Czech Republic Walking Tour

Nature and Culture Heritage in the Heart of Central Europe

Atypus Tours

The Czech Republic - small country in the heart of Europe that is confined within the same boundaries almost continuously in the course of last thousand years. A country that faced nomadic raiders from the east in the past and where rich culture flourished in the meantime.

It is the land of gently rolling hills with fruitful lowland, roads lined with tree alleys and roadside flowers, medieval fishponds, twisting rivers and forests interwoven by footpaths and trails leading below tree canopies to the villages with Baroque churches and orchards.

But the most impressive are historical treasures dispersed from the Czech capital Prague through small medieval towns and romantic chateaus to solitary field crosses and statues that stand lonely in the countryside imploring God for an intercession.

Experience places where time has stood still for centuries and local folklore is still alive, and taste wines introduced by Czech king Charles seven hundred years ago.

A special walking itinerary to attractive areas of the countryside of historical Czech provinces - Moravia and Bohemia.

The tour will take us to beautiful and still little known corners of Central Europe. You will be able to experience fascinating places such as impressive large meadows with numbers of unusual orchid flowers in White Carpathian mountains, you can meet local people in charming Moravian villages where folklore music and customs are still alive and places where tourists are real strangers. Beautiful places of architectural and archaeological importances as town of Cesky Krumlov, Telc or Dolni Vestonice give the tour also a culture flavour.

We will visit vine cellars of local producers in Moravia and taste some of delicious local wines. We believe this is the best combination of Moravian and Bohemian nature and culture heritage taken on leisurely pace and an unforgettable experience for all visitors.

General information

All hotels and restaurants have been carefully chosen and personally visited by Atypus representative. We always include only hotels and restaurants which represent the best quality in the area and have a specific local atmosphere. Every time we are looking for new excursions, which can add different dimension our tours - it starts from choosing a picnic spot in the mountains and hills to a visit of private wine cellars. Our guides and leaders have not only all-round knowledge of the area but they also try to build friendly relationship with clients. That's why some of our clients became our long time friends.

Accommodation

We stay in smaller first class (4star hotels). Hotels offer full range of services and are beautifully located.

Meals

Full or half-board throughout. We will have always breakfasts in the hotel. Picnic lunches are prepared by our guides where we can not stop in suitable local restaurant. Typical picnic includes fresh fruits and vegetables, coffee and tea, bottle of red and white wines (local wines of the best quality), etc.

Local transport

Transfers by comfortable coach or minivan (depends on size of group). The driving is never too long and leads mostly through beautiful and ever changing landscape. Where appropriate, we follow side roads with little traffic and unspoiled countryside.

Walks

Daily walks vary from 3 - 6 miles with more options for every day. Options will be discussed with our guides a day before.

Guides

Group will be accompanied by experienced guides for full time. Guides have deep knowledge of local nature and culture. They are always experts on the area visited. They can help you with most of your requests and answer most of your questions.

Sightseeing

Our guides will be pleased to recommend you places of cultural and natural importance if you would like to know more about area or get off group for a day.

Itinerary

OPTION 1

Day 1

Arrival in Vienna (there is also the possibility to start this tour from Prague as a reverse tour. For more details see option 2). The programme depends on the time of arrival or transfer to the Czech Republic. Transfer by comfortable coach to southern Moravia and stop in the small medieval town of Mikulov. We may explore the town and castle built on a limestone rock or take an easy walk to Palava Hills (limestone hills along Czech-Austrian border and Unesco Biosphere Reserve with unique flora and fauna) and the largest park in the Czech Republic in town of Lednice.

The park of LEDNICE consists of a a baroque garden in a pattern of six large squares with fountains, together with the largest English park in Czech Republic - 270 hectars. The baroque garden was designed by Comino Martini. The English baroque garden was created by architect Franti and botanist Van Der Scott, who brought 36,000 exotic plants to Lednice. The famous orangery of 1843 is due to the English architect Devien. On all sides are extensive vistas. Notable among the buildings in the park are artificial castle ruin called Januv Hrad, a Turkish-style minaret, and a Moorish watertower. There is an artificial lake with 15 islands. The area is an important bird reserve in which White Storks and Grey and Night Herons are plentiful. By the park are large pine forests much favoured by hunters.

Recently boat trips are arranged on ponds between Januv Hrad and the Minaret in summer and offer pleasant way of sightseeing.

Accommodation in romantic 4star hotel in historic centre of Brno - second biggest city of the Czech Republic. Welcome dinner in hotel restaurant.

Day 2

In the morning we visit White Carpathian mountains (UNESCO Biosphere Reserve) and take an easy walk through its beautiful orchid meadows known for the high density of flower species. In area of Certoryje we walk through large meadows full of orchids, butterflies and other wildlife. Later we transfer to village of Petrov and visit an interesting group of wine cellars from 18th and 19th century called PLZE. After tasting some of local wines we will walk through vineyards producing well-known delicious sorts of Moravian wines.. This area is also known for keeping its folklore traditions. The area between the White Carpathians and Chriby Hills is called SLOVACKO and it is here where the mostdistinctive cultural traditions in the Czech Republic still live. This area is also famous for the ceremonious attire of boys and girls during the largest celebration of every village called HODY. On the way back we will stop in town of Milotice at its beautiful, originally Renaissance chateau, which is now rebuilt in Baroque.

We will have dinner in a traditional restaurant in centre of Brno. Private concert of classical or Baroque music can be arranged on request. Brno is home town of famous Czech composer LEOS JANACEK.

Day 3

After 30 minutes drive we will stop in town of Kromezir (often called "Athens of Hana", as a center of culture and schoolong), which is known especially thanks its beautifully restaured square and famous Baroque flower garden. Local archbischop's castle is also worth mentioning.

Flower Garden (Kvetna zahrada), with its grottoes, mazes, 233 metres long colonnade, pavilions and pergolas, covering 10.8 hectares, and set out in geometrical patterns. The garden was designed by Filiberto Lucchese and Giovanni Pietro Tencalla in 1665-1675 for Prince-Bishop Karl Eusebius von Liechtenstein - Kastelkovn.

Later we continue to Buchlovice. Before we visit Buchlovice chateau (18th century Italian chateau, still containing most of its original Rococo furniture left behind by the family when they fled to Austria in 1945) and surrounding park, we stop near Buchlov castle. It is one of the oldest castles in Moravia. Its history is connected with the first Christian queen of Marcomans Fridegilda, and the best-known lord of the Moravia land - Svatopluk. From here we walk down to the village. Chateau cellar is used as a wine gallery.

Later we can stop in private wine cellars of Mr. Jakubik, one of the most famous wine producer in the Czech Republic and taste some old wines from his collection.

On the way back we can visit the little town of Velehrad which is one of the most important pilgrimage sites of the Czech Republic. Its cathedral dating from the 9th century is a dominant of the area. We may arrange dinner in a wine cellar (which originally belonged to the monastery in the 17th century) with a performance of proffessional folklore music and dance group in traditional costumes. Again, we taste nice local wines.

Day 4

We transfer to the north of Brno and visit one of the European most enchanting Karst areas - the Moravian Karst near town of Blansko. We can find here over 100 square km with karst formations such as canyons, gorges, about 400 large and small caves decorated stalactities, underground streams and dead-end valleys. We can experince an unforgettable boat trip on underground river Punkva or one of the deepest abysses in central Europe - Macocha ( 138 m ). We conclude walking through this beautiful countryside in village of Krtiny where well-known Baroque architect Jan Santini designed his impressive pilgrimage Church of the Birth of the Virgin Mary in 18th century. Transfer to Brno and individual programme.

Day 5

After breakfast we leave Brno and move to the south. We certainly stop in the town of Moravsky Krumlov to visit the castle and famous gallery of Alfons Mucha. Slovanska epopej (the Slav Epic) consists of twenty monumental canvases. Later we continue to Vranov nad Dyji and visit Baroque Castle built up on the rock above Dyje river. It lies in unspoiled border area of the former Iron Curtain. Walking through beautiful valley of twisting Dyjeriver in National Park Podyji.

Afterwards we stop in beautiful Renaissance town of Slavonice and finishthe day in another UNESCO town TELC and stay there for overnight. Accommodation in 4star hotel on historic square surrounded by 16th-century houses. Evening walk through the the town, one of the best preserved Renaissance jewels north to the Alps.

Day 6

After an hour's drive we stop in another medieval town Trebon.

The area that encompasses the town is called Trebonsko and is an important Landscape Protected Area with a large network of fishponds dating from the 15th century and interconnecting canals. Fish specialities offered by some local restaurants are really worth trying. Sightseeing tour around the town centre and walk along the banks of fish ponds. A visit of Neo-Gothic chapel of Swarzenberg family. An excursion to one of the oldest Czech breweries Regent, founded in 1379 will be of particular interest.

This is an excellent area for cycling with many cycling tracks. We will walk in forest along the Old River where impressive shaps of old trees (some of them over four hundred years old) are to be found.

Later we transfer to the town of Cesky Krumlov for a two night stay.

Cesky Krumlov is the best preserved medieval town in the Czech Republic. We visit the Krumlow chateau, the second to the Prague Castle largest residence in Bohemia. It was built in the 13th century and converted into a Renaissance chateau in the 16th century. The large park, of French design, is another highlight of the town, together with the 18th-century Rococco theatre and the Museum dedicated to Egon Schiele, Austrian painter who moved to Krumlov in 1911.

Day 7

After breakfast we board on a safe boat and follow the stream of Vltava river from Krumlov to Zlata Koruna. Trip takes 2-3hours through beautiful valley of Vltava (Moldau) river. Zlata Koruna was founded as the Cistercian monastery by King Premysl Otakar II in 1263. Recently exhibition of Czech literature is placed there.

We return by foot along the river and will have a free time for research of the Cesky Krumlov.

In the evening we enjoy a private concert of Baroque or classical music.

Day 8

In the morning we move to the national park of SUMAVA.

Sumava National Park is the largest Czech national park. Most of the area was a military zone during the communist period, strictly controlled by the Czech and Soviet armies. This large area was closed to the public for 40 years, and thus is nowadays an area of almost untouched wildlife. We may visit one of the first natural reserves in the Czech lands - the Boubin primeval forest. The springs of the Vltava river was a favourite place of the Czech composer Bedrich Smetana. Easy walking in the area. On the way back we visit Vyssi Brod to see the brilliant 13th-century Cistercian monastery and museum. It has been spiritual and cultural centre of southern Bohemia for more than 750 years. The most interesting parts are the Gothic temple, the Cross corridor, and the Baroque library. The library of monastery is the third largest library in the Czech Republic and its decoration in Rococco gold is definitely worth seeing.

Day 9

We head north for Prague. First we stop in the town of beer - Ceske Budejovice - and we will have a chance to visit the Masne Kramy, traditional restaurant next to the Budweiser brewery. Again, medieval town centre is well preserved and we take a short walk through it. Later we visit the castle of Hluboka, founded in the 13th century and rebuilt in the 19th century in a Neogothic style reminiscent of Windsor Castle. Arrival in Prague in late afternoon.

Accommodation in centre-located hotel. Individual programme.

Day 10

Half-day sightseeing tours through Prague's historical core including Prague Castle, Old Town Square, Lesser Quarter, Old Jewish Cemetery, etc. Concerts and performance in the National Theatre may be arranged on request. Farewell dinner in a restaurant on Old Town Square.

Day 11

Transfer to airport according to clients flights. Multideparture.

Tour can be combined together with e.g.

International music festival 'Prague Spring' in Prague - May
International festival of folklore music in Straznice - June
International festival of Baroque music in Jaromerice - July
International music festival 'Brno Autumn' - September - October

Single room supplement and ECONOMICAL variants on request.
Price includes: accommodation in 4-star comfortable hotels (based on double room occupancy), meals on full-board basis, programme as per itinerary, drinks, service of experienced guide(s), transport by comfortable coach, a special guide for Prague, vine cellar parties, special excursions, your tour leader(s) comes for free.

Price excludes: air-fare, insurance, concert and theatre perfomances, other personal expenses.

Option 2

If tour is run in a reverse way or if it starts and concludes in Vienna, we can add two extra days in Slovakia.

We can visit beautiful limestone hills and traditional villages of Mala Fatra mountains, limestone gorges and castle ruins in the river Vah valley, or wooded Low Carpathians with its castles and ruins near the Slovak capital.

Accommodation in a hotel near Trencin castle - one of the best preserved castles in Slovakia and northernmost place reached by old Romans in Central Europe.

Contact Borek Seehak at Atypus
PO Box 190, 60100 Brno, Czech Republic
e-mail: atypus(at)sky.cz