Czech Republic

• romantic castles surrounded by vineyards
• charming, welcoming hotels
• cycling holidays and short breaks

Prague – an enthralling mix of Gothic, Baroque, Art Nouveau and Cubist architecture – and the surrounding region of Bohemia, with its well preserved medieval towns, draw most of the Czech Republic’s visitors. In the south-east of the country, the region of Moravia is every bit as beautiful – and little visited nowadays, despite long having been a crossroads of Europe, witnessing the passage of travelling merchants, marching armies and waves of immigrants. As such, the sense of history is palpable – Znojmo is one of the oldest towns in Europe, and numerous castles are scattered across the alluring landscapes. Viticulture was introduced here almost 2,000 years ago by the Romans, and remains important, with numerous festivals each autumn to celebrate the grape harvest.