Desire of modern man to spend his leisure time in an open landscape is often explained as a result of his innate affinity to nature. As present-day Czech towns and cities are hardly suited to satisfy these needs, their inhabitants tend to leave them in their effort to spend leisure time in as far as possible unspoiled and romantic natural places. Šumava Mts. have a reputation of historically recognized tourist destination. Present day image of the region from the viewpoint of holidaymakers was investigated within one sociological survey conducted there in 2000. The mountainous area proved to have three main features that attract visitors and meet their seeking for romance - valuable nature in general, National Park and territories of formerly inaccessible military training area and border zone.