Prague
Prague has recently been restored to its full glory following the vicissitudes of the 20th century.
Fascinatingly, some of the old Bohemian families have regained their ancestral possessions, notably Prince Lobkowicz, whose palace stands proudly on the Castle Hill just above our hotel in a splendidly converted Augustine monastery.
The Prince and Princess have invited us to a gala dinner with music. We can enjoy the palace’s splendid works of art including one of Pieter Brueghel’s most famous landscapes and extraordinary musical manuscripts by Haydn and Beethoven specially composed for the family.
Outside the city we will enjoy a lunch at Nelahozeves Castle, their fine, Renaissance, country residence set in the Bohemian woods. Anton Dvorak, the great Czech composer, was born just below the castle walls.
Prague itself boasts some of the finest Gothic, Baroque and Art Nouveau architecture in all Europe. It was the favourite city of the Emperor Charles IV, who founded the university and built the handsome Charles Bridge, and of Rudolph II, the greatest artistic collector of the late Renaissance. We will be sampling the city’s wonderfully rich history in its Baroque churches, its ancient synagogues, and the fascinating chapel where Jan Hus, predecessor of Luther, preached.
Hotel: Rocco Forte’s five star Augustine Hotel is the finest place to stay in Prague. This former monastery combines all the romance of historic Prague with immaculate decor and comfort, the excellent Lichfield Restaurant and a spa with hammam.
Lecturer: Charles FitzRoy
Tour Leaders: Charles FitzRoy and Jane Rae