Exploring Heritage Sites in the Czech Republic and the Capital of Slovakia

May 18, 2023

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Exploring Heritage Sites in the Czech Republic and the Capital of Slovakia

The Czech Republic, preferably known as Czechia by its government since 2006, is a landlocked country in Central Europe.

Archaeological finds suggested the existence of human living since the Paleolithic period with traces of Celtic ancestral evidence. In the 9th century, the area was known as the Duchy of Bohemia under Great Moravia, which was formally recognised as an Imperial State of the Holy Roman Empire before becoming a kingdom in 1198. It was later gradually integrated into the Habsburg monarchy in 1526. With the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire in 1806, the lands became part of the Austrian Empire.

Following the collapse of Austria-Hungary after World War I, the Czech lands became a part of the First Czechoslovak Republic. The lands had gone through many transitional periods with the rulings of Nazi Germany, the Communist Bloc State under the influence of the Soviet Union before Czechoslovakia was peacefully dissolved on 31 December 1992, and the two constituent states became the independent states of the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

Through many cultural influences received from long periods of each transitional period of its ruling, the Czech Republic is left with many artistic treasures in architecture, art, and much ethnic heritage of the Bohemians, Moravians, Slovaks, Russian, and the Czechs themselves. Many of these monuments, sites, and objects became World Heritage Sites for us to explore on this trip.

The Siam Society will arrange an eleven-day study trip to explore the magnificent heritage sites in the Czech Republic and the capital of Slovakia, under the leadership of Mrs Somlak Charoenpot, Vice President and Honorary Secretary of The Siam Society.

When

Tuesday, 29 August to Friday, 8 September 2023

Leader

Mrs Somlak Charoenpot

Vice President and Honorary Secretary of The Siam Society

Booking

See information below

Or contact Khun Thun

studytrips@thesiamsociety.org

 

The tentative programme will be as follows:

Day 1: Tuesday, 29 August: Bangkok – Vienna – Prague
10:30 Meet at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Check in at the Austrian Airlines counter.
13:15 Depart Bangkok to Vienna by flight OS016
19:05 Arrive at Vienna International Airport, and transfer for a flight to Prague.
21:00 Depart Vienna for Prague by flight OS711
21:50 Arrive at Prague International Airport, and transfer to the hotel
– Overnight at Hilton Prague Hotel
Day 2: Wednesday, 30 August: Prague (Old Town)
– Breakfast at the hotel
Morning: Walking Tour at the Old Town Square, one of the most iconic parts of the city.

– Admire the gothic architecture of the Tyn Church.

– The baroque St. Nicholas Church, and the Old Town Hall with its astronomical clock, which dates to the 15th century.

– Strolling through the Jewish Quarter, take a look at the exteriors of the Old and New Synagogues.
Noon: Lunch at a local restaurant
Afternoon:

 

 

 

 

 

 Continue to visit the Old Town Square.

– The Estates Theatre, the oldest theatre in Prague.

– Charles University has been at the core of all educational changes and activities for over 600 years.

– The Clementinum (Klementinum), home to the National Library of the Czech Republic. These beautiful Baroque buildings were originally part of a Jesuit College and became a public library in 1782, shortly after being constituted as the National Library. This library has more than six million books, the Clementinum’s collection is huge and includes copies of every book published in the Czech Republic. A highlight is the exquisite Baroque Library Hall with its beautiful ceiling artwork.
– Dinner at a local restaurant

Overnight at Hilton Prague Hotel
Day 3: Thursday, 31 August: Prague
– Breakfast at the hotel
Morning: Start your day by visiting the magnificent Prague Castle, one of the largest castle complexes in the world. It has a history dating back over 1,000 years and was the seat of power for Bohemian kings, Holy Roman Emperors, and Czechoslovakian presidents. The castle is also home to the beautiful St. Vitus Cathedral, which took more than 500 years to build. This cathedral boasts Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque elements.
– Cross the famous Charles Bridge and take the views of the Vltava River and the city. The bridge is lined with 30 Baroque statues and was built in the 14th century.
Noon: Lunch at a local restaurant
Afternoon: Take a river cruise on the Vltava River to see the city from a different perspective.
– Dinner at your own arrangement

Overnight at Hilton Prague Hotel
Day 4: Friday, 1 September: Jablonec nad Nisou – Prague
– Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning:

 

–

 Proceed to the north, exploring the Crystal Valley of the Liberec Region. The production of glass and jewelry has been well-known in the region for centuries and the still-living tradition of production itself does not differ much from that of a hundred years ago. More than 40 companies, museums, and schools are involved in the unique project.

Visit one of the Bohemia crystal factories, and The Museum of Glass and Jewelry in Jablonec nad Nisou which is one of a kind in the Czech Republic and the world. It offers the largest collection of jewelry and the biggest exposition of glass in the country.
Noon: Lunch at a local restaurant
Afternoon: Proceed back to the hotel in Prague
– Dinner at a local restaurant
Overnight at Hilton Prague Hotel
Day 5: Saturday, 2 September: Karlovy Vary – Prague
– Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning: Proceed by coach to visit the most famous Spa Town in Czech, Karlovy Vary. History of the city dates to the 14th century, the time of Charles IV. The curative effects of the local mineral springs were used as treatments on greats such as Tsar Peter the Great and the writer Goethe. Walk along the colonnade through the historic centre, where we’ll find the thermal springs e.g. 15 healing hot springs (mainly for better digestion) in 5 colonnades of different architectural styles. The most known hot spring is called “Vridlo” (“Geyser”) with its 12-metre-high mineral water.
Noon: Lunch at a local restaurant
Afternoon:

Enroute:

 Proceed back to Prague

Visit the famous Moser glassworks and renowned Jan Becher Museum, where we will have a tasting of the most famous traditional herb spirit – Becherovka.
– Dinner at your own arrangement

Overnight at Hilton Prague Hotel
Day 6: Sunday, 3 September: Kutna Hora – Nepomuk – Cesky Krumlov
– Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning:

 

–

 

–

 Check out of the hotel and proceed to Kutna Hora, one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Czech.  Kutna Hora developed as a result of silver mines. In the 14th century, it became a royal city endowed with monuments that symbolised its prosperity.

Visit the Sedlec Ossuary, also known as the Bone Church, which is decorated with the bones of over 40,000 people. It is a unique example of Baroque art and architecture.

Explore the Historic City Centre, which has many Gothic and Baroque buildings, including St. Barbara’s Church, which is one of the most beautiful Gothic churches in Central Europe.
Noon: Lunch at a local restaurant
Afternoon:

 

 

–

–

 Visit another UNESCO World Heritage Site: The Pilgrimage Church of Saint John of Nepomuk on the Zelena Hora. It was constructed in honour of St. John of Nepomuk, the Czech martyr who was drowned in the Vltava River because he refused to divulge the secrets of the confessional. The concept of this church is unique and very modern for its time.  Jan Santini combined the Baroque style with Gothic elements in both construction and decoration.

Continue to Cesky Krumlov, a beautiful and charming town in the South Bohemian region of the Czech Republic, known for its well-preserved medieval architecture and stunning castle.

Check in at Hotel Dvorak
– Dinner and overnight at the hotel
Day 7: Monday, 4 September: Cesky Krumlov
– Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning:

 

–

 Sightseeing in Cesky Krumlov, visit a castle that dates to the 13th century and continue exploring its gardens. Later, head down to the historic Old Town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Explore the winding cobblestone streets and alleys and admire the well-preserved Gothic and Renaissance architecture.

Then visit the Church of St. Vitus, which features beautiful frescoes and stained-glass windows.
Noon: Lunch at a local restaurant
Afternoon:

 

–

 At your own leisure

Dinner at a local restaurant

Overnight at Hotel Dvorak
Day 8: Tuesday, 5 September: Telc – Trebic – Bruno
– Breakfast at the hotel
Morning: Check out of the hotel
– Proceed to visit Telc, a fairy tale town situated in Moravia. The town centre has been inscribed on the UNESCO Heritage List in 1992 and it represents a great architectural jewel such as The Gothic castle, Gothic houses, and water fortification. The history of this town dates to the 12th century when the buildings were originally built of wood. After the big fire in the 14th century, the whole city centre had been renovated, and rebuilt in stone. The Telc Chateau is surrounded by beautiful Renaissance and Baroque houses with arcades and richly decorated gables, this area has been built later from the main square.
Noon: Lunch at a local restaurant
Afternoon:

 

 

–

 Continue to visit Trebic, the town which is known for its preserved Jewish quarter and Romanesque Basilica. For centuries, the Jews lived separately from the Christians, but not many Jewish quarters were preserved. The Jewish Quarter in Trebic was fully preserved and nowadays it is the only Jewish monument outside Israel listed in the UNESCO World Heritage list. Another important site in Trebic is The Basilica of St. Procopius which was originally built as a part of the Benedictine monastery in the early 13th century.

After that proceed to Bruno, the country’s second-largest city after Prague.
– Dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight at Barcelo Bruno Palace in Bruno

 
Day 9: Wednesday, 6 September: Bruno – Moravia – Bratislava (Slovakia)
– Breakfast at the hotel
Morning:

–

–

 

 

–

 Check out of the hotel

Proceed to South Moravia is famous for its vineyards, chateaux, and stunning countryside.

Visit the Lednice-Valtice Cultural Landscape, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. This area is known for its beautiful chateaux and gardens, which were designed in the English landscape style.

Wine tasting at the cellar ground of Valtice Chateau, home to the National Wine Centre. The exposition of the hundred best wines is open all year round except for January so visitors can indulge themselves in tasting, identifying and even buying Czech wine.
Noon: Lunch at a local restaurant
Afternoon: Travel across the border to Bratislava, the Capital city of Slovakia.
– Dinner and overnight at AC Hotels by Marriott Bratislava
Day 10: Thursday, 7 September: Bratislava – Vienna
– Breakfast at the hotel
Morning: At your own leisure
Noon: Lunch at own arrangement
Afternoon: Visit the city centre, sightseeing in Bratislava. Visit Bratislava Castle, this iconic castle is located on a hill overlooking the city and the Danube River. The castle dates back to the 9th century and has been rebuilt several times over the years. The castle is now a museum and offers stunning views of the city and the surrounding countryside.  Stroll through the Old Town of Bratislava, a charming area with narrow streets, historic buildings, and beautiful architecture. Then, visit the Main Square, Michael’s Gate, and St. Martin’s Cathedral.
– Dinner at a local restaurant then transfer to Vienna Airport by bus
23:25 Depart Vienna for Bangkok by Austrian Airline flight OS25
Day 11: Friday, 8 September: Bangkok
14:40 Arrive at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport

The Siam Society reserves the right to change the programme as necessary.

Important notes:

– The Siam Society may utilise photos taken from study trips, lectures, performances, and other activities as part of its public relations and marketing campaign. These photos, which may sometimes contain image(s) of activity participants, can also be featured on the Society’s website and other online social media channels.

Booking:

Contribution of THB 135,000 (THB 139,000 for non-member). Single room surcharge of THB 20,000. A deposit of THB 50,000 and a photocopy of the identification page on your passport must accompany the booking. Your reservation will be confirmed as soon as the deposit has been made. Payment in full will be required 30 days before the start of the trip (i.e. by Wednesday, 8 August 2023). Please pay by cash or cheque payable to “The Siam Society”. Transfer can also be made to The Siam Society travel account at TMBThanachart Bank (ttb), saving account no. 053-2-18000-7 or by scanning the QR code on your right. Once payment has been made, please fax or e-mail the deposit or transfer docket to us.

We kindly ask that you confirm your reservation by Tuesday, 25 July 2023

Inclusions:

  • The contribution includes accommodation (twin sharing basis), meals as mentioned in programme, transfer & sightseeing coaches, entrance fees, gratuities, and other costs incurred to make this trip possible.

Exclusions:

  • All airfares are not included in the price,but for those who would like us to book their tickets, it can be arranged at the time of booking.
  • Visa fees (if any), personal expenses, 4 meals as mentioned in the programme, personal food and beverage consumptions, etc.

Please note that the flight itinerary between Bangkok-Vienna-Prague-Vienna-Bangkok as mentioned in the programme only serves as a suggestion. Trip participants can travel with their preferred airline of choice throughout the above sequence of the itinerary.

To comply with payment and cancellation policies set forth by tour agencies and to facilitate smooth working conditions between The Siam Society and the tour agencies, please carefully read the cancellation policies stated below:

Cancellation charges:

45 days before the start of the trip: Deposit forfeited
45–30 days before the start of the trip: 50% of the tour cost
Less than 30 days or cancellation without notice: No refund

Covid-19 policy

Due to a lower number of worldwide infections, many countries have relaxed their travel restrictions and quarantine requirements regarding Covid-19.

Nevertheless, when traveling as a group, The Siam Society would like to remind you of the following measures that we have put in place:

– We kindly ask that our trip participants perform a self-administered ATK test prior to the commencement of the trip. Participants are also asked to carry with them multiple sets of ATK test kits, along with their preferred set of medicines (for consumption if infected with Covid-19.)

– In the event that trip participants are tested positive during the trip, the group will continue to follow the planned itinerary. To ensure the health and safety of all trip participants, those who tested positive shall adhere to appropriate self-isolation measures as directed by the trip leader.

– Those tested positive with severe symptoms shall be treated in accordance with the health measures stipulated by the local government. Medical costs in excess of the insurance coverage shall be at the expense of the trip participant(s).

– The Siam Society will provide health insurance for all trip participants. Medical costs in excess of the insurance coverage shall be at the expense of the trip participant.

– Our staff and local tour operators will constantly provide you with the latest updates on local health and safety regulations.

Tourist Visa Policy

Thai passport holders:

Holders of Thai passports are required to apply for a Schengen Tourist Visa before entering the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic. However, exceptions are granted to Thai passport holders holding a VALID multiple entry Schengen visa.

Non-Thai passport holders:

Over 59 nations around the world such as US, EU, Canada, New Zealand, Singapore and etc. have a visa waiver agreement with Czech and Slovakia, which do not require a visa to enter for the purpose of tourism. A valid passport with a minimum validity of six months from the arrival date is sufficient.

For more information about categories and nationals of countries that are privileged with entering the Schengen visa-free zone, please follow the link: https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/who-needs-schengen-visa/

If you have any questions regarding the circumstances of your visa requirements, please do not hesitate to reach out to The Siam Society.

Please note that your passport must be valid for at least six months longer than your intended stay in a visiting country and must also have at least two blank pages for visa stickers/ stamps.

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