Opera in Presidential Prague

Visit Prague, ‘The City of a Hundred Spires’ on our opera and ballet tour. Prague is undoubtedly one of Europe’s most renowned and enthralling capitals. The city will delight you at every turn, with palaces, cathedrals, and churches located throughout. Then there are the splendid bridges arching across the river, none more famous than the exquisite 15th century Charles Bridge, plus historic churches and merchants’ houses adorning the beautiful old town. Not forgetting the fascinating “astronomical clock” on the city’s unpronounceable square, Staromesti Namesti. In the evenings, attend Rusalka in the National Theatre and Nabucco in the Prague State Opera.

---

Day 1

• Your tour will start with an early morning flight to Prague.
• Your flight with Aer Lingus departs Dublin at 07:25 and arrives in Prague 11.00 (flight times subject to change).

Your hotel – TheJalta Hotel Praha Located in one of the most famous boulevards in central Europe, Wenceslas Square, the Jalta Hotel offers a great location in the centre of Prague allowing you to become immersed in the city’s unparalleled historical sights, monumental buildings and numerous buzzy restaurants.  Distinguished by its electric `50s style, enjoy the hotel’s sophisticated ambiance and stunning views of the historic architecture surrounding the hotel.

• On arrival in Prague, meet your local guide and transfer to the Boutique Jalta Hotel where you booked for four- nights on a bed and breakfast basis.
• On arrival, bags can be left with the hotel reception.
• After some time to take lunch (at own expense), meet your local guide for a walking orientation tour of the Old Town.
• This short (approx. 1.5 hour) walking tour will take you from your hotel through the Old Town.
• Listen as you guide introduces you to the fascinating history of Prague as you wander through the Old Town district.
• The remainder of the day and evening is at your leisure.

---

  Day 2

• Our Prague City tour is a superb introduction to the city of Prague, a city known for its rich opulent beauty and epic history.  Meet your local guide in hotel lobby and set off to learn about the history of Prague.
• The coach tour will introduce you to the major historical areas of Prague with Wenceslas Square at its heart, where the State Opera and National Museum look down on.
• Next, you will drive up to Prague Castle to discover the major sights within.
• Please do be aware that this is a very popular time for visit to Prague and there can be a queue into the castle district, this does however usually move quickly.
• Our guide will guide bring to life the magnificent  buildings in the Castle district and explaining their turbulent history, and royal connections.
• Admire the grandeur of Saint Vitus Cathedral and the ancient architecture of the Old Royal Palace.
• From Prague Castle, your guide will walk you down to the Vltava River, beginning with a flight of steps (the steps are lengthy, but wide and deep, and so fairly easy to walk down).
• The walk will take you across the city's most well-known historic attraction, the stunning Charles Bridge, which offers wonderful panoramic views of the city.

Please note that sightseeing tour is part by coach and part on foot as some of the most historic areas of Prague are only accessible on foot.    We recommend that you wrap up warm and wear comfortable shoes as the majority of the tour takes place on foot.  

•  Remainder of the day is at your leisure.

---

  Day 3

• Depart on a half-day excursion to Kutna Hora, a medieval town located to the east of Prague and now designated a world heritage site, protected by UNESCO.
• During the Middle Ages the discovery of huge deposits of silver transformed Kutná Hora into the most important city in the Kingdom of Bohemia after Prague. The wealth and prosperity that flowed from the mines led to a rich architectural development of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque buildings. And it is through visiting the most important buildings on the tour that we learn of the history of the town. Beautiful churches such as St. Barbara's Cathedral and elegant palaces like the Italian Court were constructed, where the Royal Mint was sited and produced coins for the whole kingdom. And to house the newly wealthy citizens, impressive burgher houses were built throughout the 15th century.

Evening

• Your evening will begin with a three-course pre-concert dinner in your hotel restaurant.
• After dinner, transfer with your guide to the National Theatre for the evening performance of Rusalka.
• Performance details: Rusalka in the National Theatre

Antonín Dvořák’s Rusalka is a true gem of Czech opera, one that has won over audiences worldwide. Ardent melodies, both tender and dramatically extreme, the composer’s masterful work with musical motifs and full-blooded orchestration, as well as Jaroslav Kvapil’s fabulous libretto, evoking K. J. Erben’s simple yet immensely forcible ballads, make Rusalka a work of fascinating beauty addressing audiences of all ages.

• Start time: 19:00
•  Running time: 3 hours 10 minutes
• Return to the hotel at the end of the performance.

---

Day 4

• Day at leisure to explore Prague.
• The evening begins with an early  three-course pre-opera dinner in your hotel restaurant.
• After dinner, make the short walk with your guide to the Prague State Opera for the evening performance of Nabucco.
• Performance details: 
•  Nabucco in the Prague State Opera
• A Biblical epic about power, love, religion and freedom
• The story, more than a thousand years old, depicts a religiously motivated war and a nation’s expulsion from its home – and it is set in the Middle East, the most turbulent region there is.
• Start time: 19:00
• Running time: 2 hours 35 minutes
• At the end of the evening, walk back to the hotel.

---

Day 5

• Transfer to Prague airport for return flight.  Flight departs Prague at 11:40 and arrives Dublin 13:20

---

Price includes:

• Return flights, taxes and transfers
• Four-nights in the Boutique Jalta Adria Hotel with breakfast
• Orientation walking tour of Old Town Prague on arrival day
• Guided coach and walking tour of Prague with visit to Prague Castle
• Half-day excursion to Kutna Hora
• Two evening meals in hotel
• Category one ticket to Rusalka in the National Theatre
• Category one ticket to Nabucco in the Prague State Opera
• Free time for independent sightseeing
• Private coach and guide assistance for all transfers and excursions

---

FOR INFORMATION OR TO BOOK, PLEASE CALL (01) 888 7840 Or email reservations@instituteforculturetravel.ie https://www.instituteforculturetravel.ie/opera-tour-in-presidential-prague