Czech Grand Slam

Explore the best of beautiful Bohemia at a relaxed pace over the long weekend and let RTT bring you the ultimate combination of sightseeing, amazing shopping, culinary culture and history of three popular destinations in the Czech republic!  This budget friendly, 4-day adventure includes almost everything you could wish for on that long overdue sight-seeing vacation. From the Golden city of Prague, to the famous spa town of Karlovy Vary and the powerful fortes Castle of Loket, Bohemia will enchant and delight you. Our trip provides the perfect balance of structured sightseeing activities while affording you plenty of free time to wander, explore whatever excites you most, and create your own unique experience.

Day 1: After an early morning departure from Ramstein, we arrive mid-day at the historical town of Loket (Elbow), once known as the “Key to the Kingdom of Bohemia”.  Here, we join our local guide for a tour through the “Impregnable Castle of Bohemia”, one of the oldest and most valuable historical stone castles in the Czech Republic.  The fortress was built in the 12^th century in classic gothic style and is surrounded on three sides by the Ohře river, providing fantastic views of the surrounding area.  Our next highlight is a festive lunch at the former Malt-house, now a local microbrewery with a culinary specialty.  Here you will be treated to an amazing version of bohemian BBQ, featuring roasted pig that has been cooked slow and low underground.  This mouthwatering, tender pork will be served with a wide variety of fried and stuffed vegetables, savory cabbage, potatoes and paired with a classic Bohemian ale, made on premise. After this amazing meal, relax and perhaps enjoy a little snooze on the bus as we make our way to Prague where we will immediately check in to our 4-star hotel. The rest of the evening is yours to relax or take the opportunity to do a little exploring on your own.  Your tour guide will be happy to offer some suggestions that are prefect for an evening outing into the city.

Day 2: After breakfast at the hotel, we will join our local guide whose knowledge and expertise will bring the sights and history of Prague alive. Our walking tour begins at Pražský hrad (Prague Castle), the largest preserved fortress from the middle ages in all of Europe. From atop the castle hill, a panoramic view of 500 church spires and the silvery winding ribbon of the Vltava (Moldau) River provides the perfect vantage point to view and photograph the entire city. Now the afternoon is your own, and the ideal opportunity to visit the “must see” places in town recommended by our local guide.  A cruise along the famous river offers relaxing way to experience the city from yet another vantage point.  If this is of interest, your tour guide will be happy to assist you in making arrangements for this outing.

Day 3: Today you have the whole day to explore this legendary city independently at your own pace. You will be able to relax, enjoy breakfast at the hotel and take your time visiting the sights that were of most interest to you, shop and sample more bohemian cuisine along the way.  Prague is a shoppers delight, well known for its incredible bargains on Bohemian crystal, porcelain, garnet jewelry and bohemian crafts.  In the evening we will regroup for a special event and invite you to join us for a traditional Czech evening of culinary delight.

Tonight, we visit the oldest brewery in Prague, established in 1499 and still functioning as a microbrewery, it has become quite a landmark for the city and beer connoisseurs far and wide. Inside the brewery tall, dark wooden panels are decorated with old paintings and plaques creating an intimate, cozy atmosphere that invites you to unwind and melt into the history and warmth of this antique brewery. Before we settle in and get comfortable, we will embark on a tour of this legendary brewery.  Here they don’t brew the typical central European pilsners you’ve had before, but make Tmavé Pivo that predates the pilsner by a couple of centuries.  We will learn all the dark, beery secrets of how this rare and flavorful lager is made and get to taste the famously malty, smooth, full bodied “Flek Dark Double Lager”.  Now it’s time to sink into a sumptuous traditional meal designed to perfectly pair with the breweries assortment of lagers.

Day 4: After breakfast and hotel checkout, we travel to Karlovy Vary, where a short orientation of the town is provided.  You are then free to venture through the city indecently, where you can visit the sites and enjoy the many architectural gems found throughout the city. A trip to Karlovy Vary would not be compete without a stroll through the riverside districts' expansive colonnades, columned walkways and stunning Neoclassical and Art-Nouveau spa buildings.  There are 13 main hot springs throughout the city, all draining into the cold waters of the Tepla River creating huge jets of water and steam, and giving the city a romantic, misty ambiance. The presence of the springs and the healing mineral water they contain make it one of Europe’s premiere spa and wellness destinations.  In the center of town, the springs are accessible so that you can step up to them and sip the pure water as it bubbles directly from the earth. The city is also a top shopping spot for grand crystal chandeliers, china and stemware.