Southern Bohemia
You will be pleasantly surprised in this land of forest, meadows and lakes to find the highest concentration of old castles and fairytale palaces in the entire Czech Republic. Some of the most loved places include snow-white Hluboká nad Vltavou, red-faced Červená Lhota and sturdy Zvíkov. České Budějovice and Jindřichův Hradec have historical centres which are well worth exploring, and the region's pretty villages are unforgettable places. One of these is Holašovice which, thanks to its Baroque facades, figures in UNESCO's list of World Cultural Heritage Sites.
You can spend a holiday by one of the region's many picturesque lakes, by the huge Orlík reservoir or paddle in hand on a kayaking adventure, negotiating one of the popular rivers - the Vltava, Otava and Lužnice. The Třeboňsko biosphere reserve, the Czech Kanada nature park and the Novohradské Hills are ideal places for romantic walks in the countryside.
Where to from boredom...?
The Chýnov Cave
The first caves to be made accessible to the public in the country were opened just three years after they were discovered – in 1868. They are now a national monument. The original stone steps have been preserved in a layer of marble.
Hluboká Chateau
This neo-Gothic building, which reminds some of a piece of white lace, was inspired by the architecture of the royal castle at Windsor. It’s a hit among tourists as well as fi lmmakers who often use the chateau as the backdrop to fairy stories.
Holašovice
This village features on the UNESCO list thanks to its uniquely preserved farmsteads dating from the 19th century which are built in the so-called ‘rustic Baroque’ style. But this is no open-air museum – most of the houses are still inhabited.
Písek
The oldest surviving bridge in the Czech Republic is nicknamed ‘Deer Bridge’, though its offi cial title is the Stone Bridge. This Gothic structure dating from the 13th century spans the River Otava, and is adorned with copies of original Baroque statues.
Slavonice
A real gem with a well preserved set of Renaissance townhouses of European signifi cance in the historical centre. Beneath some of the buildings extends a complicated network of underground passageways which you can visit.
...and where next...?
Tábor, Orlík …Restaurant
| name: | At the Golden Bull'sHotel [1] |
| place: | Písek |
| meal prices from: | 110 Kč |
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| name: | Budweis Hotel [2] |
| place: | České Budějovice |
| meal prices from: | 100 Kč |
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| name: | Elzet Hotel [3] |
| place: | Tábor |
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| name: | Frank's Court Hotel [4] |
| place: | Jindřichův Hradec |
| meal prices from: | 150 Kč |
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| name: | Frymburk Wellness Hotel [5] |
| place: | Frymburk |
| meal prices from: | 90 Kč |
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| name: | Hotel Biograf [6] |
| place: | Písek |
| meal prices from: | 90 Kč |
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| name: | Hradní Sklípek Restaurant [7] |
| place: | Strakonice |
| meal prices from: | 65 Kč |
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| name: | Hunter's cottage [8] |
| place: | Hluboká nad Vltavou |
| meal prices from: | 105 Kč |
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| name: | Metropol Restaurant [9] |
| place: | České Budějovice |
| meal prices from: | 75 Kč |
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| name: | Potrefená husa [10] |
| place: | České Budějovice |
| meal prices from: | 99 Kč |
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| name: | Švamberský House Hotel and Restaurant [11] |
| place: | Český Krumlov |
| meal prices from: | 80 Kč |
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| name: | Švejk Restaurant Czech Krumlov [12] |
| place: | Český Krumlov |
| meal prices from: | 86 Kč |
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| name: | Švejk Restaurant Hluboká nad Vltavou [13] |
| place: | Hluboká nad Vltavou |
| meal prices from: | 88 Kč |
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