A very Special Travel Invitation from the
EMMA Concert Association
Dear EMMA Patron and Friend:
As a cultural traveler you know that exceptional travel experiences not only call for an exciting destination and a meticulous planning, but also need an ideal timing of the visit and a pleasing travel companionship… it is precisely what our special travel invitation to Prague has to offer.
Designed specially for EMMA patrons, Prague Spring and Beyond journey travels to the charming capital of the Czech Republic for the 67th season of the renowned Prague Spring International Music Festival held under the patronage of the President of the Czech Republic Vaclav Klaus.
Founded in 1946, Prague Spring International Music Festival has become one of the most recognized international music festivals attracting both top musicians and music lovers from all over the world. Opening with Bedrich Smetana’s celebrated My Country, the Festival begins on May 12th – the anniversary of Smetana’s death—and goes on presenting wonderful music throughout the City for over three weeks.
Join your fellow EMMA friends and treat yourself and someone special to an inspiring fully escorted, stylish, and worry free journey produced to benefit EMMA, your favorite non-profit music organization.
Prague Spring and Beyond…
An Exclusive Tour Designed to Blend Great Music
Experiences with the Finest of Bohemia and Baroque Dresden
May 10 – 21, 2012 (10 Nights)
Designed and Escorted by Jirina Dragon, a Native of Prague
Music Highlights
- My Country – the Cycle of Six Symphonic Poems (including The Moldau – Vltava River) by Bedrich Smetana performed by the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra at the historic Smetana Hall of the Prague Municipal House
- Rusalka – the enchanted opera by Antonin Dvorak renowned for its famous aria “Song to the Moon” presented at the Prague State Opera
- The Bartered Bride – the humorous opera by Bedrich Smetana presented at the National Theatre
Prague Municipal House Smetana Hall Prague State Opera
Special Features
- Discover the finest of selected locations based on the tailored, one-of-a-kind, well-paced itinerary while having numerous opportunities to pursue your own interests
- Step back in time as you explore over a thousand years of the Central European rich history and culture
- Fall in love with the magical appearance and the exciting atmosphere of Prague - the city that has been a major source of inspiration influencing the musical genius of both Bedrich Smetana and Antonin Dvorak
- Delight in four preferred music performances presented at Prague’s celebrated major music and theater venues
- Discover three of twelve Czech sites listed on the UNESCO’s World Heritage List
Prague – the historical city center (registered 12/1992)
Kutna Hora – St. Barbara Cathedral and the core of the city (registered 12/1995)
Litomysl – the historical city center and Litomysl chateau (registered 12/1999)
- Marvel at the rebuilt Baroque historical city center of Dresden, the capital of Saxony, first mentioned in records over 800 hundred years ago
- Take pleasure in savoring traditional local dishes at selected restaurants offering superb, award-winning cuisine in memorable settings
- Enrich your experience by meeting like-minded Bohemians
LEARN MORE…REQUEST YOUR TOUR INFO PACKET TODAY
CALL: 407 351 3773
Email: jirina@jdeuropeantours.com
Package Price per Person in Double Occupancy
Inclusive Air Fare $6,480
Land Portion ONLY $4,990
Single Supplement $1,250
RESERVATION DEADLINE: FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2012
To secure a reservation, the RSVP FORM including a deposit of $2,000 per person must be received by the reservation deadline
Included in the package price:
Preferred seating to four major music performances
Two Prague Spring Festival concerts
Two operas with English subtitles
Fine accommodation for 10 nights including breakfast buffet at the charming 5-star Hotel Hoffmeister & Spa superbly located in the historical core of the city
Roundtrip Airfare to/from Prague from ORLANDO with one change ONLY
May 10, 2012 – MCO/Paris/Prague – AF 693 (8:45 P.M.) & AF 1982 (1:10 P.M.)
May 21, 2012 – Prague/JFK/MCO – DL 211 (11:55 A.M.) & DL 2159 (8 P.M.)
Fine dining at selected restaurants featuring local cuisine and memorable surroundings
Ten full breakfast buffets
Six lunches with a choice of mineral water or soft drink
Five dinners with a choice of mineral water or soft drink and a choice of wine or beer
Two refreshments
Ground transportation and transfers in the city by private motor coach as applicable
Privately arranged sightseeing and by a special appointment visits and tours including
Exploration of the Old Town including the Old Town Square (originated in the 12th century as a market place) and a tour of the Old Town Hall (originated in 1338 and admired for its Astrological Clock dating to 1410)
Promenade on the famous 14th century Charles Bridge built to replace the Judith Bridge from 1158 (the second oldest stone bridge in Europe) following the destruction of the first wooden bridge on this site (built in 1118) by flood waters
Exploration of the Lesser Town (founded in 1257 in an attempt to unify the scattered Romanesque settlements) including a visit to St. Nicholas Church (a high Baroque church started in 1704 to replace the former Gothic Church of St. Nicholas founded in 1283)
Old Town Charles Bridge Lesser Town
Visit to Vysehrad (a fortified former royal seat built on a rock overlooking the Vltava River in the first half of the 10th century) to observe Prague Spring Festival Opening Ceremony and to see the final resting place of Bedrich Smetana and Antonin Dvorak
Visit to Bedrich Smetana Prague Museum to view a special exhibit titled Ema Destinnova (the world-renowned Czech opera singer) and Bedrich Smetana designed with a special focus on the staging of Smetana operas, including The Bartered Bride
Visit to Strahov Monastery (one of the oldest and most valuable of Prague’s religious monuments founded in 1140 on Hradcany hill overlooking the city) including a tour of the renowned Strahov Library (one of the oldest church libraries in Bohemia with an uninterrupted existence containing over 140 thousand volumes in stock including the oldest manuscript Strahov Gospel dated in 860)
Exploration of Prague Castle (founded after 880 as the seat of Bohemian princes) with a visit to St. Vitus Cathedral (Prague’s biggest and most important church dating to 926 when the original Romanesque rotunda was built), St. George Basilica (the oldest surviving church in the city dating to 921), and the Royal Palace (an original early medieval Romanesque palace with Gothic and Renaissance additions that served as the residence of the Czech kings until the 16th century when the Habsburgs turned it into state offices) including the viewing of The Story of Prague Castle exhibit.
Aerial View of Prague Vltava River and Prague Castle St. Vitus Cathedral
Trip to Nelahozeves, the birthplace of Antonin Dvorak, to visit Dvorak Museum and to view the Lobkowicz exhibit Private Spaces: A Noble Family at Home at the monumental Nelahozeves Chateau (one of the significant Renaissance buildings in Bohemia built in the middle of the 16th century)
Journey to Dresden (first mentioned in records in 1206 with the biggest expansion during the 17th century under the reign of Augustus the Strong) to explore the rebuilt (destroyed as a result of fire bombing on February 13th, 1945) historical city center including a visit to the Historical Green Vault and the Old Masters Gallery
Journey to East Bohemia to visit the ancient town of Litomysl, the birthplace of Bedrich Smetana, to tour the Renaissance Litomysl Castle (an example of an arcade-castle – first developed in Italy – built in the 16th century) including the exclusive baroque theatre, Zoubek sculture exhibit, and the Smetana Museum.
Litomysl Litomysl Chateau Litomysl Gardens
Tour of St. Agnes Monastery (founded in 1233 at the request of Agnes of Bohemia to introduce into Bohemia the Order of the Poor Clares, the female branch of the Franciscan order) including a visit to the Bohemia and Central Europe Old Masters gallery displaying works of art from the period between 1200-1550
Trip to Kutna Hora (one of the medieval Europe’s largest source of silver and the second most important town of the former Kingdom of Bohemia) to visit late Gothic St. Barbara’s Cathedral, the Czech Silver Museum, and the Church of All Saints with its Ossuary notable for a unique decoration made from human skulls and bones.
St. Barbara's Cathedral Dresden Cathedral and Royal Palace Dresden Zwinger
Entrance fees and taxes paid
Fully escorted by Jirina Dragon, a native of Prague with specialized local guide services when applicable
Note: Expect to walk several blocks as many of historical and cultural sites are within the pedestrian zones. Participants must be able to climb stairs without assistance.
LEARN MORE…REQUEST YOUR TOUR INFO PACKET TODAY
CALL: 407 351 3773
Email: jirina@jdeuropeantours.com
RESERVATION DEADLINE: FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2012
To secure a reservation, the RSVP FORM including a deposit of $2,000 per person must be received by the reservation deadline
J D European Tours, LLC
Specializing in Small Group Customized Travel to Prague & Beyond
Fla. Seller of Travel Ref. No. ST36367