Czech Republic Prague and the Moravian Tuscany

Your journey begins with an overnight flight to *Prague, Czech Republic. Group transfer time will be announced for May 2. (meals on plane)

PLEASE NOTE: The Main tour and the Extension both end in Budapest, Hungary. Therefore all flight schedules are to be issued multi-city: Home/Prague (PRG) – Budapest (BUD)/Home.

Arrive in Prague today, where you will have a group transfer (time to be announced) to your hotel, check in time 2PM or after. After having a chance to rest from the flight you will meet your guide in the afternoon, taking you to remarkable places in the most gorgeous city of Europe. “The City of One hundred Spires,” Prague is a history lesson that comes to life and is on the UNESCO World Heritage list. As you walk among the long stone palaces and pointed towers all around, you will feel as though you had stepped back into the eighteenth century. The hotel is centrally located, offering plenty of time on our own for photography.  Enjoy a group dinner on your first evening together in Prague.

Enjoy an early morning photo shoot with your photo leader the next morning on the Charles Bridge, the oldest original surviving bridge in Europe, then return to the hotel for breakfast. Your local guide will join you in taking the tram to Belvedere Park looking over this historic city. Highlights will be the ninth century Prague Castle, place of the coronation of Czech sovereigns and now the seat of the President. Enjoy photographing the St. Vitus Cathedral (entry if allowed), the Royal Garden and ramparts of the castle. After lunch this afternoon continue on to the largest graveyard in Prague, Olsany. Built during a plague epidemic it is a beautifully planned public work. Late this afternoon or early evening you will float along the Vltava River as you photograph the city from a different perspective.

Another day a pre-breakfast photo shoot could include a walk up to the Metronome overlooking the Vlatva River. Afterwards enjoy a guided photography walk in the Old Town Square, dominated by the Old Town Hall with the Horologe, the unique Gothic astronomical clock dating from 1410. There will be an option to walk along the riverfront to the ‘Dancing House’ (architect Frank Gehry), afterwards stop at a local café for a bit of Prague culture. There will be free time this afternoon and evening for you to wander on your own or with your photo leader.

Your last full day in Prague take a day trip to Terezin. During World War II, the Gestapo used Terezín, better known by the German name Theresienstadt, as a ghetto, concentrating Jews from Czechoslovakia, as well as many from other countries. Though it was not an extermination camp, of the over 150,000 Jews who arrived there, thousands died in the ghetto itself, due to the appalling conditions arising out of extreme population density, and the others were deported to Auschwitz and other extermination camps. Before returning to Prague there is a lovely non-touristy town of Ustek, where you can photograph traditional architecture and wander the quaint cobblestone streets. This evening is on your own where there will be free time with your photo leader and blue hour photography around the Charles Bridge and Old Town Square. Overnight Prague (D; B, D; B; B, L)

Enjoy photography on the off the beaten path areas before departing Prague. Next move on to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kutná Hora. In the 13th century, silver was discovered here and a few decades later the royal mint was established. It became the second most important town in the Kingdom of Bohemia. Sedlec another UNESCO World Heritage Site holds the Sedlec Ossuary (a church decorated with human bones). The architectural workmanship and structure is composed of various Gothic elements. After settling into your hotel you will have the evening to photograph the square and the Gothic Saint Barbara Church at dusk. Overnight Kutna Hora (B, D)

There will be photography in different light this morning of this beautiful region. Return to the hotel for breakfast and make your way to Ceský Krumlov, on the UNESCO World Heritage list. There will be a photography stop along the way to the very picturesque Cervena Lhota Castle. Ceský Krumlov is one of the best-preserved historical towns in Bohemia, with an appearance almost unchanged since the eighteenth century. The Gothic border castle, rebuilt into a huge Renaissance chateau by sixteenth century Italian architects, is second only to Prague Castle as a fortified Bohemian palace and citadel

The next day walk from the Inn to the castle, 1810 feet high above the town. Those interested can take an optional educational tour of the castle, or the Baroque Castle Theatre, the oldest and most completely preserved theater building in the world. There will be free time to walk in town on your own, or if there is inclement weather there will be a photography discussion at the hotel. Stroll the village cobblestone alleyways, lined with Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque burghers’ houses. Meet the group after and depart for the Vyssi Brod Monastery, landscapes along the Vltava river, and photography outside the Castle Rozmberk. Overnight Cesky Krumlov (B, L, D; B, L)

Leaving Ceský Krumlov this morning there will be a photography stop at Cizov Iron Curtain. Kyjov is located in what is being called the Moravian Tuscany. This is a new addition to see an area few tourists are traveling to. Photograph amidst beautiful landscape locations in the rolling hills of this region, it will indeed remind you of Tuscany or Palouse. Various lines, lonely chapels, groves and tree “islands” in the fields will excite your senses and your lens. Overnight Kyjov (B, L, D)

There will be additional photography this morning in this unique area before traveling further southeast to Budapest Hungary. There will be photo ops along the way to in another architecturally rich city, Bratislava, Slovakia.  Continue on your route and after checking in to the hotel late this afternoon enjoy a brief walking tour in Budapest with your guide and farewell dinner. Overnight Budapest (B, D)

There will be one group transfer (time to be determined) this morning to the Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport, for your flight home.