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Prague - Czech Republic
SPRINGTIME IN PRAGUE
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April 03rd to April 10th |
ITINERARY
DAY 1 - Friday, April 3rd - MONTREAL / ZURICH
Flight from Montreal to Zurich on Swiss Airlines. Meal included on board. D
DAY 2 - Saturday, April 4th - ZURICH / PRAGUE
Breakfast on board. Transfer in Zurich to Prague, Czech Republic. At the airport, you will meet your English-speaking guide and will be driven to your downtown hotel. From your hotel, your guide will take you on a walking tour of Old and New town of Prague (duration: 3 hours). You will see: the Powder gate, Old Town Square, the City Hall, merchants’ court and Wenceslas Square. It’s a great opportunity to absorb Prague’s particular atmosphere. This first visit will allow you to familiarize yourself with your hotel’s surroundings, tourists’ services, restaurants… Your guide will suggest some restaurants for your lunch. Why not spend part of the afternoon visiting Saint Nicholas church, located on the Old Town Square. This church, built between 1732 and 1737, in the baroque style, is one of the oldest in Prague. You will discover the stunning inside: frescoes, the organ, the precious pews, as well as the dome and the candelabras. For those interested, in the late afternoon, your guide will suggest a visit to the Municipal House ($), Prague’s most prominent Art Nouveau building. You can also enjoy a great meal at the restaurant Francouzka ($). B
Note: Your hotel rooms will not be ready upon arrival, since check out is not until 3:00 pm. Your luggage will be stored in a safe room. However, the hotel staff will do their best to assign you a room as early as possible. You should nevertheless bring a change of clothes adapted to the weather condition, so that you can enjoy your first day in Prague.
DAY 3 - Sunday, April 5th - PRAGUE
Buffet Breakfast in your hotel. Transfer by coach to Hradcany, the quarter, where Prague Castle is located. Visit of Strahov Monastry, founded during the 12th century by the Premonstratensians. Inside, you will find two magnificent libraries dedicated to theology and philosophy, such as the Strahov bible, a manuscript from the 9th century. Continue on to the Presidential Palace: here you will visit Prague Castle; a famous fortified building where Czech kings and emperors reigned. It is also where the crown jewels are kept. Take time to admire the neo-gothic Saint Guy Cathedral, and enter the heart of the crypt to see the tombs of the Bohemian kings. Behind the Cathedral stands the imposing Saint George’s Basilica, founded in 920 and rebuilt during the 12th century. Near the Castle, you will discover the beautiful Golden Lane: it is a small street which owes its name to the alchemists who, during the 16th century, were in search of the philosopher’s stone, which had the power to turn metal into gold. Nowadays, it is famous for its colourful small houses, where many famous artists and authors, such as Franz Kafka, lived. Last but not least: Charles Bridge, connects Old Town to Mala Strana. Built during the 17th century, this magnificent structure is one of the city’s finest attractions with its gallery of sculptures and statues. Charles Bridge is nowadays a place where artists sketch and musicians play. (This excursion includes admission fees to all monuments in bold character). Suggestion from your guide: the Wallenstein Palace and its riding school. It is now the headquarter of Czech Republic’s Senate, it used to be the first secular baroque palace. You will notice the majestic “Knights Hall”, decorated with a fresco by Biacco del Bianca portraying Wallenstein as Mars god of war, riding his triumphant waggon ($). B
DAY 4 - Monday, April 06th - PRAGUE
Buffet breakfast in your hotel. In the morning, visit of Mala Strana (the « Little Quarter ») by foot with your guide. Founded in 1257 at the foot of Prague Castle, it is probably Prague’s most romantic neighbourhood. Its gothic ramparts enclose a splendid mix of artisans homes, rich residences and aristocratic palaces. It is also the part of town that was the least affected by the last centuries wars. Among the numerous monuments you will see there, notice the Wallenstein Palace, built between 1621 and 1626, where the Senate sits today. Another important monument is Saint Nicholas church, Prague’s most prominent baroque building. In the heart of Mala Strana you will discover the Nerudova Street, named in honour of the famous poet and writer Jan Neruda, to whom we owe the “Tales of the Little Quarter”. The Nerudova Street is the main access to the Castle and stands out from other streets because of its buildings’ ornaments, its signs, its cafés and shops. You will end this visit with a walk on Kampa island, described as the “Venice of Prague”. There you will be able to enjoy walks in the lush parks and discover the numerous mills, mainly the Grand Prieure, still in use today. Your guide will suggest you continue your visit with Saint Nicholas Cathedral, located in Mala Strana. It is one of the largest baroque monuments, with its dome and tower dominating the Square. In fact, Mozart played its organ during his stay in Prague ($). You can end your day by going up to the top of the astronomical tower of the Klementinum, which offers a breathtaking view of the city of Prague. The tower was used for astronomical observations until the 930s. The Klementinum, which was formerly a college founded by the Jesuits during the 16th century, houses one of the most beautiful libraries ever built. It is now the National Library ($). B
DAY 5 - Tuesday, April 7th - PRAGUE/ KARLOVY VARY
Buffet breakfast in your hotel. Free day in Prague or departure at 09:00 am for a one-day excursion to the touristic town of Karlovy Vary. Located in West Bohemia, Karlovy Vary is internationally known for its hot water springs attracting thousands of people every year, since the 18th century. It was named in honour of Charles IV who visited the region in 1370. It used to be called by the German name Carlsbad, meaning “Charles’ Bath”. Home to Czechs, Germans and Russians, Karlovy Vary’s purpose as a touristic destination ended abruptly in 1938 when Hitler annexed the Sudetenland, contributing towards the beginning of the Second World War. Today, it is a cultural town with its theatres, art galleries, museums and casinos. You will find there eccentric souvenirs such as porcelain figurines, Moser glass and the popular curative liqueur: Karlovarska Becherovka from doctor Becher. Lunch is included (duration: 10 hours).
Option: 119$. Reservations for this excursion must be made with final payment, at the very latest. A minimum of 10 passengers is required for this excursion. B
DAY 6 - Wednesday, April 08Th - PRAGUE / MELNIK
Buffet breakfast in your hotel. Free day to enjoy the city and do some shopping. Otherwise you can go on excursion to Melnik, a town located 30 km north of Prague, in central Bohemia. During the 14th century, under the reign of Emperor Charles IV, Melnik was proclaimed royal city. Melnik Castle then became the residence of the queen of Bohemia. The Emperor’s last wife owned the chapel of the Castle where you can admire the gothic vaults and strongrooms. The last queen who dwelt in the Castle was the wife of Jiri Poderad, first European monarch to reject the catholic faith at the time of the Reformation. Throughout the following centuries, the property was passed down to different noble families. In 1542, the Castle was restored in the Renaissance Style, and the two arcades richly decorated with graffito patterning were added. During the Thirty Years War, the Castle was abandoned. In 1646 Count Czernin began major renovations and purchased Melnik Castle from the Emperor. The heiress of the family, married in 1753 Prince August Anton Lobkowicz. With the exception of the Second World War and the 40 years of communism, Melnik Castle has remained in the family. Enjoy a visit of the wine cellar along with a wine tasting. Lunch included. (Opportunity to buy Czech wine).
Option: 90$, Reservations for this excursion must be made with final payment, at the very latest. A minimum of 10 passengers is required for this excursion. B
DAY 7 - Thursday, April 9th - PRAGUE
Buffet breakfast in your hotel. Today, we will go by metro to the Vysehrad Quarter, located on a hilltop in the south of New Town. You will be able to stroll in the park to the first fortress of the Czech kings of the Premsyl dynasty. Notice the Saint Peter and Paul Church, the cemetery and the Vysehard pantheon, where the most famous names of the Czech Republic are buried. Return downtown by tramway, near Josefov, the Jewish Quarter. There you can visit by yourself the Jewish cemetery, the Old-New Synagogue, the Jewish Museum and the Pinkas Synagogue. ($). Rest of the day free in Prague to visit or to go shopping. Among the must-have souvenirs: Bohemian crystal, porcelains, shoes, art work (paintings, reproductions, drawings) dolls and jewellery.B
Tonight we recommend a traditional meal, including supper, complimentary beer and wine and gypsy music.
Option: 79$. Reservations for this excursion must be made with final payment, at the very latest. A minimum of 10 passengers is required for this excursion.
DAY 8 - Friday, April 10th - PRAGUE / ZURICH / MONTREAL
Buffet breakfast in your hotel. Transfer to the airport and flight to Montreal with transfer in Zurich. B L
ABOUT THE WEATHER
La température moyenne à cette période de l’année se situe entre -3 à 1 degrés Celsius ; les précipitations sont faibles, moins de 1 pouce pour le mois de décembre. C’est un mois d’hiver doux comparé au climat que nous connaissons au Québec. Des vêtements chauds et de bonnes chaussures de marche rendrons vos journées de visites agréables.
PRICE PER PERSON
| OCCUPATION | PRICE |
|---|---|
| Double | 1989 $ |
| Triple | 1919$ |
| Single Supplement | + 494 $ |
| Business class supplement on request | |
HOTEL DESCRIPTION
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Hotel Bila Labut 4 stars This hotel is situated downtown, very close from Prague historical center. The bedrooms are equiped with sat-TV, minibar and a bathroom with hairdryer. A restaurant, a bar, a training room ($) and a steam bath ($) are at your disposal. Hotel Bila Labut |
THIS TRIP INCLUDES
- Round-trip airfare from Montreal to Prague, with transfer in Zurich, with Swiss - booking class « W » and « T » *
- Greeting at the airport and transfer to your hotel
- Accommodation in 4**** hotel
- Buffet breakfast in your hotel
- 4 half-day visits in Prague with our local guide
- Meals mentioned as such on the itinerary: B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = Dinner
- Airport and service taxes
For reasons out of our control, these taxes are subject to change without advance notice from the government or airline companies.
* Surcharge applicable for other service class.
NOT INCLUDED
- Mandatory contribution to the travel agencies’ compensation fund (0.35$ per 100$ of purchased services)
- Travel insurance
OTHER DETAILS
To enjoy the programs of operas, ballets and concerts, Bohemia Tickets International
If you wish the agency to take care bout it, a 10$ fee per show will be charged.
RULES AND CONDITION are applicable on this trip. Please click to read them.
| Pries are valid from January 21st to March 21st 2009 | Update 01/21/2009 | GVP |
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CHARLESBOURG 418 627-0911 1 877 327-0911 |
SAINTE-FOY 418 659-6650 1 888 609-6650 |
LÉVIS 418 833-6823 1 800 363-9824 |
© 2008 Voyages Paradis. Tous droits réservés. Titulaire d'un permis du Québec.