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 8 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 & 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.

Old Town Square is the site of the 15^th century medieval world wonder - the Astronomical Clock! The Tour-guide will explain the workings of the legendary 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.

The Prague Astronomical Clock, which for 600 years has been one of the greatest treasures of the city, still amazes people with its procession of Apostles, moving statues & visualization of time, like no other instrument in the world. The astrolabe mechanisms built over 600 years ago are still functional.

4 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.

According to legend, master clockmaker Hanus of Ruze was widely applauded for his magnificent creation. But the town councillors, fearing that he would make another like it for another town had him blinded, so that he would not ever manage to build another instrument greater than the Orloj in Prague.

The story also says that one day toward 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 & deliberately damaged it so seriously, that nobody could ever fix it again. He also cursed the instrument, so those who tried to repair it have either gone mad or died. It was centuries before a craftsman could be found who was skilled enough to make it work. The figures of the 12 apostles, blessing the city at every hour were added in more recent times, during the major repair work carried out between the years 1865-1866.

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 & a statue of St / King 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 from Prague.

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.

Hear fascinating anecdotes about the rulers & the festivities here that accompanied their coronations and how the surrounding buildings would be festooned with banners & decorations.

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.

The Tour concludes & you are transferred back to the hotel or continue exploring on your own.

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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).

Overnight.  B D 

Today, you will meet the Tour-guide at 08:00 am, & embark on a 4 hour sightseeing exploring the Jewish Quarter.

Peel back the layers of Prague’s Jewish history on this ‘walking’ tour of the Jewish Quarter. Retrace the lives & stories of the Czech Jewish community and explore Prague Jewish ghettos.

Listen to an enlightening introduction to the history of Prague’s Jewish Quarter that goes by the name of Josefov, one of only a few central European Jewish districts to survive war & holocaust.

As you walk in the district, whose origins date back more than 1,000 years, hear about the many sites that stand witness to the its rich past and that makes it one of Europe’s major centers of Jewish life.

The Old Jewish Cemetery, established in the 15^th century & second oldest in Europe, is an incredible sight.  Stroll through the Cemetery, a graveyard used between the 1400s & 1700s, & home to around 12,000 visible tombstones jammed together, leaning one on another, every one at a different angle & size, the whole creating a graphic and surreal image. Many thousands of burial places are believed to lie under these graves & some of the famous figures are buried here, including the 15^th century poet & scholar Avigdor Karo.

Visit. Klaus Synagogue with a permanent exhibition called "Jewish Customs and Traditions" highlighting the significance of the synagogue & Jewish festivals. Walk down Maiselova Street, one of the two main thoroughfares of the area lined with handsome 19^th century townhouses.

Head inside the Jewish Museum to view its fascinating collections of maps, artifacts & documents that chart the history of Jewish people in the Czech lands. Stop at the birthplace of Franz Kafka, Prague’s famous literary son & view a small exhibition on his works during his tragically short life.

Make your way through the historical alleys & come out into the Old Town Square where the Tour concludes in time for lunch (not included - direct payment).

Continue through some of the oldest streets in Prague past Gothic & Romanesque buildings, and stop to see the Municipal House, a beautiful Art Nouveau building on the site of the long-gone Royal Court, the palace of the Czech monarchs where the coronation processions began.

Balance of the day is at leisure or perhaps opt for one of the many options available. Prague is famous for its concert halls: The Municipal House, Rudolfinium, Mozart Theatre, National Theatre, State Theatre - all of them close to the center of the city with performances almost every night (we will be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements).

Overnight.  B D 

Morning, depart at 07:00 am for the spa town of Karlovy Vary. Enroute stop at the village of Benesov.

You will travel south through scenic central Bohemia to the medieval village, the site of Konopiste Castle. - Czech Republic’s most beautiful fortress-palaces.

Set in a hilly wooded park, the Baroque-style 3 story chateau first built in 1280, later become the residence  of  Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria in 1887, whose assassination in 1917 in Sarajevo sparked World War I.

Several years prior to his assassination, Archduke Ferdinand married a woman of Czech nobility (a scandalous affair due to her only being a duchess). Feeling ostracized from the nobility in Vienna, he chose Konopiste as his residence instead.

The French-style chateau now sports the neo-Gothic face-lift instigated by the Archduke in the 1890s & remains one of Bohemia’s more romantic chateaux.

Head inside & enjoy a guided tour of the richly gilded 19^th century interiors.  Admire the wood-paneled chambers used as private apartments by the Archduke & discover how, as a keen hunter, he had Konopiste remodeled into a luxurious hunting lodge. See his hunting trophies displayed on the walls, and view the magnificent collections of medieval weaponry, paintings & tapestries.

Hear about the daily rituals of the Archduke & his wife & children as you tour, and then skip forward to the 21^st century as you hear how Konopiste was used as a location in the 2006 movie The Illusionist.

The Guide will go into some detail about the mysterious death of Crown Prince Rudolph, information about the assassination & the relevance of these events to the decline of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in the early 20^th century. For those interested 20^th century European history, the Castle is definitely worth a visit.

Step out around the Rose Garden, terraces & lawns dotted with statues & glasshouses, to admire the setting & savor the tranquil atmosphere.

Continue on your journey through Czech countryside & stop at the small market town of Karlstejn in the Central Bohemian Region, named after the famous 14^th century Karlstejn Castle, one of the most popular for Czechs.

The Castle is obviously the most important landmark in the town, but there are some other places also worth seeing in Karlstejn.

Karlstejn Castle is a hilltop Gothic palace-fortress founded in 1348 by Czech King & Roman Emperor Charles IV, as a place for safekeeping of the royal treasures, especially Charles’s collection of holy relics & the coronation jewels of the Roman Empire.

It is about 20 minute walk through the picturesque Karlstejn Village leads to the Castle. The last reconstruction was at the end of the 19^th century. The spectacular Castle with its turrets & towers is built high on rocky hillside, perched above dense green forests, is thought to be impregnable.

When you arrive, you have option to either walk or ride a horse-drawn carriage (own expense) up to the gate.

You are rewarded by an impressive view of the towering buildings - from the Well tower & Burgrave’s palace to the Imperial palace & the Marian tower. At the top of the headland stands the monumental 60m tall fortified Great tower.

Head inside for a guided tour of the buildings as you learn how Charles IV used the castle as a treasury for his coronation jewels.

Immerse yourself in medieval times as you stroll through chambers & halls adorned with frescos, paintings & other treasures, including a replica crown. See the Burgrave’s Palace & Well Tower as the Guide tells you about its sordid secrets.

Move on to the 5 storey Imperial Palace & its nearby towers. Step inside to view the Chapel of the Holy Cross, home to 129 exquisite panel paintings by Charles’ court painter, Master Theodoric & learn how the imperial regalia were kept safely here. See a replica of St Wenceslas’ crown, and visit the Knight’s Hall, with its central late-Gothic altarpiece.

Decoration is dated from 14^th - 19^th centuries, the largest portrait gallery of Czech rulers in the country is on view as well as a replica of St. Wenceslas Crown - the Crown of the Czech Kings.

Explore the Chapel of St Catherine, a place of private meditation for Charles; the Great Tower, whose walls are hung with original 14^th century paintings of Karlstejn & other castles. Behold the spectacular views from the towers.

The Wax Museum Karlstejn, next to the Castle, displays waxworks of historical figures, including Czech King Charles IV.

Enjoy lunch (direct payment) in the village & have a look at some other interesting options, if you want to. The village below the castle is filled with tacky souvenir stalls, very expensive restaurants & to complete the carnival experience, an ‘erotic city’ porn shop.

The Clock Museum (Dum hodin) tracing the history of timepieces & clocks from around the world and boasting a nice collection of about 1000 clocks. Most of them are European clocks, but there are also artefacts from China, Japan & America.

The Museum of Nativity Scenes (Muzeum Betlemu) is located in the house no. 11. Visitors can see a collection of old Czech nativity scenes (a.k.a. cribs). Most of them are made of wood, but there are also some rare artefacts made of wax or even sugar. The most important artefact is the Royal Crib of Karlstejn (Karlstejnsky kralovsky betlem). It takes up an area of 80 m² (861 sq ft).

Continue driving to your final destination, admiring the picturesque Bohemian landscapes as you travel

Reach the hotel in Karlovy Vary by afternoon & Check-in.

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

The incarnation of spa elegance, imposing colonnades, exclusive spa buildings & a wonderful layout in the heart of a forested valley. That is Karlovy Vary, the best known town in the world renowned West Bohemian Spa Triangle, in which some of the most famous European artistic & cultural elite have enjoyed treatment, & is today the 2^nd  most visited spot in the Czech Republic. Thanks to its unique architecture, it is one of Europe’s most beautiful spas..

Legend has it that Karlovy Vary was founded by the Czech king & holy Roman emperor Charles IV in the 14^th century. It is said that the ruler discovered a unique spring here while out hunting deer. Over the centuries a Spa town has developed here whose fame has surpassed the borders of Bohemia, with Karlovy Vary becoming synonymous with charm & social standing. It has welcomed such figures as Goethe, Beethoven, Gogol, Paganini, Casanova & Mozart, along with dozens of heads of state, while in recent times it has hosted many movie stars thanks to its film festival, which is one of Europe’s most important. Its numerous thermal springs have made it a popular resort & the riverside spa district is home to several colonnades with columned walkways.

The popular 19^th century Karlovy Vary (sometimes known by the German name of Karlsbad or Carlsbad), or simply 'Vary' to Czechs, has stepped up its game in recent years. 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.

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).

Overnight.  B D 

Morning at 09:00 am, proceed for a 2 hour ‘walking’ tour of the quaint town.

Day trippers come to admire the grand 19^th century spa architecture & to stroll the impressive colonnades, sipping on the supposedly health-restoring sulphurous waters from spouted ceramic drinking cups.

Begin at Karlovy’s stately center.

You will experience a genuine spa atmosphere on pleasant walks through its enchanting historical core, which follows the Tepla stream.

Admire the grand & unique spa architecture & stroll in the shadows along the impressive elegant historical & modern colonnades with columned walkways such as the Mlynska & Trzní Colonnades. You can fill a spa jug from several of 12 natural medicinal mineral springs & sip from ceramic, spouted drinking cups on allegedly health-restoring sulphuric compounds.

Make sure to see the magnificent theatre, Cisarske lazne & the monumental Baroque Church of St. Mary Magdalene designed by Kilian Ignac Dientzenhofer, architect of the most famous Czech Baroque buildings. Dientzenhofer unleashed his imagination & designed the Church with an elliptic layout and many niches & side chapels, next to the thermal spring where hot water gushes from the ground. While tasting the healing water from the hot springs of Karlovy Vary, you should also come & see the craftsmanship of old Baroque masters.   

In the Interior of the Church you can see richly decorated Baroque furnishing from the 18^th century, including Baroque altar paintings. There are also Gothic sculptures from the original Church that was torn down. In the basement, a unique sepulchral crypt of the original church has been preserved where the human remains from a former cemetery are buried. There you can also see the Altar of the Holy Grave, the biblical scene of the Garden of Gethsemane, Calvary, an ossuary & unique proof of how ingeniously the foundations of the Baroque building were laid.

The hottest of the springs - the Pramen Vridlo (Geyser), the city’s symbol & source of thermal water, emerges from the ground nearby. But watch out! The curative mineral water with an incredible temperature of 72°C used for the local spa baths shoots up to 12 metres at an average rate of 2,000 litres per minute.

The mineral water is used also for drinking cures. Inside the colonnade you will find 5 fountains with thermal water & you can take a guided tour of the old part of the underground thermal spring where you will learn about the production of the souvenirs known as stone rosettes that can be purchased here along with thermal spring salt.

You may also visit the last remaining landmark of what was once one of Bohemia’s largest Jewish communities, the last resting place of many famous natives & visitors, the Jewish cemetery.

Karlovy Vary’s Jewish cemetery established in 1896 isn’t as old as Prague’s, for instance. This is because Jews started moving to the town in droves in the 19^th century. There are around 700 gravestones, including those belonging to the family of Ludwig Moser & the father of Richard Feder, who was Czech chief rabbi in the 2^nd half of the 20^th century. It is also the last resting place of many spa guests from various corners of the globe. At the cemetery you will also find a ceremonial hall in the Moorish-Oriental style converted for living purposes, as well as a memorial to soldiers who fell during WWI.

Walk by the Market Colonnade where Emperor Charles IV, according to legend, treated his ailing limbs in the local spring on the site of the historical market beneath the Chateau Tower.

The oldest spa in Karlovy Vary used to stand here. Today the site of the former City Hall, a carved wooden colonnade in Swiss style, was designed & built by Viennese architects at the end of the 19^th century.  In its interior you can find 3 mineral springs: the Charles IV Spring, commemorating the legend of the great emperor, then the Lower Castle Spring & the Market Spring.

There is also the impressive Park Colonnade, a memorial of times past hidden in the middle of a park.

Discover the story of the Pavilion designed as a promenade for the Blanensky Pavilion in late 19^th century by the Viennese architects Fellner & Helmer. Even though the pavilion was demolished in the 1960s & the Colonnade only constitutes a small fraction of the original building, it is still an important monument where today, you can only admire the cast-iron colonnade which, under its masterfully crafted framework, shelters two of the local magical springs.  You can try to trace the footsteps of the brilliant Czech composer Antonín Dvorak who cultivated the ideas for his finest works, sitting here.

The city has also attained worldwide acclaim for the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival held annually. The Festival is the largest gathering of film professionals & enthusiasts in the midst of the beautiful spas of West Bohemia.

The combination of summer, the spas & the magic of the silver screen make the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, which is one of the category A festivals, a truly unique experience.

Thousands of film fans flock to it every year for a chance to catch a glimpse of interesting Czech & world features, jazzing up the life of the colonnade in the center of the city with their enthusiasm. You will meet the biggest stars on the red carpet, but also students with backpacks & sleeping bags.

The Karlovy Vary Film Festival is one of the oldest of its kind in the world, held for the first time in 1946. During the 4 decades of the Communist regime in Czechoslovakia, the Festival was under political pressure to fulfil the ideological notions of the top echelons of the regime.

After the fall of Communism, the Festival spent a few years searching for its identity & had to fight the public’s indifference. A positive turnaround was brought about with the advent of a new organizational team in 1994, led by the Czech actor Jiri Bartoska & experienced film critic Eva Zaoralova and transformed the stagnating Festival into an important cultural & social forum of international importance with cult status.

Finally, a ride up the nearby funicular (direct payment) will carry you comfortably to the Diana Tower, from which the town feels like it’s in the palm of your hand & provides you with great views of the surrounding landscape of beech & oak forests.

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.).

Return to the hotel or continue on your own.

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). If you want to check out the high-end treatments such as exotic massages & peelings, please book in advance.

Overnight.  B D 

Morning, depart for Cesky Krumlov. Enroute, stop at Marianske Lazne.

Marianske Lazne is a historic spa town in West Bohemia, surrounded by mountains, forest, mineral springs & green parks.

Marianske Lazne (known internationally as Marienbad) is smaller, less urban & arguably prettier than Karlovy Vary, making it feel more like a classic spa destination. Marianske Lazne means beautiful spa parks, romantic colonnades, charming pavilions, pleasant cafes & cozy hotels.

The town is endowed with many healing mineral springs & revels in a unique atmosphere that attracts thousands of visitors every year who come to soak up this atmosphere. It offers not only natural mineral springs, magnificent parks & varied architecture, but a wide variety of cultural entertainment programs & access to many sporting activities.

When you pass through the heart of Marianske Lazne you have the sense that you have been transported back in time to a century ago with the wave of a magic wand. It is hard to imagine that 2 centuries ago there was nothing here but a valley of inaccessible forest & bubbling swamps.

A relatively young spa town, developed at the beginning of the 19^th century in a valley where several springs with remarkable curative properties rise from the ground. However local people were aware of the springs as early as the 1200s. In 1528, King Ferdinand ordered the springs to be tested for their salt content.

In the years 1805 - 1807, Johann Josef Nehr, a doctor from the nearby monastery in Tepla, proved the unique health-giving effects of the local springs & constructed the first brick house for spa guests near the Cross Spring called 'The Golden Globe', built on the site of a former wooden cabin. Karel Kaspar Reitenberger, the Abbot of Tepla Premonstrate Monastery supported the building despite the opposition of the monastery monks (which led to him spending 33 years in the exile in Tyrol for his conviction).

In 1818 Marianske Lazne was declared a public spa by a government decree & the spa town soon sprang up. In 1865, the Spa was officially handed town status by Emperor Franz Joseph I.  

The period between 1870 & 1914 was Marianske Laznes heyday when Vaclav Skalník, a noted horticulturist, initiated a unique development of landscaping & transformed this inhospitable, marshy valley into a beautiful park town featuring neo-Classical spa houses, pavilions & colonnades reflected to this day in its numerous renovated Art Nouveau spa houses, hotels & churches, designed by famous architects such as Friedrich Zickler, Josef Schaffer, Arnold Heymann & Josef Forberich.

In the mid-19^th century numerous personalities from the world of culture, science & politics arrived from all over the world to visit Marianske Lazne.  Some of the most notable names from this period include Johann Wolfgang Goethe, Prince Friedrich of Saxony, Earl Kaspar Šternberk, Joens Jakob Berzelius, Vaclav Jan Tomasek,  Marie Szymanowsky, Richard Wagner & Anton Bruckner.

Fryderyk Chopin, the acclaimed Polish composer & virtuoso pianist has visited Marianske Lazne in February 1836 & the town fondly remembers the time Chopin spent here. On the main street stands the Chopin House bearing a plaque - inside you will find the Chopin Memorial Museum. Every year the town hosts a Fryderyk Chopin Festival & there is also a street & a music school named after him.

The English King Edward VII visited Marianske Lazne 9 times as 'Lord Renfrew' or 'The Duke of Lancaster'.  Here, Edward met the Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph I in 1904, the Russian foreign minister Izplsky,  French premier Clemenceau in 1907 & with Duke Ferdinand of Bulgaria in 1908.

The Spa parks were enlarged & idyllic viewing points were created high above the town. When the railway line linking the town with Cheb, Vienna, Prague & Pilsen was opened in 1872 & the line to Karlovy Vary was completed in 1898, many more great names came to test the mineral waters. These include Gustav Mahler, Friedrich Nietzsche, Franz Kafka, Rudyard Kipling, Mark Twain, Thomas Alva Edison, Pierre de Coubertin & the Czar Nicholas II.

Get to know the story of a town which, at the height of its fame, hosted the most important of statesmen and artists, and remains one of Europe’s most beautiful spa towns.

Splendid 19^th century old state spa buildings alternate with blossoming parks in which spa guests sit, sipping contentedly on jugs filled from some of the town’s famous springs.

The historic centre of the town stretches along the spa colonnade with its unique singing fountain & the main avenue lined with pastel coloured Art Deco facades. The Park Boheminium Marianske Lazne is dotted with miniature models of Czech monuments. The central Kolonada is a baroque colonnade with bronze reliefs & a frescoed ceiling. Nearby, the neo-classical Singing Fountain plays classical music every 2 hours.

Marianske Lazne’s most distinctive feature is the wonderful parks that make it one of Europe’s most beautiful garden towns. You can stroll uninterrupted here, watch water trickle from numerous fountains & springs, breathe in the scent of flowers & trees in bloom, or just unwind with a coffee & some excellent spa wafers.

After spending a few hours here, continue on to Cesky Krumlov.

Arrive at the hotel by early evening & Check-in.

Balance of the day is at leisure to explore independently or to relax (we will be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements for any Optional activities).

After earning a spot on UNESCO World Heritage List in 1992, Cesky Krumlov - a city in the South Bohemia region in an area much appreciated for its pastoral countryside, has become the Czech Republic’s second busiest tourist town after Prague & is undoubtedly one of the most exquisite & picturesque towns in the Republic.

The fairy-tale town of 15,000 centred on an elegant cobbled Old Town Square, an 11 hectare garden, a rare & original 17^th century Baroque theatre, crowned by a spectacular 13^th century Gothic castle with Renaissance & baroque elements, is a pocket-sized Prague. Cesky Krumlov feels lost in a time warp & you will experience a more authentic old-world charm.

Tucked into a hairpin bend in the Vltava River, it was a safe, choice spot for Celtic, then German, then Slavic tribes to settle. In the 16^th century - the town's Golden Age - Cesky Krumlov hosted artists, scientists & alchemists from all over Europe.

Renaissance & baroque buildings enclose the meandering arc of the Vltava river, housing riverside cafes & bars. Following architectural neglect during the communist era, the undeniable fairy-tale beauty of Cesky Krumlov is radiant again, with thoughtful restoration transforming the heritage buildings lining the narrow lanes into cosy restaurants & classy boutique hotels.

Medieval arcades & etched Renaissance facades in apricot, beige & pea-green shades; rust-red, pink, and golden Baroque buildings surround this cobble stoned square with a Plague Monument (Morovy sloup) in its centre. Here you can explore the Square, the side streets & the winding River Vltava that separates the Old Town from the towering castle.

If you are willing to forego languid days on the Vltava, winter is the most enchanting time of all, with the castle blanketed in snow as pine smoke from chimneys wafts across the river

There are plenty of lively bars for visitors to check out.

Overnight.  B D

Cesky Krumlov is undoubtedly one of the most exquisite medieval town & always a favourite among travellers.

Morning, around 09:00 am, proceed for a 4 hour tour of the mighty Renaissance Castle, once the seat of the powerful Rozmberk family, who ran the city from this perch for 3 centuries, until about 1600.

The great castle complex dominates the town of Cesky Krumlov. Surrounded by landscaped gardens, the mighty castle stands on a rock promontory sculpted by the Vltava River, overlooking the town below.

The interior of the castle, can only be visited on a 1 hour escorted tour, gives a glimpse of the ultimate in Bohemian noble living through the ages. The castle houses a rich collection of period furniture, tapestries & historical weapons. The Complex, one of the largest in Central Europe, was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1992

Explore the opulent courtyards, halls & furnishings, learning about the structure’s history from your guide as you go. Under the Castle Complex lies the old town with its winding alleys & venerable Gothic & Renaissance houses.

The Castle has several other sights. The strikingly colorful round tower, featuring a 162-step climb to the top, was built to guard the medieval river crossing. Bear pits hold a family of European brown bears, as they have since the Rozmberks added these animals to their coat of arms in the 16^th century. A 2,300-foot-long garden boasts a mix of French & English styles.

The Castle's highlight is the Baroque Theater, where guests of the noble family would go for evening entertainment. A guided tour takes visitors under the stage to see the wood & rope contraptions that enabled scenes to be scooted in & out within seconds while fireworks & smoke hid the action from the audience.

Baroque theater was all about melodrama, created with lighting, perspective & sound effects. Machines were used to simulate a horrifying wind, driving rainstorm & menacing thunder. But the use of candles & pyrotechnics for special effects took their toll. Europe once had several hundred Baroque theaters, but most burned down. Cesky Krumlov's theater is one of only 2 that survives in good shape & is open to tourists (the other one is in Stockholm).

Across the river from the Castle is the made-for-strolling UNESCO Heritage listed historical Old Town. Gothic buildings curve with the winding streets. Many precious Gothic & Renaissance frescoes were whitewashed in Baroque times, when the colourful trimmings of earlier periods were way out of style. Today, these frescoes are being rediscovered & restored.

At the heart of the Old Town is the main Square, lined with a mix of Renaissance & Baroque homes of burghers (all built on 12^th century Gothic foundations). Lekarna, with a fine red Baroque facade on the lower corner of the Square, is still a pharmacy, as it has been since 1620. McDonald's tried 3 times to get a spot here but was turned away each time. The Puppet Museum features more than 200 movable creations & a model stage, where children of any age can try their hand at pulling the strings on their favourite fairy tale.

You will also have the chance to see the Church of St. Vitus, another significant landmark featured in the town’s skyline.

The tour finishes here & you can walk to the hotel on your own.

With its simple beauty & wonderfully medieval feel, Cesky Krumlov is the quaint, small-town Europe that many people dream of experiencing.

Balance of the day free to explore on your own (we would be happy to offer suggestions or make arrangements).

You may want to rent a Canoe & float down the dreamy river, through Bohemian forests & villages, past cafes & pubs happy to welcome paddlers for a break. Or, you can rent a bike.   

Explore the backstreets, visit the small shops & cafes or wander the pathways along the river.

One of the liveliest places in town is the Gypsy Pub. Unlike other cities in Eastern Europe, where Romas (Gypsies) tend to live in segregated ghettos, Cesky Krumlov boasts a proud community of about 1,000. The easiest way for a traveller to experience the traditional Roma culture is through its lively music - always crowd pleasing & fiery.

Overnight.  B D 

Morning, get ready to return to Prague.

Check-in on arrival.

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

Overnight.  B D 

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

Check-out of the hotel by 11:00 am (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 where the East meets West, North meets 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 & of course, the 12 UNESCO World Heritage sites.

You have seen a little bit of the stunning country 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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