Day Trips

The capital city at the Heart of Europe also lies at the heart of Bohemia, one of the regions of the Czech Republic known for outstanding tourist attractions:

SPA TOWNS:

Frantiskovy Lazne
Famous for its Empire style buildings and charming classicist facades, this notable spa town has a historical town reserve and a large natural spring at it's center which contributed to its reputation as the source of "water cures" for almost all of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in the 18th century.

Karlovy Vary
Bohemia's most prestigious and largest Czech spa with more than 60 hot springs, 12 of which are used for medical purposes was founded by Charles IV in the 14th century and is renown for its cultural history-- synonymous with such famous visitors as J.S. Bach, J.W. Goethe, L. van Beethoven, W. A. Mozart, F. Schiller and others-- splendid architecture, marble colonnades through which the spa guests stroll, the sweet smell of spa wafers and the home of Becherovka, the distinctive Czech herbal liqueur, as well as Moser, the glass maker to kings and dignitaries.

Marianske Lazne
This beautiful spa town known for its 40 cold springs and enchanting town center is dominated by a cast iron colonnade from 1889 which clients can stroll along while delighting in the sounds of the famous "singing fountain".

CASTLES:

Karlstejn
This Gothic castle, dating from the 14th century was founded by the same Emperor Karel IV that founded Charles Bridge and Charles University. Originally a repository of imperial crown jewels and sacred remains, it includes historic interiors of the Emperor's Palace, the Marianska Tower as well as the Well Tower

Konopiste
Renovated in the romantic style for Archduke Frantisek Ferdinand d´Este, it includes a rose garden, a large English park, luxurious lounges and chateau collections (such as an armoury, a library, a chapel and others), private rooms of F. F. d´Este, a picture gallery and a shooting gallery.

Orlik
One of the most distinguished South Bohemian castles, dating from the 13th century, is now a pseudo-Gothic style chateaux and the family seat of Prince Karel Schwarzenberg, which houses historic interiors containing valuable period equipment and family art collections, which are located in two stories of the chateau area, the Knights Hall, empire lounges, libraries, the Gun Corridor, the Hunting Hall, a chapel and other rooms. The Family Museum was established in honour of Karel I. (Charles I.) Schwarzenberg and of the Napoleon´s wars. The area includes an English park.

PLZEN:

In a pilgrimage to the birth of all pilsner beers: the centre of Plzeň, discover the story of beer, from its ancient beginnings to its recent history in the Pilsner Urquell Brewery as well as have a chance to visit the brewery that has been producing Pilsner Urquell beer since 1842, where you'll be introduced to the history of this outstanding beer and learn the secret of the brewing process in the labyrinth of larger cellars leading for your inspection to a workshop of the brewery coopers.