In South Bohemia, at a serpentine bend in the Vltava River, lies the quaint town of Cesky Krumlov. Its original medieval owners, the powerful Rozmberk called it the "City of the Red Rose" after their family crest. The huge castle dominates the town’s center, looming over red-tile roofs and the labyrinthine, cobble-stoned streets.  The Germans called the town “Krumme Aue” or “the crooked meadow” – following the twists and turns of its little streets and stone bridges, we understand why. The undulating curves of the Vltava only serve to enhance the city’s appeal. And the curves don’t stop at the…

Hluboká nad Vltavou is a monumental Romantic chateau, originally a Gothic castle, it was remodelled in the Baroque style during the first half of the 18th century. It underwent a significant transformation in the 19th century, when it was remodelled in the English Windsor-style Gothic and became the official seat of the Schwarzenberg dynasty. The complex includes a glassed-in winter garden, a riding hall, an English-style park (190 hectares) and a chapel. Sumptuously furnished period interiors feature unique woodcarvings and valuable collections.

There are cities that retain their glory throughout the ages: such is the medieval town of Kutna Hora, due east of Prague. During our tour, we’ll go into the depths of an ancient silver mine, and visit the courtyard where Italian silversmiths minted the famous “Prague penny”. We’ll travel down the road a bit to the Sedlec Ossuary for a taste of the truly grotesque. Lovers of the macabre will gape in appreciation at the chapel’s interior: the altar and all its appointments, including a massive chandelier, have been fashioned from over 40 thousand human bones, skulls and all. In…

Since the hoary days of the 13th century, the ancient Sternberg aristocracy has held title to this massive Gothic castle overlooking the Sazava River. Down through the ages family ancestors have included brave knights, the royally titled, diplomats, scientists, politicians, and a sprinkling of philosophers and historians. During the Communist years, the castle was confiscated by the state and fell into ruin; the elder Sternberg was forced to work as a museum caretaker in his former home. After the 1989 Velvet Revolution, the ancient complex was returned to its former owners and was gradually restored. Today Sternberg boasts a permanent…

In 1358, while out on an Imperial Hunt, Emperor Charles IV spied one of the deer mortally wounded by his party fall at a small spring in the woods. As he rode towards it, the deer roused, lapped at the spring waters and, to his amazement, leapt up and bounded away. The inexplicable curative powers of the spring so impressed the Emperor that he ordered his court architects to build a hunting lodge at its source. This is the legend behind the founding of the spa city, Karlovy Vary, and its city symbol is taken from the little deer “that…

The town of Loket sprang up around its unassailable fortress, founded during the Middle Ages on the very borders of the Czech lands by the Premyslids, the first Czech dynasty. Its hoary past speaks of glory and ruin - the vagaries of history. Wandering through this dreamy town, we pass through over a thousand years of history as we travel from the powerful walls of the old fortress to the fairytale Baroque houses rimming its market square.

In 1355, the Czech king, Charles IV, was enthroned as Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. His coronation was a seminal event in the history of the Czech Lands, and forever changed the destiny of Prague. Under the dictates of Charles IV, the provincial city was transformed into the resplendent capitol of Europe, and held the title for the next quarter century. Yet, despite Prague’s rise in stature, the Emperor thought it unwise to store the empire’s vast treasure trove within its confines. Summoning the realm’s most-acclaimed architect, Matthias of Arras, Charles had him design the majestic Karlstejn to house…

One of the most sensational and history-laden Gothic castles in the Czech Republic, Konopište was the residence of Archduke Franz Ferdinand d’Este, whose assassination at Sarajevo in 1914 touched off the First World War. The archduke’s mania was hunting, and the castle’s decorative interiors and corridors were designed to show off his immense collection of hunting trophies and unique weaponry.

Situated north of Prague on the Labe River, the small town of Melnik has a history going back over a thousand years, and holds a unique place in Czech history. Originally the site was a possession of Bohemia’s earliest queen, Ludmila, and for many centuries afterwards, it served as a refuge for widowed queens and princesses. Vineyards first appeared in the 14th century. Today the area’s unique climate and the traditional techniques employed by local wine-makers produce the high-quality wines for which Melnik is justly famous.

Since the 15th century, a fort existed in the place now occupied by Sychrov. During the years between 1690-93, a small baroque castle was constructed here. In 1820 the castle was bought by the family of Rohan, French aristocrats exiled by the French Revolution who decided to stay in the Austrian Empire. The 125-year-long ownership by the Rohans proved to be the most important in the castle's history. The castle boasts a collection of around 250 portraits of the Rohans, related families, and French kings. It is the largest collection of French portrait paintings in Central Europe. Sychrov hosts unique…

Замок и крепость Фридлант – это не только доминанта северо-чешского города носящего то же имя, но и один из значительных памятников Чехии, объединяющий в себе средневековую крепость и замок эпохи ренессанс. Имя замка происходит от давней легенды, по которой давным-давно жил в здешних лесах муж по имени Загвозд. Было у него семь сыновей, и когда они выросли, попросил отец у старейшин дать его сыновьям семь наделов земли...

Krivoklat, the oldest hunting castle of Czech kings, dates from the 11th century Premyslid dynasty. It is easily one of the most intriguing Gothic castles in Central Europe, situated west of Prague on the rocky crags of the Beroun River. The future Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, Charles IV, whiled away his childhood years here. In the 16th century, Krivoklat held some of the royal treasury and, oddly, at the same time also served as a prison for some of Bohemia’s most heinous criminals and disgraced aristocrats.

A fascinating journey awaits you. This outing focuses on the ancient geological history of the Czech Lands – the 400 million year-old Koneprusy Cave System. We are off on an exciting adventure to the center of the earth!

The gorgeous Moravian town of Telc is a legendary place, not for any historical battles fought here – rather it is that each bell tower and chapel has its own decidedly Gothic tale to tell. This is the locale of the mysterious White Lady of the Czech Lands. In her fluttering gown, she flits along the cobbled streets and past the tiny square’s colorful 16th century Renaissance facades. Who is she?

Moravian Karst is one of the most important karst area of Central Europe. In the area of Moravian Karst, there are more than 1100 caverns and gorges. But only 4 caves of the all number are open to public. There are Punkva Caves with their underground river – during the cruise you can see there the bottom of the famous Macocha Abyss. Another cave is Catherine’s Cave with its unique limestone columns. The Balcarka cave is full of colorful stalactitic decoration. The Sloup-Šošůvka Caves are made by huge corridors and underground gorges.

Fortress Terezin was built in the 18th century to serve as the northern fortifications of the Habsburg Empire. It lives on in Czech memory, not for the glorious battles fought there, but as a terrible reminder of the Nazi Occupation. Terezin served as a round-up site for Jewish citizens throughout the country and the rest of Nazi-occupied Europe. Here the people lived in the Ghetto until they were transported east to the Death Camps – or perished.

Zleby is a dreamy fairytale castle with imitation medieval fortifications and an English park. In the nearby reserves the visitors can see the training of birds of prey and a game park with white stags. Originally a Gothic sentry castle of the Lichtenburk family from the 13th century, later a royal castle, rebuilt into a renaissance chateau, adapted in Baroque. In the 19th century rebuilt in the style of Romanticism by the Auersperg family. Unique historical interiors with stylised equipment and collections from the 16th--19th centuries, furniture, weapons, glass, china, hunting trophies, paintings, an armoury, a chapel. Unique equipment of…