Located in Central Europe, the Czech Republic is a tiny, landlocked country. It shares its borders with Germany, Austria, Poland, and Slovakia. The Velvet Revolution in 1989 was a non-violent deposing of Communism, and since that time, the Czech Republic has developed into a strong, democratic country.
Starting shortly after the Velvet Revolution, Czech tourism blossomed, offering tourists a great deal of variety. Visitors can choose from concerts and festivals, as well as fairytale castles and historical churches. There are also national parks, delightful spas, and medieval towns. On top of all that, it is the birthplace of the world’s finest beer.
The Czech Republic is divided into two provinces, Bohemia and Moravia, and because the travel accommodations are superb, it is easy to visit any location. You can choose to go by train, bus, car, air, or even bicycle.
The capital of Moravia is Brno, which dates from the 13th century. You do not want to miss the Moravia Museum, or the Augustinian Monastery where the Father of Genetics, Gregor Mendel, was Abbot. The Capuchin Church and its mummies is a popular site, and so is the Gothic ?pilberk Castle. Moravians prefer wine to beer, and the rolling ranges are dotted with a multitude of vineyards.
Bohemia is located in the western part of the Czech Republic, and here visitors find spa towns and ski resorts. The beautiful ?umava Mountains offer excellent hiking opportunities, as well as a variety of other sports, and tourists delight in medieval towns such as ?esk? Krumlov. Southern Bohemia is famed for its caves as well as many excellent recreational facilities, not to mention dazzling lakes and spectacular woods.
Cesk? Budejovice , or Budweis to the English, is home to one of Europe’s largest town squares. Although it established its wealth on silver mines, the local beer is this town’s main attraction. Founded in 1895, the Pivovar Budejovick? Budvar, or Budweiser Budvar Brewery, sells its beer under the Budweiser name throughout much of Europe. To secure global rights to the Budweiser name, America’s Anheuser-Busch offered to buy out the Czech brewing company, to no avail. For the Czech people, retaining this rich heritage is still a matter of national pride.
It is impossible to visit the Czech Republic without stopping in Prague, its capital. Found in the middle of Bohemia, Prague is offers a delightful mixture of museums, galleries, concerts, and castles. Now considered the Paris of the East, this quaint city has recaptured its caf? culture since the fall of Communism.
Plzen lies to the south of Prague. The second-largest city in Bohemia, Plzen is replete with eclectic architecture, which ranges from Gothic to Art Nouveau. Its many museums and galleries are popular with tourists, as well. Make sure to stop by the Plzensk? Prazdroj brewery. They have been brewing beer since the town’s foundation, in 1295. As a matter of fact, the town takes its name from the world-famous Plisner beer.
