Highlights Tours

A Trip to the Regions 1 Designed for: Pleasure Seekers: Families with children. A trip to cities, castles, and chateaus full of attractions and entertainment for the whole family, including areas especially favourable for cycling. Distance 1,250 km Estimated Driving Time 17 h The number of days: 10 A Trip to the Regions 2 Designed for: Pleasure Seekers: Active seniors, Families with children, Travellers without children. A trip to historic sites and the unique atmosphere of old towns and proud aristocratic mansions Distance 900 km Estimated Driving Time 11 h The number of days: 7

Cities, Chateaux and Castles

Písek and Zvíkov – The Historic Gems on South Bohemian Rivers Písek is a historic gem on the Otava River that is yet to be discovered by most tourists. The oldest stone bridge in Central Europe can be there, as well as other unique bridges, a regional stud farm, the oldest still-functioning power plant in the Czech Republic, an attractive display of sand sculptures, and a vast playpark, the largest in the country. The Gothic royal castle of Zvíkov lies above the dam on the Vltava River with a mysterious tower, a beautiful palace chapel, a basement, and the impressive interiors of the Royal Palace. (Also check page 12)

68 Destination Manual 2020

6 Elbe Cycle Route – 1,300 Kilometres Full of Surprises One of the most attractive longdistance European cycling routes that follows the flow of the Elbe River, starting in the Czech Republic and reaching the North Sea after 1,260 kilometres. It is 470 beautiful kilometres from the springs of the Elbe to the border with Saxony. Its profile is gentle and it offers some great adventures and facilities. There are castles, chateaus, forts, cities, mountains, and historic towns along the route, as well as natural sites such as the Polabí Region, the Central Bohemian Uplands, and the Elbe Canyon in Bohemian Switzerland. (Also check out page 40)

6

5

Ústí nad Labem

6

Karlovy Vary

m, 90 k h 1:20

7

Ploskovice Litoměřice

264 km, 3:05 h

120 km ,

4

1:30 h

8 Liberec Sychrov

1

Loket

Cheb

Prague 197 k m, 2 :17 h

Mariánský Týnec Plzeň

5

Ohře Cycle Trail – National cycling trail along the Ohře river One of the cleanest rivers in the Czech Republic flows through an amazing countryside, the historic town of Cheb, the most famous Czech spa of Karlovy Vary, the royal towns of Kadaň, Žatec and Louny, and joins the Elbe River near Litoměřice, where the Elbe Route follows. The trail passes majestic chateaus, fantastic rocks, a medieval castle, and a monastery; you will be able to take strolls along colonnades and check out the world capital of hops as well as an alchemist fort. (Also check out page 43)

20 km, 0:30 h

h 05 , 2: km 53 1

5 Český Šternberk

Zvíkov

3

y an

3

G

rm

Štramberk – Moravian Bethlehem One of the most scenic towns in the Czech Republic, with streets lined with timbered houses and crowned with the romantic ruin of a medieval castle, Trúba – as the locals call the castle tower, which is today used as a lookout tower. The specially designed guided tours will let you delve into unexpected places, such as the prehistoric cave of Šipka or the production of the famous local delicacy, the gingerbread ears of Štramberk. (Also check out page 18)

any

erm

Ge

2

4 West Bohemian Baroque – A Baroque Landscape at Every Step A superb connection of unique Baroque sites set in the undulating countryside of the Plzeň Region. The central point is the pilgrims’ area in Mariánská Týnice: the work of Jan Blažej Santini Aichel with the Centre of Baroque, offering several exhibitions, including one about Santini. The road then leads to Kladruby with its magnificent monastery, the chateau in Manětín, the catacombs and Baroque pharmacy in Klatovy, the Plasy Monastery, and other sites. Moreover, the Summer Baroque Festival, open throughout the season, offers many interesting events. (Also check page 21)

7h 1:5 m, 7k 12

1 Pardubice and Kladruby nad Labem – City and Chateau Dedicated to Horses Pardubice is the city of horses and home to the Velká pardubická steeplechase, the most difficult steeplechase in continental Europe. The race course can be toured with a guide or in a horse-drawn carriage. Pardubice is a historical city with a protected centre. The chateau in Kladruby nad Labem is home to one of the oldest stud farms in the world and the origin of the famous white horse, the Kladruber, that Empress Elizabeth of Austria so admired. On the other hand, the chateau stud farm in Slatiňany breeds fiery black horses. (Also check out page 13)

4h 356 km,

Písek

7

Ploskovice – Summer Residence of Emperor Ferdinand Ploskovice are often called ‘Little Versailles’: the fairy-like chateau with beautiful gardens was built in the style of the great French model, and it is a place loved by filmmakers and tourists alike. The chateau has beautiful interiors, unique murals by famous Czech landscaper Josef Navrátil, artificial grottos, Baroque fountains, a colonnade with rare stucco decorations. Children love the exhibition of the teddy bears and stuffed animals in the Chateau; adults enjoy botanical oddities in the gardens. (Also check out page 19)

8 Liberec and Sychrov – City Surrounded with Mountains and Luxurious interiors of neo-gothic residence Liberec is a city surrounded with mountains, sitting below the peak of Ještěd, which is crowned by the timeless cone of the mountain hotel. It has a distinct design, but above all it is a place of never-ending family fun: the super-modern science centre, the unique entertainment centre, the botanical and zoological gardens. On the other hand, the romantic chateau of Sychrov holds the largest collection of French

portrait art outside France, as well as beautiful interiors, programmes for children, and a large park. (Also check out page 8)

9

Greenway Jizera – Along the River to Nature and History The network of varied and gorgeous cycling trails going down the hillsides of the Jizera Mountains, the region of glassmakers and weavers, will take you through four distinctive areas of the Czech Republic and to a very attractive section, only 17 kilometres long, where you can admire rock formations, ruins, lookout points, folk architecture, beautiful jewellery made with Czech garnet, a neoGothic chateau, and a chateau full of adventures and games, all the way to the banks of the Elbe River where it joins the Elbe Route. (Also check out page 44)