Czech Republic: A getaway in Moravia

I'm taking you on a trip to the Czech Republic to discover South Moravia, a beautiful region located 200km southeast of Prague, The Czech Republic is known for its many wine regions, its local folklore, its majestic castles and its relaxed lifestyle. Because no, the Czech Republic is not just about Prague!

Before diving into the article, I suggest you watch the video of my trip to Moravia, hoping it will inspire you to visit this beautiful region of the Czech Republic.

Visit Brno, the capital of the Moravian region

The day after my arrival in Prague and after seeing some must-see sights, I took the train to Brno with the company. RegioJet which serves the capital Morave in 2h30.

I really enjoyed the atmosphere and the dynamics of Brno, a city that is both historical, vibrant, dynamic, creative, student-friendly and very foodie with its many trendy bars and restaurants. It is so different from Prague, which is in my opinion way too touristy.

Brno can be explored on foot, but you can also easily get around by tram and bus throughout the city.

The Brno train station is located right in the city center, convenient for exploring the city or getting to your accommodation. In fact, I really liked it here. the ANYBODY hotel, Ideally located on Zelny Square in the heart of Brno. It’s a conceptual and atypical hotel as I like them with original decor and a different theme in each room. Mine was themed around the film Breakfast at Tiffany.

This hotel is completely in line with this new generation of accommodation where customer experience comes first. There is no reception, just a terminal for quick check-in in just a few seconds. The room is spacious, comfortable to the point of being plush, and no detail has been overlooked, even down to the bright ambiance in the bathroom! And to top it all off, there’s even a role-playing game that matches the theme of each room.

For breakfast, the hotel gives a voucher that can be used at one of the 5 coffee shops recommended by the hotel. I find this very original and relevant approach! It allows the small businesses nearby to get some work done and to change the atmosphere every morning.

If you are looking for another hotel, more standard but still high-end, there is also one the International Hotel in Brno

What to see and do in Brno?

• Strolling in the park that surrounds the Špilberk castle. From this hill and the garden Denis's sets There are beautiful views over the entire city.
• Go to the Cathedral of Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul by taking the alleys until the Petrov Hill.
• Going to the market place in the morning Zelny Market where you can find local products. There are a few food trucks with sun loungers where you can sit down with a hot drink or a good fruit juice. If it rains a few drops, head to one of the many cafes and restaurants located around the square (my personal favorite: the Cafe bar business)
• Stroll the streets of the historic center and admire the Art Nouveau-style buildings
• Take a walk through the old town hall (Stará radnice) and observe the details of the old gate. The small square located around it is very beautiful.
• Go to Freedom Square, the largest square in the city where many events take place. It also houses the black granite astronomical clock (which I still haven’t understood how to work!)
• Disconnect and recharge at lake of the Brno dam, It is easily accessible from the city center by tram (line 1 or 11). You can walk around there or rent a small electric boat to navigate on the lake.
• About twenty kilometers from Brno is the Château Veveří which overlooks the river Svratka. It is one of the most impressive buildings in the country and is truly a must-see.

Discovering Brno during the day is one thing, but Brno is equally enjoyable at night! If you want to enjoy the festive atmosphere, this is the city to go to. There are many restaurants offering different types of cuisine and many lively bars, some of which are very unique. On the one hand, I didn’t really like the restaurants in the city center (too many local and touristy specialties), but on the other hand, I had a great time in Brno!

A few addresses: bar 4 rooms , speakeasy bar Super Panda Circus, bar with a wide selection of alcoholic beverages and delicious cocktails The Bar That Doesn’t Exist

For more information, visit the website at the Brno City Tourist Office

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Znojmo: between traditional festivals and wine-growing discoveries

Now I'm taking you to the charming city of Znojmo, Located an hour’s drive south of Brno and just 12km from the Austrian border, the city is a must-visit stop during a stay in Moravia, especially for wine tourism enthusiasts as the region boasts renowned vineyards throughout the country.

I visited Znojmo and its surroundings on the occasion of the festival of the vintage and new wine (from September 10 to 12), so let me tell you that the atmosphere is in place with many popular festivals such as the knights tournament that takes place at the Znojmo castle. There are also friendly activities during the « Open caves in Saldorf » a local festival where visitors can meet the winemakers who offer tastings of their wines in the underground cellars.

What to see and do in Znojmo?

• Stroll through the medieval and colorful streets of the historic center of Znojmo. In its center, one cannot miss the tower of the former town hall.
• Visit the vast catacombs that stretch beneath the city center
• Admire the panoramic view of the Dyje River and the vineyards from the Rotonde (castle)
• Participating in the Knights Tournament, a traditional celebration
• Admire the Church of Saint Nicholas
• No. 1 activity in the region: Renting a bike to wander around the vineyards around Znojmo (vineyard Sobes) and observe beautiful panoramas (Havraniky, Vyhlidka Devet Mlynu, Hnanice etc…)
• Relaxing in the great outdoors in the Podyjí National Park

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Mikulov: Welcome to the Tuscany of Moravia

Now I'm taking you to Mikulov A sumptuous city located about sixty kilometers east of Znojmo. The closer we get to the city, the more the landscapes change. We pass through olive groves and vineyards that stretch out of sight, and once we reach the heart of the city’s historic district, it feels like we’re in an Italian village—quite breathtaking!

The architecture is remarkable; the buildings are colorful and picturesque; there are plenty of small alleys that wind through the historic center and around the imposing castle that overlooks the city. Around the main square, one can admire magnificent buildings, some of which are covered with frescoes. A beautiful discovery!

I advise you to take a walk around the Natural site of Pálava, to get you to the Chapel of the Holy Hill from which you will have a beautiful view of the city and the region. Before leaving, have a wine tasting at Wine shop Pod Kozím hrádkem and ask to meet Michal, a lovely and very welcoming winemaker.

The wine cellars of Petrov-Plže

The region of South Moravia is full of atypical wine cellars, but the wine cellars in Petrov-Plješa They are quite unavoidable. The town is located just 5 kilometers from the Slovakian border and about sixty kilometers east of Mikulov. The peculiarity of these caves? They are underground and their main entrances are white and blue, some of which have beautiful floral ornaments. It’s as if you were in front of a Hobbit house or even in Greece! Anyway, this is where you can enjoy excellent morava.
Attention, not all cellars are open; only a few are.

On the way back to Brno

On the way back to Brno, I made a stop at Sardice at the end of the day to admire the sunset. It’s surreal… In this part of Moravia, you can see rolling hills colored with vineyards and other plantations. The perspectives and curves of the terrain offer a magnificent landscape. I recommend driving around the region: between Kyjov and Sardice .

Here is a link to discover the most photogenic sites in the Tuscany Morave

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Article created in collaboration with the tourist office of the Czech Republic