8009 - Czech Republic - grand tour

Sightseeing Tour
Destination:	Czech Republic - Praha, Karlovy Vary, Konopiště, Karlštejn, Nižbor, Křivoklát, Koněprusy, Plzeň, Český Krumlov
Duration:	10 days / 7 nights
Price from:	1.228,- EURO

Available April 1 - October 31

1. Day : Departure Bangkok

Departure from Bangkok by ..........

2. Day : Arrival Prague

Arrival to Prague by ........ at ........ Welcome at the airport - Transfer to the hotel in the centre of the city. First visit of Prague - Old Town Square. Orloj (Medieval Astronomical Clock of the seasons mounted on the of Gothic Old Town City Hall Tower, dates back to 1410, was made in cooparation with professors of mathematics and astronomy at old Charles University) - ancient colorfull narow street Karlova ulice (Charles street), famous historical Karlův most (Charles Bridge) from 14. and 15. centuries decorated by alley of 30 statues. Dinner in a typical Czech restaurant - brewery "U Fleků". Return to the hotel.
Overnight in Prague. Meal: Dinner 

Praha (Prague): "Mother of Cities" or "City of a Hundred Spires" is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Known since as early as the 9th century AD, centre of the state for more than 1100 years. By the 14th century it was one of Europe's leading cultural and trade centres, for many decades during the Gothic and Renaissance eras, Prague was the permanent seat of two Holy Roman Emperors and thus was also the capital of the Holy Roman Empire. Historic centre of Prague, which occupies the center of the city, is an architectural treasure on hilly banks of the Vltava River. It has been included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites, making the city one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe.

3. Day : Prague, city tour

Prague Castle (Hradčany), one of the biggest castles in the world. Seat of ancient Kings of Bohemia, Holy Roman Emperors and Czech presidents contains many fine churches and palaces. Buildings represent every architectural style of the last millennium - St.Vitus Cathedral, impressive large Cathedral first built in the 10th cent. Containing the tombs of many kings, it is an excellent example of Gothic architecture and is the biggest and most important church in the country. Lunch in the Castle area in the Lobkowicz palace.
In the afternoon, there will be a visit to the Lesser Town of Prague, pitoresque unforgettable settlements beneath the Prague Castle on the left (west) bank of the river - Infant Jesus of Prague or Holy Child of Prague, famous miraculous statuette in baroque church of Our Lady of Victory. Dinner in a restaurant in the Prague centre.
Overnight in Prague. Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

4. Day : Prague, Karlovy Vary spa

In the morning, departure from Prague to Karlovy Vary (130 km). During the day - visit of spa town - Thermal Hot Spring Colonnade, the twin-steeple Church of St. Mary Magdalene, Opera House, The Grandhotel Pupp. Lunch in the centre of the city. In the afternoon return to Prague.

Overnight in Prague. Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Karlovy Vary (Carlsbad): Bohemian spa historicaly world famous for its hot springs (13 main springs, about 300 smaller springs, and river warm water). Among visitors, there were the tsar Peter the Great, J.W. Goethe , N.V.Gogol, F.Schiller and others. The spa was established in the XIV th century, according to a legend, mineral hot springs were discovered by the Emperor Charles IV th. At present time the town is also known for the international film festival, for popular Czech liquer Becherovka and glass manufacturer Mosser Glasss.

5. Day : Prague, Konopiště Chateau, Karlštejn Castle

This aprox 9 hours Trip combine two of the most impressive Czech castles on this guided coach tour from Prague. You will begin with a journey (about 50 km southeast) to Konopiste Chateau, built in the 13th century like Gothic French style fortification and later converted to Baroque style. Chateu keeps extraordinarily rich collections of work of art, crafts articles, antlers and medieval weapons, it puts Konopiště among the most interesting manors of Central Europe. After lunch, continue to the Karlštejn (Carlstein Castle), extraordinary important and beatiful castle of Bohemian kings. It was built in the 14th century by Charles IV, the Czech King and Roman Emperor as place for safekeeping coronation jewels, holy relicts and royal treasures. There is nice forest around (national park). Back to Prague (about 20 km).
Overnight in Prague. Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Konopiste Chateau: was built in the Early Gothic on the model of a French castellum near Prague. Renaissance and Baroque reconstruction changed the castle into a grand stately home. At the end of the 19th century it was refurbished in the Romantic style for Franz Ferdinand d'Este, successor to the Habsburg throne, and famous for his death in 1914 which started WWI. The chateau offers a fine display of furniture, drape tapestries, sculptures, paintings and a cornucopia of hunting trophies. You will have a chance to see the representative areas of the chateau interiors documenting historic life as well as valuable works of art.

Karlstejn Castle: which you will visit in the afternoon, held the treasure of the Holy Roman Empire including the imperial coronation jewels. The foundation stone of Karlstejn was laid in 1348 and the main building works lasted to 1356, the year of Charles' coronation as emperor. Charles IV devoted care to the rich interior decoration of the castle until the time of his death on 1378. The castle was modified in the Renaissance style and re-built in the purism style between the 19th and 20th century.

6. Day : Prague, Nižbor crystal work, Křivoklát Castle

In the morning, departure from Prague to Nižbor (small townlet in very beatiful valley of Berounka River) and there visit glasswork Factory Bohemia Crystal. At the end of the tour you can visit the firm´s shop.
Transfer to Křivoklát. Lunch in a historical part of the town. In the afternoon - visit the Křivoklát Castle. Departure back to Prague (about 60 km). Dinner in the Prague.

Overnight in Prague. Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Nizbor crystal work factory: The Rück Crystal, a.s.(established 1846 ), glassworks in Nižbor manufactures an extensive range of cut 24% leaded crystal in a wide variety of decorations from the simple to extremely complex and laborious, with gilt,hand painting and sandblasting. Rückl crystal, a.s. offers tours of the glassworks with a professional explanation of the operations. During the excursion visitors will get to know the individual stages of producing glass crystal by hand, i.e. the furnaces, processing, designing and polishing.

Krivoklat Castle: the castle of Křivoklát belongs to the oldest and most important castles of the Czech kings. The history of its construction starts in the 12th century. During the reign of Premysl Otakar II a large monumental royal castle was built to be later rebuilt by king Vaclav IV and even later generously enlarged by king Vladislav of Jagellon. In the castle we can visit beautiful castle chapel, the Great Royal and Chivalric Halls with an exhibition of Gothic paintings and sculptures, the library of the Fürstenberg noble Family containing over 52.000 bands, medieval prison designed for most important criminals like alchemists and prisoners of State with torture instruments, dungeon in huge main castle tower. And enjoy view of the surrounding national park hills forest area.

7. Day : Prague, Koněprusy Cave, Plzeň Brewery

IIn the morning visit of the Koněprusy caves. If you decide to join us for this trip, you will enjoy beautiful countryside then you will walk through 600 metres long route of caves (excursion last about one hour). Do not forget to take warmer dress into the caves (avarage temperature of air there is 10,6 degree Celsius).
You will have a nice lunch. Connection transfer to Plzeň (Pilsen) In museum of beer you will learn more about the brewing history of Czech beer. During your brewery excursion you will visit the modern plants where this delicious beer has been bottled as well as historical cellars. There you also can check test of beers which has been brewed following an ancient recipe that a lot of worldwide breweries have in vain tried to imitate. Departure back to Prague (about 100 km).

Overnight in Prague. Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Koneprusy Cave: With the length of 2 km and vertical range of 70 m it is the biggest cave system in Bohemia. It is situated in the middle of the nature reserve of Czech Karst. The three level cave complex has developed in limestone of Devonian age, can boast of unique opal-bearing limestone decorations and special stalactical decor called Konepru´s rossete. In the caves there were many fossils documenting the history, bones of animals from before 30 000 to 200 000 found years and human bones of Homo Sapiens art. The upper level of the caves used be a medieval illegal counterfeiter workshop.

Plzeň: Town "of beer" where the pilsener style of beer was developed in the 19. century (the best known Czech Pilsner Urquell beer since 1842 and Gambrinus beer since 1869 has been produced). Centre of academic, business and culural life for the western part of Czech Republic.

8. Day : Prague, Český Krumlov

In the morning - transfer (about 2 hours) and visit the Castle of Český Krumlov, spectacular the second biggest castle in Bohemia, the jewel attracts visitors from all over the world. Castle and chateu, manor house´s complex and many wonderfull Baroque buildings. Lunch in a historical part of the town at the bank of the Vltava River. In the afternoon - visit to the historical centre of the town. After the end of the walking through the town departure back to Prague.
Overnight in Prague. Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

In the summer, you will get a tour of the castle. In winter months (November 1 - March 31) when the castle is closed, your guide will still take you up to the castle area for a view and to show you the courtyard.

Cesky Krumlov: One of the most and well preserved wonderful medieval cities in Central Europe, southwest of the Czech Republic. The first mentioned of the Castle Krumlov dates back between the years 1240 and 1242. It is registered in the UNESCO list of monuments of world significance.

9. Day : Prague, departure

Programme depends on the hour of aeroplane´s departure. In the morning, individual visit to Prague with a possibility of buying souvenirs. Lunch individually in the course of walking through Prague New Town.
Return to the hotel depending on the hour of flight departure and the time of departure to the airport.
Departure from the hotel including the guide - check out at the airport - flight by...

Meal: Breakfast

10. Day : Arrival Bangkok

Arrival to Bangkok by ..........