Day 1

Prague
Arrival at Prague airport and transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Prague.

Day 2  

Prague
Join the full day guided tour of the city, starting with a walk through the Old Town and around the Old Town Square to see the famous Astronomical Clock.  Then see the Tin Church, Powder Tower, Municipal House and the Jewish Quarter.  From there continue towards the Vltava River and across the Charles Bridge.  In the afternoon visit Prague Castle on the other side of the Vltava River. This castle is the largest castle complex in continental Europe. We will tour the impressive Old Royal Palace, St. George’s Basilica and St. Vitus Cathedral.  We will end our tour at Golden Lane with its amazing atmosphere of Kafka’s Prague.  Overnight in Prague

Day 3

Prague – Karlstejn – Karlovy Vary (170km/2.40 min)
Travel to Karlstejn Castle. Built on a seemingly impregnable hillside in the 14th century by Charles IV, the Roman Emperor and King of Bohemia, the Gothic-style castle housed treasures of the Holy Roman Empire, including the Czech coronation jewels. Arrival in Karlovy Vary.  Karlovy Vary is a spa-town with an ancient history. This is a place with mineral springs that was discovered and established in the Middle Ages. It is a serene, beautiful place with gracious colonnades and picturesque boulevards. The spa town is surrounded by forest. The invigorating waters are used to treat all kinds of health disorders and for general well-being. In the past Karlovy Vary was visited by the Russian Tsar – Peter the Great, the German poet Wolfgang von Goethe and many others.  Sightseeing tour in Karlovy Vary.  The city, founded by Emperor Charles IV grew up around the Hot Springs in about 1350. We are going to see The Mill Colonnade, a pride of the city, Imperial Spa,  Grand Hotel Pupp, Town Theatre, Elisabeth spa, the Market Colonnade, St. Mary Magdalene's Church and more. Overnight in Karlovy Vary.

Day 4

Karlovy Vary
Today you can use the spa recreation in the hotel, or visit the places in our optional tour.  Optional: Visit Castle Loket OR the town of Cheb.   The massive Gothic Castle Loket is one of the most beautiful and best preserved castles in the Czech Republic. The town of Loket has been declared an urban historical reservation – on the main square there are many very important buildings surrounded by the city fortifications.  
The town of Cheb sits on the Czech-Germany border. At the bottom of the triangular main square look for two parallel blocks of merchants houses from the 13th century. Another attraction from that time is the sizeable St. Nicolas Church. Near the town we can find Cheb Castle, which was built at the end of 12th century. It is a significant Romanesque monument, the best preserved parts are the Chapel of St. Erhard and St. Ursula and The Black Tower. Overnight in Karlovy Vary.

Day 5

Karlovy Vary – Becov na Teplou - Kladruby – Plzen (120km/2 h)
On the way to Plzen we  will visit Becov na Teplou – an ancient small town with a castle situated amidst beautiful scenery in the valley of the Tepla river. The sight of Becov with the vast complex of the castle and the chateau is stunning. An impressive decoration dominates the town buildings. We will visit the Gothic castle and a Baroque Chateau, Reliquary of St. Moor from 13th century. Other places we shall visit on the way to Plzen is the Kladruby Monastery, which has the longest Romanesque basilica in Bohemia.  The Benedictine abbey was founded in 1115. In the13th century Kladruby was declared a town and was granted trade privileges. We will visit the Abbey Church of the Holy Virgin, rebuilt between 1712 and 1726 in a special "Baroque-Gothic” style.  Arrival at Plzen. Plzen is world-famous for the local brand of beer – Pilsner Urquell, but there is not only the beer-factory to see…. City tour: Plzen was built in a chessboard plan in the 13th century and is an example of High-Gothic urbanism. The medieval Cathedral of St. Bartholomew includes the highest church tower in Bohemia . The monumental Town Hall, historical underground and medieval houses makes Plzen an interesting tourist destination.  Dine in a traditional Czech restaurant and taste the local beer.  Overnight in Plzen.

Day 6

Plzen – Cesky Krumlov (160km/2.30 min)
We arrive at Cesky Krumlov, which is a unique historical town and is overlooked by one of the largest castle complexes in central Europe. Its Baroque Theatre is a pearl of world heritage. The amazing historical centre of the town with medieval, Renaissance and Baroque architecture is registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site.  Overnight in Cesky Krumlov.

Day 7

Cesky Krumlov – Ceske Budejovice – Konopiste – Prague (180 km/3 h)
Bohemian King Přemysl Otakar II chose the confluence of the large South Bohemian Rivers Vltava and Malše in 1265 to found the city of České Budějovice to strengthen his position of power in South Bohemia. We have to see this city on our way back to Prague! On the way back to Prague we visit the Chateau Konopiste, the former seat of the successor to the Habsburg throne Franz Ferdinand d’Este.  Konopiste was originally a castle from the 14th century. Ferdinand used it as his family’s seat until his assassination in Sarajevo, which launched World War I.  Konopiste Chateau contains Ferdinand’s art collection, and also his hunting trophies.  Overnight in Prague.

Day 8

Prague 
Wenceslas Square in Prague is a vibrant area of hotels, restaurants, bars and clubs. There are also banks and an array of local and international shops. This is the nightlife and entertainment center of Prague, and Prague's main shopping district begins here. Prague is a great place to shop for Czech souvenirs. The center of Prague is filled with souvenir shops offering all kinds of typical Czech goods: wooden toys, jewelry and crystal items.  Before your flight back, walk to Wenceslas square to look for your souvenirs. Afternoon: transfer to the airport for final departure.

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