2013 Pearls of Central Europe

[Day 1] Tuesday, September 10 - Depart from Minneapolis via scheduled air service to Prague, Czech Republic

[Day 2] Wednesday, September 11 - Prague

Arrive in Prague.
Meet your MCI Tour Manager who will assist the group to awaiting chartered motorcoach for a transfer to the hotel via panoramic tour of Prague’s highlights including a walking tour of Old Town including Charles Bridge, Old Town Square with its Tyn Church and the Astronomical Clock, St. Nicholas Church, etc. Step into the Old Town Square in Prague and journey back in time, 600 or 700 years. As you stand in awe, the dramatic history of Prague permeates the air. With its ancient buildings and magnificent churches, this is one of the most beautiful historical sites in Europe. Over the centuries buildings of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles were erected around the square making for a beautiful setting.

Lunch on own in Old Town Square and time for shopping.

Mid-afternoon hotel check-in.

Evening Welcome Dinner (featuring introduction by Professor Emmert, introduction of the tour participants, and an overview of the tour).

Prague achieved much of its present glory in the 14th century, during the long reign of Charles IV, king of Bohemia and Moravia and Holy Roman Emperor. During the Middle Ages, Prague enjoyed a golden age - a time when Prague was larger than Paris or London! The Hapsburgs also left their artistic and architectural mark. Today, Prague is universally declared one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.

[Day 3] Thursday, September 12 - Prague

Breakfast at the hotel.
Half-day guided tour of central Prague including a visit to the Jewish Quarter and Cemetery. The Jewish Quarter in Prague, known as Josefov, is located between the Old Town Square and the Vltava River. Its torrid history dates back to the 13th century, when the Jewish community in Prague was ordered to vacate their disparate homes and settle in one area. The buildings in the Jewish Quarter form the best preserved complex of Jewish historical monuments in the whole of Europe. Six synagogues remain, including the Old-New Synagogue and the Spanish Synagogue, plus the Jewish Town Hall and the Old Jewish Cemetery, which is the most remarkable of its kind in Europe. Space was scarce in the Old Jewish Cemetery, so bodies were buried on top of each other. Historians estimate that the graves are layered about 12 deep. Over the centuries, lopsided tombstones formed unruly, poetic groupings.

Lunch on own.
Late afternoon lecture.

Evening group dinner.

[Day 4] Friday, September 13 - Prague and Terezin

Breakfast at the hotel.
Excursion to Terezin (former fortress and Nazi Concentration Camp for children), including entrance to the fortress and Museum of the Ghetto. Terezin offers poignant insights for musicians because of the music written here by prisoners as well as modern works such as The Song of Terezin.

Lunch as a group included and time at leisure in Litoměřice.
At the confluence of the Labe and Ohře rivers, in the picturesque region of the Czech Central Mountains, lies one of the oldest and most beautiful Czech towns, the royal town of Litoměřice. As mute witness to the historic glory of Royal Litoměřice stand Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque buildings found in the historical heart of the town, which for the most part is encircled by well-preserved Gothic fortifications.

Return to Prague in the late afternoon for the remainder of the day at leisure.
Evening dinner on own.

[Day 5] Saturday, September 14 - Prague

Breakfast at the hotel.
A morning tour of Prague includes visiting Hradčany Castle, including its St. Vitus Cathedral, the Old Royal Palace, the Golden Lane, and the Daliborka Tower.

Lunch in Lobkowicz Palace.
Lecture from a Lobkowicz family member about the family history and the Palace.
Enjoy a tour of Lobkowicz Palace, the only privately owned building in the Prague Castle complex and home to the highly acclaimed Lobkowicz Palace Museum. The Museum offers visitors the opportunity to explore the history of Europe through the unique perspective and exquisite collections of this noble family.

Remainder of the afternoon and evening at leisure for sightseeing, shopping or other activities.
Evening dinner on own.

[Day 6] Sunday, September 15 - Prague to Vienna

Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer to Vienna.
Lunch on own en route in Telc (a UNESCO Heritage site that offers plenty of restaurants in a very nice old town setting). Upon arrival in Vienna, enjoy a panoramic tour of Vienna’s highlights including Ringstrasse, Parliament Buildings, Town Hall, Getreidegasse, St. Stephen’s Cathedral and Square, and Staatsoper.

Pre-dinner lecture by Professor Emmert at the hotel.
Evening group dinner.

Vienna is still considered the music capital of the world. It is a city of refined tastes, grace, style and unmatched artistic accomplishments. For a thousand years, Vienna was the capital of the far-flung Holy Roman and Habsburg empires. Though its people and ways have changed, Vienna has retained its imperial monuments, not as reminders of past glories, but as living symbols of its present freedom.

[Day 7] Monday, September 16 - Vienna

Breakfast at the hotel.
Half-day guided tour of Historical Vienna includes Burgkapelle (venue for the Vienna Boys Choir), Palace Stables, Strauß Monument, and entrance to Schönbrunn Palace, built by the Habsburgs in imitation of Versailles. The magnificent architecture and the exquisite décor of the palace’s state rooms marks Schönbrunn out as a cultural treasure of the first order.

Lunch on own.
Afternoon at leisure for sightseeing, shopping or other activities.

Evening group dinner.

[Day 8] Tuesday, September 17 - Vienna

Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning at leisure for sightseeing, shopping or other activities.
Lunch on own.
Afternoon visit to Kunsthistorisches Museum. This is one of Europe's most important museums. The monumental structure, built at the behest of Emperor Franz Joseph I as part of his expansion of the city in 1858, was intended to both unite and appropriately represent the artistic treasures that had been collected by the Habsburgs over the centuries.

This evening, you are invited to the home of Dr. Jutta Unkart-Seiffert, a renowned singer of German lieder and President of the European Cultural Initiative for the Young Generation, for a catered dinner and conversation.

[Day 9] Wednesday, September 18 - Vienna to Budapest

Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer to Budapest.

Lunch on own en route.
Upon arrival take a panoramic tour of Budapest’s highlights including Elizabeth Bridge, Gellert Hill, St. Margaret’s Island, and Hero’s Square.
Evening group dinner.

Budapest is the modern combination of three cities: Obuda, Buda and Pest. Linked by eight bridges, these cities have retained their own distinctive characteristics, but their combination has created one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.

[Day 10] Thursday, September 19 - Budapest

Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning guided tour of Budapest to include the Parliament, Chain Bridge, Royal Castle Hill (for an incredible view of the city), St. Stephen's Cathedral, Matthias Church(including entrance), Fisherman's Bastion (including entrance), and the picturesque streets of Táncsis Mihály utca, Uri utca and Fortuna utca which feature splendid examples of medieval houses and Baroque mansions.
Lunch on own.

Afternoon at leisure for sightseeing, shopping or other activities.
Pre-dinner lecture by Professor Emmert at the hotel.
Evening group dinner.
Attend the Hungarian Folk Ensemble concert.

[Day 11] Friday, September 20 - Budapest

Breakfast at the hotel.
Half-day sightseeing of downtown Budapest including Hero’s Square, City Park, tomb of the unknown soldier, Andrássy Avenue, Millennium Monument and Column, and entrance to the Museum of Fine Arts. The Museum of Fine Arts Budapest is regarded as one of Europe's most significant institutions. The versatility of its permanent exhibitions, its historical continuity, and the wide array of masterpieces have made it a truly unique establishment. The museum is home to universal artifacts from ancient times to today. The morning also includes a view of the outside of Dohany Street Synagogue. Built in 1859, the Dohány Street Synagogue is the largest synagogue in Europe and the second largest in the world.

Lunch on own.
Balance of the afternoon at leisure for sightseeing, shopping or other activities.

Evening private Farewell Dinner Cruise on the Danube.

[Day 12] Saturday, September 21 -Depart for home

Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer to Budapest’s International Airport for return flight.

For information, go to cost and inclusions.

Every effort will be made to follow this itinerary as printed, yet it is subject to change due to unforseen circumstances. In the event of an unavoidable conflict in the performance and the sightseeing schedule, the concert schedule will prevail, and it may be necessary to exclude some sightseeing activities.

Trip arrangement provided by MCI Travel.