History and Culture of the Czech Republic 9723
History and Culture of the Czech Republic 9723
History and Culture of the Czech Republic 9723
9 Days Starting in London, United Kingdom and ending in Prague, Czechia
Visiting: Prague, Karlstejn, Brno, Moravian Karst, Olomouc, Moravian-Bohemian Highlands, Litomysl, London
Tour operator:
Tour code:
BCZH
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Trip Styles:
Interests:
Cultural, Gardens & Nature Tours, History, Ruins-Archaeology
Activities:
Tour Overview
This tour takes n the history, archaeology and natural wonders of the Czech Republic. We spend some time in the capital Prague discovering the UNESCO World Heritage Site – Prague Castle, the Starhov Monastery and the Wallenstein Palace and Garden. We also visit the picturesque Karlstejn Castle which sits atop a craggy valley and dominates the skyline for miles. We will also spend a morning touring the Moravia Karst, a Protected Area of natural and geological importance with more 1,100 caverns and gorges. We travel to the beautiful town of Kromeriz, site of the UNESCO-listed Kromeriž flower garden. Other highlights include Pernstejn Castle, one of the most beautiful castles of Moravia, the UNESCO-listed Renaissance Château in Litomysl and a visit to Podebrady Castle.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1
Location: Prague
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Dinner
We depart this morning from London for our flight to Prague. On arrival we are met by our local coach before departing on an introductory tour of the city of Prague. We continue to the National Museum, a vast treasure trove of historical artefacts said to hold up to 14 million items before heading to our hotel where dinner is served in the evening.
Day 2
Location: Prague
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
After breakfast, our first visit is to Strahov Monastery, an institution that has taken much pride in outlasting fires, the Hussite wars of religion, the Thirty Years’ War and the rise of Communism. We later visit Prague Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site, remembered as the location of the second Defenestration of Prague, where the Protestant lords threw their Catholic adversaries out of the window, thus contributing to the beginning of the Thirty Years’ War that engulfed most of Europe (c. 1618 – c. 1648). We then continue to St. Vitus Cathedral. A masterpiece of Gothic architecture, the Cathedral also houses the tombs of many Bohemian Kings and the Holy Roman Emperors, Charles IV and Rudolf II. Our final visit of the day is to Wallenstein Palace and Garden, the monumental palace of Albrecht of Wallenstein, General of the Habsburg armies, which was built in the 1630s as a rival to Prague Castle.
Day 3
Location: Karlstejn
Meals Included: Breakfast
Following breakfast, we will visit Karlstejn Castle. Built to store the royal treasures of Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV in the mid-1300s, this exceptionally vivid castle sits atop a craggy valley and dominates the skyline. In the afternoon, we travel to the town of Plzeň to enjoy some free time. Evening at leisure.
Day 4
Location: Brno
Accommodation Name: comfortable accommodation
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
After breakfast, we check out of our hotel and depart for Kutna Hora, a UNESCO-listed city. Known as the ‘national treasury’ for its wealth of silver mines, this prosperous city brought about a boom time for the Czech Kingdom until the silver dried up in the 18th century. The riches of the silver city can still be found in the sumptuous architecture of the urban dwellings as well the Church of St Barbara, a jewel of the late Gothic period. We then transfer to the World Heritage Site Sedlec Ossuary, a fascinating Roman Catholic chapel for those with a taste for the macabre. The skeletons of between 40,000 to 70,000 people have been artistically arranged into furnishings, decorations and ornaments at the behest of the House of Schwarzenburg. Their family’s coat of arms is bedecked with bones while the gigantic chandelier contains at least every bone of the human body and hangs from the centre of the nave with garlands of skulls draping the vault.
In the afternoon we continue to Brno, where we will have free time to explore Moravia’s cosmopolitan capital and the hometown of the great Czech composer, Leoš Janáček. In the evening we check in to our comfortable accommodation.
Day 5
Location: Moravian Karst
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
After breakfast, we will spend the morning touring the Moravia Karst, a Protected Area of natural and geological importance with more 1,100 caverns and gorges. Here we visit Punkevni Cave and walk through mighty underground spaces and passages decorated with stalactites and stalagmites. This will be followed by a boat ride along the underground river Punkva and includes the visit of the Masaryk´s Dome, one of the most beautiful caves of the Moravian Karst
In the afternoon, we visit the Moravian Museum, the Czech Republic’s oldest museum. Founded in 1817 by imperial decree by František I in 1817, the museum is a haven for anthropologists, archaeologists, zoologists, botanists and musicologists with over six million items on display. Highlights include permanent exhibitions on the pre-history of Moravia, displays on the social changes in Medieval Moravia and a memorial to Leoš Janáče.
Day 6
Location: Olomouc
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Following breakfast we travel to the beautiful town of Kromeriz, site of the UNESCO-listed Kromeřiž flower garden with its stunning intricate and formal Baroque style flower beds. We will have some time to explore thel labrynth of green walls, flora and fauna, fountains and sculptures.
We continue to Olomouc, to view the Holy Trinity Column which UNESCO regard as ‘one of the most exceptional examples of the apogee of central European Baroque artistic expression.’ The column was commissioned as a thanksgiving to God after the end of the plague that had swept through Moravia with devastating consequences.
Day 7
Location: Moravian-Bohemian Highlands
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
After breakfast we check out of the hotel and depart for a visit to Pernstejn Castle. One of the most beautiful castles of Moravia, it has been standing in the deep forests of the
Moravian-Bohemian Highlands for eight centuries. Perched on a rocky hill and known as the ‘marble castle’, its towers and ramparts loom over the surrounding lush countryside. As with other imposing castles in the Czech Republic, this one changed ownership multiple times in its turbulent history. Modified significantly in the 16th century, the castle is frequently used as a location for filming fairytales and movies set in the medieval period. Unlike other castles and palaces, it was not extensively remodelled or updated and still holds many of its original elements.
We continue to the hotel in Litomysl, where dinner is served in the evening.
Day 8
Location: Litomysl
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Following breakfast, we check out of the hotel and visit the UNESCO-listed Renaissance Château in Litomysl. The seat of the Perstejn dynasty, this is an immaculately preserved example of the arcade castle design developed in Renaissance Italy. It was built in the
1560s-1580s by Vratislav of Perstejn as a gift for his beloved wife, Maria Manrique de Lara. An intriguing feature of the château is the use of sgraffito on hundreds and hundreds of square metres of individual bricks in order to intricately decorate the exterior with various representations of myths and fables.
We then depart for the town of Hradec Kralove where we will stop for lunch (not included). Renowned as the ‘Salon of the Republic’, the town is permanently remembered as a centre of modern architecture during the 1920s and 1930s.
This afternoon we will continue to the spa town of Poděbrady, which sits on the banks of the River Elbe. We will visit Poděbrady Castle, founded in the first half of the 12th century as a strategic fortress on a limestone rock overlooking the river. Later we return to Prague and check in to our hotel.
Day 9
Location: London
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast we transfer to the airport for our flight back to London.
What's Included
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Accommodation
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Meals as per itinerary
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Entries to all sites as per the itinerary
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Services of a professional tour manager
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Comfortable coach travel throughout
What's Not Included
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General Exclusions
Any items not specifically mentioned in the inclusions are excluded.
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Lunch on Day 8
Lunch on Day 8 in Hradec Kralove is not included.
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Flights
Flights to and from the Czech Republic are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended for all travelers.
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and drinks are not included.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of transportation is provided during the tour?
The tour includes comfortable coach transportation throughout the journey.
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Are meals included in the tour package?
Meals are provided according to the itinerary, except for lunch on Day 8 in Hradec Kralove, which is not included.
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Will there be a tour manager available during the trip?
Yes, a professional tour manager will be available throughout the tour.
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What is unique about the Sedlec Ossuary in Kutna Hora?
The Sedlec Ossuary is adorned with human bones, with skeletons of between 40,000 to 70,000 people artistically arranged into furnishings, decorations, and ornaments.
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What can I expect to see at the Moravia Karst?
At the Moravia Karst, you will visit the Punkevni Cave, walk through underground spaces decorated with stalactites and stalagmites, and enjoy a boat ride along the underground river Punkva.
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What is special about the Renaissance Château in Litomysl?
The Renaissance Château in Litomysl is renowned for its sgraffito decorations, with intricate designs on hundreds of square meters of individual bricks.
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Will I receive more details of the holiday before I travel?
You will receive detailed joining instructions around 10 days prior to you departure, but you are of course welcome to contact us at any time should you have any queries.
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What facilities do your coaches have?
Generally, our coaches have reclining seats, air-conditioning and toilets, however this cannot always be guaranteed as sometimes we have to use smaller vehicles. Toilets are recommended for emergency use only and regular comfort stops will be made throughout your holiday while travelling around.
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Do I have to go on the included excursions?
Absolutely not. You are more than welcome to spend the day at your hotel or exploring independently should you wish. All we ask is that you inform your Tour Manager, so they are not left waiting for you to join the group.
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Is there time to relax?
Although our itineraries may seem jam-packed, boasting access to some of the most exclusive sites across the UK and beyond, a Brightwater Holiday is just that: a holiday. Each trip will counter in more than enough free-time for you to explore places at your own leisure. And with most nights and the majority of meals being included in our tour prices, you can relax in hand-picked accommodation.
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Do I need to be an expert?
Absolutely not! Although some of our tours are specifically focused on one thing, all you need to enjoy a Brightwater holiday is interest and bags of enthusiasm! Even on our most specialist tours, we take travellers from all skill levels, from experts to beginners.
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How fit or active do I need to be for one of your holidays?
You need to be able to get on and off the coach unassisted, and most – but not all – coaches have a kneel facility that lowers the front step for ease of boarding
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Do you have self-drive holidays?
Yes, we do – tailored to your exact requirements!
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What’s the luggage allowance on your coaches?
There’s no fixed limit, but we generally say one large suitcase to go in the luggage compartment and a smaller bag that you can take onto the coach with you. For flight-inclusive holidays, we include a luggage allowance of at least 20kg.
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Where are your departure points?
UK garden holidays generally depart from London, with additional pick-ups depending on the route of the coach, while holidays to Scotland depart from Glasgow, Edinburgh and Perth, with Dundee, Inverness and Aberdeen sometimes included. All Eurostar holidays depart from London St. Pancras and flight-inclusive holidays depart from one or more of the main London airports, with regional flights .
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What about the company that will be kept?
For single travellers, those with a companion or even those travelling in a larger group, you'll find that the signature of any Brightwater Holiday is the company. You won't ever be travelling with a group of strangers, instead, you'll find yourself surrounded by like-minded people with a strong shared interest who will soon become your firm friends.
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What is a Brightwater Holiday?
Bursting with enthralling, educational and enlightening itineraries, a Brightwater Holiday, by its very nature, is packed with bucket-list-worthy destinations, behind the scenes passes and expert-led experiences. From creating bespoke quality garden and special interest tours for groups and individuals alike, we have made it our business to make our guests' travel dreams come true.
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Why is there a single supplement?
Unfortunately, single room supplements are charges that are often imposed on us as a company when we book rooms for group holidays. However, most hotels do charge less for single occupancy, and we always pass this saving on to our solo travellers in the form of a modest single supplement.
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How much are your optional excursions?
Prices start from as little as £20, but please contact our friendly team for questions about specific itineraries or excursions.
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Can I pre-book my coach seats?
Yes, you can. In the case of front seats, guests with limited mobility are given priority. Please get in touch with our friendly team to discuss any requirements you may have.
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How to get there? Easy!
With a Brightwater Holiday, the journey is just as important as the destination and we make getting you to your tour start point easy. From organising group flights and individual travel plans, to offering accessible local departure and pick-up points, we go out of our way to ensure that your journey is as convenient and hassle-free as it can be.
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Do I need to have travel insurance?
Travel insurance is required for all overseas holidays and is also strongly recommended for UK holidays – primarily to protect yourself against cancellation charges should you be unable to travel.
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