South Moravia Archives – Little Holidays

South Moravia – revelry and relaxation in the Czech Republic’s wine region

My train stops on the border town of Mikulov in South Moravia.

As I step out onto the platform, I am treated to the distinctive beauty of a Czech castle town: red terracotta roofs, twisted cobblestone streets, and an imposing 13th-century castle set against the backdrop of rolling hills and the outline of a distant mountain range.

But the normally sleepy town is abuzz this beautiful September weekend. It’s the annual Palavske vinobrani, a weekend-long wine festival that transforms the usually sleepy town into a big wild street party. And even first-time festival-goers like me know: where wine flows, merriment follows. [Read more…] about South Moravia – revelry and relaxation in the Czech Republic’s wine region

10 best things to do in South Moravia, Czech Republic’s wine region

Czech Republic, Europe, Travel Guides

Here’s a place that’s NOT in most Central European itineraries: South Moravia. In fact, you may not even have heard of it.

But if you’re planning a holiday to the Prague-Vienna-Budapest triad, you’ll want to check out this beautiful region that’s right smack in the middle of your Central European itinerary. Take 5 minutes to check out the 10 best things to do in South Moravia here – and you might just have to make room for it in your holiday. [Read more…] about 10 best things to do in South Moravia, Czech Republic’s wine region

Driving from Prague to Vienna, slowly through Czech Republic’s scenic south

Czech Republic, Europe, Travel Guides

Here’s how the typical Central European travel itinerary goes –

You spend a few days in Prague with several early morning attempts to take pictures at the Charles Bridge, board a train to Vienna where you blitz through the many historical churches and museums, maybe even spend an evening at the opera and have a slice of sachertorte, then take another train to Budapest, where you fill your camera with more crowded pictures of the Fisherman’s Bastion. By the end of this trip, you hardly remember anything and you just want to collapse in bed and take another vacation.

I get it. For most of us non-European travelers, Europe is this shiny, star-studded continent filled with some of the world’s best, most romantic, most historical – most superlative – cities in the world that we just want to cram our itineraries and see ALL. OF. THEM. The lack of borders and ease of movement is also mind-blowing for most of us that we get a little bit (or a lot) trigger-happy when planning our trips.

But here’s a radical suggestion: take it slow. Instead of rushing from one country to the next, take some time to really explore a place. While capital cities like Prague and Vienna are, of course, must-visits for first-time travelers, you can make your trip a lot more interesting with stop-overs to the little towns in between. You’ll establish a deeper connection with the places you visit, gain a better understanding of the culture, and have a more fulfilling holiday experience.