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cathedrals leap up from the heart of valley towns so perfectly preserved
that the U.N. recognizes them as World Heritage Sites.
Of course, the gems of this journey are Prague and Budapest, one-time
capitals of the Habsburg Empire whose spires and castles create
the continent's most inspiring skylines. The famous spa town of
Marianske Lazne are worth a stay for their beauty and their therapeutic
waters. The southern Bohemian town of Cesky Krumlov is a medieval
jewel with a spectacular castle and winding cobblestone streets.
Whether you're sipping wine from the terraced vineyards along the
Danube valley, relaxing in one of the many thermal springs and historical
spas or hiking some of the town's trails, you'll marvel that these
places still exist. And you'll bring home with you a rich slice
of Europe's life and history that most travelers never see.
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October
12, Thursday - Prague
Arrival in Prague where you will be met and transferred
to our hotel.
An ancient European city renowned for its beauty and
unique wealth of historical sights, the capital of the
Czech Republic. Prague lies in the very heart of Bohemia.
The town originally founded in the 10th century on the
banks of the Vltava River is often called "The Hundred
Spires" because of its beautiful skyline.
Grand Hotel Bohemia ****
Four nights including breakfast |
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October
13, Friday - Prague
Today we will visit on our own the crooked and medieval streets
of this city and some of its highlights. |
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October
14, Saturday - Prague
In the morning we will meet our local guide for
a four hour walking tour of the city. |
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October
15, Sunday - Prague
Today we can enjoy the city on our own or we can take a train
to the 13th C Konopiste Castle. |
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October
16, Monday Prague - Marianske Lazne (Marienbad)
This morning we will be transferred to the Railroad Station
for departure by train at 10.15am to Marianske Lazne -
Upon Arrival at 1:00pm we will be met and transferred
to our hotel for our two nights stay. Hotel
Maxim, with spa treatments in house. Two nights
including breakfast.
In the afternoon a walking tour with our local guide of
the spa-area and Marienbad collonade with it's famous
"Singing Fountain."
Mariánské Lázne is the second biggest
town in the triangle of the West Bohemian spas. It is
world- famous by the results of the cure and excellent
quality of the natural sources. The town is situated in
a charming valley surrounded by well-kept green woods.
There are around 100 springs of cold ferrite acidulous
water of various chemical consistencies. The first sources
have been known since the 16th century. The dominant architectural
style of the town is Neo-Classical. A real architectural
jewel is the Colonnade, built in 1889. Uncommon experience
brings the music and light productions of the contemporary
"Singing Fountain".
Treatments are based on the usage of natural mineral springs,
which are the source of natural acidulous water containing
carbonic and ferric acid. The cures also use the presence
of peat and natural gas.
Active Relaxation Golf courses, the second oldest in Europe,
founded by Edward VII, King of England, mini-golf, tennis
courts, swimming pools, solariums, fitness, horse riding,
yachting, sport equipment rentals, fishing, skiing, tourist
and cyclist routes. |
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October
17, Tuesday - Marianske Lazne
Day at leisure for spa-procedures available at the hotel /carbon-dioxide
water bath, bubble bath,
mud pack, classical massages, underwater massages or to enjoy
the town and surrounding area. |
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A
brief look at the history of spas:
Their development at the end of the 18th century
coincides with major strides in science, technology and
social communication.
Large spa houses were being built along with colonnades
and decorative structures above and around the springs.
The spa towns began to adopt a systematic approach
to their architectural planning and strive for a unified
appearance. Much attention was devoted to the mineral
springs themselves, with geological probes and chemical
analyses of the waters' contents performed; this was a
very dynamic era. Tough competition became the
hallmark of the spa industry, while the local spa entrepreneurs
thrived.
Czech spas were frequented by a highly sophisticated
clientele. To this day, the spa towns of Marianske
Lazne and Teplice pride themselves on the visits by Czar
Peter the Great, King Edward VII of England, or Albrecht
of Wallenstein, a famous general and politician. Frequent
spa guests were also such giants of European culture as
Goethe, Schiller, Chopin, Beethoven, and Wagner.
And, lest we should forget, a large number of visitors
consisted of prominent aristocrats, industrialists, businessmen
and bankers...
The 18th century was the period of birth and development
of the spa industry; but it was the 19th century in
which the spas truly flourished. The spa complexes
were expanded and modernized; a number of new treatment
methods were introduced. Spa procedures became specialized,
and the Czech spa industry gained renown for its medical
efficiency. Spa stays were no longer considered just
a form of treatment - they became a hallmark of social
status. Spa towns have developed into centers of social
and cultural life and magnets for tourism. After Prague,
they were the second most visited destination in the country.
The last decade of the past century opened up new horizons
to Czech spas. Lifestyle changes dictated the expansion
of spa programs to include new forms of relaxation
and regeneration, beauty stays and stress-reducing programs.
These are all perfectly complemented by a range of sports
and fitness activities such as golf, cycling, hiking
and walking, tennis, gym routines and other activities. |
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October
18, Wed. - Marianske Lazne - Cesky Krumlov
We will leave Marianske Lazne with our van and driver to Southern
Bohemia, about four hours driving time. We will stop in Tabor,
a 15th century town with lovely Gothic and Early Renaissance
houses. We will continue to Hluboká Chateau, the precious
pearl of Southern Bohemia founded in the 13th century.
Arrival in Cesky Krumlov. Zlaty Andel , three nights with
breakfast.
Zlaty Andel hotel consists from three originally Gothic buildings,
adjacent and interconnected still hint of the lifestyle of
the Middle Ages without sacrificing comfort for our guests.
With it's Old Town almost encircled by the River Vltava,
Cesky Krumlov is a jewel of historical architecture in Southern
Bohemia. Cesky Krumlov one of the South Bohemia most beautiful
towns. This small medieval town, almost unchanged since the
18th century, is one of the most picturesque in Europe. Krumlov
Castle is the second largest fortification in the Czech Republic
after Prague Castle and certainly one of the oldest. The most
ancient part is the round tower dating from the second half
of the 13th century.
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October
19, Thursday - Cesky Krumlov
Morning walking city tour with our guide. In the afternoon we
will visit Krumlov castle on our own.
Cesky Krumlov one of the South Bohemia´s most beautiful
towns. This small medieval town, almost unchanged since the
18th century, is one of the most picturesque in Europe. Krumlov
Castle is the second largest fortification in the Czech Republic
after Prague Castle and certainly one of the oldest. The most
ancient part is the round tower dating from the second half
of the 13th century. The whole complex was reconstructed in
the 16th century in the Renaissance style. |
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October
20, Fri. - Cesky Krumlov - Trebon - Telc
In the morning we will drive about half an hour to Zlata
Koruna Monastery with our local guide.
Zlata Koruna: a former Cistercian monastery founded in 1263.
The monastery Zlatá Koruna is one of the best preserved
Gothic monasteries in Bohemia. It was built at the foot of Klet
mountain in the place enclosed by the Vltava river from three
sides. From here we will continue by foot to the village of
Trisov, an easy of walk of over an hour and on to the nearby
ruins of Divci Kamen for a gorgeous panorama of the Sumava region.
We will drive a short distance to the small town of Trebon,
nestling in a sea of fishing lakes in a protected area in South
Bohemia. The lakes were created centuries ago to breed fish
and it is the largest lake in the Czech Republic. We plan to
stop here for lunch to taste their local specialty, carp.
On our way to Telc we will stop at Jindrichuv
Hradec, one of the ancient towns of southeast Bohemia,
once the residence of the powerful lords of Hradec, Hotel
Cerny Orel, two nights with breakfast.
Telc; one of the best-preserved ancient towns in the Czech Republic.
A combination of pure Renaissance and Baroque buildings, typically
grouped , makes Telc one of the finest examples of mediaeval
urban architecture. The magnificent large square, surrounded
by arcaded houses and with a Baroque fountain in its centre,
still retains the atmosphere of the Renaissance period. |
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October
21, Saturday - Telc Canada Park
Today we will have a walking tour of Telc with our local guide.
On with our van to Stare Mesto pod Landstejnem where we will
hike trough the natural park
Czech Canada. This region of South Bohemia stretches along the
border between the Czech
Republic and Austria. It is typical for its deep forests, romantic
lakes and low density of population.
Our trail winds through the forests of Czech Canada where we
will encounter several little bunkers quiet witnesses to World
War II ( walk about 2+ hours, easy).
After visiting the little town of Slavonice with its richly
decorated houses dating back to the fifteen hundreds we will
return to Telc. |
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October
22, Sun. - Telc - Rostejn - Trebic - Cejkovice
In the morning we walk through the Moravian highlands, through
local forests and meadows towards to Rostejn Castle. After lunch
we transfer to Trebic, where we visit UNESCO Jewish quarter
- the only Jewish monument outside Israel specifically placed
on the UNESCO List. The Quarter exhibits a mysterious atmosphere
with its tortuous streets, dark nooks, vaulted passages and
other typical features. After we transfer to Cejkovice and a
stay in a former mansion of the order of the Knights of the
Templar. There are miles of underground wine cellars here where
you can taste.
Overnight: Cejkovice, Hotel Zamek
- former mansion of the Order of Knights if Templar. Two
nights with breakfast. |
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October
23, Monday - Cejkovice
Mikulov, Palava Hills
Today´s hike takes us through the Palava Highlands Nature
Reserve, a dramatic landscape of
limestone outcrops and hardwood forests recently placed on
the exclusive UNESCO list of biosphere reserves. After our
hike, we enjoy the town of Mikulov, a quintessential Moravian
town The town is dominated by a huge Baroque castle with views
out across wine country. Here is where Napoléon stayed
during his negotiations with the Austrians after the battle
of Austerlitz. We will visit Mikulov's Jewish cemetery, one
of the largest in Eastern Europe, with its finely carved tombstones.
In the afternoon we will visit the Lednice -Valtice area and
later taste the delicious wine in this area as well as listen
to a local dulcimer band.
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October
24, Tue. Lednice-Valtice Area - Sopron (Hungary)
DeToday we will enjoy the Moravian countryside with its vineyards,
neat little villages, and friendly local people. We will explore
the UNESCO protected region of Lednice and Valtice, which belonged
for centuries to the noble family of Lichtensteins. We can walk
a bit through gorgeous gardens and trails winding along statues,
chapels, peaceful ponds and other romantic structures. For the
afternoon we transfer to the town of Sopron with its historical
city center and lovely little streets remembrance of the times
when Sopron was capital of the Burgenland region. Cultural program
in the evening is possible as is a spa in the waterpark.
Hotel Wollner, one night with
breakfast. |
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October
25, Wednesday - Sopron - Gyor
On our ride to the town of Gyor we stop in Pannonhalma
Abbey where we take a tour of the monastery. Then we
transfer to town of Gyor , You can spend a half day in the thermal
waters popular since medieval times. A new spa in Gyor was opened
October 2003 including all types of spa treatments.
Hotel Schweizerhof. One night
with breakfast. |
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October
26, Thursday - Gyor - Eger
In the morning we will drive to Eger, approximately 3
hours.
Senator's House. One night
with breakfast.
Situated in its own sunny valley between the Mátra
and the Bükk, Eger is famed for its wine, its minaret,
and the heroic legend attached to its castle.
Eger, the thousand-year-old Episcopal seat, is one of
the most beautiful Baroque towns in the country. With
an illustrious historical past and a valuable heritage
of monuments and buildings, Eger is also known as the
"Town of Patriotism". In 1552, István
Dobó, the castle commander, held out for over a
month with his tiny company against the Turkish troops.
This was a frontier castle during the Turkish era. |
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October
27, Friday - Eger - Budapest
After lunch we will drive to Budapest, the pearl on the Danube
River and the Hungarian capital.
Hotel Pest. Four nights with
breakfast
The city known as Budapest actually consists of three cities:
Óbuda, the oldest section, with Celtic and Roman ruins
on the Buda side of the Danube; Buda in the gently rolling hills
on the western bank, famous for its historic Castle Hill and
beautiful residential area; and bustling Pest with its shopping,
government and commercial districts on the flat plain of the
east bank. United in 1873, Budapest is renowned as the location
of one of the most beautiful World Heritage sites. |
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October
28, Saturday - Budapest
In the morning half day city tour with our private guide. |
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October
29, Sunday - Budapest
Full day excursion to the Danube Bend
The majestic Danube Bend is both tourists' and locals' favorite
destination for day-trips. Esztergom,: on the Danube is the
centre of the Hungarian Roman Catholic church. St. Stephen,
the first Hungarian king, was born here and was crowned in this
town in 1001. The cathedral, built in the 19th century, is the
largest church in Hungary.
Visegrad : The birds view from here is truly breathtaking. The
Romans built a fortress at the foot of the steep rocks of the
Visegrad Mountains. The Lower and Upper Castle wase built in
the 13th century.
Szentendre.: The tiny town with meandering streets, Serb temples
and baroque bourgeois buildings contribute to a uniquely picturesque,
Mediterranean atmosphere. Today, Szentendre is the town of art.
Many museums and galleries exhibit the works of artists who
lived or currently live in the artists' quarter established
in the 19th century. On the main square are the Holy Trinity
Monument and the oldest Serbian Orthodox church in Hungary.
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October
30, Monday - Budapest
Day free |
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October
31, Tuesday - Budapest - USA
Transfer from the hotel to the airport for our flight home |
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