Cesky Krumlov
Its unspoilt medieval/renaissance town centre is so spectacular that a tourist guide once had to explain to a visiting group that no, it is not a collection of theatrical Disney like flats that gets packed away for the Winter!
The second largest castle complex in the Czech Republic towers most impressively above the town and its river. The complex consists of a Chateau with a unique tower, with renaissance details and tromp l'oeil facades, and the older Castle which dates back to mediaeval times – our British friends have christened it 'Ghormenghast 2'. The Castle gardens are a large park with formal and informal landscaping and a lake. Very special feature of the Castle are two unique theatres: a Baroque theatre with original interior and scenery, and an open-air theatre with a revolving auditorium set in the Castle gardens.
100s of restaurants and cafes are strewn all over the town, catering for all tastes. As the climate tends to be warm from May to October, and very hot in the Summer, most cafe life and eating takes place outdoors, by the river or at the street-side tables.Click here for our recommendations
A large cultural programme throughout the year – Cesky Krumlov is renowned for its number of festivals: a major Music festival in the Summer, and various other high-quality festivals for classical music, jazz, folk, etc. There are large rock concerts at the Town's Brewery gardens and a fabulous season of open-air performances at the Castle's open-air theatre. The town also hosts several special celebrations – the Festival of the Rose, remembering the castle's founding Rozmberk family, St Wenceslas festival, and many others – all of which turn the town into a big stage, with markets, pig roasting, fancy dress, parades, dancing, jousting etc. etc.
Set in beautiful countryside ( Blansky Les Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) Cesky krumlov is surrounded by forested hills and rolling farmland, much of it protected. You don't have to go far to enjoy walks, cycling or riding, or you can take rafting trips down the Vltava river.
Close to the Sumava National Park – a mountainous region with old forests, peat bogs and high-altitude lakes, ideal for walking and cycling holidays. Sumava is a large region, and although many tourists go there, it is very unspoilt and you can walk for a day without meeting a soul.
Close to Lipno - at Lake Lipno there are marinas offering sailing, canoeing, wind-surfing and other water sports, and at Lipno is the Kramolin ski resort.