EuroAm Travel Club & Image Counts

2012 Check the Czechs Special

May 25 – June 8, 2012

PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR

With Durango’s Frank Fristensky and Jim Baumgardt

Indulge yourself in a world class photographic, culinary and historic experience you will never forget. Czech Republic – located in the heart of Europe is a country of fairytale castles, chateaux, forests, music and art and world class beer. It also enjoys long standing tradition of historical as well as art nouveau architecture stretching back several centuries, spectacular landscapes of rolling hills, lakes, rock formations, and beautiful flora and fauna.

Music and art, medieval towns, rustic villages and renaissance chateaux compliment the major characteristics of this historic country. There is a rich heritage to explore – unravel Czech history and you will get a deeper understanding of Europe as a whole – with the added bonus of the world’s finest beer to lubricate debate. At the center of it is Prague (Praha), one of the most beautiful and cultured cities in the world. The entire country is very photogenic with unique scenery and architecture constantly changing between the regions.

Come and join us for 12 days of photographic and cultural adventure in one of the most photogenic countries in Central Europe, the Czech Republic.

This unique photographic and discovery opportunity is jointly organized and guided by Czech native Frank Fristensky, now living in the U.S., and professional photographer Jim Baumgardt.

Frank was raised in the Czech Republic, speaks the Czech language and operates EuroAm Travel Club from his Durango, Colorado, office. Frank’s personalized tours have been highly successful with most travelers returning for second and third trips, bringing friends along.

Jim Baumgardt is an award-winning professional photographer living in Durango, Colorado. He and his wife Eileen own and operate Image Counts, a fine art photography gallery, offering field workshops and in-house classes.

Your guides will make sure you bring home a treasure chest filled with great photos and memories from the historic cities of Bohemia, to the lakes and forest, and rolling hills of Moravia. There will be ample time to address the needs of beginner through expert photographers. Time will be spent reviewing each day’s photography.

The Czech Republic is a small country, smaller than the state of Virginia, so travel distances are small. We’ll rarely be in our deluxe Mercedes minibus longer than one hour at any one time. This makes for enjoyable and flexible travel!

Space for this extraordinary tour is limited to 12 adventurers. Please register early in order to secure the best possible flight and lodging arrangements. We look forward to welcoming you on this tour.

Subjects to photograph:

• The city of Prague with its cathedrals, cobblestone streets and historic architecture.
• Natural wonders in the countryside at a time when waterfalls and wildflowers are at their best.
• The local population of the Republic at a time when tourists are at a minimum.
• Much of the shooting will be scheduled for the golden hours and perhaps some at night.
• Plenty of time will be allotted to reviewing each day’s shots with instruction/critique.

Instructional Itinerary:

• Morning planning meetings to discuss that day's shooting.
• Evening reviews of the day's shooting
• Three sessions of image critique and comment.
• Daily "assignments" to practice specific technical and artistic techniques.
• One-on-one instruction in the field as needed.

We welcome people of all experience levels, beginners, intermediate or professionals and offer instruction in both film and digital techniques.

Subjects may vary depending on weather and shooting conditions. While the weather in the Czech Republic is generally good this time of year we will maintain a flexible itinerary to make the most of the weather and lighting opportunities.

We are also planning some activities that would appeal to the general traveler and to photographers such as fine dining experiences, a visit to a museum and chances to experience the fine varieties of beer that this area is noted for.

Itinerary:

May 25, Friday

                Leaving Durango (or another port of departure)

May 26, Saturday

• Group pick up at the Prague airport

• Hotel check in, relaxation

• 6 pm festive dinner on a private boat, tour orientation

• Overnight in Prague

                (Dinner)

May 27, Sunday

• Morning guided tour of Prague

• Afternoon at your leisure

• Overnight in Prague

                (Breakfast-Lunch)

May 28, Monday

PRAGUE DAY

• Strolling through Prague with a renowned Czech photographer

• Rest of the day at your leisure

• Overnight in Prague

                (Breakfast)

May 29, Tuesday

NATURE DAY

• Departure for the Czech Paradise Forest (nature reserve)

• The region Turnov is a traditional center for gemstone polishing, glass craftsmanship and arts.

• Prachovske Rocks (natural rock city). It is characterized by slim sandstone towers and pillars with striking vertical cracks and corners broken up by ravines and gullies

• Medieval castle of Kost. It has a special position amongst Bohemian castles – it is the best preserved gothic castle in Czech Republic

• Overnight in Turnov

                (Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner)

May 30, Wednesday

MOUNTAINS AND ARCHITECTURE DAY

• Central Bohemian Uplands or Czech Volcanic-Mountains, characteristic conical hills are the result of tertiary volcanic activity, which pushed up igneous rock mainly of phonolite and basalt type into the form of mounds and blankets

• Leisurely travel through these natural wonders

• Arrival in Plzen (3^rd largest city in the CR, WW II liberated by the US 3^rd Army)

• Exploration of town and visit the Pilsner-Urquel Brewery

• Overnight in Plzen

                (Breakfasr-Lunch-Dinner)

May 31, Thursday

ARCHITECTURE AND CASTLE DAY

• Back in history to gothic, baroque, and renaissance time

• Chateau Kozel. It is well preserved with all original materials. It is a representative hunting castle in classic style built at the end of 18th century.

• The historic town of Klatovy

• Castle Kasperk. Well preserved and picturesque ruins of the Kasperk castle on the rock spit above the Otava river. It is the highest-situated royal castle in Bohemia

• Overnight in Kasperske Hory

                (Breakfast-Dinner)

June 1, Friday

STREAMS AND FOREST DAY

• Czech Black Forest-Sumava National Park

• Hike in the valley of the Vydra River

• Forest architecture

• Deep in the forest with a guide

• Overnight in Kasperske Hory

                (Breakfast-Dinner)

June 2, Saturday

ARCHITECTURE DAY

• Cesky Krumlov, under UNESCO protection (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) historic town

• One of the most photogenic towns on our tour

• Visit of the Rosenberg’s castle with a unique baroque theater

• Overnight in Cesky Krumlov

                (Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner)

June 3, Sunday

• All day at your leisure

• Overnight in Cesky Krumlov

                (Breakfast)

June 4, Monday

TECHNOLOGY DAY

• Travel by the only narrow-gauge steam train with stops along the way – “Czech Canada”

• Visit of WW II original bunkers along the Czech border

• Secret underground crypt

• Overnight in Slavonice

                (Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner)

June 5, Tuesday

ARCHITECTURE AND FOLK STYLES DAY

• Travel to South Moravia

• Historic town of Telc. Besides the monumental 17th century Renaissance chateau with an            English-style park the most significant sight is the town square, a unique complex of long urban plaza with well-conserved Renaissance and Baroque houses with high gables and arcades    UNESCO World Heritage Site.

• Wine cellar with degustation and entertainment

• Traditional folk costumes

• Overnight in Mikulov

                (Breakfast-Dinner)

June 6, Wednesday

UNESCO DAY

• Kromeriz – one of the most famous chateaux in the country (the movie Amadeus was produced here)

• Stroll through the most beautiful chateaux gardens

• Krtiny (architect J.B. Santini) a Baroque pilgrim complex.

• The gorge of Moravsky Karst (Moravian Karst is one of the most important karst area of Central Europe)

• Overnight in Moravsky Karst

                (Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner)

June 7, Thursday

UNDERGROUND DAY

• Floating on the underground Punkva River (The Punkva Caves with its underground river and the bottom of the famous Macocha Abyss)

• Cloister Porta Coeli – a Romanesque-Gothic Monastery (Porta Coeli is a Latin expression for "heaven’s door.”)

• Arriving in Praha

• Farewell dinner

• Overnight in Praha

                (Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner)

June 8, Friday

DEPARTURE DAY

       Leaving for the airport and departure to the USA

                 (Breakfast)

INCLUDED IN THE TOUR COST:

• Airport transfers
• All land transportation
• All entrances and tickets  to attractions and events
• All services of guides and tour directors
• All hotels accommodation
• Every day buffet style breakfasts
• 7 lunches
• 10 dinners
• Daily services of professional photographer

There will be an informal group meeting for signed-up travelers including detailed itinerary.

The tour doesn’t include a round trip air-fare from your port of origin.

PRICING:

$ 4,175.00 per person based on double occupancy, single room $550.00 additional charge.

This price is based on 12 travelers.  Fewer than 12 travelers there will be $250 surcharge per person. The company reserves the right to cancel the tour.

Travel and health insurance are required.

A signup form is provided at: Sign-up form

Download a printable version of this information.

 For reservations or information and Terms and Conditions and other pertinent information on this spectacular tour:

www.euroamtravelclub.com

Frank Fristensky 970-749-5824, fristenskytravel@gmail.com

Jim Baumgardt 970-382-0055, Czech-Tour@ImageCounts.com