• Share

Czech Republic travel guide

Central Europe has long been a popular destination for travellers, but it might come as a surprise to learn that one of the region's most historic countries has only been in existence since 1993.

The Czech Republic, which was formed after the collapse of communism, has become one of the continent's most exciting destinations thanks to its plethora of cultural offerings and architectural overachievement, and more Brits are beginning to discover the nation's charm.

Many visitors embark on a stay in Prague hotels during their visit, and the Czech capital forms an excellent base from which to explore the country. Home to attractions such as Prague Castle, one of the largest structures of its kind in the world, and the impossibly romantic Charles Bridge, the city is as popular with architectural enthusiasts as it is with culture vultures.

Those looking for a night out before heading back to their Prague hotel can take advantage of the capital's reputation as a hub of classical music, with the city home to the famous Dvorak Hall and Smetana Hall concert venues. Partygoers looking for a livelier night out can visit some of Prague's world-class nightclubs - Karlovy Lazne is the largest club in central Europe and is located on the eastern bank of the Vltava River.

Prague is an excellent city break destination and many travellers wish they could stay a little bit longer. Sadly, the time does come to move on, although holidaymakers can then look forward to the next stage of their Czech adventure. The rest of the country is home to an astonishing 11 UNESCO World Heritage sites, and one of these is the picture postcard city of Cesky Krumlov.

Located in the south-east of the Czech Republic, Cesky Krumlov has long been a draw for tourists thanks to its castle complex. It's huge for the size of the city surrounding it and second only to the majesty of Prague Castle. Visitors to Cesky Krumlov Castle can take in the beautiful garden located within its walls, while the castle itself consists of a number of different parts dating from different periods in history.

Also part of the World Heritage site is Cesky Krumlov's baroque theatre, which was completed in 1766. Visitors can marvel at its original stage machinery, scenery and props, and you may be lucky enough to catch one of the performances. Due to its age, however, these only take place three times a year. One of the highlights is the magical performance of a baroque opera, which occurs against a backdrop of simulated candlelight.

Festival-goers can take advantage of Cesky Krumlov's range of events, with the best known being the Five-Petalled Rose Festival, which is held during the summer solstice in June. Czech Republic holidaymakers will also no doubt be keen to sample the country's cuisine, and there are few better places to do this than Cesky Krumlov. Since the fall of communism, more than 80 restaurants have been established in the city and its surroundings.

Moving on, and one of the Czech Republic's most spectacular destinations can be found at the Lednice-Valtice Cultural Landscape, another UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Europe's largest artificial landscapes. Over a period of about 200 years, Liechtenstein's ruling dukes embarked on a hugely ambitious project to transform the landscape of southern Moravia. The result, which is enjoyed by tourists from around the world each year, is a 200 km-squared area blending Baroque architecture, the neo-Gothic style of the nearby Lednice and Valtice castles and the romanticism of the English countryside.

Holidaymakers will be pleased to learn that the Lednice-Valtice Cultural Landscape is easily accessible from Valtice railway station, which is regularly served by trains from Brno, the Czech Republic's second-largest city and a destination famed for its beautiful old quarter and pretty churches.

Similar to Prague is many respects but far quieter than the capital city, no visit to Brno can be complete without a visit to Spilberk Castle, a structure dominating the city's skyline. Once the most notorious prisons of the Habsburg Empire, the castle can be best enjoyed by exploring its rather scary dungeons, ramparts or surrounding grounds.

A visit to Spilberk Castle in the morning can be complimented with an afternoon excursion to the impressive Museum of Applied Arts. Brno is the capital of the South Moravian Region, and the museum, which is housed in a delightful neo-Renaissance building, explores the cultural influences on Moravian art through the centuries.

Further afield, and to the north of the Brno is the Moravian Karst. This is a destination that suits the more adventurous traveller - the karst consists of approximately 1,100 caverns and gorges, although only four are open to the public. Among the Moravian Karst's highlights are the Punkva Caves, which can be explored on a mesmerising underground cruise, during which travellers can see the bottom of the famous Macocha Abyss.

The Czech Republic is as much Bohemia as it is Moravia, and it is these two ancient lands that form the foundations of the country. Both historic regions contain a plethora of fairytale castles, spa resorts and beautiful countryside. And when in Bohemia, do as the Bohemians do - if you've had enough Czech beer, you'll be pleased to learn that wine is ever-so-slightly more popular in this region and that life moves along at a more relaxed pace.

No matter where you in the Czech Republic, you can look forward to meeting open and welcoming people who are immensely proud of their heritage. Despite a fondness for looking back and celebrating its exceptional history, the Czech people are also looking forward to their place in a united Europe - and travel to the country has been made easier since it joined the European Union in 2004.

Many Czech Republic holidaymakers begin and end their holiday in hotels in Prague - and why not round-off your trip in the country by visiting the capital's landmarks that you may have missed out the first time around? With so much history and culture to soak up, there's certainly no danger of being disappointed.