Czech Castle Spotlight: Hluboká nad Vltavou
While spending a week away at a cottage in Albrechtice, we took a small side trip to Hluboka Castle in Hluboká nad Vltavou .
We planned on a family day today, but the inlaws offered an all-day-baby-watch, so our plans took a surprise twist into a “date day” with the hubby.
We drove the 25 mintues from our cottage to the castle town.
Parking was easy and only cost 60kc (a little over $2) The parking is very close to the castle, but take note that it is an uphill walk. So for those with less patience or physical acuity, there is a train tram that can take you up the hill for an additional cost.
After we huffed it up the hill you are greeted into a large garden area with the grand view of the castle.
This particular castle has all the design details of something I expect out of fairy tale replica. I am constantly having to remind myself that these are real castles that had real princesses and not movie studio backlots or Disney magic.
There is plenty to see without paying a tour fee. The castle sits on top of a hill overlooking the Vltava river. You can see the skyline of Cesky Budejovice in the distance. There are large gardens attached to a 1.2 mile easily walked park. You can see the grounds of the castle including the inner courtyard and the large backyard terrace with detailed iron work and fountain.
However being as we were “baby free” for the day, we went wild and opted for 2 tours.
The Representation Rooms Tour and the Kitchen Tour, because we are cooking nerds.
The Representation Rooms Tour was 1 hour long and cost 150kc ($6) per person. It takes you on a tour of the morning room, reading room, smoking room, dining room, grand ballroom, library, armory, weapons exhibition, princess’s private quarters and few other “mini” rooms in between.
They offer tours in Czech, German and English. There was no wait for the Czech tour, so we opted for that with a English written guide describing each room of the tour. There is certainly less detail in the brochure than the tour guide explains in Czech, fortunately I had my husband translate the extras for me.
The interior is absolutely exquisite. To be honest, I just don’t get too excited over centuries old furniture. However, the interior here is something special. Maybe it was the amount of items in every room or the detail that went into each piece (like artisanal meth-head detail). The ceiling, the wall covers, the chandeliers, every item specifically hand crafted for this castle.
You really get a sense of what it could be like to live like this. To wake and eat in the morning breakfast room. Mosey down to the reading room, play some cards in the smoking room and stop by the library on your way out to the conservatory.
I got super geeked out on the library. I didn’t know that was a thing for me, but it turns out it is. Thousands of one of kind books and the only access to cutting edge modern knowledge at the time.
Our second tour was the kitchen tour. Capable of feeding 165 people, the kitchen was made up of several rooms, each separated by purpose.
A warm kitchen, a cold kitchen, a baking kitchen, a pastry kitchen and plenty of rooms in between. With so many modern amenities for it’s time;like a freezer, special baking ovens, food elevator and more.
The view on the way back down the hill was beautiful. The tiny town around the castle has plenty of restaurants, cafes, and artisan shops to add a cherry on top of a great day out.
We had lunch at a restaurant that was essentially a salt rock cave. The food was good and surprisingly reasonable prices for a spot right next to the castle.
After lunch we walked around a bit and that was it. We headed back to our lovely cabin in Albrechtice and continued our week vacation by the river with the family.
You can learn more about this awesome castle and plan your visit HERE.
Got an idea for a place we can visit? Let us know in the comments.
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