PRAGUE
May 14th to May 20th, 2017
$4250
OPTIONAL EXTENSION: BRNO AND
CZECH-AUSTRIAN WINE REGIONS
May 20th to May 24th, 2017
$1850
Offered in partnership with Marsha Gordon and Louis Cherry
Click here for more about Marsha and Louis
PRAGUE
ACCOMMODATIONS :: HOTEL BOHO
Includes 6 nights accommodation, double occupancy, 6 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners and all trip related guides, admissions and transportation costs. Cost also includes one Prague Spring Festival/classical music concert and one opera in one of Prague's grand opera houses. Does not include airfare, airport transfers, alcoholic beverages and activities listed as optional. Single supplement $950
SUNDAY, MAY 14th
TOUR BEGINS AT 1:30 p.m.
WELCOME MEETING
WALKING TOUR OF OLD TOWN
An introduction to this city with its rich always fascinating history,
we begin with an walking tour through central Prague
We get our first taste of Prague’s famed ‘café culture’
OPTIONAL RIVER TOUR
A last bit of optional fun for our first day--a ride up the Vlatava River
for a further and particularly sublime introduction to glorious Prague
OPEN EVENING
MONDAY MAY 15th
DOX CENTER FOR CONTEMPORARY ART
We take a guided tour of the dynamic and vibrant Dox,
Prague's leading contemporary art venue
We have a guided tour of the Kampa which specializes in Modern Art
with a particular focus on Czech masters
LUNCH :: HERGETOVA CIHELNA
A charming lunch spot on the banks of the Vlatava at the foot of the iconic Charles Bridge
STUDIO VISIT :: CESTMIR SUSKA
BUBEC ART PARK TOUR
DINNER AT GARDEN BUBEC
Suska is our gracious guide throughout this very special afternoon of experiences.
First as we tour his studio followed by tours of fellow artists at Bubec Park
and, finally, he plays host at a casual dinner in Garden Bubec
TUESDAY MAY 16th
OUR DAY IN AND AROUND PRAGUE CASTLE
The 'largest castle complex in the world' is but one superlative for this quintessential Prague destination.
Louis acts as our guide throughout this marvelous day as we get to know the castle complex’s many charms
With origins in the 12th century, the palace was once the heart of Czech royal life and retains all of its former glory
The basilica was founded by Vratislaus I of Bohemia in 920 A. D. and is the oldest surviving church structure in Prague
LUNCH :: PIANO NOBILE AT VILLA RICHTER
We are in for a treat at Piano Nobile, on the top floor of Villa Richter, where fine dining is combined with panoramic views over the city.
The largest and most important church in the Czech Republic, St Vitus is also an outstanding example of Gothic architecture and includes the renowned St Wenceslas Chapel
Originally a Hapsburg Royal Garden dating from the Renaissance, vast, gorgeous and very worth a visit
‘Alchemist’s Lane’ is a small, picturesque residential section of the castle complex that amongst other charms was once home to Franz Kafka and Nobel Laureate Jaroslav Seifert
DINNER :: OPEN
EVENING PERFORMANCE
In this city of marvelous musical offerings, we will sample one of the best from the offerings of opera
or classical music taking place in the city's gorgeous, historic theaters
WEDNESDAY MAY 17
OUR DAY IN DRESDEN
Until February 13, 1945, Prague and Dresden were cities with intertwined fates. In that one night, Dresden
was leveled by Allied bombing while Prague was and continued to be largely untouched by the destruction of WW II.
Now more than 70 years later, Dresden has been returned to its former glory. We take a day
to appreciate this other urban treasure which is after all just two easy hours from Prague.
Frauenkirche was completely reconstructed in 2005,
standing once again an outstanding example of Baroque architecture and
including one of the largest domes in all of Europe
LUNCH :: COSELPALAIS GRAND CAFE
Excellent in every way and in a setting befitting its location adjacent to the Frauenkirche
We tour this ‘ark for art’, a singular repository for multiple eras of art rescued
repeatedly throughout history and most recently so from devastating floods in 2002
Arguably the oldest museums of its kind in the world, this vast treasure trove of decorative art must be seen to be appreciated
DEPART DRESDEN FOR PRAGUE
DINNER :: PIZZA NOUVA
A wonderful example of Prague as culinary crossroads, Pizza Nouva, is a justly popular spot with natives and visitors alike thanks to their excellent pies
THURSDAY MAY 18
We begin the day with tours of two inimitable examples of Modernist residential architecture
Considered Alfred Loos's masterwork, Villa Muller remains
an innovative landmark of early Modernist architecture
Only recently refurbished and made available for limited public tours, Villa Rothmayer
is a valuable addition to Prague's residential Modernist scene
LUNCH :: FRED & GINGER
What better name for a restaurant at the top of the 'Dancing Building'--as this early Frank Gehry building is known?
One of the sites of the National Museum of Prague, Veletrzni houses important Post-Impressionist and Modernist masterworks and it is itself a noted example of Functionalist architecture
DINNER :: ESKA
Edible adventures at this hip and delicious new darling on the Prague restaurant scene
EVENING PERFORMANCE
Another marvelous experience in this city of musical superlatives
FRIDAY MAY 19
CONVENT OF ST AGNES OF BOHEMIA
The National Gallery's very fine collection of medieval and early Renaissance art is housed
here in Prague's oldest surviving Gothic building
OPEN AFTERNOON
A bit of down time to explore this city of infinite riches
. Drinks at THE AMERIKY BAR at THE MUNICIPAL HOUSE
Just for fun--drinks in one of Europe's most glorious bars
DINNER :: CAFE IMPERIAL
Swank, delicious and very special, Cafe Imperial makes for a perfect spot for our last night in Prague
SATURDAY MAY 20th
PRAGUE PORTION OF THE TRIP ENDS WITH BREAKFAST
OPTIONAL EXTENSION: BRNO AND
CZECH-AUSTRIAN WINE REGIONS
May 20th to May 24th, 2017
$1850
Includes 4 nights accommodations, double occupancy, 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners, all trip–related tours, tastings and admissions as well as trip-related transportation.
Does not include alcoholic beverages, except as part of scheduled tastings. $500 single supplement
ACCOMMODATIONS:
BARCELO BRNO PALACE (BRNO, CZECH REPUBLIC, MAY 20)
LOISIUM LANGENLOIS (LANGENLOIS, AUSTRIA, MAY 21 & 22)
HOTEL BOHO (PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC, MAY 23)
DEPART FOR BRNO VIA SEDLEC
THE CEMETERY CHURCH OF ALL SAINTS AND OSSUARY
Gorgeous and exceedingly strange this Gothic chapel and ossuary was decorated in the 19th century with the bones of perhaps as many as 70,000 14th century plague victims
LUNCH :: V. RUTHDRACE
An authentic and warmly welcoming restaurant on Sedlec's town square
DEPART FOR BRNO
Mies van der Rohe's 1929 residential masterpiece, widely considered to be the most important Modernist house in Europe
Stunning and ideally located, the 5-star Barcelo is considered the place to stay in Brno
DINNER :: FORHAUS
The stylish Forhaus is considered one of Brno's top culinary destinations
SUNDAY MAY 21st
TOUR OF BRNO’S FUNCTIONALIST ARCHITECTURE
Both formal and Utopian, Functionalism was the dominant force in Czech architecture throughout much of the 20th century, with many of the finest examples to be found right here in Brno
LUNCH :: AVIA CAFE
A charming cafe specializing in locally sourced ingredients
DEPART FOR AUSTRIA
LOISIUM is in the heart of Austrian wine country--and it is at heart a wine experience; part fabulous
boutique hotel, part wine museum built atop a centuries old wine vault and all the brain child of New York architect
Stephen Holl. In short, Loisium is a total immersion wine experience.
DINNER :: OUR VINEYARD At THE LOISIUM
Loisium’s excellent restaurant appropriately named--and beautifully situated--amongst the vineyards
MONDAY MAY 22nd
OUR DAY IN THE VINEYARDS
This beautiful region of Austria is known for its world class wines and we will have personalized experiences at two of the area’s top vineyards, Steininger and Tegernseerhof. Learn about the viniculture of the region, taste some of the finest wines that the Wachau and Kamptal regions have to offer, all at a relaxed pace after our very busy week in The Czech Republic.
TUESDAY MAY 23rd
RETURN TO THE CZECH REPUBLIC
A final tour and tasting, this time at Ilias's biodynamic vineyards
LUNCH :: SOJKA & SPOL.
Located in the medieval town of Mikulov, Sojka & Sol. is as charming as it is delicious
RETURN TO PRAGUE
DINNER :: BREDOVSKY DVUR
A few steps from Hotel Boho, we end of our time in Bohemia at this locals favorite known for its house brewed beers and fine Czech cuisine
WEDNESDAY MAY 24th
TOUR ENDS