Christmas Along the Elbe

Tour the world’s largest castle complex and enjoy Privileged Access to the noble home of avid patrons of the arts. Embark on a scenic drive to Prague Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Within this massive complex, see the Gothic St. Vitus Cathedral and the Old Royal Palace, residence of the Czech president and the powerful seat of Bohemian kings and Holy Roman emperors of old. Then, head to Lobkowicz Palace, the 16th-century residence of Bohemian nobility. Their history is rich with tales of political and military leadership, inlaid with the art of great masters and bejeweled with musical masterpieces. Tour their resplendent palace, admiring a collection of art that includes the works of Pieter Bruegel the Elder and his sons. Then survey weaponry, tableware and personal love letters from the archives. Your visit includes an elegant lunch in the family’s original living quarters and a private concert in the baroque concert hall.

Enjoy a beautiful classical music performance in one of Prague’s historic venues during an evening concert. Prague is famed for its contribution to the performing arts and its great love of classical music. Mozart chose to premiere two of his operas here—Don Giovanni and La Clemenza di Tito—and the city has historically been instrumental in paving the way for several world-renowned Czech composers, including Johann Dismas Zelenka, Bedřich Smetana and Antonín Dvořák. Begin your evening tour with a panoramic drive through an illuminated Prague and witness the city’s medieval treasures. At your designated venue, disembark your motor coach and head inside to take your seats for an evening performance by some of Prague’s talented musicians. Sit back, relax and enjoy a classical music spectacle showcasing the heart of Prague’s culture in one of the city’s most beloved institutions.

Immerse yourself in the Josefov, or Jewish Quarter, of Prague during an enlightening walking tour. Jews are thought to have settled in the city as early as the 10th century. Today, the small district lies within the larger Old Town and is a rich repository of history. With your knowledgeable guide, you will visit the Maisel Synagogue museum, built during the 16th-century Golden Age of the Jewish Ghetto, and the Pinkas Synagogue, one of the oldest surviving synagogues in the city and a memorial to Holocaust victims. Peruse the historic Old Jewish Cemetery, the largest of its kind on the continent, before continuing to the elegant, baroque Klaus Synagogue and the neo-Renaissance Ceremonial Hall. Marvel at the Gothic exterior of the Old New Synagogue, the oldest active synagogue in Europe. Note that this excursion requires the ability to navigate many stairs and that synagogues are closed to the public on Jewish holidays.

Raise a glass to the vibrant and colorful traditions of Czech culture during a fun-filled evening of food, dance and wine. In the Bohemian countryside, villagers once gathered to celebrate the harvest, marriages and other events. Today, there is a village gala most every night at Prague’s Číčovický Dvůr, or the court of the village of Číčovice. Travel to this rural setting for a unique opportunity to experience firsthand the traditions that have shaped Czech identity over the centuries. Take a seat in the rustic country hall as a lively ensemble of dancers, singers and musicians in traditional dress regale you with songs that have endured for generations. Enjoy the strains of violins, a dulcimer and other instruments during a typical Czech meal served family style. This uplifting evening of carefree entertainment captures the spirit of Bohemia and Moravia.