My wife and I are going on the Eastern Europe tour in April. The tour starts with two nights in Prague. We are arriving two days prior to the start of the tour. Would it be worthwhile to do a day trip to Cesky Krumlov one of the days prior to the start of the tour? Any recommendations on tour companies to book a day trip with?
Posted by
Citizen of the World
1439 posts
Cesky Krumlov is about 2.5 hours by direct train or 2.75 hours by bus each way. While it is a beautiful town, the amount of time required to get there from Prague is why I overnighted there.
By overnighting, you could add Cesky Budojovice— the town where the original Budvar ( “Budweiser”) Pilsner was brewed. Cesky Budojovice is about 30 minutes by bus from Cesky Krumlov and buses between Cesky Krumlov and Prague stop there.
Posted by
Duluth 🛶
6406 posts
I agree that it would be easier to spend the night in Cesky Krumlov. It is definitely worth it--it's a beautiful town and especially lovely in the evening. When I was where in 2010, my friend and I walked up the hill to the castle in the evening. We wandered through the stone corridors of the castle courtyards (the place is gigantic–second only to Prague Castle in size) and looked out through openings in the stone walls at the village below. The castle tower is a beautiful work of art, with rich colors and detailed illustrations, and as we walked under the tower and through the high arched hallways, we could almost feel like we had stepped back in time. You won't get that experience on a day trip.
Posted by
Massachusetts, USA
1613 posts
I agree with Mardee and Kenko about staying overnight in Cesky Krumlov. In fact, we spent 2 nights there because we arrived late in the day on our first day because we stopped at a castle en route from Prague to CK. CK is beautiful at night with the castle illuminated. It is a very different experience than visiting only for a day. And you will spend a lot of time in transit. Are your airline reservations made? Could you arrive 3 or 4 days prior to the start of the tour?
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thank you for the input. We already have our plane tickets. It sounds like we would be better spending the time exploring more of Prague or taking a shorter day trip to another site. We can put off CK for a potential future trip to that area of Europe.
Posted by
Massachusetts, USA
1613 posts
A perfect daytrip from Prague is Kutna Hora, where the "bone church" (official name is Sedlec Ossuary) is located. There is also the grand St. Barbara Cathedral. And I think you can have a tour of a silver mine.
Posted by
Indiana
812 posts
We found CK underwhelming to say the least. My recommendation is to spend your extra days in Prague. If you are interested in WWII history you could take a day trip to Terezin.
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
17998 posts
Everyone I'm enjoying different things. Personally 3 very slow days or 2 intense days is all of Prague that I would want for a life time. Although I have returned a few tines to demonstrate to friends and relatives, that i was correct. Cesky Krumlov would be a dream come true if not for the hoards of tourists. Almost as bad as Prague.
But love Prague and Cesky Krumlov. Both were worth my effort and patience.