Brief Itinerary

Individual arrival in Vienna. Meet with CzechWalking guides at the hotel at 6 p.m.; dinner and general information about the tour. Overnight in Vienna.

Morning transfer to Lower Austria; biking towards the Czech border through lovely countryside whose hills are patterned with the regular rows of vineyards. Once in South Moravia, enjoy a number of Romantic-era sights of the famous Lednice-Valtice complex, created over centuries by the Liechtenstein family. The power and glory of the noble family are reflected in the majestic Baroque and Neo-Gothic palaces and monuments like the Colonnade, Diana's Temple, the Three Graces and and other structures scattered in the vast park. Overnight in Hlohovec.

Short transfer to the Palava hills. A hike to the top of Tabletop Hill will yield an impressive panoramic view of the wine country below. Passing the ruins of the once-powerful Sirotci and Devicky castles, descend to Dolni Vestonice. The local museum displays fascinating items related to the mammoth hunters who once populated the area, including their earliest artistic attempts. In the evening, traditional dulcimer music will accompany an evening of wine-tasting in a stylish wine cellar in Mikulov. Overnight in Hlohovec.

Morning transfer to Cizov. A stop at the remains of the infamous Iron Curtain is the perfect opportunity to learn more about the country's Communist past. Afterwards, a scenic ride through the undisturbed nature of the Podyji National Park. Passing the picturesque Vranov château perched atop a steep cliff, we will follow a pleasant road through woods and fields to Slavonice, a charming little town with sgraffito-decorated houses and honeycomb vaults. Transfer to Telc, a gem of a town with gabled houses on the spectacular 16th century square. Overnight in Telc.

Morning transfer to the "Bohemian Canada", an area south of Telc with preserved virgin forests (thanks to being an inaccessible border zone during the Cold War.) Walk through the pre-WWII fortification system and take a splendid view from the ruins of the majestic Landstejn castle. Visit the unique art ceramic shop in Mariz. Transfer and overnight in Telc.

A guided tour of Telc château with its arcades, carved ceilings and exhibits of armor, porcelain, and hunting trophies. Transfer to Cervena Lhota; picnic lunch at this picture-perfect crimson château surrounded by a lake. Continue through the Trebon Basin, passing a number of lakes and weaving our way through meadows, woods, fields and ancient oak alleys. The area, a protected natural reserve, is a rare example of a truly healthy and harmonious relationship between man and nature. Arrival in Trebon, another picturesque South Bohemian town; overnight.

Setting out from Trebon, enjoy a ride on the dike of Svet, one of the largest lakes in this area. Pass an old brewery dating back to 1379 and the majestic Schwarzenberg Tomb. Follow a scenic road in gently undulating countryside, enjoying the lovely views of the Novohradske and Sumava Mountains looming in the distance. Today's destination is Cesky Krumlov, a splendid Renaissance town with an imposing castle overlooking a warren of crooked streets lined by beautifully-preserved medieval houses.

Cesky Krumlov, a true jewel among Renaissance towns, is protected by UNESCO for its unique medieval character, winding narrow streets and large number of well-preserved buildings. In the morning, we will take a guided tour of the extensive castle (the second largest in the country), followed by a visit to its truly unique Baroque theater. Afternoon at leisure; however, those who prefer to stay physically active can opt to climb a nearby hill and be rewarded with a beautiful view of the town below. Another option is to go down the Vltava River on a canoe, which is an excellent possibility to get another view of the South Bohemian beautiful landscape. Overnight in Cesky Krumlov.

We bid farewell to South Bohemia in Tabor, where the fearless Hussites wrote an eventful chapter of Czech and European history. Afternoon arrival in Prague, the "City of a Hundred Spires", a romantic, yet lively and cosmopolitan metropolis. A city tour will cover all the A-list sights, including the Prague Castle, St. Nicholas Cathedral, Charles Bridge, and Old Town Square with its astronomical clock. Our farewell dinner will take place at a restaurant with fabulous view of the city lying literally at your feet. Overnight in Prague.

This morning concludes the tour. Transfer to the airport for your home-bound flight or spend a couple of extra days in Prague.

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