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Conference of the International Bar Association | ||||
Conference tours and excursions Click here to download a PDF of the Tours and excursion brochure Click here to download a PDF of the Tours and excursions booking form A / Prague City Tour – 5 hours 35 EUR per person, min 15 persons A1 Sunday 25 September 1300 – 1800 A2 Tuesday 27 September 1300 – 1800 You will see the principle sights of Prague, the “Golden City”. Beginning at imposing Prague Castle, established as the seat of the Czech President and built in 850. You will visit St Vitus Cathedral, built in the 14th century by architects Mathias of Arras and Peter Parler and the picturesque street Golden Lane. Continuing to the Little Quarter with its dominant landmark, St Nicolas Church, constructed between 1703-1756 by famous architects Dienzenhofer and Lurago and regarded to be the most beautiful Baroque church in Europe. After crossing the medieval Charles Bridge, built in 1357 by Emperor Charles IV, you will follow the Kings’ Way, leading you to the Old Town Square featuring the Old Town Hall with its astronomical clock dating back from the early 15th century along with impressive houses, palaces and churches built in varied architectural styles. Price includes: English speaking guide, entrance fees to St Vitus Cathedral, Golden Lane and St Nicolas Church. Bus transfer from the PCC to Prague Castle and back from the Old Town Square to the PCC (alternative departure/arrival point at the Intercontinental Hotel) , refreshment break in a typical café. B / Prague Castle and the Royal Gardens – 4 ½ hours 45 EUR per person, min 10 persons B1 Monday 26 September 0800 – 1230 B2 Wednesday 28 September 0800 – 1230 This tour of Prague Castle, the seat of the Czech President, includes the Royal Palace, which until the 16th century was the residence of Bohemian princes and kings, with its famous Vladislav Hall and St Vitus Cathedral. The Gothic cathedral was constructed by the principle architects of the 14th century, Mathias of Arras and Peter Parler. You will also visit St George’s Basilica with its treasure of old Czech art, Baroque paintings and sculptures. You will visit Golden Lane, a narrow street of small houses and shops built in the Gothic fortification. Finally the excursion includes a visit to the beautiful Royal Gardens where you will see Queen Anna’s Summerhouse, the work of famous Renaissance architect Paolo della Stella and the Ball Games House, a Renaissance building with graffito decoration. Price includes: English speaking guide, entrance fees to all monuments at Prague Castle. Bus transfer from the PCC to Prague Castle and back to the PCC (alternative departure/arrival point at the Intercontinental Hotel), refreshment break in a typical café. C / Prague’s Old Town and Jewish Ghetto – 5 hours 55 EUR per person, min 10 persons C1 Wednesday 28 September 1300 – 1800 C2 Friday 30 September 1300 – 1800 This tour takes you to the ancient heart of the city – the Old Town, which was established more than 1,000 years ago; beginning at the Powder Tower, a monument built in Gothic style as a part of the former king’s court. Celetna Street leads you to the Old Town Square where you can admire the Old Town Hall with its astronomical clock dating from the early 15th century. You will then continue to the Jewish Quarter, the home of Prague’s Jewish Ghetto in the Middle Ages. You will see the impressive Old Jewish Cemetery, established in the mid-15th century, and the Old-New Synagogue, the oldest in Europe built in Gothic style, which to this day still serves as a house of prayer. The Jewish Museum includes the Jewish Ceremonial Hall with a collection of children’s art from the Terezin concentration camp, the Maisel and the Spanish Synagogue with an exhibition of history of the Jews in Bohemia and Moravia or the Klaus Synagogue with its exhibition of Jewish customs and traditions. Price includes: English speaking guide, entrance fees to the synagogues and the Jewish Cemetery. Bus transfer from the PCC to the Powder Tower and from the Jewish Quarter back to the PCC (alternative departure/arrival point at the Intercontinental Hotel), refreshment break in a typical café. D / Musical Prague – 4 hours 45 EUR per person, min 7 persons D1 Sunday 25 September 1400 – 1800 D2 Thursday 29 September 1400 – 1800 The famous composers W A Mozart and A Dvorak are the focus of this excursion and you will visit a former vineyard manor house, the Villa Bertramka. This memorial to Mozart and his Czech friends, the Dusek family dates back to the turn of the 17th -18th centuries, is the most significant place connected with Mozart. He referred to his sojourns at the Villa Bertramka as the most beautiful moments of his life. From here you will continue to the Villa America, the Museum of Antonin Dvorak, the composer of the New World Symphony. This Baroque palace was designed by Kilian Ignatius Diezenhofer and was used by Dvorak as a summer house. Today it houses a great collection from his life and work. Price includes: English speaking guide, entrance fees to the Villa Bertramka and the Villa America. Bus transfer from the PCC to the Villa Bertramka and from the Villa America back to the PCC, refreshment break in a typical café. E / Art Nouveau Prague – 4½ hours 45 EUR per person, min 10 persons E1 Monday 26 September 1300 – 1730 E2 Tuesday 27 September 1300 – 1730 Art Nouveau style appeared in the late 1880s in Paris and continued to the First World War. Art Nouveau designs, characterised by asymmetrical shapes, styled flowers and sinuous flowing lines influenced architecture but predominately featured in interiors, decorative arts and furniture. You will discover the work of the great Czech artist, Alfons Mucha, who was well known throughout Europe and especially in France. You will visit the museum dedicated to his work and Municipal House, Prague’s most prominent Art Nouveau building which stands on the site of the former Royal Court Palace. The interior of Municipal House is decorated with works by famous Czech artists of the early 20th century. Price includes: English speaking guide, entrance fees to the Municipal House and the Museum of Alfons Mucha. Bus transfer from the PCC to the Municipal House and back to the PCC (alternative departure/arrival point at the Intercontinental Hotel), refreshment break in a typical café. F / Baroque Prague – 4½ hours 40 EUR per person, min10 persons F1 Tuesday 27 September 0800 – 1230 F2 Friday 30 September 1330 – 1800 Baroque style spread throughout Europe during the 17th-18th centuries and in Prague it is connected mainly with the Jesuit Order. Baroque monuments can be found almost everywhere in the city; this excursion features the Hradcany and Little Quarter districts of Prague. Starting at Strahov Monastery, founded in 1140 by an austere religious order, the Premonstratensians. It was reconstructed during the 18th century by renowned architects J B Mathey, A Lurago and I J Paliardi. Its famous library, in the Theological and Philosophical Rooms, is one of the finest in Europe. The tour will continue to the Loreta Church, an important place of pilgrimage constructed in 1627 by G Orsi. A copy of the Santa Casa – the original house is in Italy, said to be where the Archangel Gabriel told Mary about the future birth of Jesus – is the heart of the complex. The Loreta Treasure collection contains the famous diamond monstrance, adorned with 6,222 diamonds. St Nicolas Church in the Little Quarter, which was built between 1703 -1756 by three famous architects of Baroque period– Christopher and Kilian Ignatius Diezenhofer and A Lurago, is said to be the most beautiful Baroque church in Europe. Price includes: English speaking guide, entrance fees to the Strahov Monastery, Loreta Church and St Nicolas Church. Bus transfer from the PCC to the Strahov Monastery and from the Little Quarter Square back to the PCC (alternative departure/arrival point at the Intercontinental Hotel), refreshment break in a typical café. G / Morning Walk to Vysehrad – 2 hours 15 EUR per person, min5 persons G1 Monday 26 September 0900 – 1100 G2 Tuesday 27 September 0900 – 1100 G3 Wednesday 28 September 0900 – 1100 G4 Thursday 29 September 0900 – 1100 G5 Friday 30 September 0900 – 1100 Ancient myths claim that Vysehrad was the first seat of Czech royalty where Princess Libuse prophesised the future glory of Prague from the cliff. However, archaeologists have now proven that there were no settlers there until the 10th century when it was the seat of the Przemyslid princes. The area has great historical and mythological significance and you will see St Martin’s Rotunda – a small Romanesque church built in the 11th century and the Neo-Gothic Church of St Peter and Paul. The Vysehrad cemetery, founded in 1869, has been the burial site for some of the Czech Republic’s most famous writers, artists and musicians. The catacombs house six of the original statues from Charles Bridge. Price includes: English speaking guide, entrance fee to the Church of St. Lawrence and the catacombs, refreshment break in a typical café. H / Estates Theatre visit and Old Town Square – 4½ hours 40 EUR per person, min15 persons H Saturday 1 October 0830 – 1300 The Estates Theatre is one of the most beautiful historic theatre buildings in Europe. Constructed by aristocrat Frantisek Antonin Nostitz, the theatre was opened in 1783 as the Nostitz Theatre. Designed in the classicist style it is only one of two that have been preserved almost to its original state in Europe. One of its most famous performances was the world premiere of Mozart’s opera Don Giovanni on October 29, 1787. From the theatre you will walk to the Old Town Square where you can see the Old Town Hall with its famous clock. Price includes: English speaking guide, entrance fee to the Estates Theatre. Bus transfer from the PCC to the Estates Theatre and back to the PCC (alternative departure/arrival point at the Intercontinental Hotel), refreshment break in a typical café. I / Historical Tram with Live Music – 3½ hours 55 EUR per person, min15 persons I1 Friday 30 September 0915 – 1245 I2 Saturday 1 October 0915 – 1245 Today you will see Prague by historical tram. Picking up the tram close to the Prague Congress Centre you will travel along the Vltava river, which is bordered by beautiful Art Nouveau style buildings. You will have the opportunity to admire many of the sights such as the Palace Manes, Zofin Palace, National Theatre, Charles Bridge and the famous concert hall, the Rudolfinum. Having crossed the river you will enter the Little Quarter with its ancient atmosphere dominated by the Church of St Nicolas. Moving on you will walk to Prague Castle and Royal Garden with its beautiful renaissance pavilion Belvedere. Price includes: English speaking guide, walk from the PCC to tram stop, tram ride. Bus transfer from Prague Castle back to the PCC (alternative departure/arrival point at the Intercontinental Hotel), light refreshment on board, live music (accordionist). J / Brevnov Monastery – 4½ hours 25 EUR per person, min10 persons J Friday 30 September 1230 -1700 The Brevnov Monastery founded by the Bishop St Vojtech (Adalbert) in 993 was the oldest male monastery in Bohemia and served as an important religious, political and cultural centre for 1,000 years. The monastery was built during the 11th - 12th centuries in Roman style and in 1250 the chapel was added. The large Gothic convent and cathedral were built in the 13th century and more added in the 18th century by the great Baroque architects Christopher and Kilian Ignatius Diezenhofer. Since further reconstruction between 1990 -1994, the monastery has been used by Benedictines. Price includes: English speaking guide, entrance fee to the Brevnov Monastery. Bus transfer from the PCC to the Brevnov Monastery and back to the PCC (alternative departure/arrival point at the Intercontinental Hotel), refreshment break in Brevnov Monastery. K / Prague’s Gardens and Little Quarter – 4½hours 30 EUR per person, min15 persons K1 Tuesday 27 September 1300-1730 K2 Thursday 29 September 1300-1730 This tour offers the opportunity to explore Prague’s gardens. Beginning at Prague Castle, situated on the southern slope is Ledebour Gardens, a unique complex of Italian-type terraced gardens that rank among the largest fully preserved, public gardens of its kind. Covering an area of 7,711 square metres, this complex comprises five successive, interconnecting gardens ideal for pleasant walks. The tour continues to the Little Quarter and the Vrtbovska Garden. This garden is situated on the slope of the Petrin hill and is considered to be the most beautiful garden in Europe north of the Alps; it includes a small museum of Baroque sculptures. A beautiful view of Prague can be seen from here. Price includes: English speaking guide, entrance fees to the Ledebour and Vrtbovska Gardens. Bus transfer from the PCC to Prague Castle and from the Little Quarter back to the PCC (alternative departure/arrival point at the Intercontinental Hotel), refreshment break in a typical café. L / Nelahozeves Castle and the Museum of Antonin Dvorak – 5 hours 50 EUR per person, min10 persons L1 Sunday 25 September 1300 – 1800 L2 Wednesday 28 September 1300 – 1800 Lobkowicz chateau, built by F Griespeck of Griespeck in the mid-16th century, houses an exhibition of European art from the 16th-19th centuries. The majority of the Lobkowicz collection are paintings by Roudnice nad Labem, Spanish portrait art, as well as works by Cranach, Brueghels, Veronese, Rubens and others. Close to the castle you will visit the house where the famous Czech composer, Antonin Dvorak was born. The current exhibition illustrates the composer’s life and work and contains a number of artefacts including the organ he used to play. Price includes: English speaking guide, entrance fees to the Nelahozeves Castle and the Museum of Dvorak. Bus transfer from the PCC and back to the PCC (alternative departure/arrival point at the Intercontinental Hotel), refreshment break in Nelahozeves Castle. M / Karlstejn Castle – 6 hours 50 EUR per person, min10 persons M1 Tuesday 27 September 0800 – 1400 M2 Thursday 29 September 0800 – 1400 Karlstejn Castle is a Gothic castle built in 1348 by Czech King and Roman Emperor Charles IV. It acted as a country retreat and treasury for the royal treasures, especially Charles’s collection of the coronation jewels and the relics of the Holy Roman Empire. The construction of the castle was finished in 1365 with the consecration of the Chapel of the Holy Cross situated in the Great tower. The present appearance of the castle comes from the last reconstruction, carried out in purest neo-Gothic style at the end of the 19th century. Set in beautiful, romantic countryside the original step-like order of buildings is impressive. The original decoration of wall paintings is entirely unique and dates back to the 14th century. There is also a collection of 129 panel paintings by Master Theodoric and the largest portrait gallery of Czech rulers in the country. Price includes: English speaking guide, entrance fee to the Karlstejn Castle. Bus transfer from the PCC and back to the PCC (alternative departure/arrival point at the Intercontinental Hotel), refreshment break in a typical café. N / Konopiste Chateau – 5½ hours 50 EUR per person, min10 persons N1 Wednesday 28 September 0800 – 1330 N2 Friday 30 September 0800 – 1330 This romantic chateau located south of Prague, was built in the late 13th century in “French-fortress” style by the Benesovec family. In the early 17th century the outer bailey was adapted in Renaissance style. A radical change in the appearance of the castle came at the beginning of the 18th century when Konopiste was converted to a Baroque chateau. The final chapter of the building’s architectural history is connected with its last owner Archduke Franz Ferdinand d’Este, a successor to the Austrian throne, who was assassinated in Sarajevo in 1914. The castle is situated in a lovely park and houses an extensive collection of historical weapons, furnishings, late-Gothic sculptures, paintings and rare tapestries. Price includes: English speaking guide, entrance fee to the Konopiste Chateau. Bus transfer from the PCC and back to the PCC (alternative departure/arrival point at the Intercontinental Hotel), refreshment break in a typical café. O / Karlovy Vary and Moser Glassworks – 9 hours 90 EUR per person, min7 persons O1 Thursday 29 September 0900 – 1800 O2 Friday 30 September 0900 – 1800 This excursion takes you to the famous West Bohemian spa town Karlovy Vary (Karlsbad), founded in the 14th century by Charles IV, the King of Bohemia and later Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. You can taste mineral water from the twelve curative thermal springs and admire the beauty of the ancient and modern colonnades. The trip includes city sightseeing and a visit to the Moser Glassworks, where you will learn how the Moser glass is made, the history of the glassworks and see the blast furnace. Price includes: English speaking guide, admission to the Moser Glassworks. Bus transfer from the PCC and back to the PCC (alternative departure/arrival point at the Intercontinental Hotel) and lunch. P / Kutna Hora – 9 hours 80 EUR per person, min10 persons P1 Monday 26 September 0900 – 1800 P2 Wednesday 28 September 0900 – 1800 Kutna Hora was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of the quantity and quality of its historic monuments. The city became rich due to its silver mines and was the second most important town of medieval Bohemia. The wealth of the city resulted in beautiful architecture and the construction of several exceptional monuments, including St Barbara’s Cathedral and the Italian Court - Kutna Hora’s first mint. The excursion includes a visit to the Alchemy Museum where you will discover the rich history of Alchemy in the Czech lands and its relationship with the mining and metallurgy traditions of Kutna Hora. Price includes: English speaking guide, entrance fees to St Barbara’s Cathedral and to the Museum of Alchemy. Bus transfer from the PCC and back to the PCC (alternative departure/arrival point at the Intercontinental Hotel) and lunch. Q / Krivoklat Castle and Nizbor Glassworks – 9 hours 80 EUR per person, min10 persons Q1 Tuesday 27 September 0900 – 1800 Q2 Wednesday 28 September 0900 – 1800 Krivoklat Castle is hidden in the beautiful pinewoods of the Berounka river valley. The 12th century castle was built by King Otakar II of the Premyslid dynasty and later inhabited by King Vaclav (Wenceslas) IV. The castle chapel and the library containing 55,000 books and various interior decorative works of art are not to be missed. The visit to the Nizbor glassworks introduces you to the production of the internationally renowned Bohemian crystal. The owner, Jiri Rueckl, continues the family tradition of manufacturing high-quality household and decorative glassware, perfume bottles, decanter sets and unique items of glass and crystal. Price includes: English speaking guide, entrance fees to the Krivoklat Castle and the Nizbor Glassworks. Bus transfer from the PCC and back to the PCC (alternative departure/arrival point at the Intercontinental Hotel) and lunch. R / Hluboka Chateau and Cesky Krumlov – 11 hours 95 EUR per person, min10 persons R1 Tuesday 27 September 0730 – 1830 R2 Thursday 29 September 0730 – 1830 This trip will take you to south Bohemia, a region with many historical monuments and an area of stunning natural beauty. You will visit Hluboka Chateau, a Neo-Gothic chateau in Tudor style overlooking the river Vltava, built in the 13th century. It houses a rich collection of tapestries, woodcarvings, china, pictures and old weapons. Cesky Krumlov, an UNESCO-listed town, is considered the best-preserved Renaissance town in Central Europe. Medieval houses lie on one bank of the river Vltava, while its magnificent castle dominates the other. Historical records first refer to the castle in 1253. You can admire its Baroque, Renaissance and Rococo interiors as well as the castle gardens with its Pavilion Bellaria. Price includes: English speaking guide, entrance fees to the Hluboka Chateau and Cesky Krumlov Castle. Bus transfer from the PCC and back to the PCC (alternative departure/arrival point at the Intercontinental Hotel) and lunch. S / Horseback riding – 6 hours 125 EUR per person, min10 persons S Wednesday 28 September 0900 - 1500 A guided ride through the hilly countryside of Central Bohemia. Before the trip begins, you will have a brief introduction to horseback riding at the horse-breeding farm. Friesian horses, were very popular in the Middle Ages because they were the most powerful horses for the knight cavalry. At present the Pecinov facility includes 20 Friesian horses, 6 of which will be available for today’s trip, suitable both for beginners as well as for more advanced riders. Riders will be split up into two groups according to their level and guided by English speaking, professional instructors. Price includes: Guided tour of the horse-breeding farm, English speaking guides for both groups (beginners, advanced). Bus transfer from the PCC and back to the PCC and lunch. T / Ballooning – 5 hours 210 EUR per person, min10 persons T Tuesday 27 September 0800 – 1300 A hot air balloon ride is a breathtaking adventure. It combines the nostalgic voyage of discovery with a sense of exhilaration. Experience the thrill of rising gently above the earth and drifting gracefully through the air. The sensation of total freedom coupled with the stunning views over Konopiste Castle will never be forgotten. The flight lasts approximately 1 hour, depending on the wind speed and direction on the morning of your ride. The entire excursion will last several hours. You are advised to wear casual clothing and comfortable shoes (no sandals or heels). A 4WD will follow your flight to pick you up when you land. Note: Ballooning is subject to weather conditions. In the event of bad weather conditions this tour will be cancelled and the fee refunded, less a 20E administration charge. Price includes: English speaking crew, hot air balloon ride. Bus transfer from the PCC and back to the PCC. U / Sightseeing flights – 6 hours 140 EUR per person, min3 persons/flight U Friday 30 September 0900 – 1500 Today’s excursion takes in the beauty of the Czech countryside from the air in a Piper PA-28 aircraft. Enjoy a bird’s eye view of rock massifs, valleys and green forests dotted with a network of picturesque villages and towns graced with century-old castles and châteaux. Your sightseeing flight will give you the rare opportunity to view from the air: Pruhonice Park – a pseudo-Renaissance chateau surrounded by an English style park and arboretum. Zbraslav Chateau situated on the western edge of Prague. Karlstejn - the most remarkable Czech castle and one of the great symbols of the Czech Kingdom. Big America valley - the partly-flooded, abandoned limestone quarry. A popular destination for adventurers as its look and size captures the mood of the Wild West. Flight time is approximately 1 hour. Price includes: English speaking crew. Bus transfer from the PCC and back to the PCC and lunch. |