Tour: The Arts in Prague & Vienna

Destination: Prague, Czech Republic & Vienna, Austria Specialization: The Arts – Dance, Drama, Art, Choir & Band Itinerary: 10-days / 9-nights

Day

1

2

Visions Welcome &

Safety Briefing

3

River Cruise & Local

Dinner

Ghosts & Legends

Walking Tour

4

Transfer, staging &

rehearsal Free time

5 Dinner On Own The Prague Opera

6

Transfer, staging &

rehearsal

Transfer, staging &

rehearsal

Performance OR

Arts Master Class 3 Local Dinner

7

Transfer, staging

& rehearsal

Performance OR

Arts Master Class 4 Free Time Hotel Dinner

8

Check out of Hotel;

prepare for departure

Schönbrunn Palace

with Audio Guide Local Dinner

Vienna Mozart

Orchestra

9

Farewell to Europe

Dinner

10

Open Day; sightseeing & exploration on own

Performance OR Arts

Master Class 1

Performance OR Arts

Master Class 2

Motorcoach to Vienna,

Austria (4-hrs)

Transfer to Vienna Airport; depart for USA; meals in fl ight

Big Bus Vienna Hop On/Off Tour / Scenic Boat Cruise on the Danube River / Guided Vienna

Walking Tour

Behind the Iron Curtain

Communism

Arts in Prague & Vienna

Overnight fl ight to Europe

The Folklore Garden - Czech Dinner Show

Guided Tour of Old Town Guided Tour of Prague Castle

Morning Afternoon Evening

Arrive Prague, transfer to hotel and check-in Hotel Dinner & Aqua Palace Water Park

As with all sample itineraries, please be aware that this is an “example” of a schedule and that the activities included may be

variable dependent upon dates, weather, special requests and other factors. Itineraries will be confirmed prior to travel.

Prague…. Beautiful Prague, the capital of Czech Republic... Since the 9th century when the

first settlements were formed, Prague has been an architectural jewel in progress. No other European city possesses such a heady concentration of styles – Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Art Noveau, and Czech Modern. Prague's magnificent profile, silhouetted against a bright morning or twilight sky, is something of a vast fairytale panorama. The history of Prague covers more than a thousand years, during which time the city grew from the Vyšehrad Castle to the capital of a modern European state, the Czech Republic. In the 20th Century alone the city has witnessed a declaration of independence, Nazi control, oppressive communism and capitalist democracy! It’s an epic story! For more historical details, visit www.praguecitytourism.cz/en and www.inyourpocket.com/prague/History.

The Arts…. Choose from the following mediums to comprise your tour. With four sessions

included, groups may select all four in one specific art type or, elect to include a variety of mediums to appeal to a variety of students. Please let us know your preferences when requesting a quote.

Master Classes in Art, Dance & Drama Master Classes are 1.5 to 2-hours in length and are facilitated by our European tutor team. Workshop contents are developed between you and our European team of professional tutors to provide the specific training and instruction in the areas you are seeking, creating a personalized program to suit your individual needs. Class options include Art, Dance & Drama.

Performances for Choirs & Bands Performances will generally include some type of staging and either a piano or sound system, dependent upon your specific needs. Please alert us to your needs when requesting a quote as inclusions affect pricing. Performances are made to a public audience and are generally 30 to 45 minutes in length, depending upon the venue. Top performance venues include: The Czech Museum of Music - Originally a Baroque church, the building underwent major reconstruction and now blends early Baroque architecture with contemporary design. Visiting groups will instantly be struck by its unique and atmospheric assembly hall, where orchestras can perform to an audience of music lovers and take advantage of its excellent acoustics. It is home to interesting exhibitions and showcases an incredible collection of musical instruments. Groups will combine a performance with a few hours exploring the museum.

Peace Square - Overlooked by the beautiful Church of St Ludmila, Peace Square is a meeting spot for locals who come to the area to sit, chat and enjoy live music. The square is dominated by the neo-Gothic Cathedral of St Ludmila, built from 1888 to 1893 according to plans drawn by architect Josef Mocker, and the Art Nouveau Vinohrady Theatre, dating to 1904-1907. Every year, náměstí Míru is the venue for many cultural and social events. If traveling over the Christmas holidays, a performance at the Peace Square Christmas Market is a must!

St Nicholas Church - Visiting instrumental and choral groups can perform in this beautiful, historic building, making the most of the church’s inviting atmosphere and incredible acoustics. Ideal for choirs, groups can stand on the steps leading up to the church overlooking the square and sing before their concert – a great way to draw people into the church!

St. Vitus Cathedral - Its magnificent interior, complete with stained glass windows, intricate architecture and astounding acoustics, provides the perfect setting for performances. Performances here are limited to Mass participation on either a Friday or Sunday, so if your group is looking to experience the awe and prestige of performing in the cathedral, then booking early is highly recommended.

Church of the Holy Savior - Considered to be one of the most valuable early Baroque monuments in Prague, this beautiful church is currently used by the Roman Catholic Academic Parish and an ideal venue for choirs, bands and small orchestras. Richly decorated with statues and intricate architecture, as well as its own organ which dates back to the 17th century and baby piano, this church is a great venue right in the heart of Prague.

Emauzy Monastery Refectory - With its unmistakable modern white towers and gilded spires which sit on this early medieval monastery that was damaged by Allied bombing in WWII, this venue is one to remember. The church was founded by Charles IV in 1347 and became a center of learning, art and Slavic literature, with wall paintings that are among the rarest sights of Bohemian Gothic. As a heated venue, it’s ideal for winter concerts, and groups can expect a large and appreciative audience.

The Itinerary….

Day 1 Meals in flight, dependent upon airline

Fly to Prague in the Czech Republic on an overnight flight. Some groups prefer to fly to NYC or other major departure hub the day prior to their international journey to add an additional destination onto their trip. If you would like to include this, we would be happy to customize your itinerary as needed.

Day 2

Breakfast & dinner included; lunch on own

Arrive in Prague, clear customs and meet your Ambassador who will escort you to your awaiting coach. Transfer to your Prague hotel. Sample Hotel: The Aquapalace Hotel, www.aquapalacehotel.cz/en/rooms After settling in, we’ll have our Welcome & Safety Meeting, followed by time in the hotel’s waterpark to unwind and take in your new surroundings. Enjoy swimming, water slides, waves and much more. www.aquapalacehotel.cz/en/aquapalace-praha Take a stroll, hit the shops. Dinner will be in the hotel this evening.

The official language of the Czech Republic is Czech, which is spoken by over 96% of its inhabitants. But don't worry, nowadays you will have no problems communicating in English in most towns, and to a lesser extent in German. Older people often speak Russian and German.

Day 3

Breakfast & dinner included; lunch on own

Today you’ll have an opportunity to get acquainted with Prague and the Czech Republic. We’ll focus on history, culture and sightseeing today before jumping into our performances and master classes later in the week. Meet your specialty guide and enjoy a walking tour of the Old Town and the historic Old Town Square where you will see the world famous astronomical clock and the Church of St Nicholas as well as admire the amazing architecture. This entire area is steeped in stunning history. Prague’s Old Town by Lonely Planet Next, visit Prague Castle. Enjoy a guided walking tour of the Castle District and Charles Bridge. The Castle district is a complex where Kings and Presidents have all lived for a thousand years. It includes

palaces, churches, ministries and St Vitus Cathedral and is still an active part of the government. Built in 1357, Charles Bridge is now a pedestrian walkway, offering wonderful views of the city. Prague Castle

In the late afternoon, we’ll take a cruise on Czech’s longest river, the Vltava, to see the sights and sounds from the water. The 1-hour cruise is perfect for those who love history and sightseeing. Many famous sights of Prague are visible from the Vltava river! Afterwards, we’ll have a local dinner before setting up for an evening we won’t soon forget – The Ghosts and Legends of Old Town Prague! Choose from one of 2 tours prior to travel: The Ghosts & Legends Tour - Discover the myths and legends of Prague on a 1.5-hour ghost tour. Go to some of the city’s most mysterious alleys, and hear stories that will make you pray for the daylight! Learn the story behind the skeleton on the Astronomical Clock, and more. The Ghosts & Vampires of Prague - Take a ghost tour through the historic old town of Prague and get seriously spooked! This fun and fantastic 75-minute guided tour explores the dark side of the Czech capital, and visits places seldom seen by visitors on their own.

Day 4

Breakfast & dinner included; lunch on own

After breakfast, we’ll travel into town to our performance venue if a showcase is on the agenda. If a Master Class, most classes will be held at the hotel in which case you would have free time for exploration. After staging and a brief rehearsal, Performance 1. In the afternoon, we’ll have free time for exploration and then this evening, we’ll have a super fun evening dancing and singing along with the Czechs! The Folklore Garden, Traditional Czech Dinner & Dancing - Do you like folk music, songs and traditions? Folklore Garden offers a wonderful experience of Czech folk music in an interactive show, in the romantic atmosphere of a small castle. You are seated at large rustic tables and benches. The dancers

and singers will give you a lesson, and you will learn easy Czech folk songs and dances that are cheerful, and create a good mood. You can even borrow some of the traditional musical instruments and try to play along. If you wish, the band will play your favorite song at the end of the night. A 4-course dinner will be served.

Day 5

Breakfast included; lunch & dinner on own

Today is a free day to rest or explore on your own. Check out all the things you’ve read about or perhaps spend a day at the spa and waterpark. Taxis are easily accessible direct from the hotel. If you would prefer to hire a motorcoach for transport, let us know and we’ll gladly make the arrangements. Tonight, we’re in for a real treat! We’ll visit the Czech Opera or Prague Theatre, dependent upon availability, for a night of stunning culture. Seats options vary in pricing; basic seating included.

Prague's beautiful melody! Music plays a most important role in Prague, making the capital a city where the melodies and airs of the great composers ring out on every street corner. Every church, every grand house, presents a concert or a recital every evening, transforming the city into one giant concert hall.

The three main theatres are the Národní divadlo, the Státní opera, and the Stavovské divadlo: The Národní divadlo (National Theatre) is the most famous Czech theatre. The theatre opened for the first time in 1881. After 11 performances, the theatre burnt down and was closed. Josef Schulz rebuilt the building by merging three buildings. The theatre reopened in 1883. An annex was added, then a major refurbishing of the theatre's interior took place in 1977. The Státní opera (State Opera) has always been the Národní's main competitor. The Neuer Deutscher Theater opened in 1888 and was directed by Germans to rival the Czechs. After the German troops left the city in 1945, the Czech acquired the Neuer Deutcher Theater and renamed it the Great Opera of May

5th. The theatre was linked to the national theatre and renamed Smetana Theatre in 1949. After 1989, Karel Drgáč became the first director of the freshly renamed Státní opera. The Stavovské divadlo (Theatre of the States) is older than the other theatres. It opened in 1783 and was meant for Italian and German operas, but the venue also showed other international productions and Czech productions. Mozart's "Don Giovanni" was created here in 1787 and was a success. His "La clemenza di Tito" was also created here in 1791. Some parts of the movie "Amadeus", which relates Mozart's life, were filmed in the Stavovské divadlo.

Day 6

Breakfast & dinner included; lunch on own

Today is a day for the Arts! After breakfast, we’ll travel into town to our performance venue if a showcase is on the agenda. If a Master Class, most classes will be held at the hotel in which case you would have free time for exploration. After staging and a brief rehearsal, Performance 2. In the afternoon, we’ll have our 3rd performance or Master Class followed by a local dinner.

Day 7

Breakfast & dinner included; lunch on own

Today we’ll delve into some of the history of Prague and the Czech citizens. Communism & Nuclear Bunker Tour - This country has a dark period in its history. The country was full of paranoia, spying and violence. On this tour, you’ll uncover the background and stories from the communist time, having an opportunity to experience how life would have been in the cold-war period. Part of the daily life was spent in fear of a nuclear war. Citizens questioned who would survive and how. Here, the answers lie beneath the ground. After the start of the cold war, the communist regime fell into the permanent paranoia of being under threat of a nuclear attack from the west by their capitalist and imperialist enemies. As a result of defensive policies on both sides of the iron curtain, the people felt it was necessary to prepare for such a nuclear war. This 2-hour tour reviews the history of communism, spies and lies; communist terror: prisoners, refugees, dissidents; and cold war stories. You’ll visit of a real nuclear bunker from 1950’s – 16-meters and 4-floors deep under the city and the nuclear bunker museum with cold war artifacts and gasmask workshop. This afternoon, we’ll have our 4th Performance or Master Class and then dinner at our hotel this evening. We’ll need to be packed up and ready for departure early tomorrow morning!

Day 8

Breakfast & dinner included; lunch on own

This morning we’ll check-out of our hotel, load up and head to Vienna, Austria, approximately a 4-hour drive.

Vienna…. Vienna, Austria’s capital, lies in the eastern part of the country, on the Danube River.

Its artistic and intellectual legacy was shaped by residents including Mozart, Beethoven and Sigmund Freud. The city is also known for its Imperial palaces, including Schönbrunn, the Habsburgs’ summer residence. In the Museums Quartier district, historic and contemporary buildings display works by Egon Schiele, Gustav Klimt and other artists.

Upon arrival, we’ll visit the incredible Schönbrunn Palace (audio guide included). Schönbrunn Palace is a World Cultural Heritage site and Austria's most-visited location. The baroque art consisting of palace and gardens, was for centuries the property of the Habsburgs and is today largely in its original condition. Visitors will find numerous attractions, from a tour through the authentically furnished residential and ceremonial rooms of the Imperial Family in the palace, to the maze and the labyrinth in the gardens. www.schoenbrunn.at/en.html

After viewing the Palace, we’ll check into our hotel, grab a quick dinner and then we’re off again for another very special evening! The Vienna Mozart Orchestra - The repertoire of the Vienna Mozart Orchestra includes more than 100 works by the great master of the Viennese classical era Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The concerts are performed in the style of 18th century “Musical Academies” at which it was usual to perform single movements from his many symphonies and solo concertos, as well as overtures, arias and duets from his best-known operas, all in magnificent costumes and wigs! The favorite works by Mozart are performed at every concert. Video collection: www.mozart.co.at/videos-en.php

Day 9

Breakfast & dinner included; lunch on own

Today we’ll indulge ourselves with fabulous sightseeing in Vienna. Hop aboard the bus and get ready to see the brilliant sites! Big Bus Vienna (or similar) – The Vienna bus tour lets you delve into Vienna’s rich history, sophisticated culture and stunning architecture. The flexibility of our hop-on, hop-off tours allows you to immerse

yourself in Vienna's beautiful museums, magnificent palaces, grand monuments and rolling gardens at your own pace. Discover the baroque splendor and regal history of Vienna while exploring the best Vienna attractions, including architectural masterpieces St. Stephen's Cathedral and Vienna State Opera, alongside hidden gems within the Museumsquarter, Burggarten Court Garden and the House of Music. 15 stops to explore Vienna’s iconic landmarks and attractions!

Danube River Cruise - Enjoy a river cruise on the Danube! Cruises last between 1.5 and 2-hours, allowing you to see the sights from a unique vantage point on the Danube River. Guided Vienna Walking Tour - The Vienna City Walking Tour introduces you to the lives of the Habsburgs and touches on some of the city's famous composers. Each tour is led by a qualified guide, who will give you an insight into the area's history and culture. This evening we’ll have our European Farewell Dinner. Get ready to try amazing Austrian options like Schnitzel or Goulash.

Day 10

Breakfast included but dependent upon departure time Today we’ll end our tour with free time in the morning (dependent upon flight timings) and then traveling to the airport for our flight home from Europe, taking memories away with us that will last forever.

The Arts – Prague & Vienna

Minimum Booking Numbers: 20 students What’s Included: International flights: arrive Prague, depart Vienna

8-nights’ accommodation (6-nts Prague, 2-nts Vienna) Airport transfers & group transportation as detailed Meals in destination – Breakfasts & dinners daily

starting with dinner on your night of arrival and ending with breakfast on your day of departure

4 performances or Master Classes, director choice European tutor(s) for Master Class instruction

Admission to the Aquapalace Water Park Private, guided tour of Old Town Prague Private, guided tour of Prague Castle River Sightseeing Cruise on the Vltava River Ghosts & Legends Walking Tour The Folklore Garden – Czech Dinner Show The Czech Opera OR Prague Theatre, dependent upon availability Behind the Iron Curtain, Communism & Nuclear Bunker Tour Schönbrunn Palace admission with Audio Guide The Vienna Mozart Orchestra

Vienna Hop-On/Off Sightseeing Bus Vienna Walking Tour Danube River Cruise

Dedicated Visions Tour Ambassador 24-hour emergency cover What’s Not Included: Art materials for Master Classes (pricing dependent upon type of art and supplies required) Additional costs for staging, sound systems and piano rental if not included in quote

Fully comprehensive insurance (mandatory) Transfers to/from home airport Transportation to activities not shown in itinerary Meals not shown as included above (lunches + dinner on Day 5) Cost of visas, full or collective passports Cost of inoculations or medication required for travel

Sightseeing / Entertainment Options not shown in Itinerary Hotel incidental deposits & bills – meals, mini-bar items,

recreation charges, purchases billed to room, Any gratuities – coach drivers, maid/ bellman services, Visions Ambassador, local guides

As always, our staff are always available to you to answer any questions you may have regarding programming. If we may serve you in any way, please do not hesitate to contact us.

The Americas: info@visions-in-education.com / 417.231.4892

United Kingdom: info@visionsineducation.co.uk / 01444 810399