Sight-seeing Suggestions
Cesky Krumlov / Krumau abt. 30 Km: A UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site, this old town, located in the upper region of the River Moldau, offers extensive cultural programs with concerts and theater performances in the castle, which proudly straddles the hillside high above the houses. During the summer operas are performed in the park surrounding the castle. The castle and its environment are impressive in size and in the details of its different sections. The old town below, with its narrow streets and alley ways, is extremely picturesque. The river traverses the old part of the town following a horseshoe pattern which adds to the unique character of the place. There are numerous sight seeing possibilities and opportunities for explorations, among them the Schiele Museum with its adjacent gallery showing modern art. There are many other galleries and art studios located in the town, as well as a large variety of gastronomical attractions, restaurants, cafés, bistros, bars and lounges. The Moldau offers opportunities for watersport and related activities. Numerous rental places for canoes and rafting equipment are found along the river, as well as sites for fishing, casting and fly fishing. Another attractive activity is bike-riding along the River Moldau, allowing also excursions far beyond Krumlov into the Boehmian Forest (Sumava).
Zlata Koruna / Goldenkron (abt, 35 Km - 22 miles): Zlata Koruna is one of the largest monastries in the Czech Republic. It is located on the Moldau River, a short distance below Krumlov. The order of Zisterziensians founded the monastry in 1263. Its spiritual, structural and economic achievements developed continuously until Emperor Joseph II closed the monastry in 1785. The monastry with its surrounding gardens is open to the public. Guided tours are offered and beautiful concerts can be enjoyed at various times in the church and halls of the monastry. Here, too, canoe tours can be undertaken and there are opportunities for fishing in the river.
Divci Kamen/ Maidenstein (abt. 28 Km - 18 miles): Very romantic setting. Here are found the ruins of a former fortress high above the Moldau. Access presents some difficulties.
Ceské Budêjovice/ Budweis (abt. 40 km – 25 miles): The provincial capital and economic center of Southern Bohemia was founded in 1265. A one-time royal residential seat, the city lies at the point where the River Malse meets the Moldau. A fire completely destroyed the city in1641. The place was gradually restored as the gains made from silver mining, beer brewing and salt trade brought wealth to an increasingly attractive urban settlement. A statue of Otakara II dominates the huge square in the center of the city, surrounded by an unusually attractive set of baroque and renaissance buildings. Arcades offering protection from wind and rain run along the square and extend down the adjacent alleys. They date back to the 18th century. A visit might include the baroque City Hall, the one-time Dominican monastry and the interesting Southern Bohemia Museum. There are attractive churches and impressive residential homes, as well as the well known Budweis Brewery. The city offers excellent and diverse gastronomical attractions as well as many opportunities for shopping in small local establishments as well as in the new and extensive shopping centers at the outskirts. Many of these are open seven days a week, some stay open 24 hours.
Hluboka / Frauenberg (abt. 35 km – 22 miles):A
former Schwarzenberg Family residence built in Tudor style. There is
a park with greenhouse for a variety of palm trees, Visitors can enjoy
guided tours. Visitors will find many restaurants and galleries. Watersport
takes place on several small lakes and on the Moldau. There is also a
small zoo. A starting point for many bike tours.
Suggestions for an Active Vacation
A nearby tennis court is available for a small fee. Immediately around your vacation residence and in the surrounding region of about 50 km there are many opportunities for activities which involve exercise such as jogging, hiking, biking and others. The Boehmerwald offers numerous possibilities for hikes, such as the exploration of areas and trails traversed by the poet Adalbert Stifter. Bike tours, easy and medium in challenges, are possible along the upper Moldau River to the Moldau Reservoir, along the Schwarzenberg canal, formerly used to float tree trunks down-hill, or around the Bohemian lake area around Trebon. There are possibilities of scenically highly attractive canoe tours on the upper Moldau River from the Reservoir, or further down from Vyssi Brod, passing Rosenberg, Krumlov, all the way down to just outside Ceské Budêjovice/ Budweis. Cross-Country runners will find good facilities near Vimperk and Nova Pec, the location of a Center for Cross-Country runners.
Four 18-hole golf course with some challenges for players within a radius of 40 km; Go- carts can be found in that area, there is sailing and surfing at the reservoir lake around the Horni Plana. A pleasant new swimmingpool is located in Prachatice, about 16 km – 10 miles from the vacation home. In the general area beyond the vacation home there are many attractive sites for sunbathing and swimming at a number of pleasant lakes.
Late summer and fall is the season for edible mushrooms, excellent mushroom grounds are found near the vacation home and beyond. Knowledge about edible and poisonous mushrooms is essential. There are many excellent spots for fishing all around in rivers, lakes and ponds. A temporary license for fishing is required and can be obtained at a nearby office.
During the winter guests will find in the vicinity (abt.
30 km – 20
miles) several locations for light skiing with lifts, some lit at night
by floodlights. The Austrian ski area of Hochficht with 25 km of ski
runs can be reached by car within one hour; it is located near the Czech-Austrian
border at Nova Pec. Another area for comfortable skiing, with 6 ski lifts,
is located about 30 km – 18 miles) away near the Bavarian village
Mittersdorf-Philippsreut.
Our guests will find detailed information about these and other desirable
vacation activities as well as maps in the Vacation Home.