COUNTRYSIDE TRIPS

The castle, exceptional even among Czech castles, not only for its historical significance but also due to its robustness and architecture. It was established by the Czech King Karel IV in 1348 as a stronghold for the imperial crown jewels. The most sacred place of the whole castle - the Chapel of Holy Rood - houses a collection of 128 panel paintings. Its current neo-gothic appearance dates back to the turn of the 19th and 20th century. Duration of the tour is 4 hours.

A predecessor to the present manor was the castle of the lords of Benešov in the 13th century. Konopiště keeps extraordinarily rich collections of artistic as well as arts and crafts articles covering the Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and also modern periods - all of which are of the widest variety. The extent of these collections puts Konopiště among the most interesting castle complexes of Central Europe. Konopiště is inseparably connected with the name of archduke Franz Ferdinand D´Este. Duration of the tour is 4 hours.

About 60 km to the East of Prague you can visit an ancient silver mining town renowned for the Prague groschen, which were minted here. The landmark of the former Royal town is the monumental St.Barbara cathedral. A direct witness to the mining glory of Kutná Hora is so called Italian Court. Worthwhile to see is also an ossuary. Kutná Hora was declared a world heritage site and has been protected by UNESCO. Duration of the tour is 5 hours.

Karlovy Vary is a world famous spa with a rich history. In the city, all the buildings are constructed in various styles from classicism to Art Nouveau. It is famous as a spa city and as a city where important personalities from the aristocracy, politics, art and science meet. This world-famous spa has been known for 12 medicinal mineral springs and the production of "the thirteenth spring" - Carlsbad Becher Liqueur. You can also find historical and modern colonnades, locally manufactured glass and porcelain. Duration of the tour is 8 hours.

Special price offer - sightseeing tour to Karlovy Vary

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Terezín was established at the end of the 18th century by Joseph II as a fortress to protect the borders of the Bohemian Kingdom. It became a notorious concentration camp run by the Nazis during WW II. More than 35 000 Jews perished in the camp's ghetto. You will see the Memorial of National Martyrdom, the Small Fortress and the Museum. Duration of the tour is 5 hours.

Hluboká - a dazzling white fairy-tale landmark nestling in woods on the edge of České Budějovice. Originally built as a gothic castle around 1250, it underwent in the 1860ies significant reconstruction in the neo-gothic Windsor Castle style.
Český Krumlov - the second largest castle complex in the whole country. A walk through the centre of this South Bohemian town is a wonderful experience. Gothic and Renaissance houses, the Renaissance town hall on a sloping square, connected to narrow and winding streets. Dignified monasteries and churches were preserved without any disturbing reconstruction and as a whole it represents a treasure of worldwide importance. That is why in 1992 it was put on the UNESCO list. Duration of the tour is 9 hours.

A Castle Křivoklát is one of the oldest and most important castles built by Czech princes and kings, which roots go back to 12th century. During the reign of Přemysl Otakar II and his son Wenceslas II originated a magnificent royal castle, In the middle of 19th century the Fursternbergs had the castle rebuilt in romantic style. The one-time hunting-lodge of several rulers has got remarkable castle interiors with many preserved elements of medieval decoration. The Monumental Big Tower houses hunting weapons and other exhibits connected with hunting history. Noteworthy is also the castle chapel and a large late gothic hall with exhibition of panel paintings and sculptures. Situated about 50 km SW of Prague. Duration of the tour is 4 hours.

The village of Nelahozeves is mentioned as early as the middle of the 14th century. After 1544 Florián Gryspek from Gryspach who held an important office in the court of the emperor Ferdinand I became the owner of the manor, he had the castle built here. In 1623 the castle passed into the hands of its present owners - the Lobkowicz family. Even today it preserves its original renaissance appearance. The castle collection has an extraordinary rich picture gallery of outstanding European masters with one of the largest collection of Spanish portraits of 16th and 17th century. During the tour it is possible to visit the birth place of Antonin Dvořák, which is situated just bellow the castle. Duration of the tour is 4 hours.

One of the most romantic monuments in Bohemia is the South Bohemian château Červená Lhota. It rises up on the rock surrounded by a lake. The visitors can enter sixteen rooms with very cosy chamber atmosphere that recalls life from the renaissance period until 19th century. From the windows can be seen extraordinary impressive views over surface of the lake and into the Castle Park. Duration of the tour is 6 hours.

This Early Gothic Castle founded around 1240 ranks among historical monuments whose owners have been the same from the very beginning until nowadays and after whom the castle has got the name. In the 15th century the Castle was partly damaged, the last considerable architectural changes were carried out in the 17th century when its medieval appearance almost disappeared. The visitors are taken through baroque interiors with contemporary furniture of appreciable value and stucco ceilings. The collection has an excellent and wide-ranging compilation of graphic lists of 17th century, historical weapons and hunting trophies. Duration of the tour is 4 hours.

Chateau Žleby, originally a gothic castle of the Lords of Lichtenburg was built at the end of the 13th century and rebuilt after the Hussite wars in the middle of 15th century. The castle underwent both renaissance and Baroque changes and into its current appearance it was rebuilt upon the suggestion of one of its later owners of the manor - Karel Vincent Ausperg. Since 1945 the castle has been owned by State. Duration of the tour is 6 hours.