Tour Schedule...
30 Day Tour Schedule...from Tuesday 21st Jan to Thurs 20th Feb 2014
I hope you will have a simply amazing time on this fully inclusive workshop tour and long enjoy many beautiful memories of amazing scenery, newly acquired skills, spectacular activities and the breathtakingly romantic areas of our venues for years to come.
Please note this schedule may need to be adjusted to suit weather conditions, availability, access, renovations or other unforseen occurrences. We aim to keep to the schedule as posted, but if it has to be altered, every attempt will be made to deliver the programme on another suitable day. If unable, we reserve the right to substitute the equivalent standard of attraction or entrance at an alternative venue or one of a higher standard if needs be.
Tea, coffee, hot chocolate, fruit bowl and European wafers will be available 24/7 at our apartments/accommodation throughout this tour.
Themes will be used for each city...
I hope you will have a simply amazing time on this fully inclusive workshop tour and long enjoy many beautiful memories of amazing scenery, newly acquired skills, spectacular activities and the breathtakingly romantic areas of our venues for years to come.
Please note this schedule may need to be adjusted to suit weather conditions, availability, access, renovations or other unforseen occurrences. We aim to keep to the schedule as posted, but if it has to be altered, every attempt will be made to deliver the programme on another suitable day. If unable, we reserve the right to substitute the equivalent standard of attraction or entrance at an alternative venue or one of a higher standard if needs be.
Tea, coffee, hot chocolate, fruit bowl and European wafers will be available 24/7 at our apartments/accommodation throughout this tour.
- 30 breakfasts, 29 lunches and 23 dinners provided, 83 of 89 meals.(2 extra than previously advertised)
- Buffet European Breakfasts will be served in our accommodation daily at 7.30am to 8.30 am unless early start is needed.
- A pre-pak lunch is available for you to pack, free of charge, consisting of wraps of cheeses, meats, salad, plus fruits.
- Pre-dinner drinks, if desired will be available 30 mins before dinner.
- A Martini making mini-course is available free of charge: everyone is invited to create their own decadent delights throughout!
- A Blogging starter course, camera assistance and tips are also available free for your convenience.
- Dinners at night usually will be served between 6.30pm and 8pm, depending on the day’s activities
- Dinners at our apartments will mainly consist of 3 course self serve buffets, so you can help yourselves to how much of what you like best. A soup, hot mains dish, with vegies and salad, followed by desert choices, then coffee, tea and a port if desired.
- Sometimes a quick Pizza, take-away or such will be supplied for an easy dinner variation, but NEVER any McDonalds!!!
- There could also be decadent mains or dessert leftovers to devour if you get the hungries at night too!
- There will be some restaurant lunchtime meals, some special evening meals out + a gala dinner included on specific days as shown on schedule.
- There are 6 evenings where you will be free to choose what you want to do, eat out, buy take-away etc...own cost. 2 in Munich and 2 in Budapest and 2 others in Prague.
- You will be issued with a week’s metro train pass to use in Vienna between 8am and 8pm daily
- 3 City orientation Bus tours on 48hr bus pass, Hop-on-Hop off in Vienna, Mozart Concert and Gala Concert Dinner, Vienna Boys Choir practice, Imperial Palace tours, Hofburg Palace Ball admission, 24hr City bus orientation tour in Budapest, admission to spa baths in Budapest, Buda Castle, Catacombs and Opera house, River cruises in Prague on Vltava River and in Budapest on Blue Danube.
- Tours to Neuschwanstein Castle, Oberamagau, Linderhorf Castle, Sound of Music Tour, Fortress by funicular, Castle at Lake Bled, Pletna boat ride, entrance to Chapel on Island in Lake Bled, a night in the Ice Igloo and a day at a Ski resort outside of Ljubljana in Slovenia, Prague Castle, St Vitus Cathedral, 1000 yr old Abbey, Medieval Dungeons Prague, all Castle entrances as described are covered.
- All travel between cities is covered, by train, bus, coach, tram or metro, as the case may be.
- All tours as described below are included.
- And much more!
Themes will be used for each city...
- Vienna...Elegant, City of Music and Waltzes, Romantic and Good Kings of eras gone by.
- Budapest...Laid back, Relaxing, Thermal Baths and Spas, In 1956, City of The famous Hungarian Revolution.
- Lake Bled in Slovenia...Beautiful, Pristine, Romantically Breathtaking. The jewel of old Yugoslavia, which recently split into 6 modern independent countries
- Lower Bavaria...Fairytale Xmas Lands of a Young Good King, tragically drowned by his Govt for being too spiritual.
- Salzburg...Sound of Music Memories, Lakes and spectacular Scenery for “Climbing every Mountain”...
- Prague...Bohemia at its Best with Bridges, Ghosts, Revolutions, Romance and Many, Many Very Old Things!
Day 1/...Tuesday 21 Jan 2014...Meet and greet at Vienna airport, 6am. Group 1 waits until 10am for Group 2. Escorted to apartment 1pm, where we’ll tour the city of Royal Princesses for the next 7 glorious days and nights. Relax while you unpack, make yourself a cuppa and have some Viennese goodies. You have these next few hours of free private time until 5pm until the tour officially begins, to wander around close by outside or to just rest in your rooms, Cook needs to be alone to set up the apartment and get everything sorted. Back at 5pm, shower and freshen up for 5.30pm Orientation...Receive welcome pack of Mozart Chocolates, Vienna City info paks, Metro wkly passes, safety tips, camera and photo hints and tips, blogging ideas/course basics overview.
Welcome Cocktail Party at 6-6.30pm, followed by Special Viennese Dinner at 7pm-9.30pm to-night...Onion soup, Viennese Goulash, with sliced potatoes, Viennese ice-cream, Viennese ball blusher martini and hot chocolate. An early night is recommended now everyone is unpacked, organised and relaxed.
Day 2/... Wednesday 22... Breakfast 7.45am-8.30am...After a great European buffet (sweet and/or salt, as they call it) breakfast, we’ll leave the apartment just before 9am for the Opera House corner to Collect our 2 day, 3 tours bus tickets and commence 2 of our 3 Vienna Orientation Bus tours to-day from 9am-2pm, with a visit to the Metro for instruction first, a visit to the Musical Loo, St Stephen’s Cathedral, then after the 2 bus tours, a tour of the Opera House at 3pm, (13.00, 14.00, 15.00) The Vienna Opera House is the most impressive building at the Ringstrasse and also a worldwide known opera house. With 1709 seats and 567 standing-rooms the audience can watch daily opera performances, ballet shows or concerts. (You can indulge in a glass of bubbly at the elegant Opera house cafe for about 5Euro)
We’ll enjoy a Martini /Black Forest as we watch the Third Man DVD this afternoon, staring Orsan Wells, for tomorrow’s tour of the Prata, where the film was partially set after WW2 in 1948. An easy early dinner to-night before we visit a Special standing room at the Opera session for 45-60 mins or longer this evening.
Day 3/...Thursday 23... After breakfast, we head off to the bus corner at the Opera House, for Bus tour 3 of 3... A Prata picnic tour across the Danube, take a pre-pack lunch, we have a ride on “Harry Lime” Ferris Wheel and ride the lift up the huge Danube Tower (for Apple Strudel and coffee) and great photo opportunities...
3-6pm Free time or Exploring, 6-7pm... get ready for Gala dinner tonight of Emperor Franz Joseph’s favourite meal at 7pm at a great restaurant near the metro, prior to a Mozart concert 8.30pm.
Day 4/...Fri 24... Walking tour of Vienna to-day with a visit to the mile long shopping Strasse, walk past Mozart’s house, then we indulge in a huge Lunch at the world famous Figlmeuller Restaurant for the biggest schnitzel in the world. After a gigantic meal, we head off for a tour of the Albertina Museum, visit the Mozart cafe over the road from it, (just for a look at the pastries) check out the Hofburg Palace entrance doors where the ball will be held to-morrow night, go inside another part of the Hofburg Palace and visit the beautiful National Library, then next door to see where the famous Spanish Dancing Horses perform, visit the Museum Quarters, Parliament House and watch skaters while having a hot chocolate (own cost) at the ice skating rink in front of City Hall. Then we’ll head back to near St Stephen’s at 3-4pm to collect our special ball tickets from Nina and Claudia, organise hair, nail apps etc if needed and head back for a cosy dinner in our apartment.
KUNSTHISTORISCHES MUSEUM...option for art lovers...We walk past this beautiful building to our apartment daily...
Emperor Franz Joseph built the Kunsthistorisches Museum to house the imperial collections. Its breathtaking treasures make it one of the most important museums in the world. Seven millennia of art treasures – from ancient Egypt, over Greek antiquity, up to the end of the 18th Century – testify to the passion for collecting shown by the emperors and archdukes of the Habsburg Dynasty. Unique masterpieces by Rubens, Rembrandt, Raphael, Vermeer, Velázquez, Titian and Dürer, as well as the world’s largest collection of works by Bruegel, make a visit to the Kunsthistorisches Museum an unforgettable experience. Between Volkstheatre and Museum Qtr Uground stops.
Day 5/...Ball Day...Sat 25...The buffet breakfast at 8am to-day, will get your vote as the best in Europe: When you wake up to smoked salmon, champagne, and sachertorte, you know it’s already a great day! Late Morning tea of Viennese pastries and hot chocolate in apartment at 11am, then 12md we Tour Naschmarkt, Vienna’s biggest open air market and a real international experience full of flavours and tastes for an hour or so. Lunch on the go at the markets, or take a pre-pak lunch, then back by 2pm, via a peek inside the doors of one of the world’s best hotels, The Imperial, World-Renowned Former Stately Palace, then back home to prepare for the ball to-night. Blog catch up for an hour at 2-3pm.
3pm Ball history, etiquette, then ball preparations, hair, nails etc from 4pm. Food will be available all day and we’ll have an Early Gala dinner at our apartment around 6-8pm.
Leave for Ball at 8pm. Option...Tradition is to buy drinks and nibbles at Ball...allow around 50Euro for 2 drinks and some food if desired! Depending on the weather, we may need a cab to get to and from the ball, included if needed.
Day 6/...Sun 26...Up early everyone for The Vienna Boys choir practice in the Hofburg Palace chapel at 8.15am for 9am. Pack a lunch pak the night before, as we may be out all day. Visit the Hofburg cafe from 11-1pm for music and you can indulge with a light brunch option if desired.
3pm... We tour St Stephen’s cathedral catacombs, climb the 365 stairs in the towers and tour inside the cathedral. This special ticket is valid all week, so you can do one tour a day as desired on the multi tour package.
7pm...Dinner at the apartment after some blogging catch up to-night and a nice relaxing night.
For those brave enough, you might want to go visit the Vienna Casino. For 25Euro, you receive a smoked salmon snack, a glass of champers and 25Euro of casino playing chips!
Day 7/...Mon 27...A really Royal Day to-day! Take a lunch pak as we’ll be out all day, riding the metro or walking to visit many venues from 9am onwards. Sissi Day, Tour the Imperial Apartments, See Silver Collection at Hofburg Palace, Schonbrunn Palace inside tour and we’ll explore the vast Palace gardens and finally, if time allows, a tour of the beautiful Belvedere Palace.
Dinner 7pm with friends if possible, pack, wash and get ready to leave for Budapest to-morrow around lunch time and tumble into bed as soon as we can.
Welcome Cocktail Party at 6-6.30pm, followed by Special Viennese Dinner at 7pm-9.30pm to-night...Onion soup, Viennese Goulash, with sliced potatoes, Viennese ice-cream, Viennese ball blusher martini and hot chocolate. An early night is recommended now everyone is unpacked, organised and relaxed.
Day 2/... Wednesday 22... Breakfast 7.45am-8.30am...After a great European buffet (sweet and/or salt, as they call it) breakfast, we’ll leave the apartment just before 9am for the Opera House corner to Collect our 2 day, 3 tours bus tickets and commence 2 of our 3 Vienna Orientation Bus tours to-day from 9am-2pm, with a visit to the Metro for instruction first, a visit to the Musical Loo, St Stephen’s Cathedral, then after the 2 bus tours, a tour of the Opera House at 3pm, (13.00, 14.00, 15.00) The Vienna Opera House is the most impressive building at the Ringstrasse and also a worldwide known opera house. With 1709 seats and 567 standing-rooms the audience can watch daily opera performances, ballet shows or concerts. (You can indulge in a glass of bubbly at the elegant Opera house cafe for about 5Euro)
We’ll enjoy a Martini /Black Forest as we watch the Third Man DVD this afternoon, staring Orsan Wells, for tomorrow’s tour of the Prata, where the film was partially set after WW2 in 1948. An easy early dinner to-night before we visit a Special standing room at the Opera session for 45-60 mins or longer this evening.
Day 3/...Thursday 23... After breakfast, we head off to the bus corner at the Opera House, for Bus tour 3 of 3... A Prata picnic tour across the Danube, take a pre-pack lunch, we have a ride on “Harry Lime” Ferris Wheel and ride the lift up the huge Danube Tower (for Apple Strudel and coffee) and great photo opportunities...
3-6pm Free time or Exploring, 6-7pm... get ready for Gala dinner tonight of Emperor Franz Joseph’s favourite meal at 7pm at a great restaurant near the metro, prior to a Mozart concert 8.30pm.
Day 4/...Fri 24... Walking tour of Vienna to-day with a visit to the mile long shopping Strasse, walk past Mozart’s house, then we indulge in a huge Lunch at the world famous Figlmeuller Restaurant for the biggest schnitzel in the world. After a gigantic meal, we head off for a tour of the Albertina Museum, visit the Mozart cafe over the road from it, (just for a look at the pastries) check out the Hofburg Palace entrance doors where the ball will be held to-morrow night, go inside another part of the Hofburg Palace and visit the beautiful National Library, then next door to see where the famous Spanish Dancing Horses perform, visit the Museum Quarters, Parliament House and watch skaters while having a hot chocolate (own cost) at the ice skating rink in front of City Hall. Then we’ll head back to near St Stephen’s at 3-4pm to collect our special ball tickets from Nina and Claudia, organise hair, nail apps etc if needed and head back for a cosy dinner in our apartment.
KUNSTHISTORISCHES MUSEUM...option for art lovers...We walk past this beautiful building to our apartment daily...
Emperor Franz Joseph built the Kunsthistorisches Museum to house the imperial collections. Its breathtaking treasures make it one of the most important museums in the world. Seven millennia of art treasures – from ancient Egypt, over Greek antiquity, up to the end of the 18th Century – testify to the passion for collecting shown by the emperors and archdukes of the Habsburg Dynasty. Unique masterpieces by Rubens, Rembrandt, Raphael, Vermeer, Velázquez, Titian and Dürer, as well as the world’s largest collection of works by Bruegel, make a visit to the Kunsthistorisches Museum an unforgettable experience. Between Volkstheatre and Museum Qtr Uground stops.
Day 5/...Ball Day...Sat 25...The buffet breakfast at 8am to-day, will get your vote as the best in Europe: When you wake up to smoked salmon, champagne, and sachertorte, you know it’s already a great day! Late Morning tea of Viennese pastries and hot chocolate in apartment at 11am, then 12md we Tour Naschmarkt, Vienna’s biggest open air market and a real international experience full of flavours and tastes for an hour or so. Lunch on the go at the markets, or take a pre-pak lunch, then back by 2pm, via a peek inside the doors of one of the world’s best hotels, The Imperial, World-Renowned Former Stately Palace, then back home to prepare for the ball to-night. Blog catch up for an hour at 2-3pm.
3pm Ball history, etiquette, then ball preparations, hair, nails etc from 4pm. Food will be available all day and we’ll have an Early Gala dinner at our apartment around 6-8pm.
Leave for Ball at 8pm. Option...Tradition is to buy drinks and nibbles at Ball...allow around 50Euro for 2 drinks and some food if desired! Depending on the weather, we may need a cab to get to and from the ball, included if needed.
Day 6/...Sun 26...Up early everyone for The Vienna Boys choir practice in the Hofburg Palace chapel at 8.15am for 9am. Pack a lunch pak the night before, as we may be out all day. Visit the Hofburg cafe from 11-1pm for music and you can indulge with a light brunch option if desired.
3pm... We tour St Stephen’s cathedral catacombs, climb the 365 stairs in the towers and tour inside the cathedral. This special ticket is valid all week, so you can do one tour a day as desired on the multi tour package.
7pm...Dinner at the apartment after some blogging catch up to-night and a nice relaxing night.
For those brave enough, you might want to go visit the Vienna Casino. For 25Euro, you receive a smoked salmon snack, a glass of champers and 25Euro of casino playing chips!
Day 7/...Mon 27...A really Royal Day to-day! Take a lunch pak as we’ll be out all day, riding the metro or walking to visit many venues from 9am onwards. Sissi Day, Tour the Imperial Apartments, See Silver Collection at Hofburg Palace, Schonbrunn Palace inside tour and we’ll explore the vast Palace gardens and finally, if time allows, a tour of the beautiful Belvedere Palace.
Dinner 7pm with friends if possible, pack, wash and get ready to leave for Budapest to-morrow around lunch time and tumble into bed as soon as we can.
Day 8/...Tues 28...Leave our apartment in beautiful, elegant and romantic Vienna before lunch, have a last minute look around and buy some final ice-creams and maybe buy some pastries for the bus trip! We catch the metro for a few stops out to the bus station for the 3 hour bus trip to Budapest for the next 7 nights. The bus has individual TV screens at each seat, wifi, power-points to charge your modern toys and even a hostess who brings you hot chocolate and hot drinks...all included! Arrive at bus station in Budapest and go to our apartment. Free evening to do as you please. Buy own dinner (1) wherever you want to-night. Budapest food is very cheap, so have fun.
Day 9/...Wed 29... Walking Tour of City of Budapest, with a trip to spa baths to check out the whole spa system for our plunges and/or massages later in the week...There are over 50 spa baths around the area. Budapest is the European centre for spa treatments, so we’ll indulge a tad. In Budapest, you are free to go visit the baths as much as you want. There are specials offered for weekly tickets etc. Upon arrival we will visit and check out what suits you and go from there. 2 x 2hr sessions at the baths are included on any day you want.
“We are awaiting you in Aquaworld with a world of saunas. Our special saunas include the following: dry sauna, outdoors wooden sauna, steam sauna, bio sauna, infra sauna, crystal sauna, tepidarium, ice chamber, plunging pool, treading Kneipp pool, and a quiet resting area.
The absolutely harmonious design of Sauna World, in the area underneath the mountain river, reflects a relaxing oriental atmosphere, and it has a capacity of 200. Aromatic infusions in the room-temperature tepidarium (hot bath) with heated beds or in the steam and aroma cabins are a treat to the senses and have a cleaning and healing effect on the entire body.
The high-temperature Finnish sauna is complete with snow chamber, with ice flakes and icy water to ensure gradual cooling-down. In addition, visitors can purify their system in the highly popular infra saunas, or choose one of the specially designed bio-sauna, crystal or Russian saunas.
Hydrotherapy in the Kneipp basin is based on the principle of gentle impulses provoked by alternating exposure to hot and cold water, which has a beneficial effect on the human metabolism and boosts circulation.
Every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday there are classic sauna where everyone should be nude (without swimsuit)."
Checking out these world famous baths should keep us occupied all day and we'll see who is game enough to do a skinny dip on those special days above!!
Dinner in our apartment at 7pm...usual procedure re pre-dinner drinks etc
Day 10/...Thursday 30...3 hour commentary on our Bus tour of the city with a lovely hour long cruise on Blue Danube River to-day. After we compete the cruise, Tour inside the Opera House and Parliament House, if open , then we’ll head back to the spa baths again and go for our first or next plunge...Thursday is the option to “swim in the raw” if you are game!
7pm...Special dinner to-night in our apartment. Catch up on our blogs and maybe even watch some TV???
The following are tours we'll be taking, depending upon the weather and are basically all free.
Day 11/...Friday 31 January.. Leave Budapest quite early for Bratislava just for the day, so we can leave our gear at our lovely apartment.
Breakfast at 6am..
We then head for the bus station to visit Bratislava for the whole day. We have a bootcamp organised with the famous magazine star, Manj of Slovakia, who in her own words says - "We bootcamp for a bit, leave for coffee and then lunch somewhere - I can offer places to see, or heck, if not guide you through town myself or get someone else to"!
We spend the day with this legend, tour the lovely city of Bratislava, in Slovakia and arrive back in Budapest late in evening, buy a take-away(included in tour costs) and go directly to our apartments to eat and relax...Night caps available...
Inclusions to-day...Breakfast, Snack packs to munch on,160 klm, 2hr 40min bus/train trip to Bratislava and back, Bootcamp with Manj in Bratislava, Walking tour of Bratislava, full day in Bratislava, late back to our apartment to-night, so we’ll grab an included a take-a-way for our dinner to-night.... http://czech-transport.com/index.php?id=12766..
Day 12/...Saturday 1 Feb...Full Day Tour of Castle Hill, caves and catacombs under the Castle. Buda Castle is the historical castle and palace complex of the Hungarian kings in Budapest, and was first completed in 1265. In the past, it has been called Royal Palace and Royal Castle. The Budapest Castle Hill Funicular or Budavári Sikló is a funicular railway in the city of Budapest, in Hungary. It links the Adam Clark Square and the Széchenyi Chain Bridge at river level to Buda Castle above.
The line was opened on March 2, 1870, and has been in municipal ownership since 1920. It was destroyed in the Second World War and reopened on June 4, 1986. A feature of the line are the two pedestrian foot bridges which cross above it. These were present when the line opened, were removed in 1900 when the castle's garden was extended, and rebuilt to the original design in 1983.[1] After the Turkish occupation, Buda was in ruins. A Baroque city was built, and Castle Hill soon became the district of government. During World War II, Buda was bombed to the ground and had to be rebuilt again.
Today, Castle Hill is recognized as a World Heritage Site, and has many must-see attractions, Gothic arches, eighteenth-century Baroque houses and cobblestone streets. Though Castle Hill has changed much since building began in the 13th century, its main streets still follow their medieval paths. Some houses date back to the 14th and 15th centuries, giving us an idea of what the Castle District may have looked like back then. Practically every house has a plaque indicating the century in which it was built, and providing details of its history. A surprising number of the buildings are still private homes, as Castle Hill is also a residential area. Cars have been banned - only people who live and work here are allowed to drive; however, public transportation is available.
Buda Castle Hill is also home to a large interconnected cellar system that consists of natural caves created by thermal waters and man-made passageways. Inhabitants have used the caverns for centuries for storage and shelter. The earliest traces of human life found here are 500,000? years old. Part of the cellar system can be toured at the Buda Castle Labyrinth and at the Hospital in the Rock Museum.
Things to Do and See on Castle Hill ... Your best option is to walk along the cobblestone streets and discover Castle Hill at your own pace. Take your time, as there is a lot to see and do, and exploring Castle Hill can take an entire day. If you don’t have much time, visit Trinity Square, Matthias Church (Mátyás templom) and Fishermen’s Bastion (Halászbástya). Various events are held at Castle Hill year round. An optional Castle Hill walking tour includes all the major sights, as well as recommended cafés and restaurants to stop for some refreshments. To get an insider's look into historic landmarks and learn about the past while strolling along (and beneath) the cobblestone streets sign up for the Mysteries of Castle District Tour.
Getting to Castle Hill: Take the Funicular from Chain Bridge; the public bus, called Várbusz, from Széll Kálmán tér (formerly Moszkva tér) or one of the many paths leading up to Castle Hill
The Ghost tour I went on was superb! well choreographed, a nice balance between TENish minute stories and walking. The Actress was faultless and stayed in character throughout the tour quite a few people were scared and there was a sprinkling of jet black humour. A surprising ending made this one of the best Ghost Tours I've been on and I've been on 9 so far. So if you like this sort of thing and even if you don't. make sure you do this tour and make your own mind up. As Mr Burns would say Exxcellent!
Recently revisited Budapest and went on the ghost tour for a second time! the first surprise was the new female tour guide who had a very difficult act to follow from the previous guide who was extremely good and ghoulish. I'm pleased to say the new guide is EXCELLENT with superb knowledge and a charming way of portraying the explaining the ghostly history of this fascinating city. The walking is not too long, the storied very well told and the spookyness really chilling!
Optional Tour...Would recommend this tour to anyone visiting Budapest especially now the cold, dark nights are here, wrap up warm, let your imagination loose and absorb all the stories, bet you keep looking over your shoulder on the way back to your hotel afterwards!
Day 9/...Wed 29... Walking Tour of City of Budapest, with a trip to spa baths to check out the whole spa system for our plunges and/or massages later in the week...There are over 50 spa baths around the area. Budapest is the European centre for spa treatments, so we’ll indulge a tad. In Budapest, you are free to go visit the baths as much as you want. There are specials offered for weekly tickets etc. Upon arrival we will visit and check out what suits you and go from there. 2 x 2hr sessions at the baths are included on any day you want.
“We are awaiting you in Aquaworld with a world of saunas. Our special saunas include the following: dry sauna, outdoors wooden sauna, steam sauna, bio sauna, infra sauna, crystal sauna, tepidarium, ice chamber, plunging pool, treading Kneipp pool, and a quiet resting area.
The absolutely harmonious design of Sauna World, in the area underneath the mountain river, reflects a relaxing oriental atmosphere, and it has a capacity of 200. Aromatic infusions in the room-temperature tepidarium (hot bath) with heated beds or in the steam and aroma cabins are a treat to the senses and have a cleaning and healing effect on the entire body.
The high-temperature Finnish sauna is complete with snow chamber, with ice flakes and icy water to ensure gradual cooling-down. In addition, visitors can purify their system in the highly popular infra saunas, or choose one of the specially designed bio-sauna, crystal or Russian saunas.
Hydrotherapy in the Kneipp basin is based on the principle of gentle impulses provoked by alternating exposure to hot and cold water, which has a beneficial effect on the human metabolism and boosts circulation.
Every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday there are classic sauna where everyone should be nude (without swimsuit)."
Checking out these world famous baths should keep us occupied all day and we'll see who is game enough to do a skinny dip on those special days above!!
Dinner in our apartment at 7pm...usual procedure re pre-dinner drinks etc
Day 10/...Thursday 30...3 hour commentary on our Bus tour of the city with a lovely hour long cruise on Blue Danube River to-day. After we compete the cruise, Tour inside the Opera House and Parliament House, if open , then we’ll head back to the spa baths again and go for our first or next plunge...Thursday is the option to “swim in the raw” if you are game!
7pm...Special dinner to-night in our apartment. Catch up on our blogs and maybe even watch some TV???
The following are tours we'll be taking, depending upon the weather and are basically all free.
- Walk up to the summit of Gellért Hill for panoramic views of Budapest.
- EU citizens bring your passport for a free tour of Budapest's Parliament Building. The tour takes about 45 minutes, and is well worth the price, as it covers the main entrance stairs and hall, one of the lobbies, the old House of Lords and the Hungarian Crown Jewels. Tours are held in several languages. Admission is HUF 1,750 for EU citizens (HUF 3,500 about $16.00 for non-EU citizens),
- Visit St. Stephen’s Basilica, the largest church in Budapest. It's free to enter the church and there is only a nominal fee of HUF 500 to go up to the observation deck. Recommended length of visit: 1-2 hours Description: Built between 1851 and 1905, this large parish church accommodates 8,500 people and features a magnificent 300-foot, neo-Renaissance dome. To enter the church, go through the door to the right. You will be asked for a donation of 200 huf which is less than a pound. Sit and take in all the works of art and the dome itself. If you go to the back of the Church on the left hand side there is a door through to the Chappell of the sacred right hand. A bit gruesome but you may as well take a peek whilst you are here!
- Go for a jog or take a stroll around Margaret Island and/or City Park.
- Enjoy the views from the Danube Promenade at night.
- Relax in Károlyi Gardens, Szabadság Square or the Millenáris Park...
- St Mathias church is a must do.
Day 11/...Friday 31 January.. Leave Budapest quite early for Bratislava just for the day, so we can leave our gear at our lovely apartment.
Breakfast at 6am..
We then head for the bus station to visit Bratislava for the whole day. We have a bootcamp organised with the famous magazine star, Manj of Slovakia, who in her own words says - "We bootcamp for a bit, leave for coffee and then lunch somewhere - I can offer places to see, or heck, if not guide you through town myself or get someone else to"!
We spend the day with this legend, tour the lovely city of Bratislava, in Slovakia and arrive back in Budapest late in evening, buy a take-away(included in tour costs) and go directly to our apartments to eat and relax...Night caps available...
Inclusions to-day...Breakfast, Snack packs to munch on,160 klm, 2hr 40min bus/train trip to Bratislava and back, Bootcamp with Manj in Bratislava, Walking tour of Bratislava, full day in Bratislava, late back to our apartment to-night, so we’ll grab an included a take-a-way for our dinner to-night.... http://czech-transport.com/index.php?id=12766..
Day 12/...Saturday 1 Feb...Full Day Tour of Castle Hill, caves and catacombs under the Castle. Buda Castle is the historical castle and palace complex of the Hungarian kings in Budapest, and was first completed in 1265. In the past, it has been called Royal Palace and Royal Castle. The Budapest Castle Hill Funicular or Budavári Sikló is a funicular railway in the city of Budapest, in Hungary. It links the Adam Clark Square and the Széchenyi Chain Bridge at river level to Buda Castle above.
The line was opened on March 2, 1870, and has been in municipal ownership since 1920. It was destroyed in the Second World War and reopened on June 4, 1986. A feature of the line are the two pedestrian foot bridges which cross above it. These were present when the line opened, were removed in 1900 when the castle's garden was extended, and rebuilt to the original design in 1983.[1] After the Turkish occupation, Buda was in ruins. A Baroque city was built, and Castle Hill soon became the district of government. During World War II, Buda was bombed to the ground and had to be rebuilt again.
Today, Castle Hill is recognized as a World Heritage Site, and has many must-see attractions, Gothic arches, eighteenth-century Baroque houses and cobblestone streets. Though Castle Hill has changed much since building began in the 13th century, its main streets still follow their medieval paths. Some houses date back to the 14th and 15th centuries, giving us an idea of what the Castle District may have looked like back then. Practically every house has a plaque indicating the century in which it was built, and providing details of its history. A surprising number of the buildings are still private homes, as Castle Hill is also a residential area. Cars have been banned - only people who live and work here are allowed to drive; however, public transportation is available.
Buda Castle Hill is also home to a large interconnected cellar system that consists of natural caves created by thermal waters and man-made passageways. Inhabitants have used the caverns for centuries for storage and shelter. The earliest traces of human life found here are 500,000? years old. Part of the cellar system can be toured at the Buda Castle Labyrinth and at the Hospital in the Rock Museum.
Things to Do and See on Castle Hill ... Your best option is to walk along the cobblestone streets and discover Castle Hill at your own pace. Take your time, as there is a lot to see and do, and exploring Castle Hill can take an entire day. If you don’t have much time, visit Trinity Square, Matthias Church (Mátyás templom) and Fishermen’s Bastion (Halászbástya). Various events are held at Castle Hill year round. An optional Castle Hill walking tour includes all the major sights, as well as recommended cafés and restaurants to stop for some refreshments. To get an insider's look into historic landmarks and learn about the past while strolling along (and beneath) the cobblestone streets sign up for the Mysteries of Castle District Tour.
Getting to Castle Hill: Take the Funicular from Chain Bridge; the public bus, called Várbusz, from Széll Kálmán tér (formerly Moszkva tér) or one of the many paths leading up to Castle Hill
The Ghost tour I went on was superb! well choreographed, a nice balance between TENish minute stories and walking. The Actress was faultless and stayed in character throughout the tour quite a few people were scared and there was a sprinkling of jet black humour. A surprising ending made this one of the best Ghost Tours I've been on and I've been on 9 so far. So if you like this sort of thing and even if you don't. make sure you do this tour and make your own mind up. As Mr Burns would say Exxcellent!
Recently revisited Budapest and went on the ghost tour for a second time! the first surprise was the new female tour guide who had a very difficult act to follow from the previous guide who was extremely good and ghoulish. I'm pleased to say the new guide is EXCELLENT with superb knowledge and a charming way of portraying the explaining the ghostly history of this fascinating city. The walking is not too long, the storied very well told and the spookyness really chilling!
Optional Tour...Would recommend this tour to anyone visiting Budapest especially now the cold, dark nights are here, wrap up warm, let your imagination loose and absorb all the stories, bet you keep looking over your shoulder on the way back to your hotel afterwards!
Day 13/...Sunday2nd... Walking tour of list of options above. So we'll go across the lovely Chain Bridge and you will understand why Budapest is often referred to as the 'Pearl of the Danube'. Visit many of the Large Churches in area. Opportunity to choose Hungarian dancing, folklore , depending on which services are open during winter...
Day 14/...Monday 3rd...Our last day in Budapest, so get those massages or last spa treatments in. Our cook has the day off, so help yourself to breakfast, lunch and own eating out dinner (2) venue option to-night.
More info on the unique bath house facilities in Budapest...“In Aquaworld, we offer the right form of massage for everyone...
Massages...A unique experience that stirs up your body and soul! Within the sauna world of the spa you will find opportunity to relax your entire body. Within the sauna world of the spa you will find opportunity to relax your entire body. In Aquaworld, we offer the right form of massage for everyone. No prior appointment is necessary. Requested type of service is to be agreed at the reception of the sauna world.
Massage is available also without purchasing entrance ticket to Aquaworld.
- Foot massage
- Feet are the mirror of the body. Stress and pain can block the flow of energy, but foot massage can relieve this block, by enhancing blood and lymph circulation. The energy that flows freely again can wipe away stress and pain.
- 20 minutes 3 900 HUF...2,000 HUF is just under $10 Ausd...
- 40 minutes 5 900 HUF
- 20 minutes 3 900 HUF
- 40 minutes 5 900 HUF
This massage is stronger, intensive with masseur moves.You can use this type befor and after fitness lesson or gym.
You can reduce the risk of injury and increase your endurance, if you regularly use a sports massage.
- 20 minutes 3 900 HUF
- 40 minutes 5 900 HUF
- 60 minutes 7 900 HUF
Based on Swedish massage, this treatment focuses on the neck and shoulders with gentle movements and pressures to relieve tension and improve the blood circulation of the brain. By stimulating acupressure points, it relaxes tensed muscles. Relieves stress, improves alertness, accelerates regeneration after stress.
- 20 minutes 3 900 HUF
- 40 minutes 5 900 HUF
- 60 minutes 7 900 HUF
- 60 minutes 7 900 HUF
Opening hours:
- On weekdays: from 1 p.m. until 8 p.m.
- On weekends and holidays: from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. Booking: Based on registration in sauna world reception
Etiquette in Budapest Spas...Your first visit to a spa might be a bit complicated if you don't speak any Hungarian at all. Apart from the Gellért Bath, instructions, price lists in most baths are posted only in Hungarian. I summarize in short what etiquette to follow in the baths.
- TIP:if you can't memorize the followings just follow what the local regulars do!
- Make sure your devote at least two hours in the bath to fully exploit the relaxing benefits of the healing water, saunas, steam rooms and massages!
- Note that the cashiers at the baths close an hour before closing time.
Entry System in the Baths
You get a proxy watch (plastic armband) when you buy your ticket. This will let you through the turnstile at the entrance as well as locks and opens the locker or cabin you choose to use to keep your belongings in it.
- Choose which services or treatments you want to try from the list at the entrance and pay for them at the cashier. You'll get a separate ticket for each thing.
- I usually go for some kind of massage besides bathing. If you prefer to have only a hot bath, ask for a standard ticket (use of sauna is included).
- The Turkish baths were men-only for decades, today they either have separate days for men and women, or mixed days when both men and women can bath (see the opening hours given at each bath).
- On single-sex days the attendant will give you a tiny cloth that you're supposed to tie around your waist. The cloth for women looks like an apron (kötény in Hungarian) to cover the breasts.
- You might feel awkward or embarrassed in it but bear in mind that other bathers wear it too, so you won't stand out from the crowd. On mixed days you have to wear a bathing suit.
- At the Gellért, Széchenyi and Lukács you can choose between a cabin (kabin) or locker (szekrény) to change. If you prefer privacy choose and pay for a ticket with cabin when you buy your ticket.
- The baths usually have a main pool, surrounded by smaller ones with varying water temperatures from hot to cold.
- Taking a shower before going into the bath is compulsory. Afterwards start with the main pool than one of the hotter ones. If you feel almost cooked take a deep breath and plunge into the cold pool for a few seconds.
- Head for the steam rooms (hamam) and/or the saunas that also offer a choice of different temperatures (from hot to very hot). Finally relax in the warm pool. A thorough massage makes the whole ritual complete.
- Afterwards have a nap in the rest room to regain strength to change back into your clothes. You'll need it believe me! The hot soaking, the steam and the scorching heat of the sauna will drive away stress, slackens your body and leave you without strength.
- Don't plan any major sightseeing afterwards; have dinner in a good Budapest restaurant, sit in a café or head straight for home to have more sleep.
...Pristine Perfect Lake Bled...
Day 15/...Tuesday 4th...After breakfast, we leave Budapest for the incredible and picturesque 6-7 hour train trip through breathtaking Alpine scenery, to arrive in beautiful Lake Bled this evening. This journey is one of the most beautiful in the world people say, so sit back and soak up the beauty of this incredible journey to-day. Tunnels, ravines, tunnels, mountain peaks, bridges and more tunnels! Our host, Klemen, collects us at the station and takes us to our budget accom for next 5 nights. Late dinner in the kitchen. There is a supermarket just 20 feet from our accommodation!
Day 16/...Wednesday 5th...Up early and have a great breakfast and off we go. As we walk the 6 miles around this amazingly beautiful Lake Bled, we’ll also climb the hundreds of zig-zag steps up to the Castle on the rock and tour inside this 1,003 year old icon. We may have to take the Pletna boats across to the quaint wedding chapel on an island in the middle of this glacial lake tomorrow, if time runs out to-day...Dinner in the kitchen and an early night for the big days ahead.
Day 17/...Thursday 6th Feb...Breakfast, then off to the Lake Bled Gorges tour, complete the lake walk and take the Pletna boats across to the quaint wedding chapel on an island in the middle of this glacial lake, if time ran out yesterday. These boats are solely operated by a Pletna oarsman, this transportation which dates back to 1590 provides you a memorable experience on the Lake Bled. Entry to Wedding Chapel included.
Dinner to-night with Klemen and a hunt online to gear up for our trip to the Ice Hotel to-morrow for 2 days and 1 night in an ice igloo!
Lake Bled has a small ski run walking distance from the town, so we'll take a trip there too, if there's enough snow. Bled has just a very small local ski hill of its own at Straža, which is accessed by a double chairlift from the resort itself and a single drag lift. The ski resort is very low lying (503m to 634m/1,650ft to 2,080ft) so snow cover can be problematic and it is only open in the daytime at weekends, although floodlighting enables some skiing on weekday evenings.
20.1.2014 - 16.2.2014 - Saturdays & Sundays 9.00 - 16.00h - Night skiing 17.00 - 21.00h
Now read this information below to bring you up to date with some background as this is a new 2 day trip I've added here as it is so unique, it is something we simply must do!
Additional offer : Night skiing, equipment rental (at the Kompas Bled agency), artificial snow, groomed cross-country trails in the immediate area of Lake Bled, on the Bled golf course, and on the Pokljuka plateau, ski pass includes bus that links Bled with Bohinj, Pokljuka, and Kranjska Gora, ski pass includes free entrance to recreational skating in the sports hall and to Bled Castle.
Lake Bled ski resort is like a picture postcard and quite possibly the most visually stunning ski resort you'll ever visit. The resort is a beautiful old spa town that’s located on the edge of a stunning lake. Lake Bled in winter offers access to the Straza Ski area and is a winter paradise that is best suited to beginners and early intermediates. With the right lift pass Lake Bled skiing offers access to the ski areas surrounding the other Slovenian villages of Kranjska Gora and Lake Bohinj, among others. Ideally the different areas are all linked up by a free ski bus. Lake Bled ski holidays offer access to a mix of gentle, open nursery slopes for starting off on and some more difficult, challenging and steep runs for the more confident skiers and boarders out there. Off the slopes things are more sedate and relaxed. In the shopping area there are bars and cafés that offer live music as well as a disco to keep you going into the early hours of the morning. You can decide how lively or quiet you would like your holiday to be! The area is especially popular for couples looking for some added romance or for a family ski holiday where there are some more family friendly activities available such as a cinema, bowling or ice skating.
Due to these limited possibilities, even beginners are likely to want to buy the Julian Alps Pass which covers five ski areas in the region – although three of these (Kranjska Gora, Soriška Planina and Viševnik), which are around an hour away, are not on the ski bus route and are only really accessible to visitors with their own transport.
The pass does cover Straža's skiing at weekends, but unfortunately not the evening night skiing during the week. However, most pass buyers will want to use it to access the two larger ski centres of Vogel and Krvavec, each within an hour’s ride away on the ski bus – the cost of which is included in the lift ticket price. These three medium-sized ski areas each have about half a dozen lifts, and all three claim about 35km (22 miles) of runs, healthy verticals and a good mix of terrain.
Vogel has one of the biggest verticals in the area (1,231m/4,039ft) and some of the highest slopes that rise above the treeline – a cable car lifts skiers from the lakeside to the slopes. It also has some of the best nursery slopes for beginners, located on a snowy plateau at the top of the cable car; a good choice when snow cover is thin at lower elevations.
Another long-standing ski area near Bled, formerly known as Kobla, ceased operating after the 2012/13 ski season and changed its name to the 2864 Bohinj ski area. This addition, that’s expected to open for the 2014/15, season has higher, longer slopes than its predecessor and is expected to become a key ski destination in its own right.
Another area on ski bus route is Krvavec, which is located in the opposite direction back on the road to the capital Ljubljana and about 45 minutes away from Bled. This area has invested heavily in new infrastructure in recent years, adding a six-seater chairlift, and has the highest lift-served slopes in the region.
To get the best skiing, head for Vogel, Kobla, Kranjska Gora and Krvavec: these small but varied areas are covered by the Julian Alps’ lift pass, and a free daily ski bus serves Vogel and Krvavec from hotels around town too. It picks up between 8-9am and returns when the lifts close (4pm approx).
For a treat after a day on the slopes, why not spend one night at the Krvavec igloo hotel. Sounds too cold? Not really. The individual ‘rooms’ are well prepared with furs, sleeping bags and mattress – and you’ll get champagne and candles. The stay includes a fondue meal, breakfast and snowshoe walk. It costs 89 euro($130AUSD) per person.
http://www.bled.si/en/files/default/priloge/kaj-poceti/letak%20SKI%20BUS%20Julijske%20Alpe%20-%20zima%2013-14.pdf price list for ski fields bus.
http://www.eskimska-vas.si/en/faq/ http://secrettransylvania.co.uk/index.php/prices/
Some Important F.A.Q's about sleeping in the Ice Hotel Igloo.
An expedition sleeping bag as well as a sleeping bag liner will be available to you in the Igloo village! A backpack is the ideal overnight luggage (or a sport bag, if possible no suitcases with wheels).
[email protected]
https://www.facebook.com/eskimskavas/photos_stream
It takes a cable car ride up the mountain and a nighttime snowshoe hike to get to the Igloo Village in Slovenia, but once there, the adventure truly begins! We were welcomed to the Igloo Village with Eskimcek, or Eskimo shot, at the bar. This is not your average bar – unless you’re used to sipping Apfel Strudel (hot apple cider spiked with Malibu) while sitting on a sawn-off tree trunk covered with soft sheepskin. Music is playing in the background, the room is lit with candles, funky figures are etched into the walls, and the bar is one huge ice sculpture.
A short tour revealed a series of igloos connected by a labyrinth of tunnels. A central tunnel links the sleeping area with the bar and igloo restaurant. From the outside the Igloo Village looks like a huge pile of snow with a few entrances. The rest is connected by “underground” corridors. The sleeping area consists of 6 standard individual igloos and the “ice igloo.” The ice igloo is decorated with ice sculptures set into the floor and walls and a huge queen size bed covered with insulation material and sheep skins. We also received a special expedition sleeping bag (-30° C). Temperature in the igloo is between 0 and 4° C.
Next, it’s time for snowbiking! A snowbike is a bike with skis instead of wheels. After a short lesson and a few practice runs, we’re ready for the couples snowbike competition. You must run up the ski slope with your snowbike, hop on, and make it down the obstacle course without wiping out, hitting, or missing any cones. A knocked over or missed cone automatically adds 30 seconds to your time. Tag your partner and they’re off and running. We had some serious competition and ended with a time of 1:33.
All that running and snowbiking left everyone starving. It’s time for dinner of cheese fondue with bread, meats and vegetables in the igloo restaurant. After dinner, we relax in the bar with a couple bottles of Medot champagne to share amongst everyone.
With the slopes now completely clear of skiers, why not tube down the empty slopes? Our guide held our tube steady as we both climbed on head first. Whoosh! We’d fly down the hill all the way to the bottom of the ski lift, grab the tube and head back up for another run. The whole tubing experience was magical; I felt like a child as I laughed and screamed my way down the trails.
We wound down the night with snowmobiling and then finally relaxing in the sauna. Our igloo guide recommended that after 20 minutes in the sauna, it really increases circulation to take a dive in the snow in just your swimsuit. While Tim did make snow angels, I was nice and toasty (I even warmed up my thermals in the sauna). We zipped our expedition sleeping bags together and climbed in. We were both surprisingly toasty and didn’t want to get out of the sleeping bag when the sun began to illuminate the igloo in a blue light in the morning.
After waving goodbye to the igloo village, a hot breakfast is waiting for us at nearby hotel Tiha Dolina. Our igloo adventure was an amazing and fun experience!
I found this blog online and can't find the writer again to give credits to. Thanks anyway guys....Great description of the Igloo experience.
So, you see why we go to the Igloo and return to Bled, where Klemen will make sure our belongings are safe until we return late the following day.
Day 18...Friday 7th Feb...Breakfast early and pack our hand bags and lunch paks for 2 days we will never forget. Tonight we sleep in an Ice hotel!
So read all the IMPORTANT information above about this unique experience and pack exactly what they say.
We catch the ski bus up to the Ice hotel at 9am outside the hotel and will have a marvelous experience to-night. Dinner in the Igloo hotel and drinks as stated on the offer information.
Day 19...Saturday 8th Feb...
Breakfast at the Ice Hotel and then we free time it until the bus takes us back to Lake Bled at 4pm.
An early dinner and a nice hot shower to-night and then we'll send our family the pics on our blogs and get an early night before we head off to Sound of Music territory in the morning!
Day 16/...Wednesday 5th...Up early and have a great breakfast and off we go. As we walk the 6 miles around this amazingly beautiful Lake Bled, we’ll also climb the hundreds of zig-zag steps up to the Castle on the rock and tour inside this 1,003 year old icon. We may have to take the Pletna boats across to the quaint wedding chapel on an island in the middle of this glacial lake tomorrow, if time runs out to-day...Dinner in the kitchen and an early night for the big days ahead.
Day 17/...Thursday 6th Feb...Breakfast, then off to the Lake Bled Gorges tour, complete the lake walk and take the Pletna boats across to the quaint wedding chapel on an island in the middle of this glacial lake, if time ran out yesterday. These boats are solely operated by a Pletna oarsman, this transportation which dates back to 1590 provides you a memorable experience on the Lake Bled. Entry to Wedding Chapel included.
Dinner to-night with Klemen and a hunt online to gear up for our trip to the Ice Hotel to-morrow for 2 days and 1 night in an ice igloo!
Lake Bled has a small ski run walking distance from the town, so we'll take a trip there too, if there's enough snow. Bled has just a very small local ski hill of its own at Straža, which is accessed by a double chairlift from the resort itself and a single drag lift. The ski resort is very low lying (503m to 634m/1,650ft to 2,080ft) so snow cover can be problematic and it is only open in the daytime at weekends, although floodlighting enables some skiing on weekday evenings.
20.1.2014 - 16.2.2014 - Saturdays & Sundays 9.00 - 16.00h - Night skiing 17.00 - 21.00h
Now read this information below to bring you up to date with some background as this is a new 2 day trip I've added here as it is so unique, it is something we simply must do!
Additional offer : Night skiing, equipment rental (at the Kompas Bled agency), artificial snow, groomed cross-country trails in the immediate area of Lake Bled, on the Bled golf course, and on the Pokljuka plateau, ski pass includes bus that links Bled with Bohinj, Pokljuka, and Kranjska Gora, ski pass includes free entrance to recreational skating in the sports hall and to Bled Castle.
Lake Bled ski resort is like a picture postcard and quite possibly the most visually stunning ski resort you'll ever visit. The resort is a beautiful old spa town that’s located on the edge of a stunning lake. Lake Bled in winter offers access to the Straza Ski area and is a winter paradise that is best suited to beginners and early intermediates. With the right lift pass Lake Bled skiing offers access to the ski areas surrounding the other Slovenian villages of Kranjska Gora and Lake Bohinj, among others. Ideally the different areas are all linked up by a free ski bus. Lake Bled ski holidays offer access to a mix of gentle, open nursery slopes for starting off on and some more difficult, challenging and steep runs for the more confident skiers and boarders out there. Off the slopes things are more sedate and relaxed. In the shopping area there are bars and cafés that offer live music as well as a disco to keep you going into the early hours of the morning. You can decide how lively or quiet you would like your holiday to be! The area is especially popular for couples looking for some added romance or for a family ski holiday where there are some more family friendly activities available such as a cinema, bowling or ice skating.
Due to these limited possibilities, even beginners are likely to want to buy the Julian Alps Pass which covers five ski areas in the region – although three of these (Kranjska Gora, Soriška Planina and Viševnik), which are around an hour away, are not on the ski bus route and are only really accessible to visitors with their own transport.
The pass does cover Straža's skiing at weekends, but unfortunately not the evening night skiing during the week. However, most pass buyers will want to use it to access the two larger ski centres of Vogel and Krvavec, each within an hour’s ride away on the ski bus – the cost of which is included in the lift ticket price. These three medium-sized ski areas each have about half a dozen lifts, and all three claim about 35km (22 miles) of runs, healthy verticals and a good mix of terrain.
Vogel has one of the biggest verticals in the area (1,231m/4,039ft) and some of the highest slopes that rise above the treeline – a cable car lifts skiers from the lakeside to the slopes. It also has some of the best nursery slopes for beginners, located on a snowy plateau at the top of the cable car; a good choice when snow cover is thin at lower elevations.
Another long-standing ski area near Bled, formerly known as Kobla, ceased operating after the 2012/13 ski season and changed its name to the 2864 Bohinj ski area. This addition, that’s expected to open for the 2014/15, season has higher, longer slopes than its predecessor and is expected to become a key ski destination in its own right.
Another area on ski bus route is Krvavec, which is located in the opposite direction back on the road to the capital Ljubljana and about 45 minutes away from Bled. This area has invested heavily in new infrastructure in recent years, adding a six-seater chairlift, and has the highest lift-served slopes in the region.
To get the best skiing, head for Vogel, Kobla, Kranjska Gora and Krvavec: these small but varied areas are covered by the Julian Alps’ lift pass, and a free daily ski bus serves Vogel and Krvavec from hotels around town too. It picks up between 8-9am and returns when the lifts close (4pm approx).
For a treat after a day on the slopes, why not spend one night at the Krvavec igloo hotel. Sounds too cold? Not really. The individual ‘rooms’ are well prepared with furs, sleeping bags and mattress – and you’ll get champagne and candles. The stay includes a fondue meal, breakfast and snowshoe walk. It costs 89 euro($130AUSD) per person.
http://www.bled.si/en/files/default/priloge/kaj-poceti/letak%20SKI%20BUS%20Julijske%20Alpe%20-%20zima%2013-14.pdf price list for ski fields bus.
http://www.eskimska-vas.si/en/faq/ http://secrettransylvania.co.uk/index.php/prices/
Some Important F.A.Q's about sleeping in the Ice Hotel Igloo.
- Should I bring my own sleeping bag?
- No, we will provide you with an expedition sleeping bag which is efficient to minus 30°C or more.
- What temperatures should I be prepared for?
- Generally snow has a temperature of 0°C and is an excellent insulation material. When people sleep in an Igloo they warm it up by approximately +2°C. The temperature rises by another 5°C when meals are being cooked. Outside it can become very cold after sunset, but inside the Igloo village the temperature stays at a constant 0 - 5°C.
- Is there a toilet?
- Yes, there are toilets, outside a bit.
- Is there a shower?
- There are no showers available in the actual Igloo villages. Using the snow to wash up a bit can be very refreshing.
- What do I have to bring with me?
- As a rule you should bring the following items:
- · Winter clothing (as for skiing)
- · Comfortable, warm winter shoes (e.g. softboots or moonboots)
- · Dry socks, fresh long underwear to change into or pyjamas
- · Towel for spa activities, swimwear and perhaps flip-flops for the sauna
- · A flash light if possible...for a night time loo visit...
- · Toothbrush – it is possible to brush your teeth although there is no running water
- · Cash to pay for items consumed at the bar and perhaps other merchandise (no credit cards)
An expedition sleeping bag as well as a sleeping bag liner will be available to you in the Igloo village! A backpack is the ideal overnight luggage (or a sport bag, if possible no suitcases with wheels).
[email protected]
https://www.facebook.com/eskimskavas/photos_stream
It takes a cable car ride up the mountain and a nighttime snowshoe hike to get to the Igloo Village in Slovenia, but once there, the adventure truly begins! We were welcomed to the Igloo Village with Eskimcek, or Eskimo shot, at the bar. This is not your average bar – unless you’re used to sipping Apfel Strudel (hot apple cider spiked with Malibu) while sitting on a sawn-off tree trunk covered with soft sheepskin. Music is playing in the background, the room is lit with candles, funky figures are etched into the walls, and the bar is one huge ice sculpture.
A short tour revealed a series of igloos connected by a labyrinth of tunnels. A central tunnel links the sleeping area with the bar and igloo restaurant. From the outside the Igloo Village looks like a huge pile of snow with a few entrances. The rest is connected by “underground” corridors. The sleeping area consists of 6 standard individual igloos and the “ice igloo.” The ice igloo is decorated with ice sculptures set into the floor and walls and a huge queen size bed covered with insulation material and sheep skins. We also received a special expedition sleeping bag (-30° C). Temperature in the igloo is between 0 and 4° C.
Next, it’s time for snowbiking! A snowbike is a bike with skis instead of wheels. After a short lesson and a few practice runs, we’re ready for the couples snowbike competition. You must run up the ski slope with your snowbike, hop on, and make it down the obstacle course without wiping out, hitting, or missing any cones. A knocked over or missed cone automatically adds 30 seconds to your time. Tag your partner and they’re off and running. We had some serious competition and ended with a time of 1:33.
All that running and snowbiking left everyone starving. It’s time for dinner of cheese fondue with bread, meats and vegetables in the igloo restaurant. After dinner, we relax in the bar with a couple bottles of Medot champagne to share amongst everyone.
With the slopes now completely clear of skiers, why not tube down the empty slopes? Our guide held our tube steady as we both climbed on head first. Whoosh! We’d fly down the hill all the way to the bottom of the ski lift, grab the tube and head back up for another run. The whole tubing experience was magical; I felt like a child as I laughed and screamed my way down the trails.
We wound down the night with snowmobiling and then finally relaxing in the sauna. Our igloo guide recommended that after 20 minutes in the sauna, it really increases circulation to take a dive in the snow in just your swimsuit. While Tim did make snow angels, I was nice and toasty (I even warmed up my thermals in the sauna). We zipped our expedition sleeping bags together and climbed in. We were both surprisingly toasty and didn’t want to get out of the sleeping bag when the sun began to illuminate the igloo in a blue light in the morning.
After waving goodbye to the igloo village, a hot breakfast is waiting for us at nearby hotel Tiha Dolina. Our igloo adventure was an amazing and fun experience!
I found this blog online and can't find the writer again to give credits to. Thanks anyway guys....Great description of the Igloo experience.
So, you see why we go to the Igloo and return to Bled, where Klemen will make sure our belongings are safe until we return late the following day.
Day 18...Friday 7th Feb...Breakfast early and pack our hand bags and lunch paks for 2 days we will never forget. Tonight we sleep in an Ice hotel!
So read all the IMPORTANT information above about this unique experience and pack exactly what they say.
We catch the ski bus up to the Ice hotel at 9am outside the hotel and will have a marvelous experience to-night. Dinner in the Igloo hotel and drinks as stated on the offer information.
Day 19...Saturday 8th Feb...
Breakfast at the Ice Hotel and then we free time it until the bus takes us back to Lake Bled at 4pm.
An early dinner and a nice hot shower to-night and then we'll send our family the pics on our blogs and get an early night before we head off to Sound of Music territory in the morning!
...The Hills Are Alive With the Sound of Music...
Day 20/...Sunday 9th...We leave for another 5-6 hour train trip through more magnificent Alpine scenery arriving around 5pm at Salzburg for next 2 nights at the MEININGER Hotel Salzburg City Center, Salzburg. Dinner at our accommodation.
Day 21/...Monday 10th...4 hour Sound of Music Bus Tour at 10am in morning if weather fine, or to-morrow morning...
We visit the Mirrabell Gardens of “Doh-Rae-Me” fame...
Today Mirabell Palace houses the offices of Salzburg's mayor and the municipal council. The Marble Hall, formerly the prince-archbishops' ballroom and concert venue for Leopold Mozart and his children Wolfgang and Nannerl, is considered to be one of the "most beautiful wedding halls in the world."
Meetings, awards ceremonies and romantic concerts (Salzburg Palace Concerts) are held here regularly.
Visits: Mon, Wed, Thu: 8 am - 4 pm, Tues + Fri: 1 - 4 pm. No visit in case of special occasions. Free entrance.
The other rooms house the municipal council and therefore not open to the public.
The Mirabell Gardens: they are a horticultural masterpiece, open daily from approx. 6 am to dusk.
Itinerary for Sound of Music Film Locations in Salzburg:
We’ll also have a “Face coffee” while marvelling at the setting of this lovely city. All meals included today, SOM. bus tour.
Day 22/...Tuesday 11Feb...We complete the last of our sight seeing in this spectacularly clean little city this morning and leave by train from Salzburg this afternoon for the 2 hr train trip into Munich to-day... Tour the massive Fortress on top of the hill, by funicular. Hohensalzburg Fortress, built in 1077 by Archbishop Gebhard, considerably enlarged by Archbishop Leonhard von Keutschach (1495-1519), largest, fully-preserved fortress in central Europe. The medieval princes' apartments and the Fortress Museum are of particular interest. Since 1892 the fortress can easily be reached by funicular railway departing from the Festungsgasse.
The more than 900-year-old citadel dates back to the investiture controversy between emperor and pope over the right to appoint the bishop. As a faithful servant of the pope, Archbishop Gebhart von Salzburg had the strongholds of Hohensalzburg, Hohenwerfen and Friesach built on his sovereign territory in 1077. Expansion of Gebhart's fortifications were temporarily completed under Konrad I (1160 - 1147).
During the 15th and 16th centuries, during the turmoil of the so-called Hungarian War and the Peasants' War in which the province of Salzburg was involved, the archbishops took refuge behind the battlements of the fortress. It was during this period that the main building was enlarged and the arsenal and the granary erected. Archbishop Leonhard von Keutschach (1495 - 1519) enlarged the fortress and its exterior has remained substantially unaltered since then. The fortress' interior was richly decorated: intricate Gothic wood-carvings and ornamental paintings decorate the Golden Hall and the Golden Chamber. 58 insignia and coats of arms with the beetroot are commemorative of Leonhard von Keutschach. The fortress' symbol, the lion, holds the beetroot in its paws. One of the last extensive modifications was the addition of the great Kuenberg bastion.
During its long history the Hohensalzburg Fortress has always remained unconquered by enemy troops. Combined ticket: ascent and descent cable railway, fortress courtyards, peel towers, State Rooms, Fortress Museum, Rainer Regiment Museum, Marionette Museum, Sound and Vision Show, Almpassage. Tour with audio guide in 9 languages of the interior area (gallery, torture chamber, observation tower, “Salzburger Stier” - mechanical organ).
Must-do activities in Salzburg:
Day 21/...Monday 10th...4 hour Sound of Music Bus Tour at 10am in morning if weather fine, or to-morrow morning...
We visit the Mirrabell Gardens of “Doh-Rae-Me” fame...
Today Mirabell Palace houses the offices of Salzburg's mayor and the municipal council. The Marble Hall, formerly the prince-archbishops' ballroom and concert venue for Leopold Mozart and his children Wolfgang and Nannerl, is considered to be one of the "most beautiful wedding halls in the world."
Meetings, awards ceremonies and romantic concerts (Salzburg Palace Concerts) are held here regularly.
Visits: Mon, Wed, Thu: 8 am - 4 pm, Tues + Fri: 1 - 4 pm. No visit in case of special occasions. Free entrance.
The other rooms house the municipal council and therefore not open to the public.
The Mirabell Gardens: they are a horticultural masterpiece, open daily from approx. 6 am to dusk.
Itinerary for Sound of Music Film Locations in Salzburg:
- Mirabell Gardens - The Mirabell Gardens were laid out in the 18th century. Maria and the children were seen dancing around the statue of Pegasus, the winged horse, and throughout the gardens singing 'Do-Re-Mi'.
- Leopoldskron Castle - The front side of the castle was used as the Trapp family home, the children were boating on the Leopoldskron Lake and fell into the water. The Venetian room was copied from the castle and used as the ballroom.
- Hellbrunn Castle - This hunting castle was built in the early 17th century by Prince-Archbishop Markus Sittikus. In the gardens the glass pavilion was reconstructed for the pleasure of those fans still returning after 50 years.
- Nonnberg Abbey - Nonnberg Abbey is the oldest convent in the German speaking part of Europe. Maria was a novice there. The baron and Maria were married here in 1927. The scenes for the movie made here include the opening with the nuns going to Mass and Maria coming too late.
- St.Gilgen and Lake Wolfgang - Scenery shown at the beginning of the movie was filmed at Lake Fuschl on the way to St. Gilgen. Like the Mozart family, visitors from all over the world appreciate the beautiful village in the Salzkammergut.
- Wedding Church Mondsee - In Mondsee Cathedral the film wedding between Julie Andrews as Maria and Christopher Plummer as the Baron took place.
We’ll also have a “Face coffee” while marvelling at the setting of this lovely city. All meals included today, SOM. bus tour.
Day 22/...Tuesday 11Feb...We complete the last of our sight seeing in this spectacularly clean little city this morning and leave by train from Salzburg this afternoon for the 2 hr train trip into Munich to-day... Tour the massive Fortress on top of the hill, by funicular. Hohensalzburg Fortress, built in 1077 by Archbishop Gebhard, considerably enlarged by Archbishop Leonhard von Keutschach (1495-1519), largest, fully-preserved fortress in central Europe. The medieval princes' apartments and the Fortress Museum are of particular interest. Since 1892 the fortress can easily be reached by funicular railway departing from the Festungsgasse.
The more than 900-year-old citadel dates back to the investiture controversy between emperor and pope over the right to appoint the bishop. As a faithful servant of the pope, Archbishop Gebhart von Salzburg had the strongholds of Hohensalzburg, Hohenwerfen and Friesach built on his sovereign territory in 1077. Expansion of Gebhart's fortifications were temporarily completed under Konrad I (1160 - 1147).
During the 15th and 16th centuries, during the turmoil of the so-called Hungarian War and the Peasants' War in which the province of Salzburg was involved, the archbishops took refuge behind the battlements of the fortress. It was during this period that the main building was enlarged and the arsenal and the granary erected. Archbishop Leonhard von Keutschach (1495 - 1519) enlarged the fortress and its exterior has remained substantially unaltered since then. The fortress' interior was richly decorated: intricate Gothic wood-carvings and ornamental paintings decorate the Golden Hall and the Golden Chamber. 58 insignia and coats of arms with the beetroot are commemorative of Leonhard von Keutschach. The fortress' symbol, the lion, holds the beetroot in its paws. One of the last extensive modifications was the addition of the great Kuenberg bastion.
During its long history the Hohensalzburg Fortress has always remained unconquered by enemy troops. Combined ticket: ascent and descent cable railway, fortress courtyards, peel towers, State Rooms, Fortress Museum, Rainer Regiment Museum, Marionette Museum, Sound and Vision Show, Almpassage. Tour with audio guide in 9 languages of the interior area (gallery, torture chamber, observation tower, “Salzburger Stier” - mechanical organ).
Must-do activities in Salzburg:
- Hike up to the Hohensalzburg Fortress and then follow the path along the top of the city for amazing views (path starts about a 10 min walk from the apartment)
- Visit the 7th floor terrace restaurant at the Hotel Stein in the new town for stunning views (especially at night) of the old town across the river (10 min walk)
- Visit the Augustiner Brewery for beer brewed by monks in an authentic Austrian beer garden (5 min walk from the apartment)
- Take a tour with Bob's Special Tours - the 1/2-day Bavarian Mountain Tour with Peter (which includes a visit to the Eagle's Nest and the city of Berchtesgaden) is fabulous (picks you up right at your front door!)
- Breakfast at Tomisellis is an experience from another age and definitely not to be missed.
- A walk across the bridge to admire the wonderful cleanliness of this beautiful city of just 150,000 people and have a fright or two at the gnarled and ogre looking shapes of the very old and horribly ugly trees that line the streets.
Fairytale Castles
Day 23...Wed 12th Feb...Off to Neuschwanstein Castle early to-day, 8am, all day and back at 9pm to-night. Take pre-pak lunches. We visit King Ludwig’s favourite home, Linderhorf Castle, then Oberamagau, the Passion Play town and finally, the Fairytale Castle at Neuschwanstein which inspired the late Walt Disney for his castle in Disney land. At the castle you can buy hot gluwein, fried cheese balls and traditional meals in restaurants. We’ll be late back so, Buy own dinner this evening (4)
Prague...Bohemian Capital of Europe
![Picture](https://www.editmysite.com/editor/images/na.png)
Day 24/...Thurs 13th Feb...To-day
we leave on the last leg of our amazing journey out of this beautiful
European winter wonderland to the City of The famous Velvet Divorce and
Velvet Revolution of just over 20 years ago, unpretentious Prague.
Pack a big lunch pak as we'll be on the bus from 4-5pm to about 10pm.
After lunch we catch the bus at 4pm to Prague for next 6 nights. The scenery
flattens out as we leave the pristine Alpine areas, so you will
probably snooze for the remainder of the 4-5 hour trip! Upon arrival in
Prague at 10pm, we'll hit our beds for a well deserved sleep!
Prague has a few beggars by the Charles Bridge and I love to make up a lunch pak for them and drop it in their begging hat as I go past. You are welcome to make up your own offering from our supply of breakfast goodies and do the same over the next week.
Day 25/...Friday 14th Feb... After breakfast at 10.am, we head off to check out Old Town Square Tower, go upstairs to gaze again at the pastries in another Mozart cafe, then downstairs to the 700yr old cavern to see where we’ll be eating to-night and then enjoy a hot gluewein while waiting for the tour to start at 11am. We do a 3 hour walking tour of Prague from Old Town Astronomical Clock at 11am -2pm, visiting the Jewish cemetery, Wenceslas Square, the scene of the recent Velvet Revolution where Czech’s gained a bloodless freedom and loads of other historical areas and get our bearings. We continue to explore this amazing city and tour the Opera House, some museums on the way and call into the beautiful Municipal House and have a look inside and either can stay exploring until dinner or sit in one of numerous footpath cafe's and have more hot gluwein until Dinner @ 700yr old cavern to-night of pig roasted on a spit. Small serving recommended and even then, bring a doggy bag for left overs!
Day 26/...Saturday 15th Feb...Prague Castle inside tour, includes the massive St Vitus Cathedral, a 1000 yr old Abbey, a Palace inside the castle and tour the fascinating medieval dungeons, head chopping off block, complete with axe and even have a shot at firing a real cross bow,($2.50) for 3 shots. Bring lunch, as this is such an interesting tour which takes over 4 hours. See The Changing of the Guard... The ceremonial Changing of the Guard including a fanfare and the flag ceremony: daily at 12.00 in the first courtyard
The Changing by the Castle gates: on the hour from 7.00 to 18.00 in the winter season.
The Prague Castle, an ancient symbol of the Czech lands, is the most significant Czech monument and one of the most important cultural institutions in the Czech Republic.
The Prague Castle was most likely founded in around 880 by Prince Bořivoj of the Premyslid Dynasty (Přemyslovci). According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the Prague Castle is the largest coherent castle complex in the world, with an area of almost 70,000 m². A UNESCO World Heritage site, it consists of a large-scale composition of palaces and ecclesiastical buildings of various architectural styles, from Roman-style buildings from the 10th century through Gothic modifications in the 14th century. The famous Slovenian architect Josip Plečnik was responsible for extensive renovations in the time of the First Republic (1918-1938). Since the Velvet Revolution, the Prague Castle has undergone significant and ongoing repairs and reconstructions.
We’ll call in and see a friend at one of the hostels, backing onto the Castle, find the cute little cafe for a hot grog(a real traditional drink) and apple strudel and have ourselves a treat for an hour or so! We then head/stagger home for an early Dinner at own (5th of 6) expense this evening because we know you’ll not be able to resist this one! Goulash in rye bread cob... and if you are up to it, we’ll go on a Ghost hunting tour to-night? (can be swapped for another night)
GHOST TOURS OF PRAGUE focuses on evening entertainment - ghost walks and walking tours to Prague's famous sites without the hassle of crowds and queues. Tours aim to entertain as well as inform, and are suitable for both individuals and groups. Since the tours run in the evening, they can easily be combined with our customer's daytime activities in the city. McGee's tours offer a unique and different atmosphere to daytime tours. The company was also featured on LivingTV's 'Most Haunted Live', 'Ghost Hunters International' and 'Dejay TV'
Day 28/...Monday 17th Feb...No trip to Prague is complete without a trip to visit the John Lennon peace wall, then the famous “Skinny Alley”, where the lane is so narrow; you need traffic lights to allow one way walking. While in that area, we’ll go for a river cruise and see Prague from the water. Departure: 12:00, 13:00, 15:00, 16:00, 17:00.
Free choice dinner to-night (6th) as you will be amazed at the amount of local and cheap restaurants in Prague...or buy some local, traditional street stall foods and fill up all afternoon and evening, munching away on the yummy hot goodies available everywhere on the streets.
Day 29/...Tuesday 18th Feb...we’ll visit the top end of town, Prada, Boss, Dior and more. See the Metronome, signifying time out of Communism, and do trip to Le Louvre Cafe near Tesco Store, have a hot gluewein or a thick and yummy hot chocy, own expense while wandering thru this ancient city.
To-day we must do the Walk of the 4 Bridges, where we walk from bridge to bridge across the river and around to Eiffel/Petrin Tower for a trip to the top of the tower of 300 stairs if you are up for it! Winter season (November - March) runs from 9.00 to 23.20 hours on a 15 minute interval, The Petřín Funicular - A Brief History On 25 July 1891, a funicular up to Petřín Hill began operating, using a water-balance drive system. It ceased operating in 1916 due to World War I. The funicular didn't resume operation until 1932, when it was also converted to an electrical drive system. It served the public reliably for over 30 years. In 1965 extensive landslides took place on Petřín, which destroyed the funicular's tracks. The Petřín funicular resumed operations after a 20-year pause, in 1985, when it was made part of the urban mass transit system. Built as a mini version of Paris's Eiffel Tower, the Petrin Observation Tower was built in 1891 for the Jubilee Exhibition.
The tower is 60m tall, which doesn't seem particularly high until you add in the fact that it sits at the summit of Petrin Hill, which is 318m (1043 feet) high. Climb the 299 steps to reach the top of the tower and the view over Prague is magnificent. On a clear day it is possible to see the highest peak in the Czech Republic, Snezka, which is 150km away.
The Petrin Observation Tower is set in landscaped gardens, which make for a pleasant stroll all year round. In the grounds there is also a hall of mirrors, an observatory with a telescope open to the public, a church and a rose garden (small entrance fees apply for the tower, mirror maze and observatory - there is no need to pre-book). Much of the stone used to build the major sights in Prague was quarried out of Petrin. But this is well hidden beneath the grass and the trees that cover the hillside.
To reach the Observation Tower and other attractions at the top of Petrin Hill you can take the Funicular Railway, which departs from Ujezd street in the Lesser Town (Malá Strana) (tram stop Ujezd). Take a 30 minute stroll up Petrin Hill. The climb is steep, but the walk is very pleasant, passing through the gardens and trees.
The funicular railway forms part of the Prague public transport network, so a single ticket for travel on trams, buses and the metro is also valid on the funicular. Tickets are available at the funicular terminals too: Getting around Prague by public transport.
What You'll See on Petřín and Nebozízek From Nebozízek, visitors are presented with a gorgeous view of the Prague Castle and the city of Prague. Near the observation tower is the well-known Maze - Hall of Mirrors in the Czech Hikers' Pavilion, which in 1891 was originally located at the Prague Exhibition Grounds, and a year later relocated to its present location. The Pavilion is a miniature of the medieval Špička Gate, which was part of the fortifications at Vyšehrad. The building also contains the panoramic painting „Defending Prague From the Swedes".
The funicular passes through the Hunger Wall, commissioned by Emperor and King Charles IV during 1360 - 1362. It gained its unusual name in memory of the fact that it was built during hard times in order to provide employment for residents of Prague. The wall formed part of the city's medieval fortifications.
We’ll visit the Hunger Wall; built at the time of the great hardship in 1360-62 and see the Freedom Steps, where artists depict the effect Communism has had on people. Our tour comes to an official end to-morrow morning at 10am, so we will have a farewell cocktail party and gala buffet dinner this evening and invite some friends around to join us, take final group photos for our blogs and do some washing and preliminary packing for the end of the official tour segment.
Before we leave this ancient city of Prague...we must squeeze in a visit to the Concert in the Palace followed by a lunch time meal in town.
Day 30/...Wednesday morning Feb 19th...30th day, Tour officially ends today at 10am, normal checkout time, but we have a bonus day to-day, a free extra day for you to buy, go, do as you please and a bonus extra FREE night to-night, with breakfast Thursday morning for you (as promised) in our nice apartment accommodation in Prague.
Time to-day to complete our blogging workshop and Martini courses and relax and chat for a breather before packing to head off in our various directions to-morrow.
We all leave this lovely apartment and head for Vienna or Budapest tomorrow morning, Thursday 20th at 10am...
Day 31/...Thursday 20th Feb...10 am, apartment vacated and cleaned. We can leave our luggage at friends accommodation buildings around the corner while we continue our exploration of beautiful Prague if desired for a few more hours.
Guests to Vienna by bus at 1pm in afternoon, book accom @ Hutteldorf or where wanted, then to airport to fly out Fri, check flight times out...12mday ...and remainder go to Budapest for house hunting for a week.
..............................................................................................................................................................................................................
I have thoroughly enjoyed putting this memorable workshop, historically relevant and beautiful Winter Wonderland tour together for you and look forwards to sharing these wonderful locations in the most romantic of all seasons, (Snow-time,) with you. I have been to all the venues and cities herein except the new addition, the Ice Hotel. I am so looking forwards to that unique and once in a lifetime experience and am excited to be sharing it with you!
Prague has a few beggars by the Charles Bridge and I love to make up a lunch pak for them and drop it in their begging hat as I go past. You are welcome to make up your own offering from our supply of breakfast goodies and do the same over the next week.
Day 25/...Friday 14th Feb... After breakfast at 10.am, we head off to check out Old Town Square Tower, go upstairs to gaze again at the pastries in another Mozart cafe, then downstairs to the 700yr old cavern to see where we’ll be eating to-night and then enjoy a hot gluewein while waiting for the tour to start at 11am. We do a 3 hour walking tour of Prague from Old Town Astronomical Clock at 11am -2pm, visiting the Jewish cemetery, Wenceslas Square, the scene of the recent Velvet Revolution where Czech’s gained a bloodless freedom and loads of other historical areas and get our bearings. We continue to explore this amazing city and tour the Opera House, some museums on the way and call into the beautiful Municipal House and have a look inside and either can stay exploring until dinner or sit in one of numerous footpath cafe's and have more hot gluwein until Dinner @ 700yr old cavern to-night of pig roasted on a spit. Small serving recommended and even then, bring a doggy bag for left overs!
Day 26/...Saturday 15th Feb...Prague Castle inside tour, includes the massive St Vitus Cathedral, a 1000 yr old Abbey, a Palace inside the castle and tour the fascinating medieval dungeons, head chopping off block, complete with axe and even have a shot at firing a real cross bow,($2.50) for 3 shots. Bring lunch, as this is such an interesting tour which takes over 4 hours. See The Changing of the Guard... The ceremonial Changing of the Guard including a fanfare and the flag ceremony: daily at 12.00 in the first courtyard
The Changing by the Castle gates: on the hour from 7.00 to 18.00 in the winter season.
The Prague Castle, an ancient symbol of the Czech lands, is the most significant Czech monument and one of the most important cultural institutions in the Czech Republic.
The Prague Castle was most likely founded in around 880 by Prince Bořivoj of the Premyslid Dynasty (Přemyslovci). According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the Prague Castle is the largest coherent castle complex in the world, with an area of almost 70,000 m². A UNESCO World Heritage site, it consists of a large-scale composition of palaces and ecclesiastical buildings of various architectural styles, from Roman-style buildings from the 10th century through Gothic modifications in the 14th century. The famous Slovenian architect Josip Plečnik was responsible for extensive renovations in the time of the First Republic (1918-1938). Since the Velvet Revolution, the Prague Castle has undergone significant and ongoing repairs and reconstructions.
We’ll call in and see a friend at one of the hostels, backing onto the Castle, find the cute little cafe for a hot grog(a real traditional drink) and apple strudel and have ourselves a treat for an hour or so! We then head/stagger home for an early Dinner at own (5th of 6) expense this evening because we know you’ll not be able to resist this one! Goulash in rye bread cob... and if you are up to it, we’ll go on a Ghost hunting tour to-night? (can be swapped for another night)
GHOST TOURS OF PRAGUE focuses on evening entertainment - ghost walks and walking tours to Prague's famous sites without the hassle of crowds and queues. Tours aim to entertain as well as inform, and are suitable for both individuals and groups. Since the tours run in the evening, they can easily be combined with our customer's daytime activities in the city. McGee's tours offer a unique and different atmosphere to daytime tours. The company was also featured on LivingTV's 'Most Haunted Live', 'Ghost Hunters International' and 'Dejay TV'
Day 28/...Monday 17th Feb...No trip to Prague is complete without a trip to visit the John Lennon peace wall, then the famous “Skinny Alley”, where the lane is so narrow; you need traffic lights to allow one way walking. While in that area, we’ll go for a river cruise and see Prague from the water. Departure: 12:00, 13:00, 15:00, 16:00, 17:00.
Free choice dinner to-night (6th) as you will be amazed at the amount of local and cheap restaurants in Prague...or buy some local, traditional street stall foods and fill up all afternoon and evening, munching away on the yummy hot goodies available everywhere on the streets.
Day 29/...Tuesday 18th Feb...we’ll visit the top end of town, Prada, Boss, Dior and more. See the Metronome, signifying time out of Communism, and do trip to Le Louvre Cafe near Tesco Store, have a hot gluewein or a thick and yummy hot chocy, own expense while wandering thru this ancient city.
To-day we must do the Walk of the 4 Bridges, where we walk from bridge to bridge across the river and around to Eiffel/Petrin Tower for a trip to the top of the tower of 300 stairs if you are up for it! Winter season (November - March) runs from 9.00 to 23.20 hours on a 15 minute interval, The Petřín Funicular - A Brief History On 25 July 1891, a funicular up to Petřín Hill began operating, using a water-balance drive system. It ceased operating in 1916 due to World War I. The funicular didn't resume operation until 1932, when it was also converted to an electrical drive system. It served the public reliably for over 30 years. In 1965 extensive landslides took place on Petřín, which destroyed the funicular's tracks. The Petřín funicular resumed operations after a 20-year pause, in 1985, when it was made part of the urban mass transit system. Built as a mini version of Paris's Eiffel Tower, the Petrin Observation Tower was built in 1891 for the Jubilee Exhibition.
The tower is 60m tall, which doesn't seem particularly high until you add in the fact that it sits at the summit of Petrin Hill, which is 318m (1043 feet) high. Climb the 299 steps to reach the top of the tower and the view over Prague is magnificent. On a clear day it is possible to see the highest peak in the Czech Republic, Snezka, which is 150km away.
The Petrin Observation Tower is set in landscaped gardens, which make for a pleasant stroll all year round. In the grounds there is also a hall of mirrors, an observatory with a telescope open to the public, a church and a rose garden (small entrance fees apply for the tower, mirror maze and observatory - there is no need to pre-book). Much of the stone used to build the major sights in Prague was quarried out of Petrin. But this is well hidden beneath the grass and the trees that cover the hillside.
To reach the Observation Tower and other attractions at the top of Petrin Hill you can take the Funicular Railway, which departs from Ujezd street in the Lesser Town (Malá Strana) (tram stop Ujezd). Take a 30 minute stroll up Petrin Hill. The climb is steep, but the walk is very pleasant, passing through the gardens and trees.
The funicular railway forms part of the Prague public transport network, so a single ticket for travel on trams, buses and the metro is also valid on the funicular. Tickets are available at the funicular terminals too: Getting around Prague by public transport.
What You'll See on Petřín and Nebozízek From Nebozízek, visitors are presented with a gorgeous view of the Prague Castle and the city of Prague. Near the observation tower is the well-known Maze - Hall of Mirrors in the Czech Hikers' Pavilion, which in 1891 was originally located at the Prague Exhibition Grounds, and a year later relocated to its present location. The Pavilion is a miniature of the medieval Špička Gate, which was part of the fortifications at Vyšehrad. The building also contains the panoramic painting „Defending Prague From the Swedes".
The funicular passes through the Hunger Wall, commissioned by Emperor and King Charles IV during 1360 - 1362. It gained its unusual name in memory of the fact that it was built during hard times in order to provide employment for residents of Prague. The wall formed part of the city's medieval fortifications.
- Also located on Petřín is Štefánik's Observatory, which opened in 1930.
- The Church of St. Lawrence, originally Romanesque, documented as far back as 1135, and reconstructed in the Baroque style during 1735 - 1770, was in the past one of the traditional places of pilgrimage for residents of Prague.
- One of the many monuments on Petřín is the famous statue of the poet K.H. Mácha from J.V. Myslbek, created in the years 1910 - 1912. In the Petřín area, we can see the Kinsky, Lobkowicz, Nebozízek, and U rozhledny gardens, the Rose Garden, and the Seminary and Strahov gardens. The Rose Garden is the youngest, founded in 1932.
- Located on Petřín are also surviving remnants of Prague's baroque fortifications - Bastion No. Iv (St. Charles), No. V (St. Lawrence) and No. VI (St. Vojtěch/Adalbert).
We’ll visit the Hunger Wall; built at the time of the great hardship in 1360-62 and see the Freedom Steps, where artists depict the effect Communism has had on people. Our tour comes to an official end to-morrow morning at 10am, so we will have a farewell cocktail party and gala buffet dinner this evening and invite some friends around to join us, take final group photos for our blogs and do some washing and preliminary packing for the end of the official tour segment.
Before we leave this ancient city of Prague...we must squeeze in a visit to the Concert in the Palace followed by a lunch time meal in town.
Day 30/...Wednesday morning Feb 19th...30th day, Tour officially ends today at 10am, normal checkout time, but we have a bonus day to-day, a free extra day for you to buy, go, do as you please and a bonus extra FREE night to-night, with breakfast Thursday morning for you (as promised) in our nice apartment accommodation in Prague.
Time to-day to complete our blogging workshop and Martini courses and relax and chat for a breather before packing to head off in our various directions to-morrow.
We all leave this lovely apartment and head for Vienna or Budapest tomorrow morning, Thursday 20th at 10am...
Day 31/...Thursday 20th Feb...10 am, apartment vacated and cleaned. We can leave our luggage at friends accommodation buildings around the corner while we continue our exploration of beautiful Prague if desired for a few more hours.
Guests to Vienna by bus at 1pm in afternoon, book accom @ Hutteldorf or where wanted, then to airport to fly out Fri, check flight times out...12mday ...and remainder go to Budapest for house hunting for a week.
..............................................................................................................................................................................................................
I have thoroughly enjoyed putting this memorable workshop, historically relevant and beautiful Winter Wonderland tour together for you and look forwards to sharing these wonderful locations in the most romantic of all seasons, (Snow-time,) with you. I have been to all the venues and cities herein except the new addition, the Ice Hotel. I am so looking forwards to that unique and once in a lifetime experience and am excited to be sharing it with you!