Gentle touring and walking holiday with private guide. City of Prague, plus parts of the Czech Republic less visited by overseas visitors
The Czech Republic – a small country in the heart of Europe, with frontiers that have barely changed over the last thousand years and where, notwithstanding the threat of invaders from the east, a distinctive culture has managed to survive. It is a land of gently rolling hills with bountiful lowlands, roads lined with avenues of trees and flowers, medieval fishponds, twisting rivers and forests interwoven by footpaths and trails leading to villages with Baroque churches and orchards. Impressive too is the historical patrimony, from the Czech capital Prague, through small medieval towns and romantic chateaux, to solitary field crosses and statues that stand alone in the countryside imploring God for intercession. In one of the last places left in Europe where time has stood still, local folklore continues to thrive.
This is a special light walking itinerary through the attractive country areas of the historic Czech provinces of Moravia and Bohemia. In the White Carpathian mountains you will pass through large meadows filled with unusual orchids, and meet local people in charming Moravian villages. And then there are breathtakingly beautiful places of architectural and archaeological importance – Cesky Krumlov, Telc, Dolni Vestonice and of course, Prague. Furthermore, you will visit the wine cellars of local producers in Moravia, and taste some delicious local wines. A holiday with private guide and car.
Price:
£1,750 per person based on 4 people in a group (2 people per room)
£2,650.00 per person based on 2 people in a group.
Single room on request.
Tour can be arranged on a date to suit – please email with arrival and first overnight details.
Included:
Private English speaking driver guide throughout,
7 nights accommodation in 3 star hotels
Breakfast and dinner each day except for Prague where you are booked on a bed and breakfast basis.
Difficulty of Walk:
Daily walks vary from 3 – 6 miles with more options for every day. Options can be discussed with guides the day before.
Guides:
You will be accompanied by experienced guides who have a good knowledge of local nature and culture.
Group Size:
2 – 8 people
For private tours, we can organise a tailor made tour for a minimum of two people. Please ask for details.
Day 1:
Arrival in Vienna or Prague (if in Prague the tour works in reverse). Transfer to southern Moravia to arrive in the small medieval town of Mikulov. You 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, an UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with unique flora and fauna) or visit the magnificent park in the town of Lednice, with its fountains, extensive views, castle ruins, and a lake with 15 islands. The area is an important bird reserve in which White Storks and Grey and Night Herons are plentiful. Accommodation in historic centre of Mikulov. Welcome dinner.
Day 2:
In the morning visit the White Carpathian mountains and take an easy walk through its beautiful orchid meadows. Later travel to the Petrov and visit an interesting group of wine cellars from the 18th and 19th century called PLZE, where you may taste local wines. This area is also known for its folklore traditions – the area between the White Carpathians and Chriby Hills is called SLOVACKO and it is here where the most distinctive cultural traditions in the Czech Republic still live. Later, stop in the town of Milotice, with its beautiful chateau. Accommodation in Uherske Hradiste.
Day 3:
Today a short drive before stopping in the town of Kromezir, well-known for its beautifully restored square and famous Baroque flower garden. Later, continue to Buchlovice, visiting Buchlovice Castle (an 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. Visit the little town of Velehrad which is one of the most important pilgrimage sites of the Czech Republic. Overnight in the historic centre of Brno.
Day 4:
After breakfast, leave Brno and move to the south. 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, continue to Vranov nad Dyji and visit a Baroque Castle built up on the rock above Dyje river, lying in an unspoiled border area of the former Iron Curtain. Walk through a beautiful valley of the twisting Dyje River in the Podyji National Park. Later, visit the handsome Renaissance town of Slavonice and finish the day in another UNESCO town, Telc, before continuing to the medieval town of Trebon for overnight.
Day 5:
The countryside around Trebon is a conservation area, with a large network of fishponds dating from the 15th century, and interconnecting canals. You may also visit one of the oldest Czech breweries, founded in 1379, and stroll in the forest, filled with ancient trees, on the banks of the Old River. Then transfer to Cesky Krumlov, the best-preserved medieval town in the Czech Republic, for a 2 night stay. Visit the Krumlow chateau, the second largest (after Prague Castle) residence in Bohemia.
Day 6:
In the morning, visit Sumava. For forty years, during the communist era, Sumava was closed to the world, and so accidentally protecting its flora and fauna, which now thrive in abundance. There is the Boubin primeval forest, whilst the springs of the Vltava river were a favourite haunt of the Czech composer Bedrich Smetana. Easy walking inthe area. On the way back, visit Vyssi Brod to see the brilliant 13th-century Cistercian monastery, the spiritual and cultural centre of southern Bohemia for more than 750 years.
Day 7:
Head north for Prague, stopping to visit the historical town of Pisek, home to the oldest stone bridge in the Czech Republic. Accommodation in centrally-located hotel.
Day 8:
Departure – transfer to airport.
(Extra nights in Prague can be arranged).
7 nights accommodation in 3 star hotels
Private English speaking driver guide throughout, Breakfast and dinner each day except for Prague where you are booked on a bed and breakfast basis.
By air to Vienna, many low cost and other airlines fly in to Vienna.
or if starting in Prague
By air to Prague airport. There are numerous flights to Prague from across the UK with budget airlines such as Ryanair, Easyjet and Jet2.
At the end of the trip there is a transfer to the airport.
Sturdy walking boots and walking socks (with a change of socks in rucksack), rucksack/day pack, 1 x water bottle with 1 litre capacity, insect repellent, sun glasses, sun hat, sunblock/cream, compass, torch, first-aid kit.
We recommend that you take out appropriate holiday insurance covering you against illness, injury, and loss or damage to luggage. This insurance should also cover the possibility of your having to cancel your holiday for any reason.
Contact us now to book this walk or make an enquiry.
