10 reasons for a perfect holiday in the Czech Republic

The Czech Republic is a land blessed with an exceptional number of historical monuments of all architectural styles, a rich range of cultural offerings, ...

pleasant spas and wonderful nature interwoven with a network of hiking and cycling trails. Let us invite you for a visit!

1. UNESCO Heritage Sites
The Czech Republic can boast a full twelve historic areas inscribed in the UNESCO Register of World Cultural and Natural Heritage, as well as one UNESCO geopark. All of these monuments are nonetheless easily accessible: from Prague, it is a matter of a car trip lasting between 30 minutes to three hours. No other concentration of UNESCO-registered sites can be found anywhere else in the world.
Our tip: Celebration of the Five-petalled Rose in Český Krumlov (19.-21. 6. 2009)
At the end of June in Český Krumlov, during the Five-Petalled Rose Celebrations commemorating the one-time rulers of the town, the Lords of Rosenberg (in Czech, “Rožmberk”), the Renaissance period is brought back to life. For three days, Český Krumlov is returned to a time of knights and noble ladies, jugglers and beggars.

2. Classical music
The Czech Republic belongs among the great powers of European music, and everyone with an interest in classical music most certainly knows such names as Smetana, Dvořák, Janáček or Martinů.
Our tip: International Festival Smetana’s Litomyšl (12. 6. – 6. 7. 2009)
The international opera festival “Smetana’s Litomyšl” is, after the Prague Spring festival, the second oldest music festival in the Czech Republic and, at the same time, is among the largest regular festivals of classical music in the Czech Republic. Moreover, the picturesque town of Litomyšlis now a UNESCO heritage site.

3. Folk traditions and folklore
In the eastern region of the Czech Republic, Moravia, visitors have an exceptional opportunity to experience folk traditions and music. The summer is the season for the largest folklore festivals. Many village museums, such as Vlčnov, Strážnice, Rožnov pod Radhoštěm and many more, revive the old celebrations, customs and traditions.
Our tip: International Folklore Festival in Strážnice (25.-28. 6.2009)
Visitors and members of the tens of folk ensembles and groups attend the festival to enjoy the beauty of folk songs and dances and to admire the folk costumes and customs - in short to be carried away on a wave of folk traditions.

4. Jewish festivals
Visitors to the Czech Republic have the unique opportunity to learn about this fascinating culture at its many Jewish sites as well as at various festivals of Jewish culture.
Our tip: Šamajim Festival in Třebíč (30. 7. - 2. 8. 2009)
During this three-day festival, the Jewish quarter reawakens as in times of old. You can hear traditional Hasidic songs as well as the more playful klezmer style, the aroma of Kosher foods and wine hangs in the air in the backstreets of the ghetto, and everywhere there is a varied and cheerful atmosphere, just as during the Passover holiday celebrating the Exodus and liberation of the Israelites.

5. Sport events
A person can not survive on culture alone! The Czech Republic is a country with a very vibrant culture, but we shouldn’t forget sports fans. There is something for everyone in the following list of sports events.
Our tip: The Czech Republic Grand Prix 2009 (14.–16. 8. 2009)
The World Motorcycle Championshipsis the most important motor sport event in the Czech Republic.

6. Open-air festivals
In recent years in particular, there has been a boom in open-air festivals, dozens of which are held in the summer across the Czech Republic. Outdoor podiums play host to hundreds of Czech and international musicians in all genres.
Our tip: Colours of Ostrava (9.-12. 7. 2009)
The festival will feature overseas and home-grown talent playing a variety of genres from world music to rock and alternative.

7. Film festivals
Festivals change even the average film fans into marathon runners. They queue up for accreditation, turn out for the first screening and endeavour not to fall asleep during the last. If they are not sitting in a cinema, they are at a concert or in the theatre..
Our tip: Carlsbad International Film Festival (3.–11. 7. 2009))
The film festival in Carlsbad is the most important category A international film festival in central and Eastern Europe, with over 40 years behind it. The combination of thousands of young film fans from around the entire world and international stars create a unique informal atmosphere.

8. Wine festivals
Czech and Moravian wines regularly wine awards at international competitions. Every year in autumn events celebrating this popular tipple take place – wine festivals.
Our tip: Pálava Wine Festival in Mikulov (11.–13. 9. 2009)
The Pálava wine-festival in Mikulov is an event with a medieval market-fair and a wine-market, along with parades, wine tasting, entertainment for all ages and special dishes.

9. Beer festivals
The range of beers available on the Czech market would satisfy even the most discerning beer drinker and beer festivals are heaven for the beer fans who visit them. Entertainment, good food and, most importantly of all, the beer are part of the programme at these events.
Our tip: PilsnerFest in Pilsen (2.-3. 10. 2009)
A cultural festival that connects art and culture, in the strict sense of the word, with the culture of beer drinking and gastronomy.

10. Czech cuisine
Comfort, relaxation, good food and drink – none of these experiences will be lacking on your holiday in the Czech Republic. Here you can dine well, and in all price categories. Awaiting you is both traditional Czech cuisine as well as international cuisine.
Our tip: Prague Food Festival (29.-31. 5. 2009)
Prague has another epithet. Prague of a Hundred Spires, Golden Prague and now also Culinary Prague. The increasing prestige of Czech gastronomy is evidenced by the first Michelin Star in Central Europe for the Prague restaurant Allegro, as well as the third year of the Prague Food Festival.