Compare New Year's Eve in Prague by Road Scholar vs Cycle Prague to Vienna by Intrepid Travel

Day 1
In Transit to Program
In Flight

Day 2
Welcome to Prague
Prague D Hotel Petr
Activity note: Check-in available from 2:00 p.m.

Dinner: Welcome dinner in the hotel dining room. Please note that water is included in the program cost at all meals.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 3
Prague Castle
Prague B Hotel Petr
Activity note: New safety rules and regulations for entry into Prague Castle require that we show a copy of your passport before entering. Please bring a copy of your passport with you on your program.

Breakfast: Buffet in the hotel dining room. On this program, breakfasts will offer a typical European style breakfast buffet with breads, cheeses, cold-cuts, yogurt, fruit, cereals, juice, milk, coffee, tea and water.

Morning: This morning our city excursion takes us sightseeing by bus with an orientation, and then to Prague Castle, the largest residential complex in the Czech Republic (according to the Guinness Book of World Records it is the largest ancient castle in the world). The palace has served as home and office for Czech kings, Holy Roman Emperors and presidents of the Czech Republic (and Czechoslovakia) since the 9th century. The Old Royal Palace and the Cathedral of St. Vitus are breathtaking architectural treasures.

Lunch: Explore local fare on your own.

Afternoon: Enjoy a free afternoon. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities, which can be found in the first Information Packet. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions and give directions.

Dinner: Explore local fare on your own.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 4
New Year's Eve At A Traditional Bohemian Restaurant
Prague B,D Hotel Petr
Breakfast: Buffet in the hotel dining room.

Morning: Our city excursion will start in the Old Town, a unique area of Prague with the impressive Old Town Square, the center of all events since the Middle Ages. The stone houses, churches, palaces and monasteries in combination with twisty narrow streets and alleys create a very special atmosphere. We will also explore the Jewish Town. The former Jewish Ghetto is a noteworthy quarter of Prague that boasts worldwide significance. Extensive historical records trace the existence of the Prague Jewish community back to the 11th century. The Old Jewish Cemetery is Europe’s oldest and best-preserved Jewish burial ground, its history dating back to the 15th century. The graves form a chronicle in stone of the history of the Prague ghetto. Next, we will enjoy Christmas markets at the Old Town and Wenceslas Squares. Other than traditional Christmas and New Year's handcrafts, we will also find various Czech delicacies here, including sausages, potato pancakes, fresh sweet pie Trdelnik, roasted chestnuts, gingerbread, hot punch and mulled wine. These, along with performances by musicians on market stages, help to make our visit unforgettable.

Lunch: Explore local fare on your own.

Afternoon: Free afternoon to explore the city on your own.

Dinner: Greet the New Year in a traditional Bohemian restaurant with a folklore program, music, smile and dance.

Evening: Celebrate New Year's Eve Bohemian style!

Day 5
New Year's Walk, Charles Bridge, Lesser Town, Concert
Prague B,L,D Hotel Petr
Breakfast: Buffet in the hotel dining room.

Morning: Free time to relax or enjoy some fresh air in the nearby gardens.

Lunch: Celebrate New Year's with a festive gourmet lunch in the Three Centuries Restaurant.

Afternoon: A traditional New Year's walk of Prague sites leads us to the Charles Bridge, one of the oldest extant stone bridges in Europe, adorned on both sides with a total of thirty Baroque statues. Our excursion continues in the Lesser Town, a picturesque quarter with monumental noble churches and palaces.

Dinner: Snack in the cellar pub of the Municipal House, decorated by Art Nouveau tiles. Enjoy the pre-war Czechoslovakia atmosphere.

Evening: Happy New Year! Together, we will enjoy a New Year's concert at the Municipal House, the pearl of Art Nouveau style.

Day 6
Karlstejn Castle
Prague B,L Hotel Petr
Activity note: Walking uphill for 30 minutes, and approx. 130 steps, during visit to Karlstejn Castle.

Breakfast: Buffet in the hotel dining room.

Morning: We depart for an excursion to Karlstejn Castle. The Gothic castle, founded in 1348 and completed in 1365, was built by the Czech King and Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV as a place to store royal treasures, especially collections of holy relics and crown jewels. We will explore not only the castle but also the village of Karlstejn and the Museum of Nativity Scenes, highlighting the famous Karlstejn Royal Nativity.

Lunch: Lunch at a local scenic restaurant.

Afternoon: Free time to relax and explore on your own.

Dinner: Explore local fare on your own.

Day 7
Convent of St. Agnes of Bohemia
Prague B,L Hotel Petr
Breakfast: Buffet in the hotel dining room.

Morning: Enjoy an expert-led excursion at the Convent of St. Agnes of Bohemia, one of the oldest Gothic buildings in Prague and named after its founder Agnes of Bohemia. See medieval art from Bohemia and Central Europe, in its gallery.

Lunch: Light lunch at the Grand Café Orient on the first floor of the House at the Black Madonna. This building symbolizes the unique Czech contribution to the cubist movement.

Afternoon: After lunch, you have a free afternoon. You may wish to visit the newly-opened permanent exhibition of the Museum of Czech Cubism in the House at the Black Madonna.

Dinner: Explore local fare on your own.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 8
Lecture: Contemporary Life in the Czech Republic
Prague B,D Hotel Petr
Breakfast: Buffet in the hotel dining room.

Morning: Our morning lecture will speak about contemporary life in the Czech Republic. We will discuss the political and economical changes after 1989, the new role of the Czech Republic in the “democratic world," and everyday life of ordinary Czechs.

Lunch: Explore local fare on your own.

Afternoon: Free time with multiple suggestions for a self-guided excursion.

Dinner: Farewell Dinner on a Vltava river boat.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 9
Departures
Prague B
Breakfast: Buffet in the hotel dining room.

Morning: Transfer to the Prague airport (PRG) for departures. This concludes our program. Please join our Facebook page and share photos of your program. Visit us at www.facebook.com/rsadventures.

Day 1 Prague

Dobry den! Welcome to Prague. There is an important welcome meeting scheduled for 6 pm this evening, where you will meet your group leader and fellow travellers. With not much time spent in Prague, we recommend you spend at least a day or two to get to know this wonderful Bohemian city. With its Baroque buildings, cobblestoned streets and beer – oh so much beer – there’s something for every explorer. If you want to spend more time in Prague, we’ll be happy to organise additional accommodation for you (subject to availability). After your important meeting, how about get a group of you together and head to one of the beer halls to get acquainted?

Day 2 Prague

This morning the cycling part of your adventure begins! Have a bike fitting then explore the fascinating street and lanes of Prague on a leader-led orientation ride. You’ll learn about the history of the city, plus have time to take in the Old Town square, looking up at the surrounding spires – there are a lot of spires – as well as the historic building besides the Vltava River. The rest of the day is free for you to explore this eclectic city at your leisure. Perhaps visit one of the many museums that dot the city, or wander the cobbled Charles Bridge in the evening when most of the tourist are long gone.

Day 3 Cesky Krumlov

Today is an early morning start, as you head to Ceske Budejovice by local transport (either vehicle or train depending on group size), taking around 2.5 hours. Once arrived, have a bike fitting and take a short ride (approximately 20 kilometres) around Budejovice and surrounds. If you have time, there’s the option to head on a brewery tour, as Cesky Budejovice (or Budweis in German) is the home of Budweiser! Learn the beer’s history and have the perfectly drawn brew in the onsite bar. This afternoon ride through the South Bohemian countryside from Ceske to Cesky – that is, Cesky Krumlov! Through picture-perfect rolling hills and weaving in and out of forest, you’ll cover around 35 kilometres cycling, with some undulations at points. Once arrived, you’ve got the rest of the afternoon at your leisure in this small medieval town. Take your bike or head on a hike up to see Krizova Hora, visit the State Castle, or just simply explore the weaving laneways of the town, all perched on the side of the Vltava River. If you want to check out the river more, why not book in on a canoe trip? Seeing the Czech countryside from the water gives you stunning views of the surrounding valleys.

Day 4 Kollmitzberg

Rise and shine, as it’s off for another day of cycling, leaving nice and early. Ride along the Vltava River from Cesky Krumlov through the countryside then over the plateau and down to the wooded shores of the beautiful Lipno Lake near the Czech-Austrian border. You’ll arrive at the small town of Lipno and Vltavou on the southern banks of the lake. After some time to look around, drive approximately 140 kilometres to Kollmitzberg. After two days in the saddle you deserve a relax at this secluded town. Why not get your group together and organise somewhere for dinner in nearby Ardagger – your group leader will know of a place to go.

Day 5 Melk

Get back on your bike and cycle alongside the mighty Danube River on a mostly flat course from Kollmitzberg to Melk (approximately 53 kilometres). You know you're getting close when you can see the towers and dome of the famed Melk Abbey high above the town. Once arrived, you could head on an optional tour of Melk Abbey, where you’ll discover the colourful Baroque structure perched on top of a rock overlooking the Danube, plus its parks and bastions.

Day 6 Herzogenburg

From Melk, cycle along the northern banks of the Danube – mostly on dedicated cycle paths – past small riverside towns and villages (and the occasional sand beach), and to the UNESCO-listed terraces of the Wachau vineyards, where wine has been produced since the Middle Ages. Riding up the steep hillsides is definitely a challenge, but there’s some stunning scenery to see along the way. Your final destination for today is Herzogenburg – a thriving town on a small tributary of the Danube. If you have time why not check out the imposing Herzogenburg Monastery before a hearty Austrian dinner.

Day 7 Vienna

Hop on your bike to ride back along the Danube cycle path all the way into Vienna, skirting the river’s southern banks. Today is the longest ride of the tour at around 70 kilometres/43 miles and is mostly slightly downhill. When you arrive in Vienna, be sure to relax and perhaps tuck into a well-earned coffee and sacher torte. Vienna is a classical hub of arts, culture and food, and a perfect place to hop off the bike and explore on foot. If you haven’t discussed it already, why not organise dinner in Vienna with your group tonight – it’s definitely cause for celebration.

Day 8 Vienna

With no activities planned for today, you are free to leave at any time. That doesn’t mean your adventure has to end! Vienna is a large place and full of interesting sights, so it is highly recommended that you spend another day or two in the city. If you wish to spend more time in Vienna, we’ll be happy to organise additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).