Prague – Vienna from Thessaloniki

We’ll have a good breakfast and then begin our tour of the city. On our tour, we’ll see the Kunsthaus, a complex of buildings in an abstract style, and the Baroque Belvedere Palace complex of Prince Eugene of Savoy, which today serves as an art gallery featuring works by modern artists and those of the Modernist movement. We continue to Karlplatz, where the Church of St. Charles Borromeo and the Palace of the Society of Friends of Music are located, and enter the famous Ringstrasse (the ring road encircling the historic center). We’ll see the State Opera House, the Hofburg Imperial Winter Palace complex, the twin museums of Art History and Natural History, the Museum Quarter, the Parliament, the former Imperial Theater across from City Hall, the University, and the Votivkirche (Votive Church). We’ll walk through the historic Greek neighborhood with the Greek Orthodox churches of St. George and the Holy Trinity, and as we make our way on foot through the historic center, with the famous St. Stephen’s Cathedral, and end up at City Hall Square. Then we’ll head to one of Europe’s most important attractions, the famous Schönbrunn Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It served as the summer residence of the Habsburgs from the late 17th century until 1918. There, we’ll have a little time outside in the palace gardens to take some souvenir photos. We’ll continue on to Belvedere Palace, which combines Baroque architecture, imperial gardens, and one of the most important art collections in Europe. The lake in front of the palace reflects the lights, and together with the autumnal gardens, it creates a truly magical setting. Return to the hotel.

Right after breakfast, we’ll set off for Prague. This beautiful city is situated on the Vltava River in central Bohemia and is aptly called “the Golden City” and “the Mother of Cities.” It is no coincidence that, since 1992, Prague’s historic center has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Upon arrival, we’ll immediately begin our tour of Europe’s most significant architectural landmark. We’ll start at the cosmopolitan Old Town Square. You’ll find yourself here many times, and you’ll immediately understand why. On our walk, we’ll see beautiful buildings, old palaces such as the Kinski Palace, the imposing Basilica of Our Lady of Týn—known for its two towers, Adam and Eve—and the Church of St. Nicholas. We’ll admire the Jewish Quarter with its old and new synagogues, the Old Town Hall with its famous astronomical clock, the New Town Hall, and arrive at the famous Charles IV Stone Bridge. Next, we’ll see the Powder Tower, Wenceslas Square—a gathering place for Prague residents—and the imposing building that houses the Natural History Museum. Afterward, we’ll transfer to the hotel and check in.

In the evening, you can have dinner at a nice restaurant or a traditional Czech beer hall serving local specialties. Try a cocktail (or a few more) at a club or one of the city’s famous jazz pubs. Our guide will be there to provide you with all the necessary information.

We’ll enjoy a good breakfast at the hotel, and our tour will begin with two of Prague’s most important landmarks: the Strahov Monastery and the Loreto, one of the country’s most popular pilgrimage sites. We’ll continue with a tour of Castle Hill (Hrant Sani), the city’s Acropolis, which crowns the hill of Mala Strana. We’ll see Schwarzenberg Palace, the former palace of the Bohemian kings, later the residence of Maria Theresa, and now the presidential palace. Next is the imposing St. Vitus Cathedral, the oldest Gothic cathedral in Central Europe, and the Chapel of St. Wenceslas, patron saint of the country. We’ll pass by the Church of St. George and the palaces where the Kings of Bohemia once resided. We’ll continue our tour through “Lesser Town” (Malá Strana), one of the oldest historic districts in Prague, where we’ll admire the exterior of the imposing Baroque Church of St.Nicholas and walk across the picturesque Gothic Charles Bridge through the medieval alleys of “Royal Street.” King Vladislav II built the first bridge over the Vltava River in 1170—the Judith Bridge—which collapsed in 1342. Charles Bridge was later built on its foundations. Spend the rest of your time in the picturesque alleys or join us on an unforgettable optional cruise on the Vltava River, which whispers its history in our ears and recounts the secrets of the picturesque bridges and buildings that have embraced it for so many years. During the cruise, enjoy a lavish buffet lunch featuring main courses, desserts, fruit, cheeses, and various delicacies. Return to the hotel for a little rest. For the evening, and always with the help of our experienced guide, we recommend attending a performance at Prague’s famous Black Light Theater, where you’ll experience a unique visual artistry that proves that dreams, the supernatural, and magic come to life much better in the dark. Afterward, you can have dinner at a fine restaurant or a traditional Czech beer hall serving local specialties. Try a cocktail (or a few more) at a club or one of the city’s famous jazz pubs. Our guide is there to provide you with all the necessary information.

Breakfast at the hotel, followed by a beautiful excursion to the famous Karlovy Vary in western Bohemia. During the approximately two-hour drive, we’ll enjoy the region’s characteristic landscapes, such as hop fields, the raw material for the famous Czech beer, as well as sections of the lush Bohemian forests, which take on magnificent golden-red hues in the fall. Upon arriving at the famous spa town, built in the lush valley of the Tepla River, we’ll discover a city renowned for its thermal springs. Karlovy Vary was founded in the 14th century by Emperor Charles IV and developed into a cosmopolitan center, attracting prominent figures such as Peter I of Russia, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, and Ludwig van Beethoven. We’ll stroll through the elegant colonnaded arcades, see the impressive fountains, and have time to sample local products or hunt for the famous Bohemian crystal. The city is also known for its International Film Festival and the traditional Czech liqueur Becherovka. There will be free time for lunch and a leisurely stroll through a setting that seems straight out of another era. Afterward, we’ll head back to Prague and stop at the shopping center next to the airport, where you’ll have some free time. And just like that, our fall family getaway comes to an end, filled with sights, experiences, and beautiful moments that will remain unforgettable.