Personalized trips to Czech Republic
for independent travelers

The trip was fantastic. All the hotels we stayed in were very nice. I will mention that if you are driving to a castle or cave system (especially Punkva Caves where you need to take gondola or walk 1.7km) that the parking was often not next to the attraction and it took 15 to 30 minutes to get to tour start points.

Going through our itinerary:

Prague is very walkable and public transport easy to access. The city itself is very nice with lots to see and do. Driving is not difficult with phone's gps directing the way and the drivers were extremely courteous compared to my local drivers. We did a half day vegetarian culinary/history tour which was excellent. This was more history with stops to a beginning snack, lunch, then dessert. Our guide was Gary and he showed us things that we likely would never of found on our own. Well worth it.

The day trip to Bohemian-Saxon National park was about a 2 hour drive each way but well worth it for the hike and the view.

Few hour drive to Cesky Krumlov with stops along the way. Konepruske Caves were not far from Prague. If you are going to only want to do one set of caves, the Punkva caves are better experience but further from Prague. Either way be forewarned that the tours are in Czech. Karlstejn Castle (also no far from Prague) tour was very good and full of information. Free parking can be found by the Karlstejn train station which is about 25 minute walk to castle. From here about 2 hour drive to Cesky Krumlov.

Cesky Krumlov is a very nice town. Easy to walk around. We did a tour of the Baroque Theatre which is one of two left in Europe. Very interesting with explanation of the theatre and even got to see the machinery that was used to change to scenery on the stage. If you are vegetarian and visiting Cesky Krumlov you should definitely eat at Laibon as food was delicious and you sit riverside to eat. Also David (server, owner) is just an exceptional person. Fun to talk to and made several suggestion of what we should see. We did a raft tour which went over some of the history of the town and was a nice experience.

Next was drive to Olomouc with several stops. We did go off itinerary and stopped at Pernstejn Castle (David recommended). While we did not have time to do a tour, we did walk around the courtyards and through the gardens which was well worth it. Then onto the Punkva caves and into Olomouc. We did stay just outside of town so did have to drive to get to the city for site seeing. We only had an evening here so just walked around town and saw the architecture and parks.

On way back to Prague we stopped at Kutna Hora for a tour of the towns several churches and the Bone Chappel. Very interesting tour and likely something that you will not see anywhere else. If you are in Prague, it is without question worth a day trip for this tour.

Overall a great trip.

Hotel Reviews

Pentahotel Prague

Prague

Very nice hotel but a little far from the city center requiring an easy short subway ride.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Prachárna Park Hotel Olomouc

Restaurant on property was nice after a day of driving and site seeing.

Authenticity & Character

Location

10 minute drive to town.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Villa Beatika

Cesky Krumlov

Two rooms. Very clean. 10 minute walk into center of town.

Authenticity & Character

Looks like newer renovation so not for someone looking to stay in 200 year old building.

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Waldstein Hotel

Prague

We had a room that had 2 areas. One with king bed, other with 2 twins for the kids so everyone was happy. Good breakfast. Short walk to center of Prague. Close to the castle.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Bohemian-Saxon National Park: The 2 countries in 1 Day Trip

Prague

Great hike. Drive was approximately 2 hours each way.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Prague Food Adventure: A Half-Day Culinary Journey

Prague

Gary was and excellent guide. Gave us lots of information about the city and culture.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guides were all very good. The guide for the Solidarity Museum guide was very nice but his English was not very good so we tried to read the placards around the exhibits to get a better understanding. By the time we got to Warsaw, the Jewish history in Poland narratives became somewhat repetitious. All were good tours and events, it was just a lot. I think if we had known more we may have chosen to go into the countryside for a day (similar to Cesky Krumlov outside of Prague).

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Polonia Palace

Warsaw

Truly a special place. Breakfasts were outstanding. Staff very attentitive.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Nice view from upper room windows

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Różany Gaj - Destigo Hotels 4*

Gdansk

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel CUBE Prague

Prague

Outstanding staff and breakfasts.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

POLIN Museum Tour

Warsaw

It's a crowded little space - which is appropriate as there was little space or freedom under communist rule.

Visit the Museum of the Warsaw Uprising.

Warsaw

It's a good tour, however, by this time we'd been to a lot of museums and were a bit burned out.

Warsaw guided walking tour

Warsaw

It's a good plan to have an overview of the city upon arrival. Our guide did a good job. She's appropriately passionate about Poland.

European Solidarity Centre with Shipyard Private tur

Gdansk

It was good to understand the history of Poland's resurgence and recovery from communist rule. The Poles are resilient people and their country is now magical. They have good reason to be proud of where they are today. The guide did not speak good English but the wall narratives provided some good study.

Auschwitz & Birkenau Concentration camp day tour

Krakow

If you're going to Poland, this is a must do experience. Then watch the movie "The Zone of Interest" as recommended by our guide.

Krakow Food Tasting Tour

Krakow

A must do event. Our guide was young, enthusiastic and flexible. The food and places chosen were great.

Wieliczka Salt Mine guided tour

Krakow

Really a fun tour. Quite a scene.

Tour to Schindler's Factory Museum

Krakow

A bit crowded but still a good tour. We didn't have time to go into the factory.

Guided tour of Krakow

Krakow

It's a beautiful city and was it was nice to get our bearings early in our visit.

Day trip to UNESCO Cesky Krumlov

Prague

Truly a magnificent town. It was nice to see the country side. The bus was very uncomfortable as the seats were short and leg room was inadequate even after sliding the seat out.

Crystal Dinner Cruise on Vltava River

Prague

A beautiful evening on the river. Great for pictures.

Guided tour of Prague

Prague

A very nice guide who went the extra mile to ensure we had a nice experience.

Quality of Experience

The entire team at Grand Cuvée Tours was exceptional. They gave me options, made recommendations, proactively communicated important information (including reminding me about the time change occurring during my trip), and checked in with me periodically during my trip.

The drivers were all professional and the hotels, train tickets, and other included activities were all arranged with clear instructions. I can't say enough about my guide, Lenka. Lenka was a wealth of knowledge when it came to the history of the country, its regions, its cities, and even its legends. She went above and beyond to take my preferences into account and make changes as needed. She truly felt like a friend and even brought me water and new Czech snacks to try each day! I wish everyone could have her as a guide!

I'm so glad that I didn't just see Prague. Prague is, of course, incredible, but getting to visit Brno, Cesky Krumlov, and Karlovy Vary gave me the opportunity to experience other parts of the country. Each city offered postcard views and I can only imagine the beauty in the other seasons.

Hotel Review

Hotel CUBE Prague

Prague

Excellent service at the front desk and breakfast was extensive and delicious. The rooms are modern, comfortable, and very clean. They provide unlimited still and sparkling water, which is a lovely touch.

Location

There are plenty of places to get food nearby and it was quiet at night.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Nuclear Bunker tour

Prague

I was not very familiar with the history of communism in the Czech Republic and learned so much from this tour. The guide was very enthusiastic and happy to answer any questions.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

It was nice to get to ride the tram without having to figure out all of the details myself!

Bohemian vineyards with wine tasting & culinary tour

Prague

It was amazing to get a personal tour of a winery and the vineyards. The meal with wine pairings at the restaurant in the cellars in Litoměřice was absolutely perfect and the tour of the cellars was so interesting.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Lenka translated at the restaurant and in the cellars - much appreciated!

Transport

Guided tour of Prague

Prague

Lenka gave me an incredible overview of the city! She drove us past some points and we stopped and explored the ones I was most interested in. I truly appreciate that it wasn't cookie cutter, but was tailored to my interests and my plans for the rest of my stay in the city!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Prague Food Tour

Prague

I enjoyed that we had options at each stop. Everything we ate was delicious, and it was great to see the city at night. I usually don't do much at night since I travel alone, so I really appreciated this aspect. Our guide was wonderful and gave personal recommendations and insights into what it's like to live in the Czech Republic.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Very personable guide - we all felt like friends very quickly!