Testimonials
"To get beyond sights listed in most guidebooks, call Tom & Marie Zahn from P.A.T.H. FINDERS Intl.. Tom is an American who married into the Czech Republic (Marie), and together they organize and lead family-friendly, day excursions (both in Prague or throughout the country). Their tours are creative, affordable, and help travellers learn to find off-the-beaten-track destinations (even by themselves). Tom and Marie also have associates in other countries thoughout the region (notably, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Ukraine) and can help you with any part of your Eastern European travel. Their specialty is Family History Research & Travel (Personal Ancestral Tours & History), and given sufficient notice in advance of your travel, they can help you find ancestral homes, and perhaps even a long lost relative."
Hello Marie and Tom:
I hope you have had time to rest and relax wiith your family after your busy summer and autumn.
The Smutny group is having much fun sharing photos of our great adventure. The trip was a great success, thanks to both of you and your very talented guides. You were so wonderful in dealing with the small crisis with Mr. Al Smutny. We will never forget driving the bus and the trailer through the construction zone at the hospital.
We hope that you, the driver or Pavel did not receive a fine from the authorities. The guard at the hospital looked very unhappy at us. Our family has the highest praise for you, Ondrej and Pavel and our drivers Rudy and Honza..
Altogether Pavel and Ondrej helped us find 6 family homes. It could not have been done without the good work of your geneologist, Mr. Petr Prochazka, so our grateful thanks to him also.
Thank you again for all your help. Best regards,
Pat Ramsay, Lincoln, Ne, USA
The Zahns planned our trip of a lifetime to four places in the Czech Republic in September 2005 -- a 17 day trip. Our accommodations were excellent, but not expensive. (The $ goes far in the Czech Republic... While we never eat out here in Colorado, we enjoyed the cafes every day in the CR...) We spent ample time in four different regional genealogical archives, three of them in the company of researchers in the Pathways network. Marty's Mom is a native speaker of the Czech language, so she could see for herself what an expert job these researchers do in reading the old records. We are very pleased with the complete research reports Pathways produces, and are happy to recommend them as a reliable genealogical research service.
The highlight of our trip was the day our Pathways driver took us to the rural village in Moravia where our Czech grandma was born. There was her old home, the old well, and most likely, the old school yard across the street! Except for this day of exploration, and a similar day in another province, we found the public transportation was inexpensive, very comfortable and efficient, taking us wherever we wanted to go.
Before your trip, of course, you will want to read one of the guidebooks, so you'll be ready to appreciate all there is to see and do in the CR. If you enjoy languages, you might enjoy the Pimsleur tapes, which will teach you enough to pronounce any word in Czech, and ask basic questions. In Prague, of course, many people speak English.
We learned about Pathways on the internet. They do a fine job of making reservations and other travel arrangements, and provide excellent genealogical research services. We wholeheartedly recommend them!
Martin and Susan Zmolek
Hello Marie,
During our visit you asked what was the high point of our visit to the Czech Republic. Our visit to Chvalenice was really the most memorable part of our visit and the experience of a lifetime. Thank you and the lady who opened up the church for us for making our visit so unforgettable. We will certainly tell all our family and friends about your hospitality and kindness.
Sue Poduska, USA
From: Rick Steves' Europe: Guidebook Feedback
Best of Eastern Europe 2006
Best: Thomas Zahn in Czech Republic
Why: Thomas Zahn was recommended in the section on the Czech Republic. We booked a day trip to the Bohemia region (Krivoklat) with him and it was fabulous. Tom is extremely knowledgeable about the history of the Czech Republic. We wanted to get out of Prague and hike in the countryside.
On our trip with Tom, we visited a castle, had wonderful prepared lunches, which Tom provided, in the castle courtyard, and spent a leisurely day hiking in the countryside. We capped the day off with a beer at a local Czech hangout.
Our day trip with Tom was our BEST experience in Prague. We highly recommend his services because Prague can be a burnout (too many tourists), and it is a great way to get out and see the countryside, and learn about the history of the country.
Melody Brenda in Irving, TX USA 09/20/2005