Folklore, Customs & Beer

Czech, Hungary, Slovakia7 days

About

Take this tour and immerse yourself in the traditional folklore and cultures of three fascinating countries in East Europe and enjoy the energetic music and atmosphere that go so well with these expert beer making and drinking folk! You will see incredible sights and landmarks as well as you journey from the Czech Republic to Poland and on to Hungary, and will learn all about these countries’ rich traditions and customs that include ‘taking to the spas’. So get ready and prepare for fantastic feasts, fabulous folklore, brilliant beers, and soothing spas!

You should experience it because...

Zakopane has more folklore than most places in Poland. It is the main Polish mountain resort at the foot of the majestic Tatras mountain range and is full of characteristic local wooden architecture. Enjoy a folklore supper in one of these typical mountain cottages on this tour.

Folklore and beer

Take the funicular railway from Zakopane to the top of Gubalowka Hill, one of the most beautiful peaks in the Tatras boasting the best view of the whole mountain range

Discover some of the small pubs in tucked away places in Prague where locals drink beer soak up the atmosphere here of a real Czech night out

Enjoy a delicious and original Czech dinner at the Pilsner Restaurant in Prague and enjoy traditional Bohemian cuisine, excellent Pilsner beer, and live folk music.

Places covered 7 Days

Day 1 Prague – introduction to local beers and folklore
Day 2 Prague – local sights – folklore evening and local cuisine
Day 3 Prague – trip to Karlovy Vary spa town
Day 4 Zakopane – exploring the area
Day 5 Zakopane – High Tatras mountain range – folklore evening
Day 6 Budapest – sightseeing – gypsy folklore evening & cuisine
Day 7 Budapest – sightseeing and spas
Day 8 Depart

Days Details
1 Prague – introduction to local beers and folklore The Czechs regard beer as their real national treasure their ‘liquid bread’’. Beer has been brewed, sold and drunk in Czech lands for around 1000 years and Pilsner, indeed, was invented here. So join a Prague beer tour and visit 3 local mini-breweries, learn brewing processes and history of the beer from the master brewers, try tasty Czech appetizers, and take a guided city tour as well. There’s even a Prague beer museum pub that offers 30 beers on tap! And visit a traditional old alehouse such as ‘U Zlateho tygra’ that is just around the corner from the Old Town square. And visit the National Museum in Prague and learn all about traditional Czech customs and folklore including seeing some amazing Czech folk costumes.
2 Prague – local sights – folklore evening and local cuisine Today, take a grand city tour of Prague that starts with a bus trip through the heart of the city including the Unesco listed Old Town. Learn about the history of the city and its neighbourhoods and take in sights such as Prague Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral. Hop on board a boat for a cruise along the Vitava River to admire the beauties of the city from the river, followed by an informative walk through the Jewish quarter. Relax for a while before setting out for a wonderful folklore evening at the Folklore Garden restaurant offering a countryside atmosphere in the heart of Prague. Watch dancers and musicians dressed in traditional costume, take part in Czech songs, dances and games, all while enjoying traditional dishes and lots of beer!
3 Prague – trip to Karlovy Vary spa town Karlovy Vary is a spa town like no other and is known as the ‘Jewel of the West Bohemian Spa Triangle’. Surrounded by a beautiful forested valley, it is one of Europe’s most beautiful spa towns and has 13 hot mineral springs that are used to treat many illnesses and disorders. Take a walk that follows the Tepla stream and fill a spa jug from several of the local healing springs the hottest of the springs the Vridlo emerges from the ground. Let yourself be pampered in a world of elegant spa houses and exquisite blossom-filled gardens and between spas enjoy a round of golf, take a bike ride, or head out for some horse-riding.
4 Zakopane – Exploring the area On to Zakopane – gateway to one of Poland’s greatest natural treasures the beautiful High Tatras alpine mountain range. On arrival, take a walk through the small town, and then take a ride up on the funicular railway to the top of Gubalowka Hill, one of the most beautiful peaks in the Tatras that boasts the best view of the whole mountain range. In the evening, experience the highlander show with musicians and dancers to get a taste of the lively folk customs, the local dishes and the strong ‘highlander tea’.
5 Zakopane – High Tatras mountain range – folklore evening Not far from the northern end of Krupowki Street stands the remarkable Willa Koliba, the first of several wooden villas designed by Witkjewicz in his Zakopane Style. The museum is a must for architecture fans, particularly admirers of the Arts & Crafts movement, which swept through the US and Britain at the turn of the 20thcentury. About 2km south of the centre are two more examples of the Zakopane Style. The Villa Pod Jedlami was built in 1897 for the Pawlikowski family, and the Jaszczurowka Chapel is considered Witkiewicz’s greatest achievement. The folk interior is well worth the trip. The beautiful emerald-green lake of Morskie Oko (Eye of the Sea) is about 12km southeast of Zakopane. Hope on a bus and take the leisurely 9km long road to the lake from the drop off point. Enjoy a dinner in the rustic settings of a typical mountain cottage with music – cheerful songs accompanied by violins and highlander merry-making – and tasty treats of goats cheese and vodka shots, and ‘highlanders’ tea’ which is dark and loaded with white spirit.
6 Budapest – sightseeing – gypsy folklore evening & cuisine Arrive in the beautiful city of Budapest - Hungary’s stylish capital and known as the ‘city of spas’ for its abundance of natural thermal springs. Straddling the Danube River, the city is comprised of two very different cities, Buda on the west bank and Pest on the east bank. There are lots of sights to see including Castle Hill, Matthius Church, Fisherman’s Bastion, the Liberation Monument, the fabulous St. Stephen’s Basilica, and the much-photographed Parliament Building. Terror Haza is a popular museum recounting stories of espionage and atrocities committed during World War II and during the communist period. The Dohany Street Synagogue is the largest synagogue in Europe and features stunning decorations. Don’t miss a wander around the Central market hall and enjoy the intoxicating sights and smells of ‘Budapest’s pantry’ – you can buy chocolates by the kilo here!
7 Budapest – a spa day Budapest lies on the geological fault separating the Buda Hills from the Great Plain and more than 30,000 cubic metres of warm mineral water gush daily from more than 100 thermal springs. ‘Taking the waters’ at one of the cities many spas and swimming pools is a real Budapest experience. Try the Szechenyi Baths with its dozen thermal baths and five swimming pools. Or relax with a soak in the ‘cathedral like’ art nouveau Gellert Baths, open to both men and women in separate sections. Soothe those joints with the warm water that ranges in temperature from 26ºC to 38ºC. The Rudas Baths have recently been renovated and date back to 1566. Lie back and enjoy relaxing in the octagonal pool, looking up at the beautiful domed cupola with coloured glass and towering columns. Or ‘take to the waters’ at the Lukacs baths housed in sprawling 19th century complex; these baths are popular with keen spa goers.
8 Depart

€ 1,950 per person	(Prices are in Euros and exclude international flights)
Price Per Person in Twin Sharing Accomodation
(Prices are in Euros and exclude international flights)
All rates mentioned are an approximate price per person on a twin-sharing basis, and are based on a minimum of 4-6 adults travelling together. Rates are subject to change based on the number of passengers and the time of year. (Flights, visas, travel insurance, lunches & dinners, personal expenses not included. There may be some itinerary activities not included also – please ask). Inclusions : - Traditional ,Boutique or Heritage accommodation where possible or Quality accommodation (on a twin-sharing basis) in centrally located 4*Hotels . -Meals – breakfast in all destinations - Internal Travel by rail - ferries - coach as applicable -Guided sightseeing excursions as per the itinerary -First arrival and last departure transfers Most Holidays are based on Independent Travel . Holidays could be Customised to your requirements and you could choose to upgrade to Selfdrive or Exclusively Private basis .

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Capture summer magic in the lakes and mountains of Austria & Italy or take an iconic spring rail tour for a combination city and culture break. Walk in Slovenia’s Tatras mountains in the summer, and enjoy Slovakia’s rich medieval culture & charming rural landscapes from May to August. Not forgetting the stunning winter skiing in the Carpathian mountains as well as the magnificent Swiss & Austrian Alps. Add to this city breaks galore in Germany, Hungary & Poland, with spring Rhine cruises, year-round Budapest spas, and summer Polish cultural tours - central Europe is a must-visit destination all year-round.

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Freedom Holidays is passionate about creating inspirational tailor-made travel to Europe and beyond. Our business is your pleasure and our expert and dedicated team is here to listen to your travel needs down to the ‘nth’ degree, leaving you ‘free’ to enjoy your holiday of a lifetime with no gimmicks, no hassle, and no stress. What makes us different? With 14 years experience of providing quality tailor-made customised holidays with an ‘off-the beaten-track’ themed approach, we take you to well-known destinations as well as far flung locations (or a mixture of both), leaving you safe in the knowledge that you will be looked after every step of the way.

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