Once outside the capital Prague, you’re in for a real treat. Fairytale castles, UNESCO sites and spa towns are all waiting to be explored.
The Czech Republic is currently open to fully vaccinated visitors from the UK, who will only need to take a Day 2 test on their return home.
UNESCO sites
The Czech Republic is home to 16 UNESCO Heritage Sites, with three spa towns in the Bohemian Spa Triangle added in summer 2021.
Triangle added in summer 2021. In South Moravia, the Lednice-Valtice Cultural Landscape comprises two glorious chateaux (see above) combining Baroque, Classical and Neo-gothic styles. For contrast, visit Villa Tugendhat in Brno, the country’s second city, which was built in 1929/30 and is a fine example of early functionalism architecture: all white, straight lines and glass.
Spas in the Czech Republic
The elegant Spas of West Bohemia, including Karlovy Vary, Mariánské Lázně and Františkovy Lázně, have existed for centuries, using healing mineral waters and centuries old spa traditions. In the 19th century, ‘taking the waters’ in Bohemia was a popular restorative for Europe’s royalty and aristocrats. Each town is unique with its own specialities, which include well-established treatments to address various health issues. Recently, many spas have been treating patients suffering the effects of long Covid.
Active Holidays
If sightseeing is best enjoyed in the spring and autumn, then the summer offers the perfect opportunity to get into the countryside, with comfortable temperatures. Set off on an adventure along the Vltava River where you can paddle, hike or enjoy cycling the Wine Paths in South Moravia. The Iron Curtain cycling trail, or EuroVelo 13, runs along the south of this country and across the entire continent. In winter, downhill or cross-country skiing is offered, just a few hours from the capital, in both the Erz and Czech Giant Mountains, while the snowy towns provide a magical setting for Christmas Markets.
Food and drink
Traditional dishes are a hearty fare with creamy sauces or cabbage, roasted meat and home-made dumplings. A not-to-be-missed Czech favourite is fried cheese and fries with Tartar sauce. In recent years, high-class dining has seen traditional meals transformed to more sophisticated cuisine, especially in Brno, which is well known for its gastronomy. Czech beer is world-famous: many hundreds of micro-breweries offer a backstage experience with insights into the creation of the beer. The vineyards of South Moravia, in the ‘Sunshine Country’, has tastings, easily reached on the wine bus tours.
For more information, Visit Czech Republic
