Karlštejn Castle And Bohemian Glassworks, 8 hrs

KARLSTEJN CASTLE and BOHEMIAN GLASSWORKS TOUR, 7-8 hrs
Visit the medieval castle, where no woman was allowed to walk in! The impressive high gothic style castle was founded by the emperor Charles IV in 1348 as a secret royal treasury for the crown jewels. You can see the medieval residential rooms of the emperor and his family. Walk around the castle yards and walls. There is a unique precious "golden" Chapel of the Holy Cross, where the treasures and important documents were kept in the past. We strongly recommend the visit of this sacred place (Book ahead, open only from May till October). Inside the chapel you can admire the golden ceiling with the glass stars, the walls decorated by semi-precious stones and the world`s largest collection of 129 medieval panel paintings by Master Theodoric. All visitors must join the guided tours organized by the castle. 
Walking down from the castle you can enjoy the local village full of galleries, shops and restaurants with the beautiful view of the castle. 

Visit the famous Bohemian Glassworks “Ruckl”, the big factory in Nizbor town, and see the amazing process of the glass making (45 min excursion, entry fee 120 CZK includes also a small glass gift!). At the end of the tour you can visit a shop where you can buy local goods. Due to the safety reasons everybody has to join the group tours organized by the factory (your private guide will stay with you and answer your questions). All the area is a protected Nature reserve, you will see a nice Czech countryside. Open: October- April: Mon-Fri 9:15-13:00 and May - September: Mon – Fri 9:15-16:00, Sat 9:00-13:00. 

You can add another sightseeing option (1 hour extra) and visit a small art glassworks “GlasStar” in Nenacovice, focused on the art and colored glass. Located 15 min nearby the big factory, private excursion takes 30 min, entry fee 50 CZK. They made even a glass memorial for Indíra Ghándí in the the Prime Minister's Residence of India. In this small family workshop you can even make your own piece of Glass. There is also extremely cheap factory shop. Open: Mon -Fri 8:00-13:00, weekends 13:00-17:00. July and August all week 13:00 -17:00

Approximate itinerary
9:00 depart Prague,10:00 tour the big  Glassworks + shopping, 11:30 departure 12:00 Lunch in Karlstejn 13:00 walk up the hill 13:30 join the Karlstejn castle tour 15:30 depart 16:30 arrival to Prague

Sightseeing options

Itinerary includes tim for two sightseeing options, according to your choice:

1. The representative rooms of Emperor Charles IV - Standard tour - historic interiors of the Imperial Palace and the Marian Tower, copy of the Czech Crown. (55 min, Ticket 320CZK/reduced 230CZK, CLOSED on MONDAYS! opening times  https://www.hrad-karlstejn.cz/en/visitors-information/tours/1562-the-private-and-representative-rooms-of-emperor-charles-iv-basic-tour ).

2. The sacred rooms with the Chapel of the Holy Cross - Exclusive tour  - must be booked in advance!, let us know ahead if you wish this option! - see: Imperial Palace, the Church of the Virgin Mary and the St. Catherine Chapel, the Great Tower and the unique Chapel of the Holy Cross, ( 100 min. Ticket 750CZK/ reduced 530CZK. Open only May - October)

3. The Great Tower View - upper floors of the Great Tower. You will see stairway with Gothic wallpaintings, former guardroom and armoury, an exclusive view from the highest point of the castle. (40min, Ticket 260CZK/reduced 180CZK. Open only: May - September)

4. The Wax Figurines Museum - meet the figures from the Czech history and unique kaleidoscope (30 min, entrance 100 CZK, open daily 10-18)

5. Amerika -  the old stone quarry called "America", local miniature of the Grand Canyon :-) (30 min, for free)

6. Walk along the river in the nature - castle is located in the The Český kras (Bohemian Karst) Protected Landscape Area (about 60 minutes, 0,- entry fee, http://www.cittadella.cz/europarc/index.php?p=index&site=CHKO_cesky_kras_en, https://www.protectedplanet.net/karlstejn-national-nature-reserve) 

4. Big Glassworks - “Ruckl” is the traditional Czech glass making faktory (45 min, entry fee 120 CZK includes a small glass gift!)
5. Small Glassworks  - "GlasStar" is a small family style art glasswork in Nenačovice village (60 min, entry fee 50 CZK)
6. Glass Shopping - both factories have factory shops (30-60min)

Prices include: guide service, transfer service. Itinerary includes time for the time for two "Sightseeing Options" listed above, according to your choice, all taxes, parking fees, water available in the vehicle.  
If you ask for more sightseeing options, the exceeding time is set ahead and paid extra 900 CZK per hour.
Prices do not include: Entry fees for the interior tours or meals.

Services using car/minivan - children under 15 are not free - as we are counting number of seats in the car/minivan. 

Related websites: 

Castle http://www.hrad-karlstejn.cz/en ,  Nature http://ceskykras.ochranaprirody.cz/en/ , Big Glassworks - Nizbor  https://www.ruckl.com/en/, Small Glassworks www.ceske-sklo.cz/glasstar/eng/index_en.html, Beroun https://www.mesto-beroun.cz/en/, Castle Konopiste https://www.zamek-konopiste.cz/en  , UNESCO Park www.parkpruhonice.cz, Brewery www.pivovarferdinand.cz/home-page