DAY 1

Upon meeting in Vienna, you drive north through the rolling Austrian and Czech countryside to your first destination—a micro-region known as Czech Canada due to its resemblance to Northern Ontario. You walk in a landscape of dense woods and numerous ponds, while learning about the ecological significance of this nature reserve (one of the most important forestry gene pools in the Czech Republic). You stop on the way to explore a unique open-air museum. The path finally leads to the pretty triangular-shaped square of Slavonice, sometimes also referred to as “small Telč.”

Late in the afternoon you reach the small Renaissance town of Telč, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its cultural and historical importance. After settling in to your recently renovated hotel, you reunite for a short transfer to dinner in the nearby village of Krahulčí. where a family-style meal awaits, including such Czech staples as traditional homemade dumplings and sauerkraut.
Hotel Anton, Telc

DAY 2

Awakening in your quiet hotel, the day begins after breakfast, with a walking exploration of the picturesque landscape surrounding Telč. The Czech-Moravian Highlands is an area of quiet meadows replete with wildflowers, fish ponds, and verdant forests. Walk options abound, and one might start at the beautiful ruins of Roštejn, an old hunting lodge once used by nobility, and take you through rolling hills that are so representative of the Czech topography, before returning to Telč by midday.

This afternoon, you tour the well-preserved Telč Castle, displaying both Gothic and Renaissance influences. The rest of the day is yours to design, and you may join your guide(s) for an additional countryside walk. There is also the option to relax, or peruse the local galleries and watch artisans at work. Your second evening in the heart of the Czech countryside is quite festive and introduces you to the singing and dancing traditions of the local area.
Hotel Anton, Telc

DAY 3

Today we bid farewell to Telč and drive less than half an hour before reaching the town of Jindrichuv Hradec. An interesting feature is the local railways operating since 1897, and the only working narrow-gauge railway in the country. You follow a route in perfect harmony with the landscape and admire a backdrop of wooded hills, pastures dotted with grazing horses and sheep, shimmering ponds, as well as six picturesque rural villages that seem frozen in time.

You arrive in the town of Tábor in the late afternoon and are introduced to your home for the next two nights—a boutique hotel renovated with care, featuring elegant touches such as original oil and acrylic paintings, hand-blown glass lampshades, silk cushions, and mosaic-framed mirrors.
Hotel Nautilus, Tábor

DAY 4

This morning, after breakfast, you explore the town of Tábor and the surrounding countryside, which offers several walking options of various lengths. Departing on foot from the hotel, you first take a tour of the historical town center, and then set off into the fields and forests. One stop, the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Klokoty Monastery, is on a pilgrimage route. The baroque complex with numerous spires dates from the early 17th century. The trail continues through the scenic Lužnice River Valley and you stop at a shaded location for a picnic lunch, perhaps enjoying a view of historic Tábor. The path continues to undulate through the rural landscape and you lose track of time as you listen to the countless stories told by your guide(s).

There is time to relax or walk the well-preserved historic town square before dinner at a restaurant famed for its fresh, local fish.
Hotel Nautilus, Tábor

DAY 5

After breakfast you transfer about one hour south of Tábor to the area north of České Budějovice for the day’s walk. The route takes you through rolling hills with only gentle ascents and descents, and countless villages featuring the best-preserved “peasant baroque” houses in the country—dating from the time when the farmers and merchants copied the architectural style of the wealthy nobility. On the quiet streets of these working communities, you encounter the descendants of several generations of farmers who might share their wisdom and perhaps a handful of fruit just picked from the nearby orchards. Once again, your guides offer flexible options to satisfy those interested in shorter and longer walks.

On your way to Český Krumlov, you stop to learn about Czech brewing traditions at a very popular brewery. Of course there is time to sample a few of its products after the visit. Upon reaching Český Krumlov, it is immediately apparent why the town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built on and around a tight bend of the Moldau River—the Vltava in Czech—Český Krumlov is a showcase of Gothic, Renaissance, and baroque architecture; all of its buildings, monuments, and town squares are remarkably unchanged since the 18th century.

You settle into your hotel before making your way to a nearby restaurant where the menu may feature a delicious loin of pork roasted over an indoor barbecue with grilled corn and other garden fresh vegetables.
Hotel Gold, Ceský Krumlov

DAY 6

This morning, you wake up as if in a fairy tale, and immediately understand why the town has been chosen as the location for numerous films. Following breakfast, your guide(s) offer an introductory walk through this magical town and are happy to point out the locals’ favorite restaurants and cafés for your independent lunch and dinner. You then depart for a walk in the countryside surrounding Český Krumlov. In the Blanský Les (literally the Blansky forest) protected area, a network of trails passes through a variety of natural habitats and a mixed coniferous-deciduous forest of pine, oak, beech, and ash. A break in the trees opens up every now and then to provide a glimpse of the open countryside.

You are back in the center of Český Krumlov early afternoon, and the rest of the day, including lunch and dinner, is yours to enjoy at your own pace. You may continue your exploration of the castle, or browse the inviting craft shops and narrow cobblestone streets of Český Krumlov.
Hotel Gold, Ceský Krumlov

DAY 7

This morning you leave Tábor and South Bohemia for the approximate 1½-hour drive north to Prague through the farmland and villages of the Czech countryside. The capital appears like a vision from a distant century as you approach. You disembark your coach for a captivating tour which is a perfect introduction to this World Heritage city protected by UNESCO. You begin at Prague Castle, where government officials still conduct their business, and known as the “city within a city.” Along the way, you admire the 14th-century gargoyles and unique glass mosaics of St. Vitus Cathedral.

Before continuing your exploration of the city, you fortify yourself with lunch, perhaps a fresh salad and a delicious strudel with vanilla ice cream. Instead of making your way downtown to the most popular sites, you follow a peaceful path through parks and gardens adorned with flowers, both cultivated and wild. Perched on “castle hill,” you remain sheltered from the bustle of the center and it soon becomes very clear why Prague is known as “the city of a thousand spires,” with steeples, onion domes, and intricate roof lines dotting the skyline. The walk concludes at the doorstep of your hotel, conveniently located only a few minutes from the 15th-century astronomical clock, Prague’s most treasured attraction. The hotel’s chic design, local art displays, and inner courtyard immediately offer a peaceful retreat from the buzzing neighborhood. There is time to refresh before taking another short stroll with your guides(s), this time in the direction of Wenceslas Square, where the Czech “Velvet Revolution” started.

Your Czech adventure draws to a close this evening at an elegant restaurant overlooking this art-loving city. You recall the week’s highlights as you enjoy a celebratory dinner and one last toast of Moravian wine or the finest Czech beer.
Hotel Leonardo, Prague

DAY 8

The tour ends in Prague. After breakfast, you are free to continue your exploration of this historically fascinating city, or depart at your leisure for your next destination.

Itinerary Changes

Please bear in mind that this is a typical itinerary, and the actual activities, sites, and accommodations may vary due to season, special events, weather, or transportation schedules. We reserve the right to alter the itinerary since tour arrangements are made up to a year in advance, and unforeseen circumstances that mandate change may arise. Itinerary changes are made to improve the tour and your experience.

DAY 1

Upon meeting in Vienna, you drive north through the rolling Austrian and Czech countryside to your first destination—a micro-region known as Czech Canada due to its resemblance to Northern Ontario. You walk in a landscape of dense woods and numerous ponds, while learning about the ecological significance of this nature reserve (one of the most important forestry gene pools in the Czech Republic). You stop on the way to explore a unique open-air museum. The path finally leads to the pretty triangular-shaped square of Slavonice, sometimes also referred to as “small Telč.”

Late in the afternoon you reach the small Renaissance town of Telč, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its cultural and historical importance. After settling in to your recently renovated hotel, you reunite for a short transfer to dinner in the nearby village of Krahulčí. where a family-style meal awaits, including such Czech staples as traditional homemade dumplings and sauerkraut.
Hotel Anton, Telc

DAY 2

Awakening in your quiet hotel, the day begins after breakfast, with a walking exploration of the picturesque landscape surrounding Telč. The Czech-Moravian Highlands is an area of quiet meadows replete with wildflowers, fish ponds, and verdant forests. Walk options abound, and one might start at the beautiful ruins of Roštejn, an old hunting lodge once used by nobility, and take you through rolling hills that are so representative of the Czech topography, before returning to Telč by midday.

This afternoon, you tour the well-preserved Telč Castle, displaying both Gothic and Renaissance influences. The rest of the day is yours to design, and you may join your guide(s) for an additional countryside walk. There is also the option to relax, or peruse the local galleries and watch artisans at work. Your second evening in the heart of the Czech countryside is quite festive and introduces you to the singing and dancing traditions of the local area.
Hotel Anton, Telc

DAY 3

Today we bid farewell to Telč and drive less than half an hour before reaching the town of Jindrichuv Hradec. An interesting feature is the local railways operating since 1897, and the only working narrow-gauge railway in the country. You follow a route in perfect harmony with the landscape and admire a backdrop of wooded hills, pastures dotted with grazing horses and sheep, shimmering ponds, as well as six picturesque rural villages that seem frozen in time.

You arrive in the town of Tábor in the late afternoon and are introduced to your home for the next two nights—a boutique hotel renovated with care, featuring elegant touches such as original oil and acrylic paintings, hand-blown glass lampshades, silk cushions, and mosaic-framed mirrors.
Hotel Nautilus, Tábor

DAY 4

This morning, after breakfast, you explore the town of Tábor and the surrounding countryside, which offers several walking options of various lengths. Departing on foot from the hotel, you first take a tour of the historical town center, and then set off into the fields and forests. One stop, the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Klokoty Monastery, is on a pilgrimage route. The baroque complex with numerous spires dates from the early 17th century. The trail continues through the scenic Lužnice River Valley and you stop at a shaded location for a picnic lunch, perhaps enjoying a view of historic Tábor. The path continues to undulate through the rural landscape and you lose track of time as you listen to the countless stories told by your guide(s).

There is time to relax or walk the well-preserved historic town square before dinner at a restaurant famed for its fresh, local fish.
Hotel Nautilus, Tábor

DAY 5

After breakfast you transfer about one hour south of Tábor to the area north of České Budějovice for the day’s walk. The route takes you through rolling hills with only gentle ascents and descents, and countless villages featuring the best-preserved “peasant baroque” houses in the country—dating from the time when the farmers and merchants copied the architectural style of the wealthy nobility. On the quiet streets of these working communities, you encounter the descendants of several generations of farmers who might share their wisdom and perhaps a handful of fruit just picked from the nearby orchards. Once again, your guides offer flexible options to satisfy those interested in shorter and longer walks.

On your way to Český Krumlov, you stop to learn about Czech brewing traditions at a very popular brewery. Of course there is time to sample a few of its products after the visit. Upon reaching Český Krumlov, it is immediately apparent why the town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built on and around a tight bend of the Moldau River—the Vltava in Czech—Český Krumlov is a showcase of Gothic, Renaissance, and baroque architecture; all of its buildings, monuments, and town squares are remarkably unchanged since the 18th century.

You settle into your hotel before making your way to a nearby restaurant where the menu may feature a delicious loin of pork roasted over an indoor barbecue with grilled corn and other garden fresh vegetables.
Hotel Dvorak, Ceský Krumlov

DAY 6

This morning, you wake up as if in a fairy tale, and immediately understand why the town has been chosen as the location for numerous films. Following breakfast, your guide(s) offer an introductory walk through this magical town and are happy to point out the locals’ favorite restaurants and cafés for your independent lunch and dinner. You then depart for a walk in the countryside surrounding Český Krumlov. In the Blanský Les (literally the Blansky forest) protected area, a network of trails passes through a variety of natural habitats and a mixed coniferous-deciduous forest of pine, oak, beech, and ash. A break in the trees opens up every now and then to provide a glimpse of the open countryside.

You are back in the center of Český Krumlov early afternoon, and the rest of the day, including lunch and dinner, is yours to enjoy at your own pace. You may continue your exploration of the castle, or browse the inviting craft shops and narrow cobblestone streets of Český Krumlov.
Hotel Dvorak, Ceský Krumlov

DAY 7

This morning you leave Tábor and South Bohemia for the approximate 1½-hour drive north to Prague through the farmland and villages of the Czech countryside. The capital appears like a vision from a distant century as you approach. You disembark your coach for a captivating tour which is a perfect introduction to this World Heritage city protected by UNESCO. You begin at Prague Castle, where government officials still conduct their business, and known as the “city within a city.” Along the way, you admire the 14th-century gargoyles and unique glass mosaics of St. Vitus Cathedral.

Before continuing your exploration of the city, you fortify yourself with lunch, perhaps a fresh salad and a delicious strudel with vanilla ice cream. Instead of making your way downtown to the most popular sites, you follow a peaceful path through parks and gardens adorned with flowers, both cultivated and wild. Perched on “castle hill,” you remain sheltered from the bustle of the center and it soon becomes very clear why Prague is known as “the city of a thousand spires,” with steeples, onion domes, and intricate roof lines dotting the skyline. The walk concludes at the doorstep of your hotel, conveniently located only a few minutes from the 15th-century astronomical clock, Prague’s most treasured attraction. The hotel’s chic design, local art displays, and inner courtyard immediately offer a peaceful retreat from the buzzing neighborhood. There is time to refresh before taking another short stroll with your guides(s), this time in the direction of Wenceslas Square, where the Czech “Velvet Revolution” started.

Your Czech adventure draws to a close this evening at an elegant restaurant overlooking this art-loving city. You recall the week’s highlights as you enjoy a celebratory dinner and one last toast of Moravian wine or the finest Czech beer.
Hotel Leonardo, Prague

DAY 8

The tour ends in Prague. After breakfast, you are free to continue your exploration of this historically fascinating city, or depart at your leisure for your next destination.

Itinerary Changes

Please bear in mind that this is a typical itinerary, and the actual activities, sites, and accommodations may vary due to season, special events, weather, or transportation schedules. We reserve the right to alter the itinerary since tour arrangements are made up to a year in advance, and unforeseen circumstances that mandate change may arise. Itinerary changes are made to improve the tour and your experience.

Nights 1 & 2

Hotel Anton
Telc, Czech Republic

Originally a cooperative distillery, the hotel has been recently renovated and offers four-star accommodations. It lies in a peaceful setting only a few steps from the historic town square.

Nights 3 & 4

Hotel Nautilus
Tábor, Czech Republic

An elegant boutique hotel uniquely decorated with original artwork, antique furniture, and natural elements. A stylish restaurant showcases sculptures from local artists and tall windows offer views of the historic town square.

Nights 5 & 6

Hotel Gold
Ceský Krumlov, Czech Republic

A small hotel with 27 spacious rooms located in a quiet neighborhood of Cesky Krumlov, overlooking the river, and within short walking distance of the town center.

Night 7

Hotel Leonardo
Prague, Czech Republic

This hotel consists of three ancient mansions renovated into an elegant boutique hotel and is located in Prague’s historic center, just steps away from the Charles Bridge.

Please note that this is a sample hotel itinerary for this tour. While these exact hotels are featured on most departures, we occasionally reserve other hotels of similar style and quality. If you are currently booked on a Country Walkers adventure, a hotel itinerary has been sent to you for your exact departure date. Please call Country Walkers at 800.464.9255 if you have any questions about the exact hotels selected for any of our tours.

Marie Kadlckova Janouchová

Born in a small traditional Moravian village, Marie studied at the Austerlitz College for Tourism and Travel in Brno. She honed her English skills as an au-pair in England and her German at Klagenfurter University in Austria. She brings a great knowledge of agriculture, ornithology and landscape architecture to her trips as well as a passion for Moravian folklore, song and dance.

René Janouch

Born in Slovakia, René Janouch studied at Charles University in Prague, where he received a Masters in teaching Physical Education and Athletics. When not guiding, he works for the Czech Paralympic Team. He has backpacked around the globe, and has been leading photography, ornithology, and walking tours for more 20 years.

Frantisek Drahos

František Drahoš (Fero) studied English and German languages and literature at Masaryk University in Brno. He now lives in Banská Bystrica, in the heart of Slovakia. In addition to guiding, Fero enjoys a variety of physical activities and plays the guitar.