Prague Castles and Gardens

May 21- May 28, 2010
Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut





Spend a week in Prague when the “spring blooming season” is at its height.  Travel on British Airways, stay in 4 star accommodations for 6 nights, tour with a knowledgeable local guide and visit gardens and castles. Enjoy  4 lunches and 4 dinners.  Why not extend your stay in London for 3 nights in 4 star accommodations with daily breakfast and spend the day at the Chelsea Flower Show and a day touring Hampton Court.  Transportation is included.



Join the Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut, on a spring tour to Prague, the capital city of the Czech Republic. Known as the pearl of Europe, it is one of the most beautiful and unspoiled cities in Europe.   This "golden city of spires," has architectural splendors that span a thousand years. The trip's leisurely pace will provide ample opportunity for you to soak up the history, architecture and stunning gardens in Prague and in nearby historic towns.  Our four star hotel is ideally located in the heart of the city.  






1.  Friday , May 21     
A private coach to JFK participants up at Hartford, New Haven and  Greenwich. We depart  on British Airways at 9:30pm.    



2.  Saturday, May 22     
We arrive in the early morning at the London Heathrow airport and connect to our Prague flight.  Our flights conveniently arrive and depart from the new Terminal 5.  We arrive in Prague in the early afternoon. After lunch we check into the 4 star Hotel Andels for six nights.  www.andelshotel.com.  Relax and refresh or explore the area around the hotel.  Enjoy a welcome dinner tonight.



3.  Sunday, May 23     
We visit the Prague Castle area and Italian Renaissance Royal Garden.  We tour the Lobkowicz Palace, which has one of the most significant family collections in Europe,  comprised of paintings, and decorative arts. After lunch at the Palace café we visit the 18th century Vrtba Garden, an Italian-style terraced Baroque garden, a quiet oasis in the center of the city and one of the most beautiful gardens in Prague.  The evening is free.



4.  Monday, May 24     
Spend the morning exploring Prague’s Old Town and Wenceslas Square. At the Old Town Square see the Astronomical Clock and the Gothic Church of Our Lady before Týn.  We cross the Vltava River on the picturesque Charles Bridge.  After lunch (on own) visit the Botanic Garden with its old alluring glasshouse full of orchids, a cactus room, primeval plants, and even a Methuselah tree (the oldest living organism in the world). Tonight we have a group dinner.



5.  Tuesday, May 25     
Spend the day on an excursion outside the city to explore Konopiste Chateau and its park. This 17th-century castle-turned-hunting-lodge built by the Habsburgs, was reconstructed at the end of 19th century and houses fascinating collections of  furniture, paintings and tapestries.  Its park contains a lovely baroque rose garden with a greenhouse. It was the property of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, famous for his death in 1914 which started WWI.  After the tour we return back to the Prague hotel. You are free in the evening.



6.  Wednesday, May 26     
In the morning visit the Charles University Botanical Garden, the oldest botanic garden in the Czech Republic, founded in 1775. The steep, hillside garden concentrates on Central European flora and is especially pretty in spring. You have free time for lunch before our  leisurely cruise on the Vltava River.  Tonight enjoy a dinner at the popular brewery  at Strahov.



7.  Thursday, May 27     
In the morning we visit the romantic Baroque chateau of Troja,  located by a lovely bend in the Vltava River, surrounded by  attractive gardens and an old vineyard. An impressive staircase, leads to a splendid garden. The cellar of the chateau houses an intimate wine museum where you can sample and purchase Czech wine. We also tour the Wallenstein Garden which surrounds the baroque-style Wallenstein Palace. This is an exquisitely manicured garden in period style, open only during the summer months.  The afternoon is free. Tonight we have a farewell dinner.



8.  Friday, May 28     
After breakfast we check out of the hotel and transfer to the airport  
for our morning British Airways  flight.  We arrive in London’s  Heathrow airport where we transfer to our New York flight, arriving JFK at 1255pm. A coach meets you and returns you to Connecticut.  



9.  Saturday, May 29     OPTIONAL LONDON EXTENSION
Spend the day at the Royal Horticultural Society Chelsea Flower Show, perhaps the most famous gardening event in the world. The Chelsea Flower Show opens at 8:00 a.m. and you will be there when the gates open!



10.  Sunday, May 30     
Today is free for independent pursuits.  London offers unlimited possibilities.



11.  Monday, May 31     
Check out of the hotel and transfer to London’s Heathrow airport for the British airways nonstop  flight to JFK.  Transportation awaits you to Connecticut.  





This engaging experience includes:

  • Round trip airfare on British Airways
  • 6 nights accommodations
  • Daily breakfast, 4 lunches, 4 dinners
  • Guided tours and admissions as per itinerary
  • JFK transportation
  • OPTIONAL LONDON EXPERIENCE
  • British Airways stopover charge and taxes
  • 3 nights accommodations
  • Daily breakfast
  • Guided tours of Hampton Court
  • Transfer and ticket to Chelsea flower Show
  • JFK transportation
PROGRAM PRICES  
Per person (double occupancy) from New York: $2999  
Single Supplement: $425  
(Based on 15 people)  
 
OPTIONAL LONDON EXPERIENCE:  
Per person (double occupancy) $625