Countryside Ride To Cesky Krumlov, A Unesco Site

Countryside Ride To Cesky Krumlov, A Unesco Site Photo #1 of 2 Photo copyright ShoreTrips.com.

Overview

The town was the official residence of the powerful Rosenberg family for 300 years, and beautiful.

The town of Cesky Krumlov has been called the "Pearl of Bohemia" for its beautiful Medieval architecture, untouched by modern times. It is located about 100 miles south of Prague amidst beautiful countryside views of rivers, hills, and valleys dotted with villages.

The journey to Cesky Krumlov is almost as rewarding as the destination itself as you'll find it is filled with small villages and towns, fishponds and deep forests.

Our first stop will be at the Hluboka Chateau, built as a fortress to guard the valley of the Vltava River. Though rebuilt many times over the years, the most recent of these reconstructions occurred at the end of the 19th century in the Gothic Revival Tudor style, inspired by England's Windsor Castle. The interior of Hluboka offers rich woodcarvings, Flemish tapestries, fine collections of porcelain and glass and historical furniture and paintings.

Then, we will make a brief visit to the town of Ceske Budejovice, home of the original Budweiser Beer. We will admire one of the nicest squares in the Czech Republic adorned by a baroque Town Hall, Renaissance houses and the Black Tower.

We finally reach our destination of Cesky Krumlov. The centerpiece of the village is the spectacular castle and its small square, Námìstí Svornosti, almost identical to Prague's square, yet here the size delivers a more intimate feel. Renaissance and Baroque buildings enclose the meandering curve of the Vltava River, which is dotted with riverside cafes and bars.

We'll visit the magnificent Church of St. Vitus, other baroque churches and picturesque squares. Admire the interior of the Cesky Krumlov Castle, situated on a high rock guarding the Vltava River and used for centuries as a residence of the Lords of Roses, the Eggenbergs and the Schwarzenbergs. Today it houses rich collections of furniture, pictures, china, and historical artifacts.

The town of Cesky Krumlov fell into neglect during the Communist era, but it has now been polished and it shines again. The restoration has turned the heritage buildings lining the narrow lanes into classy small hotels, restaurants, and shops. The town now has more than 300 beautifully preserved historic buildings.

The small UNESCO heritage village Holasovice is our next destination. Here you will admire the rural baroque architecture from the 18th and 19th centuries.

Our last stop in Southern Bohemia might be the historical town of Trebon. This quaint town offers a charming square with a plague column, Town Hall, Renaissance houses and the Lords of Roses’ Chateau. Behind the chateau gardens, you'll see the largest fishpond in the Czech Republic called Svet (the World).

- The castle is open from May to October.
- There is a fair amount of walking on this tour, some of it on uneven surfaces. Wear comfortable shoes.
- Food, beverages and gratuities are not included in the price of this tour.

Days offered: 7 days a week

Departures:

• 08:00 AM, duration: 10 hours
• 09:00 AM, duration: 10 hours