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Czech Republic: Other towns

Central Bohemia

The landscape of the Heart of Bohemia around Labe and Vltava river, where the oldest inhabitants of the Czech Basin were settled, offers the lowlands as well as the long elevations, individual hills and small mountains. Natures´ beauty spots are rich and diverse in the Central Bohemia. The most popular tourist areas are not only castles of Czech kings and old families, Renaissance and Baroque chateaux and the castle ruins (the evidence of the rich history of this region) but also the important historic towns (Prague, Kutna Hora) and the nature reserves. A wide range of sport activities offers water sports, flying sports, hiking, horseback-riding, cycling, golf, hunting, motor sports and others.

Special interests

• nature reserves (the Krivoklat Nature Conservation Area - the UNESCO biosphere reserve, the Czech Karst, the Kokorin Nature Conservation and the Czech Paradise)
• the romantic athmosphere of castles, chateaux and strongholds (Krivoklat, Karlstejn, Cesky Sternberk, Tocnik, Nelahozeves, Mnichovo Hradiste, Zleby, Konopiste)

Cities

• Kutna Hora - The ancient silver mining town (UNESCO listed).

South Bohemia

South Bohemia is one of the loveliest regions in the Czech Republic. The South Bohemian countryside offers wide fields and meadows, delightful lakes, lovely wooded hills, marshes and valleys through which flow such large rivers as the Vltava. Their waters keep the land fresh and green. South Bohemia is also known for its folk art (folk songs and national costumes) and artistic monuments (folk architecture, particularly farm buildings with Baroque gables and arched gates) as well as its architectural treasures including castles, chateaux, churches, monasteries and even whole towns e.g. Cesky Krumlov, Trebon and Slavonice. In addition to its lakes and rivers the region boasts huge dams such as Lipno and Orlik, and ponds known for the breeding of fish - particularly carps - a permanent fixture on menus here. South Bohemia is also the birthplace of the Hussite movement which rose at the beginning of the 15th century.

Special interest

• stays near rivers, lakes, dams and ponds
• fishing and "fishing out" the ponds in autumn (ponds Rozmberk, Svet, Bezdrev, Horusicky)
• camping and sports near lakes and dams (dams Lipno and Orlik)
• canoeing and rafting down the rivers Luznice and Vltava
• stays in picturesque villages with folk architecture
• holidays in farm houses where it is possible to find a second home

Cities

• Ceske Budejovice - the region's capital, known particularly for its Budvar/Budweiser beer.
• Cesky Krumlov - UNESCO listed town A most remarkable historic town reserve with an ancient town centre.
• Trebon - Another historic town reserve, also a health (spa) and recreational resort.
• Jindrichuv Hradec - Memorable town built in the 13th century boasting a Renaissance Chateau with three courtyards and many other sacred buildings (Jesuit college, Franciscan monastery).
• Tabor - This town, founded by the Hussites in 1420 and named after the biblical Mount Tabor, has been declared a national heritage.
• Pisek - One of South Bohemia's most beautiful towns, Pisek was used once a bastion of royal power.

Western Bohemia

The western border is created by the Bohemian Forest and the Krusne hory (Ore Mountains). Two largest rivers - Ohre and Berounka - create there attractive sceneries of canyons and valleys. The volcanic activity modelled the local relief and left behind a number of mineral springs for which the local countryside is famous. The spa activities are situated in three main areas: Karlovy Vary, Marianske Lazne and Frantiskovy Lazne. This region with Plzen town is an important industrial centre thanks to its geographical position - it lies on the route linking Eastern and Western Europe. Visitors can enjoy spa treatments, historical monuments as well as walking in the mountain recreation centres.

Special interests

• spa treatments in well-known spa towns
• history lovers
• monasteries - Tepla complex and the Kladruby monastery
• castles - Loket, Kynzvart, Krasny Dvur
• the Chodsko Festivities in Domazlice - traditional folklore festival

Cities

• Plzen - The town, founded in the end of 13th century, is a significant cultural, economic, industrial and business centre of the West Bohemia.

South Moravia

South Moravia is the region of excellent wine (area of Bzenec, Mikulov, Valtice and Velke Pavlovice) as well as of charming national songs and dulcimer music. South Moravia is also a region where the colours of nature blend with the beautiful folk costumes and painted pottery. Here also history has left numerous footprints. South Moravia's first inhabitants arrived here long ago because the region lies at the crossroads of routes from the Baltic to the Adriatic, from the Danube to the Czech lands and from Austria to Poland. In the 9th century, this area became the centre of the first Slavic state Greater Moravia. Visitors will enjoy its well-preserved rotundas, castles, country mansions, historic monuments and historic towns (Telc, Kromeriz, etc.). This is a paradise for water sports enthusiasts and hunters as well as for lovers of good food and drinks (wine and the famous plum brandy Slivovice). Moravian traditions can be seen at many folklore festivals (Straznice, Vlcnov, Hluk, Kyjov). The subregion Palava is on the UNESCO list of natural world treasures.

Special interests

• car and motorcycle racing lovers in Brno, where the annual Grand Prix of Motorcycling of the Czech Republic is held (a part of the World Championship) as are other international car races
• nature lovers
• in the Drahanska Highlands, where visitors will enjoy the wonderful 100 km2 area of the Moravian Karst with canyons, gorges, about 400 large and small caves and an unforgettable boat ride on the underground Punkva River
• in the Czech-Moravian Highlands with hiking and cross-country. World Cup cross-country races are held in Nove Mesto na Morave.
• by the artificial Vranov Lake, a summer recreational centre offering opportunities for many water sports, such as yachting, windsurfing and fishing
• on the Dyje River at the foot of the Pavlov Hills by the Novomlynske Reservoirs with opportunities for swimming, sport-fishing, windsurfing and cycling
• hunters in Zdar Highlands and Zidlochovice (famous for pheasant shoots)
• wine lovers with excursions to vineyards, wine tasting in wine cellars, excursions to wine markets (Valtice) and wine festivals (Znojmo)

• Brno - The second largest city in the Czech Republic is an important centre of industry, trade, congresses, fairs, culture and sport.
• Telc - The best preserved Renaissance and Baroque town in the Czech Republic.
• Znojmo - An important royal town with many Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque houses as well as romantic Rotunda of St. Catherine.

Krkonose (The Giant Mountains)

The Giant Mountains is the highest and most frequently visited mountain range in the Czech Republic. Its natural relief and vegetation cover alternating with bare plains creates many suitable ski terrains, both for downhill and classic events, for demanding skiers, for the less capable and for beginners. The mountain range is formed by several mountain ridges with central ski centres.

The Giant Mountains are the annual scene of World Cup competitions and other downhill, cross-country, ski jump and skibob events with international attendance. These events provide thrilling and interesting spectacles for fans. The Giant Mountains offer a wonderful time not only in winter, but also in summer for those who like hiking. Those who love a close connection with nature can use the opportunity of living in one of the numerous mountains cottages or hotels situated directly on routes, mountain slopes or at the feet of the mountains.

• summer stays with opportunities of hiking and walking along paths leading to ridges, peaks and saddles with panoramic views of green meadows and forested valleys, ideal for families and school stays
• winter stays, short or long, with opportunities of participation in all kinds of winter sports, organised ski training schools for children and adults

Cities

• Spindleruv Mlyn - The Czech Republic's most famous mountain ski centre is situated approximately 800 m above the sea level.
• Pec pod Snezkou - An important ski centre in the Giant Mountains, the name of this place comes from its furnace for non-ferrous metals, which were once mined here.
• Harrachov - A famous summer and winter tourist centre in the western part of the Giant Mountains.
• Janské lázně - The Czech Republic's famous mountain ski centre is situated in the Giant Mountains above the sea level.