Visiting the Czech Republic

Cross the border and get past the 1st town of Zelezna Ruda - not recommended and not typical of the Czech Republic - and you are in Bohemia, the Western half of the Czech Republic.

• Take the side roads (we recommend several different routes, or find your own) through the Bohemian Forest and find peaceful countryside, quiet forests, pretty villages and stunning views.
• Czech Republic has the highest density of castles of any country in Europe. We recommend the nearest ones.
• Klatovy and Domazlice are pretty towns within 1 hour's drive.
• Cesky Krumlow is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and picture book pretty with narrow streets wrapped around by the river and dominated by a very unusual castle
• Prachatice is a pretty medieval town, once an important place on the salt route from Bavaria to Bohemia, less well known to tourists
• Visit the home of Pilsener beer - Plzen and do a tour of the brewery
• Visit the old spa towns of Karlovy Vary and Marianske Lazne, where the aristocracy of Europe 'took the waters' in the 19th century
• And visit Prague, of course - 2 hours by car or take the coach trip (unfortunately the train trip takes 4 hours each way)
• Visit the renovated synagogue at Hartmanice and the museum at Kdyne and learn about the history of the border