Walk Through the Czech Republic's Charming Rolling Hills and Vineyards

With its fairytale castles and beautifully preserved medieval villages set amid bucolic landscapes, the Czech Republic is one of the most enchanting corners of Europe. Our one-of-a-kind walking adventure takes in the region's hidden gems dotted with ancient cathedrals, Gothic chateaus, vineyards, and tracts of vast wilderness seemingly untouched by time.

Click here for all our Eastern Europe Travel & Adventures

Click here for all Europe Travel & Adventures with MTS

Activities

Easy cultural touring, easy to moderate day hikes, wine tastings

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• Discover the cultural landscape of the Lednice-Valtice area (UNESCO)
• Explore the village of Telc (UNESCO), known for it's perfectly preserved Renaissance square
• Stay in Cesky Krumlov (UNESCO) - The best-preserved medieval town in the Czech Republic
• Trek in the limestone Pavlava Hills, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
• Enjoy the world renown Moravian wine and Czech beer

Duration: 8 days Start Location: Breclav End Location: Prague

BRIEF Itinerary

• Day 1 : Breclav - Valtice

  Meet in Breclav, Czech Republic, and transfer together to the small medieval town of Valtice. After lunch in a charming traditional Moravian restaurant, you'll start exploring the Lednice-Valtice Area, the former estate of the Liechtenstein family with a visit to the magnificent Valtice Chateau followed by wine-tasting. A leisurely warm-up walk through the vineyards will lead to an overlook above Valtice to view the first "folly" of the Romantic designed landscape, the Reisten Colonnade.

• Day 2 : Voltice - Mikulov

  Morning hike from Valtice to Lednice, through the largest designed landscape in Central Europe with many "follies" on the way, handsome hunting lodges and chapels built by the Liechtenstein family over hundreds of years.Afternoon transfer to Mikulov. (8 miles, 4 hours hiking)

• Day 3 : Mikulov

  Transfer from Mikulov to Dolni Vestonice, where archaeological digs have unearthed a surprisingly large 29,000-year-old hunting settlement with fragments of the oldest pottery in the world. You'll enjoy a brief tour of the Mammoth Hunter Museum before embarking on a hike over the Pálava Hills back to Mikulov. The hike of the day will start in the medieval wine-making village of Pavlov hugging the slope covered with vineyards running up to a ruined castle. (8 miles, 4 hours hiking.) Breakfast, Lunch (Dinner with 4+ people only)

• Day 4 : Mikulov - Cizov – Vranov nad Dyji – Telc

  Morning transfer to Cizov, a hamlet within the Podyjí National Park, which is so close to the Austrian border. The trail starts at the edge of the village where you can see the last remnant of the Iron Curtain, and continues through forests to a gorgeous overlook to the Dyje river valley and the Austrian village of Hardegg with its ancient castle. The trail then leads down to the river, which is the actual border between Czech Republic and Austria. After climbing back up from river level you'll be transferred to the next stop, the fairytale-like Baroque chateau in Vranov nad Dyjí. A tour of the chateau will conclude the day. (9 miles, 4-5 hours hiking.)

• Day 5 : Telc - Slavonica - Jindrichuv Hradec

  The town of Telc, whose historical center is surrounded by ponds built for its protection, was added on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites due to its perfectly-preserved Renaissance square. You will start your day by touring the Renaissance chateau and walking around the square before lunch in one of Telc's lovely restaurants. Then you will continue your adventure going south to the barely discovered border town of Slavonice famous for its Renaissance sgrafittos. This is where you will start your walk through rolling highland countryside encountering many WWII bunkers that are preserved as an open-air museum. The day's hike ends at the medieval castle of Landstejn, which gave inspiration to Friedrich Schiller to write his romantic drama "The Bandits." Finish the day with a transfer to the highland capital of Jindrichuv Hradec. (5 miles, 3 hours hiking.)

• 

  Day 6 : Jindrichuv Hradec - Trebon - Czesky Krumlov

  After touring the delightful city center of Jindrichuv Hradec, we will continue to the medieval town of Trebon. You'll take a sightseeing tour around the town center, including the Neo-Gothic chapel of the Schwarzenberg family and the Regent brewery before embarking on a hike to Kojakovice, an ancient farming village whose surrounding landscapes are untouched by development. Afternoon transfer to Cesky Krumlov, the best-preserved medieval town in the Czech Republic, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Accommodations are at a hotel in the historical center of Cesky Krumlov. (9 miles, 4 hours hiking.)

• Day 7 : Cesky Krumlov

  Today you'll enjoy a sightseeing tour of the town, including a tour of the Krumlov Castle, the second largest castle complex (after Prague) in the Czech Republic. Later, you'll transfer to Zlatá Koruna, home to a Cistercian monastery, and hike over Klet Hill, the highest peak of the Blanský Forest, back to Cesky Krumlov. At the summit is a lookout tower and astronomical observatory where you can enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. (4-5 hours hiking, 5 miles.)

• Day 8 : Cesky Krumlov to Prague - Depart

  Begin to make your way toward Prague, with a stop in the village of Holašovice, a wonderful example of a traditional central European village, and another stop at Ceske Budejovice, Hluboká and/or Tabor (time permitting, depending on your scheduled flights). Arrive in Prague in the afternoon and depart. (Optional afternoon sightseeing in Prague can be arranged.) A transfer to a hotel or the airport is included on this day.

• 

  Hotel Zlaty Andel

  Cesky Krumlov

  The pleasant hotel on the historic town square of the UNESCO town of ?eský Krumlov.

  Since 1991 in the care and ownership of Martin Mendlik from Upper Austria, who rebuilt and modernized the buildings. Three originally Gothic buildings, adjacent and interconnected, still hint of the lifestyle of the Middle Ages without sacrificing comfort for our guests.

  Our team tries to make your stay very comfortable and pleasant because: The satisfaction of our guests is our No. 1 priority.

• 

  Hotel Galant

  Mikoluv
  
• 

  Hotel Celerin

  Telc
  
• 

  Hotel Concertino

  Jindrichuv Hradec

  The CONCERTINO Hotel opened in 1996 in the historic center of Jind?ich?v Hradec, which is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful cities of South Bohemia. The unique complex of the hotel combines Renaissance buildings with the newly built sophisticated accommodation facility.

  City visitors are greeted by architectural jewels originating from as far back as the 13th century. The city’s renovated castle formerly owned by the Lords of Hradec, a wide range of churches and the recently enliven, former extramural settlement and its metropolitan landmark reservation.

• 

  Hotel U Hrabenky

  Telc

  Welcome to the comfortable Hotel U Hrabenky. The hotel, composed in the historical manor style, is situated in a handy location near South Moravian burg Telc, which is registered in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list.

  The hotel originated in complete restoration of a historical baroque house from the half of the 18th century, with classical modifications from the 19th century. Many accurate details were preserved to sketch in authenticity of the building.

  The part of the hotel is themed restaurant U Vévody, which is composed in the aristocratic banqueting hall spirit. Further the conference room for social events with capacity 80 people belongs to the hotel. For sport and relaxation there are two bowling tracks at hotel disposal.

Properties shown are representative of the accommodations we use on this trip, may not be inclusive of all accommodations we use, and are subject to change.

Expert leadership is the key to an exciting, unforgettable experience. Our trips feature gifted leaders for whom leading trips is a true vocation. Besides showing you wonders you’d never find on your own, they make sure everything runs smoothly and safely without a hitch. They are knowledgeable about all aspects of your trip, and take great pleasure in sharing their insights with you. More than just guides, they positively elevate your experience by being teachers, companions, and the best of friends. You’ll be in good hands with them every step of the way.

• Barbora Hammond

  Barbora has been proclaimed as “National Treasure of the Czech Republic” by many who have traveled under her guidance. With years of experience guiding in the Czech Republic, Barbora is a local history enthusiast and loves to pass her expertise on to our guests. She will charm you with the delights of Central Europe.

photo credits: