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Prague: A One-Week Stay in the Czech Republic

9 days from $5,990

Make yourself at home amid the medieval spires of Prague and spend a week savoring this magical city. From your base in the Old Town, enjoy concerts and culinary tastings, delve into historic districts, and surround yourself with gems of art nouveau and art deco architecture.  Round out your experience with day trips to the 15th-century beer capital of Plzen (Pilsen) and the fairy-tale castle town of Český Krumlov.

Cultural Stays

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Highlights

  • Prague’s Historic Center: Explore many facets of Prague’s history on guided tours of the Jewish Quarter, Prague Castle, and the city’s art nouveau and art deco masterpieces. Hear the city’s legends as you cross Charles Bridge, and watch Europe’s oldest working astronomical clock come alive on the hour.
  • Classical Music: 2026 departures: Visit the elegant Rudolfinum, the home of the Czech Philharmonic and a symbol of the city’s musical heritage, having welcomed legendary figures such as Antonín Dvořák, Gustav Mahler, and Leonard Bernstein. 2027 departures: Attend a private musical performance at the Estates Theater, where Mozart premiered Don Giovanni.
  • Český Krumlov: Take advantage of a full day in this World Heritage-listed town, meandering cobbled lanes past stunning architecture during time at leisure and enjoying a guided tour of its castle and perfectly preserved baroque theater.
  • Culinary Traditions: Delve into the Czech tradition of beer brewing on an excursion to the historic breweries of Pilsen (Plzen), where the famous Pilsner Urquell has been produced since 1842, and savor Czech cuisine on the grounds of Prague Castle.

Itinerary

To see itinerary, please click on an option below.

Day 1-2 — Depart the U.S. for Prague, Czech Republic

Board an overnight flight to Prague, where you’ll be met and assisted with the transfer to your hotel in the city center upon arrival. You’ll receive a welcome packet with maps and general information about Prague and the Czech Republic, and your travel director will be available to answer questions and make recommendations for restaurants and independent activities. Gather in the afternoon for an orientation walk in the neighborhood surrounding your hotel, followed by a welcome reception and dinner at the hotel. (R,D)

Hotel Cosmopolitan

Day 3 — Prague’s Old Town

A full breakfast will be served each morning during your stay. Known as the “City of a Hundred Spires,” Prague’s stunning Old Town has been designated a World Heritage site in its entirety. Your exploration begins with a visit to the hilltop Strahov Monastery, founded in 1143, where you'll enjoy an exclusive tour of the Philosophical and Theological Halls of the monastery's exquisite library, followed by a musical performance. Continue to sprawling Prague Castle, established in the ninth century and now one of the largest castle complexes in the world. Inside St. Vitus Cathedral, admire the stained glass crafted by early 20th-century artists including art nouveau master Alfonse Mucha. Stroll Golden Lane, lined with colorful 16th-century rowhouses once occupied by the castle’s guards, goldsmiths and servants. Savor a lunch of classic Czech cuisine on the grounds of Prague Castle.

Then head toward the river on foot, crossing the iconic Charles Bridge and strolling past architectural gems on your way to Old Town Square. See the city’s 600-year-old astronomical clock, which features a parade of the 12 Apostles that appears on the hour. In the late afternoon, gather for a talk by a local speaker to learn more about Prague and the Czech Republic. This evening, dine independently. (B,L)

Hotel Cosmopolitan

Day 4 — Prague's Musical Heritage

2026 departures: Set out on an exclusive tour of the Rudolfinum, a beautifully restored 19th-century center for music and fine arts that is one of Prague's cultural landmarks. Antonín Dvořák conducted the first-ever concert of Czech Philharmonic here in 1896, and greats such as Gustav Mahler and Leonard Bernstein have performed here since. Then view the neoclassical facade of the Estates Theater, where Mozart conducted the world premiere of his opera Don Giovanni in 1787.

2027 departures: Trace the footsteps of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart through the heart of Prague, where he played to enthusiastic audiences in the late 1780s. Tour the neoclassical Estates Theater, where his opera Don Giovanni premiered, and sit in the theater’s intimate Mozart Salon for a short private concert featuring his music.

All departures continue to the baroque St. Nicholas Church to see the 4,000-pipe organ that Mozart played. Tonight, explore Prague’s fantastic dining scene on your own. (B,L)

Hotel Cosmopolitan

Day 5 — Plzen and Prague

Journey into West Bohemia to the city of Plzen, or Pilsen, often called the “birthplace of beer.” Sample the wares on a visit to the Pilsner Brewery, where Czech staple Pilsner Urquell is brewed. At the Beer Museum, located in a 15th-century brew house, trace the history of the city and its trades. Then venture to the Pilsner Historical Underground and enjoy lunch in a local restaurant. Return to Prague, where the remainder of the day is at leisure. (B,L)

Hotel Cosmopolitan

Day 6 — Prague's Jewish Quarter

Within Prague’s historic center lies Josefov, the former Jewish quarter, where centuries-old synagogues are clustered in a network of narrow streets. Enter the Old-New Synagogue, a beautiful Gothic temple founded in 1270 and now Europe’s oldest active synagogue. Hear about the tumultuous history of Prague’s Jewish population, and walk among the 12,000 timeworn and jumbled tombstones wedged inside the walls of the Old Jewish Cemetery, one of the oldest surviving Jewish cemeteries in the world. Take advantage of free time this afternoon before meeting for dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)

Hotel Cosmopolitan

Day 7 — Český Krumlov

Spend the day in the delightful Bohemian town of Český Krumlov, tucked along a tight curve in the Vltava River. Here, more than 300 beautifully preserved Gothic, Renaissance, and baroque structures fill the city center, a World Heritage site. Enjoy lunch at your leisure and time to discover the town independently. Then cross a moat into the fairy-tale hilltop castle, where some 40 buildings are situated around five courtyards, including the Krumlov Theater, one of Europe’s best preserved baroque theaters. Return to Prague in time for dinner on your own. (B)

Hotel Cosmopolitan

Day 8 — Art and Architecture of Prague

Delve deeper into Prague’s remarkable artistic heritage on a guided architecture tour this morning. Contemplate some of its most notable art nouveau and art deco landmarks, including the Hotel Europa, U Novaku, Topic House, Adam Pharmacy, and the Langhans building. The culmination of your tour is the outstanding Municipal House, a triumph of Czech art nouveau completed in 1912 on the site of the medieval palace of the Royal Court. Next, visit the Mucha Museum, filled with the captivating, sensuous work of legendary artist Alfonse Mucha (1860-1939). See art nouveau posters, paintings, and sketches featuring Mucha’s signature Slavic maidens with flowing hair, as well as other memorabilia. Following a final afternoon at leisure, celebrate your Czech sojourn at a farewell reception and dinner. (B,R,D)

Hotel Cosmopolitan

Day 9 — Depart Prague / Return Home

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your homeward flight. (B)

Included meals are denoted as follows: Breakfast (B), Lunch (L), Reception (R), Dinner (D)

View toward Prague's main square

Slideshow

Dates & Prices

Click on the departure date to see pricing. Click the for more information.

Dates

Availability

Price

Sep 19 - 27, 2026
Available
from $5,990

Expert: John Micgiel

Occupancy Double Single
Price $5,990 $7,485
Book reservation

Sep 26 - Oct 4, 2026
Available
from $5,990

Expert: Hugh Agnew

Occupancy Double Single
Price $5,990 $7,485
Book reservation

Special Air Rates & Services: As part of our special air program, FlexAir, available with this tour, you can choose from a wide variety of flight options. Visit the Tour Details tab and click on "Special Air Rates/Services" drop down.

Prices are based on rates of exchange, airfare & fuel (where applicable), tariffs, taxes, and other costs as of the tour publication date. We reserve the right to correct errors and to increase program prices to cover increased costs, tariffs, and taxes received after prices are published and to reflect currency fluctuations.

Experts

John Micgiel
Departure: Sep 19 - 27, 2026

John Micgiel

Historian

John S. Micgiel is a historian who specializes in the modern history of East Central Europe. Having received his PhD from Columbia University, he spent …

John S. Micgiel is a historian who specializes in the modern history of East Central Europe. Having received his PhD from Columbia University, he spent nearly three decades teaching at Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs where he was, among other administrative assignments, long-time director of the Institute on East Central Europe.  For many years, he has been recurring visiting professor at Warsaw University’s East European Centre. John has authored or edited more than a dozen books on the region and is a frequent visitor to its academic institutions. His most recent monograph is on U.S.-Polish intelligence cooperation during World War II and is entitled Project Eagle: The Top Secret OSS Operation That Sent Polish Spies Behind Enemy Lines.

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Hugh Agnew
Departure: Sep 26 - Oct 4, 2026

Hugh Agnew

Historian

Hugh Agnew has been fascinated by the lands and peoples of Central and Eastern Europe and Russia since he first walked into a Russian language …

Hugh Agnew has been fascinated by the lands and peoples of Central and Eastern Europe and Russia since he first walked into a Russian language class in 10th grade. Having decided as an undergraduate to major in history and focus on the region, he pursued doctoral study at Stanford and became a history professor. He has taught graduate and undergraduate courses on the history of East Central Europe and the Balkans, the Russian Revolution, Europe from Cold War to Detente, the Habsburg Empire, and nationalism at Queen’s University in Canada, the National University of Singapore, and—since 1988—at George Washington University, where he is a member of the Institute for European, Russian, and Eurasian Studies at the Elliott School of International Affairs. Hugh has also served as associate dean, senior associate dean, and interim dean of the Elliott School. He has published numerous articles and books on Czech and Eastern European history, Bohemia, and the Habsburgs, and has lived in Austria and the Czech Republic for extended periods, most recently as a Fulbright Scholar teaching at Palacky University in the Czech Republic. Hugh has accompanied trips to Central and Eastern Europe for Smithsonian Journeys for more than twenty years, and his insightful talks have made him a favorite with Smithsonian travelers.

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Christopher Brennan
Departure: May 1 - 9, 2027

Christopher Brennan

Historian

Christopher Brennan, guest researcher at the Austrian Academy of Sciences and lecturer at Masaryk University in Brno in the Czech Republic, is a historian who …

Christopher Brennan, guest researcher at the Austrian Academy of Sciences and lecturer at Masaryk University in Brno in the Czech Republic, is a historian who specializes in Central and Eastern Europe with a particular interest in the former Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Holy Roman Empire, Germany, and the history of the Czechs. Though British, he grew up in southwestern France. He obtained a BA in Modern Languages (German and Russian, plus Czech) at the University of Bristol and a master’s in Slavonic Studies from Oriel College at the University of Oxford.

Chris studied for a PhD at the London School of Economics on the subject of the disintegration of the Habsburg Empire and the degree of responsibility of its last monarch, Emperor Karl I. He taught undergraduates there for four years, with a one-year hiatus in Paris lecturing American undergraduates on French history and on the history of Eastern European communism. He has written on the memory of World War I and of the Habsburg Dynasty, on the Balkan Wars, on the author Joseph Roth, and on interwar Austria. He has also authored chapters for several volumes on the collapse of Austria-Hungary and its aftermath, and is now working on a biography of Karl I. 

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Tour Details

Accommodations

Hotel Cosmopolitan
Prague, Czech Republic

Located on a quiet side street in the historic Old Town, the 80-room Hotel Cosmopolitan is just steps from cafés, restaurants, and historic sites. The hotel is housed in a 1889 townhouse that has been carefully restored, creating a vibrant fusion of both old and new. Guestrooms are thoughtfully furnished with two double beds or one king bed, a writing desk, and a marble bathroom, and are bathed in natural light through large windows. The hotel features a bar and contemporary restaurant featuring all-day dining. There is a small fitness center on site.

Activity Description

Expectations: A week-long Cultural Stay featuring one region—and one hotel. Full-day excursions to Plzen and Český Krumlov. There will be several historic site visits both in Prague and outside the city and some sites could be crowded and include plenty of walking and standing. Excursions can be over uneven terrain (e.g. gardens and outdoor sites, cobblestones, high curbs, city hills, stairs without handrails, absence of elevators); there will be some longer walks to get to city centers where coaches are prohibited. A private motorcoach will be used to visit various sites while in country. The hotel is centrally located for easy access to cafes, restaurants, and boutiques during times at leisure.

Appropriate for: Travelers who are physically fit and are comfortable with longer days of touring including motorcoach tours and extensive walking in historic Prague as well as on excursions. There will be quite a bit of walking and standing in museums, churches, and at historic sites.

Reading List

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Special Air Rates/Services

FlexAir is designed to provide our guests with the flexibility and choice they need to personalize their air travel experience. They can explore a wide range of flight options* in consultation with our experienced air travel professionals to select the flights, routing, class of service, and dates of travel that most fit their needs. Our partner tour operator has negotiated contracts with a wide variety of carriers that allows them to search for the air itinerary that meets the requirements of our guests, and once satisfied with the flights, seating, and pricing, in most cases, can be confirmed and ticketed** immediately.

The FlexAir program includes:

  1. Confirmed airline seat assignments at the time of ticketing (in most cases additional purchase may be necessary)
  2. Assistance with schedule changes and delays, including after-hours support
  3. Guaranteed transfers between the airport and overseas accommodations upon arrival and departure (based on the group’s arrival and departure dates), and the details needed to guarantee the transfer

Important Notes:

*Most airline schedules become available for ticketing approximately 320 days from the date of return travel.

**Once ticketed, certain restrictions will apply. Our air travel professionals will provide the details.

Travel Insurance

For the convenience of our travelers, Smithsonian Journeys includes a basic medical expense and evacuation plan through Trip Mate, a Generali Global Assistance & Insurance Services brand, at no additional charge. This plan provides post-departure Medical and Dental coverage of $250,000 per person and Emergency Assistance and Transportation coverage of $1,000,000 per person (U.S. Residents Only). Note: For full details regarding these coverages please review the following Plan Documents here.

In addition, we recommend that travelers purchase a travel protection plan to help protect their travel investment from unforeseen events such as cancellation due to illness, flight delays due to adverse weather, baggage loss, and more. For your convenience, Smithsonian Journeys offers an optional Travel Protection Plan administered by Trip Mate, a Generali Global Assistance & Insurance Services brand. For those interested, optional "Cancel for Any Reason" coverage is available for an additional charge. Note: Certain eligibility requirements apply and Cancel for Any Reason coverage is not available to New York residents. For full details regarding this coverage please review the following Plan Documents here.

To learn more about the Travel Protection Plan, you may visit https://www.generalipartner.com/smithsonianjourneys or call the administrator, Trip Mate, a Generali Global Assistance & Insurance Services brand at (866) 501-3252.