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Prague Spring - The International Music Festival amid Bohemia in bloom
7
days
from
US$5,960
Book today with a deposit from
US$894
14th - 20th May 2027
Tour highlights
- Prague’s celebrated Spring Festival remains one of the most illustrious in Europe, and the city is at its loveliest in May.
- Beethoven’s first seven symphonies across three evenings, performed by the Bamberger Symphoniker with Jakub Hrůša.
- Talks on the music by Dr Michael Downes, Director of Music at the University of St Andrews.
- Visits and walks led by Martina Hinks-Edwards, with free time before performances.
The Prague Spring ranks among Europe’s most prestigious music festivals, enjoying advantages few can match: a supremely beautiful setting, a wealth of historic venues, and an exceptional showcase of international musicians alongside first-rate Czech performers.
Our week in Prague culminates with Beethoven’s first seven symphonies: rarely is there the chance to hear them all in sequence in this way. Composed within little more than a decade, they enlarged the form beyond recognition: the Haydnesque poise of No. 1, the heroic scale of the ‘Eroica’, the pastoral warmth of No. 6, and finally No. 7, which Wagner called the ‘apotheosis of the dance’. We can expect electrifying performances from the Bamberger Symphoniker, recently named by Gramophone as one of their six best orchestras of 2026, and their dynamic music director Jakub Hrůša, who took up the same position at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, in 2025. Full programme details are published by the Festival organisers in early November.
Given that the festival is also a celebration of Czech nationhood, this tour is about more than the concerts. You also have the opportunity to join guided walks and excursions through the beautiful city of Prague, led by Martina Hinks-Edwards. As well as insightful talks and discussions led by distinguished musicologist, Dr Michael Downes, there is also some free time on most afternoons for independent exploration – or for preserving your energies for the evening performances.
Itinerary
Fly mid-morning from London Heathrow to Prague (British Airways). After settling in to the hotel there is a private visit to the Obecní dům (‘Municipal House’) to see the glorious suite of assembly rooms created 1905–12, a unique and very Czech mélange of murals and ornament.
The day begins with an introductory walk through the Old Town (Staré Město), a dense maze of streets and squares with buildings of all ages and an exceptionally lovely main square. The 13th-century Convent of St Agnes houses one of the world’s greatest collections of medieval painting. Evening orchestral concert at the Rudolfinum with a world-renowned soloist: works by Monteverdi and Handel, among others.
In the morning there is a guided tour of the Estates Theatre, where Don Giovanni had its première in 1787. Continue to the ‘New Town’ (Nové Město), in and around Wenceslas Square, threading through a succession of arcades, and viewing outstanding turn-of-the-century architecture and early modernist masterpieces. Some free time before an evening concert at the Rudolfinum with the Czech Philharmonic and a world-renowned soloist: works by Berlioz and Debussy.
Walk across the 14th-century Charles Bridge, the greatest such structure in Europe, wonderfully adorned with sculptures. In the ‘Lesser Town’ (Malá Strana), visit St Nicholas, one of the finest Baroque churches in Central Europe. After lunch, walk through a sequence of delightful gardens on the south slope of Prague Castle and Wallenstein Palace (a 1630s residence, now the Senate). Evening concert at the Rudolfinum, with the Bamberger Symphoniker and Jakub Hrůša (conductor): Beethoven, Symphony No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3, ‘Eroica’.
Drive up to Prague Castle, the extensive hilltop complex, long-time residence of the Dukes and Kings of Bohemia and now the seat of the President. The Old Royal Palace, within it the largest stone hall in Europe with its extraordinary late-Gothic vaulting, and the Cathedral of St Vitus, a pioneering monument of High Gothic, richly embellished with chapels, tombs, altarpieces and stained glass. Afternoon visit of the private exhibition at the Lobkowicz Palace which contains a fascinating collection of paintings, decorative art and rare, hand-annotated manuscripts by Beethoven and Mozart. The seventh Prince of Lobkowicz was a life-long patron of Beethoven, who dedicated his third (‘Eroica’), fifth, and sixth (‘Pastoral’) symphonies to the Prince. Some free time before an evening concert at the Rudolfinum with the Bamberger Symphoniker and Jakub Hrůša (conductor): Beethoven, Symphony No. 4 and No. 5.
Visit the fortress of Vyšehrad, rising high above the river and enclosing a cemetery with the graves of many great Czechs – including Dvořák and Smetana. Visit also the Czech Museum of Music, which houses an interesting collection of musical instruments. Return to the Old Town for an independent afternoon before an evening concert at the Rudolfinum with the Bamberger Symphoniker and Jakub Hrůša (conductor): Beethoven, Symphony No. 6 and No. 7.
Strahov Monastery has commanding views over Prague and two magnificent library halls, which we enter by special arrangement. Then walk down the hill, passing the formidable bulk of the Černín Palace and the delightful façade of the Loreto Church. The flight returns to London Heathrow mid-afternoon.
A number of the visits are by special arrangement. It is possible the order of visits may vary from the description above.
Expert speakers
Dr Michael Downes OBE
Director of Music at the University of St Andrews, and founding artistic director of Byre Opera. He has lectured for the UK’s leading opera companies and writes notes for Wigmore Hall and Aldeburgh Music. Publications include books written both with and about British composer Jonathan Harvey, and a collaboration with Nike Wagner, great-granddaughter of Richard. Story of the Century, his new book on Wagner’s Ring, was published in 2024 by Faber. It was named by Presto Music as one of the five best music books of that year and described by Gramophone magazine as ‘the best introduction to The Ring out there’; it was published in the US in 2025 by Pegasus as Wagner and the Creation of The Ring, and an Italian translation is forthcoming. Michael’s next book will be a biography of Elgar, to be published by Oxford University Press.
More tours led by Dr Michael Downes OBE
Ms Martina Hinks-Edwards
Martina Hinks-Edwards studied English at Charles University, Prague. She began working for MRT while still studying, firstly as an interpreter for groups visiting the Czech Republic, and from 2004 as a tour leader with a wide breadth of knowledge of the country’s cultural history. She has led tours throughout the Czech Republic and has a particular interest in 20th-century Czech history and architecture. The countless accolades she has received over the years from her clients, is a reflection of her energy and enthusiasm for the job.
More tours led by Ms Martina Hinks-Edwards
Practicalities
Two sharing: US$6,280 or US$5,960 without flights. Single occupancy: US$7,120 or US$6,800 without flights.
Private coach for airport transfers and excursions; some use of tram; hotel accommodation as described below; 2 dinners and 3 lunches with wine, water, coffee; all admissions; all tips; all taxes; the services of both lecturers
Tickets (top category) to 5 concerts are included, costing c. £510.
Hotel Maximilian: A small, recently renovated 4-star hotel with a restaurant in a quiet yet central location near St Agnes Convent. Single rooms are doubles for sole use.
There is quite a lot of walking, much of it on roughly paved and cobbled streets. In order to participate fully, the tour would not be suitable for anyone with difficulties with everyday walking and stair-climbing. There are some late evenings.
Typically between 10 and 23 participants.
Before booking, please refer to Travel.State.Gov to ensure you are happy with the travel advice for the destination(s) you are visiting. As a British company we follow the advice of the UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office.
Dates & prices
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2027
Date
Speaker
Price
Date:
14th - 20th May 2027
Speaker:
Dr Michael Downes OBE & Ms Martina Hinks-Edwards
Price:
from US$5,960
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