THE GRAND CZECH REPUBLIC TOUR 2015 DATES: 10 - 25 JULY 2015 A fully guided trip from Prague back to Prague.

YOUR DAY BY DAY ITINERARY: Day 1.

10th July

Arrival, Prague Vladka will personally meet you at the Prague „Vaclav Havel International Airport“. Transfer to the hotel in the historical part of central Prague. Welcome drink, orientation meeting to familiarise you with the country and the exciting trip ahead, dinner. Accommodation – historic hotel, old Prague

Day 2.

11th July

Prague - day two Let the romantic mystery of the “City of hundreds of towers” touch your heart… Admire the majestic panorama of Prague Castle and explore its interiors, be humbled by the remarkable St Vitus Cathedral, wander over the 14th Century Charles Bridge with its famous arches and statues, listen to the iconic “Orloj” Astronomical Clock at the Old Town Square (all UNESCO). Finish the day dining in style in a “rooftop” restaurant overlooking historic Prague. Unforgettable… Accommodation – historic hotel, old Prague

Day 3.

12th July

Koňeprusy Caves & Karlštejn Castle The Czech equivalent of Waitomo Caves (except for the glow worms) – the Koněprusy Cave complex will take you under the surface to explore the stalactites and stalagmites... Then take in some fresh air on the way to Karlštejn Castle (UNESCO) -a gothic castle founded in 1348, which has a unique position among Czech castles. It was built by Czech King and Roman Emperor Charles IV as a place for safekeeping of the royal treasures, especially Charles's collection of holy relics and the coronation jewels of the Roman Empire. A short visit of the 12th Century Křivoklát Castle, which is one of the oldest and most important castles of the Czech princes and kings. Accommodation – hotel, Křivoklát

Day 4. and 5.

13th + 14th July

Karlovy Vary - the famous Spa town The most famous and popular Czech and European Spa town of Karlovy Vary (or Carlsbad - Charles's Spa) established in 1370, nestled in an ancient volcano caldera, today richly surrounded by lovely beech forests. Wander through the historic colonnades and taste samples of the 13 different hot springs each with its own healing properties, or travel back in time while enjoying a spa treatment right in the heart of the historic spas. The 13th spring is actually a little catch – it is not a mineral water but a secret recipe liqueur called Becherovka, which factory we will also visit. A special note – Karlovy Vary is Vladka’s beloved hometown… :) Accommodation – 2 nights in a historic spa hotel, central Karlovy Vary

Day 6. and 7.

15th +16th July

Boží Dar - the Krušné Mountains and the Czech outdoors by bike Boží Dar (means „a gift from God“, relating to bread - Czech people used to call bread Boží Dar) - the highest town in central Europe (1028m above sea level) located on the border with Germany, is a very popular ski resort (both downhill and x-country), normally with a great dump of snow in winter. But – we are here in summer, so the plan is to saddle up... a bike!!! We will take it VERY easy... For the adrenalin junkies there is always the downhill option, but we are going to cruise on the horizons of lovely alpine meadows, through paddocks with milking goats and sheep and enjoy the hospitality of local country restaurants. There is a sauna recuperating option for aching bodies after the trip :) Accommodation – 2 nights in a mountain guesthouse, Boží Dar

Day 8.

17th July

The South-West Bohemia - history, lovely countryside and beer! First we will dive into the history again - Loket Castle (featured in the James Bond’s Casino Royale), the childhood prison and later favoured hunting castle of emperor Charles IV. Next we will have the great opportunity to see the very unique Reliquary of St. Maurus – monument of European Significance – the mortal remains of St John the Baptist, St Maurus and St Timotheus.

The Tepla Premonstratensian Monastery - this abbey library from 1193(!) is the second largest library of its kind in the Czech Republic. Via Pilsen city – the birth place of the world famous Pilsner Urquell beer, to Šumava National Park (UNESCO) which is a part of the most extensive forest landscape in Central Europe, called the "Green Roof of Europe". Accommodation – guesthouse, Šumava region

Day 9.

18th July

Šumava National Park A morning nature walk alongside the banks of the Vydra River (means otter) where (with a bit of luck) we can see some of the Park’s protected wildlife (beavers, otters, less likely moose, foxes, bob cats…) Český Krumlov (UNESCO) - State Castle and Chateau, which rank amongst the most important European Cultural Heritage Monuments. We will have just enough time to absorb the beauty of its most important historical interiors and exteriors from the 16th, 18th and 19th centuries. We will finish the day at a no less beautiful romantic fairy-tale castle Hluboká nad Vltavou Accommodation – guesthouse Hluboká nad Vltavou

Day 10.

19th July

Ponds, UNESCO sites and a wine experience in Znojmo Morning carry on through the fishpond network region of the TřeboňBasin (famous carp farms, UNESCO) to JindřichůvHradec with a museum displaying the world’s largest mechanical nativity scene. A short stop in another UNESCO picturesque town – Telč– with its beautiful South Bohemian architecture. After crossing the virtual border to the province of Moravia, the day’s destination is Znojmo – its Slavic historic sites rank amongst the oldest in the country. Beside its historic importance, Znojmo is the real capital of Moravian wines. Be prepared for a night of wine tasting, typical Moravian cuisine and music – in one of the local “sklipek” (an underground cellar door). Accommodation – guesthouse, historic part of central Znojmo

Day 11.

20th July

The Kutná Hora Ossuary The rest of the highlights of the Tnojmo region – the baroque Vranov castle, Podyji National Park, the Znojmo Catacombs.

Kutná Hora (UNESCO) – the world famous Sedlec Ossuary - is a small Roman Catholic chapel, located beneath the Cemetery Church of All Saints. The ossuary is estimated to contain the skeletons of between 40,000 and 70,000 people, whose bones have in many cases been artistically arranged to form decorations and furnishings for the chapel. The ossuary is among the most visited tourist attractions of the Czech Republic, attracting over 200,000 visitors yearly. The historical centre is an architectural jewel of European significance: Vlašský dvur, St Barbara's Cathedral, the Church of St James, the Stone House and the Gothic fountain are some of the most precious landmarks in Bohemia. Accommodation – guesthouse, historic part of central Kutná Hora

Day 12.

21st July

The national horse stud pride and the dark heritage of the WW2 The National Horse Stud Kladruby nad Labem (UNESCO) – the horse enthusiasts Mecca - is the oldest major stud in the world. Old kladrubś white horses were primarily used for carriage ceremonies and old kladrubśblack - were horses for the clergy. Nowadays you can find old-kladrubś white – horses from Kladruby Stud being used in the Swedish and Danish courts. A poignant part of Czech’s more recent history – the fortress of Terezín. The Terezn´s most tragic chapter came during WW2 (1939-45). In 1940 German Gestapo installed in the Minor Fortress a police prison. About 32.000 prisoners passed through the Minor Fortress between 1940 and 1945 of whom 2.500 were killed by hunger, disease, tyrannical guards and executions. In 1941 the town of Terezín was changed by the Nazis to a Jewish ghetto-transit camp. Until the end of the War more than 150.000 deportees passed through the camp, 35.000 of which died there. Accommodation – hotel, Litoměřice

Day 13.

22nd July

The history of the North Bohemia and Silesia and the impressive Bohemian Switzerland National Park The historic town of Děčín with a beautifully positioned castle overlooking the meandering Labe (Elbe) river, which is a traditional water transport artery between the Czech Republic and Germany for tugs and barges. A visit to a historic rose garden and an easy walk up to the summit lookout café. And now back to the Nature – to the fantastic landscapes of Česko-Saské Švýcarsko (Bohemian-Saxony Switzerland) National Park, on the border with Germany. The story of this area began millions of years ago, when there was a shallow sea where there is now Bohemian Switzerland. It was the sea’s sand bed that gave birth to the

phenomenal world of sandstone after the sea receded. It is a world of rock towers, bridges and gates, a world full of miraculous stone shapes resembling honeycombs or hourglasses. However, the rocky realm is not an empire of dead stone; it hosts the rarest of animals and most remarkable plants. Accommodation - guesthouse, Mezná

Day 14.

23rd July

Light hiking in the National Park The day of walks and exploration of the National Park. We will conquer one of the most spectacular rock arches – Pravčická Brána (Pravcicka Gate), admire the details of the vernacular architecture of the Silesia region (Šluknov Spur territory - UNESCO) and finish the day with a traditional rich dinner and fantastic beer… Accommodation – guesthouse, Mezná

Day 15.

24th July

Back to Prague... and something extra! The final day of our Bohemian journey. With a few interesting stops along the way back to Prague, there will be an individual souvenir shopping opportunity or we can cover other features in Prague according to your wish. The surprise of the whole trip is a dinner in the medieval “Krčma u krále Brabantského”. Won’t tell you more, but you will remember that night… :) Accommodation – historic hotel, old Prague

Day 16.

25th July

Depending on your follow-on travel arrangements transfer to the airport by Vladka, farewell to the Czech Republic, departure.