Vienna & Prague
Jewish Heriatge of Poland Post-Tour Extension
Romania Myths & Magic Pre-Tour
Or-- Join This Tour by Itself
Day 1 Fly to Vienna. Transfer to hotel Stefanie.
Vienna has served as home and inspiration to some of the world's greatest artists, thinkers, and musicians. You'll see statues of Strauss, Mozart, Beethoven, and Mahler throughout the city, and see how music is an integral part of Viennese life. The Vienna State Opera House numerous performances are the constant talk of the town, and its performers are treated like celebrities. The strains of waltz music emanate from the many cafes, and the entertainment moves outdoors to the sidewalks in good weather.Afternoon city tour, will feature the most importaint historical sights of Vienna along the famous the Ringstrasse, probably the greatest achievement of the Emperor Franz Joseph. This boulevard, encircling the Innere Stadt, was mapped out in the 1860s along the ramparts that Joseph II had begun clearing 80 years prior.The neoclassic buildings along the Ringstrasse bring together all the Industrial Revolution. We will also have a a guided walking tour through the magnificent Hofburg Palace. This imposing palace was home to AustriaÕs Habsburg rulers since the 13th century. It's an awe-inspiring vast sprawling complex of buildings. The palace orginally served as a fortress (complete with drawbridge ), and over the years various Habsburgs added many touches, especially baroque. Or explore St. Stephen's Cathedral, whose stately spire has overlooked the city since Turkish attacks. With its Romanesque facade, Gothic tower and baroque altars, the cathedral illustrates how the Viennese artistically balance several great architectural styles.
Evening: WELCOME DINNER. Your guide will pick up you from the hotel for a short walk (approx 7 min) to Vienna«s oldest restaurant Griechenbeisl, where you will enjoy a cosy traditional Heurigen Viennese dinner (3-course meal incl. Coffee + 1 mineral water included). Other beverages to be paid directly. (B, D)
Day 2Ê Schonbrunn Palace Tour-/Vienna Woods-Baden Excursion
M orning tour of Maria TheresiaÕs Schonbrunn Palace, the summer residence of the Habsburgs and enjoy a guided tour through the impressive State rooms. Free time for lunch (guide will suggest, not included in the price).After lunch you will continue your sightseeing with an excursion to the southern part of the beautiful Vienna Woods. In the Cistercian Abbey of Heiligenkreuz (Holy Cross), you will visit the medieval cloister that houses the remains of the last Babenberger, who ruled Austria before the Habsburgs. The abbey was named for the relic of a piece of the True Cross, given to Austria by the King of Jerusalem in the 12th century and now kept in the tabernacie behind the hight altar. Continue through the romantic Helene Valley to the dreamy spa town of Baden, enjoyed by the ancient Romans made famous by Franz I in 1803. Following his lead, the gentry of Vienna spent their summers here in villas, bathing in the medicinal sulphurous waters.
After a guided walk throught this beautiful Biedermeier town you will return to Vienna.
Evening: We will take you out to Grinzing Ð the most well known wine area on the outskirts of Vienna for a typical dinner in one of the famous wine taverns. Enjoy Viennese hospitality and local music over a rustic meal with local wines. (B, D)
Day 3 Vienna
Morning guided walking tour through the former Jewish Quarter including a guided tour of Stadittempel "Main Synagogue,Ó the only Viennese synagogue to have survived the 1938 Kristallnacht, the Judenplatz where you will see the Holocaust Memorial, and the Jewish Museum of Vienna at Dorotheergasse for an introduction tour. Lunch on your own.Afternoon at leisure for independent activities. You can choose to browse through one of the cityÕs many museums, or take a tour in a horse-drawn fiaker. These carriages have been in business since the 17th century, and your driver will show you the sights and delight you with anecdotes about ViennaÑand find out for yourself if it`s true that they whistle strains of Mozart`s beloved Magic Flute as they conduct you through the city! Evening free to attend optional cultural programs. (B)
Day 4Ê Morning drive to Ceski Krumlov (approx 4-5 hrs). Afternoon2 hour walking tour including the Chateau. (B, L)
Day 5 Prague: beautiful city of stone and spires.
Morning drive to Prague, (approx 3.5 hrs) via Ceske Budejovice -the town of Budweiser Beer. Arrive in Prague for lunch and afternoon independent. (B, L)Day 6Ê Prague
While other European capitals were leveled during World War II, Prague survived virtually intact. During the reign of Charles IV, King of Bohemia and Moravia, it was the seat of the Holy Roman Empire. Later it was the vital center of the Habsburgs. As it was during the heyday of the Bohemian kingdom, Prague still ranks as the thriving center of the country, with an artistic community reminiscent of Paris in the 1920s. Here youÕll find some of Europe's best jazz venues, excellent opera, and innovative theatre groups.Morning: a 3 hour walking tour starting with the best-known landmark in Prague: Wenceslas Square, continue to Old Town, with its many wonderful Gothic and baroque buildings, Estates Theater where MozartÕs Don Giovanni was first performed, the famous 15th century astronomical clock face at the Old Town Hall. Every hour, crowds assemble below to watch Christ and the twelve Apostles appear at two little windows above the clock face, followed by the skeleton of Death tolling the bell. Visit the famous Charles Bridge, which crosses the Vltava River from Stare Mesto to Mala Strana (Lesser Town). Lined with statues and ornate lampposts, itÕs reserved for pedestrians and has wonderful views of the castle and the skyline of the medieval city.
Afternoon: An excursion into the old Jewish quarter in Josefov for a walking tour of the Prague Ghetto and the cityÕs vibrant Jewish community which contributed to Prague's rich character since the tenth century. It was one of EuropeÕs main centers of Jewish mysticism and thought. We visit the astonishing Old Jewish Cemetery, which was spared during Nazi occupation as an ÒExotic Museum of an Extinct Race.Ó Shortly after WorldWar II, the names, birth dates of nearly 80,000 Czech Jews who perished in the Holocaust were carved on the stones of the crypts.
Due to space limitations, and the Jewish tradition that graves never be disturbed, thousand of people are buried in a dozen layersÑand their tombstones are amazingly crowded together. Here is the much-visited grave of the great Jewish scholar, Rabbi Loew, who created the mythical being Golem, a figure he sculpted from clay and animated with magical powers to protect the persecuted. It is said that Golem would perform tasks written on a scarp of paper and placed in his mouth. In an imitation of the legend, many Jews hid their valuables in the cracks of Rabbi Loew`s tomb before they were transported to concentraction camps. Even today, people place scraps of paper bearing prayers and wishes into the tomb.
We also visit Maisels, Klaus and Spanish Synagogue. (B)
DayÊ 7ÊPrague/ Konopiste Castle- 1.5 hr drive
Morning: tour to the fascinating Konopiste Castle. Constructed in the late 13th century, the castle has passed through a number of royal hands. The last great ruler to use the castle as a resident was the Archduke Franz Ferdninand, who was the unwitting trigger for World War I. YouÕll stroll through KonopisteÕs various chambers and great halls, admiring Ferdinand's famous hunting trophies, Bohemian crystal chandeliers, paintings, and sculptures.Afternoon/Evening: independent. Optional suggestions include climbing up the St. Vitus Cathedral for sweeping panormasa, the tomb of Rudolph II in the cathedralÕs crypt below and the cathedral itself with one extraordinary stained-glass window by Czech artists Alphonse Mucha; the Mucha museum housed in Kaunicky Palace tucked away in New Town, and the Museum of Decorative Arts. Choose from a wide selection of eating places featuring folkloric decor and regional specialties, elegant French restaurants, or dine in a restored medieval wine vault. (B)
Day 8 Prague
Set off this morning for a visit to HradcanyÑthe Prague Castle and the area around it. Centered around Castle Square, this is a massive complex including palaces, churches, museums, and the soaring Gothic St. Vitus Cathedral. The Prague Castle is the city's crowning glory, and the area surrounding it is filled with baroque places and Romanesque and Gothic churches that span nearly six centuries.Afternoon: The Mozart in Prague excursion visits the Bertramka Museum. Mozart stayed in this delightful villa during his visits to Prague in 1787 and 1791 as a guest of the Czech composer F.X. Dusek and his wife. It was here at Bertramka that Mozart composed the famous overture to his magnificent opera, Don Giovanni, The Marriage of Figaro, and music composed by some of great Czech masters. In deference to the great musician and the concert`s multi-national audience, some of the performance will be in German, Mozart's native tongue. (B, D)
Day 9 Departure flights from Prague (B)
Price: $TBA per person, dbl occ, single room supplement: $TBA
Includes: accommodations, dbl occ; daily breakfast & other meals as listed,, sightseeing with local English speaking guides, entrance fees, professional tour escort, ac transport, porterage.
Does Not Include: International flight (we offer consolidator discounted fares), Tips Insurance (available as an option), Personal expenses such as phone, laundry, drinks.
Prices subject to constant change due to fluctuating exchange rates.
Hotels:
Hotel Stefanie**** This 4-star traditional Viennese hotel is located withing walking distance of St. Stephan«s Cathderal (approx 10 min walk from Main Synagogue). It was named after the Crown Prince Rudolph, Princess Stefanie and has been well-known for its superior quality and friendly services for more than 100 years. All 131 rooms are air-conditioned and have bath or shower, WC, radio, telephone, cable TV/CNN, hair dryer and minibar. The hotel has also its own restaurant Crown Prince Rudolph, cafe bar and garden restaurant.
Hotel Ruze, Cesky Krumlov***** The hotel was built in 16th century to house Jesuit University. All 74 room and business suites with bath/shower/WC, TV, radio, telephone, minibar, restaurant, banquet hall, wine cellar, lobby bar, terrace bar, historical banqueting and conference hall for 150 participants, wellness center with swimming pool, sauna, fitness and solarium, hairstyling, pedicure, manicure, exchange office, art gallery, shopping center, souvenier shop, terraces with spectacular view.
Hotel Adria, Prague****
Poland-Czech Republic-Vienna-Slovakia-Hungary-Romania-Bulgaria.
(888) 367-6147 - Intl (415) 381-5861
P.O. Box 446 Mill Valley, CA 94941all text & photos © 1997-03, Barbara Sansone