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Discover South Moravia on these fab day journeys from Brno…
One place that you must add to your Czech Republic itinerary is Brno – the cool, culture-filled capital of the South Moravia area within the southeast of the nation.
About two hours from Prague, Brno is approach much less well-known than the Czech capital and feels quite a bit much less touristy. It’s an amazing metropolis with a great deal of cool bars, picturesque squares, and historic buildings to discover. It additionally makes an amazing base for locating the remainder of the area.
South Moravia has masses to supply guests. This is the Czech Republic’s fundamental wine area, with rolling vineyards and gorgeous chateaus dotting the beautiful countryside.
Adventure lovers will discover loads to do amidst the dramatic limestone gorges of the Moravian Karst – exploring caves and mountaineering round spectacular gorges.
So get able to uncover the highlights of South Moravia with these enjoyable, straightforward day journeys from Brno…
9 Easy Day Trips from Brno
1. Wine Tasting and History at Castle Valtice
Down close to the border with Austria lies the Lednice–Valtice Cultural Landscape, a UNESCO World Heritage Site dwelling to 2 beautiful historic palaces, one at Lednice and one at Valtice.
Both are gorgeous and might simply be visited in someday journey from Brno. But Valtice Castle has wine (extra on that in a second) – so in the event you can solely make it to 1, I like to recommend Valtice.
The palace has medieval foundations however has been remodelled a number of occasions over the centuries. Today, the fairytale-esque exterior blends Baroque, Classical and Neo-Gothic types for a romantic impact.
Take a tour to find the extravagant decor and historic artworks inside. Look out for the spectacular impact upstairs, the place each room’s doorways are positioned straight reverse, creating the impression of 1 lengthy hall.
Wine Tasting at Valtice Castle
There’s one different unbelievable motive to go to Valtice. The fortress’s cellar is dwelling to the National Wine Salon of the Czech Republic; an enormous assortment of the nation’s top-rated wines. Every 12 months, round 50 judges choose the 100 finest wines within the Czech Republic. They’re all saved within the cellar at Valtice Castle and anybody can go to for a tasting!
For a price of 599 CZK (round £22), you may take pleasure in an ‘Open Tasting’: two hours spent sampling as lots of the 100 wines as you want. Then, you should buy your favorite bottles to take dwelling with you!
Getting there: Valtice is about an hour’s drive south of Brno. You can take a bus from Brno to Breclav, then change for a bus to Valtice; the entire journey takes about 1.5 hours. Alternatively, this full-day wine tour from Brno will take you to the palaces at each Valtice and Lednice and the wine city of Mikulov. Click right here to examine the newest costs.
2. Go Underground at Punkva Caves
The Moravian Karst present caves and limestone gorges are one in all Brno’s hottest day journeys. Less than an hour from the town, this area seems like a unique world!
This is a limestone panorama of sinkholes, canyons and caves. Don’t miss the Macocha Abyss, a 138m-deep rocky canyon that’s swirled in legends and folklore.
You may go to the underside of the Abyss on a tour of the Punkva Caves. These are one of many solely cave methods within the Moravian Karst which you can go to – they usually’re stuffed with spectacular sights.
A tour of the Punkva Caves is fairly particular, because it entails an underground boat journey. Hop right into a picket boat to comply with the winding, subterranean Punkva river deep into the cave system to go to the unbelievable ‘Masaryk Cathedral’, some of the lovely underground options of the Moravian Karst.
Getting there: It’s a 45-minute drive to the Punkva Show Caves from Brno. Or, take a prepare to close by Blansko: from there, you may take a bus or taxi to the principle entrance. To attain Punkva Cave you may stroll alongside the river for half-hour, or take the land prepare. Alternatively, at the present time tour takes within the Punkva Caves, Macocha Abyss and a close-by fortress – click on right here to examine costs.
3. Step Back in time in Boskovice
Delve into South Moravia’s historical past and gorgeous structure with a day journey to Boskovice. Historically, this city was dwelling to one in all Moravia’s most important Jewish centres. The Jewish Quarter is a district of vibrant buildings and spectacular structure, in addition to a serious synagogue.
The district has a reasonably sombre historical past. The Jewish Quarter was as soon as a ghetto, segregated from the principle city by gates which have been constructed within the 1700s – you may nonetheless see the stays of one of many gates as we speak. During WWII, the world’s Jewish inhabitants have been deported to focus camps and just a few resettled there after the warfare was over. However, the Jewish Quarter has been nicely preserved and makes for an attention-grabbing day journey.
Overlooking the city, Boskovice Castle is one other probability to find a slice of South Moravia’s historical past. An evocative break perched on a hilltop, the fortress dates from the thirteenth century – and affords some wonderful views of the encompassing space.
For lunch, swing by Hostinec u Rudyho within the Boskovice Jewish Quarter. It’s a tiny, atmospheric little place and an amazing spot to attempt conventional native dishes.
Getting there: Boskovice is a few 40-minute drive from Brno, or you may take a prepare in about an hour (altering at Černá Hora).
4. Visit a Brewery at Černá hora
The Czech Republic is legendary for its beers, and South Moravia isn’t any exception. Head for Černá Hora to go to its historic brewery for a tour and tasting.
Pivovar Černá Hora dates from 1530, though the small market city close to Blansko has been making beer for even longer than that! This is a well-liked nationally-known model within the Czech Republic and the brewery is a must-visit for any beer lover.
For an uncommon wellness expertise, subsequent door Hotel Sladovna has a beer spa. I didn’t attempt that, however I did spend a while of their lovely vaulted wellness cellar and might affirm it’s a stunning, enjoyable setting.
Getting there: It’s about half-hour from Brno to Černá Hora by automotive or bus. A direct bus runs from Brno’s Královo Pole prepare station.
5. Experience Art and Culture at Moravský Krumlov Castle
A brief distance southwest of Brno lies the small city of Moravský Krumlov, dwelling to a surprising fortress: the Zámek Moravský Krumlov.
The authentic fortress dates from 1146 however was rebuilt within the 1500s. It’s had many lives: since WWII it’s been used for metropolis workplaces, by the military, and been dwelling to Brno’s railway building firm. But since 2016, the town has owned the fortress and it’s present process vital restoration.
One of the highlights is climbing the fortress tower for some unbelievable views of the encompassing space.
But Zámek Moravský Krumlov can be an artwork gallery, dwelling to an iconic Czech art work collection: Alfons Mucha’s Slav Epic. Painted on huge canvases (the biggest measuring 8m x 6m), these lovely, detailed work seize the historical past, legends and traditions of the Slavs.
If you want a great place for lunch close by, the RAF House Ivančice is a 15-minute drive from Moravský Krumlov. Part restaurant, half museum, this distinctive attraction is stuffed with memorabilia related with the British RAF. There are even tables constructed from jet engines and aircraft wings!
Getting There: It’s solely a 45-minute drive from Brno to the fortress at Moravský Krumlov. Or, take the prepare to Moravský Krumlov station (one hour) then take a taxi or bus to the fortress (or it’s a 45-minute stroll).
6. Discover the Art of Blueprinting
Head up into the highlands north of Brno to find the traditional custom of blueprinting material.
Modrotisk Danzinger, within the small city of Olešnice, is one in all simply two workshops left within the Czech Republic nonetheless creating blueprinted materials within the conventional approach. The white material is printed utilizing moulds, after which dyed with pure indigo. Visit to see the method in motion and decide up some distinctive, native souvenirs within the store.
Mr Danzinger’s household have been making blueprint materials in the identical home – utilizing the identical strategies – since 1816. His materials have been even used for the Czech group’s outfits on the 2021 Olympics in Tokyo.
Getting there: Olešnice is roughly an hour by automotive or bus from Brno – you may take a direct bus from Brno’s Královo Pole prepare station.
7. Spend a Day Touring Vineyards
South Moravia is the Czech Republic’s fundamental wine-producing area – so the most effective day journeys from Brno is to easily spend a while visiting a winery or two!
The most typical grape varieties grown listed here are white: Grüner Veltliner, Riesling, and Welschriesling particularly. There are additionally some reds, notably Blaufränkisch. Pálava is a singular native grape which isn’t actually discovered exterior of Moravia – don’t miss it!
I attempted loads of wines whereas I used to be in Brno and South Moravia, however I didn’t go to any vineyards. Thankfully, my most trusted wine professional (and one in all my favorite consuming buddies) Lisa, did. Check out her information to South Moravian wines for more information and a run-down of one of the best vineyards to go to within the area.
Getting There: Depends on which winery you go to. Or, guide a tour to have another person organise the entire thing! Click right here to examine costs and availability.
8. Explore the Art and Gardens at Rájec Chateau
There are loads of fairly chateaus, palaces and castles to find all through South Moravia they usually make for some beautiful day journeys from Brno.
One of the prettiest is Rájec Chateau, constructed through the 1760s in a Classicist French fashion. This one is especially notable for its in depth gardens. Try to go to in early spring to see the chateau’s well-known camelia bushes in bloom.
I’ve to admit, I used to be in a really giggly temper the day I visited and didn’t absorb a lot of the historical past. I really feel very sorry for the poor information who needed to present us round! But I can let you know that the inside of this chateau is simply as lovely as its spectacular exterior – particularly the huge, Hogwarts-esque library.
Getting there: Rájec-Jestřebí is a few 35-minute drive from Brno, or you may take a prepare in about 50 minutes (altering at Černá Hora). A visit to Zámek Rájec might simply be mixed with the Punkva Caves or Boskovice (or all three in the event you rush): they’re all very shut to 1 one other.
9. Seek Adventure in Jedovnice
With its dramatic landscapes and plunging gorges, the Moravian Karst is the proper setting for journey. Head for the lakeside city of Jedovnice to hunt it out!
Olšovec Lake is the best place for watersports. Visit Wakepark Jedovnice to offer wakeboarding and waterskiing a go! This was one thing I had deliberate to do on my journey to South Moravia, however sadly, the climate had different concepts. Next time!
Jedovnice can be an amazing vacation spot for bike lovers. The altitude and surrounding forests imply there are some nice biking trails. In explicit, Singletrail Moravsky Kras: a slender one-way pure path that winds by way of the forests. You can lease bikes and decide up path maps from their base in Jedovnice.
Getting there: A one-hour direct bus from Brno will get you to Jedovnice, or it’s a 40 minute drive.
More Day Trips from Brno
Did you already know Vienna can be inside straightforward day journey distance of Brno? Yep, you may hop on a prepare at Brno station and be in Vienna metropolis centre in about 1.5 hours!
Once there – take a look at my Vienna meals information to eat your approach across the metropolis, go to Vienna’s beautiful palaces, or go to the opera. A good way to expertise two completely different international locations in a single journey.
Prague can be do-able as a day journey. The prepare takes nearly three hours, or a direct bus is about 2.5 hours. Hop throughout to the capital for a unique facet of Czech tradition, then head again to Brno in time for drinks in one of many metropolis’s quite a few bars! Perfect!
Have you visited South Moravia? Share your favorite day journeys from Brno within the feedback!