54b3eb2edd3a5 pragueandkrakow2015 1 9 by Go Real Europe

An Adventure in Europe Specially created for Jane Example and John Example Itinerary Preview Prague and Krakow September 01 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; September 08, 2015

ITINERARY OVERVIEW Members of the Travel Group: Jane Example and John Example 1. This is only a summary of your trip! Full-length itineraries include destination information, travel directions, maps, pictures, tips, and other details. 2. Select “Hotels” on your client dashboard to see hotel pictures and descriptions.

Pre-Paid Tours and Activities: • Vltava River Cruise and City Overview from the Old Town Hall Tower

• Guided Excursion to the Auschwitz Concentration Camp

• Guided Walking Tour of the Prague Castle and the Royal Coronation Route

• Guided Bus Excursion to the Salt Mine in Wieliczka

• Walking Tour of Krakow’s Historic Center

Pre-Paid Transportation: • Train Tickets from Prague to Krakow • Public Transport Tickets for Prague • Private Transfer from Airport to Hotel

• Private Transfer to the Rail Station in Prague • Private Transfer from Krakow Rail Station to Your Hotel

Pre-Paid Hotels, including Daily Breakfast: • 3 nights in the (Hotel T.B.D.) in Prague

• 3 nights in the (Hotel T.B.D.) in Krakow

Travel Information included in your itinerary: • City Maps of Prague • Point to point travel directions

• Free Skype calling to landlines worldwide, and to mobile phones in the U.S. and Canada

• Destination information & travel advice

Total Trip Cost for All Travelers:

N/A e

Please see payment details and travel conditions here.

ITINERARY CONTENTS 1 September 01, 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Arrival in Prague, Private Transfer to Hotel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Self Guided Visit to Prague’s Old Town . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vltava River Cruise and City Overview from the Old Town Hall Tower . .

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2 September 02, 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Guided Walking Tour of the Royal Route and Prague Castle . . . . . . . Self Guided Tour of Prague Castle, Hradčany, and Strahov Monastery . Self Guided Tour of Prague’s Little Quarter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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3 September 03, 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . Self Guided Tour of the Old Jewish Quarter . Self Guided Tour of Prague’s New Town . . . Concert or Other Cultural Event in Prague .

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4 September 04, 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Self-Guided Excursion to Castle Karlštejn . . . . . . . Self Guided Stroll through the Fortress of Vyšehrad . Private Transfer to the Prague Main Train Station . . Overnight Rail Journey from Prague to Krakow . . . .

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5 September 05, 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Arrival at Krakow Glowny Train Station and transfer to Hotel . Guided Walking Tour of Historic Krakow . . . . . . . . . . . . . Visit to Wawel Castle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Self Guided Tour of Krakow’s Old Town . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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8 8 9

10 10 10 11

12 12 12 13

6 September 06, 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Guided Bus Excursion to the Auschwitz Concentration Camp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Visit to the Schindler’s Factory Museum and the Former Jewish Ghetto . . . . . . . . . . . 14 7 September 07, 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Guided Bus Excursion to the Salt Mines of Wieliczka . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Self Guided Tour of Kazimierz - Krakow’s Jewish Quarter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 8 September 08, 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Self-Arranged Drop off at Airport by Taxi, Depart Krakow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

DAY 1

September 01, 2015

Arrive Prague

(Hotel T.B.D.)

Arrival in Prague, Private Transfer to Hotel To Be Determined We will schedule a pick up for your ﬂight’s arrival time. You will be met in the terminal by an English speaking driver holding a sign with your name on it. Most of the drivers we use are ex-pats who will give you good Prague tips during your ride to the hotel. The ride is for your party only - you will not be sharing a vehicle. The cost of the ride will be included in your itinerary package. Included: Private Transfer to your hotel. Information on passport control, customs, and other arrival info.

Self Guided Visit to Prague’s Old Town Afternoon TOP SITES: OLD TOWN HALL & CLOCK TOWER, KARLOVA STREET, CHURCH OF OUR LADY OF TYN A visit to Old Town (Staré Město) transports you to an entirely different era. A labyrinth of twisting cobblestone lanes and alleys surround Old Town Square, which has been Prague’s municipal center since the Middle Ages. The Square is lined by magniﬁcent churches and imposing Renaissance palaces. Most notable are the Old Town Hall, with its famed astronomical clock drawing large crowds at the turn of each hour, and the Tyn Church, with a multitude of spires that seem to sprout like leaves from its towers. As you wander through the Old Town, you will discover numerous other delights, including several beautiful churches, a plentiful supply of cozy cafes and pubs, and an outdoor market dating back to the Middle Ages. You could explore for days in this charming district and still not uncover all of its hidden wonders. Included:Travel directions, tips, and information on the area. Map marked with attractions, restaurants, and other points of interest in the area.

Vltava River Cruise and City Overview from the Old Town Hall Tower 5:00 - 6:30 PM This tour begins with an ascent to the tower of the Prague Old Town Hall by elevator. From there you will have a panoramic view of Prague’s historic center. Your breath will be taken away as you admire the sight of the expansive Old Town Square below you and gaze down at the 4

DAY 1 Arrive Prague

September 01, 2015 (Hotel T.B.D.)

surrounding red rooftops and the maze of tiny streets. The guide will orientate you to the city’s geography and give you a brief introduction to its history. After descending the tower the guide lead you on a hidden route through the courtyards of a former monastery to reach the Charles Bridge. From there you will board a small boat for a short cruise on the Vltava. There is perhaps no better way to get a true sense of Prague’s beauty than from a boat making its way down the Vltava River. Beautiful buildings crowd the river’s edge, a series of stately bridges cross it, and the imposing Prague castle and pretty forested hills rise above it. As you enjoy a complimentary drink, you will have an opportunity to relax and soak it all in, appreciating magical Prague at its grandest. Included: Guide services, entry and elevator tickets for Old Town Hall Tower, short boat cruise in center of Prague (<1hr). Not Included: Long boat cruise, dinner cruise.

DAY 2 Prague

September 02, 2015 (Hotel T.B.D.)

Guided Walking Tour of the Royal Route and Prague Castle 9:30 - 12:30 PM On this charming guided walk you will explore the Prague Castle, the largest castle complex in all of Europe. To reach the castle you will trace the Royal Coronation Route and cross the Charles Bridge, whose “speaking stones” reveal the amazing and often cruel history that has occurred there. You will pass through the enchanting Little Quarter, and take a tram up the hill to the nearly eleven hundred year old Prague Castle. Your tour will then take you through the castle courtyards and into the dramatic St. Vitus Cathedral in the center of the castle complex. The tour ends up with a spectacular panoramic view of the city of a hundred spires. Included: 3-hour Private Guided Walking Tour, Entry into part of St. Vitus Cathedral. Not Included: Entry into the palace interior.

Self Guided Tour of Prague Castle, Hradčany, and Strahov Monastery Early Afternoon TOP SITES: ST. VITUS CATHEDRAL, GOLDEN LANE, LOBKOWICZ PALACE, STRAHOV MONASTERY, LORETO Prague Castle is the most visited destination in Prague, and for good reason. The castle’s history stretches back over a 1000 years, and it has served as the seat of government for Bohemian kings, Holy Roman Emperors, and presidents of Czechoslovakia. It is now the seat of government of the Czech Republic, so you will encounter military honor guards rigidly standing guard at the castle entrances. The castle sits impressively perched on a hill overlooking the city, providing a breathtaking and romantic view. The castle is actually an entire complex of palaces, churches, and fortiﬁcations representing almost every architectural period of the last millennium, including the dramatic St. Vitus Cathedral, the historical seat of Prague’s archbishop. In the castle’s surrounding neighborhood, known as Hradčany, you will discover beautiful gardens, a dazzlingly restored monastery, and more. Included: Travel directions, tips, and information on the area. Map marked with attractions, restaurants, and other points of interest in the area.

DAY 2

September 02, 2015

Prague

(Hotel T.B.D.)

Self Guided Tour of Prague’s Little Quarter Late Afternoon TOP SITES: CHARLES BRIDGE, NERUDOVA STREET, ST. NICHOLAS CHURCH, WALLENSTEIN PALACE AND GARDENS The Little Quarter is a quaint yet lively quarter of Prague tightly nestled on the slope and river bank beneath the Prague Castle. While it may be small, the Little Quarter played an important role in Prague’s history. It is ﬁlled with the homes of medieval and renaissance nobility who wanted to live as closely as possible to the castle. Picturesque side streets, beautiful churches, and impressive Baroque architecture all abound within the Little Quarter. The Little Quarter is connected to the rest of the city by the Charles Bridge, the city’s most well-known icon. No trip to Prague is complete without a visit to the bridge. You will also ﬁnd the peaceful island of Kampa Park, which is a pleasant place for a stroll and offers a great chance to take in a view of Prague from the river bank. Nearby, the Wallenstein Palace Gardens offer a peaceful yet fascinating retreat from the city bustle. Included: Travel directions, tips, and information on the area. A map marked with attractions, restaurants, and other points of interest in the area.

DAY 3

September 03, 2015

Prague

(Hotel T.B.D.)

Self Guided Tour of the Old Jewish Quarter Morning TOP SITES: JEWISH CEMETERY, OLD-NEW SYNAGOGUE, SPANISH SYNAGOGUE, CONVENT OF ST. AGNES Some of Prague’s earliest residents were Jewish, and their long history in the city endowed it with a rich heritage of Jewish culture. Medieval church prohibitions against money-lending resulted in the Jews playing an important role in ﬁnancing Bohemian kings and nobility, and thus an important role in the city’s economy. The Jewish ghetto, now known as the Jewish Quarter, was created in the twelfth century, as Jews were forced by decree to live separately from Christians and close to Old Town Square. Despite continued severe persecution, which sometimes escalated to murderous mob attacks on the ghetto, the Jewish community in Prague prospered over the long term. Sadly, only a small minority of Prague’s Jews survived the Nazi occupation, and today’s Jewish community is only a shadow of its former self. They left behind, however, a lasting legacy for you to explore, including synagogues, architecture, and a fascinating cemetery. Included: Travel directions, tips, and information on the area. Map marked with attractions, restaurants, and other points of interest in the area.

Self Guided Tour of Prague’s New Town Afternoon TOP SITES: WENCESLAS SQUARE, MUNICIPAL HOUSE, SHOPPING ON NA PŘIKOPĚ STREET Despite being nearly 700 years old, the New Town (Nové Město) is the youngest of the original ﬁve independent towns that made up Medieval Prague. In one sense however, the New Town is new. In the late 19th century much of the New Town was demolished and rebuilt, giving it a distinctly different look and feel than the Old Town. Today, the heart of New Town is still one of the three original central markets around which it was planned - Wenceslas Square (Vaclavské Náměstí). The square, which could also be described as a wide boulevard, is the commercial center of Prague, and is busy nearly 24-hours a day. In the New Town you will ﬁnd a great variety of shops, restaurants, nightspots, and pubs, as well as churches, cultural sites, museums. You can also visit one of the world’s most beautiful art-nouveau buildings the Municipal House. Included: Travel directions, tips, and information on the area. Map marked with attractions, restaurants, and other points of interest in the area. 8

DAY 3

September 03, 2015

Prague

(Hotel T.B.D.)

Concert or Other Cultural Event in Prague Evening A trip to a concert or other performance in the Czech Republic is a treat on many levels. Czech musicians, dancers, and actors are some of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best, and are the product of a long-lasting national obsession with the arts. In fact, prior to Czech independence, the arts were one of the only outlets available to express Czech national pride and identity, which is one reason why today Prague has more theater and concert seats per resident than any other city in the world. With so much of the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pride and wealth poured into their concert venues, the exquisite details of the performance halls and foyers will make the experience even more special and rewarding. A Prague concert guide with information on choosing a performance and reserving tickets is provided to Go Real Europe clients. Concert is not included. At your request, we can help you select a performance and puchase tickets for you. A 4% transaction fee and a $17 USD booking fee is added to the cost of the tickets (applied per travel party, not per person). In cases where the ticket must be picked up at a ticket oďŹ&#x192;ce in advance and mailed to you, there is an additional $50 fee.

DAY 4

September 04, 2015

Prague

Self-Guided Excursion to Castle Karlštejn Morning / Early Afternoon Karlštejn, i.e. Charles’ Stone Castle, is the most famous castle in the Czech Republic. The fairy-tale perfect castle was founded by King Charles IV in 1348 to guard his royal treasures. It’s massive towers and walls are spread out over a series of rocky peaks above the Berounka River and commands striking views of the surrounding hills. The castle is located about 45 minutes from Prague, and is reached by a train trip through a scenic river valley. From the train station you take a winding path up a hill, which is lined by shops, restaurants, and stands selling traditional Czech snacks, making the trip to the castle half the fun. Included: Detailed travel directions for a stress free train trip to Karlštejn Castle. Not Included: Round trip train fare (about $8), tour of castle interior (about $8-16).

Self Guided Stroll through the Fortress of Vyšehrad Late Afternoon The castle of Vyšehrad was the seat of Bohemia’s kings from the 11th to the 12th centuries. The castle was founded in the 900’s AD and holds a strategic position on a hill overlooking the Vltava River and the city of Prague. Today its park-like grounds create a great place to get away from the crowds and experience Czech history in a natural setting. In the 17th century Vyšehrad became an important center for the armies of the Habsburg Empire, and they built ramparts, walls, and gates around the fortress. Today walking along the ramparts affords wonderful views of the city and river, and you also have the option to descend beneath the ramparts to the huge cavernous halls were the troops assembled. The fortress also contains a beautiful cemetery with an art-nouveau arcade. Many Czech national heroes are buried here, such as the composer Dvořák. Included: Travel directions, tips, and information on the area. Map marked with attractions, restaurants, and other points of interest in the area.

Private Transfer to the Prague Main Train Station 9:00 PM A private transfer service will pick you up from the (Hotel T.B.D.) and deliver you to the Prague Main Train Station (Praha hl.n). Your itinerary will provide detailed information on navigating the train station and ﬁnding your train, making the whole process simple and stress free.

DAY 4

September 04, 2015

Prague

Included: Private transfer to the train station, Instructions on ďŹ nding your train.

Overnight Rail Journey from Prague to Krakow 22:01 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 06:56 by Rail Tickets and sleeper reservations will be included with the purchase of your itinerary for this overnight rail journey. Detailed directions and instructions that make the trip easy and stress free will also be provided in your full itinerary. Included: Tickets, Sleeping Car Reservations, Detailed Instructions.

DAY 5

September 05, 2015

Krakow

(Hotel T.B.D.)

Arrival at Krakow Glowny Train Station and transfer to Hotel 6:56 AM Upon your arrival in Krakow your driver will meet you on the platform. He will be carrying a sign with your name on it. The driver will drop you off at your hotel. This is a private transfer. The price of the pickup is already included in your itinerary cost so you will not have to pay the driver. Included: Cost of the private transfer to your hotel, Arrival information.

Guided Walking Tour of Historic Krakow 9:00 - 12:00 PM On this 3 hour guided walking tour, you will discover the history and legends of old Krakow and gain an excellent overview of the city. The many layers of the city will be revealed to you as your guide points out medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture, and also shows you some of the city’s most well-known as well as most-overlooked churches and squares. You will learn about not only Krakow’s glory days many centuries past, but also about its more recent struggles during Nazism and Communism oppression, and how they left a mark on the city and its inhabitants. Included: Cost of the Private Guided Walking Tour.

Visit to Wawel Castle Early Afternoon Krakow’s dramatic castle is situated on top of Wawel Hill, a limestone hill rising above the Vistula River and the city. During the earliest days of Polish history a castle was built here and throughout the Medieval and Renaissance era it was an important residence of Poland’s rulers and a center of Christian inﬂuence. In addition to residing in the castle there, Polish kings were also coronated and then buried in the castle’s beautiful cathedral. Much of the carefully restored Royal palace is now open for tours, and you will also ﬁnd several important historical, archeological, and artistic collections within the castle. As the Medieval capital of Poland and the resting place of so many of its past rulers, Wawel Castle represents for many the very heart of the Polish nation. Krakow is not a “full service” Go Real Europe destination. Itineraries only provide a brief summary of attractions and very basic travel directions in Krakow. Entry costs into the interiors of sites is not included. 12

DAY 5

September 05, 2015

Krakow

(Hotel T.B.D.)

Self Guided Tour of Krakow’s Old Town Late Afternoon Krakow’s Old Town is the part of the city once contained within the historic Medieval walls. While the walls are now mostly gone, you will still discover a rich heritage of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture. The Market Square is one of the largest and most breathtaking town squares in all of Europe, and is lined by colorful Gothic buildings with Baroque facades. The two most famous attractions on the Market Square are St. Mary’s Basilica and the Cloth Hall. The magniﬁcent 600 year old basilica was built from a combination of red brick and stone, creating a striking appearance both in its exterior and interior. The Cloth Hall sits in the very center of the square, and today merchants sell hand made goods and souvenirs there. Krakow is not a “full service” Go Real Europe destination. Itineraries only provide a brief summary of attractions and very basic travel directions in Krakow.

DAY 6

September 06, 2015

Krakow

(Hotel T.B.D.)

Guided Bus Excursion to the Auschwitz Concentration Camp 8:30 - 2:00 PM There is no shortage of cruelty and evil to be found in human history, but the Holocaust stands out as perhaps the greatest of these evils, in both scale and conception. The Holocaust’s most signiﬁcant historical sites, the concentration camp of Auschwitz and its auxiliary camp of Birkenau, are located a little over an hour from Krakow. Auschwitz was designated by Heinrich Himmler as the place for the “ﬁnal solution to the Jewish question in Europe” and over 1 million Jews were murdered in Birkenau’s extermination factories. Many thousands of Poles, gypsies, and other groups persecuted by the Nazis were also murdered or worked to death in the camps. Your tour will take you beneath the wrought iron gates, with their ironic admonition that “Arbeit macht frei” (work makes you free), and into the vast guarded complexes where so much suffering occurred. It is a sobering and troubling visit, but at the same time it is a fascinating journey and a necessary reminder to all of us of the evil that mankind is still capable of exercising. THIS IS NOT A PRIVATE TOUR Included: Guided bus excursion, Standard visit to the Concentation Camps Auschwitz and Birkenau, Documentary movie about Auschwitz, Services of the Museum Guide, and Headphones.

Visit to the Schindler’s Factory Museum and the Former Jewish Ghetto Afternoon During World War II Oscar Schindler saved the lives of more than 1,100 Jews by employing them in his enamelware factory in Krakow. Until recently still used as a factory, the building now houses one of Europe’s most impressive new museums. It tells not only the story of Schindler and the Jews he protected, but of the wider experience of Krakow during World War II. You will experience the history from the perspective of the persecuted Jewish community in Krakow, as well as from the experience of other residents of Krakow, who also experienced terror and oppression during the war. You will even see some events from the perspective of the German occupiers. Using a combination of images, videos, music and street sounds, interviews, and artifacts, the experience of visiting the museum is both chilling and enlightening. It is a must for those interested in World War II history. Nearby, you can walk the streets of the former Jewish Ghetto, and also see how locals live today in the neighborhood of Podgórze. Just above the neighborhood, the pleasant forested park of Bednarskiego provides a respite from the city, and for those with extra energy, a walk up to the Krakus 14

DAY 6 Krakow

September 06, 2015 (Hotel T.B.D.)

Mound provides an excellent view of the city. Krakow is not a â&#x20AC;&#x153;full serviceâ&#x20AC;? Go Real Europe destination. Itineraries only provide a brief summary of attractions and very basic travel directions in Krakow. Entry to the museum is not included.

DAY 7 Krakow

September 07, 2015 (Hotel T.B.D.)

Guided Bus Excursion to the Salt Mines of Wieliczka 8:30 - 12:00 PM Wieliczka has been the site of Salt Mines since the Middle Ages. Over the centuries, miners created a subterranean world so fascinating that the mines are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will explore mine shafts, cavernous chambers, and underground saline lakes, all spread out over nine different levels reaching of depth of over 1000 feet. You will see the beautiful carving and statues the miners hewn into the salt rock, even visiting one cavern where a chapel was formed out of the rocky walls. You will also learn how mining technology has developed over time. This tour is not recommended for those who are claustrophobic or have diﬃcult walking. THIS IS NOT A PRIVATE TOUR Included: Guided bus excursion, Standard visit to the Mines, Elevator passage out of the Mines, and Headphones. Not included: Elevator passage into the mines.

Self Guided Tour of Kazimierz - Krakow’s Jewish Quarter Afternoon Krakow was once home to one of Europe’s largest and most inﬂuential Jewish communities - numbering over 60,000 residents at its height. While most of its residents were tragically killed in the Holocaust, they left behind a rich historical legacy, including numerous beautiful synagogues now open for visitors. The greatest concentration of Jewish heritage in Krakow is in the district known as Kazimierz. Originally founded as a separate town from Krakow, Kazimierz grew to become Krakow’s Jewish Quarter, although Christians have also always lived there as well. While most residents today are no longer Jewish, the remaining structures left behind by the Jewish community still indelibly mark the district as Krakow’s Jewish Quarter. Today, the quaint architecture and narrow streets of the district make it a popular locale for social life, and it offers an abundance of cafes, restaurants, and shops. You can also visit the Galacia Jewish museum, which attempts to recreate the distinct Jewish culture that left such a deep mark on southern Poland. If your itinerary does not include it separately, you may also want to ﬁt in a visit to the outstanding Schindler Factory Museum across the river. Krakow is not a “full service” Go Real Europe destination. Itineraries only provide a brief summary of attractions and very basic travel directions in Krakow.

DAY 8

September 08, 2015

Depart Krakow

Self-Arranged Drop off at Airport by Taxi, Depart Krakow To Be Determined Your hotel will be happy to arrange a taxi pick up for you and can give you an estimate of the price. If you are picked up two hours and 45 minutes prior to departure, you should have plenty of time to catch your ďŹ&#x201A;ight. If you are leaving during rush hour, you may want to budget an extra ten to ďŹ fteen minutes. The Included: Recommended Taxi Company, Information on taking a taxi or train to the airport. Not Included: Cost of the taxi or train fare.