To Europe

day 1 - 2

Day 1 - 2: Prague

The city of Prague can be visited by using your 3-day Prague Card as well as by foot from your centrally located hotel.
Maybe you want to start at the Hradschin (Prague Castle), which is the largest mediaeval castle complex in Europe. Here you will find the majestic Dome, inside there are 21 chapels out of which the St Wenzelschapel with its gem decorated walls is the most remarkable one. Then there is St.Georgskloister where one can literally spend hours marveling at bohemian works of art reaching from Gothic to Baroque. Shrouded in legend is the Golden Alley with its little houses where the alchemists of the 16th century lived and worked … .
Adjacent to the Prague Castle is Hradcany Square where you will find buildings that are outstanding even in a city like Prague, such as the Lobkowicz Palace hosting the Military Museum or Strahov Cloister with its richly adorned library.
From here you can take a walk to the Petrin, a hill on the left bank of the Vltava river. Climb the 299 steps to the top of the steel watchtower, the view over the Golden City is worth every single step you had to climb!
Continue on to the Lesser Town which was founded in 1257 on the slopes below the Prague Castle. The Malostranske namesti (Lesser Town Square) has always been the center of life in the Lesser Town. Visit the beautiful St. Nicholas Church, where Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart played the organ when he visited Prague. The church is believed to be the most valuable building of Czech Baroque.

Now for another highlight, the Karluv Most (Charles Bridge), named after the Emperor Charles IV in the 19th century. Probably the most beautiful mediaeval bridge to be found today it withstood 600 years of wheeled traffic, fortunately only pedestrians may cross it today. Thirty statues line the bridge which was completed in the year 1400, connecting the Lesser Town with the Old Town. The marvelous view of the Vltava River Valley, the Zofin and Strlecky Island will make you feel like you want to stay just a little bit longer … .
Countless are the attractions in the Old Town, which is the oldest of the towns of Prague, gaining the privileges in the 13th century. The center of the town has always been the Old Town Square, dominated by the Church of Our Lady of Tyn as well as the Town Hall. Here many historic events took place, tragic and glorious.
One of Prague's main attractions is the Old Town Hall with its Town Hall Clock (Orloj) which was first installed in 1410. Watch the procession of the twelve Apostles, an hourly event which one should not miss.
The Powder Tower (Prasna brana) was begun in the year 1475 as one of the Old Town's entrances. In the 17th century the tower was used to store gunpowder, hence its name.
Take a walk to the Jewish Town, which was founded in the 13th century. Many monuments are to be discovered, among them the Old Jewish Cemetery is the most outstanding one. Founded in the middle of the 15th century it was used until 1787, today over 12.000 tombstones are withstanding the ravages of time.
The Theatre of the Estates is Prague's oldest theatre. In 1787 Mozart's Don Giovanni had its World Premiere here, and the great composer himself was present that evening.
On the banks of the Vltava you can visit the Vysehrad, one of the most famous castles of early mediaeval times in Bohemia. Founded in the 10th century the buildings are mystified with the legends of Princess Libuse and Premysl.
Another Prague attraction is the Zoo, which is set in a scenic location on the right bank of the Vltava river. Probably one of the most beautiful Zoos to be found it now covers an area of over 40ha where more than 350 species of animals live and thrive.
Close to the Zoo there is the Troja chateau, built from 1679 to1685 the building resembles a Roman Villa.
For the lovers of classical music the Bertramka is a must, as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart stayed here during his visits of Prague. Inside there is a museum which displays invaluable documents of the great composer's time.
Make sure that you reserve your second night in Prague for the boat trip on the Vlatava river. The views of the Prague Castle, the Lesser Town and the Old Town at night will be unforgettable. As additional highlights, life music and a Dinner-Buffet are there for you to enjoy.
There are many more monuments, buildings, romantic spots and historic places to visit in the Golden City; Prague is a treasure chest for everyone who wants to experience history in a very lively and beautiful setting.

day 3

Day 3: Brno

Take the train from Prague's main station to Brno, the capital of Moravia. The second largest town in the Czech Republic is situated on the confluence of the Svitava and Svratka Rivers. Spilberk Castle - it is a dominant of the city and a national cultural monument. Originally founded as a manor house and built up by Přemysl Otakar II. around 1277, it was reconstructed in the 16th century and rebuilt on a Baroque fortress in the 17th and 18th century. Cathedral of St Peter and St Paul on the Petrov - the cathedral was founded as a Romanesque basilica in the 12th century. During the next centuries it has been rebuilt and broadened many times. The noon strikes already at 11:00 am here. This tradition has its origin in the siege of Swedes during the 30-years war. Swedish general Torenson had decided to withdraw unless he conquers the city till noon. But people from the town revealed his plan and the bellman stroke noon one hour earlier - and the town was saved! St James´ Church - a Precious Gothic hall with three naves has been built in the 15th and 16th century. The tower is overlooking Brno. Old Town Hall - the town hall premises includes buildings which were built in the times of the early Gothic to the Renaissance. The tower with its splendid entrance portal, built in 1511-11 in the style of the late Gothic, was designed by A. Pilgram. In a passage you can find a well-known curiosities - the Brno dragon and a wheel. There are many tales being told about their origin. It is said that the wooden wheel was made by master carpenter Jan Birk out of Lednice in 1636 during one single day - this also includes the chopping of the tree! Green fair - a historical square at the foot of Petrov hill with a Parnas fountain by J.B.Fischer from Erlach has been created between 1691-95. Capuchin monastery - the monastery premises with the church of the Holy Cross, built in the 17th and 18th century, has a famous crypt of monks, patrons of the order and of some important persons, e.g. of the architects, the brothers Grimm, and of count Altman and baron Trenck. The everlasting circulation of air prevented the bodies to resolve. This is the reason for their natural mummification. Liberty square - Earlier called the Down fair or the Large Round Square. Nowadays it is a vivid centre with a lot of shops and restaurants. In the middle of the square there is the Marian Column, a valuable work from 1680 designed by J.K.Erna. Tugendhat Villa - One of the most important buildings of functionalist architecture. It was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, one of the most famous European architects, started to build this villa in June 1929 on the order of newly married Mr. and Ms. Tugendhat. The architect was told there are no financial limits - that is why only the best materials and most exclusive furniture were chosen (some of them were even imported from overseas). Mr. and Ms. Tugendhat moved to the villa in 1930, but they lived here only to 1938, because they had to escape from the Nazis. Address: Černopolní ul. 45, Brno Transport: tram no. 3, 5, 11, stop Dětská nemocnice tram no. 9, stop Tomanova (towards stop Lesná).

day 4

Day 4: Moravian Karst

North of Brno is the biggest and the most important karst area in Central Europe - the Moravian Karst. There are four caves opened for the public and you can find the world-famous Macocha Gorge here. Macocha - It belongs among the most famous and popular gorges of all. Its entry has an enormous size of 174 x 76 m. From the upper bridge you can see the very bottom of the gorge. On the bottom there are two little ponds, and the lower one is 30 meters deep. The overall depth of the gorge is 168 m. The waters of Punkva River, which runs partially underground, flows through the pond. There is a chairlift to the top of the gorge. Punkva Caves - When you visit these caves you will be on the very bottom of Macocha Gorge. You can take an electric boat on Punkva River which flows underground at this point. There is the most splendid part of Moravian Karst, which contains thousands of stalactites, stalagmites and other interesting karst formations. In the evening return to Brno by train.

day 5

Day 5: Brno

The tour ends after breakfast.

Option: Train ride back to Prague.