Sightseeing     Exploring the region

They don't just put castles anywhere! While it may be hard to tear yourself away from the creature comforts of our castle, there is a lot to see and do in the area. We can recommend and organise tours for you or your group. Typical tours departing from the chateau include: Transfers (private car or minibus) Guide Entrance charges and for day-long tours, we include lunch

Suggested half-day tours

A. Přerov nad Labem and Botanicus

The region has been famous from medieval times for its crafts and local industry. This tour takes in two fascinating regional cultural centres

• The Open Air museum at Přerov nad Labem. Opening time 0900 - 1700 from May to October, closed Mondays. The open-air museum was established in 1967. The "traditional Czech cottage“ at its center (pictured above) used to be an ethnography museum at the end of the 19th century. Currently, there are 32 buildings in the museum, mostly transferred from the Central Labe River region. The interiors show the life of villagers from the end of the 18th to the mid-20th century. More info...
• Botanicus in the village of Ostrá. Opening time 1000-1600 from April 24 to September 25 every day, except Monday. Village of arts and craft where you can see craftsmen and women like blacksmiths, candle-makers, stonemasons, potters, rope-makers, and weavers at work. You can buy their products at the Medieval Market. We also visit their famous herb gardens and natural products shop. More info...

B. Castle Hrádek u Nechanic

The fairy-tale state Castle Hrádek u Nechanic is the oldest and the most remarkable building of the Romantic period in Bohemia. The castle represents the well known example of the romantic architecture inspired by the Tudor Gothic style. It was built between years 1839 – 1857 for František Arnošt the count of Harrach by Karl Fischer a builder from Vienna, modelled on Crewe Hall castle in Cheshire County England, and contains valuable furniture and priceless works of art from the whole Europe and from various periods. Open April - December. More info...

C. National Stables in Kladruby nad Labem

Opening from April to October. The stables at Kladruby were established in 1579 by Emperor Rudolf II. You don't need to be a horse lover to be enchanted by the grace and beauty of the stables and museum, and if you are a horse lover, you will be in heaven. The most famous breed is the noble Kladruby white horses, dating from the first half of the 19th century. The grounds feature vast pastures and old tree-lined alleys which will leave a deep and lasting impression on you. More info...

D. Jabkenice – Smetana Lodge and Jabkenice game preserve

Opening time of Smetana Lodge from April to September every day, except Monday. Perhaps the most famous Czech composer Bedřich Smetana spent the end of his life in Jabkenice. At the gamekeeper's lodge where he lived you can visit an exposition dedicated to his life and work, including authentic restored interiors of his study and family salon. Jabkenice game preserve lies 1 km east of the village and was established in 1750 by the Fürstenberk family to rear animals from the wild and from foreign lands. It can only be reached by its own dedicated road. Smetana used to love walking around the preserve, and it supposedly inspired him to write the operas “Hubička” and “Tajemství”. Our tour follows his very footsteps to the spot by the lake (now with gazebo) where he is said to have had his greatest inspirations.

Suggested all-day tours

E. Prague

Prague is of course a city that cannot be ignored. A UNESCO world heritage site, the 'golden city' of Prague has emerged from the tumultuous centuries of her existence to be one of the jewels of Europe. Now also one of the most visited cities in Europe (and indeed the world) it can be a bit overwhelming.

Our private tour takes you on the 'insiders' tour of Prague - with the guidance that only a local can provide. We will customise your tour to your tastes and times; point out the best shopping, and enjoy a great lunch, either at a traditional non-touristy Czech "hospoda" (pub) or one of the top understated restaurants that the discerning Praguers frequent.

F. Kutná Hora and Kačina chateau

This tour will take you to one of the real treasures of the Czech republic, the town of Kutná Hora and the neighboring Kačina chateau.

Kutná Hora is a very old town, the foundation of which goes back to the 13th century. It developed gradually from a mining settlement. At the end of the 13th century it became one of the liveliest towns in the country, and silver mining and minting coins became increasingly important activities here. The resultant prosperity led to Kutná Hora becoming the second most important and second biggest town in the kingdom after Prague. The historical centre of the town together with St. Barbara’s and the Church of the Assumption were put on the UNESCO Heritage list in the year 1995.

There are many sights in the city, including the gothic St. Barbara’s Cathedral; the Italian Court (former royal mint); the baroque Church of St. John of Nepomuk; and the 15th c unfinished gothic Corpus Christi Chapel. One of the most bizarre sights is the rather macabre Ossuary - the cemetery chapel from late 14th century, which features a room decorated entirely in human bones. And for those not claustrophobic, a visit down ito the medieval silver mines is a fascinating must. More info...

Kačina chateau Opening time (from April to October, from November to March – only groups) The Kačina chateau built in 1820-22 is one of the most important examples of Imperial Style architecture in Bohemia. Currently, it houses the National Agricultural Museum. More...

G. Prachovské Rocks and sightseeing flight

A spectacular day out starting with a birds-eye view of the 'Bohemian Paradise' then back to earth as we walk through one of the geologically most important areas of central Europe.

The sightseeing flights from the Aeroklub Jičín feature light planes (4 passenger) and fly from March to the end of November. We spend about 20 minutes fling over the aptly-named Český Ráj (Czech Paradise) taking in the town of Jičín, Prachovské rocks, ruin of Trosky, Hrubá Skála rocks, the castles Valdštejn, Kost and Humprecht and the town of Sobotka.

Once we return to the ground and you have caught your breath we make our way to the Prachovské rocks (open from April to September).

The nature reserve "Prachovske rocks“ is one of the most well-known areas in the Czech Republic. The geology of Prachovske rocks is quite diverse – the beginnings of the sandstone rock massifs date back to the Mesozoic era when the area was flooded by the sea. Mighty tectonic forces raised up the entire area many millions of years later, the sea retreated and the bottom of the sea divided into separate plateaus which gave rise to today’s gems of Cesky raj – Suche rocks, Prachovske rocks, Hruba Skala rocks and others. Through gradual erosion, characteristic and world-unique rock cities were created, with their high rock towers and deep gorges. The Tertiary volcanic activity completed the formation of the landscape and resulted in the remnants of basalt volcanoes – the hills of Velis, Zebin, Trosky, Vysker and others which today are prominent landmarks of Cesky raj.

Depending on your abilities and ambitions we can take the shorter 'highlights' route or the more strenuous route up to about 7 spectacular vantage points. More info...