Prague-Pilsen-Munich
August 12-20, 2024

Day 1, August 12 (Monday): DEPART CHARLOTTE 
Begin our trip to Prague, Pilsen, Munich for an incredible tour of some of the great beers of Europe with an overnight flight to Prague.  Meals served onboard. 
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Day 2, August 13 (Tuesday): PRAGUE ARRIVAL 
Arrive in Prague and meet our professional English-speaking tour manager. Board the coach transfer to the hotel, check into the hotel upon arrival, and enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure before our Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant. (D)
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Day 3, August 14 (Wednesday): PRAGUE 

We start with a guided tour of the Old Town, one of the most well preserved old cities in Europe, and the statue-lined Charles Bridge. See over a thousand years of history, beautiful architecture, the old Town Square, and the famous Astronomical Clock that comes alive when the hour strikes and the twelve disciples appear to bless the crowd. We will also visit the church of Our Lady before Tyn, walk through the Prague alleys along the Powder Tower to St. Wenceslas Square, and walk through the Jewish quarter to see the outside to the Great Synagogue and the cemetery. Lunch on our own and afternoon at leisure before dinner at Strahov Monastery with beer tasting. Overnight at the hotel in Prague (B|D)

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Day 4, August 15 (Thursday): PRAGUE 

With our local guide, we visit the Hradcany Castle District, the historical seat of power of old Bohemian dukes and kings. Its main building, the Prague Castle, is the largest castle in the world. See also the vestibule of St. Vitus, an excellent example of Gothic architecture. We will also see the famed Golden Lane, a row of tiny artisan shops built outside the castle walls. Lunch at a local restaurant and the rest afternoon at leisure.  Dinner on our own. (B|L)

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Day 5, August 16 (Friday): KARLSTEJN – PILSEN

Depart for Pilsen and visit the famous Karlstejn Castle, commissioned by the mighty Emperor Charles IV.  Built in the years 1348-1355, it was the main depository of the Emperor’s coronation jewels and state documents and still houses many important Czech national treasures. Continue to Pilsen and lunch on our own. After, we visit the Pilsner Urquell Brewery, one of the most famous breweries in the world. It′s a massive beer producing complex spread out over 128 acres. During the tour we will learn about the history of the pale lager variety of beer known as pilsner, which was named after the city itself. We will see first-hand how the beer is brewed, what ingredients go into making it, and the ancient brewing techniques.  Dinner at the brewery restaurant. Overnight in Pilsen (B|D)

 
Day 6, August 17 (Saturday): WELTENBURG – MUNICH

We depart for Germany, making a stop at the Weltenburg Abbey. Founded by a mission of Irish and Scottish monks in about 620, it is held to be the oldest monastery in Bavaria and with the oldest monastic brewery (1050). We take a guided tour to learn about monastic life, the rich and turbulent history of this region, the local brewing process which varies from the methods used in Pilsen, and of course, we take part a beer tasting of the local brews. Lunch on our own.  Continue on to Munich with dinner at a local restaurant.  (B, D)

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Day 7, August 18 (Sunday): MUNICH

Take a guided tour of Munich, a city with a flourishing success story but also embroiled deeply in European history. Visit the Marienplatz, the world famous “Glockenspiel” and the most familiar landmark of old Munich - the twin-towered Frauenkirche.  Continue to the Asamkirche, dedicated to the martyr St. John Nepomuk, Town Hall and the magnificent boulevards created by infamous “Mad” King Ludwig in the middle of the 19th century. Lunch on our own with remainder of the day at leisure to enjoy Munich.  Dinner on our own.  (B)

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Day 8, August 19 (Monday): MUNICH – ETTAL – NEUSCHWANSTEIN
Today we explore the Benedictine Monastery of Ettal and its brewery.  Here the monks mix and experiment with indigenous herbs and plants and create unique tincture liquors and beers. During the tour we also taste the brews. We continue to Fussen and visit the Neuschwanstein Castle, royal palace in the Bavarian Alps of Germany, the most famous of three royal palaces built for Louis II of Bavaria, sometimes referred to as Mad King Ludwig. The castle is the embodiment of 19th century romanticism spectacularly sited on a high point over the Pollat River gorge. Lunch on our own at the Neuschwanstein Castle Restaurant. Return to Munich for dinner and more fun in Munich. (B)
 
Day 9, August 20 (Tuesday): Departure

After breakfast, we will checkout and transfer to the airport after a wonderful cultural, historical, beer tasting adventure across the Czech Republic and Bavaria. (B)