From Wikitravel

České Budějovice (also known as Budweis in German or English) is in Bohemia, in the Czech Republic. The "other" Budweiser beer (not to be confused with the American variety) has been brewed there for over a hundred years or nearly 800 years depending on how you count.

It is the largest city in South Bohemia, and a convenient base for exploring this historic region of the Czech Republic.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By bus

From Prague, the bus is the easiest, cheapest, and fastest way (yes, even faster than trains!) of getting there. Buses leave frequently from Florenc, Na Knízecí and Roztyly bus stations in Prague and costs 154 Kc (as of June 2007). The trip takes approximately two and a half to three hours.

The bus hub in České Budějovice is at the Mercury Centrum, a two-story shopping mall with the bus station on the roof, located just outside the city center. It is 300m down the street from the train station.

For rates and schedules, visit the official transport website [1].

[edit] By train

Trains connect from Prague to the north and from Austria (via Linz or Vienna) to the south. For rates and schedules, visit the official transport website [2].

[edit][add listing] See

• Přemysl Otakar II Square (Czech: Naměstí Přemysla Otakara II), the immense square in the middle of the city. Historical landmarks here include St. Nicholas Cathedral, the Black Tower, Samson's Fountain and the distinct yellow-colored Vcela Palace.
• Pivovar Budějovický Budvar, Karoliny Světlé 4, +420 387 705 341 or +420 387 705 347, [3]. 9AM-4PM (reservations required). Take a tour of the city's largest brewery and home of "Budweiser" brand beer sold in most of Europe. Call in several days in advance to schedule a tour, or if that's not possible, tours for visitors without reservations take place each day at 2PM. Price of admission is 100 Kc/person, and visitors age 18 or over are also able to visit their beer tasting cellar. Incidentally, this is not the same as the "Budweiser" beer sold in the United States and Canada; due to trademark disputes over the name with US-based Anheuser-Busch, this is sold in the Americas under the "Budvar" or "Czechvar" names.

[edit][add listing] Do

[edit][add listing] Buy

• Mercury Centrum, a two-story shopping mall that shares space with the city's main bus terminal.
• Naměstí Přemysla Otakara II, wonder around the large old square and surrounding streets to find many specialized stores (i.e. butcher, produce, tea & spices, fabric, etc.).

[edit][add listing] Eat

• Maly Pivovar, a really nice little beer hall just off the main town square.

[edit][add listing] Drink

• Knock back a pitcher of Budweiser beer, as this is, after all, its hometown. See also Pivovar Budějovický Budvar, above.
• Samson and Crystal brand beers are also brewed here, at the city's second largest brewery, the Pivovar Samson.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

• Penzion Restaurant Centrum is located in the Biskupska Street just next to the square of Ceske Budejovice. This south bohemian metropolis was founded in 1265 by the czech king Premysl Otakar II at the confluence of rovers Vltava a Malse. The square of Premysl Otakar II with its dimensions 133x133 m is one of the largest square in Bohemia, with arcades and range of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque burgher houses. As the other important town monuments there are apart from thers included the originally renaissance Town Hall, the Samson's fountain and 72 m high Black Tower which provides a view of the town and surroundings.

[edit] Get out

• Český Krumlov, a UNESCO World Heritage landmark and an extremely popular tourist destination. Buses to Český Krumlov leave every half hour or so from the main bus station at Mercury Centrum and takes about 45 minutes to get there. Don't take the train--it's slower, and more expensive.
• Trebon - a picturesque town with a castle, the Regent brewery, lakes and a lovely town square. Takes about three-quarters of an hour on the bus through some lovely scenery.

• Hluboka n. Vlatavu - nearby village with large 'Windsor-style' castle up on the hill and an old church. Follow the path along the Vlatava River north of the city (about 10 km) and it will bring you right into Hluboka.
• Holašovice is a small rural village which is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List for being the best preserved traditional Central European village. Its square is lined with unique Houses decorated in the 'Folk Baroque' style. There is also a small pond and chapel. Two of the buildings house pubs and there is also a Tourist information office. Buses run hourly from the bus station of Ceske Budejovice taking around 20 minutes. Return buses run approximately 55 minutes after you will be dropped off, which is more than enough time to sample the delights.

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