Reviews June 2024
14 days, 47 co-travelers, 3 tour guides, 4 countries, 4 airplanes, over 1100 miles by a luxurious bus that included a short cut through Germany, 3 boat cruises, a few cable cars and trams, 1 trolly and 1 scenic train ride has made this European trip one for the books! Czech Heritage Tours of Ennis did an amazing job putting together an itinerary for us to travel to many beautiful places and to learn so much about Italy, Switzerland, Austria, and the Czech Republic (our heritage). The arrangements from transportation to lodging to tours to dining to the ease of money exchange and everything in between are greatly appreciated as we were truly taken care of for the two weeks of travel. Many memories were made during the time we spent with family and friends (both old and new). We were able to celebrate some of our new friends, Amy and Andy, as they got married on our tour in South Moravia and invited everyone to attend the ceremony and reception. It was a beautiful wedding to experience with them. This trip was a special trip as we traveled with our daughter Erika, something just the three of us haven’t done in many years. We are so thankful for the time shared between us on this amazing trip. A big thank you to Renee, Tim, Steavy and Alfred for being such wonderful hosts and for all the hard work they put into planning such a memorable trip for their travelers. Everything was top notch and were able to enjoy the European travel experience without any stress or worry. They do it all for you! We look forward to traveling with them in the future.
Jeff and Jeanette Frazier
Erika Roland
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We went on tours in Sept 2015 and June 2024 and both were fantastic; the last one in June took my breath away as it concentrated on the Alps in Austria and Switzerland and every moment was breath taking; amazing and beautiful.
Guides, travel modes, accommodations, food, timeliness, etc. is as close to perfect as one can get. Each year we made side trips away from the tour to visit relatives in the Czech republic and Renee made it happen. Touring with Czech Heritage Tours is flat out a good bargain and it enables one to see a big slice of Europe in relaxed comfort. I highly recommend them.
Ken Mikulencak
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Our second tour with Czech Heritage Tours was as great as the first! We traveled to beautiful countries, ate delicious food and
made new friends and wonderful memories. Thanks to Renee again for making arrangements for a driver so we could visit family during the trip! Y'all are the best!
Debi Mikulencak
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Reviews September 2023
OH MY GOSH!!!!!!!! This was a trip of a lifetime. We have always wanted to go to Germany to relive some of Randy’s Military years, but this trip was so much more than we could have hoped for. We usually plan our own trips, and they turn out pretty well. There is no way we could have planned an amazing experience as you shared with us. This was truly an experience of a lifetime for us. Making new friends, seeing new places, checking off a few “Bucket List” items. It was so much more that we imagined it would be. The food we ate, the places we visited, the things we did and the places we stayed were all too wonderful to describe. The length of the flight did originally give us a little concern - thinking of jet lag. However, the way you had everything planned and timed was perfect. No jet lag, NEVER went hungry, never a lack for something new to see or learn. Pavel is an amazing historian, and he made every minute on the bus a joy and an added adventure. Never have we been on a trip so well thought out. The side trip you created for us was amazing as well. Once again, it felt like you planned the entire trip just for us. We had a wonderful time hanging out with you & Tim, your parents, and all the new friends we met.
We had previously talked about traveling with you again in about 5 years. But - now that we are home and the suite cases are put away, we are already missing the excitement of traveling. We continuously reminisce (between the two of us as well as with our family & friends) about our amazing experience with Czech Heritage Tours. As we smile with those thoughts, we are now thinking we should probably do this again in a couple of years! We cannot thank you enough for your attention to detail in planning this trip. You extended a warm welcome and continued friendship to everyone on our trip! We can’t wait to do this again..
Sincerely,
Karen & Randy Epps
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Truly an amazing trip !! Wonderful accommodations, fun & informative activities, great food & an awesome group of travelers. We had so much fun ! Can’t wait to travel with Czech Heritage Tours again ! -Carol & Ricky Beisert
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We traveled to the Czech Republic, Germany, Austria and Switzerland with Czech Heritage Tours in September 23'. We were very impressed with how organized and well thought out the itinerary was. Renee and Tim were amazing hosts, and made every transfer and hotel check-in a breeze! The points of interest were well planned which made the trip fun and memorable. We could not have been more pleased, and we hope to do another tour soon.
The Hrncir's (Asheville, NC)
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A big THUMBS UP to Renee and her team for the extra effort in getting us home and all the loving care that was bestowed on us during the whole trip. We were always made to feel like family.
Renee recommended Antony's Jewelry store in Karlsbad. A beautiful spot to relax and enjoy the Czech culture. It was our anniversary, so Nick wanted to buy me something. I saw a stunning ruby and diamond earrings and necklace set. It was way more than I would have spent but Nick insisted. I just got the appraisal back. It is more than double what we paid. WOW.
-Jacque Farley
Henry Blackaby “We don’t choose what we will do for God; He invites us to join Him where He wants to involve us.”
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I can truly say we had an amazing time. In Czechia we had good food and great beer. I recommend the River cruise around Prague for a good time in the evening time.
Walking around Prague just checking out the churches and other sights was a favorite memory. Same with the time walking about Karlovy Vary and Regensburg.
I can't recommend our tour guide, Pavel, highly enough. He was friendly, entertaining, very knowledgeable of the places we visited and kept us from getting lost.
The one recommendation I would have is staying three nights in Prague as it is large city with a lot a sights to see. Thanks for such a great trip. -Erik Harrison
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Renee,
For me the Czech Heritage tours have always felt comfortable—from Elaine & Stevie’s tours to yours today. They’re jam-packed with places to see with guidance, but also include time to ‘hang-out’ a little, if desired. I recommend your tours to any ‘travelers’ I know—for all of the above and also the great value for the price.
Thank you and Tim for taking special care of my family this trip
-Charlene H.
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I have just returned from my third trip with Czech Heritage tours and each one of them has been great! We always have news things to see and do along with the visits that you would expect to make in the Czech Republic. I always love going Prague! We did two river cruises this time that I thoroughly enjoyed. And as always, the food and drink were plentiful. I highly recommend this company if you are looking for some great travel opportunities with some great people.
-Susie Powell
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Jacque and I loved being on the trip for a second time. We went in 2019 also. Each time we found some amazing new friends. They were kind enough to allow us to go even though we are not Czech. The trip was well organized and Rene and Tim went the extra mile to get us home when a flight was canceled with no notice. I would gladly go again,
-Nick Farley
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Traveling with Czech Heritage Tours is the only way to go. With their experience of over 26 years planning and taking trips to the Czech Republic, you will have the trip of a lifetime. All the details are taken care of for you. You ride on an awesome luxury bus and drinks, snacks and money exchange is provided. This is invaluable. The bus driver, tour guide and leader are all very knowledgeable. You will experience the countryside, the local foods, impressive sites and also local history. And as an added bonus, you will meet awesome people on the trip with you.
-Cindy Michalsky
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Reviews June 2023
Wow! One of our travelers wrote a poem about her experience with the June 2023 tour. Wait until you read this!!
13 days on a Bus
Like the process of making a good spirit
The gathering of a community takes time and patience
And the magic began before touching the gold toe of the beautiful muse
Smells of the sea gave tastebuds signals to start savoring
The Aegean sparkled
Sending cool waves to shore to surround toes
Clear water reflected images in blue
Coliseum had our hearts full of compassion for the cries of ancestors
Then Polka tunes caused smiles again
Toes tapping
Dancing in a strangers arms
Add mystery to this adventure
Hat tricks bring raucous laughter
Congo lines exist in all cultures
Merry faces reflect happy hearts
Cannon fire signaled the beginning of a celebration
Priests cassocks flow as they walk among the people
Blessings have been blended into the landscape
Leaves blessed are tucked away to guide us
Positive thoughts spreads through our universe
Small boats sway to the rhythm of the water
Wine soothes the soul another day
Children laugh and chase
Flora abounds among the stone pathways
Lending pastel elegance to the once war torn buildings
Smiles and nods of understanding cross the faces of travelers
Bistros. Cafes. Biergartens
Strong coffee and beer gets us through the day
Languages travel into our ears
Rich sounds like an orchestra playing one melody after another
Food invades our senses
We search our minds to discover the flavors
Beer. Wine. Slivovitz
Soak our tongue and throats
Our attitudes soften
Our bodies relax
We share our stories
We exclaim over our connections
Six degrees of separation
We listen closely to our differences
Learning something knew to help us grow
Sweet teasing blends with our laughter
Our guides filled our seeking brains and hearts
full of knowledge and wonder
Cathedrals
Snow touched mountains
Green covered hills
Fruit orchards
Pathways along cobblestone lanes
Entice us to pause
Picture each moment
Capture some
We borrowed your eyes
We saw your world
Opened our hearts
Opened our eyes
P.S. The back of the bus was a happening place full of sweet sounds of children and laughter
Would not trade it for anything in the world
This only touches on all the beautiful things we saw, felt, and brought to our memories
Susan & Doug
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This was my second trip with Czech Heritage Tours. This time I brought my 11 year old son who had a blast absorbing all of the history that the wonderful tour guides informed us of. The sights are so beautiful. Renee, Tim, Steavy and Fred are the best! Anything you need, they will help you find it. The group that traveled on the trip as always are so kind and everyone takes care of each other. I highly recommend going! Thank you for everything you all do and being so kind. ~Amanda Mikel
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Steavy and Renee introduced us to so many cities, towns, and experiences with their Czech Heritage Tours. They navigated a path through 4 countries, and showed us the most breathtaking sights, provided us with rich historical tours, and planned engaging cultural entertainment. Their tours are curated from decades of experience. I can’t imagine a better way to see so much without having to stress about logistics and planning. I highly recommend Czech Heritage Tours. ~Deborah Kish
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We so enjoyed being with both of you, as well as all of the other travelers, on our recent trip to the Czech Republic and beyond. Thank you for being such gracious and gentle leaders, who put together a wonderfully diverse itinerary. The hotels were great, our tour guide incredible and the scenery truly wonderful. It was a memorable 2 weeks, visiting new places with many new friendships being made. And, thank you again for toasting Neil with champagne on the bus, in celebration of his birthday!! We will highly recommend this trip to others!! We hope to see you again soon! ~Cheryl and Neil Van Zandt
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It was a great trip and visiting Croatia and Slovenia was a wonderful and, of course, the scenery was beautiful as we traveled. The added bonus was staying two nights at each location. I agree with you about having a great group. We had a safe trip home and I hope the others did also. Thank you and Steavy for doing such a great job organizing these trips. ~Lorraine Tenney
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We can’t say enough great things about our experience with Czech Heritage Tours! From having our car parked in a safe location in Ennis, to the ease of money exchange, to the outstanding guides (Miroslav and Pavel), we were more than pleased with the entire European trip experience. Thank you to the Jakubik and Valek families for such an amazing trip!
Amy Jurica & Andy Hovorak
Reviews June, July & September 2022
The September 2022 trip was fabulous at every stop we made. This is our second time to tour with Czech Heritage Tours, and it was even better than our trip back in 2019. We believe the tour experience with 47 other people on a bus for almost 2 weeks was and is made enjoyable because almost all have some direct or indirect Czech connection. And you know, we Czechs always enjoy fun times. Plus, we were traveling as a family group of 6 and also 2 other cousins we had not met until the trip. Our side trip to the Holy Farm (our grandmother’s ancestral farm), and then to Provodov and Zelechovice to find family homes from the 1800’s was an experience we will remember for a long time. Thank you for arranging the side trip with Tomas as driver and interpreter. He was great! And, THANK YOU to Renee, Tim, Pavel, Miroslav, Jan who organize, guide, and drive us through all these various countries. David & Shirley Caesar
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Just wanted to say THANK YOU once again for all the hard work you put into organizing our travel. I had an amazing time for my first European travel experience, and it was such a pleasure meeting all the nice people.Thank you and Tim, once again for everything! Great job!
~Paula Monk
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A great travel experience! A greater value. The two guides were very kind and informative. The driver was probably the best I’ve seen. At no time did I feel unsafe. The accommodations were good. I’m not a big international cuisine man. The service to a large group was excellent. I experienced other food services away from the group that were not as good. That says a lot about your team efforts. Europe Food was different to me as nothing was ever very hot or very cold. Warm hot dog! Funny! Yet not bad! For such a large group it was well handled. For a large group I’d suggest it was appropriate and worth the value.
Breakfast every where was fantastic. The breads and danishes were an experience.
The beautiful scenes were greater and better than expected. But the entire group was what made the trip “Special “! I believe that’s because: “ Tim/Renee”cared so well for each individual! As did Pavel and Thomas.
We were 100% satisfied with the trip. Thank you! In Christ we live abundantly in joy and love for others.
~Dave White
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We enjoyed our trip so much. Such a great group of people to travel with. We especially enjoyed the music, food, singing and dancing in Moravia. We have made some permanent friends! Mike and Carol
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My mom and I had the most fabulous time on the June 2022 tour. Everything was perfect! This tour is very well organized from the flights, bus, money exchange, hotels, breakfast/lunch/dinners and numerous sight seeing opportunities. Renee was absolutely the best and was with us all every step of the way. We met some great new friends on this trip and look forward to traveling with them again in the future. Memories were made that will never be forgotten and so many pictures taken to reflect upon. The architect and beauty that surrounds you is just amazing. Indescribable actually, you have to see it yourself to believe it. The Passion Play was spectacular. The wineries and bier gardens did not disappoint, ha! Talk about FUN! Shopping for Christmas ornaments, gold jewelry, wine, gifts and anything else we just had to have was high on the list of activities as well. We were lucky enough to have such a fun group of people on this tour and enjoyed them all. "Slivo or Peach" should be the motto. I could go on and on about this tour for days, needless to say, WE WILL be touring again soon. Thank you again Czech Heritage Tours for a trip of a lifetime, that will remain in our hearts forever.
Jessica & Sharon Emerson
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I thought the Passion Play No. 2 Tour was fabulous! I loved going to Switzerland and to Lucerne and Mt. Pilatus was my favorite stop besides the Rheinfalls. Those were both great experiences. Hallstatt and the boat ride were great, too.
The best hotel was again the one outside of Salzberg. Huberthof. It was my favorite again.
I thought Tomas and his sister were great guides, too. I am glad they were happy to help out Miroslav. I loved listening to Tomas' history lessons.
Thanks for the wonderful tour once again. All the meals were awesome, as well as the entertainment nights, too.
I was not looking forward to the Passion Play, but I really loved it. Even in a different language, we know the story, so language was not a problem. I loved the staging, the design, the colors, and the use of the townspeople. The two little German towns were great. It was well worth it. So glad we had that opportunity. Again, the night at the Holy Farm was awesome, as was the river cruise in Prague.
I enjoyed the others on the trip, too. Most were lots of fun and fun to talk to. I can't wait to see where else y'all might go in the future!
~Denise Costello
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Tour 2022 - June 5-18
People alway say that their trip was awesome. But what does that really mean? Let me tell you my experience on my recent travel on Czech Heritage Tours and explain exactly what awesome was for me and why I would highly recommend them:
- TRUST - An absolute trust in Renee and the coordination of the trip. With all the things going on in the world right now (Covid, UK war, etc), it was extremely comforting to have total confidence and trust in Renee. She was very responsive and replied directly to any of my concerns.
- VALUE FOR MONEY - From airfare, travel on the bus, lodging, food, drink and attractions - you couldn't get more value for your money. The only money I spent on the trips beside a few lunches was for souvenirs!
- AMAZING DESTINATIONS/ATTRACTIONS - We covered so much territory on our trip and was able to visit some absolutely beautiful cities and sites. Communications were efficient on each stop so we knew what to expect. Some of my favorite memories are:
- the passion play in Oberammergau Germany. What a beautiful town and such an emotional and moving experience to see the play
- the boat cruise at Lake Tegernsee in Germany - absolutley breath taking views of the Alpine mountain tops and the water was so clear it reflected the towns and countryside.
- Chodovar brewery in the Czech Republic - such a cool brewery and awesome lunch in a mountain cave. We all had so much fun.
- dinner river cruise in Prague - seeing the city at sunset was so relaxing and beautiful.
- Dancing with the Czech band at a family owned brewery. Our group had so much fun together dancing! We even had a member of our group play the harmonica with them. Fun for everyone!
- Unique cave tour in Moravia, Czech Republic. It was so interesting walking through the caves and then the boat ride within the caverns. In some areas of the tour you could stop and listen to the beautiful music they were playing that would echo through out the caves.
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Bernice and I had a good time on the Czech Heritage trip. We enjoyed the beautiful country, city sights and not having to plan our next move. Just get on the bus and go. Thomas, Lynka and Milosauf made the trip interesting with their knowledge of customs and culture. This was a very diverse group of young, middle age and older people who liked to have a good time. We had the one long day on the bus when the road was closed for an accident, but no one complained. Having the money exchange for different currencies on the bus was very convenient. The breakfast and dinners included in the price was nice.
I was very surprised of the cleanliness of the cities we toured. The hotels were nice, having a hotel with ac is a plus in the summer months.
My one suggestion is somewhere in the middle of the trip to have a day or afternoon to do whatever. Lucerne was the first stop, and we had an afternoon to shop and dine at a leisurely pace, that was nice.
I would recommend the trip to my friends and anyone planning a trip to Europe.
Thanks for a good time,
Bernice and Doug Dulock
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Thank you for a wonderful trip of a lifetime. We had a great time and got to see some beautiful scenes of such beauty we didn't know really existed and met some really super nice people in all of our adventures. God created a beautiful world for us to see and enjoy. We hope to do more traveling and see want all we have been missing out there. We did take a group photo in the Czech Republic I believe and was hoping to be able to get some copies. Thanks for all of your help in making all of this possible. Hope all is well with you. With much Love and appreciation.
Freddie and Janice Kaluza
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My husband and I both had a great time on the tour! It was much more than we expected from the sights to the guides to the food to the friends we made on the tour. Looking forward to another tour with Renee and her group in the not so distant future.
Ann M.
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We had a great time on the trip. The Passion Play was long and hard to follow with the language problem. All the sights in Switzerland, Austria and Eagle Nest were beautiful and a great experience. The Czech Republic portion of the trip for the most part we had done on our other trips and have always been enjoyable. I would like to see us visiting one of the many castles other than just the Prague Castle. It was good to see a mix of younger folks on this trip as I think Mandy had a really good time on the trip. I would have loved to have done a trip like this in my 20 or 30’s and it looks like they had a good time. Look forward to seeing next year’s trip schedule! Steve
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Reviews September 2019
Dear Renee and Steavy, Thanks so much for all you did to make our European trip so enjoyable! The itinerary provided so many wonderful opportunities for us to experience the history and beauty of Europe. We felt totally cared for each step of the way: delicious regional fare for all of our meals, dinner entertainment nightly, glittering nighttime dinner cruises, money exchange on the bus, personal tours of the most fascinating places, and quality hotels that catered to every need. We enjoyed the commentary and camaraderie of our tour guide Pavel. We were impressed with the skill of our bus driver. And Miroslav was the best coordinator offering slivo and money exchange daily. What we didn’t anticipate was all the wonderful people we’d meet as traveling companions. We had a great group!! We’re excited to make plans for our next trip with you!
Best wishes, Edith Bullock
I want to thank you for such an amazing trip! You guys do an awesome job and I enjoyed it so much. Spending time with family, and my father and learning about our heritage was truly amazing for me. Every detail and all the group excursions were so fun and memorable. So I wanted to take the time to thank you again :) My next goal is learning for Czech like you guys. Again thank you for an amazing trip and I hope I can get the time to take another one soon!! Lesley Bazant
* Our trip to Europe in Sept/Oct 2019 was fantastic/fabulous. Great scenery, meals, and accommodations. Renee and Steavy did a great job in setting up the tour and places to visit. Pavel and Miroslav were extraordinary hosts for the whole visit. Special thanks to Renee and Pavel in setting up the train trip to Brno to visit relatives and see the home where my mother/grandmother/aunt was born near 120 years ago. The price of the tour, airline fare, with everything included is a bargain. Many thanks to all, Al, Joe and Margaret
* I would like to take this opportunity to thank Steavy and Renee for the absolutely fantastic job they did in putting together this September 2019 trip. It's hard to imagine the vast amount of time spent in the planning and execution of so many minute details. I must say, the effort was well worth it. From the moment we landed in Frankfurt and boarded our "Adventure Bus", I felt perfectly safe and well cared for. To have a trip which was all inclusive was absolutely wonderful. Transportation, lodging, food, entertainment and admission to various events was so efficient and seamless, so very easy. Each day as we left the hotel and boarded our bus, there was a sense of anticipation. What amazing sights would we see today? Each day our expectations were exceeded. Each day we thought things couldn't get any better, but to our amazement each day was better than the last. My personal favorite was the ceremony at the town hall in Frenstat where we became honorary members of the Wallachian Kingdom in the Czech Republic. Vienna, Budapest, Krakow, Prague and all the other locations were each a treasure. I am grateful for the opportunity to have visited these locations and to have leaned a little about the history and culture of these wonderful places. To have visited these places has given me a greater appreciation for our European neighbors.
A big thank you also goes out to the great team of local guides, Pavel, Miroslav and Jan. It was easy to see the love for their homeland shine through and the pride they took in presenting to us their history and culture. They are true professionals.
In conclusion, I recommend Czech Heritage Tours to anyone looking for an easy, well planned vacation which covers all aspects of travel. Thank you again Steavy and Renee. You're great. Mary Ann B.
*What a fantastic trip! Everything arranged for us by Czech Heritage Tours was top notch! The red carpet came out for us at every stop. Our guides kept us informed and entertained. What better way to showcase the wonders of the world than with the knowledge and experience of a well organized team of travel experts to support you during your travels. Highly recommended and hope to travel with you again in the future! Anna Ramirez
Reviews June 2019
Eve and I had a marvelous time on the recent trip to Budapest, Vienna, Moravia, Prague, and Germany. We have been on several tours consistent with the manner of this trip and have a great bit of experience in group travel. This trip was second to none. The hotels, food, bus, and guides were fantastic and informative as we travelled the road. Forget the weather, you cannot control this and share no responsibility for the heat at the end of the trip. I thought the itinerary was well formulated allowing the opportunity to shop and take in sites at various stops. The highlights of all the places were very enjoyable. Stevie’s family in Moravia were a treasure to us all. I especially enjoyed my drive tour with Miroslav Jr., he was very willing to go above and beyond to see that we could take in as much as possible in a compressed timeframe. He was kind and patient; we love him dearly for his acts of kindness. We met some very pleasant people on the trip and really enjoyed that social component. To have you and Tim present, words will never describe the joy appropriately. Queen Stevie and Alfred were a delight and true pleasure, Doris and Noah too. Pavel and Miroslav were excellent and we enjoyed them immensely. Top to bottom, I give the trip very high marks and would repeat again and do it all over without doubt. You are to be commended and we will treasure the memories for years to come. We love you all for including us. Steve Sutton
*The trip this past June was fantastic and I couldn't have enjoyed myself more. Outside of the heat wave and a couple sleepless nights due to the heat, it was great. I count it all as part of the adventure. The trip exceeded my expectations and i would go with your company in a heartbeat. L.Allen
*Dear Renee and Steavy,
Fantastický výlet a výborná cestovní kancelář.
Thanks for the exceptionally well organized tour. Everything was spectacular! We could have never done as much or seen as much, if we had tried to do this by ourselves. . This was the least stressful trip I have every taken; not worrying about flights, hotels, delicious meals, sightseeing, language, money exchange, etc. was priceless All we had to do was listen for the times to meet for the bus, for meals and that days excursions.
Pavel and Miroslav were indispensable and knowledgeable guides. Pavel is a wonderful storyteller. Having them on the bus the whole trip from arrival to departure was a real comfort.
Thank you, for arranging the side excursion and helping me find the homes of my great-great grandfather and other relatives in the Czech town named for my maiden name. This was the best part of the trip for me; finding homes and meeting with my relatives was emotional and memorable. Tomas, the Czech/English speaking driver was marvelous. He identified the homes, made suggestions, like going to town hall to ask about the home we could not locate and did a beautiful job of interpreting the language. He was fun, polite and very knowledgeable.
Thanks, for allowing my friend Celeste, who was going to St. Charles University to join us for our dinner cruise. She was the whole reason I became interested in learning more about my Moravian relatives. She studied Czech while going to the University of Texas and did her research on the first Czechs to settle in Milam County. My great grandfather, who was17 years old was the first Czech to arrive in Milam County.
Loved the trip and the Czech Republic, now Czechia, would love to go back and absolutely would go with Czech Heritage Tours. I have already told numerous friends and family about the great time we had.
Dobrý den!
Thank you,
Sherry & Wayne
*Where does one begin to describe the absolute dream trip? First, it was great to visit with Shirley’s cousins Steavy, Renee, and their family members on the trip. You are “newly” discovered cousins from the Holy lineage, and we are so glad to have found you! The party at the Holy farm where we met more cousins only makes us want to return. We agree with Kathy S. that there were so many unexpected pleasures: lodging, food, libations, entertainment (on and off the bus), and all so well planned and executed. This was Shirley’s first trip back to Europe in 30 years and David’s first trip......we are ready to go again. Will be watching your website!
The Caesars
* Wow, where do I begin? Steavy and Renee did such a wonderful job planning the trip! Each day was jammed packed from breakfast to bed with amazing historical sites and attractions, wonderful food and drinks, and the best company. In addition to Steavy and Renee, we had our local guides, Pavel and Miroslav. They worked relentlessly to please 46 people and their effort didn’t go unnoticed. This trip was worth every penny; there is no way I could have experienced as many cities and attractions as we did planning this myself. Thanks again! Taylor & Matt Maloney
* Thanks again for a great trip. Melinda and I enjoyed everything. The trip is very well planned, so all we have to think about is when to be ready. Our visit included a great mix of historic cities and smaller towns. The dinners and lunches were very nice, with good food and drinks, and music in many places.. Pavel and Miloslav, our tour guides, do a great job with the planning and logistics, and Pavel adds colorful commentary. Even the longer times on the bus are broken up with breaks and with refreshments (Slivo anyone?). We were fortunate to have great weather, and a really friendly group of people on the trip.
One of the main features of the trip was to visit our Czech heritage. Our time in Moravia and Prague was great, definitely a highlight. I would encourage anyone who has roots in the area to arrange a side trip to their "home town". Those who did this seemed to really appreciate it. Our hosts in Buchlovice, at the Holy Farm, in Rosnov and Frenstat, and in Prague - all made us feel special with fun music and food. Thanks again. Walt & Melinda Marusak, Dallas, TX
* The June 2019 Czech Tour was absolutely amazing. It is unbelievable what all was packed into less than 2 weeks. Everything was just great, including the meals, entertainment, sites, tours and comradery. My daughter Stephanie and I will remember it forever. Steavy and Renee did an outstanding job in planning the whole trip. We met some of the nicest people in the world on the tour. We would do it all again in a heartbeat. Bill Sokora
* The absolute best value for your money and the very best trip of our lives. If you want to see Europe and Czechia this is the BEST! We had such a great time and the guides Pavel & Miroslav were very knowledgeable & a hoot! So much food and entertainment I could not believe it! 5 Star Travel with a hometown feel! Love all of hosts! You will not be disappointed. Molly Houdek, Ennis, TX
* Aww Thank You Steavy and Renee, we had a wonderful time Great trip seeing so much of of Europe and meeting some new friends. Peach Slivo for all! P. S. whoever took a picture of Stan, Steve and I in our shirts I would love to have a copy. Alice Mikel, Ennis, TX
* Renee and Steavy.. What a great trip it was to Hungary, Czechia, Austria and Germany with Czech Heritage Tours! I thoroughly enjoyed every minute--and I'm not even Czech!!! You made me feel very comfortable and at ease throughout the entire trip. The trip was very organized from the time we got to the airport until we landed back at DFW. You were both very helpful, patient and willing to help people during the entire 13 days. The experience was wonderful! We had a great group of people; and Pavel and Miroslav were great from beginning to end. Their friendly nature and knowledge of the places we visited made the trip so interesting. They were very friendly to everyone and accommodating if you had questions about places we visited or things to do in your free time. It was also great to be able to exchange money on the bus. I thought this would be a long process...but it was so simple and easy. And then to be able to exchange foreign currency back to American dollars was great as well.
The places we visited were wonderful. Beautiful cities and villages. You were really able to get into the culture of all the cities. Pavel's explanations about the history of the towns, so many different buildings that we saw, statues, cathedrals and were great. I loved that we had families on the trip and you organized side trips for them to see their heritage, meet distant relatives and really made this a memorable trip for them. That was extra work on your part and so greatly appreciated.
The planned activities were very good and a great variety. From shopping to visiting the Holy Family Farm, to cruises on the Danube and Rhine River, visiting the winery, beautiful churches and so much more. It was a great balance and you could be as busy as you wanted, yet there was some downtime to do your own sight-seeing and shopping. It could not have been any better. I commend you for pulling this off with class and your professionalism.
The food was great as well. I was impressed by how many meals were provided and all the food was excellent. It was fun to see how other countries eat and meals were delicious! Beer and wine flowed quite freely as well! I don't know how this could have been a better organized and fun trip. It was a trip of a lifetime and I look forward to traveling with you again. With gratefulness and admiration for you both! -Kathy Steinocher, Tyler TX
* We had a great time on the trip. Alice and I would be glad to be a reference to anybody who would be considering going on a future trip. As I mentioned on the trip, I would like to have a site to share pictures taken on the trip. Thanks for making our second trip with you guys so enjoyable. Steve M., Ennis, TX
* My family and I took a two week tour of Hungary, Austria, Czechia and Germany with Czech Heritage Tours in June. This tour has been on my bucket list for awhile so I was excited that we finally made it happen. The best part is my family enjoyed it too and have said they would do it again! We made unforgettable family memories and friends along the way. Not having to plan a thing was the best part! Czech Heritage did a fabulous job taking care of the travel arrangements, hotels, destinations and fun activities. Thank you Renee and Steavy for organizing a trip filled with history, beauty and fun! Belinda Crow, Ennis, TX
Reviews September 2018Steavy, Renee,
Well, the bags are all unpacked, laundry all done, pictures all printed out, sleep cycle returned to normal...all that remains are the wonderful memories of our September trip with you. It was outstanding! Not just the beautiful sights, but the whole experience you and your team provided. What made it even more special was sharing the experience with our Son and Daughter-in-law. Again, Thank you, James & Judy Just an amazing trip. So thankful that I was able to join this group. Everyone should visit Normandy. Austria, Germany and the Czech Republic were wonderful to see. Miroslav, Pavel and Peter were just great with all their knowledge. Peter is amazing in maneuvering the bus. And, I so enjoyed the October Fest as well as all the Czech music and food. Thanks so much to Renee and Steavy with the wonderful organization of this tour. Cindy Michalsky
Our trip with Czech Heritage Tours was fabulous. An excellent planned tour to France (Normandy), Germany (Oktoberfest), Austria (Sound of Music filming location), and the many stops in the Czech Republic ending in Prague.What a great time on the bus with Miroslav serving slivovice and wine with Pavel providing the history of places we visited. Our bus driver Petr was an excellent driver and was always on time. Thanks Steavy and Renee for a great trip. Wilma (Willy) and Harry M
Steavy and Renee, How time flies when you’re having fun, as they say. This year’s September trip was the second trip for Susan and I with Czech Heritage Tours. It was memorable from start to finish. We can’t express how much fun we had and what a great job you do in organizing and managing everything. We look forward to joining you again on a future trip. Na zdravi! Mark Potter
We wanted to express our thanks for such a wonderful first trip with Czech Heritage Tours. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, our travel companions and Miraslov, Pavel and Petr as our local daily guides. These guys were an experience in, and of, themselves! I don’t think there is one thing we could seriously complain about. The food was great, the entertainment was great and the opportunities to see so many fabulous sites, historic buildings, churches and river cruises was the best we have ever experienced. The personal attention my husband and his brothers received in going to two villages to find out about their family was priceless. I think this was the highlight of the trip for my husband. We will certainly consider traveling with Czech Heritage Tours again. Mary Kay & Leonard Kuss
Thank you all so much for putting together such a wonderful trip. This exceeded my expectations. Your attention to detail and all the “extras” were impressive. I loved all the destinations we went to, and our guide, Pavel, was exceptional. Sharing this trip with so many nice people, along with great food and music was a real treat. I look forward to traveling with Czech Heritage Tours in the future. Wallie Womack
The tour exceeded our expectations, and left us longing to go back again in the future. Renee, Steavy, Pavel, Miroslav and Petr were all so knowledgeable and helpful. We made friendships with everyone else on the tour. The sights were beautiful, and Pavel's explanations about the history of many of the buildings, statues and cathedrals really added to the experience. We recommend Czech Heritage Tours to anyone who has an opportunity to go; you will enjoy it. Michael and Kari Hickman
What a Great Time! This is the first trip out of the country that my wife and I have ever taken. We went with my parents since they are the ones that talked us into it. Plus this was their 4th trip with Czech Heritage Tour Group-so they are no rookies. What a Fantastic time we had. The sites we visited and the things we saw- I just hope our pictures were able to capture the beauty and awe that we were able to see. We loaded the bus as strangers, but once you start talking to people, you find out that they know people that you know. Plus-once you spend a day in Munich at Oktoberfest- you become good friends real fast. The way the CHT group took care of us was amazing. From the travel arrangements, the bus, (the special treats on the bus J) the hotel accommodations, the planned meals, the scheduled events and stops, you could not have asked for anything nicer or better than what they arranged for us. Steavy and Renee were awesome! I have to give extra credit to the 3 Amigos-Petr (bus driver), Miroslav (entertainer/banker) and Pavel (guide). The driving skills of Petr was amazing, the knowledge that Pavel has in his head about all the locations and history was outstanding, and Miroslav helping wrangle people from location to location and all the bus duties he had- did a great job! Thank you for taking care of us and showing us a great time. Thank you for having these trips available so that everyone and anyone can have an experience of a life time. Aaron and Tina
The Fall 2018 trip with Czech Heritage Tours to France, Austria, Germany, and Czech Republic did not meet my high expectations--it far exceeded them! Renee and Steavy did an outstanding job of organizing, personalizing, and doing everything humanly possible to offer a fun, informative, and memorable trip. Miroslav, Pavel, and Petr, their contacts in Europe who accompanied us, were top notch. Although I lack Czech heritage, I felt welcomed and right at home. The trip was a good balance of planned activities and plenty of free time to shop or simply rest. This was my first trip with Czech Heritage Tours, but hopefully not the last. Thanks for all you did to insure the success of the tour. I'll be watching my email to see when and where you will be going in Sept. 2019. Depending on the dates, my husband and I plan to be on that tour. I know he would love it--especially the Slivovich, beer, and wine! Kindest regards, Dorothy M.
My wife, Cindy, and I very much enjoyed our trip to Europe with Renee and Steavy. This was our second trip, although the first was not with Czech Heritage Tours, and we enjoyed this one even more than the first. Renee and Steavy make you feel like you are part of their family. The bus was very comfortable (with lots to drink, including beer, wine, Slivovice, and most importantly water), the guides were great, the trip was packed with interesting things to see, the meals were very good, and accommodations were very comfortable. It was nice to visit Rome and northern Italy on this trip, the Bernina Train ride across the Alps was beautiful, Eagle’s Nest was spectacular and Austria was full of interesting places to see. Of course the best was last, the beautiful Czech towns, the wineries, the distilleries, the churches, the museums and Prague were fascinating and very enjoyable as always. Cindy and I would certainly love to take another trip with Renee and Steavy in the future. Jim Osina, Willis, Texas
Thank you for the wonderful experience of our Czech Heritage tour. We saw so many things that were on our “bucket list” and had many fun and varied activities. We especially appreciated the ability to schedule the side trip to see where our family originated. The Czech music and food brought back so many happy memories of growing up in a Czech family. I appreciated your efforts to accommodate at meals and all the thoughtful little extras along the way were enjoyed and appreciated. Larry & Kathy Gaskamp
Just finished the June tour to the Czech Republic. It was my second time to travel with the group... In a few words, well organized, well run, well taken care of, well coordinated. Had VERY few bumps (unlike sweet Steavy) and bumps were handled quickly, efficiently and as Pavel would say "no worry, no stress" A great trip. Classy and accommodating folks. It needs to be on your bucket list! Dr. Malcolm Sumbera Victoria, Texas
How does one begin to describe their first experience in Europe and their first experience with a guided tour group? EXTRAORDINARY comes to mind immediately! I cannot imagine having made this trek with any other guided tour group, as Czech Heritage Tours does it just right from beginning to end…Steavy and Renee are superbly organized, take you off the typical beaten path and into the countryside (which is a must see, as the Czech Republic is truly a beautiful country!), use only the best tour guides that provide a deep dive into the history and culture, and are extremely warm-hearted, fun-loving, knowledgeable, and accommodating towards all their guests. The accommodations, food, and entertainment were wonderful and unique. This trip was an experience of a lifetime…one I would gladly take again and again! I look forward to my next adventure with Steavy, Renee, and the most awesome tour guide ever, Pavel! Please, don't retire any time soon...Tracey C. Bergstrom, CPA
My husband and I enjoyed the June 2017 Czech Heritage Tour with Steavy, Renee and Tim! My husband's family came to Texas from Moravia, Czech Republic. Steavy, Renee and Tim brought to life my husband's heritage and we will always be very grateful to them for the wonderful experience! We had the most well organized tour I have ever experienced! We had great food, experienced wonderful historical stories from Pavel, the tour guide, and I must say the wine and slivo was delicious! If you are looking for a great vacation where you can relax and meet great friends, I would recommend this tour! Pam P-Silt Colorado.
Susan and I thoroughly enjoyed our tour of the Czech Republic and Germany with you last month. Beginning with a memorable tour of Vienna upon our arrival and all the way up to our final beers and sausages at the Hofbrau House in Berlin, we were “all-in”. Each one of the sites and activities that you had planned for us as we toured through Moravia and Bohemia in the Czech Republic were so diverse and so much fun it is hard to describe them all. Our Czech Republic part of the trip culminated with a visit to Prague, what a fantastic time we had there. We can’t wait to go back! The trip to Germany certainly kept up the pace beginning with the Spring Beer Festival in Nuremburg. I don’t see how Octoberfest in Munich can be much better! The visit to Potsdam and Sans Souci was a perfect opportunity to see the lifestyle of old German aristocracy, it was interesting and beautiful. Our final destination of Berlin was also a highlight with all its history. The Brandenburg Gate, Checkpoint Charlie and on and on.
Your tour crew of Pavel, Mirro and Jerry were very professional and attentive at all times. We appreciated everything they did for all your tour guests. (There was surely no lack of spirits and Slivovich either). Pavel was very interesting as his wealth of knowledge including history and the various cultures along with his interpersonal communication skills were appreciated by everyone.
We look forward to a future opportunity to join you again. We highly recommend your tour to anyone that has an interest in Czech heritage and enjoys having a terrific experience. You guys are the best! Thanks again. Mark and Susan Potter Dallas, Texas
I just wanted to let you know how much Peggy, Carla, Holly and I enjoyed the trip. We had an absolutely wonderful time and it was over the top as far as we were concerned. It was so nice to meet you! We enjoyed meeting the people in our group. It was a perfect size. We will never forget Pavel, Miroslav and Jiri. They were all part of the charm of the trip, not to mention quite entertaining. I personally loved the historical background that Pavel gave us. We were so fortunate to have Tomas as a driver and interpreter the day we visited our cousins. We learned a lot from him! B. Moses
"This was our second European tour with Steavy and Renee. It was fantastic!!! They have a great narrator who is knowledgeable about the countries and their histories make the journey educational but also fun. The highlight of this trip was being in St. Peters Square in Rome and seeing the Pope up close and personal. The tour is well organized with the planning of daily tours to castles, historical sites, wine cellars, cathedrals, etc. and nightly entertainment. Most of the meals are planned in advance and are excellent. Although the tour has a set schedule Steavy and Rene are flexible in adjusting to meet individual interests. It was a fun two weeks. Gene & Evelyn Knize
"Blahopreji k dalšímu úspešnému zájezdu a ke spouste spokojených klientu :) Rudolf (Translation: Congratulations on another successful trip and a lot of satisfied clients :) Rudolf
This trip was wonderful, and I am still thinking about the great memories. Although I have spent months in Europe, most of the stops on this trip were new to me. I mean, how many people can truly say they have gotten to ride a 100-year-old trolley car through the streets of Prague while being served glass after glass of wine? Looking forward to the next adventure with your group." - D. Bush, Austin, TX
"Your tours are the greatest! Thank you for a fun trip which showed great planning, attention to detail and being fun people to travel with. I’m privileged to have traveled with Czech Heritage Tours twice and loved every minute. You have chosen excellent sites, been inclusive in your fees and provided excellent value for monies. I recommend Czech Heritage with no reservation and will continue to share my enthusiasm with friends who love to explore the world! Again, the best!"- Linda Smith, Austin, TX
"I don’t get to hear the Czech language at home much anymore, and the best take-home for me was being around it again and getting free tutoring from Pavel and Miroslav. The tour affords one the opportunities to sight-see, explore on one’s own, or actively participate in the cultural element. I chose all three, especially the third." R. Marusak, Denton, TX
"This is my third time to travel with Steavy, Renee, et al. Each tour is packed with adventure, site-seeing, surprises, fun........ and those evening parties........WOW! Everyone must experience it at least once. You just couldn't get a better crew to lead a group. You become family. Thanks, Czech Heritage Tours, for another great trip." Millie, Lubock, TX
"I want to extend my gratitude for such a lovely trip this summer. No vacation will ever compare to the opportunity that you provided for my family on this last Czech Heritage Tour. It has always been my dream to travel with my mother to the Czech Republic, and to enjoy that experience with my brother made it even more special for us. To visit the Vatican, see Pope Frances only a few feet away, and look upon the Sistine Chapel and Michelangelo’s Pieta with my mother at my side was profound. The beauty of Cinque Terre, Lake Como and the Swiss Alps stole my breath away, and the shopping in Innsbruck, Austria was too much fun! Even so, the true delight for me was the land of my forefathers. Being able to visit the beautiful churches, especially those of St. Cyril and St. Methodius and the Infant Jesus of Prague, were spiritual experiences I will never forget. Prague was full of so much beauty and history, I can only hope that one day I will be able to return and spend more time there. Perhaps next time, my husband and I may join you! " A. Cabrera, Ennis, TX
“Steavy & Renee, I can't begin to express how very much this trip meant to us. I've told so many people about it. The places we stayed - the food we ate - the adventures we had - were amazing. But, more importantly, I know that through spending those two weeks together, we've made lifelong friends. Sometime after the first of the year, I'll be making a Shutterfly book with our photos, and I'll be sure to send you a link. Thanks so much for all your hard work that made this trip of a lifetime possible! Hank and I look forward to joining you again on another adventure.”
"I want to thank you for the marvelous trip. I had a wonderful time and appreciate all the effort you put into it. You dealt with a lot of personalities and provided for all our needs. I’m sorry it ended so soon – and am ready to go again. I learned a lot about your heritage and history, loved the countries and the food. Just can’t say enough about the whole event. You ladies are remarkable and I’ll recommend you to others. Thanks again for the great memories.” B. Sullivan
"I wanted to express my sincere pleasure on the opportunity to join you and the Czech Heritage Tour group this past two weeks. It was truly an exciting time. From our association of the very interesting group that gave us many laughs to our all time favorite guides, Pavel, Mirek and the bus driver that were so very delightful and full of information and history, the unbelievable agenda and exciting places that we visited. Seeing the Pope was extra special. You both did a magnificent job. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know you better! Thank you! Thank you!” G. Jackson
A trip of a lifetime! Thank you Steavy and Renee for making our trip so memorable! (And I cannot leave out Pavel, Milo "the $ man", and our bus driver). You all made everything happen perfectly, we as guests had no worries! The places we visited were incredible and Pavel is like a walking history book, he makes your experience at each site come to life! All the restaurants and hotels we ate and stayed at were so off the beaten path and were excellent. Thank you for a wonderful time, we look forward to our next trip with you! Bob & Kim Woods, Ennis, TX
"Richard and I thoroughly enjoyed our trip to Europe with Czech Heritage Tours of Ennis in September. Renee and Steavy had everything so well planned and organized, from sights to see, bus and hotel accommodations, to local parties and dining in the evenings. We visited many places and partied hardy that we needed a few more vacations days just to rest up when we got home. It was the most organized vacation we have ever taken and the group on tour with us was great. We can’t wait to go again."
"Sharon and I can’t say enough about the excellent service and the wonderful tour we had with Steavy and Renee of Czech Heritage Tours. They are truly a team in their own way. They were forever smiling, professional in every way, easy to understand and just a gem to be around. The itinerary was well thought out and a good balance between travelling and sight seeing, and organized activities or free time. The tour is packed with great historical sites and dramatic landscapes. Our tour manager and guide did an excellent job with good humor in making certain that all activities ran smoothly and efficiently." Marvin and Sharon Sulak
"The June 2014 Czech Heritage Tour was a wonderful experience. Renee and Steavy are gracious hosts and are accompanied by two of the best Czech tour guides Miro and Pavel. Between the four of them and help from Renee's beautiful daughters, we were treated like royalty as we traveled across the beautiful European Countryside. Every hotel was clean and comfortable, the meals are all delicious, and the itinerary allowed us to see an outstanding amount of history, culture, and Slivo! I fully recommend this tour as it is truly a once in a lifetime experience."
"Our trip to the Czech Republic, Germany, Poland, Austria, and Switzerland was wonderful. It was well planned in every way. We enjoyed the trip to the family farm as well as to the many sites that were also planned. Every evening we had excellent entertainment, and the hotels were charming and clean. The meals were delicious, and the tour guides were very knowledgeable and engaging. We thoroughly enjoyed the trip and we recommend it highly. Renee and Steavy know their business very well." - Gary and Erna Lee Dunkerley, Missouri.
"My family and I went on a tour of Germany and the Czech Republic from June 4-19, 2011 using Czech Heritage Tours as our guide. In these two weeks, we saw numerous places that you wouldn't find in any brochure. All the sites were absolutely beautiful, the accommodations were magnificent and the food was superb! But most of all, the knowledge of our English speaking guide from the Czech Republic was incredible! For every site we visited, he knew the complete history of that region and by him sharing that information with us made the trip much more enjoyable and interesting! I would highly recommend Czech Heritage Tours for your next trip to Europe!
"Speaking on behalf of my past experience, working with Renee, Steavy, and the Czech Heritage Shoppe was a very pleasant experience. I, along with several other family members and friends, went to Europe with the CHS in 2010! I cannot tell you how much we thoroughly enjoyed the trip and would definitely recommend to others. Renee and Steavy took care of every detail! Their knowledge of the countries and their willingness to share that info before we actually left on the trip only enhanced the traveling experience. In conclusion, our trip was really a once in a lifetime event and I can't wait to go with them in the future!" - Paula Call, Texas
"I have taken two trips with Czech Heritage Tours and they were wonderful. Everything was so well planned and enjoyable. If a change of plans was necessary, everything happened in a smooth and orderly fashion. Renee and Steavy have a very good knowledge of the areas they include in their trips and are very accommodating. I would take a trip with Czech Heritage Tours again." - Dorothy Rejcek, Texas
"Renee and her mother, Steavy, provide a first-class tour service. They not only speak Czech, but also know the culture, the people and the sites to see. Guests of all ages will treasure and remember their trip for a lifetime. The Czech-native tour guide for our trip was extremely knowledgeable and personable. Each year, to make the trip even more memorable, CH Tours includes at least one other European country. If we ever have the opportunity to travel abroad again, we would have no reservations calling on Renee." - Ed Marhanka, Texas
"We were so very pleased with our last European visit that was planned by Renee... We had an awesome good time! I recommend her and her firm for planning your next European trip. We have been on two of her excursions and enjoyed them both immensely!" - Dan and Dee Hrncir, Texas
"Thank you for making Czech Heritage Tours a wonderful travel partner! There were three thoughts I had prior to deciding to travel with your company. There were: value, care, and the making of positive memories. Traveling with you and your team exceeded my expectations in all categories. The value was totally experienced in having so many wonderful excursions in addition to the wonderful hotels, meals and transportation requirements. The care you took of everyone was complete and seemed so personal. I really felt like I was traveling with extended family not a travel company. Last but not least, thank you for all of the wonderful memories of the picturesque locations and my wonderful new friends which I will remember forever." - S. Sepehri, Rockwall, TX
"Thank you all for the trip of a lifetime!!! You all made me feel so comfortable and well taken care of. I raved so much about everything, that I finally convinced my husband of 34 years to come with me on one of the upcoming trips in 2017!!! Can’t wait to travel with you all again!" C. Homesley
"Steavy, Renee, and the European crew, thank you so much for a memorable trip. I was amazed at the friendly efficiency during the entire trip. The travel, the food, the hotels as well as the points of interest couldn't have been any better. Peter is a master driver navigating the European streets and highways. Miroslav knows no strangers and is liberal with the Slivovice. (Thanks to him for arranging our side trip!). Pavel was a friend from the start. I really enjoyed his guided tours and stories told with facts and heartfelt emotion! I walked in the steps of people long gone. I viewed the ceiling of a church over 1800 years old. I viewed the world from the top of a mountain. I walked through the woods to become an honorary member of the Wallachian Kingdom. I met family I never knew existed. I will go again! I will do it all over again! I am looking forward to traveling with Czech Heritage Tours. Thank you," Chuck Hanzelka, Hallettsville, Texas
"The trip was fabulous. This was my third time to Europe and it was by far the best trip. I have already recommended your tour group to several friends. My husband and I will definitely be using your tour group in the future." T. Heinrich, Rockwall, TX
"I just wanted to take a moment and express my appreciation for all the wonderful hospitality during last month's trip to Europe. It was my first time in Europe and I am so happy that I decided to take the opportunity and travel and experience lands and experiences that were so different and wonderful. As if Europe alone wasn't enough, the bond that was formed by the group was immediate and lasting throughout the trip and the knowledge and background on the different countries provided by the Czech Heritage Tours crew was enlightening and educational. I am very fortunate to have taken the trip and hope to do it again." Andre' D'Aversa, Waco, TX
" I for one had a ball on the June European trip. It was so simple and easy, the way Czech Heritage tours handled the arrangements, including airfare, hotel, meals, and attractions. I wouldn't even know what attractions to try to see, or which hotels to try to book, so having you all do that for me is a huge plus. And yes, new friends that I feel I have known all along. And I especially appreciate the special arrangements Czech Heritage Tours made for me, arranging for an English speaking driver to allow me to visit my ancestral hometown." Frank K., Ferris, TX
"Just wanted to thank you for putting together such a lovely trip! Mark and I really enjoyed it! It was so well planned out. We enjoyed all the places as well as people on the trip. It was also such a treat to have Tomas drive us to villages and homes of ancestors from both my mom and dad's side." G. Joines, Lakewood, TX
"Dear Renee, It's been a month and every day I think about our trip of a lifetime! We had such a great time. Thanks to you and your mother. We are so glad we chose Czech Heritage Tours. Nothing to worry about-just sit back, eat, drink and enjoy the sights! Thank you for the picture at the tent party and thank Tim again for the dance he made my day. Best to you all." Georgie Herman, Shiner, TX
"Just wanted to say a huge thanks for all that you set up before the trip and during. A great trip and very interesting. The worst thing was the long plane ride to and from, but how else can you get to see and experience what we did. Your patience and advice during the trip was a great help! What a fantastic and interesting experience!" Al Kotrola, Thomasville, Alabama
"Thank you, Renee, for all the help you gave us on this wonderful tour! If you had not helped us with finding an English-speaking driver, we would not have found our family in the Czech Republic. This was a trip of a life-time for us and we enjoyed every minute! So thanks for the fun, the food, the places and our tour guide, Pavel, for arranging such a wonderful trip!" Debi and Ken Mikulencak, Taylor, TX
"I had a great time on your tour and have passed the info on to all that would listen. It was very well organized and a great trip to entice one to return for more. Hopefully I can make another one soon. I know your next trip will be lots of fun drink a beer for me!"
"This memorable tour was not only a lot of fun but also educational. Steavy and Renee organized a very well-planned tour, answering all questions and making sure everyone’s needs were met. They went out of their way to help people connect with their relatives. It was heartwarming to see the sites of our ancestry in the Czech Republic with Pavel’s narratives bringing them all to life. Pavel’s knowledge of history is amazing and he and Miro were exceptional guides. All the sites, folklore, accommodations, etc. were top notch. We enjoyed this tour tremendously and can’t say enough good things about it. We highly recommend touring with Steavy and Renee as we hope to do so again in the near future."
"The trip was GREAT!! Hosts are well organized, fine-tuned, and very responsive to the needs of the tour members. If a problem would pop up, It was handled in a quick, efficient manner. Tour ran smooth with just enough of free time for a guest to explore on their own. I highly recommend this tour. Best I have ever been on. Great group of people."
"Renee/Steavy: We want to thank you for the wonderful trip. Jennifer and I had a great time and enjoyed all the sites that you had lined up for us to see. The tent festival, private parties, entertainment, tours of wineries, churches, and the Vatican were fabulous. The hotels were very nice and comfortable and the selections of restaurants was over the top! Everything we did was so well planned out which made the trip ""stress free"" - which we can truly say made it a ""Dream Vacation"" for us. It was more than we expected and well worth it. We appreciate everything you did and are highly recommending you guys to everyone. We look forward to going with y'all again next year!"
"Seeing the Sept. 2014 pics of Pavel, Paula, Bev, and Kim just excites me again as to how much we saw and did during that tour. A trip of a lifetime with Pavel narrating the places and dates of happenings from years ago. Every inn and meals were excellent choices along with entertainment. Tour bus was very comfortable along with the treats and the money exchange. Steavy & Renee have selected only the best for the tour and all was very enjoyable and interesting. Loved it."
"The Czech Heritage Tour was the experience of a lifetime. Everything was so well organized and the tour guides were exceptional. Pavel is a walking talking history book! I still get emotional discussing my visit to Celadna, C.R. where my great great grandfather lived. The venues were so much fun and the group we had was a super group of fun-loving people. I have never had so many delicious versions of sauerkraut and sausage. I am looking forward to another visit which includes Poland and another set of ancestral visits." E. Brooks, San Antonio, TX
"The June 2014 Czech Heritage Tour was a wonderful experience. Renee and Steavy are gracious hosts and are accompanied by two of the best Czech tour guides Miro and Pavel. Between the four of them and help from Renee's beautiful daughters, we were treated like royalty as we traveled across the beautiful European Countryside. Every hotel was clean and comfortable, the meals were all delicious, and the itinerary allowed us to see an outstanding amount of history, culture, and Slivo! I fully recommend this tour as it is truly a once in a lifetime experience."
"Richard and I thoroughly enjoyed our trip to Europe with Czech Heritage Tours of Ennis in September. Renee and Steavy had everything so well planned and organized,<br /> from sights to see, bus and hotel accommodations, to local parties and dining in the evenings. We visited many places and partied hardy that we needed a few more vacations days just to rest up when we got home. It was the most organized vacation we have ever taken and the group on tour with us was great. We can’t wait to go again." Jeri Kopecky, Dallas, TX
The trip to the Czech Republic, Germany and France taken in June 2013 is a trip I still think about. The friendly guide, bus driver, and owner of the company were interactive with travelers and made the whole experience very special. The cost and quality of sightseeing we did far exceeds any trip provided by other travel agencies. Accommodations and food were excellent. The group on the tour were friendly and fun. I definitely will recommend Czech Heritage Tours to anyone - you can't go wrong with Steavy, Renee and the guides who have been with Steavy for 12 years. Thank you for a memorable trip! M. Acrey - Texas
"A trip of a lifetime! Thank you Steavy and Renee for making our trip so memorable! (And I cannot leave out Pauvel, Milo ""the and man"", and our bus driver). You all made everything happen perfectly, we as guest had no worries! The places we visited were incredible and Pauvel is like a walking history book, he makes your experience at each site come to life! All the restaurants and hotels we ate and stayed at were so off the beaten path and were excellent. Thank you for a wonderful time, we look forward to our next trip with you!" G. Jackson, Dallas, TX
"I wanted to express my sincere pleasure on the opportunity to join you and the Czech Heritage Tour group this past two weeks. It was truly an exciting time. From our association of the very interesting group that gave us many laughs to our all time favorite guides, Pavel, Mirek and the bus driver that were so very delightful and full of information and history, the unbelievable agenda and exciting places that we visited. Seeing the Pope was extra special. You both did a magnificent job. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know you better! Thank you! Thank you!”B. Sullivan, Dallas, TX
“I want to thank you for the marvelous trip. I had a wonderful time and appreciate all the effort you put into it. You dealt with a lot of personalities and provided for all our needs. I’m sorry it ended so soon – and am ready to go again. I learned a lot about your heritage and history, loved the countries and the food. Just can’t say enough about the whole event. You ladies are remarkable and I’ll recommend you to others. Thanks again for the great memories.” Suzann Madeley, Austin, TX
“Steavy & Renee, I can't begin to express how very much this trip meant to us. I've told so many people about it. The places we stayed - the food we ate - the adventures we had - were amazing. But, more importantly, I know that through spending those two weeks together, we've made lifelong friends. Thanks so much for all your hard work that made this trip of a lifetime possible! Hank and I look forward to joining you again on another adventure.”
"This was our first tour to the Czech Republic and we feel we made the right decision in booking with Czech Heritage Tours. Renee and Steavy are personal, accommodating and patient hostesses. They provide a complete tour to include a very knowledgeable and interesting tour guide, Pavel; sights and stops that are of historical and genealogical interest and value; comfortable hotels accommodations; additional fun activities; and the exchange money on the bus is a great convenience.Renee was especially helpful making arrangements for our extended trip to Poland prior to meeting the tour group in the Czech Republic. She arranged for our personal guide (Alex) in Poland who met all our expectations and was very attentive in providing us with an outstanding tour of Karkow and additional places of interest. Renee also made provisions for Alex to drive us to the Czech Republic. He was particularly instrumental in helping us locate the town of Ledico and the church our grandfather and his family attended and then down the road to the village where our grandfather grew up and the house (#10) where he and his family lived before he came to the USA. The sights and stops in Moravia were wonderful as well as the remainder of trip. Lots of delightful memories!" 4 from San Antonio, TX
“Awesome, awesome, that is what these trips are. My wife and went on our first one in 2013 (which we found through their advertising in the Texas Polka News) and had no idea what a great time we would have. Having Pavel, our guide, who has such great knowledge of Europe and his great personality, makes the trip even more fun. Not to mention our tour master Miroslav, who is fantastic and funny. In 2013 Renee and Steavy made arrangements for my wife and me to find my great, great grandfather’s home up in upper Bevca. Very emotional for me. The food is fantastic in all the countries we visited, especially the soup you get with your meals in Czech Republic. If you are of Czech descent, going to Frenstat to visit the museum dedicated to immigration from the Frenstat area to Texas will help you find relatives. I found several relatives who did immigrate to Texas. Visiting the different towns in the Czech Republic is interesting, but when you go to Koliba Vlcina for Moravian wine, music, and great grilled chicken, a night you will remember forever. This trip was so good we decided to go back in 2014. Again Renee and Steavy did an amazing thing. They arranged for a genealogist to find four different Fojtasek families living near by. Our guide took us to every house that our family members lived before coming to America, and then we had dinner with the four families at the grilled chicken dinner. What a night to remember. This year we went to Italy. Our trip to Italy was a once in a lifetime event.. We went to Venice, Rome and The Vatican and saw Pope Francis close up in person. Every year is different, but the fun is never absent. Be prepared to do a lot of walking, but at our age we need it. Looking forward to another trip in the future. Never gets old. One thing is you do not have to be of Czech descent to enjoy a great time.“ Bill and Dianne Fojtasek, Blanco, TX
"This was our second European tour with Steavy and Rene. It was fantastic!!! They have a great narrator who is knowledgeable about the countries and their histories which makes the journey educational but also fun. The highlight of this trip was being in St. Peters Square in Rome and seeing the Pope up close and personal. The tour is well organized with the planning of daily tours to castles,historical sites, wine cellars, cathedrals, etc. and nightly entertainment. Most of the meals are planned in advance and are excellent. Although the tour has a set schedule Steavy and Rene are flexible in adjusting to meet individual interests. It was a fun two weeks." Gene and Evelyn Knize, Ennis, TX
"My wife and I had the trip of a lifetime! Our tour to the Czech Republic, Austria and Germany was delightful in every way. The tour was so varied and I experienced many facets of my Czech heritage: The music, dancing, food & drinks, language, history, customs & dress. The journey to both Bohemia and Moravia included magnificent Prague, but then smaller towns and cities with their beautiful town squares were so much more than we expected. The wealth of experiences such as seeing cathedrals, castles, museums, mountains, a crystal factory, a wine festival, and going on river cruises made it special. Prior to leaving on the trip, Czech Heritage Tours put me in touch with a geneologist in Moravia who translated several birth certificates, and then while on the tour, Steavy and Renee made arrangements for my wife and I to visit the birthplaces of my parents and grandmother, which was so meaningful. Our tour guide Pavel never stopped bringing the countries to life for us. Paul Michalik, Ft. Worth, TX
"It was one of the best trips we have taken. The Czech Republic was phenomenal, historical and absolutely beautiful. It was great to see where our ancestors came from. We loved the music, dancing and the good beer! We would go again in a heartbeat." Mike & Carol Kozelsky, Winters, TX
I thought the tour was great. Our accommodations, entertainment, and food was outstanding. The side trips we did were great. I can't think of anything I would change. R. Pitts- Texas
"This tour definitely exceeded all expectations. I've been on organized tours before and liked them so I knew that's what I wanted to do again to Czech Republic but this tour was so much better than other tours for a variety of reasons. I liked that most meals were provided and really liked that it was unlimited alcohol during the meals. Previous tours I have been on alotted one drink per meal. The group was a ton of fun, I don't think that the tour organizers can really control that but I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to travel with 30-40 new friends every day for 2 weeks. The best part of the trip: Renee and Steavy were so incredibly accommodating in helping us connect with relatives in Czech. The most amazing day of the whole trip was the day I got to spend with distant cousins seeing their homes, ancestors' homes and grave sites. It was an unforgettable, once in a lifetime experience that I'm so thankful they organized."
"Wonderful experience. Steavy is the perfect hostess. Everything was first class. Probably one of the selling points for this particular tour was all the special treatment we had doing the various things: river dinner cruise, museums, Rhine cruise, Eagle's Nest, etc (all of our meals). No fuss, no waiting - felt like VIP's throughout the entire tour. Compliments to Steavy and Renee, etc. Excellent tour guide - Pavel. He never stopped teaching! The map of the entire trip with our particular journey highlighted was a special treat." Tony Jaronek - Colorado
“This tour was exactly what I was looking for. There were so many exciting things to see and experience the culture of the Czechs. The tour was for only two weeks but we sure did see a lot in those two weeks. I enjoyed staying at the quaint remote hotels. The food was great every place we stayed. The Eagles Nest was especially beautiful. We lucked out and had a beautiful day. Nuremberg is a great historical place to see. Especially if you are interested in WWII history. All I can say about Pavel is he is a walking history book on the Czech Republic, Austria and Germany. When I got home I had to go and do some more history research. The money exchange on the bus was a plus because you did not have to spend extra time outside the tour." -September 2013 Traveler
"Super trip---a trip of a lifetime and at a great price. The scenery was fantastic and the tour guide (Pavel) was very knowledgeable. Activities were varied and would be good for a person of any age. For me, this trip was especially nice in that my sister and I were able to meet some relatives in the Czech Republic who we had never met before.
-L. Beere, Texas
Varied activities, great group of people who got along very well---very friendly and courteous. Hotels were very nice and food was good everywhere we ate. Pavel, Mirek, David, Steavy, Renee and Sara were all top notch and very knowledgeable and caring."Yvonne - September 2013
"This was a great trip! Very well organized. Great group to travel with. Enjoyed traveling in the country and not only the city. Truly enjoyed the time also spent in Austria and Munich. A fun filled enjoyable vacation!! Looking forward to another trip!"September 2013 Traveler
We enjoyed this tour tremendously - the information, sights, and entertainment were what a tour should be! Our guide Pavel was great and very patient with anyone who had questions - he always had the answer! Would recommend this trip to all my friends and family. Steavy and Renee put together a really wonderful trip. Thank you. D. Fojtasek – Texas