Czech Heritage Tours 2012

EUROPEAN TOUR 2012 June 4 – 16, 2012 - 5 European Countries in 13 Days - Italy, Vatican, Austria, Czech Republic & Germany

Monday, June 4
Depart Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport to Rome, Italy.

Tuesday, June 5
Arrive in Rome, the capital of Italy, and one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The bus and your tour guide will be waiting for you at the airport. We will then check in at our hotel. After a short rest, we will depart for a wine tasting at an Italian winery followed by dinner at a family-run trattoria.

Wednesday, June 6

Today we will tour the Vatican, the smallest state in the world and the seat of the Pope. If the Pope is in the country, we attend a general audience with him. We will visit St. Peter’s Square, the beautiful masterpiece surrounded by 140 statues of the Saints. We will see St. Peter’s Cathedral, the largest cathedral in the world – it can accommodate 60,000 people. We will visit the Vatican museums featuring many rooms containing artistic masterpieces, including the most precious one, the Sistine Chapel. You will have the opportunity to get a bird’s eye view of Rome from a terrace of the cathedral – truly a site to see.

In the afternoon, you will have free time for shopping, especially for religious articles if you wish. We will have dinner at the hotel.

Thursday, June 7

After breakfast, we will take a sightseeing tour of ancient Rome starting with the Coliseum. This unforgettable attraction used to hold 50,000 spectators who came to watch duels, gladiators wrestling lions, chariot races and even naval battles. We will see the Roman Forum, once the religious, political and trade center of ancient Rome, which reflects the twelve centuries of history. From there, we will visit Venezia Square with the equestrian statue of the first king of Italy, Vittorio Emmanuel. We will then see the famous Fountain de Trevi, the largest Baroque fountain and the venue of a number of renowned movies.

In the afternoon, we will visit the Pantheon, the oldest church in Rome, and then the Basilica of St. Paul. Free time for shopping. Leave for Orvieto situated to the north of Rome, check in, and have dinner.

Friday, June 8

Arrive in Venice in the afternoon and depart by boat to the center of Venice. Venice is built on 177 islands linked by an intricate network of some 150 canals. Visitors can explore Venice on foot or by water bus. Through the Grand Canal you will see St. Mark’s Square with St. Mark’s Basilica, the bell tower and attractive shops with displays of lace, jewelry, masks, mirrors and Murano glass. You can see gondolas, which are virtually the symbol of Venice, and enjoy a gondola ride if desired. After sightseeing, free time for shopping. We will then depart to the charming town of San Dona di Piave situated just a few miles from Venice. Check in. Late dinner.

Saturday, June 9

Leave for Vienna and have leisure time in this charming Austrian capital and Hapsburg imperial city for more than six centuries. Our tour of Vienna will include both walking and driving by bus. We will visit the popular Ringroad, constructed in 1857 and surrounded by the representative buildings of the National Opera House, the New Town Hall, the National Theater, Parliament, museums, universities, hotels and shops. We will conclude our tour on the Main Square, where we will see St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the seat of the Archbishop and the largest church in Austria. In the late afternoon, continue on our way to the Moravian region of the Czech Republic, check into our hotel in Buchlovice and have dinner.

Sunday, June 10

This morning we will depart for Velehrad, a small, picturesque town situated in the heart of Moravia. This village is famous for its beautiful Gothic Cathedral, where Pope John Paul II celebrated Mass in 1990. This Cathedral commemorates Saints Cyril and Methodius, the Saints who brought Christianity to this region and all of Eastern Europe. Today we will be fortunate enough to attend Mass here.

After Mass, we will travel a short distance to Luhacovice, the ancestral home of Steavy’s grandfather, Alois Holy, where we will visit a typical Czech working farm. You will be treated to a traditional picnic lunch of klobase (Czech sausage), pivo (beer) and kolace (Czech pastries). For all of you of Czech descent, this should be a great experience understanding where Czech immigrants typically came from.

After our fun afternoon in the country, we will continue back to the hotel where you can relax before our dinner and evening entertainment featuring the Veselanka Band. This is sure to be a fabulous night filled with dancing, singing and enjoying our time in Moravia!

Monday, June 11

Today we will depart for Frenstat. Along the way, we will stop in Kromeriz, a charming town known as “Moravian Athens” located in the fertile lands along the Morava River. Here we will have free time, where you may choose to either shop and relax along the charming main square lined with historical town houses, quaint shops and cafes… OR tour the château built for the Archbishop in the 17th century. Also located in the château compound is the beautiful Early Baroque Flower Garden designed in the French style.

Continuing along to Frenstat, we will check in our hotel and have an evening full of entertainment at Koliba Vlcina. This is everyone’s favorite party place – with Moravian wine, music and grilled chicken!

Tuesday, June 12

Leave for Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, known also as the city of a hundred spires. Enroute we will stop in the area of Moravian Karst amid the over 1,100 beautiful, natural caverns and gorges located in this region. We will be able to experience the Punkva Caves firsthand with the underground river and famous Macocha Abyss. The Macocha Abyss is a part of the longest cave complex in the Czech Republic, which is 35 kilometers long. You will be able to enjoy a short cruise in boats on the underground Punkva River and view the natural rock formations.

Upon arrival in Prague, you will have free time for shopping in the main pedestrian area lined with shops. We will check in our hotel, and in the evening enjoy a lively Czech folklore program and dinner.

Wednesday, June 13

Leave for a tour of the highlights of historical Prague. Start in Hradcany at Prague castle, see the changing of the guards, tour the three courtyards and see one of the most visible landmarks of the capital, St. Vitus Cathedral. We will go down to the Lesser Quarter and cross the Charles Bridge built in the 14th century. From there, we will walk on to Old Town Square to see the famous Astronomical clock. In the afternoon, we will end the tour at Wenceslas Square, the lively center of everyday life featuring numerous stores, banks, cinemas, restaurants, etc. Free time for a stroll in this main shopping zone.

Tonight we will have a relaxing dinner cruise on the Vltava River where you will be able to see the beautifully illuminated sights of Prague – Prague Castle, Vysehrad-Upper Castle, the Charles Bridge, the National Theatre, and much more!

Thursday, June 14

After breakfast, we will depart for Karlovy Vary, the most famous and visited spa town in the country. It owes its international fame of calming relaxation to its mineral springs. There are 60 natural springs altogether, 12 of which are available for public use. Buy a sipping cup at one of the many kiosks around and try one of the curative mineral drinks directly out of the fountain. Try a typical spa round wafer, also known as oplatky, to accompany your mineral water. These delicious wafers are sure to please! There is also a large selection of Czech garnet jewelry and Bohemian crystal available in many of the shops.

In the afternoon, we will continue on to Nuremberg, Germany. Upon arrival at our hotel, we will check in and have dinner.

Friday, June 15

In the morning, we will have a sightseeing tour of modern Nuremberg, including the Nazi center and the judicial building where the World War II War Crime trials occurred. The Nazi War Crime Trials courtroom was recently opened to the public along with an extensive interesting WWII/Nazi exhibition. For WWII enthusiasts, this is something not to be missed! We will also view the unfinished replica of the Coliseum that Hitler ordered to be built as a grandiose copy of the Coliseum in Rome as well as Zeppelin Field where Nazi parades took place. We will round out our tour of Nuremberg in the medieval part of the city where we will see the ancient castle overlooking the city, the Church of Our Lady, on the main market square. You will have free time for shopping and lunch.

If circumstances permit, we will enjoy the evening at an authentic German tent party – complete with German bands, food, lederhosen and beer!

Saturday, June 16

Depart for the Frankfurt airport early in the morning for our flight back to the USA!

NOTE: Itinerary subject to change depending upon availability. Optional cancellation insurance is available upon request.