The Lednice-Valtice complex is known as the Garden of Europe. It is probably the most extensive landscaped area in the world, recorded among the UNESCO monuments. Apart from the residences of the Liechtenstein family in Lednice and in Valtice, other follies can be found here, for example chapels, colonnades, man-made ruins and a victory arch.
In 1213, Přemysl Otakar I gave the Broumov Promontory to the Benedictines from Prague-Břevnov. In 1256, they founded a small town and in 1300, a Benedictine Provost’s residence. The monastery’s current appearance is the result of Baroque conversion, which took place in 1726 to 1748 according to plans by the father and son Dienzenhofer.
All Czech rivers have their own unforgettable charm. The Berounka runs gently and quietly through forested valleys and is ideal for beginners and families with children. The rapids of the Sázava will give water sportsmen a hard time and test the skills of both rowers to manoeuvre the boat among the rocks. The longest Czech river, the Vltava, also has numerous rapids. Lovers of unspoilt countryside will appreciate its upper reaches flowing through the Šumava National Park. But which river is the right one for a summer trip in search of adventure and romance?
You could count about fifty smaller breweries in the Czech Republic. The Chodovar family brewery in Chodová Planá is one of them. When the original building was destroyed by fire in 1861, the owner of the manor, Count Bercher, had a new brewery built over the original rock cellars, the appearance of which has been preserved to this very day.
Would you like to enjoy your time off with your children, but are not sure exactly where to go and what in fact to do when you get there, what would be fun for your children, develop their imagination and motor skills and perhaps even teach them something in a non-violent manner? Then try to choose from our tips for activities, which neither you nor your children will find either boring or disappointing, even if the weather has taken a turn for the worse.
Give in to the atmosphere from days of yore as you walk among ripening vineyards. At many places in the Czech Republic, viticulture is presented to you with a unique sampling of wines and “burčák” (partially fermented fresh grape juice), folklore and gastronomic traditions of individual regions as well as a most varied accompanying programme. So raise a glass of wine and drink to the founder of viticulture, Charles IV, King of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperor.
This tapestry made of several tens of thousands of live flowers will adorn Old Town Square. Visitors will be able to see this singular exhibit from 3 to 5 September. The ceremonial opening of the exhibit will be held on 3 September at 6 o’clock in the evening.
The dripstone caves, hidden under the surface of the earth in one of the most famous karst regions in Central Europe, attract thousands of visitors every year. Whether you visit only one of them or all five, which are open to the public, after you return from under the ground, you will certainly long to move around freely in the fresh air. So where could you go?
From 6 May to 17 October, the best of the Liechtenstein collections can be seen at the Waldstein Riding School, Prague. Hans-Adam II, the reigning Prince of Liechtenstein, has lent his valuable collection for this unique exhibition entitled “Neoclassicism and Biedermeier”. This collection is complemented by works from Czech collections and archives.
The main attraction of Kroměříž, the town nicknamed the Athens of Hanacko, is its archiepiscopal chateau, which along with the chateau gardens and flower gardens are on the UNESCO list of worldwide cultural and natural heritage sites. For hundreds of zears, the chateau served as a residence for the bishops of Olomouc, and a series of important events occurred within its walls. There are also many other sites worth seeing in Kroměříž, such as the pontifical mint, featuring a collection of church issued coins and medals, the Baroque Church of St. John the Baptist with its interior in Rococo style and the house with a Renaissance entrance section on Velké náměstí square, which houses exhibits of the Kroměříž Museum and a monument to Max Švabinský.
Do you have a special liking for films about the gold rush? Do you imagine what it would be like to pan with your own hands even just a single nugget of gold from a river? Head to Zlaté Hory for the World Goldpanning Championships and make your dream come true. The tournament will take place on 16–22 August at the Open-air Mining Museum (Hornický skanzen) in Zlaté Hory. The event will be held in cooperation with the Czech Goldpanning Association (Česká asociace zlatokopů) and the Moravian-Silesian Goldpanning Club (Klub moravskoslezských zlatokopů) under the auspices of the Commissioner of the Olomouc Region. The Czech Tourist Authority – CzechTourism, among others, is also an official partner.
What place is the most enigmatic, is woven with legends, and hides great mystery or the occult within? In a vote, readers selected several places that are sure to send shivers down your spine. Among them, for example, are the luminous passageway and phantoms of the Jihlava underground, the Býčí skála (“Bull Rock Cave”) for its connection with ritual sacrifices, and Houska Castle with its gateway to hell. Vampire lovers also are sure to be rewarded.
The unique elegance of the beautiful secession architecture of Dušan Jurkovič, which has been recommended for entry into the UNESCO list of heritage sites, and the seventeen mineral springs, the most prominent of which is Vincentka, and the picturesque natural scenery of the White Carpathian Mountains. Do you know what spa we are talking about?
Literature lovers know Lipnice nad Sázavou as the place where author J. Hašek lived the last years of his life and where he wrote his most famous works, The Fateful Adventures of the Good Soldier Švejk. His house with exhibits is located directly beneath a rocky ridge, on which one of the largest Czech castles was constructed at the beginning of the 14th century.
A long-distance bike trail has been opened in Jihlava, taking riders all the way to the Austrian city Raabs an der Thaya. The trail runs from Jihlava through Luka nad Jihlavou, Třebíč, Moravské Budějovice and Jemnice.
Starting this tourist season 2010, the company Pražská paroplavební společnost is operating a new line with service to the zoological gardens in the Troja district of Prague. Previously, Pražská paroplavba ran between Rašínovo quay and Troja three times daily in the high season. The new line is shorter, and of course runs more frequently, and should alleviate the inadequate Troja roads and overcrowded buses.
A 10-day presentation of the Czech Tourist Authority – CzechTourism and the 14 regions of the Czech Republic is taking place at the EXPO 2010 international exhibition in Shanghai starting 12 July. The opening ceremony was held on 13 July at the Czech pavilion in the Multimedia Hall. The general commissioner of Czech participation at EXPO 2010, Pavel Stehlík, the director of CzechTourism’s Marketing and External Services Department, Pavel Kosař, and the director of CzechTourism’s foreign office in China, Jiří Vávra, took part in the ribbon cutting.
There are some locations that you can only get to by walking, such as the cliffs and observation points in Czech Switzerland. In order to get to some of them, you need to move along very narrow trails and steep stepping paths over ravines and gorges, while others can be reached by walking along comfortable paths. So let's climb up and explore the cliffs!
Would you like to experience a unique moment? Imagine you are in a movie side by side with Hollywood stars. In the Czech Republic, you can visit places where the celebrated Bond movie Casino Royale and the Tom Cruise feature Mission: Impossible were shot. If you prefer to a good scare, take a walk through Prague following the footsteps of such horror movies as Hannibal Rising, The Omen and Blade II.
Although the current weather seems more suitable for water recreation, nothing should dissuade you from trying something entirely unique. Not far from the chateau of Hluboká na Vltavou, there is a small glass factory, which is freely accessible to anyone interested in exploring it and learning more about the art of glass making. If you want to try your hand at glass making or if you already have some knowledge of the skill and just want to practice or learn something new, then you can attend a workshop.
