Prague (by coach)

Tour: Prague Destination: Prague – Czech Republic Itinerary: 6 days/3 nights in destination (by coach) 4 days/3 nights in destination (by air) Additional days can be added subject to individual school needs

Day Evening

1

2 Hotel dinner

3 Breakfast Private guided walking tourNational Technical

MuseumLetna Park Apple Museum Hotel dinner

4 Breakfast Skoda factory tour Hotel dinner

5 Breakfast Bosch company visit Avast SoftwareMIAS School of

Business

Free time for

exploration or

shopping

Collect packed dinner and

board coach

6

Visit to P&J Chocolate

for workshop and

breakfast

Ferry to UK Arrive school

Prague (by coach)Morning Afternoon

Arrive Prague hotel, check in and safety briefing

Depart school by coach, ferry to France and continue journey

Journey to the Czech Republic

Pilsner Urquell brewery tour

Day Evening

1 Fly from the UK to Prague Private guided walking tourNational Technical

MuseumLetna Park Apple Museum Hotel dinner

2 Breakfast Skoda factory tour Hotel dinner

3 Breakfast Bosch company visit Avast SoftwareMIAS School of

Business

Free time for

exploration or

shopping

Hotel dinner

4 Breakfast Free time until airport transfer

Prague (by air)Morning Afternoon

Transfer to airport and return flight to UK

Pilsner Urquell brewery tour

As with all sample itineraries, please be aware that this is an “example” of a schedule and that the activities included may be variable dependent upon dates, weather, special requests, and other factors. Itineraries will be confirmed prior to travel.

Prague The “City of a Hundred Towers” is known for its colourful Baroque buildings, Gothic churches, medieval castles, and more than three hundred bridges. Prague inspires with its many historical buildings and winding alleys of the Old Town as well as the beautiful banks along the Vltava river. The city also offers a wide range of museums and activities, as well as many parks to relax and enjoy a panoramic view. Make sure you try some typical Czech cuisine, such as the pastry, “Trdelnik”, during your stay.

Prague Factoids:

The city is home to the world’s largest castle. Dating back to the 9th Century, Prague Castle is an impressive 18 acres and is home to stunning cathedrals, chapels, royal palaces, and beautiful ornamental gardens

The Lennon Wall has graffiti devoted to the singer and the Beatles, has been repainted innumerable times since 1980, and is covered with lyrics from the Beatles hit songs

Charles Bridge has some rather mathematical significance. The former Czech king, Charles IV, laid the first stone at precisely 5.31am on July 9, 1357. An immensely superstitious man, he was keen on astrology and numerology, and he chose this date due to its’ written form: 1-3-5-7-9-7-5-3-1 (year, day, month, time).

According to legend, the brains behind the creation of Prague’s Astronomical Clock Tower, Hanus Carolinum, was blinded by the Old Town councillors with a hot poker. They did this out of fear that Hanus would recreate the clock in another city and make this one less famous and unique. Brutal…ironically, an exact replica of the Astronomical Clock is in the Hongdae district of Seoul in South Korea!

Prague is home to the world’s second ugliest building. Many locals hate the Zizkov Television Tower either for political reasons or for disrupting the city’s medieval skyline as a tall, grey structure that looks as though it is about to blast off into orbit. If you do check it out, make sure you head to the top for some amazing city views. Recently there were 10 fibreglass baby sculptures by David Cerny crawling all over it.

The narrowest street in Prague is barely 50 cm wide yet it has its own traffic light to prevent pedestrians from meeting in the middle then not being able to walk past each other.

Prague is home to Europe’s oldest active synagogue, the Old

New Synagogue (or Altneuschul). Built in 1270 in the historic Jewish quarter of Josefov, the name reflects the belief that the building contains stones from the Temple of Solomon in Jerusalem

The wide range of activities in and around fascinating Prague mean that Visions groups can tailor make a tour to the city based around their own subject requirements. Visions also offers the flexibility of travelling via luxury coach or flights direct to Prague airport from your local airport.

Days 1 and 2 (coach groups) Your luxury coach will collect you from school during the afternoon for the overnight journey to Prague. (Visions can also offer Eurotunnel or North Sea overnight crossings – please discuss with your travel advisor). On arrival at your hotel you will check in and have the Visions safety and welcome meeting. Relax before dinner at your hotel.

Day 3 (coach groups)/Day 1 (air groups) – Pioneering Technology Dinner at hotel included (breakfast also included for coach groups)

Air groups will fly from the UK to Prague; transfer and check in to your hotel. Sample hotel – Aquapalace Hotel, where students will be accommodated in multi-bedded rooms and teachers in twin rooms. All guests have access to the fabulous on-site waterpark throughout their stay.

After check-in or breakfast in the hotel, make your way via public transport (tickets included) to an agreed meeting point for your private guided walking tour (approx. 3.5 hours). This tour will take you through the beautiful Old Town with its famous monuments like the Astronomical Clock and the Church of St. Nicholas, and further into the former Jewish Ghetto. The tour continues over one of the oldest medieval bridges in Europe and up to Prague Castle, the largest coherent castle complex in the world, as well as a UNESCO World Heritage site. After a break for lunch (not included), make your way using the public transport network to the National Technical Museum which was established in 1908. The museum has been documenting and presenting the development of many technical fields and sciences in its unique exhibits. The exhibits are divided into permanent and short-term exhibitions and take visitors into the worlds of electrical engineering, time measurement and much more.

The permanent exhibitions here are: The Architecture, Engineering and Design exhibition presents major architectural achievements in the Czech Republic from 1860 to 1989. The Astronomy exhibition is conceived as infinite space of the universe full of shining stars - a unique collection of objects.

The Transportation exhibition introduces the historical development of automobiles, motorcycles, bicycles, air, sea and rail transport, and fire equipment in individual narratives. The development of photography and film, its use and influence from the 19th century to the present day, are presented together with basic photographic processes and their evolution in a stylized photographic studio in the Photo-Cinema exhibition.

The Printing exhibition evokes the authentic atmosphere of a printers. It introduces the development of the main printing technologies and follows their progress from the invention of printing to the present day. An interesting retrospective look into domestic appliances across several time periods from the mid-19th century to the present day is in the Technology in the Home exhibition. The main theme of the Chemistry Around Us exhibition is the connection between man and chemistry throughout the day and presents laboratory work methods from the past and the present. The Measuring Time exhibition shows the technical development of chronometry, of which the focus is the development of domestic watchmaking whose origins are can already be seen during the reign of the House of Luxembourg. Mining machines and equipment throughout history form the Mining exhibition. The most interesting aspects of the exhibition are walking through mock ore and coal mines from the 1950s, of which the lengthy corridors extend to an area of 350 m². The Metallurgy/Metals - the Path of Civilization exhibition traces the technical and historical development of metallurgy and its connection to society, with iron being the key influence. The Interkamera/Space, Colour and Movement exhibition acquaints the viewer with historical and contemporary types of spatial photography. It presents all the basic photochemical processes of colour photography, principles of digital photography, and the development of photographic motion capture. The Televisions Studio exhibition is a guided tour where students learn how the studio works. They can role play as newscaster, newsreader, meteorologist, cameraman, or director, while the others watch as talk show audience members.

The interactive Game Technology exhibition shows the principles of fingerprints, ballistics, coding documents, and more through a range of exhibits. The Sugar and Chocolate exhibition is devoted to the Czech sugar industry. Sugar was a strategic commodity for Czechoslovakia and had political influence – it was known as “white gold”. Of special interest is the Van de Graaff generator. This is a high voltage electrostatic generator into which a linear charged particle accelerator is integrated.

Next door to the National Technical Museum is the lovely Letna Park. Take a short break to enjoy the views over the city and view the famous 75-foot metronome. The metronome was erected in 1991 where the former monument of J.V. Stalin stood until 1962. Today it is seen as a symbol of a new era as well as a warning and reminder of a difficult past.

Next, take public transport to the Prague home of one of the world’s most eponymous brands - Apple. Prague’s Pop-Art Gallery houses the world’s largest private exhibition of Apple’s products. Students will experience the extraordinary life story of the exceptional visionary, Steve Jobs – a genius who influenced mankind and changed the world.

Prague is the first city where you can see this unique exhibition. The exhibition includes the most valuable and the most complex collection of computers from 1976 to 2012, plus other Apple, Pixar, and NeXT products. Come and see special exhibits of a company which started in a garage, later becoming the world’s most profitable. Explore Jobs’ iPhone legacy as a revolution in the middle of the modern technology world. Discover the story of a person who created the prosperous Apple company, was fired, bought Pixar film studios, founded the successful NeXT company…then returned to lead the dying Apple company towards achieving impossible results. Make your way back to the hotel for an evening of relaxation, perhaps a visit to the hotel waterpark, then dinner in your hotel.

Day 4 (coach groups)/Day 2 (air groups) – Successful Czech Brands Breakfast & dinner at hotel

After breakfast in your hotel, board the coach (coach groups will use their UK coach, air groups will have a local coach today) for the transfer to the Skoda HQ and factory (approx. 50 mins). Founded in 1895, Skoda has evolved from a manufacturer of bicycles through motorcycles to a worldwide-known car brand.

Enjoy a private guided tour of the Skoda Museum and two Skoda auto production plants. During this tour, you will have the chance to discover the history of the Skoda Company at the museum and to get a deeper understanding of automotive engineering during the technically oriented tour at the production plants (approx. 2 hours). After a short break for lunch (not included), board the coach for the 2-hour transfer to the town of Pilsen. Here is the home of one of the Czech Republic’s most famous brands – Pilsner Urquell. In 1842, Josef Groll brewed for the very first time what was later called “Pilsner Urquell”, using a new brewing method. Over the years, this name has referred to the entire beer category, which now accounts for 70% of total world beer production. Your students will experience a private guided factory tour (approx. 70 min.) and entrance to the museum afterwards. Amongst other things, they will be shown brewhouses from three centuries, the historic brewery cellars, the filling line with its impressive capacity, and have a tour of the bottling facility – one of the most modern in Europe.

Return to the hotel via coach (approx. 1.5 hours) for an evening enjoying the waterpark and dinner.

Day 5 (coach groups)/Day 3 (air groups) – Between Technology and Business Breakfast at hotel (dinner also included at hotel for air groups)

After breakfast at our hotel this morning, use your included public transport tickets to make your way to the Bosch Company. In 1886, Robert Bosch founded the "Laboratory for Precision Mechanics and Electrical Engineering" in Stuttgart. The company is now a producer of Automotive Technology, Industrial Technology, Consumer Goods and Building Technology, as well as Solar Technology. The company is known as the world´s largest automotive supplier. Receive a presentation about the company´s products and business development from the sales team. Afterwards, you get the chance to see the power tools training centre (approx. 1 ½ hours). Next, make your way to Avast Software by public transportation. Avast is a Czech producer of security software, specializing in network security and protection of end devices via anti-virus programs. The visit to Avast begins with an office tour and continues with three talks (approx. 2 ½ hours). The first talk gives students company information, the second is adjusted according to group objectives and focuses on a specific aspect of the company and the field it operates in (agreed in advance of your visit and tailored to your school), and the third talk takes place in the “Threat Lab” - the core of the company and its software. After a break for lunch (not included), make your way by public transportation to MIAS School of Business and learn about business as a field of study. The MIAS School of Business was established at the Czech Technical University in 1992 as the faculty of research and education in economics, business, and language studies, granting its graduates undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees. The School encourages internationality among students and the crossing of cultural boundaries by welcoming exchange students, developing programs in English, and offering International Summer Schools. Upon arrival, enjoy refreshments, served by the School. Afterwards, your students will receive a presentation of the university and its opportunities, such as the International Summer School. Students will have the chance to discuss questions with faculty members as well as international students of the School of Business and gain an insight into Business as a field of study from a brief lecture, “Introduction to Business Management”. End your visit with a campus tour. Duration of whole visit is approx. 2-3 hours.

Before heading back to your accommodation, take the opportunity to walk through Prague´s beautiful Old Town again, buy some handcrafted souvenirs in one of its many local shops, or eat some delicious Trdelnik.

Coach groups will collect a packed dinner and depart for the overnight journey back to the UK. Air groups will have a final evening of free time to enjoy the waterpark and dinner in the hotel.

Day 6 (coach groups)/Day 4 (air groups) Breakfast at hotel (air groups) or P&J Chocolate (coach groups)

Coach groups will arrive at P&J Chocolate in Belgium for a chocolate making workshop and breakfast before boarding the ferry/Eurotunnel back to the UK and onwards to school.

Air groups will enjoy breakfast in the hotel before some free time to further explore Prague at their leisure, then transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK.

Subject to air group flight times, Visions can arrange a Behind the Scenes tour at Prague’s Vaclav Havel Airport. During the tour, your students will have a unique opportunity to explore many places and working areas which ordinary passengers never visit. They will see airport traffic and the bustle near the check-in counters; will learn about the runway system and the most modern fire station in the Czech Republic, and even get close to the aircraft. From a short distance away, students will be permitted to watch aeroplanes landing and taking off, as well as observe the customs clearance.

There are many tours available, each of which focuses on a different area of airport operation. Further details can be found on the airport website: https://www.prg.aero/en/lines-airport-tour

Visions can arrange whichever tour your school wishes to experience, but please ensure that the security measures associated with an airport are always adhered to.

Prague – Alternative Activities

Astronomical Clock and Town Hall Also known as The Orloj, Prague’s impressive astronomical clock not only shows the time, but also provides the date, shows astronomical and zodiacal information, and is also an hourly spectacle for viewers. A one-hour tour features the history of the city, the astronomical clock, the old Town Hall, a visit to a Gothic chapel, ceremony halls, and students can experience the medieval underground network. (Maximum 35 people.)

Prague Planetarium is home to one of the world’s largest domes at 23.5m and the largest projection screen in the Czech Republic. Through 8K resolution fulldome films and discussions with a lecturer, students will be captivated by a tour of the night sky, the interactive exhibition, and 4D simulators (approx. 30 to 60 minutes). There are several shows to choose from in advance from topics including:

- "Horizon: Beyond the Edge of the Visible Universe" - learn about the historical figures who built up modern cosmology through this fulldome film which gets to the bottom of space exploration.

- "Dark Matter Mystery" - what keeps Galaxies together? What are the building blocks of the Universe? What makes the Universe look the way it looks today? Researchers all around the world try to answer these questions in this fulldome show.

- "Voyager: The Never-Ending Journey" - a thrilling story of the most remarkable space mission in human history; graphically one of the best shows you can see in any digital planetarium.

At the Štefánik Observatory students can experience telescopes capable of distinguishing objects millions of light-years away. Students can experience one of two English movie presentations: “To near and far space”, which looks at our solar system, nebulae, star clusters, distant stars, galaxies, etc., or “Prague Astronomical”, about the history of astronomy in Prague. Students then have an opportunity to discuss questions with an astronomer. Later, the group will head to the telescope domes to see objects in the sky (weather permitting) where day visitors observe the sun, maybe Venus, and at night the moon, planets, etc. There is also an astronomy exhibition to explore (approx. 90 minutes).

Christmas markets are a speciality in Prague with some amazing festive experiences to be found at: Wenceslas Square market for an incredible array of tasty morsels, warming drinks and festive gifts, Republic Square market near the Old Town, Peace Square market popular with locals, and the Old Town Square market surrounded by architectural gems in the Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque style – a great place to stop for a steaming cup of indulgent hot chocolate whilst admiring the enormous Christmas tree!

Prague Minimum Booking Numbers: 20 students What’s Included: Return flights (low cost airlines may not include checked baggage) OR luxury coach travel direct to and from your school

3 nights’ accommodation in Prague (incl access to hotel waterpark) Airport transfers & group transportation to activities where noted above Breakfasts and dinners as per itinerary

All inclusions as shown in the detailed itinerary:

Private guided walking tour

National Technical Museum

Apple Museum

Skoda Factory tour and museum

Pilsner Urquell Brewery

Bosch Company visit

Avast Software visit

MIAS School of Business

Prague Airport Behind the Scenes (optional for air groups only)

P&J Chocolate workshop (coach groups only) Plus 24-hour emergency cover Please note that additional days can be added to this tour subject to your

own requirements. What’s Not Included: Lunches and dinners (unless indicated above)

Snacks or beverages between included meals Fully comprehensive insurance (mandatory) Transfers to and from home airport if travelling by air Cost of visas, full or collective passports Cost of inoculations or medication required for travel Sightseeing and entertainment options not shown in itinerary Hotel incidentals, deposits, and bills, e.g. meals, mini-bar items, recreation charges, purchases billed to room Any gratuities, e.g. coach drivers, maid/bellman services, local guides or your Visions tour ambassador

As always, our staff are available to answer any questions you may have regarding programming. If we may serve you in any way, please do not hesitate to contact us.

United Kingdom: [email protected] / 01444 810399

The Americas: [email protected] / 417.231.4892