with Jozef Kaufmann & Helene Cincebeaux
Slovakia, Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Austria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia
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with Jozef Kaufmann & Helene Cincebeaux Slovakia, Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Austria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia |
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SLOVAKIA |
Castles, Helpa Festival, Spis Villages and Royal Wine Road
June 19 - June 28, 2012 Tues., June 19 Meet at Vienna Airport by 10 am, travel through verdant countryside to a stunning Baroque treasure, Valtice Castle in the Czech Republic’s famed Moravian wine region. Welcome dinner with wine tasting and live like royalty staying at the castle! (1 night at Valtice Castle, Moravia, Czech Republic) Wed., June 20 Tour the Bloody Countess’s haunted Castle in Cachtice, Slovakia; on to majestic Orava Castle perched atop a mountain with magnificent views; sample a Slovak wine at dinner; cross the border to picturesque Zakopane, nestled in the Carpathian Mountains. Night lights stroll through the lively streets of Zakopane. (2 nights in Zakopane, Poland) Thurs., June 21 Visit scenic Spis villages in Poland and the peaceful countryside backed by the snow- capped High Tatra Mts. We visit Jurgow village museum in a log home, a magnificent wooden church painted inside and a remarkable musical instruments maker. On to grand Niedzica Castle with its legend of an Aztec princess; then a Goral feast in a folky inn in Tatranska Bukovina. Fri., June 22 Incredible views as we cross the High Tatra Mountains and take a chair lift up to a peak. On to the tucked-away Horehronie Valley and the festive evening folklore program at charming and quaint Hel'pa Festival for our stay in a historic, restored manor house with its spectacular gardens. (2 nights in Helpa, in the picturesque Horehronie Valley of Slovakia) Sat., June 23 Revel in Slovakia's unique Helpa Festival, steps from our lodging; meet crafts people creating treasures of leather, lace, felt, straw; see the spectacular textiles exhibit as the village babky demonstrate spinning and weaving and the men show off their work with a song, enjoy folk dancers from all over Slovakia, sample local foods, photo opps galore with village people young and old. We’ll take an excursion to the countryside with a ride on an antique steam train with a bit of slivovica to whet our whistles. Feast in a local inn and on to the festival's evening performance. Sun., June 24 Church if desired; Be charmed by Spania Dolina, a mountain village where the finest lace was made, and also the fascinating museum and unique church with covered walkway snaking up the mt. Tour medieval mining town, Banska Stiavnica, atop mountain peaks. Mon., June 25 Visit a private museum of village life, feast on local foods and dance at a wedding party and learn of old traditions. (1 night in Piestany, Slovakia's famed Spa Town) Tues., June 26 Today we traverse the Royal Wine Road from Smolenice Castle through the verdant village vineyards to marvel at Budmerice Castle; feast at a wine lunch in Modra, tour the wine museum in Pezinok and sample more wine at our dinner in a colorful restaurant. Wed., June 27 Visit an exhibit of folk painters in an ancient mill where the machinery fascinates; stroll Bratislava's Old Town, marvel at the Celtic ruins of Devin Castle; meet a ceramic artist in his studio; enjoy a wine tasting at our festive farewell dinner. Thurs., June 28 Tour ends or continue on Prague add on |
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