Strabo Photo Tour Collection

Prague and the Czech Republic with Frank Lavelle

Welcome to Prague, the Capital of the Czech Republic. Praha (The name of the city in Czech) is known as the pearl of Europe, it is one of the most beautiful and unspoiled cities in Europe. Here, the natural forms of the land and the river have been enhanced by ten centuries of constructing a significant cultural center. Although the city was isolated behind the Iron Curtain for more than forty years, it has now resumed its place as a major intellectual center of Europe.

For six centuries it has remained nearly untouched by war, leaving intact stunning examples from the Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Rococo architectural styles. We will have excellent opportunities to photograph the famous Charles Bridge, the Town Square and narrow alleyways.

Departing Prague for a few days, we move on to the Czech Republic countryside. Czech Republic is proud of the fact that UNESCO lists so many buildings, monuments and natural areas as world heritage sites of outstanding aesthetic, scientific or historical nature. Cesky Krumlov is a perfect example, with its Gothic border castle, rebuilt into a huge Renaissance chateau by thirteenth century Italian architects; it is second only to Prague Castle as a fortified Bohemian palace and citadel. Kutna Hora was added to the itinerary last year with great success, with the lovely St. Barbara’s Church and Italian Court. As we return to Prague there will be photographic stops at Kuks, and time to visit the internment camp at Terezin. The last day provides us with an open schedule so we can return to photograph favorite places in Prague.

Itinerary

May 7: U.S.

Our journey begins with an overnight flight to Prague, Czech Republic. (meals on plane)

May 8 - May 10: Prague

We arrive in Prague today, where we will have a group transfer to our hotel. After having a chance to rest from the flight we will meet our guide in the afternoon, taking us to remarkable places in the most gorgeous city of Europe. Rightfully inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage list, Prague reveals her renowned charm and beauty, bringing us unforgettable memories. rnrn“The City of One hundred Spires,” Prague is a history lesson comes to life. 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. Highlights will be the ninth century Prague Castle, place of the coronation of Czech sovereigns and now the seat of the President; Charles Bridge, the oldest original surviving bridge in Europe; and Old Town Square, dominated by the Old Town Hall with the Horologe, the unique Gothic astronomical clock dating from 1410. Our guided city tour will also include St. Nicolas Church and the Vrtba Garden. The hotel is centrally located, offering plenty of time on our own for photography. We will have a group dinner on our first evening together in Prague. rnrnWe have organized an optional photography session at Josefov or Joseph’s Town Cemetery, early one morning. After enjoying lunch on our own in the old town square we will depart for the famous Vyšehrad area, a complex that is regarded as the city’s mythical birthplace. Later in the day you may wish to take a quiet stroll through the ancient gates, past the rotunda of St. Martin and on to the multi-spired church of Saints Peter and Paul, to get a feel for the inner city. St. Martin’s rotunda, reputedly, is Prague's oldest standing building; the small round chapel was once used as a powder magazine. Overnight Prague Hotel (d; b; b, l)

May 11 - May 12: Cesky Krumlov

Immediately following breakfast we head south towards Cesky Krumlov, stopping in Holašovice, an UNESCO protected village built in “peasant Baroque style”. Here we will have time to walk and photograph this quaint village, perhaps enjoying a coffee break before moving on to Ceske Budejovice.rnrnThe King Premysl Otakar II founded Ceske Budejovice, known as Budweis in German, in 1265. It is most famous for the original Budweiser Beer, and Otakar II’s Square, being the largest town square in all of the Czech Republic. The Baroque Town Hall, built in 1727-1730, has a colorful exterior, reflecting the good times the economy and the political life of the city underwent in the 18th century. The four statues on the top personify the four citizen’s virtues: Fairness, Wisdom, Caution, and Bravery.rnrnCeský 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 Renaissance lords of Rosenberg seated here, possessed the largest land estate in Bohemia, which was given to the Eggenbergs in 1622, and to the Schwarzenbergs in 1719. In 1922, the town was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. rnrnWe will 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. This may be your best opportunity to select gifts, as you stroll the village cobblestone alleyways, lined with Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque burghers’ houses. Overnight Old Inn Hotel (b, l, d; b)

May 13 - May 14: Telc

After breakfast and our last photography this morning in Cesky Krumlov, we will make a brief stop at the Cervena Lhota Castle, one of the most charmingly situated monuments, set in the romantic scenery of Bohemia. This beautiful water castle is located on a rock, which was turned into a small island by damming up the valley, and raising the level of the surrounding pond. We will reach our destination after having a picnic lunch along the way, perhaps in the Trebon Lake District.

After settling into our hotel we will have the evening to photograph the square at dusk and have dinner. The foundation of Telc is connected with the victory of the Moravian Duke over the Czech Duke in 1099, in memory of the battle the Moravian victor established a church and then a community surrounding it. This village was under the rule of the Lords of Hradec in the sixteenth century.

This afternoon we will have time to visit the Trebic Jewish Quarter and the Town of Slavonice. The ensemble of the Jewish Quarter, the old Jewish cemetery and the Basilica of St Procopius in Trebíc are reminders of the co-existence of Jewish and Christian cultures from the Middle Ages to the 20th century.

The historical town Slavonice is among the Renaissance towns of southwestern Moravia, the founding of the town dates back to the twelfth century. Slavonice became a marketplace village that belonged to the Lords from Hradec (branch of the Vitkovs). The village slowly developed into a fortified township with a complex of underground tunnels serving as a drainage system, but at the same time served as a part of the towns’ defensive system. Overnight Telc Cerny Orel (b, l, d both days)

May 15 - May 16: Prague

Today we return to Prague, but first we will take in a bit of history and photography at Kuks and Terezin. Kuks is an unusual name of a village situated in East Bohemia. It has a special place in the history of Czech culture as an outstanding work of European art. In the 17th century, a remarkable nobleman built within two or three decades a complex which is still a sample of Baroque art at its best.rnrnDuring 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. rnrnWe arrive in Prague this evening, with time for a walk, perhaps returning to photograph the Old Town Square and the Charles Bridge. October 10th is our last full day in this beautiful medieval city. You may wish to rise early and get your best photographs before people fill the streets and bridges. We will have the entire day free to photograph, wander the city streets, and visit museums, other historical buildings or revisit some of the neighborhoods from our group walk. Ron will organize specific meeting times for those wanting to photograph in the morning, prior to breakfast or perhaps later in the day. We will then all gather for our farewell dinner at the Nebozízek Restaurant, where we can enjoy a sunset view high above the City of Prague. Overnight Hotel Certovka (b, l; b, d)

May 17: Prague-Home

There will be one group transfer (time to be determined) this morning to the Ruzyne Airport, Prague, for our flights home. (b)

Accommodations

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Guides

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Food & Drink

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Pricing Info

Tour land cost: $3,595 US Dollars based upon minimum of 9 paying participants. There is a small group surcharge of $200 if 5-8 paying participants. All our program prices are based on double occupancy unless noted in exceptions.

Single room supplement: $745; single rooms are subject to availability and are not guaranteed. We try to accommodate travelers who request single accommodations, as well as travelers who are looking for a roommate. If a single room is requested, or if we are unable to find a suitable roommate, you will be required to pay the supplement.

Note: The land costs on international tours is based upon current exchange rates. Although the rate has been relatively stable, should it change, there may need to be an adjustment in the land cost.

General Tour Info (includes, excludes and other details)