Trips

The fortress of Josefov

Jaroměř - tour of large underground spaces of the unique late baroque fortress from the years 1780 - 1787 and the military town Josefov found by the emperor Josef II.
Opening hours: May - September, every day excepting Monday 9 - 12 a.m., 1 - 5 p.m., preliminary admission fee: full 40 CZK, reduced 20 CZK
www.jaromer-josefov.cz

Railroad museum

Jaroměř - More than one-hundred-year-old round-house of the initial steam engine house. Among the exhibits you can find a unique rack engine from 1901 from the railroad Tanvald - Kořenov, an accumulator locomotive Ringhoffer from 1916, a track inspection railcar TATRA, railroad freight and passenger wagons, and others.
Opening hours: May - September, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., preliminary admission fee: full 40 CZK, reduced 20 CZK,
www.spolecnost-zeleznicni.cz, phone: 972 343 192.

ZOO in Dvůr Králové

The ZOO is situated on the foothills of the highest Czech mountains - the Krkonoše, in a valley of the stream Netřeba. In this natural scenery there were created expositions that preserve the natural conditions of the kept animals. Huge herds of our hoofed mammals live in a spacious paddock and there is only a sunken fence separating them from the visitors' footpaths. Predatory animals and primates are separated from visitors by security glass, which allows an immediate contact with animals. Recently we have built or innovated big tropical pavilions that are favourite places all year round. During the summer season there are a number of events for the public such as birthday celebrations, children's days and other events, which are very attractive for visitors. The Safari is situated on 27 hectares and visitors can ride in special SAFARIBUSES in 3 separated "paddocks" among 130 hoofed mammals and 60 birds which in April are moved here from their winter grounds, to which they return again in October. The biggest attraction are the zebras, Livingstone's elands (the weight of male could be up to 1 ton), groups of lechwes and gnus, but also a primitive native horned cattle watusi with great horns 110 cm up to 230 cm. On the ponds there are especially attractive pelicans, geese and cormorants, and the natural atmosphere is embellished by silhouettes of tens of grey herons that occasionally nest and also pass the winter in the Safari. The natural scene is enhanced by the stream Netřeba, where, in its tributaries, there is also a pearl of the "Czech bird world" common kingfisher nesting there. During the day visitors can ride in the safari over and over again. The comments are provided by trained drivers.
Opening hours: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.,
www.zoodk.cz, phone: 499 329 511.

Kuks and the Braun's "Betlém" (Nativity Scene)

Dvůr Králové nad Labem - Only 6 km from Dvůr Králové there is a beautiful baroque monument built by Count Sporck in 1694 - 1724. The most interesting thing is a gallery of twelve Morality sculptures and twelve Dissoluteness sculptures, which were all, except one, created by the famous sculptor M. Braun. About 3 km west of Kuks there is an extraordinary gallery of sculptures hiding in trees. These sculptures are cut directly into living rock and the gallery is called Betlém (Nativity Scene). This unique scenery was also made by M. Braun together with members of his workshop in 1726 - 1733.
Opening hours: Tuesday - Sunday from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., preliminary admission fee: full 50 CZK, reduced 25 CZK.
www.npu.cz

Les Království Dam

Unique technical monument from 1910 - 1919, one of the most beautiful water-dam on the river Labe.
www.dvurkralove.cz

Miletín

A little town situated in the Miletín valley, northeast of Hořice. The baroque castle was reconstructed in 1609 after fire and modified in the style of the Empire in 1847. The prince Alexandr Schonburg- Hartenstein created an English park in its surroundings. There are many conifer and broadleaved trees. In front of the castle there is a gothic church of the Annunciation of Madonna from the 13th century. The prismatic two-storey tower by the church was probably used as an entry tower of the German Knights church-order house. In 1997 three bells were brought as presents from Alois Hlavatý and citizens. The original bells were damaged during the World War II. The Miletín pheasantry was proclaimed a national nature reserve. The reason for this statement was protection of the natural ecosystem typical of the region Podzvičinsko. It is also a birthplace of Karel Jaromír Erben. His native house houses a memorial centre, founded in 1811. The interior of the house includes period furniture, family heirlooms, and aquarelles to Erben's ballads made by R. Švajdler. This region is also known for its famous sweets: Miletínské modlitbičky (Miletín little prayers).
www.miletin.cz, phone: 493 693 132

Castle Pecka

Here the visitors can find a lot of information about Kryštof Harant, the owner of the castle in the 17th century, and there is also a very interesting exhibition related to the history of the castle and the town. It is also worthwhile seeing the recently installed exhibition dealing with a medieval torture chamber and a medieval scullery, which will inform visitors about preparation of food at that time. In the recently repaired and reconstructed castle dungeons the visitor can also see a gallery of modern sculptural art.
Opening hours: during the season Tuesday - Sunday 9 a.m. - 12 p.m., 1 p.m. - 5 p.m., admission fee: adults 40 CZK, retired 30 CZK, children 20 CZK.
www.obec-pecka.cz, phone: 493 799 129

Zvičina (671 m above see level)

The top of Zvičina is a perfect place for skiing and paragliding with a beautiful view of the Krkonoše Mountains, the Rýchory, and the Jestřebí Mountains. There is also a possibility to visit a church and have a rest in Rais's Cottage.
Opening hours: in summer Monday - Tuesday closed, Wednesday - Thursday 11 a.m. - 10 p.m., Friday - Saturday 11 a.m. - 12 a.m. (midnight), Sunday 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.,
www.dvurkralove.cz.

Ratibořice chateau and the valley Babiččino údolí

Thanks to the book "Babička" (Grandmother) the chateau is know especially as a summer residence of the duchess Kateřina Bedřiška Vilemína Benigna Zaháňská. In the chateau park it is possible to enjoy a nice walking tour and to see many interesting plants and trees from the entire world. The countryside, which goes from Česká Skalice along the river Úpa from north, was named Babiččino údolí for the first time by a doctor and writer from Smiřice Otakar Jedlička in 1878. The Department of Education, Science and Art proclaimed Ratibořice, together with the valley, a National Scenic Park in 1952.
Opening hours: May and September except Monday 9 a.m. - 12 p.m., 12:30 p.m. - 4 p.m., preliminary admission fee: adults 50CZK, children, students and OAP 25 CZK, visit to the mangle 5 CZK, visit to the mill and Staré Bělidlo 10 CZK
www.ceskaskalice.cz

Aqua Park and swimming pool

Hradec Králové - The modern town aqua park includes not only a swimming pool with underwater lighting, simulated waves, waterspouts, underwater volcanoes, and children's pool with a man-made river, but also pools with bubble beds and underwater massages, warm whirling pool, steam bath, sauna, solarium and 82 m long toboggan with lighting effects.
Opening hours: Monday - Friday 10 a.m. - 9 p.m., Saturday - Sunday 10 a.m. - 8 p.m
www.sportovistehk.cz, phone: 495 211 998

Giant aquarium

Hradec Králové - Besides Giant aquarium with an underwater tunnel and children's forest, the ENVI DŮM (Envi House) offers also video projection of the natural beauty on a giant screen in "Projekce U rejnoka". If you become tired after the tour, you can refresh yourself in the "Café Piraňa" while watching predaceous piranha fish.
Opening hours: Tuesday - Sunday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., preliminary admission fee: full 60 CZK, reduced 40 CZK,
www.obriakvarium.cz

Bílá věž (White Tower)

Hradec Králové - The renaissance bell tower was built in 1574-1589 under the reign of the emperor Maxmilian II. It was also used as a watchtower and a fire tower. Its original name was Nová věž (New Tower). The name Bílá věž (White Tower) is known from subsequent years and the reason for this name is the white stone that was used for building. It is situated in Hradec Králové, which is historically one of the most important medieval towns in Bohemia. In the 14th century it was a dowry and residential town of the Czech Queens (Queen Eliška Rejčka and Queen Eliška Pomořanská). The centre of the town together with many picturesque streets, towers, staircases, squares and the remainders of the fortification are regarded as an architectural reserve now.
www.hradeckralove.org

Hrádek u Nechanic

The chateau was built as a ceremonial residence of the Harrach count dynasty. Many antiquities and also porches or parts of rooms from other chateaus in Europe were moved to this chateau. The chateau was primarily used as a hunting lodge and later it was used as a summer residence. After the reconstruction (hot-air heating, water supply, and later also electrification) at the end of the 19th century the count's family and its visitors used the chateau all-year-round. Together with construction of the chateau, a huge part of the surrounding forest was modified to an English Park according to the project of L. Krüger and in the rest of the forest there was established a game preserve and pheasantry. In 1945 in accordance with the presidential decrees of E. Beneš the chateau was proclaimed a government property. Since 1953 the chateau has been opened to visitors and its usage has remained the same to the present day. The chateau is a National monument.
Opening hours: every day except Monday 9 a.m. - 12 p.m., 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
www.hradekunechanic.cz

Manor house Náchod

A large manor house, initially early Gothic, was built around 1270. At the turn of the 16th and 17th centuries there were made some modifications in Renaissance and early Baroque styles. In 1634 Náchod attracted O. Piccolomini who collected valuable equipment. French garden and park here. Bears Ludvík and Dáša in the castle fosse.
Opening hours: every day except Monday 9 a.m. - 12 p.m., 12:30 p.m. - 4 p.m.
www.pamatky.com/index.php?pamatka=nachod

Adršpašsko

Teplické Rocks - Protected Nature Area, which is characterised not only by its rock cities and the system of towers and columns, but also by the presence of rare kinds of plants and animals. If you are interested in going on a boat on the local lake among rocks, it is not a problem. You can rent a boat there:
www.teplickeskaly.cz, www.skalyadrspach.cz, phone: 491 586 012

Krkonoše Mountains

It is the highest and most visited mountain range in the Czech Republic. During wintertime there are good conditions for skiing and during the summer it offers good conditions for cycling and hiking. Due to its extraordinary natural resources the mountains were pronounced National Park.
www.krnap.cz, phone: 499456111

Český Ráj

The picturesque region between Turnov and Jičín is characterised by its rock cities, such as the Prachovské Rocks and Hruboskalsko, but Český Ráj can offer you much more - castles, chateaus or a pleasant tour with beautiful views.
www.ceskyraj.cz

Rozkoš

Česká Skalice - Rozkoš, which is very often called the East Bohemian Sea, has 80 hectares and an approximate depth of 10 m. Above all, this dam prevents floods on the river Úpa but it is also a very popular place for many water-receptive vacationers from the whole of Europe. Due to its location in the foothills of the Orlické Mountains and the Krkonoše, it tempts visitors from hills to enjoy nice refreshments in the water. The fans of water sports, especially surfing, will enjoy their stay at Rozkoš.

Manor house Opočno

The grounds of the manor house Opočno are a unique collection of monuments that show the way of life, taste and mind of the Czech society in the course of five centuries. For its historical and art value the manor house was proclaimed a National Monument. And what can you see here? African and American collection, chapel, workroom and bedroom, prestige rooms, visitor rooms, art gallery and library, hunting and knightly rooms, collection of non-European weapons. Next to the manor house there is a broken natural landscape park on 22 hectares with many kinds of rare trees, romantic buildings, orangery and folly.
Opening hours: during the season except Monday and the day after a bank holiday 9 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. - 5 p.m.
zamekopocno.hyperlink.cz, phone: 494 668 216

Manor House Nové Město nad Metují

The history of the manor house in Nové Město nad Metují is nearly identical with the history of the town. The manor house is an integral part of the Municipal Architectural Reserve. It was built in 1501 by Jan Černčický from Kacov. The next owners Pernštejns played an important role in enlistment of the town Nové Město nad Metují between the pearls of the Renaissance towns. All other owners of the manor contributed something interesting to the development of the town. In the middle of the 17th century the manor house was reconstructed in a Baroque style. The interior designer Dušan Jurkovič finally reconstructed the manor garden and building in 1909 - 1915 on request of an industrial family of Bartoň from Dobenín. It is possible to see authentic interiors from this period in the style of the high secession, art deco and functionalism. There were many famous Czech artists who worked on the interiors design, for example Pavel Janák, professor František Kysela, Marie Teinitzerová, Helena Johnová and others. In the area outside the manor house and in the large manor garden it is possible to see Baroque sculptures made by Matyáš Bernard Braun. In 1991 the manor house was returned to the family Bartoň - Dobenín during property restitution.
Opening hours: during the season 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., phone: 491 470 523.
www.hrady-zamky.cz/zamek-novemestonm/, Phone: 491 470 523