Sight-seeing

Prague and its Five Quarters

Less than thirty kilometres from Villa Gineta lies one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Prague has been called The City of Hundred Spires, Golden Prague, and The Mother of Cities – for a reason. You can immerse yourself in its rich history, dive into the culture, and wonder at its magnificent architecture.

You can explore the five historic quarters of Prague, including Hradčany, with the impressive Prague Castle, Malá Strana (Lesser Town) on the left bank, and crossing to the right bank over the famous Charles Bridge. This leads you into Staré Město (Old Town) with its unique Jewish quarter Josefov, and onto the lively Nové Město.

Aside from the famous sites, Prague is also one of the greenest cities in Europe with it many parks and wooded areas. You can visit the old Bohemian residence of Vyšehrad overlooking the Vltava, take in the views from Petřin Hill, or visit the impressive Botanical Gardens at the Troja Chateau. Ask Phillippe for more Prague secrets, or alternatively join one of his Prague tours.

The city has something for everyone, with theatres, operas, concerts, shopping, cafes and restaurants.

Nature

Villa Gineta is surrounded by several protected nature reserves. The Bohemian Karst is a limestone area of wild, natural beauty, and dotted with caves and canyons. The Křivoklat area is a densely-wooded landscape with bare hill tops interwoven with the river Berounka, while The Bohemian Paradise is characterised by a harmoniously-shaped landscape and sandstone reliefs.

Villa Gineta is located nearby the confluence of the Sázava and Moldau rivers, with the Moldau being immortalised by the world famous composer, Smetana, in Má Vlast (My Country). There are also the famous reservoirs of Slapy and Orlík, offering various recreational activities

Chateaus & Fortresses

The Czech Republic has a large number of chateaus and fortresses, a testament to its historical importance. Konopište was owned by Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne. His marvellous hunting trophies, magnificent drawing rooms, bedrooms, and studies as well as his private dining room, all retain the spirit of the man, whose death in Sarajevo sparked the outbreak of World War I. The castle of Dobříš , Mníšek pod Brdy and Jemniště are also recommended, and have guided tours in English and German.

Fortresses served to protect Prague, and each has its own rich history and architectural splendour. Karlštejn is a classic example of Gothic architecture, with its impenetrable walls, Chapel of the Holy Cross, and unique collection of Gothic paintings. Křivoklat is the famous residence of kings and emperors, set in the extensive Křivoklat forests. You can also visit Český Šternberk and its surrounding ruins.

Towns and Villages

There are many enchanting towns and villages nestled in Bohemian. One of our favourites is the medieval town of Tabor, where you can take a leisurely stroll through the town and dive into the wondrous catacombs. There is also Kutná Hora, a UNESCO site, with its intruiging bone church and Gothic Barbara Catherdral.

War Memorials

The Czech Republic has several memorials to the World Wars and are worth a visit. Plan a whole day at the Terezín concentration camp. From 1942 to 1945 more than 40,000 Jews died in this transition camp. The city consists of two settlements on the left and right bank of the river Ohře. You can take guided tour of the Small Settlement while in the Jewish Ghetto there is a museum detailing the atrocities committed at the camp.

Lidice was burned to the ground by the Nazis in retaliation for the attack which killed Hendrich in 1942. All male inhabitants were killed and the women and children sent to concentration camps.

The military museum in Lešany is an experience for all ages and has more than 700 historical tanks, canons, motorcycles, armoured vehicles, and rocket technology.