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.
Participant Reviews
Based on 46 Reviews
SHOWING
Prague did not disappoint! A beautiful City with much to do and see. Dagmar was a terrific Group Leader. The people are very welcoming. I already knew I would be returning before my time was up. GO!
— Review left November 18, 2025
Prague is beautiful, welcoming, and walkable...I left feeling inspired by the national pride and resilience of the Czech people and more connected to my own heritage! The success and enjoyment of the trip is much credited to our guide, Marketa: she continually supported the group with expertise, flexibility, and sensitivity; her knowledge and passion were very evident and appreciated. The balance of structured and free time was just right. The personalized tour at the National Gallery and music at the Dvorak Museum were highlights. If one is inclined, planning an additional tour to Terezin is very worthwhile. Dekuju!
— Review left October 29, 2025
This program was a perfect mix of group and independent activities. We loved exploring our interests on our own using the tram system in Prague. Prague is the perfect city for lovers of architecture, art, and music!
— Review left October 8, 2025
What a beautiful city!
We had a wonderful guide (Hana) who helped us navigate the city and understand its history. Her remarkable candor concerning her life under the Soviet Union was both refreshing and informative. The SMEs for Architecture and Music were thorough, thoughtful, and packed with the kind of insights I'm used to receiving on these trips.
The Hotel and staff were excellent. Centrally located, comfortable, and with a complete breakfast menu. Tomas helped arrange transportation to and from the airport, and that was appreciated.
I can not say enough good things about Hana. The group we were in was very self-directed, and she had a light enough touch to keep us moving. She made several excellent suggestions for meals (Cafe Savoy!), the trams, and music. We attended several concerts there, all excellent in their own way. And we were given the time to roam on our own and discover the city.
Prague is a singular experience.
— Review left October 6, 2025
So excellent for increasing understanding of our world past, present, and future. Prague is a fascinating city with welcoming people and outstanding food. I recommend this trip.
— Review left September 29, 2025
Prague is a beautiful city and I loved every minute of it. Such fabulous museums and architecture. Marketa, our leader, was very knowledgable and helpful.
— Review left May 8, 2025
My husband and I loved the Independent Prague program. The city is stunning and the Road Scholar program brought everything to life! The history is fascinating and was presented in such and interesting way, through art, music, architecture and hands on learning through touring. We loved the people we met. We also really liked the independent time to explore on our own!
— Review left April 29, 2025
This was an exceptional trip. The city of Prague is a place of historical, architectural and musical riches. We had an excellent balance of scheduled tour time as well as time to explore on our own. The hotel was in a perfect location, a quiet residential street, rooms are spacious and clean. It was a lovely group, easygoing and curious, and we had a really exceptional leader in Daña. She not only showed us the sights but also made connections for us in terms of history and culture. She went above and beyond, offering a rich overview of major palaces, museums and some of Prague’s varied neighborhoods. Throughout the trip, she was impeccably organized and generóus with hér time and with what she shared, always open to questions, always patient. And she is brilliant as well, with a vast and deep knowledge of Prague’s past and present. I have to say that Road Scholar’s itinerary and hotel choices were excellent and the guide really sets the tone. Our group was fortunate to have Daña as the lead.
— Review left November 4, 2024
Independent Prague is an affordable way to experience one of Europe's most fascinating cities. It combines good structured programming with lots of free time for individual exploration.
— Review left October 26, 2024
This was my second Road Scholar program and I can’t say enough good things about it! Prague is a magical and amazing place and our guide Dana Ertelova shared all kinds of interesting info with us. When she discovered some of us were interested in Alphonse Mucha she went out of her way to show us his many influences on this fascinating city. I found the other travelers to be warm and friendly also, making this a double win for me as I was solo. Booking my next trip today ;)
— Review left October 23, 2024
Prague is a graceful city. I would say that between the cobblestone streets and steps everywhere, it would be difficult for folks with serious mobility limitations. The city is a lesson in the use of color, art, music and architecture to make a place a pleasure to visit.
— Review left October 21, 2024
Our trip to Prague—in one word fantastic! I learned so much about the city, its history and the people. I will recall this trip with great fondness. New friends and experiences.
— Review left October 14, 2024
I took my first road scholar trip to Prague for the arts and architecture program. I couldn’t be more happy with the trip. My group and our group leader were amazing. I learned so much and I can’t wait to take my next road scholar trip.
— Review left September 28, 2024
My trip to Prague was my first experience. I'll be a repeat participant.
— Review left May 23, 2024
Our guide, Misa was very kind and patient with us and very knowledgeable about Czech history. She went above and beyond her duties to help me arrange a heartfelt visit to my Grandmother's home village in the Czech Republic.
— Review left May 23, 2024
Independent Prague was one of the best vacations I have had. I very much enjoyed the culture and history lectures to prep us for our touring of Prague's beautiful buildings, art galleries, musical concerts, etc. There was enough free time to wander around to explore on your own. Certainly the small group made for easy friendly connections. Our program guide, Dagmar, is the best. She took such good care of us and has a terrific sense of humour.
— Review left March 28, 2024
Great Trip, great guide!
— Review left October 7, 2023
I could not have enjoyed my first Road Scholar experience more. The program was flexible and our group leader was kind, knowledgeable, and funny. Prague is a city worth learning about -- it has been a witness to, and sometimes in the crosshairs of, the most momentous history of the past century and more. The people remain charming and upbeat and proud of their country despite all they have lived through. Prague used to be another vague place name on a changing map of Europe. It is much more than that to me now.
— Review left October 4, 2023
Road Scholar knows what they are doing. Professional, clear and concise, flexible, and they communicate well. Our guide was excellent. We are already planning our next adventure!
— Review left September 26, 2023
This was a wonderful eight days, with a superb guide in Dagmar. The balance of presentations and organized outings with free time was perfect and the Hotel Petr was an ideal base, with a wonderful breakfast and helpful staff. I will treasure my memories of this trip in a beautiful historic city.
— Review left June 28, 2023
This program was, for me, the perfect balance of planned activities and free time. The planned activities were well chosen because they gave me a more enhanced experience than I would have gotten on my own. Equally terrific was the amount of free time, which allowed me to pursue my own interests. Public transportation in Prague is comprehensive, safe, easy to use, and free for persons 65 and over - perfect for free time exploration. I thought the program was an incredible value for the money and hope to take more “Independent City” excursions in the future. Well done, Road Scholar.
— Review left June 28, 2023
Our experience in Prague was extraordinary, even better than I expected. I had heard good things about Road Scholar before, and it really lived up to its reputation.
— Review left June 20, 2023
Excellent balance of guided tours, lectures, and free time! Wonderful experience!
— Review left June 20, 2023
Excellent program - fantastic guide, expert and passionate speakers and great accommodations. It couldn't be better!
— Review left June 19, 2023
This program is outstanding. I spent 10 days with delightful, easy-going people, learning fascinating new knowledge, with a balance of exertion and rest. I recommend Road Scholar wholeheartedly!
— Review left June 19, 2023
I learned so much on this tour of Prague. The expertise of our guide, Hana, and the wide range of locations we visited gave an in-depth look at a beautiful and very historic city!
— Review left May 21, 2023
I highly encourage you to take this trip! You will NOT regret it! An excellent value and wonderful experience!
— Review left April 29, 2023
Excellent trip! I learned so much about the history of the area as well as the music. Loved all of the concerts and especially the art deco Municipal House. Excellent group of travelers; very friendly and interesting. The mix of planned tours and free time was perfect for me!
— Review left April 27, 2023
Independent Prague: Architecture and the Arts was a wonderful, educational experience. It was my first tour with Road Scholar and my first group travel experience. The tour was well-structured so what we learned made our free time to explore much more meaningful. Our tour guide was phenomenal and our lectures were given by knowledge experts. The hotel was very nice with a lovely breakfast each morning and they offered us late-afternoon coffee selections. It was in a very good location which was quiet and near town. In my opinion, this tour was an all-around success. I look forward to planning my next one!
— Review left April 24, 2023
Outstanding trip, perfect balance of planned and unplanned time. I think the success of the trip had a lot to do with the efforts of our guide, Jana, who was indefatigable in doing her best to ensure that we all had a good time. This was my first Road Scholar trip but it definitely won't be my last.
— Review left November 25, 2022
I was lucky enough to recently take the Independent Prague: Architecture and the Arts tour of Prague. It was a wonderful experience. Our tour leader, Jana, was fabulous. It was a great experience and a memorable introduction to a beautiful city.
— Review left October 25, 2022
One of the most enchanting and beautiful of European capitals. Don't miss!
— Review left October 24, 2022
This was a great trip, beautiful city filled with art, architecture, and history. Our guide, Dagmar, was so knowledgeable. Local guides were also excellent. Don't miss the Lobcowicz Palace (we saw on our free time), optional tours of Kutna Hora and the Jewish Ghetto. Fellow travelers were wonderful, too! Lindy
— Review left October 10, 2022
An incredible city, a wonderful guide, an amazing trip!
— Review left October 6, 2022
The Prague program is a valuable help in learning more the history, art, architecture, religious history, and culture of this segment of Eastern Europe.
— Review left October 4, 2022
What a wonderful trip to Prague and our group leader Jana was excellent. As there were only 9 of us on this tour, we became fast friends and enjoyed our time together. On our free day Jana made reservations for 2 people to go to a concentration camp and six of us went with Jana to Kunta Hora which was a wonderful day out. All the tours and lectures were very interesting as we got to know Prague. Even though the Christmas Markets were not technically open, the feeling of the Christmas season and the decorations got us in the mood. Overall, a great value for money and I would say do it. While it states it is independent there were many included tours and enough free time to do what you wanted.
— Review left January 21, 2022
This is a well-planned program in a beautiful city!
— Review left December 18, 2021
This program was exceptional. Prague is a beautiful city. The program leader was delightful and knowledgeable. The lecturers were passionate and compelling. I highly recommend it.
— Review left September 27, 2021
Independent Prague is a great program, even in the December cold and damp. Our group was only nine quite compatible people, making the program even more special. The Hotel Petr is perfect, and the staff made all free time arrangements for us. I loved the independent nature of the program and plan to do more of this type of program: the lectures were excellent and provided us with the background we needed in art, music, and the 40 years Prague experienced under communism. The lecturers were indeed experts in their fields. The lecture on our last full day on Czech Music by Ouriana Menelaou culminated in a private concert at the Villa America--this was the highlight of the trip for me. I spent our "free" day in Terezin, with about 6 others of our group. Although I have read many books on the holocaust, actually visiting a concentration camp was very emotional and impactful. A great, great trip (and no single supplement!).
— Review left January 1, 2020
The independent Prague program was perfect. The tour guide gave you exact directions to get to places using the trams and subway. The hotel was perfect to get to the center of town and was in a quiet area. The lectures added to the appreciation of the city and I went to four concerts. Perfect
— Review left December 20, 2019
very informative and helpful.
— Review left December 17, 2019
The Arts and Architecture tour to Prague was so much fun and so informative! The city is simply breathtaking in its beauty. The food was good and there was so much to see and learn about. What a pleasing trip this was!
— Review left October 22, 2019
Prague is a beautiful city, but I had some issues with this tour. First, the main guide, Sona, was a little hard to understand and would benefit from work on her pronunciation, vocabulary, and even knowledge of the city, as sometimes she could not answer questions. At times Sona was not fully organized, such as not giving forewarnings about when to be ready, what to bring, and when to get off the tram. There were some activities where Tomas, Jr. did not come along for backup, and some of the participants had to rely on one another for assistance on stairs.
Second, Zuzana, the instructor for our art lecture and trip to the Convent of St. Agnes, spoke very haltingly, saying "uh" four or five times in most of her sentences and spending the preponderance of her time on her first few topics. She was very knowledgeable, but apparently needs to practice her lecture. Dita, the music instructor, had many of the same problems to a lesser degree, but played the piano beautifully. Tomas, Sr., gave an outstanding lecture on European Integration. His talk was extremely interesting, well- paced, and polished. Our guide at the Municipal House was also excellent.
Our hotel rooms were large and had plenty of storage space. The mattresses in my room were deeply valleyed, however, so I slept on the couch. I also found the breakfast bread and cold cuts to be of poor quality, and two of the provided lunches that we had in the hotel had limited protein. The wifi was a little slow, making Skyping difficult at times.
I was very pleased that we were provided with a list of musical events occurring during our stay. The hotel also offered several guided excursions for our free time, but without a clear description or alternatives offered by other companies. Other participants were pleased with the convenience, but I felt the hotel was taking advantage and that this was borderline unethical, certainly not anything I have experienced on other Road Scholar tours.
— Review left September 25, 2019
This tour is the perfect mixture of seeing the city with a group and having enough free time to see sites that are of special interest to you.
— Review left June 5, 2019
Perfect blend of education and independent time
— Review left March 18, 2019
Excellent basic hotel.
Owner frequently on site and approachable. He is life long resident of Prague and presents one or more of the lectures.
Hotel is older structure renovated/remodeled after political situation changed. Basic but very clean and well maintained. Did not need a/c due to season so not sure of that option. Large stairway accesses upper floors and elevator stops at landing area between floors so access to a floor is either by walking down one floor or walking up. Hotel did bring luggage up or down, I believe, for those who requested that option.
Multiple options for classical performances in Prague - city center.
Prague’s bus and tram system located nearby and many locations can be accessed easily.
A hotel affiliated travel rep is on site many days and will recommend options for travel, restaurants or classical performances during free time. I tried a “taste of Prague “ tour that he had referred some other guests to previously and was very satisfied. Went back to two of the restaurants we visited again during my stay using tram service. Would never have found these restaurants as they were not in the normal “tourist” paths but were in completely safe areas.
— Review left February 17, 2019