The noble Rosenberg family of southern Bohemia settled in the Cesky Krumlov region in the 1st half of the 13th century, and built and reign over this fairy-tale landscape for the next 300 years. This UNESCO World Heritage gem with its iconic castle, renaissance flourishes, ancient cobblestone alleys and radiant gardens is everything like the name of its original masters – like a rose. Its reputation travels far and beyond so there’s bound to be other fellow visitors passing through but that’s no reason to give this medieval beauty a miss. Tour the castle and feel the history come alive, meander down the Vltava River on a wooden raft, stumble into hidden gardens and courtyards with a customised Cesky Krumlov tour package from Chan Brothers Travel Private Tours and you may just get to write your own page of this storybook city for yourself.
Star attraction
There’s no way you can miss the castle of Cesky Krumlov; it is the star attraction and it’s not ashamed to let you know – the renaissance-style tower coated in pinkish and apple green paint invades your line of sight everywhere you turn. Take a guided tour through the town’s shining icon and see how the elegant Rosenbergs work, live and entertain in their opulent halls and splendid quarters lavishly decorated with large-scaled wall paintings and elaborate panel ceilings. If there’s a need for a representative example of a high-society aristocratic family in the medieval times that everyone else envies, the Rosenberg is it.
Photography copyrighted Back in the day before the camera was invented, visual depictions of travel are restricted to the eyes and hands of drawers, artists and painters only but soon enough when the first batch of photographic equipment came into the picture in the late 19th to early 20th century, pioneers equipped with wooden cameras and hefty tripods left the big cities in zeal and headed to nearby and far-flung provinces alike in a hope to capture the beauty of the world through the lens for the first time. And Cesky Krumlov, by then already widespread for its beauty, could not have possibly escaped their attention. Learn about all these and more at Museum Fotoatelier Seidel and marvel at its outstanding collection of period images, vintage postcards, glass-plate negatives, antique cameras and darkroom equipment. They say photographs capture best the memories and moments in time and this is a place where you can see exactly that.
All dolled up Puppetry as a form of entertainment had infiltrated the Czech lands as early as in the Middle Ages but it came into its golden age in the beginning of the 19th century when Czech puppet-making and puppetry developed into a revered art form. It is during this period when care and elaborate details were crafted and painted into the wooden marionettes, bringing Czech puppetry to attain new levels of cultural symbolism. Visit the Marionette Museum in Cesky Krumlov and learn about the significance of puppetry as an important family tradition and art form in which puppeteers passed down their skills and rare marionettes down only to their offspring, and come face to face with all sorts of folkloric characters from devils and witches to wizards and clowns.
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Wake up and smell the roses and pay the noble Rosenberg family a visit in their gorgeous home with a customised Cesky Krumlov tour package from Chan Brothers Travel Private Tours. Call 6212 9935 or email privatetours@chanbrothers.com.sg to find out more.
Highlights
Every itinerary can be fully customised according to needs, special interests, personal preferences and defining style of just about anyone who wants to travel privately and exclusively.
Assemble at Singapore Changi Airport for your flight to Vienna. Upon arrival at the airport, meet your driver cum guide and enjoy your private airport transfer to your hotel.
After breakfast, embark on a city tour to marvel at significant landmarks such as Ringstrasse, Vienna State Opera, Hofburg, Parliament Building, City Hall and Burgtheater. Thereafter, head to a major Viennese attraction, Schonbrunn Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Austria’s most visited attraction. This Baroque synthesis of different arts, consisting of a palace and gardens has been in the possession of the Habsburgs for centuries and has been restored to its original condition. Thereafter, spend the day at leisure. Alternatively, you may choose to book an optional excursion to shop your hearts out at Parndorf Fashion Outlet with more than 100 fashion and lifestyle brands.
Vienna
This morning, proceed to Cesky Krumlov, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the southwest of the Czech Republic. Embark on a walking tour of the Old Town. Start off at Cesky Krumlov Castle, the landmark of the region which dominates the town centre and looms over red-tile roofs, stone bridges and a labyrinth of cobblestone streets. Marvel in awe as you snap photographs of this picture-perfect venue.
Cesky Krumlov
Today, admire the Bohemian landscapes as you travel west to Karlovy Vary, occasionally known by the German name of Karlsbad or Carlsbad. The town is historically famous for its hot springs and having the most popular spa town in the Czech Republic. Visit Moser Glassworks and marvel at the beautiful crystal wares. You can also learn more about the beauty and uniqueness of the art of glassmaking at the museum. Spend the rest of the day at leisure. You may opt to admire the elegant spa colonnades and the ornamental fountains around the city. Alternatively, sample the curative thermal spring waters and the light spa wafers. You may also wish to taste the town’s legendary herbal liqueur at your own expense.
Prague Old Town
After breakfast, begin your tour of Prague with a visit to Prague Castle, the largest ancient castle in the world, St Vitus Cathedral, the biggest and most important church in the country, Golden Lane and the famous Wenceslas Square, the cultural, social and business hub of Prague. You must not miss Astronomical Clock, where a crowd gathers at the start of every hour to admire the procession of the apostles and other allegorical figures. Take a stroll on the medieval Charles Bridge, the symbol of the city of Prague, and admire the statues that flank both sides of the bridge.
Prague Castle
This morning, spend your time at leisure. Thereafter, transfer to the airport for your flight home.