Sazava River Tour

On this tour we take you along the winding Sazava river. We begin and finish at your hotel. An hour southeast of Prague, we visit the micro-brewery Kácov, which was badly hit by floods in 2002 and 2006 but the enthusiastic owner struggle on. In the brewery pub a beer goes for half a dollar. We will have a tour of the brewery, learn about the process and Czech beers and taste this unique beer.

Further along the Sazava river the castle Cesky Sternberk. Originally dating back to the 13th century the castle was raided during Hussite wars in the 15th century. During the 30 years war it became a Catholic strongholds. Although dispossessed (caretakers, no longer owners), the Sternberk family was allowed to maintain the castle as a historical monument under communism. Thus, most of its remarkable interiors remain intact. We will be able to admire them on a 60 minute tour.

After the sightseeing, we continue to the very end of roads "Na Konci Sveta" to Drahnovice, where we will enjoy a typical Czech dish in the company of locals, quite possibly even with the mayor whose office is the table closest to the tap. We will talk about life in this forgotten part of the country where the only strangers pass by on mountain bikes, and the only source of income is agriculture. The obligatory courtesy shot of Slivovice will make our parting easier and the journey back to Prague shorter.

The Sazava River Tour is full of beautiful nature, traditional, natural methods of farming and brewing, and traditional ways to drink and eat in Bohemia.

We take you along the picturesque Sazava river, stopping an hour southeast of Prague to visit the Kácov micro-brewery, in business since 1457, but with many interruptions. They were badly hit by floods in 2002 and 2006. The tanks, kettles and so forth all had to changed again after the 2006 flooding. We will witness all parts of the brewing process from fermentation tank to barrel.

In the brewery pub,a half-litre beer goes for half a dollar. We will taste the products. Kacov's reputation reaches beyond the Czech borders, but they still only do fresh beer and do not sell in bottles!

Further down the Sazava river, we find the castle Cesky Sternberk. Originally dating to the 13th century, the castle was first raided during the Hussite Wars in the 15th century. Today the castle is remarkable because of it's historic interiors and in having been inhabited by the same noble family, whom originally constructed it. The Sternberk family was allowed to stay as resident caretakers during Communist times, and hence could prevent the looting of furnishings and art seen in many Czech castles. One hour tour.On the tour, you will get to know the noble Sternberk family, hear anecdotes about them and we can linger in the marvelous interiors. You will experience a trip back in time through the garish Knights Hall, the exquisitely ornamented Chapel and the library, as well as the Oriental room and the Breakfast room. Silverware, weapons, copperplate-drawings and paintings adorn the rooms we pass. The Sternberk castle was restituted to the Sternberk family in 1992.

We continue along the river to the very end of roads where we reach the end of the world, the pub Na Konci Sveta for our lunch. Located among organic farming, this very small family owned place greets us with a tasty Czech dish with vegetables from their own garden. The pub serves another good Czech beer or Moravian wine for lunch and a plum brandy, Slivovice will round off our meal. We are likely to discuss local affairs with the mayor whose table, of course, is the closest to the beer-tap. We have a 45minute drive back to Prague and your hotel or another address of your choice.