Saturday, November 14

We have two options for today’s itinerary:

Option No. 1 – Travel by Train
In this scenario, I (your tour guide) would travel from Prague a day early and stay overnight in Budapest. If the group is already in Budapest, I could join them at the accommodation.

On Saturday, November 14th, we would have time for a later breakfast, as the transfer bus arrives at 10:15 AM. We will load the luggage and head to the station to catch the 11:30 AM train. The train journey takes approximately 7 hours and is very comfortable. There is a dining car on board where everyone can enjoy a hot meal of their choice; payment by card is accepted. The tour price includes 2nd-class seating, which is quite comfortable. If you are interested in upgrading to 1st class, please note the price is nearly 100% higher (around 250 USD per person).

We will arrive in Prague at 6:23 PM. A bus will be waiting for us (a short walk to the pick-up point will be required). After loading the luggage, the bus will take us to the hotel for check-in. Later, we will head out together for dinner at a historic restaurant, located about a 10-minute walk from the hotel. After dinner, we will walk back, though anyone interested is welcome to stay in the city center.

The train journey will be interesting and a new experience for some. On the other hand, choosing the second option (traveling by bus) will allow us to visit captial of Slovakia – Bratislava and the world-famous Lednice Chateau.

Option No. 2 – Travel by Bus
In this case, we would also need to depart a day early, and I would travel with the bus. The driver must have a mandatory rest period before the return journey; he cannot drive through the night from Prague, pick up the group, and immediately drive 7 hours back. Again, we could stay at the same accommodation as the group, or we could stay near Budapest and arrive in the city on Saturday morning.

We would pick up the group at the ship at 9:00 AM. After a two-hour drive, we will stop in Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. We’ll stop right in the center, giving everyone a chance to see the historic Old Town and stretch their legs. After an hour, we will continue toward the Czech Republic.

We will arrive in the town of Lednice, which is famous for its magnificent chateau (UNESCO). Before we begin our guided tour, however, we will enjoy a group lunch at a local restaurant.

We will arrive in Prague around 7:30 PM, and the bus will drop us off directly in front of the hotel. Dinner will follow the same plan as the train option.

Sunday, November 15
Today will be dedicated entirely to Prague, which means a significant amount of walking. While it is possible to see parts of the city from a bus, the most beautiful and historic sites are located in pedestrian zones where buses are not permitted. Since we are staying right in the city center, we will be able to set off on foot. Our morning tour includes a visit to the Museum of Communism, which provides a somber look at the era of communist rule and state terror between 1948 and 1989. Our morning tour will also take us through part of the New Town, which—despite its name—has actually been called that since 1348. Afterward, we will continue into the Old Town to admire the Old Town Square and its world-famous Astronomical Clock.

From there, we will cross the Charles Bridge, which offers a fantastic view of Letná Hill—the site where a massive monument to Stalin once stood. On the other side of the Vltava River, we will enjoy a group lunch at a well-known local restaurant. After some time to rest, we will take a tram up to the Prague Castle district to enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the city. We will walk past the Strahov Monastery and through the Castle grounds. Please be aware that we will not be entering the interior of the Cathedral. Entry is only permitted with a „full circuit“ ticket for the entire Castle complex; separate tickets for the Cathedral are not sold, and unfortunately, our schedule does not allow enough time to visit all the castle interiors today.

After walking through the Castle grounds, we will head down into Malá Strana (the Lesser Town). Along the way, we will stop at the church housing the Infant Jesus of Prague. Our guided walk will conclude in Malá Strana. At this point, you are free to return to the hotel to rest, continue exploring the city center on your own, or enjoy a performance at one of our cultural venues, such as the State Opera, the National Theatre, the Estates Theatre, or Laterna Magika. We will be able to provide you with more details regarding the available programs and performance schedules closer to your arrival. If you are interested in a specific performance, I recommend buying tickets for these historic venues online, as they often sell out in advance.

Monday, November 16
Since the Czech Republic is about much more than just Prague, today we will head south to explore the beautiful region of South Bohemia. On the way you will see a stunning landscape along the way, and I will share some fascinating insights into Czech history during the drive. Our first stop will be an inconspicuous and almost forgotten site that perfectly illustrates the history and present-day life of the Jewish community, both in the former Kingdom of Bohemia and now in the Czech Republic. We will visit a small, secluded Jewish cemetery founded in 1723, which features 200 preserved headstones. As we explore the grounds, I will share some history regarding the Jewish people in our lands.

While in Bohemia, tasting local beer is practically a requirement! We will visit the Budweiser Budvar Brewery in České Budějovice. Do not be mistaken—aside from the name, this brewery has nothing to do with the American brand. There was even a long-running legal battle over the trademark; you will learn the true story during the tour. Naturally, you will also get to taste the beer fresh from the source.

After our brewery tour, we will head to the city center, where you will see one of the most beautiful historic squares in the Czech Republic. Here, you will have some free time for lunch. The area offers many restaurants and grocery stores, or you can try a Czech version of ‚fast food,‘ which I would be happy to show you.

Next, we visit the unique town of Český Krumlov, a small UNESCO-listed historical gem full of narrow, winding streets. Since we are visiting in November, the summer crowds are gone, making our walk much more peaceful and pleasant. Together, we will explore the town and discover its history, as well as its local myths and legends. You will also have some free time to shop for souvenirs or relax in a café.

On our way back to Prague, we have one more stop at another landmark. We will visit the town of Písek, home to the oldest stone bridge in Central Europe. While the exact date of construction is unknown, it is recorded as standing as early as 1300—making it even older than the Charles Bridge in Prague!

On the way back to Prague, we will stop at a renowned local restaurant and enjoy the local cuisine and beer. Finally, pleasantly tired, we will settle back into the bus for the final leg of the journey back to your hotel in Prague.

Tuesday, November 17
There is no planned program for today. You can enjoy a nice breakfast at the hotel, followed by a group departure to the airport. If your flight departs later in the afternoon, feel free to store your luggage at the hotel and enjoy some more time in Prague. In this case, you will be responsible for your own transport to the airport; the hotel reception will be happy to help you arrange it.