Czech Renaissance

The Czech Republic lies in the heart of Europe. During the Renaissance, when it was known as the Kingdom of Bohemia, it was a crossroads of style, music and architecture. On this trip, discover the Renaissance spirit still flowing through the region as you walk through historic towns, medieval villages, and the spectacular countryside. Stay in a mountain top hotel, learn the secrets of cooking delicious “knedliky”, and talk with local wine makers. This trip brings the “Bohemian” experience to life.

Details
* Tour begins in Vienna, ends in Prague
* 8 nights/9 days with van support

* Luggage transfer between lodgings
* Hotels/Inns with private bath

* All meals, except one dinner, included
* Easy/moderate hikes
* Focus on history, architecture, and nature

* Guided tours and wine tastings included

Trip Includes: 

• 12 days, begins and ends in Prague
   
• 11 nights in 4 star hotels/inns
   
• Bus service during the entire trip
   
• Personal culinary and wine guide
   
• All meals except 2 dinners
   
• Theatre and concert tickets (to be listed)
   
• Entrance fees to galleries (to be listed)
   
• Meetings with local acclaimed artists
   
• Cooking class using regional food gems, hands
  on experience in the gardens and orchards
   
• Dulcimer band evening experience
   
• Behind the scenes tour of local artisans’
  workshops
   
• Wine tastings in a private wine cellar and in the
  Wine Salon of 100 Best Czech Wines
   
• Reading list of recommended books and movies to enhance the travel experience
   

Itinerary

Day 1 Lichtenstein Summer Palace - The trip begins with a drive from Vienna to Moravia, the Czech Republic’s wine region. Walk in “The Garden of Europe” in the town of Lednice. At the end of day, visit the National Wine Archive in Valtice and sip the best of the Czech Republic’s wines in the cellars of a Baroque chateau.

Day 2 Crossing the Palava Hills - From the town of Mikulov “jewel of Moravia”, walk across the limestone Palava Hills with their sweeping views and visit a local wine cellar to experience why wine and music are deep traditions here.

Day 3 Sobes Penninsula - Enter the Dyje River Gorge with its ancient vineyards and lush forests. Picnic on the rim of the canyon before entering the town of Znojmo perched high above the Dyje river.

Day 4 The Iron Curtain - Touch history in Cizov at the last preserved section of the cold war’s Iron Curtain. Continue through jungle like forests of the Dyje River National Park and finish in the medieval town of Slavonice.

Day 5 Golden Meadows and Pine Forests - Hike through forests and meadows on the way to the UNESCO site of Telc with its amazing display of Renaissance, Baroque, and Gothic architecture.

Day 6 A Fairytale Castle and Cobblestone Lanes - Cesky Krumlov’s castle stands high above the Vltava river and the town’s charming cobblestone streets. This is the second largest castle complex in the Czech Republic and was inspiration for the famous impressionist painter Egon Schiele.

Day 7 Bohemian Paradise National Park - Travel from fields to foothills as we head North. Hike between the sandstone spires in the Bohemian Paradise National Park and, if you’re lucky, find a garnet (a local gemstone) on the trail. End the day with a cable car ascent that leads to our mountain top hotel with 360˚ views.

Day 8-9 City of One Hundred Spires - The trip ends with a walking tour through the magical city of Prague with its stunningly beautiful Old Town square. Walk across the famous Charles bridge at sunset.