|
 We begin our walk at the Strahov Monastery, founded in 1140 by the Premonstratensian order. The frescoes on the ceilings and walls of its two libraries superbly set off an impressive collection of manuscripts dating from the 9th century. After sampling a beer from the monastery’s brewery, it is on to Loretanske Square and the Loreta – home of the Lesser Order of Capuchin Brothers. The edifice offers an extravagantly-detailed eighteenth century façade, the tower of magical bells tourists all over the world flock to hear, and within the cloister walls, the seventeenth-century Santa Casa, home to one of Europe’s legendary Black Madonnas. Leaving the square, we make our way along the winding street known as Nový Svet (the New World) – a true slice of medieval town life that remains one of Prague’s best-kept secrets. This historic gem captivates the spirit with its quiet, romantic atmosphere. Our final stop brings us to the grand structure known the world over as Prague Castle and the towering Gothic cathedral of Saint Vitus. Situated high above the Vltava River, the resplendent Prague Castle served for centuries as the residence of emperors and Czech kings; today the President of the Czech Republic calls it home. Within the castle’s monumental walls lies legendary Golden Lane, a miniscule alley lined with tiny cottages, where medieval alchemists labored to uncover the ancient secret of the philosopher’s stone…
The small town of Spindleruv Mlyn nestles in a picturesque valley of the Labe River, in the heart of the Krkonoše National Park. It is the largest and most popular ski center in the Czech Republic with three chair lifts and 15 tablet lifts. The trails are situated in the towering Krkonoše mountain range, with heights ranging from 715-1310 meters above sea level, and an average length of more than 30 kilometers.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ski Tours |
It’s bleak, it’s cold – and it’s only February. Don’t give in to those winter blues! Here in the Czech Republic, this is the height of ski season. Our Mountain Ski Package takes you to our most popular ski resort, situated in the towering Krkonoše Mountains in northern Czech Republic. Skiing enthusiasts will find optimum snow conditions, superb slopes and sports facilities awaiting them in the majestic beauty of the Krkonoše Mountains. There are numerous cozy pensions and fully-appointed apartments to accommodate the visitor. A host of restaurants provide delicious meals in which to feed the appetite you have worked up after a day on the slopes. When the sun goes down, there is a range of entertainment to choose from. Warm your bones with a mug of the hot mulled wine or Grog on offer at the local cafes. Refresh your aching bones in the sauna. Test your luck at the casinos. Dance your heart out at the discos. The top-notch skiing conditions, friendly service and vibrant nightlife combine to make the Krkonoše Mountains a favorite with Czechs and international visitors. So, wax your skis! Our Mountain Ski package provides a sure cure for the winter blahs…
For over 600 years a strange spectacle has unfolded at five minutes to the hour, every hour, high above Prague’s Old Town Square. The monumental Astrological Clock on Old Town Hall’s façade springs to life: a parade of the 12 Apostles creaks by, grossly stereotypical adversaries of the Holy Roman Empire such as the Jewish moneylender and the fearsome Turk pop out of other windows; a skeleton ominously shakes his hourglass, reminding of Death and the Plague. Many legends surround this monstrously beautiful timepiece, including the dire prediction that, should the clock ever stop, the ghosts of the 27 Czech nobles, beheaded here on the square in 1620, shall rise up in that instance, and demand an explanation! However, as legends go, the most fabulous occur just two hundred meters from Old Town Square. When we enter Josefov, the oldest and most-storied Jewish quarter in all Europe, we enter another time – literally! The hands on the Hebrew Clock on the sixteenth century Jewish Town Hall run counter-clockwise, just as the poet Apollinaire claimed. Many of the Jewish Quarter’s legends revolve around the renowned scholar and companion of Rudolf II, Rabbi Low. In one of Prague’s most enduring legends, Rabbi Low appears as a powerful alchemist who creates the notorious creature, The Golem, to protect the Jewish Quarter against the world’s evil forces.