15
An Adventure in Europe Specially created for Jane Example and John Example Itinerary Preview Prague and Berlin September 01 – September 08, 2015 A Custom Itinerary designed by Go Real Europe Copyright 2015

54b3eb03960fd pragueandberlin2015 1 9

Embed Size (px)

DESCRIPTION

http://www.gorealeurope.com/userdata/articles/1418740592/54b3eb03960fd-pragueandberlin2015-1-9.pdf

Citation preview

An Adventure in EuropeSpecially created for Jane Example and John ExampleItinerary PreviewPrague and BerlinSeptember 01 – September 08, 2015

A Custom Itinerarydesigned by Go Real EuropeCopyright 2015

ITINERARY OVERVIEWMembers of the Travel Group: Jane Example and John Example1. 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 Overviewfrom the Old Town Hall Tower • Guided Walking Tour of the Prague Cas-tle and the Royal Coronation Route

Pre-Paid Transportation:• 2nd Class Train Tickets from Prague toBerlin• 2nd Class Train Tickets from Prague toBerlin

• Public Transport Tickets for Prague• Private Transfer from Airport to Hotel• Private Transfer to the Rail Station inPrague

Pre-Paid Hotels, including Daily Breakfast:• 4 nights in the (Hotel T.B.D.) in Prague • 3 nights in the (Hotel T.B.D.) in Berlin

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

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

Total Trip Cost for AllTravelers: N/AePlease see payment detailsand travel conditions here.

ITINERARY CONTENTS1 September 01, 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4Arrival in Prague, Private Transfer to Hotel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4Self Guided Visit to Prague’s Old Town . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4Vltava River Cruise and City Overview from the Old Town Hall Tower . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

2 September 02, 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6Guided Walking Tour of the Royal Route and Prague Castle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6Self Guided Tour of Prague Castle, Hradčany, and Strahov Monastery . . . . . . . . . . . . 6Self Guided Tour of Prague’s Little Quarter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

3 September 03, 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8Self Guided Tour of the Old Jewish Quarter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8Self Guided Tour of Prague’s New Town . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8Concert or Other Cultural Event in Prague . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

4 September 04, 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10Self-Guided Excursion to Castle Karlštejn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10Self Guided Stroll through the Fortress of Vyšehrad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

5 September 05, 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11Private Transfer to the Prague Main Train Station . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11Rail Journey to Berlin with a Stop in Dresden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11Arrival at Berlin Main Train Station and transfer to Hotel by Taxi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

6 September 06, 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12Self Guided Visit to the Dorotheenstadt (Berlin Mitte) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12Self Guided Visit to the Tiergarten . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12Self Guided Visit to Potsdamer Platz and Checkpoint Charlie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

7 September 07, 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14Self Guided Visit to the Museum Island and Alexanderplatz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14Stroll along the Kurfürstendamm and to the Memorial Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

8 September 08, 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15Self-Arranged Taxi Transfer to Berlin Airport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

3

DAY 1Arrive Prague

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

Arrival in Prague, Private Transfer to HotelTo Be Determined

We will schedule a pick up for your flight’s arrival time. You will be metin the terminal by an English speaking driver holding a sign with yourname on it. Most of the drivers we use are ex-pats who will give yougood Prague tips during your ride to the hotel. The ride is for yourparty only - you will not be sharing a vehicle. The cost of the ride willbe included in your itinerary package.Included: Private Transfer to your hotel. Information on passportcontrol, customs, and other arrival info.Self Guided Visit to Prague’s Old Town

Afternoon

TOP SITES:OLD TOWNHALL & CLOCK TOWER, KARLOVA STREET, CHURCHOF OUR LADY OF TYNA visit to Old Town (Staré Město) transports you to an entirely dif-ferent era. A labyrinth of twisting cobblestone lanes and alleys sur-round Old Town Square, which has been Prague’s municipal centersince the Middle Ages. The Square is lined by magnificent churchesand imposing Renaissance palaces. Most notable are the Old TownHall, with its famed astronomical clock drawing large crowds at theturn of each hour, and the Tyn Church, with a multitude of spires thatseem to sprout like leaves from its towers. As you wander through theOld Town, you will discover numerous other delights, including severalbeautiful churches, a plentiful supply of cozy cafes and pubs, and anoutdoor market dating back to the Middle Ages. You could explorefor days in this charming district and still not uncover all of its hiddenwonders.Included:Travel directions, tips, and information on the area. Mapmarked with attractions, restaurants, and other points of interest inthe area.

Vltava River Cruise and City Overview from the OldTown Hall Tower5:00 - 6:30 PM

This tour begins with an ascent to the tower of the Prague Old TownHall by elevator. From there you will have a panoramic view of Prague’shistoric center. Your breath will be taken away as you admire the sightof the expansive Old Town Square below you and gaze down at the

4

DAY 1Arrive Prague

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

surrounding red rooftops and the maze of tiny streets. The guide willorientate you to the city’s geography and give you a brief introductionto its history. After descending the tower the guide lead you on ahidden route through the courtyards of a former monastery to reachthe Charles Bridge. From there you will board a small boat for a shortcruise on the Vltava. There is perhaps no better way to get a true senseof Prague’s beauty than from a boat making its way down the VltavaRiver. Beautiful buildings crowd the river’s edge, a series of statelybridges cross it, and the imposing Prague castle and pretty forestedhills rise above it. As you enjoy a complimentary drink, you will havean opportunity to relax and soak it all in, appreciating magical Pragueat its grandest.Included: Guide services, entry and elevator tickets for Old TownHall Tower, short boat cruise in center of Prague (<1hr). Not Included:Long boat cruise, dinner cruise.

5

DAY 2Prague

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

Guided Walking Tour of the Royal Route and PragueCastle9:30 - 12:30 PM

On this charming guided walk you will explore the Prague Castle, thelargest castle complex in all of Europe. To reach the castle you willtrace the Royal Coronation Route and cross the Charles Bridge, whose“speaking stones” reveal the amazing and often cruel history that hasoccurred there. You will pass through the enchanting Little Quarter,and take a tram up the hill to the nearly eleven hundred year old PragueCastle. Your tour will then take you through the castle courtyards andinto 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 ahundred 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, andStrahov Monastery

Early Afternoon

TOP SITES: ST. VITUS CATHEDRAL, GOLDEN LANE, LOBKOWICZ PALACE,STRAHOV MONASTERY, LORETOPrague Castle is the most visited destination in Prague, and forgood reason. The castle’s history stretches back over a 1000 years,and it has served as the seat of government for Bohemian kings, HolyRoman Emperors, and presidents of Czechoslovakia. It is now the seatof government of the Czech Republic, so you will encounter militaryhonor guards rigidly standing guard at the castle entrances. The cas-tle sits impressively perched on a hill overlooking the city, providing abreathtaking and romantic view. The castle is actually an entire com-plex of palaces, churches, and fortifications representing almost everyarchitectural period of the last millennium, including the dramatic St.Vitus Cathedral, the historical seat of Prague’s archbishop. In the cas-tle’s surrounding neighborhood, known as Hradčany, you will discoverbeautiful gardens, a dazzlingly restored monastery, and more.Included: Travel directions, tips, and information on the area. Mapmarked with attractions, restaurants, and other points of interest inthe area.

6

DAY 2Prague

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

Self Guided Tour of Prague’s Little QuarterLate Afternoon

TOP SITES: CHARLES BRIDGE, NERUDOVA STREET, ST. NICHOLAS CHURCH,WALLENSTEIN PALACE AND GARDENSThe Little Quarter is a quaint yet lively quarter of Prague tightlynestled on the slope and river bank beneath the Prague Castle. Whileit may be small, the Little Quarter played an important role in Prague’shistory. It is filled with the homes of medieval and renaissance nobilitywho wanted to live as closely as possible to the castle. Picturesqueside streets, beautiful churches, and impressive Baroque architectureall abound within the Little Quarter. The Little Quarter is connected tothe rest of the city by the Charles Bridge, the city’s most well-knownicon. No trip to Prague is complete without a visit to the bridge. Youwill also find the peaceful island of Kampa Park, which is a pleasantplace for a stroll and offers a great chance to take in a view of Praguefrom the river bank. Nearby, the Wallenstein Palace Gardens offer apeaceful yet fascinating retreat from the city bustle.Included: Travel directions, tips, and information on the area. Amap marked with attractions, restaurants, and other points of interestin the area.

7

DAY 3Prague

September 03, 2015(Hotel T.B.D.)

Self Guided Tour of the Old Jewish QuarterMorning

TOP SITES: JEWISH CEMETERY, OLD-NEW SYNAGOGUE, SPANISH SYNA-GOGUE, CONVENT OF ST. AGNESSome of Prague’s earliest residents were Jewish, and their long his-tory in the city endowed it with a rich heritage of Jewish culture. Me-dieval church prohibitions against money-lending resulted in the Jewsplaying an important role in financing Bohemian kings and nobility, andthus an important role in the city’s economy. The Jewish ghetto, nowknown as the Jewish Quarter, was created in the twelfth century, asJews were forced by decree to live separately from Christians and closeto Old Town Square. Despite continued severe persecution, whichsometimes escalated to murderous mob attacks on the ghetto, theJewish community in Prague prospered over the long term. Sadly, onlya small minority of Prague’s Jews survived the Nazi occupation, andtoday’s Jewish community is only a shadow of its former self. They leftbehind, however, a lasting legacy for you to explore, including syna-gogues, architecture, and a fascinating cemetery.Included: Travel directions, tips, and information on the area. Mapmarked with attractions, restaurants, and other points of interest inthe area.

Self Guided Tour of Prague’s New TownAfternoon

TOP SITES: WENCESLAS SQUARE, MUNICIPAL HOUSE, SHOPPING ONNA PŘIKOPĚ STREETDespite being nearly 700 years old, the New Town (Nové Město)is the youngest of the original five independent towns that made upMedieval Prague. In one sense however, the New Town is new. In thelate 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 marketsaround which it was planned - Wenceslas Square (Vaclavské Náměstí).The square, which could also be described as a wide boulevard, isthe 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. Youcan also visit one of the world’s most beautiful art-nouveau buildings -the Municipal House.Included: Travel directions, tips, and information on the area. Mapmarked with attractions, restaurants, and other points of interest inthe area.

8

DAY 3Prague

September 03, 2015(Hotel T.B.D.)

Concert or Other Cultural Event in PragueEvening

A trip to a concert or other performance in the Czech Republic is a treaton many levels. Czech musicians, dancers, and actors are some of theworld’s best, and are the product of a long-lasting national obsessionwith the arts. In fact, prior to Czech independence, the arts were one ofthe only outlets available to express Czech national pride and identity,which is one reason why today Prague has more theater and concertseats per resident than any other city in the world. With so muchof the city’s pride and wealth poured into their concert venues, theexquisite details of the performance halls and foyers will make theexperience even more special and rewarding. A Prague concert guidewith information on choosing a performance and reserving tickets isprovided to Go Real Europe clients.Concert is not included. At your request, we can help you selecta performance and puchase tickets for you. A 4% transaction fee anda $17 USD booking fee is added to the cost of the tickets (applied pertravel party, not per person). In cases where the ticket must be pickedup at a ticket office in advance and mailed to you, there is an additional$50 fee.

9

DAY 4Prague

September 04, 2015(Hotel T.B.D.)

Self-Guided Excursion to Castle KarlštejnMorning / Early Afternoon

Karlštejn, i.e. Charles’ Stone Castle, is the most famous castle in theCzech Republic. The fairy-tale perfect castle was founded by KingCharles IV in 1348 to guard his royal treasures. It’s massive towers andwalls are spread out over a series of rocky peaks above the BerounkaRiver and commands striking views of the surrounding hills. The castleis located about 45 minutes from Prague, and is reached by a train tripthrough a scenic river valley. From the train station you take a windingpath up a hill, which is lined by shops, restaurants, and stands sellingtraditional Czech snacks, making the trip to the castle half the fun.Included: Detailed travel directions for a stress free train trip toKarlštejn Castle. Not Included: Round trip train fare (about $8), tourof 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 11thto the 12th centuries. The castle was founded in the 900’s AD andholds a strategic position on a hill overlooking the Vltava River andthe city of Prague. Today its park-like grounds create a great place toget away from the crowds and experience Czech history in a naturalsetting. In the 17th century Vyšehrad became an important center forthe armies of the Habsburg Empire, and they built ramparts, walls, andgates around the fortress. Today walking along the ramparts affordswonderful views of the city and river, and you also have the option todescend beneath the ramparts to the huge cavernous halls were thetroops assembled. The fortress also contains a beautiful cemetery withan art-nouveau arcade. Many Czech national heroes are buried here,such as the composer Dvořák.Included: Travel directions, tips, and information on the area. Mapmarked with attractions, restaurants, and other points of interest inthe area.

10

DAY 5Prague to Berlin

September 05, 2015(Hotel T.B.D.)

Private Transfer to the Prague Main Train Station7:30 AM

A private transfer service will pick you up from the (Hotel T.B.D.) anddeliver you to the Prague Main Train Station (Praha hl.n). Your itinerarywill provide detailed information on navigating the train station andfinding your train, making the whole process simple and stress free.Included: Private transfer to the train station, Instructions on find-ing your train.Rail Journey to Berlin with a Stop in Dresden

08:29 – 10:45 by Rail and 19:04 – 21:15 by Rail

Tickets and seat reservations for this rail journey are included in thepurchase of the itinerary package. Detailed directions and instructionsthat make the trip easy and stress free are also included in the FullItinerary. The itinerary will also tell you which sights to look out foron your journey through three scenic regions - Bohemia, Saxony, andBrandenburg. As an added bonus, we will purchase tickets for thePrague to Dresden and Dresden to Berlin legs separately, meaning youwill several hours to explore the enchanting Saxon capital of Dresden.The city had a long history as a royal residence of the Kings of Saxony,who were prince electors of the Holy Roman Empire. They transformedtheir home over the centuries into a splendid architectural jewel. Be-cause of its fascinating baroque and rococo city center, Dresden wasoften called “Florence on the Elbe”.Included: Tickets, seat reservations, and detailed information onyour train journey. Detailed travel information about Dresden is alsoprovided.Arrival at Berlin Main Train Station and transfer toHotel by Taxi

9:15 PM

Berlin taxis are generally reliable and honest, so this is cheaper than apre-arranged transfer. If you are picked up one hour prior to departure,you should have plenty of time to catch your train.MORE DETAILED DEPARTURE INFORMATION FOR MAKING YOURWAY FROM THE TAXI STAND TO THE DEPARTURE PLATFORM IS PRO-VIDED WITH THE PURCHASE OF AN ITINERARY PACKAGE

11

DAY 6Berlin

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

Self Guided Visit to the Dorotheenstadt (Berlin Mitte)Morning

The Dorotheenstadt lies in the historic heart of the city and the politi-cal center of Germany. The Reichstag, the building which houses theGerman Parliament, is located here. It is topped by a egg-shaped glassdome which is open to the public. You can look down on the debat-ing lawmakers beneath, or look out upon beautiful views of the city.You will encounter the city’s most iconic image, the Brandenburg Gate.Once the main entrance to Berlin, then later a symbol of its division, itis now a symbol of the city and nation’s reunification. At nearly 200 foottall it is an impressive site to behold. The gate leads into the Unter denLinden. This tree-lined boulevard is Berlin’s central axis and is crowdedwith important and historic buildings.Berlin is not a “full service”GoReal Europe destination. Itinerariesonly provide a brief summary of attractions and very basic travel direc-tions in Berlin.Self Guided Visit to the Tiergarten

Early Afternoon

Once the hunting ground of the Prussian dukes and kings, the Tier-garten is Berlin’s most famous and expansive park. It is a wonderfulescape from urban stress located in the very center of the city. You willdiscover beautiful forests, fields, and ponds, all easily reached throughan extensive and well maintained network of trails. In the center of thepark lies the Victory Column. Built as a memorial to Prussian victoriesin the 19th century, it is now a visitor favorite. A 285-step climb leadsup to a viewing platform with unobstructed views of the park and thecity. Germany’s oldest zoo is also located in the Tiergarten, and is wellworth a visit.Berlin is not a “full service”GoReal Europe destination. Itinerariesonly provide a brief summary of attractions and very basic travel direc-tions in Berlin.Self Guided Visit to Potsdamer Platz and CheckpointCharlie

Late Afternoon

Potsdamer Platz is one of Berlin’s hippest new areas. Historically it wasone of the most important commercial and entertainment centers ofBerlin, but it was completely leveled during World War II. It was thenbisected by the Berlin Wall during the Cold War, becoming a lifeless

12

DAY 6Berlin

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

area. When the wall came down, Potsdamer Platz became a symbol ofthe reunited Berlin, and a tremendous amount of investment went intoits rebuilding. Today you can find restaurants, shopping malls, bars,and other establishments that constantly attract locals to the area. Ahighlight is the Sony Center, a complex of entertainment, shopping,and office buildings surrounding a plaza covered by a unique, tent-like roof. About half a mile from the Potsdamer Platz you will findCheckpoint Charlie, a poignant reminder of the Cold War. Along theway you will see remnants of the Berlin Wall, and although it is not wellsigned, the WWII command bunker where Hitler met his end is alsolocated here.Berlin is not a “full service”GoReal Europe destination. Itinerariesonly provide a brief summary of attractions and very basic travel direc-tions in Berlin.

13

DAY 7Berlin

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

Self Guided Visit to the Museum Island andAlexanderplatzMorning

In the middle of the Spree River lies one of the world’s most impres-sive collections of museums - Berlin’s Museum Island. This UNESCOWorld Heritage site is home to five museums. A must for any historylover is the Pergamon Museum. It holds a spectacular collection of an-cient and classical art and architecture, including whole reconstructedbuildings! To the east of the Museum Island lies the Alexanderplatz.This square was once the center of East Berlin, and was rebuilt in the1960’s as a showcase of Communist urban planning and architecture.Towering above the Alexanderplatz is the Fernsehturm, a 1,200 foottall television tower provides incredible panoramic views of the city.Berlin is not a “full service”GoReal Europe destination. Itinerariesonly provide a brief summary of attractions and very basic travel direc-tions in Berlin.Stroll along the Kurfürstendamm and to theMemorial Church

Afternoon

In the 1920’s the elegant, tree-line boulevard known as the Kurfürsten-damm was the center of Berlin’s nightlife and leisure scene, attractingwriters, film stars, and artists. Once Berlin was divided by Communismthe Kurfürstendamm became the commercial heart of West Berlin; thecity’s own Champs-Élysées. Even after the fall of the Berlin Wall, itremains a favorite destination for Berliners for shopping, dining, andcafés, and in some ways is still the true center of Berlin. At the eastend of the Kurfürstendamm, you will discover a chilling reminder ofthe destructiveness of war. The Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gadächtnis-Kirche, isa former church originally built as a memorial to the Kaiser Wilhelm I.The church was mostly destroyed in World War II, and what remainsnow is the tower, jaggedly shorn of its upper reaches. Nearby youwill also discover the famous KaDeWe, the gigantic department storewhich served as a symbol of Westernmarket capitalism during the ColdWar.Berlin is not a “full service” Go Real Europe destination. Itinerariesonly provide a brief summary of attractions and very basic travel direc-tions in Berlin.

14

DAY 8Depart Berlin

September 08, 2015

Self-Arranged Taxi Transfer to Berlin AirportTo Be Determined

Berlin taxis are generally reliable and honest, so taking a taxi is cheaperthan a pre-arranged transfer. Your hotel will be happy to arrange a pickup for you. If you are picked up about 3 hours before your departuretime, you should arrive at the airport with a little over two hours tospare. If you are leaving during rush hour, you may want to budget anextra fifteen minutes or so.Included: Advice on taking a taxi to the airport. Not included:Cost of Taxi Fare

15