T.G.Masaryka 924, CZ-290 01 Poděbrady, Czech Republic, Tel./Fax: +420 325 615 002 E-mail: incoming@horatia.cz, www.horatia.cz

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"...although I have moved often in this great world, I still remain that what I have always been—a simple Czech musician..."

Antonín Dvořak January 9, 1886

Music has always been a natural part of Czech life. Many musical composers who come from Bohemia belong today among the world's best. That is perhaps why man's first steps on the moon were accompanied by a composition from Antonín Dvořák...

Arrival to Prague, hotel lodging. Dinner at hotel or elegant restaurant. A walk through illuminated Prague.

We start with the Municipal House (Obecní dům), Prague's most prominent Art Nouveau building located close to the Powder Gate (Prašná brána). Located inside is Smetana Hall, the biggest concert hall in Prague where the Prague Spring Music Festival traditionally begins on May 12. We then continue to the Baroque Church of St. James (kostel sv. Jakuba) where Antonín Dvořák composed his mass Stabat Mater. Through the Týn, a former customs office house also called the Ungelt, we arrive at the late Gothic styled Church of Our Lady before Týn (Týnský chrám).

Finally we walk through the most beautiful square of Prague, the Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí) with its Old Town Hall (Staroměstská radnice) and impressive Astronomical Clock. A tour through its exquisite halls. Afterwards, followed by lunch in a restaurant, a visit to the Bedřich Smetana Museum. Return to hotel. Free time. Opera or evening concert performance.

Day 1

Day 2 - In the footsteps of Bedřich Smetana

T.G.Masaryka 924, CZ-290 01 Poděbrady, Czech Republic, Tel./Fax: +420 325 615 002 E-mail: incoming@horatia.cz, www.horatia.cz

Třebsko – near the town of Příbram. Venue for the wedding of Count Václav Kounic and actress Josefina Čermáková, sister of Dvořák’s wife, and a frequent destination for the composer‘s country hikes. Dvořák donated an organ to the town’s church. Private organ concert in the church where Dvořák once played. The small community Vysoká u Příbrami where Dvořák spent a significant number of years. Meeting with Dvořák’s grandson,

Antonín Dvořák III. Visit to Villa Rusalka, private residence of the Dvořák family. The Antonín Dvořák Memorial at Vysoká u Příbrami, the Neo-Renaissance stately residence, and nearby Rusalka´s Lake. Private piano concert.

Departure to Sacred Mount in Příbram, Marian site of pilgrimage with Baroque architecture and a local source of inspiration for the composer.

After breakfast, departure to the Premonstratensian Strahov Monastery (Prague). Excursion to the library. Then a walk to Loreta, an important site of pilgrimage. Prague Castle (Pražský hrad), official residence of the Czech president. The Royal Gardens and St. Vitus Cathedral (Chrám sv. Vita). Return to hotel. Free time.

Early evening departure to Dětenice Chateau. The chateau fell into the hands of Albrecht of Valdštejn after the Battle of White Mountain in 1622. Gala evening with compositions from Mozart, Vivaldi, Handel and other famous composers. A short excursion and banquet. Departure to Prague.

Day 3 - A day with Antonín Dvořák III

Day 4 - Prague – Dětenice Chateau

T.G.Masaryka 924, CZ-290 01 Poděbrady, Czech Republic, Tel./Fax: +420 325 615 002 E-mail: incoming@horatia.cz, www.horatia.cz

After breakfast, a stroll to the Alphonse Mucha Museum housed in the Baroque Kaunický Palace. St. Agnes Convent (Anežský klášter) located in Old Town, an extensive early Gothic complex founded in 1234 by St. Anežka Česká, daughter of King Přemysl Otakar I. The museum houses permanent exhibitions from the National Gallery. On display are collections of Bohemian and Central European medieval art (Master Theodoric, Master of Altar of Vyšší Brod, and works from German and Austrian artists, such as Lucas Cranach). Free afternoon. In the evening, elegant dining followed by a concert or opera.

After breakfast, departure to the Rudolfinum, seat of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra. From its majestic parlour to Dvorak Hall, one of the most beautiful music halls in Prague. A walk to the Lesser Town (Malá Strana) on the left bank of the Vltava river, Wallenstein’s gardens (sculptures by Adrian de Vries), and the Sala Terrena with its rich stucco

decoration. Wallenstein Palace (Valdštejnský palác)—one of the first Baroque buildings in Prague built to rival Prague Castle and currently home to the Czech Senate. A tour of the state halls. St. Nicholas Church (Kostel sv. Mikuláše)—dominant feature of the Lesser Town Square (Malostranské náměstí) and one of Central Europe's finest Baroque buildings begun by Kristof

Dientzenhofer and completed by Anselmo Lurago. Nostický Palace—where Bedřich Smetana was a teacher. Return to Old Town by way of Charles bridge (Karlův most). Our final destination is the Estates Theatre (Stavovské divadlo), Prague's oldest theatre built in 1783 and where the premiere of Mozart's opera Don Giovanni was staged on October 29, 1834.

Free time. Farewell dinner in a select Prague restaurant.

Breakfast. Departure from Prague. Short programme as agreed.

Day 5 - Prague

Day 6 - Prague

Day 7