Via Bohemia Pre War
In the Heart of Europe’s Cultural Legacy.
Bohemia is an authentically romantic and timeless destination, making it the perfect backdrop for our pre-war cars. They seamlessly blend into the charm of Czechia, a country with a great many castles and historic spas where the rich and famous once indulged in drives akin to those we’ll be undertaking.
Our journey commences in the enchanting Karlovy Vary, known as Karlsbad in German. Renowned since the 19th century for its numerous thermal springs, this riverside spa town boasts a spa district with elegant colonnades and the modern Hot Spring Colonnade, home to the impressive Pramen Vřídlo geyser, reaching up to 12 meters.
Venturing into the heart of Czech craftsmanship, we’ll welcome you to the nation’s premier glass factory, conveniently located near our Grand Hotel, where the rally kicks off on Sunday morning.
Heading south, we briefly cross into Germany before reentering the Czech Republic. Our destination is the Hluboká Castle, where our accommodation in the historic former administrative buildings awaits. The following morning, we explore the amazing castle before embarking on our journey once more, traversing forests and fields, passing past Prague, over the Krkonoše Mountains, briefly through Poland and back in the mountainous area of Northern Bohemia.
On the seventh day of driving, an unexpected surprise await – something that will leave us all in awe. Just when you think you’ve seen it all, there’s more. Truley mind blowing !
The subsequent day unfolds beautifully as we drive over the mountains along the Polish border, returning to our starting point in Karlovy Vary. We highly recommend extending your stay in this wonderful town, perhaps indulging in some shopping at its many beautiful stores.
As always with the rallies organised by Via Flaminia, this is a relaxed rally where competition serves the atmosphere, winning is not an end in itself. Those who want coffee along the way can do so. No time restriction. Of course, we do expect you in time for lunch and dinner. Classification is done by navigation and competition for last place is sometimes fierce.
If you choose the Smile Class, you’ll receive an app with the route for your smartphone, making navigation easy and stress-free.
Alternatively, you can opt for light competition in the Shine Class, where you’ll receive a road book and navigate using maps, noting down controls along the way. There’s no time pressure, so you can enjoy a relaxed cup of coffee or take pictures at your leisure.
There are 28 places available for cars up to 1945
Our journey commences at the very place where the rally concludes, and for our starting point, we’ve selected the romantic Karlovy Vary, better known as Karlsbad. This 19th-century spa resort provides a magnificent backdrop for the beginning of the Via Bohemia.
We strongly advise you though to add a few days in this historic town which is renown for its spa.
On Saturday, we extend a warm welcome at the renowned Moser glassworks, where you can marvel at their creativity while savoring your welcome drink.
The welcoming dinner unfolds in the elegant dining hall of Hotel Imperial.
We will facilitate the transport fo the cars by truck to the starting point. The Prague Airport is one hours drive away,
We commence our journey with a relatively short day, heading south through the picturesque Slavkov Forest. After a while, the forest gives way to wide fields and and the odd town, each often boasting a castle guarding the ancient village below.
As we approach the German border, the roads narrow, leading us to ascend a hill that only the Dutch might consider a mountain. Crossing the border, we arrive in the charming town of Cham, our overnight stop.
We cross the Lusatian Mountains once more and enter the Bohemian Forest. It’s a relaxed drive between the pine trees, fields, and the occasional farmhouse. The roads are good, the sun is bright, and the engine should be humming.
Our destination is one of the major attractions of the Czech Republic—the vast white Neo-Gothic Hluboká Castle, often considered the most beautiful among the country’s many fine castles. Built on the site of an older 13th-century fortress, the current castle was constructed in the 1660s and was given its present Gothic Tudor style, loosely based upon that of England’s famous Windsor Castle.
We will visit the castle on the next day, and for now, we will stay in what once were the administrative buildings of the castle, now converted into a luxury hotel.
We start the morning with a walk, no worries, it’s a short 160 meter walk to Hluboká Castle, a captivating fortress that traces its roots back to the 13th century. Reconstructed in various styles throughout the years, this castle stands as one of the most impressive in the Czech Republic. Immerse yourself in its rich history with a guided tour, exploring a selection of its 140 rooms and 11 towers.
Following the castle visit, embark on a scenic drive along charming small roads. Traverse dense forests initially, then wind your way through fertile plains. Your ultimate destination awaits: a recently constructed, opulent classic castle hotel.
The central region of Czechia is quite flat, with extensive farmland, scattered woods, and a diverse network of roads connecting villages. Ideal for a smooth drive from one excellent hotel to another. We will reach the hotel in time to enjoy a refreshing swim! !
Resort Sobotin has two kinds of accommodation connected by an underground corridor. Those opting for the upgrade will get the more luxurious Hotel Josef
Those who know me will understand that a day with a predominantly flat terrain must have a compelling reason. Resort Robotin is situated along the road to one of the major passes in the Czech Republic, the Cervenohorske Sedlo Pass, slightly over 1000 meters high. Given the continental climate of central Europe, it can be quite spooky during winter period and we will be passing several smaller ski resorts. However, in september, there’s nothing to fear, making it an excellent drive for our pre-war cars.
We cross the border into Poland and drive through a region popular among Polish tourists. The natural surroundings are excellent, and the air is invigorating. We have lunch in the center of Polanica, an old spa resort, and park our cars in front of the old sanatorium.
We cross back into Czechia and proceed along roads near ski resorts to our final destination, a Grand Hotel situated on the ski slopes.
Today promises to be an extraordinary day. The roads ask for a drive, the scenery unfolds in a tapestry of relaxation and beaut – vast fields, enchanting forests, and the embrace of nature.
Sated by the abundant delights at the resort, we opt for a leisurely late lunch at a charming brewery. Feel free to enjoy a beer, for after a mere 10 km, an astonishing surprise awaits. Unanticipated, unparalleled, and surpassing expectations – this revelation is even a delight for the most spoiled person.
From our surprise, it’s just a short 20 km drive to yet another Castle Hotel. This castle, dating back to the 14th century, will serve as our stylish retreat for the night.
Already the last day of the rally and we go back to the Grand Hotel where this great advanture started 8 days ago. Navigating through the sparsely populated mountainous region that borders the Czech Republic with Poland and Germany, the roads seem tailor-made for pre-war motoring. Between the little towns, our progress is smooth, and within each town, we are greeted with cheers from the locals. It’s the concluding day of an impeccable driving vacation, unless, of course, you choose to extend the experience with an extra night or two in Karlovy Vary.
Today the trailer will come to collect the cars to be shipped back home. The Prague Airport is just one hour away.
Yet, we encourage you to stay one or two extra days. Hotel Imperial is just a wonderful place to relax and to have all the impressions of the rally sink in.
Cor Meulen (NL)
Trix Meulen (NL)
Ron Cryns (B)
Reinhilde Cryns (B)
Ivo Nijs (B)
Liliane Lemmens (B)
Bob Janssen (NL)
M. Janssen-van der Hek (NL)
Rens van der Hek (NL)
Cora van der Hek (nl)
Roger Goodwin (UK)
Gillian Goodwin (UK)
Rob van den Nieuwboer (NL)
Leony van den Nieuwboer (NL)
Wim Pater (NL)
Jolanda Groothuis (NL)
Michel Vock (CH)
Corinna Vock Rigassi (CH)
Dirk de Groen (USA)
Alexandra de Groen (USA)
Herman Jacobs (NL)
Janneke Jacobs (NL)
Theo Tangelder (NL)
Stella Brugman (NL)
Kai Matthies (D)
Sigi Matthies (D)
Klaus Ziegner (D)
Anja Höffken (D)
Robert Kieffer (LUX)
Michèle Thiry (LUX)
Rob Jeurissen (NL)
Jeanne Jeurissen (NL)
Heinz-Bruno Hecker (D)
Anne Haase (D)
Henk Olij (NL)
Ginem Olij (NL)
Terkel Ovesen (DK)
Birgitte Ovesen (DK)
John Noble (UK)
Jean Noble (UK)
Hans van den Bosch (NL)
Betty van den Bosch (NL)
Petr Rysavy (CZ)
Tania Rysava (CZ)
Cees Willemse (NL)
Ingeborg van ‘t Hof (NL)
Per Mogensen (DK)
Helle Roen Mogensen (DK)
David Feakes (UK)
Christine Feakes (UK)
Rally Details
Start: Saturday September 6, 2025
Hotel Imperial
Libušina 1212/18,
360 01 Karlovy Vary 1,
Czechia
Finish: Sunday September 14, 2025
Hotel Imperial
Libušina 1212/18,
360 01 Karlovy Vary 1,
Czechia
Included
- A maximum of 28 teams
- Eight nights in excellent hotels
- Eight dinners.
- Five to six lunches.
- Entry to historical sites
- Technical assistance.
- Large commemorative photo book
- Raidillon Watch for the winners
- Via Flaminia clothing.
- Road books, rally shields etc
Booking fee
Registration € 6.650, – for a crew of two, Down payment of € 1.500, – in at moment of booking. Remaining is due by April 30, 2025.
Upgrade: € 500, -. for the better rooms in he hotels.
Transport
In due time we will let you know the price for shipping your car to Karlovy Vary (Karlsbad) and back.
We ask you to book your flight to Prague yourself.
Total kilometers
Total rally kilometers: ca. 1400 km
MAIN SPONSORS
Launching sponsors
