Day Trip: Český Krumlov

Located a two-hour drive or three-hour train ride from Prague, the small, fairytale town of Český Krumlov offers a particularly picturesque day trip from the Czech capital. The charming town thrived from the 14th through 17th centuries, drawing influences from Czech, Austrian, Bavarian and Northern Italian cultures, and its well-preserved architecture reveals a beautiful mix of Renaissance and Baroque styles. The 13th-century Český Krumlov Castle keeps watch over the historic center, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992. Visitors can tour the castle’s elegant interiors as well as its Baroque Theater (one of the best preserved in Europe) and the Castle Museum, which houses precious objects from the castle depositories. Spend the rest of the day wandering the romantic, cobblestoned streets and exploring the cafés, churches, taverns and small museums whose collections range from ancient torture instruments to Czech marionettes and puppet theaters.