FROM PRAGUE TO OLOMOUC - 8 DAYS

Arrival to Prague, Václav Havel Airport. Transfer to the hotel in downtown Prague (own expense, taxi or public transport). The feeling of being in the ‘city of a 100 towers’ is best to be compared with the feeling that you’re on the set of a historical movie. Literally everywhere are monuments, churches, impressive buildings and museums. Depending on the time remaining, you can visit some of the highlights, like the Astronomical Clock on the Old Town Square (Orloj na Staroměstském náměstí), the Old Town (Staré město) and the Old Town Hall Tower. Certainly don’t forget the Jewish quarter and the Old New Synagogue (Staronová synagoga), the Charles Bridge (Karlův most) and the Churches of Our Lady Before Tyn (Chrám Matky boží před Týnem) and St. Nicholas (Kostel svatého Mikuláše). And if you get thirsty from all that sightseeing, don’t hesitate to visit a local pub for a delicious Czech beer.

On days two and three you can do more exploring of Prague on your own tempo. Cross the Charles Bridge to the impressive Prague Castle, the Golden Lane (Zlatá ulička), the St. Vitus Cathedral (Katedrála sv. Víta), the Lesser Town (Malá strana), Kampa Island, the Franz Kafka museum and the John Lennon wall. On the opposite side of the Vltava (Moldau) river, you can walk along the riverfront (Náplavka) and see the modern Dancing House (Tančící dům) or take a river cruise. Hungry? Then we recommend to visit the cubist building and restaurant House of the Black Madonna of the Lord (Dům u Černé Matky Boží). Prague is full of souvenir shops. If there’s one you should visit, it’s the Erpet Bohemia Crystal shop where you can buy the famous Czech crystal products.

Today you travel by high speed train from Prague central station to Olomouc, on the Moravian side of Czechia. The trip takes about 2h15′. In Olomouc central station you will be welcomed by our guide who will transfer you to the hotel. The rest of the day you are free to get a first taste of the charming city of Olomouc.

In the morning the guide will take you on a 3,5 hour walking tour through the historic centre of Olomouc. The former capital of Moravia has a history that dates back to the Roman Empire and is a true treasure cove. Often being named ‘Prague without the crowd’, you can easily stroll around and admire the historical buildings without being overrun by tourists. The absolute eye-catcher is the huge baroque Plague Column on the main square, which is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Halfway the tour we enjoy a delicious lunch of local food. Do you dare to taste the (in)famous stinky cheese of Olomouc?

Pick-up in the morning by the guide and transfer (20 minutes) to Svatý Kopeček (Holy Hill). On a hill overlooking the Haná Valley, the basilica of the visitation of the Virgin Mary (Bazilika Navštívení Panny Marie) is an impressive landmark. The baroque church is equally as beautiful on the inside as on the outside and is a famous pilgrimage site. You enjoy a guided visit and a drink and a snack afterwards. Depending on the weather and your wishes, you can either spend the rest of the day on the Holy Hill (there’s a zoo and vast stretches of forest) and return to Olomouc by bus, or you can choose to be transferred directly to Olomouc after the visit and spend the rest of the day in the city.

Today is free to either relax or explore more of the area around Olomouc. We offer guided trips to Bouzov castle, the UNESCO gardens of Kroměříž or the industrial heritage of Ostrava. If you prefer nature, we can provide trips to Pustevný and Praděd mountains or the Macocha Gorge in the Moravian Karst cave system. If relaxing is your choice, how about a spa day in Karlova Studanka, Velké Losiny or Luhačovice or, closer at home, a genuine beer spa in Olomouc?