YOUR ITINERARY:
Prague — Karlový VaryDay 1
- On your arrival at Prague airport, meeting with your individual guide and transfer to Karlový Vary.
- Accommodation in the hotel.
- Half day excursion around Karlovy Vary
In
1358, while out on an Imperial Hunt, Emperor Charles IV spied one of
the deer mortally wounded by his party fall at a small spring in the
woods. As he rode towards it, the deer roused, lapped at the spring
waters and, to his amazement, leapt up and bounded away. The inexplicable
curative powers of the spring so impressed the Emperor that he ordered
his court architects to build a hunting lodge at its source. This is
the legend behind the founding of the spa city, Karlovy Vary, and its
city symbol is taken from the little deer “that got away”
that day 600 years ago. Since then Karlovy Vary has been known as the
cosmopolitan European spa with renowned curative energies – Goethe
and Beethoven, as well as a few emperors, took “the cure”
here. This graceful, ancient spa, surrounded by forested hills, with
a rich history and Belle Epoch architecture, has long been considered
one of Europe’s most beautiful cities. A wonderful walking tour
around the city center awaits you in Karlovy Vary, where you will have
the opportunity to visit the Moser Glass Factory with its famed souvenirs
from local porcelain craftsmen.
Karlový VaryDays 2 - 3
- Visit of the official opening ceremony of the festival, film previews, and meetings with the creators of the films, festival cultural events, and discos.
From
the first days of July, fashionable Karlovy Vary – the prestigious
and historic European spa, noted for its stately 19th century mansions
and mainly elderly visitors come to “take the cure” –
comes alive with an intensity and excitement. For ten summer days a
buzz is in the air, movie fever takes over, and the narrow streets of
the spa town overflow with noisy, happy – and downright famous
- cinema-goers from all over the world. The numerous cinema halls, city
restaurants and discos are crammed with film stars, producers, directors
and hopeful dreamers. The Festival Pass allows you access to any film
previews you choose, as well as access to all the major cultural events.
There are not enough hours in the day to take in all the activities
connected with the star-studded, A list Karlovy Vary Film Festival.
Perhaps between film screenings, you can sneak 40 winks right here on
the lush green lawns, or grab a quick snack of fine Czech sausages,
washed down with a refreshing cold pint of famous Czech beer…
Loket — Krušovice — PragueDay 4
- Breakfast at your hotel.
- Full day excursion to medieval castle Loket and Krušovice Brewery
-
Loket
The
town of Loket sprang up around its unassailable fortress, founded
during the Middle Ages on the very borders of the Czech lands by the
Premyslids, the first Czech dynasty. Its hoary past speaks of glory
and ruin - the vagaries of history. Wandering through this dreamy
town, we pass through over a thousand years of history as we travel
from the powerful walls of the old fortress to the fairytale Baroque
houses rimming its market square.Krušovice
On
the way to Karlový Vary and Loket, we will stop off at the
city famed for its world-class Krušovice beer, brewed here since
1581. Be forewarned: in 1583, when the Emperor Rudolph II stopped
in Krušovice to taste the unique flavor of the brew, he ended
up buying the brewery for the Royal Crown. Here, in the heart of the
Krušny Mountains, amidst the pure spring waters and sweet scented
hops of the fields surrounding Krušovice, you will experience
what goes into making this fabled brew. Mother Nature and the skills
of famed brewers combine to create this unique liquid gold. Our tour
ends with a sampling of Krušovice’s three varieties of
beer: dark, light and light ležak. Moreover, as at any taste
testing, no one will limit your consumption!
PragueDay 5
- Breakfast at your hotel.
- Walking tour around the city "From Prague Castle to Charles Bridge"
-
We
begin our walk at the Strahov Monastery, founded in 1140 by the Premonstratensian
order. The frescoes on the ceilings and walls of its two libraries
superbly set off an impressive collection of manuscripts dating from
the 9th century. After sampling a beer from the monastery’s
brewery, it is on to Loretanske Square and the Loreta – home
of the Lesser Order of Capuchin Brothers. The edifice offers an extravagantly-detailed
eighteenth century façade, the tower of magical bells tourists
all over the world flock to hear, and within the cloister walls, the
seventeenth-century Santa Casa, home to one of Europe’s legendary
Black Madonnas. Leaving the square, we make our way along the winding
street known as Nový Svet (the New World) – a true slice
of medieval town life that remains one of Prague’s best-kept
secrets. This historic gem captivates the spirit with its quiet, romantic
atmosphere. Our final stop brings us to the grand structure known
the world over as Prague Castle and the towering Gothic cathedral
of Saint Vitus. Situated high above the Vltava River, the resplendent
Prague Castle served for centuries as the residence of emperors and
Czech kings; today the President of the Czech Republic calls it home.
Within the castle’s monumental walls lies legendary Golden Lane,
a miniscule alley lined with tiny cottages, where medieval alchemists
labored to uncover the ancient secret of the philosopher’s stone…
In
the Middle Ages, when numbered addresses were unheard of, the citizens
of Prague often distinguished their residences with house signs. Many
of these fanciful signs, usually over the main entrance door to a
medieval house, still exist and are in use. So on this outing we may
find ourselves “At the Black Eagle”; we may meet “At
the Gold Star" or "At the Bowl". As we follow the winding
streets of the Little Quarter, we will seek out some of the more outstanding
examples of Prague’s house signs, and learn about their fascinating
history. We will take the road less traveled by tourists, the twisting
back streets that reveal some of the Little Quarter’s secret
treasures. Hidden behind the high, thick walls and grillwork of aristocratic
palaces lie magnificent gardens. Down a dim alley are age-old canals,
dripping with greenery, where aged water mills still rhythmically
turn in the shadows. We finish the tour at this magical city’s
most enduring image: the majestic Charles Bridge, with its massive
Baroque statues disposed the entire length. Construction on the bridge
began at precisely 5:31 am, the 9th of July 1357 – the date
had not been chosen at random. Astrologers of the time decided on
this numerical combination in order to ensure the stones would hold
and the bridge would enjoy a long life. Since its completion almost
600 years ago, this magnificent structure has withstood the ravages
of time, war and floods. Medieval astrologers would not have been
surprised.
PragueDay 6
- Breakfast at your hotel. Transfer to the airport with your guide, departure.