Masopust - Czech Carnival

This is a video of the traditional Czech Carnival - Masopust - as it took place in Horice Na Sumave, near Cesky Krumlov in 2011

Underglass Painting

This traditional folk artform was to be found throughout the Sumava. Usually dealing with a religious image, the painting is applied to the back of the glass. Once most houses would have had at least one devotional painting like this, which were sold at pilgrimage sites and markets.

As part of our Bohemian Art Tour participants will receive a three hour workshop in the art of underglass painting.

Rabi Castle

Rabi Castle is the Czech Republic's largest ruined castle. It is to be found near Susice. The Castle was besieged by the one-eyed Hussite general Jan Zizka, at the end of the siege he was completely blind.

Czech Tours will be visiting the castle during its 2011 Hussite Tour on 5th - 12th September. 

St Wenceslas

This lovely Gothic statue of the Good King of Bohemia (the king who in the carol looked out on the feast of Stephen) is to be found in the Gothic art gallery in Jindrichuv Hradec District Museum. The gallery has some beautiful examples of Czech Gothic woodcarving.

A view of the Alps

This is a view from the hill above Olsina across to the Sumava National Park. One clear days, such as those you can get in Winter, one can see for miles. Look closer and you will see a blue line on the horizon. Obviously it was much more noticeable from the hill, so here is a zoom photograph to show just what you would have seen:

Yes, they are mountains - the Alps to be precise. As you come south through South Bohemia you begin to rise, until in the Sumava you are in the foothills of the Alps, which means great air quality and great skiing.

Another winter scene

Cesky Kumlov in the snow. In the winter the town loses the hundreds of visitors that rightly throng the streets in the summer and the town takes on a very different air. In the winter it is much easier to feel the past in its streets, easier too to see all the architectural features, before wandering into one of the towns cafes or bars to drink hot mulled wine, grog or hot medovina (honey wine). For ski enthusiasts a bus can take you from the town to the nearby Lipno ski resort.

Winter in South Bohemia

Winter has arrived in South Bohemia. The country is covered with snow and it will stay until March. The snow-covered landscape is stunning, especially as the sky is often blue and the sun brilliant.