Moravia Vacations, Czech Republic

South Moravia, is an assorted mosaic of fields, forests, meadows, vineyards, rivers and ponds, winding river valleys, sharp cliffs and a gentle outline of fertile lowlands, enchanting in the noon day sun heat as well as in the bewitching soft twilight. No matter which one of the cardinal points entices you and whether you cruise through this country by foot or by bicycle, awaiting you is a magical time. The rhythm of the changing seasons what's more gives every place a stamp of uniqueness.
In spring you can head for the swamp forest around the confluence of the Moravia and Dyje rivers, or to the awaking beech and horn beam forests in the Chriby mountain range with imposing rock formations.

In summer take a walk on the ridge of Palava, a UNESCO Biospheric Reservation, and admire its white limestone cliffs, or stroll through Podyji National Park with its Austrian counterpart Thayatal National Park, where the winding Dyje river makes its way through deep canyons. In autumn you can dedicate your time to the White Carpathians National Parks, another UNESCO Biospheric Reservation, local orchid meadows when they are shedding their blossoms or to the fire coloured leaves of the trees in the Zdanicky forest.

And in winter? In the beautiful cool stalactite caves of the Moravian Karst and when cruising on the icy cold waters of the subterranean river Punkva you won't even notice that the frost and snow also hits South Moravia.

South-East Moravia (Zlin)

South-East Moravia is kown for wine and sunshine. The towns of the Zlin region have much in common, but are still so varied they just can't be thrown together into one "basket", if only because the region is located at the meeting point of three ethnographic regions: Wallachia, Moravian, Slovakia, and Hana. The South-East Moravia is formed from the picturesque Moravskoslezsky Beskydy mountains and the Vsetin peaks. The region of Wallachia gets its name from the shep, herds - Wallachs - who settled in the 12th century. With the joining of the mountain shepherds and the farmers, who settled in the valleys and mountains of this region, came some exceptionally charming national traditions, and started the establishment of the impressive traditional architecture in the form of wooden buildings, which even now are a part of the strong folklore tradition.

South-East Moravia a land of rich history, architectural treasures, folk traditions, pleasant climate, great wine and hospitality. The mild weather and southern slopes exposed to the sun provide rich crops of delicious grapes. From Riesling grown around Mikulov and Palava Hills, Frankovka around Velke Pavlovice to Znojmo's renowned Sauvignon variety, viniculture is to Moravia as hops and brewing are to Bohemia.

No one knows for sure when the first vine was cultivated in this area - perhaps in Roman times. But it was the beginning of a tradition which still prospers today. The rich and fertile land has attracted many people from mammoth hunters, Celts, Romans, Germans to Slavs. The mixture of cultures and influences translates into the richness of monuments from different eras. The land reached the peak of its importance during the time of the Great Moravian Empire, linked to the settlement of Slavs and the arrival of Christianity in the 9th century, when its actual size stretched well beyond its present-day borders. The beauty of this land inspired generations of writers, musicians, painters and local artisans.

Northern Moravia (Ostrava)

The intensive industrial and mining activity in North Moravia is confronted with effors for the preservation of the beauty of its hills and mountains, where people from the huge industrial centres like to hike and rest. The hill of Jeseniky are a popular tourist destination, with the Beskydy Mountain range is a true health resort for the people from the heavily polluted coal-mining region around Ostrava and Karvina.

Czech Silesia, a small but industrially and historically significant part of land near the border with Poland, is what remains of a one-time large royal province, parts of which were lost in the Prusso-Austrian wars during the reign of Empres Maria Theresa. Opava, once the capital of the province, the seat of the prince, the local authorities and courts, is today the seat of one of the universities in this ethnically mixed region. In the 20th century, the industrialised Ostrava, the centre of the coal-mining district, became the capital of this region of Silesian miners, metalworkers and engineers. Hukvaldy near Frydek-Mistek is the birthplace of Leos Janacek, the world-famous composer of many operas and symphonies, to whom this region was a major source of inspiration.

The North Moravia has not got deeper historical roots. The attention of visitors is attracted by the Gothic castles like Sternberk, Hukvaldy, and Helfstyn. The complete collection of monuments is represented by the castles and chateaux of Gothic origin and rebuilt in Renaissance Tovacov (the oldest Renaissance monument in the Czech Lands) and Velke Losiny. Baroque, it is in the North Moravia mainly Namest, Usov a Kravare, Romantic and Empire architecture has its own place in Hradec nad Moravici and Neo-Gothic Bouzov.

North-west Moravia (Olomouc)

The hilly region around the upper of the river Morava, between the Jeseniky and Moravskoslezske Beskydy mountain ranges, is more melancholic and harsher then the neighboring, fertile flatland of Hana. Fulnek, lipnik and Prerov are all places linked with the name of John Amos Comenius and the Unity of Brethren, but then there is Olomouc, the ancient provincial capital and a town with almost 500 years of a Jesuit, and recently revived, university traditions, with deeply-rooted Moravian Catholicism wielding an influence on many aspects of life here.

The colorful Vsetinsko and the very original Valassko, once inhabited by colonists from a far-away principality on the Danube river in Romania, who left a lasting imprint on life in the Beskydy mountains, all belong to North Moravia.
The open-air Wallachian Museum in Roznov pod Radhostem, which began to be constructed as early as 1925, is a true gem of folk architecture, in perfect harmony with the natural environment.

The city of Olomouc - the fifth largest city in the Czech Republic lies in the centre of Moravia. Olomouc became the natural centre of an area known for centuries as the Hana region. The centre of Olomouc is surrounded by a ring of colourful parks and the remains of medieval city walls.

It was proclaimed a protected reservation area by the state a number of years ago. The ancient town centre is being restored sensitively with special attention on its unique character. New palace facades, Baroque fountains and columns and quiet romantic lanes have been returned to their original glory.

Source: travel.cz

Things To Do and See in Moravia

Tugendhat Villa (Vila Tugendhat), Brno, Moravia
This modernist landmark is an outstanding example of the

international architectural style that flourished in 1920s Europe.
Attraction type: Architectural building

Spilberk Castle, Brno, Moravia
This imposing 13th-century castle first served as a fortress and then

as a prison for common criminals and opponents of the Hapsburg monarchy.
Attraction type: Castle; Old jail

Abbey of St. Thomas, Brno, Moravia
This vital center of theology and culture (circa 1256 A.D.) holds many historic

treasures, including an elegant 18th-century library containing 27,000

volumes, manuscripts and prints.
Attraction type: Historic site

Holy Trinity Column, Olomouc, Moravia
This 115-foot-tall, early-18th-century structure is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Attraction type: Monument

Stodolni Street, Ostrava, Moravia
This lively street located in the city center is filled with pubs, cafes,

restaurants and discothèques.
Attraction type: Street