Czech Republic Travel Forum

Hello, all.

I'll be spending something over a week next July in a village called Jindrichuv Hradec (not very far from Ceske Budejovice). I'm there to attend a music workshop, and, though I’ve never been there myself, I know I'll be both busy and happy making music and learning with my fellow amateur early-musicians.

My Partner, who is travelling around Europe with me, is *not* a musician and will *not* be participating in workshop activities in JH. He's going there with me, though, with the intent to relax, catch up on sleep and reading, enjoy the ambiance, etc.

My problem: Although he's intellectually curious about a lot of different things, and will probably find much to interest him -- let's face it, JH is only a village (though apparently a charming one) and is unlikely to fully occupy even the most curious soul for 10 days or so.

Or...am I wrong? If so, could someone familiar with the area reassure me in that respect?

If I'm sort of right, can anyone offer suggestions for day trips out of JH, or for other activities in the area, that might serve to make the stay a little more interesting for him?

Many thanks in advance for any help.

Fritzrl

Hi there,

I was just busy updating my PRAGUE page and now read your question: what better can your friend do than rent a car and visit SPLENDID ATMOSPHERIC PRAGUE?????

Whenever he decides doing this I hope I will not have be the reason for your "splitting up"..........

But this is THE chance....I would not be able to be in Czech Republic and NOT (re-)visit PRAGUE, the PEARL AT THE RIVER MOLDAU!!

Hope I don't upset you, that wasn't my intention, believe me!

BTW I love early-music, wish you wonderful days and do whatever is best for both of you!

travel safe and take care,
stay happy & healthy,

bes-elisabeth

LOL!

After 25 years together, I have few doubts our relationship will survive a few days in the Czech Republic! :>)

Prague is a wonderful suggestion. Actually, we'll just have come to JH after 4 days in Prague, followed by a short side trip to Vienna to meet with some friends. We are definitely looking forward to that Prague visit!

Stilllllll.....my impression is that the Czechs are generally *awfully* good-looking people. Perhaps it's best if my Partner and I keep a close eye on each other during that portion of the trip.....

Thanks for that enthusiastic reply!

Fritzrl

you're welcome !

Make the most of it: it sounds great, that trip.

the insatiable traveller,
bes-elisabeth

Hi !

I may recommend daytrips to :

Hluboka nad vlatou
Trebon
Cesky Krumlov
Kratochvile
Cheb
Lazne Kynzvart
Marianske Lazne
Karlovy Vary
Loket
Duchkov
Terezin / Theresienstadt

those are the places nearby, I made pages about, but of course there are many more interesting places to go.
Good luck !
Michael

Hi,
Dont worry at all.
Jindrichuv Hradec is not a village, it is rather a small town (at least as for European dimensions:-) - about 23 000 people.
I have to say it is one of my prefered cities in the Czech rep. The city itself has a very nice historical center. You can visit a large chateau/castle and its surroundings and the Museum (different collections + famous big creche).
Go to Tourist information office in the center - they will surely help you with some tips.
www.jh.cz
You can make a trip with a unique train - www.jhmd.cz, it is really something special.
The region is South Bohemia (and so called Bohemian Canada between JH and the state border) - generally very nice region with many lakes and forests. JH is a good starting point for interesting places of the region:
- Telc - a UNESCO heritage town
- Cesky Krumlov - dtto, a must see!
- Trebon - a spa town, castle etc.
- castle of Cervena Lhota
- Slavonice
The region is also very suitable for bikers - you can rent one.
Some links:
http://www.jiznicechy.org/
http://www.jiznicechy.cz/
www.ckrumlov.cz
Bus and train timetables: www.idos.cz

If you need other information, just contact me.
Zuzana

Many thanks to all of you for your thoughtful suggestions. Zuzana and Michael -- I trust your familiarity with the area completely. I will definitely forward your recommendations to my Partner for his planning purposes.

BTW, Michael: you have a real gift with a camera -- your webpage photos of some of the towns you recommend are most compelling.

Everyone: happy travelling!

Fritzrl

You are wrong.

Quoting from my Europe travel tip... Don't confine to capitals! Yes, Paris, Prague, Lisabon, Rome, Vienna,... are great places, but only smaller part of Europe. Cultural landscape inhabited for hundreds and thousands of years should not be overlooked - there are regions where you can find historical sights and monuments almost every other step, just walking in the countryside. And no crowds of turists. Thus visit South Bohemia (Czech Republic), near the city of Trebon. The country is absolutely cultural, one may say artifical, absolutely no wilderness. In middleages, thousand of fishponds (artifical lake) were bult there. No original forests remain. Nevertheless, the nature is beatiful and rich. Some parts are even UNESCO biospehere reservs. So the country is example, man and nature living in harmony.

From Jindrichv Hradec, take red marked hiking trail along Hamersky potok. About 6km from Trebon is train stop Luznice. From the train stop, take hiking trail (red-yellow-blue) around greatest fishpond Rozumberk, back to Trebon.

If your friend wil bring good walkinmg shoes and isnt affraid of walking, or rents a bike, arrea around JH can occupy curious soul for months.

Zuzkas' reccomendations are all very nice places, usualy more touristic.

Last but not least -recall christmas and visit the mechanical nativity scene in museum in JH.

Honza:

Many thanks for the additional info.

I completely agree: if a traveller sees only a country's capitol city, it would be very easy to get an incomplete picture of the culture and people of that country. To that point: Washington DC is hardly representative of the entire USA, even though it is a gathering point for people from all over this country, and other countries, as well.

For that reason, we are particularly pleased to have a very good reason to spend an extended visit in Jindrichuv Hradec. From what you, and others, have told me in answer to my question -- it looks as if we will have a wonderful stay there, and experience much of the Czech culture that we would not if we only were to visit Prague.

Fritzrl