Essential

Featuring Extraordinary Experiences: VIP Tour of the Monastery

Itinerary at a Glance:

Day 1 Arrival in Prague Day 2 Prague Day 3 Prague Day 4 Prague Day 5 Departure from Prague

Why Exeter International?

Our Experience At Exeter International we have been creating memories and crafting custom-designed journeys for 27 years. We are a team of specialists committed to providing the best travel experiences in our destinations. Each of our experts has either travelled extensively on reconnaissance trips, or has lived in their area of expertise, giving us unparalleled first-hand knowledge. Because we focus on specific parts of the globe, we return to the same destinations many times, honing our experience over the years.

Knowledgeable Up-to-the-Minute Local Information We are best placed to give you advice about traveling to Europe and beyond; from logistics and new protocols in museums, hotels and restaurants in each country. We are here to expertly guide you through the new normal in travel.

Original Custom Programs, Meticulously Planned Our experts speak your language both literally and culturally. Our advice and recommendations are impartial, honest, and always have the individual in mind. We save valuable time in pre-trip research and focus on developing experiences that enrich and enhance your experience. Once on your journey you will have complete peace of mind with our local 24-hour contact person who is on hand to coordinate any changes in your program or help you in the case of any emergency.

Hand-Selected Guides We know that guides are one of the most important components of any travel experience. That is why we only use local experts who have a history of working with our guests and whom we know personally. We are extremely particular in selecting our guides and are confident that they will be one of the most memorable aspects of any of our trips.

Flexible Deposit We prepay deposits for services so we can access the top guides, the best drivers and maintain preferred partnerships with our partner hotels. Our deposit to confirm services is 25% of the total trip cost. We want you to feel confident to book but also know that we are sensitive to current circumstances. Therefore, 15% of this deposit is refundable up to 31 days prior to departure if you are unable to travel for any reason. 10% of the deposit will be retained as a future travel credit for up to 3 years. Future travel will be priced at prevailing rates. If it is determined that you are unable to travel within 31 days of the start of services, all deposits paid will be converted to a future travel credit, less nonrefundable funds committed on your behalf and tickets such as train or theater tickets. This credit may also be applied to our sister travel companies: Almaz Journeys and Exeter Safari Company.

Financial Stability We are proud to be recognized by Allianz Insurance on their list of covered travel suppliers to give you additional peace of mind. Day 1

Arrival in Prague

Upon your arrival into Prague, you will be met and privately transferred to your hotel in the city center. If the weather is nice, your hotel’s rooftop lounge is the perfect spot to take in the gorgeous view of the city.

Perhaps more than any other city in Europe, Prague has kept its pre-modern charm. Spared the destruction of the Second World War, the ancient structures of the city still exist in their original state. Prague is a walking city as it was designed over many centuries for the pedestrian and the horse. The inner city lacks major avenues as found in Paris or Rome, giving the city its unique character.

Exeter Services Arrival Transfer

Hotel Aria Prague Day 2

Prague

This morning your guide and driver will meet you for an overview drive of some of Prague’s top sites. Drive by the famous Dancing House and through the historical area of Vysehrad, with its 10th-century fort. You will also observe modern local Czech life with a drive through the bustling residential area of , once covered by vineyards. You will then head towards the Castle District and Hradčany.

Exeter International Extraordinary Experience Today you have a VIP visit to the . Here, you will be invited into the two main halls of the library: The Philosophical Hall and the Theological Hall. These two halls are always viewed by the public through the narrow doorways at the end of each room, but you will be allowed to enter the rooms to walk alone among the ancient books and artifacts.

Included today will also be a visit to the complex. Here Maria Theresa commissioned the famous architect of the Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna, Nicholas Pacassi, to design the interior of the complex. This castle, designed with courtyards inside of courtyards, is a fascinating view into the lives of the Czech monarchy. You might want to step into the towering and wonderfully Neo-Gothic St. Vitus Cathedral inside the complex.

As a side note, the castle complex and the cathedral are often very crowded with lines because of the security measures in place. Once in the castle territory, if the line is daunting, skip the cathedral. You can then visit , also on the castle territory.

We love a visit to the Lobkowicz Palace to view the interesting exhibition The Princely Collection. This is a special treat, as the audio guide that you will use is recorded by Mr. himself. After the confiscation by the Nazis and later, the Communists, the palace has been returned to the , one of the most powerful Czech aristocratic families whose history goes all the way back to the 14th century. The Lobkowicz restored the palace into a wonderful private museum. The tour will give you an insight into their life and their collection of paintings, decorative art, porcelain sets, music scores (one with Mozart’s own handwritten notes), arms, and armors. Don’t miss the original score of Beethoven’s Eroica!

Your day will end in the Malá Strana or Little Quarter, which is best known for the Wallenstein Palace and Church of St. Nicholas. Also, it is here in the Malá Strana that you will find many charming restaurants and unique shops full of Bohemian glass and the marionettes that are so famous in Prague.

Note: Most touring today is on foot in largely pedestrian only areas. Please dress for comfort.

Exeter Services Vehicle & Driver (3 Hours); Guide (6 Hours)

Hotel Aria Prague Day 3

Prague

Today your guide will meet you in your hotel lobby and will and take you through Prague’s famous Jewish Quarter and the . Visit the historic synagogues, including the ancient Old-New Synagogue, which was built in the late 13th century, making it the oldest synagogue still in use in Europe. A personal favorite is the Pinkas Synagogue, which is now a memorial to the nearly 80,000 victims of the Holocaust from . Especially moving is the exhibition of children’s drawings from Terezín. While in the Jewish Quarter, you may decide to visit the Old Jewish Cemetery, founded in the late 15th century and still corresponding to its original medieval size. Over the centuries, more than 100,000 people are believed to have been buried here.

After your tour of the Jewish Quarter , your guide will take you through Prague’ s storybook Old T own. Y ou’ll want to see the beautiful expanse of the Charles Bridge but it’s a more magical experience to visit it very late or very early on your own, when it’s free of the souvenir stands and tourists. Your guide will give you a quick lesson of Prague’s history, evident in every building and small passage way of this 800 year old city. Be sure not to miss the fairytale-like Old Town Hall Tower (1364) that stands above Old Town Square- you can even go to the top of the tower for a splendid view over the district.

Finally, you will enter New Town- which is new because it was only founded in 1348! Here you can visit , were over the many centuries demonstrations of civil discontent have taken place. At the top of the square you will see the imposing building of the National Museum and the Monument to St Wenceslas, the patron of the Czech lands, by sculptor Josef Myslbek. As you stroll, our guide will point out some of the interesting sculptures in Prague

Enjoy this afternoon at your leisure to explore Prague on your own.

Exeter Services Guide (4 Hours)

Hotel Aria Prague Day 4 Option 1

Prague – Castle Day

Meet your driver and guide today to explore the countryside. Your destination today is the village of Karlštejn and its beautiful castle.

Karlštejn is an exceptional castle not only for its historical significance but also due to its robust structure and architecture. It was established in 1348 by the Czech and Roman King Charles IV who gave it a role of the treasury for the coronation insignia and the most valuable relics of the . Your visit today includes the historic interiors, but also the most valuable rooms of the medieval castle with original and unique decor.

Your visit also includes the Chapel of the Holy Cross - the spiritual heart of the castle and once of the Holy Roman Empire. The Chapel of the Holy Cross features a unique collection of wall paintings by Master Theodoric dating back to the 14th century. You will also see the replica of St. Wenceslas crown, the coronation crown of the Czech Kings, as well as many of the original furnishings that were used by King Charles IV himself.

Exeter Services Vehicle, Driver, & Guide (4 Hours)

Hotel Aria Prague Day 4 Option 2

Prague – Jewish Heritage

This morning meet your driver and guide for a trip to Terezín, approximately 45 minutes outside of Prague. On the way from Prague, if you’re interested, you can visit the New Jewish Cemetery. This Cemetery was established in 1891 when the Old Cemetery no longer had the space for the needs of the community. The cemetery is remarkable for its art nouveau tombstones with beautiful decorations. It is also here where the famous writer Franz Kafka was buried.

Just south of Terezín, you will visit the former Nazi concentration camp Theresienstadt. The buildings of the camp originally served as barracks for Austrian soldiers during the 18th and 19th centuries, before being used by the Nazis as a concentration camp.

The Nazis used the town in an attempt to influence international opinion; they tried to create the image of a “spa town” – renaming the streets, painting buildings, establishing stores and parks. The Ghetto Museum tells the tragic story of this town.

Exeter Services Vehicle, Driver, & Guide (5 Hours)

Hotel Aria Prague

Day 4 Option 3

Prague – Art Scene

Today your guide will take you to the Veltrzni Palace – the home of Prague’s contemporary art collection. Part of the National Gallery this is home to the Modern and Contemporary Art collection. The permanent exhibition covers the beginnings of the modern art in the 19th century, the Impressionism and Post-Impressionism and the main trends of the 20th century art. On display are, among others, excellent pieces by Munch, Klimt and Picasso as well works by renowned Czech artists.

Later, you will visit the Dox Centre for Contemporary Art. Located in a former factory, this is the largest institution in the focusing on contemporary art. It offers exhibition areas, a design shop, a performance center, a bookstore, and the unique Gulliver Airship on its roof. Exhibitions change throughout the year.

As time allows, spend the rest of your time with your guide and driver exploring some of the galleries and neighborhoods of – its creative and artistic district.

Exeter Services Vehicle, Driver, & Guide (4 Hours)

Hotel Aria Prague

Day 5

Departure from Prague

This morning check-out and meet your driver for your transfer to the airport for your onward flight. Cost of flight is not included in your program.

Exeter Services Departure Transfer What's Included

Cost of the Program:

April 1 – October 31 From $3,100 For two (2) guests traveling together November 1 – March 31 From $2,775 April 1 – October 31 From $2,275 For four (4) guests traveling together November 1 – March 31 From $1,950

All pricing is per person and based on double occupancy. Airfare is not included.

Accommodations Prague Deluxe Room for four (4) nights at the Aria Prague; tax and breakfast included.

This boutique hotel is situated in one of our favorite neighborhoods in Prague: Malá Strana. The hotel has a musical theme with a music library and even a music concierge. It has a lovely rooftop terrace overlooking one of the castle gardens and a fantastic restaurant serving modern Czech cuisine.

The hotel features just 51 rooms, all of which were renovated in 2018. They are spacious, and many suite possibilities exist. All rooms have complimentary Wi-Fi and all rooms are nonsmoking.

Deluxe Room: These rooms feature 250–325 square feet of space and all have one king bed. Rooms face either nearby St. Nicholas Church or the hotel’s Winter Garden Atrium.

Meals No meals included, other than breakfast as described above. Your final documents will include our top recommendations. Your guides will recommend restaurants that fit your exact needs daily.

Services Private vehicle, driver and guide at your service as described. The timing for each day is noted in your program.

Exeter International’s local offices are available for your assistance 24 hours per day while you are traveling. Our local staff may also assist you with restaurant reservations and purchasing of additional theater and museum tickets at your request.

Transportation Transportation is included as noted. Unless otherwise noted, all transfer service is with a driver only, not a guide. In general, drivers have limited English-speaking skills. Timing for each day is noted in your program.

Guides Hand chosen for their knowledge on local history, art, and architecture. Guides are at your disposal as noted in your itinerary.

Tickets All entrance tickets as described in the program.

Hotel Option: Augustine

Upgrade Cost:

April 1 – October 31 From $200 per person additional November 1 – March 31 From $220 per person additional

All pricing is per person and based on double occupancy.

Deluxe Room for four (4) nights at the Augustine; tax and breakfast included.

The Augustine is located in Prague's charming neighborhood of Mala Strana. The 101-room property has been created from a complex of five buildings, most of which are historical monuments. The largest and most important structure is St. Thomas's Monastery, which dates to the 1400s. Key historic features such as cloistered terraces, wooden ceilings, wine vaults and stone arches have been incorporated into the hotel design. Decor is a unique mix of contemporary and traditional that draws upon the wonderful Czech design of the early 20th century, making the Augustine one of few luxury hotels that offers a real sense of place.

The hotel features a restaurant with a beautiful courtyard setting to be enjoyed when weather permits. The hotel also features a fitness center and extensive spa services.

All rooms have been designed to reflect the monastic history and features of the hotel and combine contemporary furniture and design with traditional features. Decorative features are inspired by early 20th century Czech Cubism. Most rooms feature parquet flooring. Bathrooms are spacious and modern and offer heated floors and most have large walk-in showers.

Deluxe Room: The spacious Deluxe Rooms average 463 square feet of space, with lovely views of the city to the Lesser Town, the Monastery courtyard or the Sundial Garden. These rooms feature either a king or two twin beds. These rooms have elements of Czech Cubist design in the style of the room.

Hotel Option: Four Seasons

Upgrade Cost:

April 1 – October 31 From $875 per person additional November 1 – March 31 From $700 per person additional

Prague Deluxe Room for four (4) nights at the Four Seasons; tax and breakfast included.

Overlooking Charles Bridge and Prague Castle on the banks of the Vltava River, the Four Seasons Prague offers baroque architecture, 21st-century comforts, and intuitive Four Seasons service. The Four Seasons Hotel Prague features three historic buildings—the Neo-Classicist Building, the Neo-Renaissance Building, and the Baroque Building—united by the modern Main Building to create one architecturally unique structure. The Hotel’s 161 guest rooms, including 20 suites, are among the city’s largest. Located just across the river from the Castle District and Mala Strana, the Four Seasons is perfectly situated to explore the fairytale city of Prague.

All rooms at the Four Seasons have recently been renovated and feature a mix of décor. Most room categories have what Four Seasons calls “Modernista” décor, which is fresh and contemporary with touches of art deco. The Renaissance Rooms and most suites feature more classical décor. Each room features a very luxurious marble bathroom with a separate deep-soaking tub and shower and a separate water closet. Many rooms have floor to ceiling windows.

Deluxe Rooms: Deluxe Rooms are on all floors of the hotel and offer an option of a single king bed or two twin beds. The average square footage is 428 and all have views of the neighboring buildings of historic Prague.

Exeter Travel Info

BAGGAGE The vehicles reserved for your itinerary can accommodate up to two medium-sized suitcases per person. If you intend to travel with additional luggage, please advise your travel consultant so appropriate arrangements may be made. In general, we schedule a sedan for parties of two, a minivan for parties of three to four and a minibus for parties of five or more.

SIGHTSEEING Sightseeing arrangements have been made with your special interests in mind. Your drivers and guides are at your disposal as indicated in the itinerary. Within those time and mileage guidelines, you are free to modify your program as you please. Should you require additional time or mileage, the costs will be quoted on request and may be paid for locally in the local currency or U.S. Dollars.

Every effort has been made to confirm that scheduled sightseeing venues will be open at the time you plan to visit them. However, individual estates, museums, gardens and other points of interest can change their hours of operation at short notice. In the event that a particular attraction is closed on the day or time of your visit, your guide will offer alternative arrangements or rearrange your sightseeing to accommodate these unexpected events.

OPTIONAL EXPENSES Charges for extra meals, transport, sightseeing services or other optional additions to your established itinerary are your responsibility and must be paid locally in the local currency.

GRATUITIES Gratuities are not included in your tour price and are at your own discretion. Please see your final documents for tipping suggestions.

DINING WITH YOUR GUIDE On days when dinner and lunch costs have not been included in your itinerary (or in your tour cost), you may, at your discretion, choose to invite your guide to dine with your party. You are under no obligation to do so but, if you do extend such an invitation, the guide is your guest and you will be responsible for the cost of his/her meal.

REFUNDS We regret that refunds cannot be issued for arrangements confirmed on your itinerary but unused once your tour has begun.

INSURANCE Exeter International strongly recommends the purchase of travel insurance to protect your investment. You will find insurance costs noted on your invoice and insurance coverage information in your original booking packet.

PRICES AND ARRANGEMENTS The tour price includes planning, handling and operational charges. Rates are quoted in US Dollars on the current rate of exchange and tariff as of 2020. Exeter International reserves the right to increase tour prices to cover increased costs, tariffs and taxes, and to reflect fluctuations in foreign exchange markets. Devaluation of a foreign currency will be weighed against any tariff increases imposed. Exeter International does not breakdown costs involved in any Small Group or Individual Travel Program.

All arrangements are subject to availability and modification if necessary. Prices are subject to change if necessary until paid in full.

Exeter International www.Exeterinternational.com 111 South Dakota Avenue │ Tampa, Florida 33606 Phone: (813) 251-5355 │ (800) 633-1008 │ Fax: (813) 251-6685