Exploring Prague Part 3: Jewish Prague

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On this exciting 3 hour walk, you will trace the history of the Jewish community from its early medieval beginning to the most important moments during the era of the Emperors through its struggles and triumphs in the twentieth century.

The rich history of the Jewish settlement in Prague dates back to the tenth century; at the latest from twelfth century Jews formed their community near the very heart of the Old Town, in proximity to main merchant roads leading from the Old town to the Prague Castle. This location of the Jewish Ghetto remained more or less the same until 20th century when it definitely lost its medieval and late-medieval look and transformed into its current Art Nouveau state.

You will spend a significant amount of time exploring the many synagogues that remain open to the public, including the Old New Synagogue, which is the oldest remaining Synagogue in Europe. The Jewish Cemetery, which dates from the fifteenth century, presents a unique opportunity to discuss burial customs and rituals, while the Jewish Town Hall gives space to explore the flourishing of the Jewish community in the 16th century.

In the development of the Jewish community in Prague there is a pattern common to other European cities: isolation, slow gaining of privileges and rights and their subsequent loss, threats of pogroms, and gradual assimilation and emancipation during the Enlightenment. From the nineteenth century the Ghetto became a literary theme not only for Jewish writers, but for German and Czech writers as well. At this point, one matter starts to be an important feature of Prague: its unique atmosphere of three interwoven cultures (Czech, German, and Jewish) of which Franz Kafka is just one, although the most widely known, example.

Led by an expert in religious history, you will come away with an appreciation for the unique qualities of the Jewish community in Prague and its place within the context of the history of the European Jewish community. 

Exploring Prague Part 2: Iron Curtain to Present

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In 1948, as the dust of World War II settled across Europe, the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia (KSC), staged a coup, seized power in Prague, and transformed the country into a Communist state. With the strong backing (financial and political) of the USSR, Czechoslovakia remained behind the so-called Iron Curtain of Europe until the Velvet Revolution of 1989.

During this three-hour tour across Prague in the company of a historian you'll trace the history of Communism through the 20th century, stopping at a number of key monuments and civic spaces that mark this tumultuous, traumatic period. Look at the rise of the KSC through the early part of the century and its rule. We'll discuss the role of the Soviets, particularly in the wake of Prague Spring of 1968 when Warsaw Pact troops invaded the country to staunch liberal reforms.

Our walk will begin at the Vitkov hill, a key monument in Prague where the gigantic equestrian statue of Jan Zizka, a heroic defender of Prague against Catholic forces in the 15th century and symbol of Czech independence, looks down over the city. Nearby, visit the Mausoleum of Klement Gottwald, the first communist Czechoslovak president, and discuss its symbolic location here, meant to connect Communist Prague with Czech pride and identity. Several other Socialist Realist statues of key figures from mid-century Prague will also allow us to discuss the broader connections between the KSC and its Soviet backers.

You'll move on from here down into central Prague, taking a streetcar and using that time to look at some historic maps, archival images, and other supporting historical information to flesh out our portrait of Communist Prague. Spend some time in Wenceslas Square, a critical gathering place during the unsuccessful reform period of 1968, known at the Prague Spring, and the successful capitulation of Communism in 1989, known as the Velvet Revolution. Here we'll look at some key monuments, such as the Jalta Hotel, National Museum, and former Communist Parliament. You’ll look closely at the events of 1968 and piece together the events that lead to the Soviet crackdown and subsequent period of Normalisation.

Your course may take you to Narodny Street nearby where student demonstrations in 1989 added fuel to revolutionary fires that eventually brought down Communism and restored Czech democracy. We'll look, here, at the role of the intelligensia and the figures of Kundera, Havel, and other artists and writers prominent to the revolution.

At the end of your tour, you’ll emerge with a greater understanding of the Communist history of Czechoslovakia and its lasting impact on Prague.

Please note that our visit to the Vitkov does require uphill walking that may not be suitable for individuals with walking difficulties.

Exploring Prague Part 1: the Making of Prague

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In the course of this three-hour walk we’ll focus on the figure of Charles IV (1346 - 1378), the 14th century Holy Roman Emperor who centered his empire in Prague and re-made it as a Paris-style cultural capital. We start up at Prague Castle, which overlooks the river and the rest of the city. Although predating Charles, much of this structure was reworked by him, including St. Vitus Chapel, a masterwork of Gothic architecture. 

We'll zoom in on Prague as we walk down from the castle, as our course takes us across the Charles Bridge, a Gothic masterpiece that was central to Charles’ re-building of Prague. We’ll use this as an opportunity to look at Charles’ plan for the city, which resulted in the construction of New Town and continues to guide the shape and energy of the city today. We’ll also look at how the era of Charles IV was seen later as a “Golden Age” of Bohemian self-rule in opposition to the flaunted opulence of Prague’s Baroque churches and palaces erected by the Hapsburg Dynasty centuries later.

On to the winding streets of the Old Town, where we'll see how the city looked before Charles’ arrival and focus on the political, social, and economic complexities of the city’s multicultural past. We’ll pass by the Carolinum, the university founded by Charles IV in the 1370s and visit some of its extant structures from that period, including the lovely Gothic “Oriel” window. We’ll look at how Charles envisioned Prague as a city of learning and attracted intellectuals from all over Europe, establishing a tradition that would extend over centuries and encompassing the likes of Mozart, Nazi resistance, and the Velvet Revolution.

By the end of the walk, you will come away with a clear sense of how Prague flourished under the reign of Charles, providing a great base from which to explore later time periods in the city's history.

New Years 2015-2016... Right Around the Corner

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Why not do something different this New Years holiday season and take a once in a lifetime Safari? Below find a sample destination we can prepare for our clients to visit two of Africa's unspoiled domains, Kenya and Tanzania. 

Day 1: Nairobi

Welcome to Nairobi! We’ll be there to collect you at Nairobi Airport and transfer you to the Kenya Comfort Hotel. There will be a pre departure meeting at 17.00. 

Overnight: Nairobi

Day 2: Masai Mara

Today you head on to the Masai Mara National Reserve. You enter Masai land where these habitual pastoralists are often seen tending their cattle from the side of the road. We pass through the town of Narok, and continue our drive possibly getting a glimpse of some wildlife along the way. 

The main section of road between Nairobi and the Reserve is in a very poor state, so be prepared for a rough ride! You arrive at the campsite, Acacia Camp, in the evening. Acacia Camp looks on to the Meguarra hills and the stream that meanders by on the bottom end forms a natural border to the Masai Mara National Reserve. The Reserve remains unfenced, allowing wildlife to roam freely across into the surrounding area and if they choose. No need to be afraid, as the local ‘Askari’ will keep a look out for any unwanted predators.

Day 3: Masai Mara N.P.

You depart shortly after sunrise on our game drive into the Masai Mara Reserve. The Masai Mara is well known as one of East Africa’s best National Reserves and is home to a wide variety of wildlife species. Most famous for the Annual Migration, that consists of the impressive herds of over 1 million wildebeest, zebra and Thomson’s gazelle that cross over from the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania; the Masai Mara is most popular between July and October when these vast herds feast on the fresh grazing here. Following these herbivores are Africa’s predators that are often seen at a kill during this period. You game drive through a section of the park in search of the ‘Big 5’- elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion & leopard; along with the many other species of animals, reptiles and birds who make call this wilderness home. 

Day 4:Lake Nakuru

Leaving Masai Mara you head towards the first overnight stop in the area of Lake Nakuru National Park, where your overnight campsite will be at EAMO; East African Mission Organisation. You will have the chance to interact with the local kids as well as a chance to learn more about this wonderful organization.

Day 5: Lake Nakuru

This morning begin your exploration of the Lake Nakuru National Park - famous for the thousands of lesser and greater flamingos that flock to this soda lake’s edge. The numbers vary depending on the water level, and when it’s low, the lake almost turns pink. A truly spectacular sight! The park was established as a sanctuary for black and white rhino, which are often seen. You will spend the day searching for these pre-historic looking beasts as well as the elusive leopard, encountering buffalo, giraffe, and various antelope. After the game drive, you will head back to EAMO for the night.  

Day 6: Kisii & the Gusii Highlands

After breakfast you will leave the Lake Nakuru and head to Kisii/Kericho passing through the picturesque tea plantations along the way. These towns are the main commercial centres in the Gusii Highlands, where cash crops like tea and coffee thrive because of its equatorial climate. Stocks will be replenished before heading for Tanzania tomorrow.

Day 7: Musoma

Depart Kenya and head south into Tanzania. After border formalities, our drive takes us through the scenic granite landscapes adjacent to Africa’s largest lake – Lake Victoria. We spend the night at a campsite on the banks of Lake Victoria in the fishing town of Musoma.

Day 8: Serengeti N.P.

Today you will head to the Serengeti National Park, entering the park after lunch. The Serengeti (Masai for “endless plains”) is famous for its enormous concentration of game (especially the big cats) and for the annual migration of millions of wildebeest, zebra and Thomson’s gazelles. The abundance of plains game in this area is truly astounding. Enter the park through the lesser travelled western corridor and game drive en-route to our campsite in the centre of the park. Tonight bush camp (no ablutions) in the wild surrounded by the sounds of the African bushveld, pierced only by the calls of the nocturnal wildlife.

Day 9: Ngorongoro Crater

After an early start, you will pack up camp and continue your game drive through the Serengeti National Park in search of the resident wildlife and head to the southern part of the park where you will have the chance to see the endless plains this park is renowned for. With some luck, you may see some of Africa’s ‘Big 5’! Cross from the Serengeti to the Ngorongoro Conservation area at lunch time and begin the climb up the steep Crater edge. 

Day 10: Arusha

The Ngorongoro Crater with its 600 m high walls and 20 km width is a natural marvel. The Crater’s rim offers spectacular views, but the true scale of this caldera is only appreciated from the floor itself where the abundance of its animal inhabitants becomes apparent. It is home to nearly every species of African animal and offers a chance to view an incredible concentration of East African mammals, such as elephant, rhino, buffalo, hippo, lion and plain’s game. After spending the morning game driving in The Crater you will continue to our campsite outside Arusha where we spend the evening musing over our thrilling wildlife experience. 

Day 11: Nairobi

After breakfast, begin your journey back to Nairobi. On arrival in the late afternoon, exchange addresses and part ways, having just experienced a trip of a lifetime! 

Some of the World's Most Amazing Caves

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When you take a look at the world on a map, it seems there isn’t much left to discover. There are, of course, the depths of the ocean that are still largely unexplored and perhaps some parts of the poles haven’t yet been seen by human eyes, but other than that it seems that we’ve found almost everything else; until you consider the caves.

These structures are incredible feats of nature and man and many of them are still being discovered today. No one found the Cave of Crystals until 2000 and no one has been able to explore the whole interior due to its extreme heat and humidity.

Better yet, the largest cave system in the entire world was just discovered in 2009 and there could be an even larger cave out there, no one knows for sure. These incredible earthly features are being unveiled and explored all the time.

From Chile to China, these natural and man-made caves are unbelievable.

1. Marble Caves—Patagonia, Chile

Out in in the turquoise waters of General Carrera Lake sits 5,000 million tons of marble, elegantly shaped by nature into caves. Viewing the caves in person is a far more beautiful experience than looking at any photo, but getting there is more difficult than you can imagine. After a series of flights into the city of Coyhaique, you’ll need to drive another 200 miles and then board a boat, which will get you to the caves.

2. Skaftafell Ice Caves—Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland

Set in the Vatnajökull National Park in southern Iceland, the magnificent ice caves attract travelers from all over. The caves are made of highly pressurized glacier ice and they are an incredible sight. Visit sooner rather than later, who knows when these structures could be gone.

3. Man-Made Caves—Dolomites, Italy

The stunningly beautiful man-made caves that sit high among the Dolomites are the result of a dark, tragic time. The area was the front line between Italy and Austria during World War I and as a result these caves still exist in the mountains and bullet holes still line many of the trees below.

4. Reed Flute Cave—Guangxi, China

The cave that got its name from the type of reed growing outside is a major tourist attraction in the Guangxi province of China. Lit from within by multi-colored lights, being inside the cave is a mind-bending experience—one you shouldn’t miss.

5. Son Doong Cave—Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park, Vietnam

Initially found by a local man in 1991, the Son Doong Cave in Viestnam was fully discovered in 2009, making it the largest known cave in the world. The name translates to “mountain river cave” and there is, in fact, a quick-moving river within the cave, which is how the cave was initially formed sometime between 2 and 5 million years ago.