep you intrigued Natural & refined, folksy & cultured: the combination of mountain rusticity with old-world style captivates..

Welcome to incredible Czechia – in Central Europe bordered by Austria, Germany, Poland & Slovakia. Since the fall of Communism in 1989, the Czech Republic & its capital in particular – has evolved into one of Europe’s most popular & exotic travel destinations. Wonderful castles & chateaux, world famous spas, unspoilt countryside, historical cities & legendary cuisine. Nowhere is too far for you to be able to set out for.  

Arrive in the capital Prague the Cradle of Czech Culture has something for everyone – from dramatic history & flamboyant architecture to healing thermal waters & a nightlife that is unrivalled in Eastern & Central Europe.  

After you exit in the Arrival Hall at Terminal? - Prague Vaclav Havel International Airport, subsequent to Immigration & Customs, you will be welcomed by The Journeys representative who will ensure your comfort & discuss the program for the next few days.

If, for any reason you are unable to make contact with our representative within 30 minutes of waiting, please call the local Emergency telephone # listed on your Contact List. Please follow the advice given by our 24 / 7 Duty Officer.  Please do not exit the Airport & make your own way to the hotel unless advised.

Reach the hotel & Check-in.

*Check-in time is 02.00 pm. For earlier arrivals in the morning, we will request the hotel for a complimentary early Check-in but cannot be guaranteed unless reserved & paid for ‘immediate occupancy’.

Balance of the day is at leisure or perhaps opt for one of the many options available (we will be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements).

Historic Overload | European Hotspot | Cultural Dynamism | Castles & Chateaux 

Prague is the equal of Paris in terms of beauty. Its history goes back a millennium. And the beer? The best in Europe.

Prague, capital of the Czech Republic, is bisected by the Vltava River. Nicknamed “the City of a Hundred Spires,” it's known for its Old Town Square, the heart of its historic core, with colorful baroque buildings, Gothic churches & the medieval Astronomical Clock, with a popular show. Completed in 1402, pedestrian Charles Bridge is lined with 30 statues of saints. Not surprisingly, avid travellers come in droves, and on a hot summer's day it can feel like you are sharing Charles Bridge with half of humanity.

The 1989 Velvet Revolution that freed the Czechs from Communism bequeathed to Europe a gem of a city to stand beside stalwarts such as Rome, Amsterdam & London. Marvel at the sight of a 14^th century stone bridge, a hilltop castle & a lovely, lazy river - the Vltava - that inspired one of the most hauntingly beautiful pieces of 19^th century classical music, Smetana’s Moldau symphony.

Prague's maze of cobbled lanes & hidden courtyards is a paradise for the aimless wanderer, always beckoning you to explore a little further. Just a few blocks away from the Old Town Square you can stumble across ancient chapels, unexpected gardens, cute cafes & old-fashioned bars. One of the great joys of the city is its potential for exploration - neighbourhoods such as Vinohrady and Bubenec can reward the urban adventurer with countless memorable cameos, from the setting sun glinting off church domes, to the strains of Dvorak wafting from an open window.

Prague's art galleries may not have the allure of the Louvre, but Bohemian art offers much to admire, from the glowing Gothic altarpieces in the Convent of St Agnes, to the luscious art nouveau of Alfons Mucha, & the magnificent collection of 20^th century surrealists, cubists & constructivists in the Veletrzní Palac. The weird & witty sculpture of David Cerny punctuates Prague's public spaces, and the city itself offers a smorgasbord of stunning architecture, from the soaring verticals of Gothic & the exuberance of baroque to the sensual elegance of art nouveau & the chiselled cheekbones of cubist facades.

Where Beer is God! The best beer in the world just got better. Since the invention of Pilsner Urquell in 1842, the Czechs have been famous for producing some of the world's finest brews.

Overnight.   

Morning at 09:00 am, you will be picked up for a 4 hour sightseeing tour of the Czech capital.

You are going to see some of the most interesting historical landmarks of Prague – the Municipal House, Wenceslas Square, the National Museum, Charles Square followed by a ride along the beautiful riverside, across the River Vltava to Prague Castle.

The magnificent city of UNESCO World Heritage listed Prague has mesmerized travelers for generations with its intoxicating blend of stunning art & architecture. See the winding lanes with their magical atmosphere, medieval ramparts & romantic corners.

Harmony of Architecture – Prague is not only the Bridge & the Castle.

A frontier of the modern West & the former Iron Curtain, Prague is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Central Europe, hiding such beauty & elegance that you will be amazed. Prague has a bit of everything: historical monuments, admirable architecture, as well as vast gardens & parks.

The old town center on the right bank of the Vltava River is filled with historic buildings, charming cobblestoned lanes, lively cafes & restaurants, designer hotels and shops brimming with souvenirs like Czech crystal, Becherovka liquor & signature ceramic mugs with built-in straws, which is what spa-goers traditionally use to drink the mineral water.

You will recognize the most famous places of Old Town while walking along the Royal Route. This tourist trail of the historic center, which was once used by processions of Czech kings & queens on their way to coronation in St. Vítus Cathedral at Prague Castle, starts at Republic Square at Municipal House.

Enter Old Town at Prasna brana, walk along Celetna Street around the Cubist house At the Black Madonna & come to Old Town Square, where the timeless astronomical clock on Old Town Hall has been measuring time for 600 years.

From here continue along the Royal Route through Male Square & Charles Street around the area of Klementina until you reach the Knights of the Cross Square with Old Town Bridge Tower and cross the Vltava River over Charles Bridge and head towards Lesser Town.

Enjoy the Bohemian atmosphere in Prague's beautiful & bustling Old Town Square - a great place to begin any tour of the city. The Tour-guide will explain the workings of the legendary 15^th century Astronomical Clock – & recommend that you climb up the Old Town Hall tower for breathtaking views of the city.

Every hour, on the hour, crowds gather beneath the Old Town Hall Tower to watch the Clock in action. Despite a slightly underwhelming performance that takes only 45 seconds, the Clock is one of Europe's best-known attractions & a 'must-see' for visitors to Prague.

Four figures beside the clock represent the deepest civic anxieties of 15^th century Praguers: Vanity (with a mirror), Greed (with his money bag; originally a Jewish moneylender, but cosmetically altered after WWII), Death (the skeleton) & Pagan Invasion (represented by a Turk). The 4 figures below these are the Chronicler, Angel, Astronomer & Philosopher. On the hour, Death rings a bell & inverts his hourglass and the 12 Apostles parade past the windows above the clock, nodding to the crowd. On the left side are Paul (with a sword & a book), Thomas (lance), Jude (book), Simon (saw), Bartholomew (book) & Barnabas (parchment); on the right side are Peter (with a key), Matthew (axe), John (snake), Andrew (cross), Philip (cross) & James (mallet). At the end, a cock crows & the hour rings with a sound.

See the skyline of spires & turrets as you drive / walk around streets packed with Gothic & Romanesque monuments; and learn about Prague’s history from the onboard commentary.

See the State Opera & circle bustling Wenceslas Square, dominated by the National Museum & statue of St Wenceslas, Bohemia’s patron saint.

Continue around Charles Square & you can step onto the iconic Charles Bridge from the Old Town or Lesser Quarter side. The entrance from the Old Town is guarded by the elegant Old Town Bridge Tower, the decoration of which ranks it among the most beautiful in the world. Don’t forget to climb to the top & indulge yourself in the wonderful view of the whole 516m long bridge & panorama of Prague, city of a hundred spires. Just past the tower, a unique Baroque gallery awaits you in the open air.

Stroll slowly across the Vitava River on 14^th century stone edifice that spans the water.

The Charles Bridge will never cease to fascinate the artists, photographers and poets who pay homage to it in their works. When the day’s first rays of sunlight touch the cold cobblestones and illuminate the monumental Gothic towers at both of its ends, you would be hard put to find a more romantic location. With the powerful silhouette of Prague Castle in the background & the gallery of Baroque statues on both sides, it is no wonder that this is one of the most beautiful places in Europe.

In 1357, King Charles IV commissioned Peter Parler (the architect of St Vitus Cathedral) to replace the 12^th century Judith Bridge, which had been washed away by floods in 1342 – you can see the only surviving arch of the Judith Bridge by taking a boat trip with Prague Venice.

The new bridge was completed in 1390 & was named after Charles only in the 19^th century – before that it was known simply as Kamenny most (Stone Bridge). Despite occasional flood damage, Charles Bridge withstood wheeled traffic for 500 odd years – thanks, legend says, to eggs, wine & milk mixed into the mortar (though recent investigations have disproved this myth) – until it was made pedestrian-only after WWII. All of this was supposed to ensure its perfect stability for many centuries.

The first monument erected on the bridge was the crucifix near the eastern end, in 1657. The first & most famous statue – the Jesuits’ 1683 tribute to St John of Nepomuk – inspired other Catholic orders & over the next 30 years, a score more went up, like ecclesiastical billboards. New ones were added in the mid-19^th century, & one in the 20^th (plus replacements for some lost to floods).

According to the legend on the base of the statue, Wenceslas IV had St John of Nepomuk trussed up in armour & thrown off the bridge in 1393 for refusing to divulge the queen’s confessions (he was her priest), though the real reason had to do with the bitter conflict between church & state. The stars in his halo allegedly followed his corpse down the river. Tradition says that if you rub the bronze plaque, you will one day return to Prague. A bronze cross set in the parapet between statues 17 & 19 marks the point where he was thrown off.

As most of the statues were carved from soft sandstone, several weathered originals have been replaced with copies. Some originals are housed in the Casements at Vysehrad; others are in the Lapidarium in Holesovice.

At the Stare Mesto end of the bridge, look over the downstream parapet at the retaining wall on the right & you will see a carved stone head known as Bradac (Bearded Man). When the river level rose above this medieval marker, Praguers knew it was time to head for the hills. A blue line on the modern flood gauge nearby shows the level of the 2002 flood, no less than 2m above Bradac.

Join the groups of tourists squeezing through a gauntlet of hawkers selling charming souvenirs & buskers, artists & musicians beneath the impassive gaze of the 30 baroque statues that line the parapets & get to know the true atmosphere of this Gothic gem which has joined the 2 banks of the Vltava for more than 650 years.

Next, board a tram up to the Castle Mount & go back through1200 years of history as you explore the UNESCO World Heritage listed Prague Castle where all Czech rulers lived, walking past some magnificent palaces.

You can go inside Prague Castle (own expense – Entry Ticket not included) to explore the courtyards & buildings, including St Vitus Cathedral, once the coronation site of Bohemia’s monarchs; and Golden Lane, the cottage-lined cobbled alley that once housed castle servants & alchemists.

Within its walls lies a varied & fascinating collection of historic buildings, museums & galleries that are home to some of Czechia's greatest artistic & cultural treasures. A tour of Prague Castle is like a walk through a textbook on architecture. You will visit just the some of the important parts (all views from the outside only, separate Entrance Tickets required to tour inside - own expense - Entry Tickets, not included, allow entry to different combinations of sights).  

The former royal residence with extensive gardens is not simply one Palace like in other cities of the world. It is a large complex built over 10 centuries by several royal families. And in the 20^th century it became the main office of the President.

The huge Castle grounds are dominated by the monumental St. Vitus Cathedral situated right in the middle of the vast area, which is one of the most beautiful in Europe. When you enter it, you will find yourself in a place where time has literally stood still. The beautifully decorated interior created by medieval masters is lit to perfection by the rays of sunlight which stream through the beautiful stained-glass windows designed by the Czech Art Nouveau artist Alfons Mucha. The Cathedral also houses the tombs & remains of important saints & Czech rulers. You can see the tomb of St. Wenceslas here - the patron saint of the Czech lands, St. John of Nepomuk, as well as the last resting places of the emperors Charles IV & Rudolf II.

Make sure to also take a look at the imposing mosaic of the Last Judgement above the Golden Gate & you may climb up to the main tower, which offers one of the most beautiful views over the city.

One can wander around its courtyards, palaces & museums. You can visit the Romanesque Basilica of St. George with its mystical interiors, the Gothic Royal Palace, the extensive Baroque courtyard, the Renaissance Summer Palace of Queen Anne as well as the ultramodern greenhouse in the Royal Gardens.

No visit to Prague Castle would be complete without a tour of the tiny picturesque Golden Lane adjacent to the ramparts, full of small fairy-tale houses. According to legend, the colourful miniature houses here were inhabited by alchemists working for Emperor Rudolf II, who longed to discover the legendary Elixir of Youth & the Philosopher’s Stone. House No. 22 is especially famous because the world famous Prague writer Franz Kafka lived here.

Would you like to see works from masters such as Titian or Rubens with your own eyes? Then, visit the Picture Gallery at the Castle. For kids, there is a Museum of Toys.

The Castle tour ends & you drive back to the hotel, passing through the Jewish Quarter – with the oldest active Synagogue in Europe & the medieval still functional Jewish cemetery.

Balance of the day is at leisure or perhaps opt for one of the many options available (we will be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements).

Morning, you will be picked up at 07:00 am & travel out of Prague on a full day 10 hour excursion to the spa town of Karlovy Vary.

Admire the picturesque Bohemian landscapes as you travel & on arrival, discover the many attractions of the town, sometimes known by the German name of Karlsbad or Carlsbad.

Karlovy Vary is a popular 19^th century spa town in the west Bohemia region of the Czech Republic with numerous thermal springs. The world renowned spa town is today the second most visited spot in the Czech Republic & some of the most famous figures in European artistic & cultural life have enjoyed treatment here. The first thing you will notice is the high number of Russian visitors, all following in the footsteps of Tsar Peter the Great, who stayed here for treatments in the early 18^th century.

As you travel, listen to the Tour-guide explaining how this Bohemian town grew up around some natural springs said to have been discovered by the Holy Roman Emperor Charles - or Karl, IV - in 1358. Hear how the town took the emperor’s name and how, in the 1800s, it attracted figures such as Ludwig van Beethoven who came here for the reputedly curative waters.

Drive through the lush forests that surround Karlovy Vary, and visit the town’s Moser glass factory & learn about the company’s products, favored by Europe’s ruling elite during the 19^th & early 20^th centuries, and still one of the world’s most prestigious brands of crystal glassware. See the skilled glassblowers at work and, if you wish, buy some of the exquisite Moser crystal & Thun porcelain at the factory gift shop.

Continue into Karlovy’s stately center.

Admire the grand & unique spa architecture and stroll along the impressive historical & modern colonnades with columned walkways, sipping on allegedly health-restoring sulphuric compounds from ceramic, spouted drinking cups, from the 12 natural medicinal mineral springs. The modern Hot Spring Colonnade houses the Pramen Vridlo (Geyser), expelling its curative water up to a height of 12 m.

The city has also attained worldwide acclaim for the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival held annually.

Enjoy lunch in the vicinity (we recommend trying out delicious local wafers, circular cracker style treats smeared with chocolate, vanilla & other moreish coatings. Savor the gingery-cinnamon tipple as you hear how it’s made with a secret recipe using Karlovy’s soft water. And try some ‘Becherovka’, a traditional liqueur made from a wonderful blend of herbs & spices that is synonymous with the town.).

If you want to check out the any Wellness treatments such as exotic massages & peelings, please book in advance (not included - direct payment).

Time to go back to Prague.

Reach your hotel by evening.

Balance of the evening is at leisure or perhaps opt for one of the many options available (we will be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements).

Alas, the experience comes to an end & it is time to say good-bye to the regions’s warm hospitality & heritage & go home.

Check-out of the hotel by 12:00 noon (if the departure time is later in the evening, we will request the hotel to allow the usage of the facilities & to leave the luggage at the Bell Desk). 

No more Iron Curtain. Czech Republic is a place is where the East meets West, the North meets the South – literally & lyrically. A beautiful country where you can see influences of different cultures intertwine & a surprising mix of places to discover. The Castles & Gardens & Churches & ancient mystical Town Centers and of course, the 12 UNESCO World Heritage sites.

You have seen a glimpse of stunning Prague but there is so much more that we are sure will entice you to come back.

“When you leave Czechia, as the plane lifts, you feel that more than leaving a country, you are leaving a state of mind. Whatever awaits you at the other end of your journey will be of a different order of existence” – Anonymous

In time, you will be met by a Journeys Rep, who will ensure your comfort & transfer you to Terminal? - Prague Vaclav Havel International Airport, for your onward journey.  B

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