South Bohemian Pearl on the Vltava
The picturesque Renaissance town of Český Krumlov, known for its uniquely preserved architectural wealth, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1992. It is situated on the Vltava River. On the left bank stands the Český Krumlov Castle, the second largest in the Czech Republic, comprising five courtyards and 300 rooms, along with the castle garden. On the opposite side lies the town itself, with its charming square and the Church of St. Vitus. The city is a living gallery, full of small pubs, cafes, restaurants, and shops.

Location: 180 km / 3-hour drive south of Prague

Option A: On the way back, we can stop in the capital city of the South Bohemian Region, České Budějovice, which boasts one of the largest square-shaped squares in the Czech Republic, with the massive Samson Fountain at its center. Another highlight is the Town Hall. You might also sample the famous Budweiser beer, which is brewed here.
Option B: Alternatively, we can take a short walk to the Château of Hluboká nad Vltavou.

Silver City
Kutná Hora was the second richest and most powerful city after Prague in the Kingdom of Bohemia, thanks to its silver mining industry. The city's irregular ground plan, cobblestone streets, and landmarks such as the Gothic Cathedral of St. Barbara and the Italian Court were key reasons it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1995. Outside the city center, we will visit a rarity — the Ossuary, a bone chapel where all the decorations are made exclusively of human bones. These bones have been shaped into a chandelier, monstrances, chalices, pyramids, and even the coat of arms of the Schwarzenberg family. The bones of approximately 40,000 people symbolize the transience of human life and the inevitability of death.

Location: 80 km / 1-hour 15-minute drive east of Prague

Option: On the way back, we may stop in the main square of Kolín.

Power of Nature and the Historicism of the 19th Century
The most famous Czech spa city is situated in a valley on the Teplá River, surrounded by forests. It was founded by Charles IV in the 14th century. Not only are the 12 mineral springs highly sought after, but also the "13th spring," which is the herbal liqueur Becherovka (a visit to the Becherovka Museum with tasting is possible). Enjoy walking under the colonnades, tasting the curative waters in special cups, soaking in the relaxing atmosphere, and admiring the 19th-century architecture. In Karlovy Vary, the distinguished "Glass of Kings" Moser is produced (a visit to the Moser Museum is possible). Follow in the footsteps of famous personalities such as Russian Tsar Peter the Great, German poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, and Polish composer Frédéric Chopin, who all came here for treatment and leisure.

Location: 130 km / 2-hour drive west of Prague

Option A: If you prefer not to spend too much time in museums, we can continue to Loket, a small, German-style town with a castle and a museum of torture at the top of a hill. The movie James Bond – Casino Royale was filmed there.
Option B: On the way back, it is highly recommended to make a stop in Chyše, where we can have dinner and taste beer from a local microbrewery. There is a château next to the restaurant.

Two Pearls of Central Bohemia - A Combination of Nature and History
1. The Koněprusy Caves are located in the Bohemian Karst nature reserve. They developed in 400-million-year-old limestone. Learn how stalactites, stalagmites, columns, chimneys, roses, and other formations look.
2. The State-owned Castle of Křivoklát was built in the 12th century, but it was significantly reconstructed during the reign of the Jagiellonian rulers. The Late Gothic chapel, the Royal and Knight’s Halls, and the monumental fortifications date from this period. A part of the tour also includes the Fürstenberg library, with 52,000 volumes, and the prison with torture instruments. In the tower Huderka, the alchemist Edward Kelley was imprisoned. The castle is protected as a national cultural monument.

Location: 40 km / 1-hour drive southwest of Prague

N.B.: The caves are closed from November to March. The stable temperature in the caves is 9–10.5°C. Please wear appropriate clothing.
Option: On the way back to Prague, we may stop to take a look at the summer residence of the Czech presidents in Lány and visit the grave of our first President, Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk (1850–1937).

Two Noble Residences in Central Bohemia
1. The private Castle of Český Šternberk is closely linked with the noble Sternberg family, who have owned the castle for centuries. The castle, located above the Sázava River, was founded in the 13th century. Despite its primary function being defense and fortification, this castle is still used as a residence.
2. The State-owned Château of Konopiště is known as the luxurious family seat of Archduke Franz Ferdinand d’Este, who was assassinated in Sarajevo in 1914, an event that became the pretext for declaring World War I. This château is a residence par excellence, featuring richly ornate parlors and halls, historical weapons, and thousands of hunting trophies. The tour includes curious stories about the life and love of Franz Ferdinand, the Austro-Hungarian heir, and about the ruling Habsburg dynasty. In the vicinity of the château, there is a beautiful rose garden.

Location: 50 km / 1-hour drive southeast of Prague

City of Beer in Western Bohemia
The capital of the West Bohemian Region, famous for beer production, is home to the Pilsner Urquell Brewery, which was founded in 1842. The city itself is much older, having been founded in the 13th century. In the city center, we can visit the Beer Museum and the largest synagogue in the Czech Republic. We can get closer to heaven in the Cathedral of St. Bartholomew and to hell in the underground corridors and cellars.

Location: 100 km / 1-hour 15-minute drive southwest of Prague

Hussite Tradition and Secrets of the Underground
1. Tábor is the second largest city in Southern Bohemia. It was a center of the Hussite revolution in the 15th century. "God’s Warriors" fought against the Catholics (100 years before Martin Luther), and their commander, Jan Žižka, was never defeated. In the city, there is an interesting church with a diamond vault in the presbytery, the Hussite Museum, and underground corridors that are open to the public. We might also visit Klokoty, a place of pilgrimage, which was once a center of the Adamite sect.
2. The Chýnov Cave was discovered in 1863. The main attraction of the cave is not stalactites and stalagmites but its colorful walls and ceilings. We might also stop at the Chýnov cemetery to see the unique collection of sculptures created by Symbolist sculptor František Bílek.

Location: 100 km / 1-hour 30-minute drive south of Prague
N.B.: The caves are closed from November to March. Please wear appropriate clothing, as the temperature is between 5–9°C. The route is 260 meters long, and it includes 330 steps.

Place of Sorrow and Suffering
Terezín (in German Theresienstadt) was founded as a garrison city on the Ohře River in the 18th century and was named after Empress Maria Theresa. During WWII, it became a Nazi concentration camp, and the Small Fortress was turned into a police prison of the Prague Gestapo. We can visit the Small Fortress, the National Cemetery, the Ghetto Museum, the Magdeburg Barracks (a replica of the camp accommodations), the Jewish Cemetery, and the crematorium.

Location: 65 km / 1-hour drive northwest of Prague

Option: On the way back, we might stop in Litoměřice, a charming city on the other side of the Elbe River in the region known as the "Garden of Bohemia." It is the seat of a bishopric, a place associated with the Czech romantic poet Karel Hynek Mácha, and offers an opportunity for dinner.

Jewish Heritage
Třebíč is situated in the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands, where Jewish and Christian cultures uniquely met. Thanks to this, the city was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2003. Highlights include the Jewish Cemetery, the Rear Synagogue (which houses a small museum and a precise ceramic model of the Jewish Quarter), and the Romanesque-Gothic Basilica of St. Procopius. On the other side of the river, we will admire Charles Square, the Church of St. Martin (with a large clock, the hands of which are 3 meters long), and the so-called Painted House.

Location: 175 km / 2-hour 30-minute drive southeast of Prague

City of Albrecht of Wallenstein and Rock Town
1. A pleasant walk through the Prachov Rock Town in the region known as Bohemian Paradise. The rock formations originated from the remnants of a sandstone plateau, broken up by ravines and gullies. The area is characterized by slim towers and pillars with striking vertical cracks and corners. Highlights include views of the landscape from numerous viewpoints.
2. Jičín is a small town on the edge of the Bohemian Paradise. It has a well-preserved historical center, built around a rectangular square with a regular Gothic street layout, remnants of fortifications, and Renaissance and Baroque arcade houses. The town is also associated with the popular fairy-tale character Rumcajs.

Location: 100 km / 1.5 hour drive south of Prague
Option: On the way back, we can make a short stop to take a look at the monumental Castle of Kost.

French Beauty and Mysterious Underground
1. Sychrov is a unique example of a 19th-century romantic residence. It is closely linked to French history, as it was owned by the noble Rohan family. The Rohans originally lived in Brittany, and they were among the ten most influential families in France, even direct cousins of the French kings. The château houses a vast collection of French portraits, among other items. Sychrov was also frequented by the Czech composer Antonín Dvořák.
2. The Bozkov Dolomite Caves are the only accessible caves in Northern Bohemia. A tour reveals various dripstones of different sizes, colors, and shapes, as well as the largest underground lake in the Czech Republic.

Location: 100 km / 1-hour drive northeast of Prague
NB: The operation of the caves is limited in winter. Please wear appropriate clothing, as the temperature underground is 7.5-9°C. The route is 400 meters long, and we have to overcome 245 steps.

Two Residences of the Lords of the Rose
1. Třeboň is a spa city situated in Southern Bohemia in a basin surrounded by hundreds of fishponds. The carp from Třeboň is a traditional Czech Christmas dish. In the 17th century, the local château became the residence of the last member of the Rožmberk noble family, Peter Vok. The magnificent neo-Gothic Schwarzenberg Burial Vault is located above the Svět Pond.
2. Jindřichův Hradec is a small, charming city with the third-largest château in the Czech Republic. It is famous for the Tapestry Workshop, the Krýza Nativity Scene – the largest mechanical nativity scene in the world (registered in the Guinness World Records), and the 50th meridian, which is marked on the ground.

Location: 150 km / 2-hour drive south of Prague

Spa and Spiritual Mystery
1. Mariánské Lázně (Marienbad) is the second-largest spa in the West Bohemian Spa Triangle. It was a popular destination for English King Edward VII, who visited the city nine times. The city is a true textbook of 19th-century architecture, featuring neo-Classical, neo-Romanesque-Byzantine, Eastern Orthodox, neo-Renaissance, and neo-Baroque styles.
2. Teplá is a Premonstratensian monastery with the second-largest monastery library in the Czech Republic. It was founded by the Beatified Hroznata in the 12th century. The period of prosperity, which lasted several centuries, was interrupted by World War II and again in 1950, when, during "Action K," the monastery was occupied by the Communist Secret Police.

Location: 170 km / 2-hour drive west of Prague

A Spa Town and a German-Style City in Bohemia
1. Františkovy Lázně (Franzensbad) is the smallest spa in the West Bohemian Spa Triangle. It is a perfect example of neo-Classical and Empire architecture. A symbol of the spa is a metal statue of František (Little Francis). Touching the statue is an integral part of the spa treatment.
2. Cheb (Eger) is a city in Western Bohemia with typical German architecture. During the Thirty Years' War in 1634, it became world-famous when the commander of the Imperial troops, Albrecht of Wallenstein, was assassinated here. His stuffed horse is still kept in the Municipal Museum.

Location: 180 km / 2.5-hour drive west of Prague

Czech Heaven
1. The pilgrimage site of Stará Boleslav is located on the Elbe River, not far from Prague. The main attractions include the Romanesque Church of St. Clement and the adjacent Church of St. Wenceslas, where the patron saint of the Czech nation was martyred. The Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, where the miraculous Palladium of the Czech Lands is kept, has been a destination for pilgrims since time immemorial. Because of its significance to Christians, Pope Benedict XVI celebrated Mass here during his 2009 visit to the Czech Republic. On the opposite side of the river in Brandýs nad Labem, there is a castle associated with Blessed Charles I of Habsburg, the last ruler of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. 1. On the outskirts of Prague, the richly decorated Baroque Břevnov Monastery, founded by St. Vojtěch, attracts both tourists and pilgrims. It is the oldest Benedictine monastery in Bohemia (established in 993).

Location: 25 km / 30 min. drive northeast of Prague