Special Travel Invitation from the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra

Dear Orlando Philharmonic Friend and Patron:

As 2011 holiday gift giving season approaches, imagine wrapping a package filled with exceptional Bohemian travel experiences. In fact, a stylish, worry-free escorted trip to the fascinating Golden City of Prague could be a delightful present to give or to receive.

And if you and your loved one seek exceptional cultural enrichment and if Prague is on your list of must see places in the near future, this unique travel journey is one not to be missed.

By joining us this time you not only will explore three most popular Czech UNESCO World Heritage Sites but also will have a chance to hear the celebrated Prague Symphony Orchestra (conducted by Maestro Zdenek Macal) performing at the Smetana Hall of Prague Municipal House and to enjoy Bedrich Smetana’s most favorite opera The Bartered Bride at the National Theatre.

TREAT YOURSELF and SOMEONE SPECIAL to an inspiring voyage produced to benefit the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, your favorite non-profit music organization.

Prague and Beyond…

A Unique Travel Adventure Featuring the Finest of Bohemia

March 27 – April 5, 2011 (8 Nights)

Designed and Escorted by Jirina Dragon, a Native of Prague

Music Highlights:

PRAGUE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA conducted by Maestro Zdenek Macal at the historical Smetana Hall of the Prague Municipal House featuring
P.I.Tchaikovsky: Symphony No.6 in h minor “Pathetique”
F.Schubert: Symphony No.6 in C major

THE BARTERED BRIDE – the amusing opera by Bedrich Smetana presented at the National Theatre

Special Features:

Discover the finest of selected locations based on a tailored, one-of-a-kind, well-paced itinerary while having numerous opportunities to pursue your own interests.

Step back in time as you explore over a thousand years of the Central European rich history and culture

Fall in love with the magical appearance and the exciting atmosphere of Prague – the city that has been a major source of inspiration influencing the musical genius of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Bedrich Smetana, and Antonin Dvorak

Delight in two preferred music performances presented at Prague’s celebrated major music and theater venues

Discover three of twelve Czech sites listed on the UNESCO’s World Heritage List
Prague – the historical city center (registered 12/1992)

Cesky Krumlov – the historical center (registered 12/1992)

Kutna Hora – St. Barbara Cathedral and the core of the city (registered 12/1995)

Take pleasure in savoring traditional local dishes at selected restaurants offering superb, award-winning cuisine in memorable settings

Enrich your experience by meeting like-minded Bohemians

Package Price per Person in Double Occupancy

Inclusive Air Fare                            $5,390

Land Portion ONLY                         $4,130

Single Supplement                         $1,000

RESERVATION DEADLINE: TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2011

To secure a reservation, the RSVP FORM including a deposit of $2,000 per person must be received by the reservation deadline

LEARN MORE…REQUEST YOUR TOUR INFO PACKET TODAY

CALL: (407) 351 – 3773

Email: jirina@jdeuropeantours.com

Included in the package price:

Preferred seating to two preferred performances

Concert: Prague Symphony Orchestra

Opera: The Bartered Bride (performed in Czech with English subtitles)

Fine accommodation for 8 nights including breakfast buffet at the charming 5-star Hotel Hoffmeister & Spa superbly located in the historical core of the city

Roundtrip Airfare to/from Prague from ORLANDO with one change ONLY

March 27, 2012 – MCO/Paris/Prague – AF 693 (8:45 P.M.) & AF 1986 (3:40 P.M.)

April 5, 2012 – Prague/Paris/MCO – AF 1383 (10:05 A.M.) & AF 894 (1:45 P.M.)

Fine dining at selected restaurants featuring local cuisine and memorable surroundings:

Eight full breakfast buffets

Five lunches with a choice of mineral water or soft drink

Three dinners with a choice of mineral water or soft drink and a choice of wine or beer

Two refreshment receptions

Ground transportation and transfers in the city by private motor coach as applicable

Privately arranged sightseeing and by a special appointment visits and tours including:

Exploration of the Old Town including the Old Town Square (originated in the 12^th century as a market place) and a tour of the Old Town Hall (originated in 1338 and admired for its Astrological Clock dating to 1410)

 Promenade on the famous 14^th century Charles Bridge built to replace the Judith Bridge from 1158 (the second oldest stone bridge in Europe) following the destruction of the first wooden bridge on this site (built in 1118) by flood waters

 Exploration of the Lesser Town (founded in 1257 in an attempt to unify the scattered Romanesque settlements) including a visit to St. Nicholas Church (a high Baroque church started in 1704 to replace the former Gothic Church of St. Nicholas founded in 1283)

Visit to Vysehrad (a fortified former royal seat built on a rock overlooking the Vltava River in the first half of the 10^th century) to observe Prague Spring Festival Opening Ceremony and to see the final resting place of Bedrich Smetana and Antonin Dvorak

Visit to Bedrich Smetana Prague Museum to view a special exhibit titled Ema Destinnova (the world-renowned Czech opera singer) and Bedrich Smetana designed with a special focus on the staging of Smetana operas, including The Bartered Bride

Visit to Strahov Monastery (one of the oldest and most valuable of Prague’s religious monuments founded in 1140 on Hradcany hill overlooking the city) including a tour of the renowned Strahov Library (one of the oldest church libraries in Bohemia with an uninterrupted existence containing over 140 thousand volumes in stock including the oldest manuscript Strahov Gospel dated in 860)

Exploration of Prague Castle (founded after 880 as the seat of Bohemian princes) with a visit to St. Vitus Cathedral (Prague’s biggest and most important church dating to 926

when the original Romanesque rotunda was built), St. George Basilica (the oldest surviving church in the city dating to 921), and the Royal Palace (an original early medieval Romanesque palace with Gothic and Renaissance additions that served as the residence of the Czech kings until the 16^th century when the Habsburgs turned it into state offices) including the viewing of  The Story of Prague Castle exhibit

Tour of St. Agnes Monastery (founded in 1233 at the request of Agnes of Bohemia to introduce into Bohemia the Order of the Poor Clares, the female branch of the Franciscan order) including a visit to the Bohemia and Central Europe Old Masters gallery displaying works of art from the period of 1200-1550

Trip to Kutna Hora (one of the medieval Europe’s largest source of silver and the second most important town of the former Kingdom of Bohemia) to visit late Gothic St. Barbara’s Cathedral, the Czech Silver Museum, and the Church of All Saints with its Ossuary notable for a unique decoration made from human skulls and bones

Journey to the picturesque South Bohemia to explore the medieval town of Cesky Krumlov referred to as “the pearl of South Bohemia” (built along the meandering river flowing under one of the largest castles in Central Europe founded before 1250) and to visit the Hluboka Chateau (originally a Gothic castle rebuilt in a Renaissance style in the 16^th century and further modified in the style of the so-called “Windsor Gothic” in the 19^th century)

Trip to Karlstejn Castle built by the Czech King and the Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV in 1348 for safekeeping of relics and the Imperial and Bohemian Crown Jewels,  including a rare visit to the Holy Chapel of Cross notable for its unique wall decorations consisting of inlaid semi-precious stones and 127 paintings by the court 14^th century painter Master Theodoric

Entrance fees and taxes

Fully escorted by Jirina Dragon, a native of Prague with specialized local guide services when applicable.

Note: Tour members must be able to walk several blocks as many of historical and cultural sites are within the pedestrian zones and must be able to climb stairs without assistance.

RESERVATION DEADLINE: TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2011

To secure a reservation, the RSVP FORM including a deposit of $2,000 per person must be received by the reservation deadline

REQUEST YOUR TOUR INFO PACKET TODAY

CALL: (407) 351 – 3773

Email: jirina@jdeuropeantours.com

J D European Tours, LLC

Specializing in Small Group Customized Travel to Prague & Beyond

“Fla. Seller of Travel Ref. No. ST36367