Hluboká and České Budějovice, an English fairytale castle and the home of Budweiser, two hours from Prague.

Hluboká nad Vltavou is a village above the Vltava with a castle that looks as if it had been moved from England: the Schwarzenbergs, the richest family in Bohemia, remodelled it in the mid-nineteenth century in the Tudor Neo-Gothic style, white, with battlements, towers and an enormous park. Inside are rooms with carved wood, tapestries, the library, an armoury and the kitchen of a great noble house. 12 km to the south is České Budějovice, the capital of South Bohemia: the city of Budweiser Budvar beer, with an enormous square plaza, the Black Tower and an old town you can cross on foot in ten minutes. Together they make a getaway of one or two nights from Prague, about two hours away.

How do you get there from Prague?

By car, about 145 km and about two hours along the D1 motorway to Mirošovice and the E55 road towards Tábor and Veselí nad Lužnicí; shortly before arriving, road 146 leads to Hluboká. Park next to the Penny Market, on Nad parkovištěm street, and walk up about 900 m, uphill, or take the tourist train.

Without a car, take the train from Prague's main station to České Budějovice and from there a regional train to Hluboká (stops U Sudárny or Zámostí) or a Jihotrans bus to the Pod kostelem stop, about 800 m from the castle. There are also direct buses from Prague to Hluboká. Connections can be checked at idos.cz.

What to see at the castle

Everything is visited with a guide, on separate tours:

• State rooms (55 minutes, 300 CZK): the main floor, with the morning room, the reading room, the smoking room, the dining rooms, the library, Princess Eleonore's rooms and the armoury. It is the main tour.
• Private apartments (60 minutes, 220 CZK): the life of the last princely couples.
• The castle kitchen (35 minutes, 180 CZK): a great noble-house kitchen, English style.
• Guest rooms (70 minutes, 320 CZK, 10 people): the guests' rooms and the silverware.
• The lookout tower (180 CZK, no booking): the view over the Vltava and the ponds.
• Winter tour (40 minutes, 200 CZK): from November to December, through the rooms that can be heated.

And in České Budějovice?

Přemysl Otakar II Square, a square with arcades and the Samson fountain in the middle; the Black Tower, 72 m tall, with 225 steps to the gallery; and the Budweiser Budvar brewery, with a 70–80 minute guided tour that ends with a tasting of beer straight from the tank. In summer a boat links the city with Hluboká along the Vltava.

When to go

From April to October, when all the castle tours are open and the boat runs. In November and December the castle offers the winter tour Tuesday to Sunday, from 9:00 to 16:00. The Budvar brewery is open all year except 24 to 26 December and 1 January; in January and February it closes on Sundays.

How long should you allow?

One night allows the castle in the morning, Budvar in the afternoon and Budějovice's square at night. With two, you add the boat on the Vltava or an excursion to Český Krumlov, south of Budějovice.

How much does it cost?

The state rooms, 300 CZK per adult and 90 CZK for ages 6 to 17. The Budvar tour, 290 CZK and 220 reduced. A meal at Masné krámy, about 200–400 CZK with beer.