Česky Krumlov
Česky Krumlov is the most impressive historical town in the Czech Republic outside of Prague, brimming with Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture. It is difficult to see all of it in a day, but it is worth a visit if you have the time, and even more if you can stay the night. Visit the 13th-century castle and enjoy a meal by the river or at one of the medieval taverns. It’s a town with fascinating stories to tell and it’s definitely haunted.
Book here or find your own provider.
Kutna Hora
Kutna Hora is an old silver mining town with an extraordinary cathedral in the center. Nearby, a stunning chapel is decorated inside with the human bones from 70,000 bodies. It is a truly memorable sight to behold, and you’ll have to remember it because they don’t allow photographs. It’s an easy day trip as it’s only an hour away and there’s a nice place in town for lunch with absolutely bizarre paintings on the walls from a medieval chronicle.
Book here or find your own provider.
Bohemian Switzerland
Bohemian Switzerland is a unique sandstone landscape formed from sand deposits at the bottom of the ancient sea at the end of the Mesozoic era. It was sparsely populated with Celtic tribes, castles, and medieval robber barons, but most of all, with beautiful views due to the towering rock forms and the iconic Pravčická brána, the largest sandstone arch in Europe. It is a two-hour drive away.
For information on how to get there, start here.
TerezÍn
Theresienstadt (Terezin) was a concentration camp during World War II. It was originally built as a military barracks by Holy Roman Emperor Josef II in 1784 – ironically the same ruler who ended the ghettoization of Jews in Prague and passed reforms to improve their lives dramatically. The barracks were then taken over by the Nazis and used to house 88,000 Jews before they were then transported to extermination camps nearby. The camp was known for having the most elite members of the Jewish community sent there and was used as propaganda to convince the world that the Nazi-run ghettos housed healthy and happy Jewish people.
Book here or find your own provider.