Go For Baroque! Prague, Dresden & Berlin Gay Pride
June 17 - 26, 2011
A MATTER OF STYLE
For many people, the various styles of architecture seem little more
than the fussy pursuits of eggheads fixated on pediments, buttresses,
curlicues and fenestrations. However, monarchs felt that their architecture
could help define the character of their kingdoms. Such was the case
with the school of Baroque design, an artistic style prevalent from
the late 16th century to the early 18th century throughout much of
Europe.
The aristocracy saw the dramatic style
of Baroque architecture and art as a means of expressing triumphant
power and control. They had
Baroque palaces built with formal entry courts, grand staircases and
reception rooms of sequentially increasing opulence. Such ostentation
wasn’t designed solely to impress
visitors; it was intended to cow them into submission.
Fortunately, these palaces and monuments still
stand to this day, and world travelers are better off for their presence.
The continent of Europe is a living warehouse of such architectural delights,
and nearly every city, from north to
south and east to west, is literally littered with Baroque bombast. Three such
cities are the beautifully preserved town center of Prague, the artfully restored
Dresden, and the reemergent Berlin. Prague is the political and economic center of
the Czech Republic, the seat of the president, of the government,
and the center of numerous
academic institutions. It is also a significant cultural center with a variety
of theatres, museums, galleries and exhibition halls, and it is unusually rich
in significant architectural monuments of all periods. The historical center,
which covers 866 hectares, has been included in the UNESCO list of World Cultural
Heritage Sites since 1992.
In its heyday during the 17th and 18th centuries,
Dresden, Germany, was known
as “Florence on the Elbe.” Sadly, the city suffered much damage
due to bombing at the end of World War II. Fortunately, some of its finest Baroque
buildings either survived the bombings or have been lovingly restored in the
intervening years. While its “Old Town” is really quite new, the
city’s reverence for its past glories is apparent even as it moves into
the future.
Berlin, Germany, has changed much over the centuries—from
elegant Baroque capital to a city literally split in half, so visitors will
find it has a sharply contradictory
personality. In the city’s nooks and crannies, you will find glimpses of
Prussian splendor and hints of its pre-war divine decadence standing alongside
reminders of the city’s tragic and oppressive Nazi rule. Upon closer inspection,
Berlin
reveals itself to be a fusion of styles forming a reunified, vibrant
metropolis.
At no time is that more apparent than during the city’s Gay Pride celebrations,
where young and old mingle, and conservative and outlandish meet in a riotous
explosion
of color and community. Ultimately, the kings and emperors of these great
cities knew what they were doing, because Baroque art and architecture had a
visceral appeal aimed squarely
at the senses. It’s not just fancy, old buildings with a lot of curlicues,
but a style characterized by dynamic movement and overt expression of emotion – kind
of like a big, fabulous Gay Pride celebration. Join Toto Tours as we knock down
the partitions of the centuries and plunge into the modern day party. Forget
any of your reservations. Just make a reservation with us, and “go for baroque!”
ITINERARY
Friday, June 17, 2011 Departure from the U.S.
Today is a travel day. Arrange your international flight to leave
your home city and arrive in Prague, Czech Republic, by mid-afternoon
tomorrow.
The airport code for Prague is PRG. (Be sure to make your return flight
from Berlin’s
Tegel Airport (code: TXL). We highly recommend that you consider arriving
one day early to rest from jet lag. We are happy to arrange an extra
night for you at our hotel this evening if you wish.
Saturday, June 18, 2011 Arrival in Prague / Welcome Dinner
Upon arrival in Prague, use a taxi or schedule a private transfer
service to get from the airport to our hotel,
or you can take a less-expensive shuttle bus into the city. We will
provide more information on your various options prior to departure.
Settle in at our hotel and explore. We meet this evening to get acquainted
over cocktails, and then share a festive Welcome Dinner at a nearby
restaurant. Overnight in Prague. (Welcome
Dinner included)
Sunday, June 19, 2011 Sightseeing Tour of Prague
After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a guided sightseeing
tour in this fantastic city. Highlights this morning include a view
of the
Charles Bridge, and entrance to the Prague Castle area. Here we see
the old Royal Palace, the Golden Lane and Daliborka Tower, St. George’s
Basilica and St. Vitus Cathedral. After a break for lunch, we continue
our tour with a visit to the Old Town Square, Wenceslas Square and
a panoramic walking tour of the Jewish Quarter. The evening is free
to enjoy a concert or explore the nightlife. (Breakfast)
Monday, June 20, 2011 Free Day in Prague
Today is an entirely free day to continue your exploration of Prague.
You may sleep in late and skip breakfast, or get an early start to
dive into the city scene right away. You may want to return to sights
we visited briefly yesterday or discover different locations on your
own. The hotel concierge and your tour escort can help with suggestions.
Overnight
in Prague. (Breakfast)
Tuesday, June 21, 2011 Dresden
After breakfast, we head to the northwest of Prague, crossing the
border into Germany on our way to the medieval town of Dresden, the
capital
city of the German Free State of Saxony. At the end of World War
II, Allied aerial bombing completely destroyed Dresden, but more than
60 years
of urban renewal has drastically changed the face of the city. Much
of the historical Old Town has been restored to its Baroque grandeur,
while on the other side of the Elbe River a gleaming new metropolis
stands in stark contrast. No visit to Dresden is complete without
seeing the Dresden Zwinger (Royal Palace), Frauenkirche Church, and
Semper
Opera House, as well as many other historical monuments. Overnight
in Dresden. (Breakfast)
Wednesday, June 22, 2011 Meissen / Dresden
After breakfast, enjoy a half day excursion to the town of Meissen,
about 16 miles northwest of Dresden. Known as the cradle of Saxony,
Meissen is home to the picturesque Albrechtsburg castle and an
ornate Gothic cathedral. The town is also well known for its fine
porcelain and we will get a chance to see how it is made on a tour
of the porcelain
museum and workshop. After free time for lunch (on your own), we
drive back to Dresden for a free evening and overnight. (Breakfast)
Thursday, June 23, 2011 Berlin Sightseeing
After breakfast at our hotel, we check out and board
our motorcoach for the two-hour drive to Berlin, the capital of unified
Germany. Upon arrival, take a half day orientation tour to get our
bearings within the city in anticipation for the weekend’s
Pride events. Our sightseeing tour includes a visit the
Wall Museum and the tree-lined boulevard of Unter Den Linden, as well
as
views of the Reichstag Parliament Building, Brandenburg Gate and the
Victory Column. We also do a walkabout in Prenzlauerberg, central Berlin’s
main gay area, to scope out the venues for this weekend’s
revelry. After some free time in the afternoon,
we gather again in our hotel lobby to proceed to a local restaurant,
where Toto Tours hosts an early Farewell Dinner so as not to interfere
with
Gay Pride events. (Breakfast / Dinner)
Friday, June 24, 2011 Free Day in Berlin
Today is completely free to continue sightseeing, shopping, or exploring
on your own. The tour
manager will be available to assist you with your plans. Gay Pride
concerts and events will have started on Thursday night, so there
will be plenty to occupy your time with enough diversity to satisfy
any
interests.
We will send a schedule of planned events to registered tour participants
as we get closer to the start date of the tour. (Breakfast)
Saturday, June 25, 2011 Gay Pride Parade
Today is completely free to continue sightseeing, shopping, or exploring
on your own. However, it’s the day of the big parade during Gay
Pride, so you may want to join in with the partying throngs to enjoy
the revelry during this, our final night in Berlin. (Breakfast)
Sunday, June 26, 2011 Departure
The tour ends officially after breakfast this morning. Arrange your
international flight to depart at any convenient time today. We provide
one group
transfer to the Tegel airport, timed to accommodate the greatest
number of departing tour participants. If this transfer does not meet
your
needs,
we will assist you in arranging your private transfer to the airport.
We are also happy to assist with additional hotel arrangement if
you wish to extend your stay in Berlin. (Breakfast)
For many people, the various styles of architecture seem little more
than the fussy pursuits of eggheads fixated on pediments, buttresses,
curlicues and fenestrations. However, monarchs felt that their architecture
could help define the character of their kingdoms. Such was the case
with the school of Baroque design, an artistic style prevalent from
the late 16th century to the early 18th century throughout much of
Europe. 
Prague is the political and economic center of
the Czech Republic, the seat of the president, of the government,
and the center of numerous
academic institutions. It is also a significant cultural center with a variety
of theatres, museums, galleries and exhibition halls, and it is unusually rich
in significant architectural monuments of all periods. The historical center,
which covers 866 hectares, has been included in the UNESCO list of World Cultural
Heritage Sites since 1992.
Ultimately, the kings and emperors of these great
cities knew what they were doing, because Baroque art and architecture had a
visceral appeal aimed squarely
at the senses. It’s not just fancy, old buildings with a lot of curlicues,
but a style characterized by dynamic movement and overt expression of emotion – kind
of like a big, fabulous Gay Pride celebration. Join Toto Tours as we knock down
the partitions of the centuries and plunge into the modern day party. Forget
any of your reservations. Just make a reservation with us, and “go for baroque!”
Departure from the U.S.
Upon arrival in Prague, use a taxi or schedule a private transfer
service to get from the airport to our hotel,
or you can take a less-expensive shuttle bus into the city. We will
provide more information on your various options prior to departure.
Settle in at our hotel and explore. We meet this evening to get acquainted
over cocktails, and then share a festive Welcome Dinner at a nearby
restaurant. Overnight in Prague. (Welcome
Dinner included)
After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a guided sightseeing
tour in this fantastic city. Highlights this morning include a view
of the
Charles Bridge, and entrance to the Prague Castle area. Here we see
the old Royal Palace, the Golden Lane and Daliborka Tower, St. George’s
Basilica and St. Vitus Cathedral. After a break for lunch, we continue
our tour with a visit to the Old Town Square, Wenceslas Square and
a panoramic walking tour of the Jewish Quarter. The evening is free
to enjoy a concert or explore the nightlife. (Breakfast)
Today is an entirely free day to continue your exploration of Prague.
You may sleep in late and skip breakfast, or get an early start to
dive into the city scene right away. You may want to return to sights
we visited briefly yesterday or discover different locations on your
own. The hotel concierge and your tour escort can help with suggestions.
Overnight
in Prague. (Breakfast) 
World War
II, Allied aerial bombing completely destroyed Dresden, but more than
60 years
of urban renewal has drastically changed the face of the city. Much
of the historical Old Town has been restored to its Baroque grandeur,
while on the other side of the Elbe River a gleaming new metropolis
stands in stark contrast. No visit to Dresden is complete without
seeing the Dresden Zwinger (Royal Palace), Frauenkirche Church, and
Semper
Opera House, as well as many other historical monuments. Overnight
in Dresden. (Breakfast)
After breakfast, enjoy a half day excursion to the town of Meissen,
about 16 miles northwest of Dresden. Known as the cradle of Saxony,
Meissen is home to the picturesque Albrechtsburg castle and an
ornate Gothic cathedral. The town is also well known for its fine
porcelain and we will get a chance to see how it is made on a tour
of the porcelain
museum and workshop. After free time for lunch (on your own), we
drive back to Dresden for a free evening and overnight. (Breakfast)
After breakfast at our hotel, we check out and board
our motorcoach for the two-hour drive to Berlin, the capital of unified
Germany. Upon arrival, take a half day orientation tour to get our
bearings within the city in anticipation for the weekend’s
Pride events. Our sightseeing tour includes a visit the
Wall Museum and the tree-lined boulevard of Unter Den Linden, as well
as
views of the Reichstag Parliament Building, Brandenburg Gate and the
Victory Column. We also do a walkabout in Prenzlauerberg, central Berlin’s
main gay area, to scope out the venues for this weekend’s
revelry. After some free time in the afternoon,
we gather again in our hotel lobby to proceed to a local restaurant,
where Toto Tours hosts an early Farewell Dinner so as not to interfere
with
Gay Pride events. (Breakfast / Dinner)
Free Day in Berlin
Saturday, June 25, 2011
The tour ends officially after breakfast this morning. Arrange your
international flight to depart at any convenient time today. We provide
one group
transfer to the Tegel airport, timed to accommodate the greatest
number of departing tour participants. If this transfer does not meet
your
needs,
we will assist you in arranging your private transfer to the airport.
We are also happy to assist with additional hotel arrangement if
you wish to extend your stay in Berlin. (Breakfast)