Active holiday
On horseback
Horseback riding is the ideal opportunity to join together the ideas of tourism, the countryside, a healthy way to spend free time, and build a relationship to nature. In the past, there was no tradition of horseback tourism, nor was there even a plan to develop it. The number of horse owners and trainers continues to grow in the Czech Republic, those who take it rather as recreational, using it to satisfy their longings to wander the countryside. Even the neighbouring countries have noted an increased interest in the growing trend of horseback tourism in South Bohemia. There is a growing number of people who, although they don't have a horse themselves, would enjoy spending their vacation in the saddle. Even for such folks, a week of the “best view in the world” doesn't have to go unfulfilled. In contrast to circular routes that lead an organized group of horses and riders out and back, horse routes lead “from somewhere to somewhere”. Aside from the sports aspect of horseback riding, it also brings wonderful experiences from natural paths, opportunities to visit historical monuments and other attractions of the region, and it provides an opportunity for unique encounters with local folk as well as other tourists, much more than other forms of tourism do.
Water tourism
The Šumava area and South Bohemia also provide watersports enthusiasts an opportunity to spend their vacation well, whether it means floating down the Vltava, Otava, or Lužnice Rivers, or enjoying one of many water sports available at Lake Lipno or one of the many Třeboň lakes. The Vltava River is navigable from Lenora. The water route leads to Soumarský Bridge and on to Dobrá, Chlum, Pěkná, and ends up in Nová Pec. This is the traditional water route chosen by beginners or those opting for a more gentle ride. The next most often visited section of the Vltava begins from Vyšší Brod to Rožmberk nad Vltavou, Zátoň, Nové Spolí, then onwards to Český Krumlov and Zlatá Koruna. From here you can continue on to Březí, then to Boršov nad Vltavou, České Budějovice, and Hluboká nad Vltavou.
The Otava River water route leads from the Čenkova Sawmill through Rejštejn, Annín, to Sušice, to Rabí (Žichovice), Horažďovice, Střelské Hoštice, Katovice, Strakonice, Slaník, Sudoměř, Putim, Písek and Zvíkovské Podhradí.
The Lužnice River is navigable throughout its entire length. The route leads from Suchdol nad Lužnicí then divides before Třeboň, then you can continue in either direction. One way leads along the “Old River” through Třeboň, Lomnice nad Lužnicí, Veselí nad Lužnicí, Sezimovo Ústí, Tábor and Bechyně all the way to the confluence with the Vltava River in Naznašovo near Týn nad Vltava. The other way, the newly navigable “New River” leads through a system of canals and side branches to Nežárka, continuing along until Veselí where the Nežárka and Lužnice converge.
Fishing
Come take the time to go fishing and take in the unforgettable atmosphere of South Bohemia, an ideal location for sport or recreation fishing. The tradition of fishing and fishpond cultivation in South Bohemia is an inseparable part of the region's history that continues even today. The exceptional conditions for fishing are set up by the many water areas of South Bohemia's rivers, ponds, and man-made lakes. Spring and autumn in particular are especially good for fishing, although conditions are good all year round. The South Bohemian fishpond system is a unique technical monument as well as a great place for fishing, the most renowned of which is the Třeboň system boasting the largest fishpond in Bohemia, the Rožmberk. There are also great conditions for fishing in the areas around České Budějovice, Hluboká nad Vltavou, Protivín, and Blatná. The traditional and most common catch is the carp, but you might also have luck with a pike, a pike-perch, or sheatfish, as well as an amur, silver carp, or bass, while the rivers are rich with trout, eels, and grayling. Fishing is one of the most popular ways to spend free time in the Lipno region. The vast water surface of the Lipno water reservoir is a year-round magnet for fishermen of all types, and you're sure to find what you're looking for here. The rivers of South Bohemia are a very popular site for fly-fishing and sport fishing, particularly the Vltava.
Hunting tourism
There is a long tradition of gamekeeping and hunting in South Bohemia. The area's hunting grounds have long been sought after by hunting parties for its richness of small game, including water fowl. The rich tradition of hunting, gamekeeping, game wardening, and fishing throughout the territory of South Bohemia has left its permanent prints in the landscape in the form of fishponds, game preserves, and pheasantry for game breeding. These natural characteristics are given an even stronger flavour with the presence of aristocratic hunting manors, summer palaces, fishing bastions, and other hunting-oriented structures that give the region a specific character. The 18th century saw the construction of several important game and pheasant preserves. The center of hunting activities became the Ohrada Manor near Hluboká nad Vltavou. This Baroque hunting lodge has been the seat of a hunting, gamekeeping, and forestry museum since 1842. The Ohrada Museum thus ranks as one of the oldest of its type in the Czech Republic, and it is the oldest specialized museum in Europe. South Bohemia is a very attractive place for hunter visitors from around Europe. A relatively small area allows for hunting parties for lesser and hoofed game alike. Individual hunts are organized, and free game preserves are also available. The hunt is carried on accordance with the habits and traditions of Czech game-keeping, with the sound of the opening fanfare, while the hunt is finished with a gamebag, a fanfare, and the announcement of the king of the hunt. The region offers many areas for commercial hunting, the most renowned of which are the České Budějovice region and Hluboká, Šumava, Třeboň, Protivín, and around Vodňany.
Golf
South Bohemia is the place where golfers can experience the unique combination of golf in the close proximity to natural beauties and historical monuments. The castle environs of Hluboká nad Vltavou, the nature of Czech Canada near Nová Bystřice, the eighteen holes at Lake Lipno, the romantic course in the midst of the Jistebnická Vrchovina natural park, and a number of other courses are sure to satisfy each player, and not only with the quality of its greens.
This landscape, intertwined with rivers, seems to have been created for canoers and rafters. The Lužnice River, with its meanders and turns, the Vltava with its Šumava forests and meadows at its upper section, the rough water below Lake Lipno and the wide riverbed in its lower section, the Otava River with its former gold sands, and the other rivers all provide both beginners and seasoned veterans with a chance to try their hand. Golfers will also enjoy themselves here – the castle environment of Hluboká nad Vltavou, the nature of Czech Canada near Nová Bystřice, the eighteen holes at Lake Lipno, and a number of other courses are sure to satisfy each player with more than simply the quality of their greens. The network of horse trails is even richer, and the romantic soul can see for himself that the world truly is more beautiful on horseback.
