Five ideas for guided tours in Czech Republic

• The rocks of Adršpach-Teplice

  The very original site of Adršpach-Teplice is in the northeast of the country, near the settlement of Broumov. Czechs call this place skalní město (“the city of rocks”). It is a place that was kept secret for a long time by the locals who came to hide there. It was only in 1824 that a huge fire revealed its disturbing stones to the public. During your excursion, you will discover more than 400 geological formations with very particular forms, which gave them their name. The most famous are ” Mister Mayor and Madam Mayor “, ” the Devil’s Bridge ” and ” the Chair “. All these rocks were under the sea, which has been receding for thousands of years. The visit can be done on foot or by taking small boats to get closer to the waterfalls, lakes, and streams around. It is a wonderful and unique place, and an ideal playground for many climbers.

• Český Krumlov

  The small medieval-looking town of Český Krumlov is located in South Bohemia and is a place of exceptional cultural and historical discoveries. There are many romantic walks along the loops formed by the Vltava River and the two hills that dominate the surroundings. On one of these hills you can see the second largest castle in the former Czechoslovakia, built in the 13th century and renovated three centuries later in the Renaissance and Baroque style. Continuing the tour of the town, you will come to the Church of St. Vitus, , a combination of Gothic and Baroque style, and, right next to it, Svornosti Square. From here you can lose yourself in the small streets with harmoniously decorated facades, before reaching the banks of the Vltava (Moldau), perfect for a rest, a drink, or, if you have more time, rent a bike and go for a ride in the surrounding woods and fields.

• Krkonoše National Park

  The Krkonoše mountain range, which is called the Giant Mountains Park, includes the highest mountains in the country and is home to many of the most diverse green landscapes. The hikes are accessible to all levels and often start from the village of Pec pod Sněžkou. You will discover meadows and fields dotted with colorful flowers, through high plains to the highest steep ridges to reach the Sněžka mountain (1600 m), the highest in the country. Finally, as a reward, you will enjoy a superb panorama of Bohemia and Poland. For those in a hurry, a cable car will take you directly to the top. It is a privileged place, as well for athletes with its tracks of mountain bike and its possibilities of rafting in the rivers, as for the simple followers of idleness, who will appreciate to rest in the heart of its various thermal towns.

• Hluboká Castle

  Hluboká Castle is considered the most beautiful in Czech Republic and is located 15 kilometers from České Budějovice, the capital of South Bohemia. Its construction dates back to the 13th century, but it wasn’t until the 19th century that Count Jan Adolf II Schwarzenberg and his wife Eleanor, inspired by the royal residence in Winsdor, decided to begin gigantic works to give the building its neo-Gothic style. It now has a majestic appeal with its white color, eleven towers and battlements. The visit is even more interesting if it is led by a Czech tour guide, who will tell you the history of this place by going from room to room: there are more than 140 of them, all furnished with refinement and tastefully decorated (tapestries, paintings, furniture, or earthenware plates). The largest rooms in the castle are the library and the winter garden. Conclude your visit by exploring the English garden that surrounds the premises.

• Karlovy Vary

  The spa town of Karlovy Vary (often called Karlsbad), in the northern part of the country, has been famous for its cures since the 16th century. It offers 12 main hot springs, connected by elegant colonnades. The largest and most famous spring is Vřídlo, with water temperature rising to 73°C. Around the Teplá River, the splendid thermal baths and luxury hotels are located in the heart of the valley. Don’t forget to visit the legenda with water temperature rising to 73°C. Around the Teplá River, the splendid thermal baths and luxury hotels are in the heart of the valley. Don’t forget to visit the legendary Grand Hotel Pupp, dating back to 1701. Each building is a reminder of the town’s prestigious era: from the 19th century onwards, the town was a favorite place for artists and the middle class of Central Europe to relax. The region also offers beautiful walks on the various well laid out paths through the woods.