Medieval village of Telc, Czech Republic

The buildings of medieval Telc are all at least 250 years old. We arrive at this beautiful 16th century town on foot. Our hiking and cultural odyssey brings us from castle to village across the Czech Republic.

Photo by Dan Heller

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Czech Castles and Country Walks

Timeless Villages, Cesky Krumlov, and Enchanting Prague

Fairytale castles built by feudal lords reign over the lush countryside and traditional villages of the Czech Republic. There’s hardly a better place in Europe for a journey built around country walks, and many of our hikes begin and end at wondrous castles. The medieval heritage of this vibrant nation is enchanting and beautifully intact. We discover it in towns like Cesky Krumlov, a World Heritage Site little changed since medieval times, and in tiny Telc, one of the best preserved 16th century towns in all Europe, which we first glimpse as we enter its arched gates at the end of a memorable day’s hike. Our journey concludes in Prague, the jewel of Bohemia, one of the world’s most evocative cities.

Highlights

  • Delightful countryside walks between fairytale hilltop castles
  • Perfectly preserved Renaissance town of Telc
  • Baroque city of Cesky Krumlov, a World Heritage Site of labyrinthine alleys
  • The golden storybook town of Prague, with its amazing architecture and lively cafés

Details

  • 9-day trip begins in Vienna, Austria, and ends in Prague, Czech Republic
  • 8 nights in 3- and 4-star hotels and country inns
  • All meals included except 2 dinners
  • Easy to moderate trails, 2-5 hours a day, van support

Tour Costs

$3695 (10-15 members)
$4095 (5-9 members)

Single supplement: $545

Prices are for 2010 dates

Departures & Leaders

May 14-22, 2010  Zuzana Rakova
Jul 18-26, 2010  Zuzana Rakova
Sep 3-11, 2010  Zuzana Rakova
Oct 15-23, 2010

*There may be up to 3 leaders on any departure. Please call for details.

Suggested Reading

Reading list, click here.

Itinerary at a Glance
Czech Castles and Country Walks route-map

Days 1-2
Vienna, Austria / Moravia, Czech Republic / Palava

We meet in Vienna and head across the once-forbidden border into the Czech Republic. After a delightful lunch in the Czech wine country, we stretch our legs at the sylvan grounds of breathtaking Lednice Castle, a World Heritage Site. Our first castle-to-castle hike brings us from the ruined tower of a 10th century castle perched on a limestone crag through the Palava Highlands Nature Reserve to another ghostly crag-top castle ruin.

Day 3
Castle Rostejn / Telc

Castle Rostejn is a Gothic apparition that seems to rise straight up from the rock outcrop on which it stands. We hike cross-country from Castle Rostejn through fields brightened with poppies and end by walking through the arched gates of Telc, one of the best-preserved Renaissance towns in all of Europe, now a World Heritage Site. The town’s wedge-shaped main square looks like a stage set, with Renaissance arcades and Gothic houses of subtle pastel colors.

Day 4
Telc / Slavonice

The rolling forests of southern Moravia became a forbidden zone between Austria and Czechoslovakia in the aftermath of WWII. Ironically, as a result, the region’s natural beauty has been well preserved and the local people once again explore these woods for wild mushrooms (we may meet some mushroom gatherers as we hike). Starting at Telc’s castle, we hike through the forest highlands to Slavonice, a town with an intact medieval urban design just a hundred meters from the Austrian border.

Days 5-7
Cesky Krumlov

The stunning World Heritage town of Cesky Krumlov is like a miniature Prague, with its dreamy pink and green castle towering above 15th century Renaissance and Baroque mansions, and we enjoy three overnights here. On Day 7, we head into the countryside for a hike from Vyssi Brod, a serene 13th century Cistercian monastery, through the deep Sumava forest to the castle town of Rozmberk, built around the serpentine curves of the Vltava River.

Days 8-9
Prague

Ancient, golden Prague is a city full of charm. We enjoy a walk in the stunning Old Town, where 600 years of glorious architecture, from Renaissance to Cubist, is on display. Depart on Day 9, or extend your stay in Prague.

This is the Itinerary-at-a-Glance. For the complete trip description, Download Full Trip Brochure