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Czech Republic

Independent Prague: Architecture and the Arts

Program No. 9952RJ
Discover an insider’s appreciation for Prague, gaining a comprehensive understanding of art, architecture and history as you explore this city with local scholars and resident experts.
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Independent City DiscoveriesSmall GroupCity Discoveries
Length
9 days
Rating (4.86)
Activity Level
Starts at
1,899
Special Offer
Flights start at
1,050

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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
9 days
8 nights
What's Included
11 meals ( 7B, 2L, 2D )
2 expert-led lectures
6 expert-led field trips
1 performance
An experienced Group Leader
7 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
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Activity Note
Hotel check-in available from 2:00 p.m. Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 11 miles, over 1/2 hour riding time (depending on traffic).
Afternoon:
After checking in to the hotel and getting your room, take some time to freshen up and relax before our Orientation session. Orientation: 5:00 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. We will learn from the Group Leader and a series of local experts, who will give lectures and lead field trips. Program-related travel and transfers will be via bus and public transport unless noted otherwise. Breakfasts are served in the hotel dining room; other meals are in local restaurants or on your own.. Time is set aside for a significant amount of personal independent exploration. Be sure to bring a copy of your passport with you on the program. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
We will follow our Group Leader on a walk for a short introduction to the area. Returning to the hotel, the remainder of the evening is at leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach and public transportation; driving about 6 miles, under 1 hour riding time (depending on traffic). Walking up to 3 miles and standing, approximately 3 hours; city streets, cobblestones, some stairs to negotiate.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will be joined by a local expert for an illustrated lecture about some of the oldest styles of architecture in Prague. We’ll see visual examples of everything from Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque architecture up to the present day. We’ll also hear the stories that surround Prague’s incredible monuments. The detailed information we receive will prepare us for our expert-led and independent explorations of Prague and its built environment. We will board a motorcoach with our Group Leader who will provide commentary during an introductory ride around the city.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After lunch we will continue to witness the historical center of Prague traveling by bus and by walking through its city streets. We will pass the elegant Paris Street (Parizska Street) with its Art Nouveau houses, see the fascinating Jewish Ghetto, and even enjoy a short break in front of the astronomical clock. We will also see the historic Charles Bridge, which was once the only way to cross the Vltava River and connect the Old Town to Prague Castle. For independent exploration later in our program, we will learn how to use local public transportation.
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 4 miles approximately 1/2 hour riding time. Walking about 1 mile and standing, approximately 3 hours; uphill/downhill, uneven stone, stairs. NOTE: New safety rules and regulations for entry into Prague Castle require that we show a copy of our passports before entering.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will set out by motorcoach for a field trip to explore Prague Castle, home of Bohemian kings and a textbook of Prague architecture itself. Standing tall amidst the magnificent Hradcany (Castle District) is Prague Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site which – at about 110 acres – is reputed to be the largest ancient castle in the world. Generations of Prague’s architecture will unfold before us as we explore the complex with a local expert, including the Saint Vitus Cathedral and the Old Royal Palace.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After returning from lunch, we will continue exploring the Prague Castle in the early afternoon. We will then have free time for independent exploration.
Dinner:
On your own to enjoy the cuisine of your choice. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 4 miles, under 1 hour riding time (depending on traffic). Walking up to 1 mile and standing, approximately 2.5 hours; stairs at gallery. Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will board a motorcoach and ride to the Trade Fair Palace, a gallery of magnificent art from the 20th and 21st centuries. A local expert will lead our walking exploration.
Lunch:
On your own to have what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Afternoon:
Free time. This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Please note that the period scheduled for free time is subject to change depending on local circumstances and opportunities for independent exploration.
Dinner:
On your own to have what you like.
Evening:
At leisure. For tomorrow’s day of independent exploration, the Group Leader will assist in planning according to individual interests so that we get the most out of our day.
Activity Note
Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will be joined by a local expert whose personal understanding of the topics of our lecture will deepen our understanding about the impact of communist rule, changes following the fall of the Iron Curtain, and the challenges of European integration.
Lunch:
On your own.
Afternoon:
Free time. This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Please note that the period scheduled for free time is subject to change depending on local circumstances and opportunities for independent exploration. We will have a detailed handout with suggestions for independent exploration such as the Old Jewish Cemetery – Europe’s oldest Jewish burial ground – or the Old-New Synagogue, a surviving monument of Prague’s Jewish Town and one of Prague’s first Gothic buildings.
Dinner:
On your own.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 3 miles, approximately 1/2 hour riding time. Walking about 1 mile; standing approximately 2.5 hours; some stairs. Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will board public transport and ride to Municipal House where a local expert will lead our exploration. This masterpiece of Art Nouveau design was constructed from 1905 to 1911. We will see Smetana Concert Hall and private reception rooms that are outstanding examples of Art Nouveau interiors.
Lunch:
On your own to try restaurants in the area.
Afternoon:
Free time. One of the appealing possibilities for independent exploration is Kampa Island, located near the Charles Bridge in the center of Prague. Separated from the Lesser Town by a channel called Devil’s Stream, Kampa is the perfect place to spend a relaxing afternoon amid old mills that are preserved here and charming houses that border the water’s edge.
Dinner:
Explore area restaurants on your own.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; walking/standing up to 4 hours throughout the day.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
At the hotel, we will take in a short introduction to Czech composers, such as Smetana and Dvorak, from our Group Leader. We will also learn about Mozart’s stay in Prague. We will then set out on a visit to the Antonin Dvorak Museum by motorcoach. An expert will lead us through this Baroque villa with its permanent exhibition on Dvorak’s life and work.
Lunch:
On your own to have what you like.
Afternoon:
We will have some time for further independent exploration on our last afternoon in Prague. In the late afternoon, we will regroup and ride to the Clementinum Church near Charles Bridge, for a concert of classical music.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
Returning to the hotel, we will gather for a reception and say farewell to Prague. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 11:00 a.m. See your program’s “Getting There” information regarding transfers.
Breakfast:
At the hotel. This concludes our program.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to like our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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