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<strong>Special</strong> <strong>Edition</strong><br />
<strong>2011</strong>/<strong>2012</strong><br />
WTM London - - FITUR Madrid<br />
BIT Milano - - ITB Berlin & & more<br />
www.ttg.cz TRAVEL TRADE GAZETTE Czech Republic public <strong>Edition</strong> No Nove November vember 20 <strong>2011</strong><br />
02 Historic centre of Prague has been<br />
a monument reserve for 40 years already y<br />
05 Confidence in Partnership<br />
Czech Convention Bureau<br />
09 The Czech Republic as a destination<br />
for religious tourism<br />
12 Discover the promised land<br />
15 Experience Brno – Moravian capital<br />
17 Welcome to Pilsen<br />
and Pilsen region<br />
04 Prague’s Kampa is the second<br />
most beautiful city island in the world<br />
06 <strong>TTG</strong> Travel Awards <strong>2011</strong><br />
10 The most famous pilgrimage<br />
sites in the Czech Republic<br />
14 Information from<br />
Central and South Moravia<br />
16 Mahler, Dvořák,<br />
Janáček and more<br />
18-19 Visit South Bohemia
2<br />
November <strong>2011</strong><br />
NEWS<br />
www.ttg.cz TRAVEL TRADE GAZETTE<br />
Contents<br />
CONVENTION<br />
BUREAU<br />
04PRAGUE<br />
06CZECH<br />
IN BRIEF<br />
A special map to help gay<br />
visitors navigate through<br />
Prague – Prague Information<br />
Service followed the example of<br />
many global metropolises and<br />
published a new map aimed at<br />
gay visitors of Prague. It will be<br />
available free of charge from all<br />
information centres and also in<br />
gay clubs and hotels. Apart from<br />
recommendations for daytime and<br />
nightime establishments for gay<br />
visitors and specialized saunas,<br />
it will also include information<br />
about major Prague monuments,<br />
contact details for information<br />
centres and important phone<br />
numbers such as for the police,<br />
hospitals or embassies.<br />
Prague Airport received<br />
a prestigious award for the<br />
fastest developing airport of<br />
the world – At its 67 th annual<br />
convention the International Air<br />
Travel Association (IATA) has<br />
awarded the Prague Airport,<br />
as the only one on the world,<br />
the Eagle Award mainly for its<br />
rapid development, customer<br />
satisfaction with its services,<br />
transparent and fair dealings<br />
with all carriers and its incentive<br />
policy. IATA has given this<br />
award to the Prague Airport in<br />
recognition of its technological<br />
development (introduction of<br />
self check-in kiosks, Wheeltug<br />
– Prague Airport is the first one<br />
in the world that supports the<br />
development of a new technology<br />
that enable aircrafts<br />
to use in-built electric motors<br />
during taxi between terminals<br />
and runways etc.) and also of<br />
its positive approach towards<br />
environmental issues. In the<br />
past the award went to aiports<br />
in Seoul, Geneva, Vancouver,<br />
Singapore or San Francisco.<br />
SPECIAL EDITION <strong>2011</strong>/<strong>2012</strong><br />
TRAVEL TRADE<br />
GAZETTE<br />
Czech Republic<br />
WHO WE ARE<br />
Anna Marie Zemplinerová<br />
general manager<br />
amara.zemplinerova@ttg.cz<br />
Marta Jedličková<br />
editor<br />
marta.jedlickova@ttg.cz<br />
Lenka Neužilová<br />
editor<br />
lenka.neuzilova@ttg.cz<br />
Naďa Rybárová<br />
deputy manager<br />
nada.rybarova@ttg.cz<br />
Vlaďka Bratršovská<br />
marketing<br />
vladka.bratrsovska@ttg.cz<br />
Luděk Neužil<br />
production<br />
OUR ADDRESS<br />
Šafaříkova 5, 120 00 Praha 2, Česká<br />
republika<br />
Phone: +420 224 252 562<br />
Fax: +420 224 252 567<br />
www.ttg.cz<br />
Published – November <strong>2011</strong><br />
Published by 1. Distribuční společnost<br />
s.r.o in licence of Travel Trade<br />
gazette UK (publication of CMP<br />
Information Ltd.).<br />
Travel Trade Gazette (<strong>TTG</strong>), registration<br />
number MK ČR E15541,<br />
is trade mark of CMP Information<br />
Limited.<br />
Historic centre of Prague has a surface<br />
area of 866 hectares and hence is one<br />
of the largest monument zones in the<br />
world. The unique and diverse nature<br />
of the Prague centre has been recognized<br />
by UNESCO in 1992 when it<br />
was added to its World Heritage Site<br />
list. The centre of Prague has been an<br />
urban monument reserve for more than<br />
40 years though. Prague monument<br />
reserve includes practically the whole<br />
centre of Prague with the Old Town,<br />
Josefov, Lesser Town, Hradčany area<br />
with the Prague Castle, New Town,<br />
Vyšehrad and parts of Vinohrady,<br />
Holešovice, Podolí and Smíchov. The<br />
reserve is surrounded by a protected<br />
zone of a total area of 8963 hectares.<br />
The monument reserve is exceptional<br />
by world standards in terms of its<br />
size, the number of monuments and<br />
the extent to which whole built-up<br />
areas, streets and squares have been<br />
preserved. There are more than 1300<br />
protected buildings, 28 of these are<br />
also national cultural monuments<br />
e.g. the Old Town Square with the<br />
Townhall and Týn church, Prague<br />
Castle or Charles Bridge.<br />
07HOTELS<br />
Historic centre of Prague has been<br />
a monument reserve for 40 years already<br />
PRAGUE IS SAFER THAN VIENNA<br />
In terms of the number<br />
of crimes per inhabitant,<br />
Prague is a safer tourist<br />
destination than Vienna,<br />
Paris or London. International<br />
ranking Global<br />
Peace Index put the Czech<br />
Republic ahead of many of<br />
its European counterparts.<br />
These are the findings presented<br />
in a report called<br />
Czech Republic – A Safe<br />
Destination that was issued<br />
by CzechTourism agency.<br />
In 2009 there were 682<br />
crimes per 10,000 inhabitants<br />
in Prague. In Vienna,<br />
Prague’s main competitor<br />
in the tourism field,<br />
there were 1032 crimes per<br />
10,000 inhabitants. Higher<br />
crime rates per population<br />
have also been recorded in<br />
capital cities such as Paris,<br />
London or Brussels. Czech-<br />
Tourism’s report also used<br />
reputable indicators such as<br />
the Global Peace Index or<br />
Tourism Competitiveness<br />
Index to assess safety of the<br />
CzechTourism agency conducts<br />
a visitor survey of<br />
various tourist sites each<br />
year. The latest data from<br />
2010 showed that the most<br />
popular place in the Czech<br />
Republic among tourists is<br />
the Prague Zoo. In 2010 it<br />
had 1.18 million visitors,<br />
followed by the Prague<br />
Castle with 1.12 million<br />
visitors and Aquapalace<br />
Prague visited by roughly<br />
805,000 people. CzechTourism’s<br />
survey also revealed<br />
Czech Republic as a tourist<br />
destination.<br />
“There are many myths<br />
surrounding the Czech<br />
Republic which often significantly<br />
impact its media<br />
portrayal abroad. An international<br />
comparison has shown<br />
that the Czech Republic<br />
safety level is very high,”<br />
said the General Manager<br />
of the CzechTourism agency<br />
Rostislav Vondruška. The<br />
most common myths about<br />
the Czech Republic say that<br />
it is a place where thefts and<br />
petty crime are abundant.<br />
“International comparison<br />
of police statistics from selected<br />
states clearly showed<br />
that the crime level in the<br />
Czech Republic is low and<br />
so is the risk of a terrorist<br />
attack, hygiene standards<br />
are very high and natural<br />
disasters fairly unlikely,”<br />
summarized the report<br />
findings Mojmír Mikula<br />
from the CzechTourism<br />
agency.<br />
that the number of visitors<br />
at castles and chateaux has<br />
decreased slightly while<br />
technical monuments have<br />
attracted more visitors. The<br />
agency used the number<br />
of sold tickets or data<br />
from various electronic<br />
counters as a basis for its<br />
fndings. “We have to use<br />
data that is comparable<br />
between various tourist<br />
sites and attractions. For<br />
instance the Prague Castle<br />
Administration uses other<br />
The report assessed the<br />
international position of the<br />
Czech Republic in terms of<br />
crime level, risk of terrorist<br />
attacks, road safety, hygiene<br />
standards, natural disaster<br />
risk and the level of tolerance<br />
towards national, religious,<br />
ethnic, and sexual orientation<br />
minorities. Source data<br />
was cross-checked with independent<br />
sources and the<br />
matter was discussed with<br />
some of the most respectable<br />
experts in the field. Official<br />
police statistics were used<br />
too and these for instance<br />
revealed that crime level in<br />
Belgium is three times higher<br />
than in the Czech Republic<br />
from long-term perspective.<br />
The Czech Republic<br />
has been ranked as the 5 th<br />
most peaceful country to<br />
live in out of 153 countries<br />
in the world for <strong>2011</strong> in the<br />
Global Peace Index that is<br />
annually published by the<br />
International Institute of<br />
Strategic Studies.<br />
THE MOST VISITED PLACES IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC<br />
coefficients to calculate the<br />
number of other visitors<br />
who visit areas that are free<br />
of charge. We cannot use<br />
the same approach,” said<br />
the agency’s spokesperson<br />
Alice Dvořáková.<br />
According to the Vice-<br />
President of the Association<br />
of Czech Travel Agencies<br />
and Tour-operators Tomio<br />
Okamura the most popular<br />
destination is the Prague<br />
Castle when non-paying<br />
visitors are included. “The<br />
A PRESTIGIOUS AWARD FOR GOLDEN WELL HOTEL<br />
IN PRAGUE – Users of travel portal TripAdvisor have voted<br />
the Golden Well (U Zlaté studně) hotel in Prague as the<br />
best in the world. “Travellers’ Choice award is so prestigious<br />
award and we are thrilled to have won it again,” said<br />
hotel’s spokesperson Petra Daliborová. She highlighted<br />
the fact that the hotel is a small establishment in Prague’s<br />
Lesser Town quarter and is not a part of any hotel chain.<br />
The capacity is 19 rooms and the hotel is mainly used by<br />
individual clients for special occasions such weddings or<br />
engagements. Guests appreciate the location of the hotel as<br />
it is found right below the walls of the Prague Castle, and<br />
also the impeccable service full of creative touches. “We<br />
offer a pillow menu. Guests can choose from seven types<br />
of pillows and also choose how they want their bed to be<br />
made up. Our specialty is the ‘evening bed preparation’<br />
when our guests receive a selection of desserts from our<br />
chef Pavel Sapík,” The hotel already won the Travellers’<br />
Choice award for the best luxury hotel in the world last<br />
year and it also boasts with an amazing history. Famous<br />
astronomer Tycho de Brahe used to live in the same premises<br />
in the 16 th century as a guest of the imperial court.<br />
Inspiration by the era of Emperor Rudolph II is apparent<br />
as all rooms are decorated in Richelieu style. The visitors<br />
have also considered the quality of food in their ratings. The<br />
restaurant Golden Well Terrace has also ranked first among<br />
TripAdvisor ratings in the restaurant category for Prague.<br />
most visited place of the<br />
Czech Republic by far is<br />
the Prague Castle from a<br />
long-term perspective. Only<br />
last year it was visited by<br />
5.67 million people, 1.12<br />
of which purchased tickets<br />
for paid-entry only areas,”<br />
said Okamura. Compared to<br />
2009, the Jewish Museum<br />
in Prague ranked fourth<br />
among top five most visited<br />
attractions. National<br />
Museum came fifth. In<br />
the category of castles and<br />
chateaux Lednice chateau<br />
was the most successful<br />
after the Prague Castle<br />
with its 325,000 visitors.<br />
In the technical monument<br />
category, the most<br />
popular attraction was the<br />
Petřín tower in Prague.<br />
It was visited by 354,000<br />
people which is approx.<br />
30,000 more than in the<br />
previous year. In terms of<br />
attractions in nature, most<br />
people visited Punkva and<br />
Macocha caves.
TRAVEL TRADE GAZETTE www.ttg.cz November <strong>2011</strong><br />
09INTERVIEW<br />
PILGRIMAGE SITES<br />
10-11THE<br />
THINGS YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS Bells of Prague exhibition<br />
SMETANA’S LITOMYŠL FESTIVAL<br />
After the Prague Spring, Smetana’s Litomyšl International<br />
Opera Festival is the oldest music festival<br />
and the largest open-air classical music festival in the<br />
Czech Republic. In <strong>2012</strong>, it will be held from 14 th June<br />
to 8 th July. www.festival.smetana-litomysl.com<br />
VELKÁ PARDUBICKÁ<br />
If you prefer horse racing, go to Pardubice on 14 th October<br />
<strong>2012</strong>. The town will host the 122 edition of<br />
Europe’s oldest and toughest horse race. The horses<br />
must overcome 31 obstacles, with the most famous being<br />
the Taxis Fence – one of the most difficult jumps<br />
in the world. www.pardubice-racecourse.cz<br />
NATO DAYS IN OSTRAVA<br />
For travelers with an interest in the military, we recommended<br />
visiting NATO Days in Ostrava on 15 th and<br />
16 th September <strong>2012</strong>. The Central Europe’s largest airmilitary-security<br />
show will present heavy military, police<br />
and rescue machinery, demonstrations of special forces<br />
training and an air show. www.jagello.org<br />
KARLOVY VARY INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL<br />
Every Year, Central and Eastern Europe’s most significant<br />
A-category international film festival attracts both stars<br />
of the silver screen and tens of thousands of enthusiastic<br />
fans to Karlovy Vary. In <strong>2012</strong>, it will be held from<br />
29 th June to 7 th July. www.kviff.com<br />
UNITED ISLANDS<br />
United Islands, Prague’s International Music Festival will<br />
be held as usual on the islands on the Vltava River and<br />
the adjacent waterfront in the historic centre of Prague<br />
from 21 st to 23 rd June <strong>2012</strong>. www.unitedislands.cz<br />
MAHLER JIHLAVA <strong>2012</strong><br />
In <strong>2012</strong>, from 18 th May to 7 th July, Jihlava will host its<br />
annual international music festival dedicated to this<br />
famous personality who was born in the nearby village<br />
of Kaliště in 1860. www.mahler.cz<br />
PRAGUE SPRING <strong>2012</strong><br />
Every year, the oldest Czech music festival brings 50<br />
concerts featuring more than a thousand artists whose<br />
performances are attended by some forty thousand<br />
visitors, which makes this festival one of the Czech<br />
Republic’s most significant cultural events. The 67 th<br />
year of the festival will take place from 12 th May<br />
to 3 rd June. www.festival.cz<br />
JANÁČEK’S HUKVALDY <strong>2012</strong><br />
Every year the tones of the Janáček‘s Hukvaldy International<br />
Music Festival echo around the wonderful setting<br />
of Hukvaldy. In <strong>2012</strong>, it will be held from 23 rd Juny to 22 nd<br />
July. www.janackovyhukvaldy.cz<br />
ZLATÁ TRETRA<br />
In <strong>2012</strong>, it will be held on 25 th May. This international<br />
athletics meeting in Ostrava is a true sporting spectacle.<br />
All the stars, including top Czech athletes, always gather<br />
in Ostrava at the top of their fitness. www.zlatatretra.cz<br />
ČESKÝ KRUMLOV INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL<br />
As far as length is concerned, there’s no bigger event<br />
in the Czech cultural calendar than this. The combination<br />
of attractive historical setting and concerts<br />
encompassing many genres from the 15 th century to<br />
the present day. In <strong>2012</strong>, it will be held from 20 th July<br />
to 25 th August. www.festivalkrumlov.cz<br />
GOLDEN SKI – Cross-Country Skiing World Cup<br />
Nové Město na Moravě is set to host the 74 th RWE<br />
Golden Ski from 11 th to 12 th February. Come and<br />
give your support to Czech and foreign athletes as<br />
they compete. www.zlatalyze.cz<br />
TOURFILM and TOURREGIONFILM<br />
Travelers with an interest in film can satisfy their desires<br />
at the 45 th international and 19 th national tourism film<br />
festivals that will be held from 4 th to 6 th October <strong>2012</strong> in<br />
Karlovy Vary. www.tourfilm.com<br />
BRNO – A CITY IN THE CENTRE OF EUROPE<br />
(Ignis Brunensis) – In late May and early June Brno (from<br />
25 th May to 10 th June) is brought to life by a festival of<br />
cultural and sporting events that take place beneath the<br />
castles of Špilberk and Veveří. The biggest attraction will<br />
be a huge fireworks display. A festival of fun beneath<br />
Špilberk and Veveří castles. www.ignisbrunensis.cz<br />
PRAGUE FOOD FESTIVAL <strong>2011</strong><br />
Come and enjoy a romantic nooks, the beauty of historical<br />
Prague and especially the best gastronomy! You can find the<br />
Prague Food Festival at the Prague Castle and the Royal<br />
Garden (Královská zahrada) or Ball Room (Míčovna) from<br />
25 th May to 27 th may <strong>2012</strong>. www.praguefoodfestival.cz<br />
The tower of St. Nicholas church<br />
in the Lesser Town in Prague<br />
is hosting a unique exhibition<br />
called Bells of Prague. The exhibition<br />
is located in the narrower<br />
tower of the church which used<br />
to be a local watchtower. Right<br />
by the entrance the visitors can<br />
find out more about the history<br />
of this tower.<br />
THE<br />
REGIONS<br />
PROMISED LAND The Czech Republic<br />
12-13DISCOVER<br />
14-19CZECH<br />
Is Not Just Prague<br />
3
4<br />
November <strong>2011</strong><br />
NEWS<br />
www.ttg.cz TRAVEL TRADE GAZETTE<br />
Prague<br />
Prague’s Kampa is the second<br />
most beautiful city island in<br />
the world<br />
Prague’s most romantic spot – the Kampa island – has been<br />
voted the second most beautiful city island in the world.<br />
The first place goes to St. Louis island in Paris while the<br />
third went to Ada Ciganlija in Belgrade. The ranking was<br />
compiled by a prestigious traveller website VirtualTourist.<br />
This part of the city is so<br />
impressive that it almost<br />
looks unreal reckons the<br />
VirtualTourist portal. From<br />
the Kampa Island banks you<br />
have some stunning views on<br />
Prague monuments: from one<br />
side you can the Prague Castle<br />
with St. Vitus’ Cathedral<br />
and the Charles Bridge while<br />
from the other you can see<br />
the National Theatre.<br />
Kampa is actually a fake<br />
island on the river Vltava<br />
in the Lesser Town quarter<br />
as it is separated only by<br />
an artificial mill stream<br />
Čertovka. It is divided<br />
from the Smíchov quarter<br />
by Říční street. Originally<br />
it used to be a low, sandy<br />
isle with gardens, vineyards<br />
and mills. It has acquired<br />
its current shape and size<br />
Museum of Prague<br />
Legends and Ghosts<br />
The ancient city of Prague has always been sought<br />
by visitors who are attracted to places full<br />
of enigma, legends of treasures, mysteries and<br />
secrets.<br />
The Museum of Prague Legends and Ghosts<br />
also known as Mysteriae Pragensis represents a<br />
unique exhibition of the most famous and interesting<br />
ghosts and legends of historical Prague. It is<br />
located in the very centre of Prague in Mostecká<br />
street. The museum is split into two sectors.<br />
In the first part there is a giant tome – the Big<br />
Book of Stories and Legends which is opened by<br />
personified genius loci pragensis i.e. the Spirit<br />
of Prague. Pages from the book with original<br />
illustrations are hung around the whole room.<br />
On the ground-floor where the book of legends<br />
is located visitors can therefore learn more about<br />
the background stories behind the legends and<br />
ghosts.<br />
Underground cellar will lead the viewers straight<br />
into a city of ghosts with its narrow alleys, nooks<br />
and crannies of the old-time Prague. The most<br />
gripping part of the museum is the underground<br />
ghost alley where you will encounter the most<br />
famous Prague ghosts and spooks such as the<br />
headless Templar, Turk from Ungelt, hairy monster,<br />
imps from the Prague Castle, headless Laura,<br />
Iron Man, Grim Reaper from Jánský hill, sprites<br />
or infant from the Charles Bridge. There are also<br />
some well-known characters such as Faustus with<br />
Devil, devil from Vyšehrad or Golem. There are<br />
even some special scary events which will leave<br />
you truly frightened.<br />
Apart from the permanent exhibition, visitors<br />
can also explore the streets of Prague with a real<br />
ghost-hunting guide who will introduce them to<br />
other legends and maybe even real ghosts!<br />
after 1541 when rubble was<br />
deposited there after the<br />
fire of the Lesser Town<br />
and Hradčany. On Kampa<br />
island tourists admire the<br />
so-called Lennon’s wall<br />
where visitors from all<br />
around the world pay their<br />
respects to the murdered<br />
member of the Beatles<br />
John Lennon. There is<br />
also the shortest street in<br />
The National Gallery in<br />
Prague, the second oldest<br />
European institution of its<br />
kind after Louvre in Paris,<br />
has celebrated its 215 th<br />
anniversary by opening an<br />
exposition of ancient art<br />
in the Kinský Palace on<br />
the Old Town Square. You<br />
can walk through Egypt<br />
and Nubia along the Nile<br />
valley, through Ancient<br />
Greece and Rome, you can<br />
even visit the Middle East,<br />
China, Tibet or Japan! The<br />
arts of some of the most<br />
ancient cultures in the<br />
world have been missing so<br />
far in Prague’s permanent<br />
exhibitions and have been<br />
now showcased from 4 th<br />
February <strong>2011</strong> thanks to<br />
Prague – Jiřího Červeného<br />
street – which is mere 27<br />
metres long.<br />
Romantic ambience of<br />
the Kampa island has always<br />
attracted many famous<br />
joint efforts of the National<br />
Gallery in Prague,<br />
National Museum and<br />
experts from the Charles<br />
University.<br />
This new exposition<br />
brings together some great<br />
cultures of the Ancient<br />
World, i.e. from Europe,<br />
Africa and Asia that have<br />
been known to Europeans<br />
even before the discovery<br />
of the New World at the<br />
end of the 15 th century.<br />
An extensive collection of<br />
unique works of ancient<br />
artists, Egyptian tombs,<br />
Cuneiform script charts,<br />
amphoras, ceramics, glassware,<br />
bronze artefacts and<br />
small sculptures will take<br />
you much further in the<br />
Czech personalities including<br />
the Czech playwright,<br />
writer and actor Jan Werich,<br />
music composer Bohuslav<br />
Martinů, artists Jiří Trnka,<br />
poet Vladimír Holan or phi-<br />
history of mankind and will<br />
introduce you to seven thousand<br />
years of development<br />
of ancient cultures.<br />
Moving from Europe further<br />
East, there are 13 rooms<br />
on the first floor dedicated<br />
to Asian art. Right in the<br />
first room you can admire<br />
the highlights from National<br />
Gallery’s collections such<br />
as the ancient Chinese art.<br />
You will be able to see ritual<br />
disks and plaques from<br />
nephrite, bronze ceremonial<br />
containers, daggers,<br />
mirrors, bells or a series of<br />
Chinese tomb art ranging<br />
from simple figures from<br />
unglazed clay to large-scale,<br />
glazed sculptures of animals,<br />
ghosts and humans.<br />
lologist Josef Dobrovský who<br />
all lived there. At present<br />
time a museum of modern<br />
arts – Museum Kampa Jan<br />
and Meda Mládek’s Foundation<br />
– is located there.<br />
The National Gallery opened a new exposition<br />
The Golden Lane at the<br />
Prague Castle has been accessible<br />
again since 1 st June<br />
<strong>2011</strong> after some renovation<br />
works. The Golden Lane<br />
has been created after the<br />
construction of northern<br />
fortifications of the castle.<br />
The premises of the<br />
northern corridor behind<br />
the castle walls have been<br />
used for the construction of<br />
modest housing which are<br />
now the last remaining small<br />
residential structures of the<br />
Prague Castle. A legend says<br />
that the name was derived<br />
from gold that alchemists<br />
who lived there were trying<br />
to make. The truth is that<br />
alchemists never lived in<br />
the Golden Lane and the<br />
origins of its name are rather<br />
unflattering – allegedly it<br />
was based on the colour of<br />
urine and other excrements<br />
that used to soil the lane’s<br />
surface. This should come<br />
as no surprise since there<br />
were only two basic toilets<br />
for sixteen households.<br />
Castle staff and archers<br />
used to live there. The<br />
houses were inhabited until<br />
the Second World War<br />
but already since the First<br />
World War there has been<br />
a lot of attention paid to<br />
preserving the picturesque<br />
appearance of the alley when<br />
any renovations were done.<br />
Famous writer Franz Kafka<br />
used to live in the house no.<br />
22 in 1916–17. The current<br />
look of the Golden Lane has<br />
been partly influenced by<br />
the artist Jiří Trnka. It was<br />
his design based on which<br />
all the façades have been<br />
painted in different colours<br />
in the 1950’s as before they<br />
were all grey. All houses<br />
have now been renovated<br />
and some of them host<br />
permanent exhibitions that<br />
will present the everyday<br />
life in this part of the castle<br />
from he 17 th century until<br />
1953 when the last inhabitants<br />
moved out. You will<br />
discover the household of<br />
an amateur film historian<br />
with a projection screen<br />
showing films depicting<br />
the Prague Castle in the<br />
early days of cinematography,<br />
homes of those who<br />
In other rooms you can<br />
explore the rich tradition<br />
of Chinese sculpture or<br />
Buddhist art from the<br />
Tibetan area. Notice the<br />
extraordinary set of hanging<br />
pictures with mandala<br />
imagery. The South-East<br />
Asian decorative arts section<br />
mainly showcases the<br />
art of laquer and metal,<br />
porcelain and Japanese<br />
and Chinese bone china<br />
which has been imported<br />
to Europe since the 16 th<br />
century. The permanent<br />
exposition of ancient arts<br />
is accompanied by an exhibition<br />
of Korean art with<br />
artefacts on loan from the<br />
National Museum of Korea<br />
in Seoul.<br />
The Golden Lane with a brand new shine<br />
defended the castle during<br />
the reign of Rudolph II,<br />
house of a renowned Prague<br />
fortune-teller, exposition<br />
of a goldsmith’s workshop,<br />
a pub with a black kitchen,<br />
an exhibition about the<br />
past and life of the last<br />
inhabitants in the 1950’s<br />
or the dwelling of a healer<br />
with all her herbs.
TRAVEL TRADE GAZETTE<br />
NEWS<br />
www.ttg.cz November <strong>2011</strong><br />
Czech Convention Bureau<br />
Confidence in Partnership<br />
Zdeněk Giormani<br />
Director of Czech Convention Bureau<br />
The Czech Republic has<br />
great potential in the congress<br />
tourism area, as it<br />
offers high-quality services<br />
and at the same time is<br />
counted among the safest<br />
destinations in the world.<br />
The CzechTourism agency<br />
endeavours to ensure that<br />
as many large-scale congress<br />
events take place<br />
in the Czech Republic<br />
as possible. As part of its<br />
support for congress and<br />
incentive tourism, therefore,<br />
in 2010 it established the<br />
separate department of the<br />
Czech Convention Bureau<br />
(CzCB).<br />
The CzCB’s main objective<br />
is unified promotion of<br />
the Czech Republic as an<br />
ideal congress and incentive<br />
destination on both<br />
Some of our complimentary services include:<br />
• provision of information and objective advice regarding the<br />
Czech Republic’s many possibilities as a meetings destination.<br />
• site inspections.<br />
• promotional materials.<br />
• RFP distribution and meetings with local service providers to<br />
help you find the right partners.<br />
• corporate social responsibility: think globally, make a difference<br />
locally – If you are looking to incorporate a group volunteer<br />
experience, contact us to learn about suitable non-profit organisations.<br />
• and much more.<br />
Organising any MICE event, whether a congress, conference,<br />
corporate meeting or incentive travel, requires<br />
careful planning and professional organisation. The<br />
Czech Convention Bureau and its partners are prepared<br />
to provide you outstanding assistance and support in<br />
planning your event in the Czech Republic.<br />
the domestic and foreign<br />
markets.<br />
Inasmuch as the Czech<br />
Convention Bureau encompasses<br />
the individual<br />
regional congress offices, it<br />
assists in fully utilising the<br />
full congress potential that<br />
the country offers.<br />
Its task is to effectively<br />
co-ordinate all marketing<br />
and business activities<br />
targeted towards foreign<br />
partners and potential<br />
clients with an interest in<br />
the Czech Republic in the<br />
MICE area. The department<br />
works on integrating the<br />
presentations of all Czech<br />
regions.<br />
The Czech Convention<br />
Bureau’s marketing mix<br />
includes free informational,<br />
advisory and consultancy<br />
services for parties interested<br />
in organising MICE events in<br />
the Czech Republic. As part<br />
of its marketing activities in<br />
the meetings industry, the<br />
Czech Convention Bureau<br />
takes part in professional<br />
trade fairs, arranges “fam”<br />
and press trips, and organises<br />
business workshops and roadshows.<br />
Business meetings<br />
are set up on a B2B basis.<br />
CzechTourism – Czech Convention Bureau<br />
Vinohradská 46, Prague 2,<br />
P.O. Box 32, 120 41<br />
Czech Republic<br />
Phone: +420 221 580 111; Fax: +420 221 580 463<br />
Email: czechconvention@czechtourism.com<br />
www.czechconvention.com<br />
At present, the following<br />
regional agencies are<br />
involved in the project:<br />
Carlsbad Convention Bureau – Karlovy Vary Region<br />
East Bohemia Convention Bureau, DSVČ – East Bohemia<br />
East Moravia Convention Bureau, CCR-VM – East Moravia<br />
Moravia Convention Bureau, CCR-JM – South Moravia<br />
North Bohemia Convention Bureau – Liberec Region<br />
North West Bohemia Convention Bureau, CCRL – Ústí<br />
nad Labem Region<br />
Pilsen Convention Bureau – Pilsen Region<br />
Prague Convention Bureau – City of Prague<br />
South Bohemia Convention Bureau, JCCR – South Bohemia<br />
The Moravian-Silesian Region has recently joined the CzCB.<br />
Czech Czech<br />
Republic<br />
A Stunningly<br />
A Stunningly<br />
Different<br />
Destination<br />
www.czechconvention.cz<br />
www.czechconvention<br />
Vinohradska Vinohradska 46, Prague 46, 2, 120 Prague 41, 2, Czech 120 Republic 41, Czech Republic Rep<br />
Phone: +420 Phone: 221 +420 580 111 221 580<br />
111<br />
CzCB_inzerce_PMG_297x210_press.indd CzCB_inzerce_PMG_297x210_press.indd 1 1 13.7.<strong>2011</strong> 14:24:27 13.7.<strong>2011</strong> 14:24:27<br />
5
November <strong>2011</strong> www.ttg.cz TRAVEL TRADE GAZETTE<br />
6 NEWS<br />
<strong>TTG</strong> Travel Awards <strong>2011</strong><br />
<strong>TTG</strong> Travel Awards <strong>2011</strong> – Results<br />
Best Travel Agency<br />
in the Czech Republic<br />
1. Čedok<br />
2. ESO travel<br />
3. Adventura<br />
Best Touroperator for Europe<br />
1. Čedok<br />
2. Adventura<br />
3. FIRO-tour<br />
Best Touroperator for America<br />
1. ESO travel<br />
2. America Tours<br />
3. Adventura<br />
Best Touroperator for Asia<br />
1. ESO travel<br />
2. China Tours<br />
3. Siam Travel International<br />
Best Touroperator for Africa<br />
and the Middle East<br />
1. Adventura<br />
2. ESO travel<br />
3. Time Travel<br />
Best Bus Company<br />
1. Student Agency<br />
2. Eurolines – Touring Bohemia<br />
3. Asiana<br />
Best Airline<br />
1. Emirates<br />
2. Travel Service<br />
3. Turkish Airlines<br />
Best Hotel in the Czech Republic<br />
1. Hotel Hilton Prague<br />
2. Mandarin Oriental Prague<br />
3. Hotel U zlaté studně<br />
Best Incoming Agency<br />
1. Čedok<br />
2. Pragia<br />
3. Euroagentur Hotels & Travel<br />
Best Foreign Tourist Board Working<br />
in the Czech Republic<br />
1. Österreich Werbung<br />
2. Dominican Republic Tourism Board<br />
3. Chorvatské turistické sdružení<br />
Most Welcoming Region or Town<br />
in the Czech Republic<br />
1. Prague<br />
2. Český Krumlov<br />
3. Southern Moravia<br />
Best Travel Insurance Company<br />
1. Evropská cestovní pojišťovna<br />
2. Allianz pojišťovna<br />
3. Česká pojišťovna<br />
Best Travel Agency<br />
in Domestic Tourism<br />
1. Čedok<br />
2. ATIS<br />
3. CK Pressburg<br />
Most Favored Foreign Destination<br />
of 2010<br />
1. Turkey<br />
2. Thailand<br />
3. Greece<br />
Best Car Rental Company<br />
in the Czech Republic<br />
1. Hertz<br />
2. Avis<br />
3. Sixt<br />
Best IATA Agency<br />
in the Czech Republic<br />
1. Asiana<br />
2. Čedok<br />
3. Student Agency<br />
Most Favored Destination of 2010 –<br />
Public Vote<br />
Egypt<br />
Enjoy the innovative space of TOP HOTEL Praha<br />
and the ALBION HOTEL during your events!<br />
Discover new ways to present your products. Consider displaying your vehicles or technology<br />
in traditional indoor conference premises or unconventional outdoor areas – or both!<br />
On 9 hectares, TOP HOTEL Praha offers ideal conditions for making your event special.<br />
The congress centre of TOP HOTEL Praha has become a popular venue for many<br />
important congresses as well as social events – for instance, international medical<br />
congresses, official events during the Czech EU Presidency, international financial and<br />
logistic forums, TV broadcasting such as Miss Deaf World and Miss Princess of the<br />
World, and corporate events of various companies. Also the catering at the hotel is<br />
well known, even abroad. It has built up a sound reputation at places such as<br />
the Czech embassies in Berlin and Vienna. The excellent hotel cuisine has been<br />
awarded many times, in the most prestigious culinary contests worldwide.<br />
TOP HOTEL Praha, owned and operated by the joint – stock company TOP HOTELS<br />
GROUP, features one of the largest congress centre in the Czech Republic, with a total<br />
capacity of 5000 seats in 5 conference halls and 16 lounges. Guests will find there<br />
everything under one roof, whether they travel for business or leisure: accommodation<br />
in 810 four-star rooms, conference facilities, 5 restaurants, bars and summer terraces,<br />
a wellness centre, as well as Thai massage, a swimming pool, tennis courts and bowling<br />
lines, a casino, large parking space and a unique Japanese garden – an ideal place<br />
for hosting summer functions with barbecue. Whatever you need, the TOP HOTEL Praha<br />
has the right space to make any business meeting or event a success. It offers<br />
complete professional conference service. It will arrange all; - transfer, catering,<br />
technical equipment, flower arrangements, including accompanying programme<br />
for participants and their spouses.<br />
ALBION HOTEL, another four – star congress hotel in Prague, is a unique place where<br />
to enjoy a pleasant stay or hold conferences. It is located only a few minutes drive from<br />
the historical centre of Prague and the hotel was included in the catalogue Best<br />
of Realty 2007. It offers accommodation in 290 rooms, conference facilities<br />
for 600 delegates, two restaurants and lobby bar, a summer terrace or a beauty studio.<br />
TOP HOTELS GROUP has won many awards. Since 2002 it has been regularly<br />
awarded The Czech 100 Best Companies.<br />
TOP SERVICE FOR YOUR CONFERENCES<br />
TOP HOTEL Praha!<br />
TRADITION * EXPERIENCE * PROFESSIONALISM<br />
TOP HOTEL Praha, Blazimska 1781/4<br />
149 00 Prague 4, Czech Republic<br />
Tel.: +420 267 284 477, fax: +420 222 990 850<br />
e-mail: sales@tophotel.cz, www.tophotel.cz<br />
textova.indd 1 5.10.<strong>2011</strong> 20:58:05
TRAVEL TRADE GAZETTE<br />
NEWS<br />
www.ttg.cz November <strong>2011</strong><br />
Boutique & Design Hotels in Prague<br />
All of you must have already heard about Prague’s charm, its narrow cobble-stone streets, magnificent palaces and gardens,<br />
as well as smaller buildings built in almost every architectural style imaginable. Prague’s boutique hotels, situated mainly<br />
in historic buildings with their own unique atmosphere, will not allow you to escape from the city’s famous magical<br />
aura, even at night. Here we are offering you a selection of these spectacular hotels, all of which breathe distant history.<br />
You may very well believe that each of them has something that you won’t be able to find anywhere else.<br />
HOTEL CLEMENT****<br />
Rezidence Lundborg<br />
is one of Prague’s most beautiful new hotels of the first class – charming<br />
and modern character in all of its own. All rooms are individually designed<br />
with wonderful composition of colors, stylish furnishing and finest fabrics<br />
creating a romantic and chic ambience throughout. The hotel is located<br />
in the historical heart of Prague and lies just a few steps away from the<br />
Vltava river and within walking distance of all metropolitan tourist sites.<br />
The hotel offers 76 luxurious<br />
rooms on 8 floors and<br />
1 room is specially designed<br />
for the disabled. All<br />
rooms are air-conditioned<br />
and equipped with direct<br />
phone line, satellite LCD<br />
TV, free Wi-Fi internet access,<br />
safe, minibar, coffee<br />
and tea making facilities<br />
and large bathrooms with<br />
bathtub or shower. On the<br />
ground floor of the hotel<br />
is located comfortable<br />
conference room, it can be<br />
booked for business meetings,<br />
trainings or conferences<br />
for up to 60 people.<br />
Car-parking is secured<br />
in hotel’s premises.<br />
Klimentska 30, 110 00 Prague 1<br />
Czech Republic<br />
Tel.: +420 222 314 350, Fax: +420 222 312 708<br />
E-mail: info@hotelclement.cz<br />
reservation@hotelclement.cz<br />
www.hotelclement.cz<br />
It is a small hotel adapted to futuristic needs in a very luxurious<br />
environment with mostly suites. During period 2000-<br />
2001 was almost 700 years old house carefully restored to<br />
beautiful rooms and stylish interior. Rezidence Lundborg is<br />
recommended both for business or leisure travellers seeking a<br />
fi rst class accommodation.<br />
Th e hotel is situated in the very historical heart of the Prague<br />
city, only few steps from Charles bridge, in area called Lesser<br />
town /Malá strana/.<br />
Rooms:<br />
• 13 suites and apartments in 6 categories<br />
• the smallest 30 sq. metres, the biggest 140 sq. metres<br />
• facilities: kitchen, spacious bathroom with Jacuzzi, bedroom<br />
and living room<br />
• equipped with free internet access computer, air-condition,<br />
mini-bar, direct dial phone, sat-TV, safe and hi-fi<br />
• most of them is off ering Charles bridge view<br />
• Imperial suite is very special - 140 sq. metres, 2 bedrooms, a<br />
king-size-bed (electric. adjust) + twin bed, bed-sofa, washer,<br />
tumble drier, dishwasher, open fi replace, 1 bathroom with<br />
WC and big Jacuzzi, 1 bathroom with WC and shower.<br />
Hotel services:<br />
IT/conference room with capacity 40 seats • Blue Lion bar<br />
• summer garden • 24/7 reception desk • massage studio •<br />
Judith bridge from 12th ll hotel adapted to futuristic needs in a er lux<br />
century<br />
Rezidence Lundborg<br />
U Lužického semináře 3, Malá Strana<br />
110 00 Praha 1, Czech Republic<br />
tel.: +420 257 011 911<br />
fax: +420 257 011 966<br />
rezidence@lundborg.cz<br />
www.lundborg.cz<br />
HOTEL LEONARDO<br />
Elegant boutique hotel, located in the very heart of Prague, just a few steps<br />
from the Charles Bridge. Hotel has a unique location where the city’s cultural,<br />
historical and business centres meet and where everything can be reached on foot.<br />
• 4 star stylish hotel full of classical elegance<br />
• 82 spacious rooms with original Art Nouveau<br />
furniture<br />
• Luxury River View Suites with spectacular<br />
view of Prague Castle<br />
• Romanesque cellar with rich buffet<br />
breakfast<br />
• Cosy, open-air seating on a courtyard with Art<br />
Deco fountain<br />
• Intimate atmosphere with personal approach<br />
to our clients<br />
• Complimentary internet<br />
• Multifunctional meeting & events spaces<br />
for magical events<br />
• Romantic Platina Restaurant & Garden<br />
Karolíny Světlé 27, 110 00 Prague 1, Czech Republic<br />
Tel.: +420 239 009 239, Fax: +420 239 009 236<br />
E-mail: booking@hotelleonardo.cz, www.hotelleonardo.cz<br />
7
November <strong>2011</strong> www.ttg.cz TRAVEL TRADE GAZETTE<br />
8 NEWS<br />
Fairs<br />
HOLIDAY WORLD<br />
The trade fair HOLIDAY WORLD is the most important presentation<br />
of travel agencies, domestic regions, national tourism offices and<br />
other services for the travel industry in the Middle Europe. For its<br />
21 st year, the event will offer not only presentations of many different<br />
countries, but also its traditional sub-section Region World<br />
<strong>2012</strong>, which reviews the presentations of regions in the Czech<br />
Republic. In addition to the interesting exhibits, the upcoming<br />
year of the fair plans also to feature an attractive accompanying<br />
programme, not only consisting of the travel film festival World<br />
Film but also a series of seminars, conferences and workshops<br />
on key topics in the tourism industry.<br />
Honoured d country t of f HHoliday lid WWorld<br />
21 th CENTRAL EUROPE'S PREMIER TOURISM INDUSTRY EVENT<br />
TOP GASTRO<br />
9. - 12. 2. <strong>2012</strong><br />
Prague Exhibition Grounds Holesovice<br />
www.holidayworld.cz<br />
GOLF SHOW<br />
THE NEW<br />
PARALLEL FAIR<br />
As well, it will continue with its tradition of holding<br />
two commercial days. The honoured country of<br />
HOLIDAY WORLD for the year <strong>2012</strong> became Dominican<br />
Republic. Despite of general economic<br />
troubles the organizers register approximately the<br />
same interest of the exhibitors to present their<br />
services in Prague. Everything of importance<br />
in travel can be found at the Prague Exhibition<br />
Grounds in Holešovice.<br />
GOLF SHOW<br />
The most important change in <strong>2012</strong> is the brand<br />
new arrangement of the golf part. The best travel<br />
fair in the Czech Republic HOLIDAY WORLD joins<br />
together with the best golf fair GOLF SHOW to<br />
create the unique meeting point and only place<br />
for all golf lovers in the Czech Republic. The fair<br />
GOLF SHOW in cooperation with professional<br />
partners from the Czech Golf Travel Association,<br />
the Czech Golf Federation, CzechTourism a Czech<br />
Golf Consulting will create a prestigious and representative<br />
forum for golf tourism in the Czech<br />
Republic with an international reach. The fair GOLF<br />
SHOW will present not only golf tourism but also<br />
the golf equipment.<br />
Represented countries<br />
Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech<br />
Republic, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Etiopie,<br />
Finland, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary,<br />
India, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan,<br />
Kenya, Korea, Malta, Montenegro, Morocco, Netherlands,<br />
Norway, Philippines, Poland, Portugal,<br />
Romania, Russia, Senegal, Slovakia, Slovenia,<br />
Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria,<br />
Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, Vietnam<br />
The figures in <strong>2011</strong><br />
Number of exhibitors 693<br />
Countries represented 47<br />
Represented foreign tourist boards 29<br />
Exhibition area brutto (sq. m.) 17 400<br />
Number of visitors 31 720<br />
Professionals 7215<br />
Media representatives 805
Foto: Luděk Neužil<br />
TRAVEL TRADE GAZETTE<br />
NEWS<br />
www.ttg.cz November <strong>2011</strong><br />
Interview<br />
THE CZECH REPUBLIC<br />
as a destination for religious tourism<br />
We have spoken to Prague Archbishop and the Czech Primate, Mons. Dominik Duka about<br />
Czech and Moravian religious monuments that every foreign visitor should visit and more.<br />
? The Czech Republic is full<br />
of religious monuments<br />
yet not quite a religious<br />
tourism destination. Most<br />
foreign visitors tend to<br />
visit Prague only where<br />
they manage to see the<br />
St. Vitus Cathedral, the<br />
Jewish Cemetery, perhaps<br />
even the Infant Jesus of<br />
Prague. Which other places<br />
in the Czech Republic would<br />
you recommend to visitors<br />
and why?<br />
As for the Czech Republic<br />
being a typical religious<br />
CZECH NATIVITY SCENES<br />
The tradition of Nativity<br />
scenes in the Czech<br />
lands is rather old yet still<br />
very much alive. The first<br />
Nativity scenes appeared<br />
in Bohemia during the<br />
course of the 16 th century<br />
with the arrival of Jesuits.<br />
They used to be displayed<br />
in churches. It wasn’t<br />
until the end of 18 th century<br />
when they became a<br />
common sight in people’s<br />
homes. They used to be<br />
home-made in mountain<br />
foothill areas.<br />
Nativity scenes made by<br />
Czech craftsmen are often<br />
very different to others.<br />
Their signature feature is<br />
that they portray scenes<br />
from everyday life as well as<br />
figural depiction of Christ’s<br />
birth with the holy family<br />
and angels. Czech Nativity<br />
scenes tend to have<br />
musicians, shepheards,<br />
merchants, craftsmen or<br />
farmers bearing gifts for<br />
the little Messiah.<br />
There are two Czech<br />
Nativity scenes that have<br />
become well-known internationally<br />
– the so-called<br />
Probošt’s Nativity scene<br />
and Krýza’s Christmas crib.<br />
Probošt’s Nativity scene is<br />
more than a hundred years<br />
old, movable wooden Nativity<br />
scene whose authors,<br />
wood-carver Josef Probošt<br />
and his helpers Josef Ka-<br />
tourism destination, it is<br />
and it isn’t in many ways.<br />
On one hand it is such<br />
a destination yet officially it<br />
is acknowledged as regular,<br />
general tourism. Now in the<br />
times of an economic crisis<br />
the number of visitors has<br />
pucián and Josef Friml,<br />
worked for whole forty<br />
years. In 1967 it was showcased<br />
at the World Expo<br />
in Montreal. At present<br />
time it is found in the Museum<br />
of Nativity Scenes in<br />
Třebechovice pod Orebem<br />
(13 km east of the city of<br />
Hradec Králové)<br />
Krýza’s Christmas crib is<br />
the biggest folkish mechanical<br />
Nativity scene in the<br />
world, listed in the Guinness<br />
Book of Records since 1998.<br />
His maker Tomáš Krýza<br />
spent over sixty years to<br />
complete this masterpiece.<br />
This spectacular Nativity<br />
scene occupies a surface<br />
area of 60 metres squared.<br />
gone down but the Prague<br />
Castle for instance still gets<br />
20.000 visitors a day. Not<br />
everyone is a tourist though<br />
as many people walk through<br />
the castle area on their<br />
way to work. Still, roughly<br />
12.000 tickets are sold for<br />
It can be seen in a museum<br />
in the South Bohemian town<br />
of Jindřichův Hradec.<br />
The Royal Nativity scene,<br />
found in the Museum of Nativity<br />
Scenes in Karlštejn,<br />
below the famous Gothic<br />
castle of the same name<br />
(25 km east of Prague), is<br />
also very interesting. This<br />
museum hosts the largest<br />
collection of Nativity scenes<br />
in the Czech Republic.Its<br />
collections include rougly 50<br />
sets and you can even find<br />
some truly extraordinary<br />
ones that are made of bread,<br />
sugar or wax. There are some<br />
unique miniature Nativity<br />
scenes in a coconut, walnut<br />
or even hazelnut shell.<br />
entry into the Castle and the<br />
St.Vitus Cathedral is part<br />
of this circuit. By the way,<br />
more pilgrims come to see<br />
the Infant Jesus of Prague<br />
than the St. Vitus Cathedral.<br />
Outside of Prague,<br />
the most significant sites<br />
include Kutná Hora with its<br />
three architecturally remarkable<br />
cathedrals, Kolín – its<br />
cathedral is undergoing an<br />
extensive reconstruction at<br />
the moment though, then<br />
there are pilgrimage sites<br />
such as Stará Boleslav or<br />
the Holy Mountain near<br />
Příbram, in South Bohemia<br />
there are monasteries such<br />
as Zlatá Koruna or Vyšší<br />
Brod, in West Bohemia it<br />
is worth visiting Kladruby.<br />
In Moravia visitors should<br />
not miss Olomouc, Velehrad<br />
and Mikulov with its synagogue<br />
where Moravian Land<br />
Rabbi Rabi Löw used to be<br />
based. There are so many<br />
places to mention – even in<br />
Prague there are so many<br />
cathedrals and churches to<br />
visit beyond the St. Vitus<br />
Cathedral.<br />
?<br />
The interiors of the Archbishop’s<br />
Palace are definitely<br />
a beautiful and valuable<br />
heritage site. Some of<br />
the rooms open to public for<br />
corporate events, however,<br />
most visitors of Prague will<br />
never get to see them. Are<br />
you not considering opening<br />
all the rooms to public<br />
permanently, perhaps on<br />
selected days?<br />
The Archbishop’s Palace is<br />
not completely closed to<br />
public. There are no tourist<br />
groups flocking there,<br />
however, once a month we<br />
get pre-booked groups via<br />
foreign embassies or travel<br />
agents. It is necessary for<br />
us to come up with some<br />
kind of concept to open<br />
the premises to public, for<br />
instance we would be keen<br />
to fix days when people<br />
could visit the palace after<br />
a service. We wouldn’t want<br />
to get those 12.000 visitors<br />
a day that come to the<br />
Prague Castle though.<br />
? Czech people are generally<br />
considered as a<br />
nation of unbelievers. Do<br />
you agree with this?<br />
That’s somewhat of a stereotype.<br />
The situation has<br />
not changed much since the<br />
Middle Ages, one third of<br />
people is religious, another<br />
third is agnostic and the last<br />
third is atheist. Whenever<br />
the survival of the nation<br />
was at stake, religious feelings<br />
came to the forefront<br />
whether it was the period<br />
of German occupation,<br />
1948, 1968 or 1989. At the<br />
moment the interest in<br />
questions of religion is not<br />
extensive but it’s not too<br />
bad either. I have always<br />
been an optimist and it<br />
has paid off. As we used to<br />
say about the Communist<br />
regime – it will blow up one<br />
day – and then eventually<br />
it did, albeit after a long<br />
period of time.<br />
Thank you for the interview.<br />
Naďa Rybárová<br />
9<br />
Foto: CzechTourism
November <strong>2011</strong> www.ttg.cz TRAVEL TRADE GAZETTE<br />
10 NEWS<br />
The most famous pi<br />
in the Czech Repub<br />
Religious tourism is becoming increasingly popular in the world and not only with religious tourists. Its<br />
main advantage is its resistance to economic fluctuations and it hence represents a reliable product.<br />
Czech landscape is scattered with churches, chapels, miraculous wells and trees with pictures of God.<br />
Pilgrimage tradition is deep rooted in Bohemia and Moravia and dates back to Medieval times. We could<br />
dig even deeper – the greatest expansion occured in the Baroque period. At present time pilgrimage sites do not<br />
necessarily represent holy sites where processions of pilgrims would go to be closer to God. For many people these<br />
days a small church on top a hill with a nice tree-lined path leading towards it can represent an interesting<br />
trip, a place to explore, an architectural jewel or a countryside landmark. Such place could be a large basilica or<br />
even just a simple, inconspicuous structure whose fame greatly exceeded that of bigger churches as it often hid<br />
important statues, paintings, miraculous objects, healing springs, stones with imprints of bodies of saints, etc.<br />
Whether you’re religious, a firm atheist or something in between, we definitely urge you to visit some of these<br />
locations. To everyone there are a great testimony of our nation’s culture. They are surrounded by mysteries and<br />
mysticism, legends and radiate special energy. People have been unexplicably drawn to these places since time<br />
immemorial and they preserved their atmosphere, aesthetic value and genius loci that continue to charm the visitors.<br />
Let yourself be enchanted by these places and perhaps you will make some great new discoveries in your life.<br />
–1–<br />
The Loreto – Prague<br />
For more than 300 years a very extraordinary<br />
site called the Loreto has been found in<br />
the Prague Castle premises, comprising of<br />
a cloister, Baroque church of the Lord’s<br />
Birth, Holy Hut and a tower with a clock<br />
and the world famous carillon. History of<br />
this pilgrimage site, the former church of<br />
the Lobkowicz family who founded the<br />
place, is somewhat complicated and it covers<br />
the period of peak Baroque in Prague<br />
but it also bears traces of the religious life<br />
of clergy in the Czech countries. Visitors<br />
will be amazed by the carillon with 27<br />
Loreto bells which play every hour to encourage<br />
people to pray. At the end of the<br />
17 th century when it was firstly installed<br />
it was a truly one-of-a-kind object in the<br />
Czech environment. It was donated to the<br />
Loreto by a rich merchant from the Lesser<br />
Town of Prague called Eberhard of Glauchov.<br />
The author of all 30 signed bells is a<br />
municipal bellfounder and cannon-maker<br />
Claudy Fremy of Amsterdam who made<br />
them in 1683–91. Consecrating of Loreto<br />
bells in 1695 before they were installed in<br />
the clock tower became a major celebration<br />
in Prague. Each bell had a patron who<br />
was a member of the aristocratic circles,<br />
the first bell’s patron was the emperor<br />
Leopold I himself.<br />
–2–<br />
Infant Jesus of Prague<br />
The most famous pilgrimage site in Prague<br />
and the best known Czech pilgrimage site<br />
abroad is the church of Our Lady Victorious.<br />
This early Baroque church is found<br />
on Karmelitská street in the Lesser Town.<br />
Pilgrims are mainly interested in the statue<br />
of Infant Jesus of Prague, internationally<br />
known as Bambini di Praga, which is found<br />
at the right-hand side altar in a silver<br />
cabinet and has been placed there since<br />
1628. The statue representing an infant<br />
is 47 centimetres high and made of wood,<br />
covered in moulded coloured wax. Baby<br />
Jesus is giving blessings with his righ hand<br />
while his left hand holds a globe with a<br />
cross on top – our whole world lies in<br />
his hands. Royal insignia symbolize the<br />
faith tha unites all Christians – belief in<br />
Christ’s divinity. The infant’s “wardrobe”<br />
consists of valuable embroidered and<br />
richly decorated coats of various colours.<br />
The most precious one has been handembroidered<br />
by the Austrian Empress<br />
Maria Theresa. The Renaissance wax statue<br />
originating from Spain has been donated<br />
by Princess Polyxena von Lobkowicz to<br />
the Carmelites.<br />
–3–<br />
Hejnice<br />
Pilgrim town Hejnice is found in Jizerské<br />
mountains. An extensive Baroque site is<br />
dominated by the cathedral of the Visitation<br />
of Our Lady. Its most precious artefact is<br />
a wooden Gothic statue of Black Madonna<br />
from 1380. Neighbouring Franciscan<br />
monastery is the seat of the International<br />
Centre for Spiritual Restoration.<br />
–4–<br />
Stará Boleslav<br />
The most important non-Marian pilgrimage<br />
site. The town became known because<br />
of a significant event for the Czech nation<br />
in the 9 th century – the murder of<br />
Prince Wenceslas by his brother Boleslav<br />
by the church entrance. The walls of the<br />
former shrine have been preserved in<br />
the church of St. Wenceslas, an image<br />
depicting the fratricide is found in the<br />
Vrábská chapel of the church. Prince<br />
Wenceslas was named a saint and became<br />
the main patron of the Czech nation,<br />
providing moral support during difficult<br />
times. St. Clement’s church with valuable<br />
Romanesque fresco ornaments is<br />
found there too while pilgrimage church<br />
of the Visitation of Our Lady displayes<br />
a golden Marian relief, also known as the<br />
palladium – a symbol of protection and<br />
patronage for the Czech country.<br />
–5–<br />
Holy Mountain (Svatá Hora) near Příbram<br />
Marian basilica on the Holy Mountain<br />
near Příbram is one of the main pilgrimage<br />
sites in the Czech Republic. The chapel<br />
on top of the Holy Mountain has been<br />
documented since the beginning of the 16 th<br />
century when it was a plain early Renaissance<br />
structure. Local statue of the Virgin<br />
Mary with Infant Jesus was made according<br />
to church tradition in mid-14 th century by<br />
Archbishop Arnošt of Pardubice. When it<br />
was transferred to the chapel on the Holy<br />
Mountain in the 16 th century, soon many<br />
processions started to flock there. In 1647<br />
the Holy Mountain became looked after by<br />
the Jesuits and they initiated a construction<br />
of a spectacular new cathedral. The<br />
structure has been designed as a Marian<br />
castle complete with a courtyard, entrance<br />
gate, cloisters with four main chapels and<br />
nine other altars, a small court with an<br />
elevated shrine dedicated to the Cult of<br />
the Virgin Mary. Inside there is a silver<br />
altar, a richly decorated sanctuary with<br />
a statue of the Virgin Mary placed above.<br />
The greatest tribute to the Virgin Mary of<br />
the Holy Mountain, the Queen of silver-
TRAVEL TRADE GAZETTE www.ttg.cz November <strong>2011</strong><br />
lgrimage sites<br />
lic<br />
mining mountains, was her coronation<br />
in 1732. From Příbram there is a roofed<br />
stairacase leading to the Holy Mountain,<br />
460 metres long and builts in 1730. The<br />
great importance of the Holy Mountain<br />
has been further reinforced by the honorary<br />
papal title basilica minor.<br />
–6–<br />
Velehrad<br />
Velehrad in Moravia is a world famous<br />
pilgrimage site. It is an important spiritual<br />
centre, a place where many religious<br />
processions, assemblies and celebrations<br />
take place. It is closely linked to the tradition<br />
of Saints Cyril and Methodius; it<br />
was most likely here that the first Great<br />
Moravian archbishop St. Methodius had<br />
his seat. The pilgrimage site consists of<br />
a beautiful basilica of the Ascension of<br />
Our Lady and Saints Cyril and Methodius<br />
(built on Romanesque foundations) with<br />
neighbouring buildings of the former<br />
Cistercian monastery.<br />
In the basilica basement there is a lapidary,<br />
open to public. Velehrad basilica has<br />
been given the Golden Rose by Pope John<br />
Paul II in 1985 which is a very special gift<br />
that only a handful of Catholic churches<br />
in the world can boast with. On 22 nd April<br />
1990 Pope John Paul II visited this place.<br />
To commemorate this special occasion<br />
a giant cross with his sign has been placed<br />
in the courtyard in front of the basilica.<br />
Basilica with neighbouring buildings and<br />
areas has been named a national cultural<br />
monument in April 2008.<br />
–7–<br />
Holy Hill (Svatý Kopeček) near Olomouc<br />
Monumental cathedral of the Visitation<br />
of the Virgin Mary on the Holy Hill near<br />
Olomouc is one of the main landmarks of<br />
the region. The pilgrimage site consists<br />
of churches, cloisters with chapels, residential<br />
and administrative buildings and<br />
it is a highly-valued example of Baroque<br />
architecture from the turn of the 17 th<br />
/18 th century. The cathedral has a winter<br />
chapel and holy stairs to remind of the<br />
28 stairs in Pilate’s palace in Jerusalem<br />
which were climbed by Jesus Christ before<br />
his condemnation. In 1995 Holy Hill<br />
has been graced by the visit of Pope John<br />
Paul II. In the same year the cathedral of<br />
the Visitation of the Virgin Mary has has<br />
been named a basilica minor.<br />
–8–<br />
Žďár nad Sázavou<br />
Green Mountain<br />
(Zelená hora)<br />
A pilgrimage church has been built on top<br />
of Zelená hora in 1720 by an abbot from<br />
local monastery in Žďár nad Sázavou in<br />
honour of the Czech martyr and saint<br />
John of Nepomuk. According to a legend<br />
a crown with five stars appeared above his<br />
dead body and therefore the architect Jan<br />
Blažej Santini opted for the symbolism of<br />
a five-pointed star in this structure built in<br />
Baroque Gothic style. The ground plan is<br />
star-shaped, the church has five entrances,<br />
there are five stars and five angels on the<br />
main altar. Top of the church is adorned<br />
by a simple yet impressive dome with<br />
lunettes. The large number of sculptures<br />
inside the church of St. John of Nepomuk<br />
is by Řehoř Theny who was the student<br />
of famous Baroque sculptor Matyáš Bernard<br />
Braun. The cloister surrounding the<br />
building of the church and neighbouring<br />
cemetery has the shape of a ten-pointed<br />
star. Thanks to its unique character the<br />
church of St. John of Nepomuk at Zelená<br />
hora, near the town of Žďár nad Sázavou,<br />
has been listed among the UNESCO<br />
World Heritage Sites in 1994. There is<br />
a stone bridge from 1761 located closely<br />
to the monastery and it is decorated with<br />
Baroque statues of Czech saints.<br />
–9–<br />
Klokoty near Tábor<br />
Pilgrimage site of Klokoty is found on<br />
the edge of the city of Tábor. Current<br />
appearance of these premises has been<br />
developing since 1679. The spectacular<br />
structure of the church of the Assumption<br />
of the Virgin Mary reminds of a chateau<br />
thanks to its domes. Four octagonal chapels<br />
and one alcove chapel of St. John of<br />
Nepomuk lie adjacent to the church. The<br />
interior is richly decorated with stucco<br />
and fresco paintings. At the main altar,<br />
there is a painting of the Virgin Mary of<br />
Klokoty inside a gilded frame. Nearby<br />
there is a Baroque chapel with Stations<br />
of the Cross made out of stone.<br />
–10–<br />
Saint Hostýn<br />
Saint Hostýn is the highest located Marian<br />
pilgrimage site in Moravia, visible from<br />
afar as it sits in otherwise flat and fertile<br />
land of Haná region. For three centuries<br />
it has been the destinations of thousands<br />
of pilgrims from near and far as they find<br />
solace to their sorrows and needs. Saint<br />
Hostýn is one of the most important pilgrimage<br />
sites dedicated to the Cult of the<br />
Virgin Mary in Moravia. Apart from the<br />
basilica of the Assumption of the Virgin<br />
Mary, there are many other interesting<br />
monuments including stunning Stations<br />
of the Cross by architect Jurkovič, older<br />
Classicism style Stations of the Cross,<br />
Sarkandr chapel, water chapel or a museum<br />
mapping the history of Saint Hostýn.<br />
The year <strong>2012</strong> will see the 100 th anniversary<br />
since the coronation of the Virgin<br />
Mary of Saint Hostýn.<br />
–11–<br />
Římov<br />
The focal point of the sacred reverance<br />
is a Baroque statue of the Virgin Mary of<br />
Římov from 1679. From the eastern wing<br />
of the cloister you can enter the Baroque<br />
church built between 1672 and 1697 on<br />
a central, circular floor plan. The most<br />
significant features include the main altar<br />
from 1878–1879, original stone baptistry<br />
from 1672 and a pulpit from mid-18 th century.<br />
In the middle of the courtyard there<br />
is a Loretto chapel founded in 1648, with<br />
simple decorations, imitating the original<br />
shrine in Italian Loretto.<br />
After visiting the pilgrimage site in<br />
the centre of the town, you can also follow<br />
a six-kilometre walking path around<br />
Římov and its unique 25 Stations of the<br />
Cross. Their locations follow the traditional<br />
set-up of the Stations of the Cross<br />
in Jerusalem.<br />
–12–<br />
Kladruby<br />
The most significant pilgrimage site in<br />
Kladruby is the former Benedictine monastery<br />
which was founded in 1108. In the<br />
first half of the 18 th century the whole<br />
building was re-built and the church of<br />
the Assumption of the Virgin Mary has<br />
been spectacularly reconstructed based<br />
on a design by J. B. Santini. He blended<br />
Gothic and Baroque features in an original<br />
way and hence created a style known as the<br />
Baroque Gothic whose main representative<br />
he became. Church furnishings are mostly<br />
original based on Santini’s designs and the<br />
most beautiful feature is the main altar,<br />
emulating Gothic cathedral architecture.<br />
Gothic statue of the so-called Virgin Mary<br />
of Kladruby from early 15 th century is also<br />
valuable.<br />
11<br />
Prepared by Vlaďka Bratršovská, photos CzechTourism
12<br />
Photos: CzechTourism<br />
November <strong>2011</strong><br />
NEWS<br />
www.ttg.cz TRAVEL TRADE GAZETTE<br />
DISCOVER THE PROM<br />
Would you like experience a special moment? Imaging you’re in a movie next to Hollywood stars.<br />
Visit places in the Czech Republic where the famous Bond movie Casino Royale was filmed or<br />
Mission: Impossible with Tom Cruise. If you like all things scary then explore Prague in the footsteps<br />
of horror movies such as Hannibal Rising, The Omen or Blade II. Many of notoriously<br />
well-known films have surprisingly recognizable backdrop: the Czech Republic. In some film the<br />
Czech capital substitues more famous and expensive locations such as Paris or London. Sometimes<br />
the filmmakers pick an interesting place and bring it to life with computer animation. There<br />
is an increasing number of movies that showcase Prague and other Czech cities the way they are,<br />
letting their old-time charm and mystery speak for themselves.<br />
Action movies take the lead<br />
Casino Royale depicting dangerous adventures<br />
of James Bond was filmed in 2006<br />
in the most famous Czech spa town of<br />
Karlovy Vary. Agent 007 encountered his<br />
enemies and allies at Mlýnská collonade,<br />
in the Imperial Spa and in Grand Hotel<br />
Pupp. He then untangled the conspiracy<br />
threads in Prague, specifically in the<br />
Strahov Monastery, National Museum, at<br />
the Prague Airport, in Podbaba quarter,<br />
at Vítkov Memorial and also by Danube<br />
House building on Rohanský island and<br />
the Main Railway Station. The agent with<br />
licence to kill also appeared in Planá near<br />
Mariánské Lázně, at Loket castle and also<br />
in the town Loket on the main square. The<br />
actor Daniel Craig actually stayed in the<br />
room no. 7 in Goethe hotel there. Similarly<br />
action-packed was also the movie where<br />
Sean Connery played adventurer Allan<br />
Quartermain. The League of Extraordinary<br />
Gentlemen was set near Rudolfinum, Strahov<br />
Monastery and at Olšany Cemetery.<br />
Karlovy Vary Connery also decided to have the movie<br />
premiere in Prague in 2003 as charitable<br />
event to help areas affected by the floods of 2002. Bad Company movie brings us to<br />
the company of another superstar – this time Anthony Hopkins as a retired CIA agent<br />
Gaylord Oakes. This film from 2002 shows Prague and its Prague Castle including<br />
the castle guards. The plot takes us to Hradčany square, Thunovská and Nerudova<br />
streets, Charles Bridge, Střelecký Island, Novotného lávka and the National Theatre.<br />
When talking about movies with agents, it would be impossible not to mention the<br />
most famous of them all: Mission: Impossible with Tom Cruise. The first one in<br />
a series of action blockbusters was filmed in 1996 in the Czech Republic, mainly in<br />
Prague. Cruise’s footsteps would take us to the National Museum, Charles Bridge,<br />
Kampa, Old Town Square, Železná street and Evropa Hotel and the Municipal House.<br />
Charles Bridge – Prague<br />
Rudolfinum – Prague<br />
Hotel Adria – Prague Kroměříž Žatec<br />
Horrors are doing well too<br />
The mystery-infused atmosphere of Prague seems perfect for shooting of horror<br />
movies. In the story of Hannibal Lecter’s birth we walk through the capital city with<br />
little Hannibal, experiencing places that would predetermine his cannibalistic future.<br />
Actor Gaspard Ulliel went to Holešovice quarter, Rudolfinum, Adria Palace, Pařížská,<br />
Loretánská and U Obecního Dvora streets. Hannibal Rising was made in 2007. The<br />
Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian movie was also made in the Czech Republic<br />
in 2007, directed by Andrew Adamson who is known for films such as Shrek (2001)<br />
or Batman Forever (1995). In Prague Prince Caspian played by Ben Barnes visited<br />
Rudolfinum or the Museum of Decorative Arts.<br />
The crew of horror movie The Omen (2006) has been to many places in Prague. The<br />
cast including Liev Schreiber, Mia Farrow and David Thewlis filmed in the following<br />
locations: Štefanik’s observatory, Strahov Monastery, Charles Bridge, Střelecký Island,<br />
National Theatre, National Museum, Hvězda summer residence, Trója chateau, Prague<br />
Exhibition Grounds, Danube House on Rohanský Island, Vinohrady hospital, Náměstí<br />
Míru, Congress Centre at Vyšehrad and at Kampa. Apart from exteriors suitable for<br />
the scariest of movies, the Czech Republic also offers fairytale-like spots which can<br />
also give a viewer goose-bumps though. The Grimm Brothers movie was filmed by<br />
Terry Gilliam in 2005 in the Czech Republic and he chose Prague, Křivoklát and<br />
Kutná Hora as locations. Mysterious atmosphere can also be savoured in a film by<br />
Guillermo del Toro who decided to shoot frightening scenes on the Charles Bridge<br />
in Prague. His Blade II brought together Wesley Snipes and Kris Kristofferson who<br />
both stepped on this amazing landmark.<br />
Mystery horror From Hell about Britain’s most infamous killer Jack the Ripper used<br />
Prague as a backdrop in 2001. Johnny Depp as the police inspector Fred Abberline<br />
uncovered clues at Strahov, near the National Museum and in Apolinářská street.<br />
More information about films shot in the Czech Republic can be found on the following websites: www.kudyznudy.cz and www.filmcommission.cz.
TRAVEL TRADE GAZETTE www.ttg.cz November <strong>2011</strong><br />
ISED LAND<br />
National Theatre – Prague<br />
Star Festival Guest – BERTRAND PICCARD<br />
Bertrand Piccard looks forward to visiting the Czech Republic<br />
again. Currently one of the most outstanding travellers and<br />
explorers in the world, Dr Piccard has always aimed high: in<br />
1999 together with Brian Jones he became the first person<br />
ever to circumnavigate the world non-stop in a balloon,<br />
covering a record 45 633 km in just 19 days, 21 hours and<br />
47 minutes. Dr Piccard’s latest project is Solar Impulse.<br />
With his partner André Borschberg he plans to fly around<br />
the world without any fuel, only propelled by the solar energy. The revolutionary airplane<br />
is the first solar airplane able to fly day and night purely on solar energy and it has already<br />
successfully accomplished a 26-hour non-stop flight. This ambitious project demonstrates<br />
the enormous potential of new technologies for saving energy and applying renewable<br />
forms of energy. Bertrand Piccard comes from a famous family of remarkable explorers: his<br />
grandfather, August Piccard, was the first man ever to enter the stratosphere and to see the<br />
curvature of the earth with his own eyes. He also invented the Bathyscaphe, a submarine for<br />
extreme depths. Bertrand Piccard’s father, Jacques, achieved world fame with his unique<br />
descent to the bottom of the Mariana Trench, the deepest known point of the ocean floor.<br />
Bertrand Piccard is known for his charismatic personality and is a talented speaker. His appearance<br />
at Tourfilm will be accompanied by video clips of his extraordinary achievements.<br />
FOLLOWING THE HIMALAYAN SPIRIT AT TOURFILM<br />
Friday program was dedi- see Himalayan dancers and climber and skier David Saturday morning in front<br />
cated to the Himalayas – a sitar player in action. Fojtík and a great fan of of the Thermal hotel was<br />
there was a photography Speakers included Klára the Himalayas Ladislav dedicated to families and<br />
exhibition and the interior Poláčková, the first Czech Jirásko. Musician Martin children for whom we have<br />
was decorated with furni- woman to climb Mount Kratochvíl said hello di- prepared a number of great<br />
ture and artefacts from the Everest, a legend among rectly from the Himalayas activities. In the afternoon<br />
Himalayas, visitors could Czech mountain climbers and two of his films about we continued with talks<br />
enjoy a Tibetan tea room, Josef Rakoncaj, actress the mountain range were with various travellers in-<br />
visit a Buddhist temple, Jana Paulová, passionate screened.<br />
cluding the veteran Miloslav<br />
Let’s not forget historical movies<br />
Hvezda – Prague Kutná Hora<br />
The Czech Republic is perfect for filming more than just horror stories. Period drama<br />
Oliver Twist based on Charles Dickens’ masterpiece was filmed in the country in<br />
2002 by Roman Polanski. Most filming was done in Barrandov film studios and near<br />
Beroun and Žatec. We should not forget the historical epic Amadeus of Czech-born<br />
director Miloš Forman who’s well-known to literally the whole wide world. The Oscarwinning<br />
movie was made in 1984 and takes us to the premises of South Moravian<br />
Baroque chateau Kroměříž as well as to the Dominican church of St. Giles in Husova<br />
street, Hradčanské and Maltézské squares and Nerudova street.<br />
CHILDREN’S DAY AT THE THERMAL HOTEL<br />
Stingl who spoke about<br />
the Magical Year <strong>2012</strong>.<br />
Actor Tomáš Hanák talked<br />
about his travels around<br />
the world and there was a<br />
panel discussion about the<br />
TV show Toulavá kamera<br />
with its presenters Iveta<br />
Toušlová and Josef Maršál.<br />
Travellers from Karlovy Vary<br />
Dana Smržová and Stanislav<br />
Hořínek presented the<br />
exotic Galapagos islands.<br />
Saturday program was finished<br />
off by a concert of<br />
Lokomotiva band featuring<br />
presenter and singer Petr<br />
Vondráček.<br />
THE NEXT FESTIVAL WILL TAKE PLACE FROM 4 TH TO 6 TH OCTOBER <strong>2012</strong> IN KARLOVY VARY.<br />
Křivoklát<br />
13<br />
Photo: © Solar Impulse / Hector Martin
14<br />
Pages 14–19 prepared by Marta Jedličková<br />
November <strong>2011</strong> TRAVEL TRADE GAZETTE<br />
DESTINATION – CZECH REPUBLIC<br />
Family tourism<br />
Information from Central Moravia<br />
The first six-seater chairlift<br />
in Moravia in the<br />
newly built resort Kouty<br />
nad Desnou has been<br />
serving tourists from the<br />
end of April. The upper<br />
station of the chairlift is<br />
a good starting point for<br />
a walking or cycling trip<br />
to hydroelectric power<br />
plant Dlouhé Stráně found<br />
1350m above the sea level<br />
and considered one of<br />
the seven wonders of the<br />
Czech Republic. Alongside<br />
the upper part of the<br />
reservoir there is a brand<br />
new, 2.5 km long in-line<br />
In the footsteps of personalities<br />
Hukvaldy is found in northern<br />
Moravia, in Frýdek-<br />
Místek region. The name<br />
of this rather small town is<br />
well-known not only in the<br />
Czech Republic but also<br />
abroad. The reasons behind<br />
this are its famous native<br />
Leoš Janáček and also its<br />
castle. The first mention of<br />
the Hukvaldy castle dates<br />
Pick a trip from our selection<br />
- select your walk or cycling trip<br />
- download the route onto your GPS<br />
- get the latest updates<br />
- book your accommodation<br />
...all at www.jizni-morava.cz<br />
or www.cyklo-jizni-morava.cz<br />
skating track. This place is<br />
also a great starting point<br />
for many other interesting<br />
walking and cycling<br />
trails along the ridges of<br />
Jeseníky mountain. You<br />
can also find a special bike<br />
park with tracks of varying<br />
difficulty, some suitable<br />
even for less experienced<br />
riders and children. The<br />
park also features a permanent<br />
exhibition made of<br />
wood called Kouty Forest<br />
with fairy tale characters<br />
and traditional crafts.<br />
Another great attraction<br />
is a bobsleigh track<br />
back to the 14 th century. The<br />
castle was mostly owned by<br />
the bishops of Olomouc but<br />
at one point it was also the<br />
property of the Hungarian<br />
king Sigismund as well<br />
as of the Czech king Jiří<br />
of Poděbrady. Bishops of<br />
Olomouc owned the castle<br />
until 1948 when it became<br />
property of the state. The<br />
castle has slowly turned<br />
into ruins though. This was<br />
allegedly aided by a great<br />
fire in the 18 th century. The<br />
best preserved part is St.<br />
Andrew’s chapel from 17 th<br />
century and it was the only<br />
one that was maintained<br />
and renovated throughout<br />
the 19 th century. Its great<br />
acoustics make it a good<br />
concert venue. Below the<br />
castle lies a game park where<br />
moufflons and fallow deer<br />
live. Baroque bastions offer<br />
with hundred metres of<br />
vertical drop in Petříkov,<br />
Adrenaline Park in Česká<br />
ves, mountain mini-karts<br />
in Ramzová, Acrobat Park<br />
in Štíty or a mountain<br />
climbing area in Rabštejn.<br />
A pleasant distraction<br />
during your stay in Central<br />
Moravia, particularly for<br />
children, would be a visit<br />
to the zoological garden<br />
at Svatý Kopeček with a<br />
unique pavilion for rare<br />
Manchurian leopards.<br />
Active holidays aside,<br />
visitors can spend time<br />
lovely views into the countryside<br />
that allegedly even<br />
Leoš Janáček enjoyed. His<br />
name is also linked to the<br />
International Music Festival<br />
Janáček’s Hukvaldy which<br />
takes place regularly and<br />
always features Janáček’s<br />
Philharmonic Orchestra<br />
from Ostrava. You can learn<br />
more about Janáček in his<br />
memorial located in the<br />
town of Hukvaldy and also<br />
in his native house where<br />
the information centre is<br />
currently based.<br />
Hukvaldy castle attracts<br />
visitors with a number of<br />
events and activities. These<br />
include knightly tournaments<br />
and jousts, fire shows,<br />
reconstructions of Medieval<br />
castle battles, reenactment<br />
of old legends, convention<br />
of spooks, ghosts and other<br />
scary creatures, and guided<br />
in several newly opened<br />
museums. The city of<br />
Olomouc boasts with a<br />
brand new tourist attraction<br />
– people can visit for<br />
the first time ever the<br />
Archbishop’s Palace with<br />
unique representative<br />
halls. Nearby Šternberk<br />
offers visitors the Exhibition<br />
of Time with one-ofa-kind<br />
collection of timemeasuring<br />
instruments.<br />
Romantic souls will enjoy<br />
the Museum of Historical<br />
Carriages in Čechy pod<br />
Kosířem.<br />
Hukvaldy full of music and gastronomy<br />
WINE IN SOUTH MORAVIA<br />
To visit South Moravia and<br />
not sample its local wines<br />
would almost be a sin.<br />
Top destinations of local<br />
wine tourism include the<br />
following.<br />
The spectacular and extensive<br />
chateau grounds in<br />
Valtice are also the seat of<br />
the National Wine Centre,<br />
a non-for-profit organization.<br />
The chateau cellars<br />
host the Wine Salon of the<br />
Czech Republic which is<br />
the most prestigious wine<br />
competition in the country.<br />
A public degustation of the<br />
best one hundred wines<br />
takes place in the cellars<br />
of the state chateau which<br />
used to be a residence of the<br />
Lichtenstein family.<br />
Templar cellars in<br />
Čejkovice are almost 800<br />
years old. You can learn<br />
more about the history of<br />
the Order of Templars and<br />
also about the wine growing<br />
tradition. Both the wines<br />
and vineyards are worth<br />
discovering. You can follow<br />
a sightseeing trail that is<br />
3km long and can include<br />
stops in wine cellars.<br />
The original wine cellars<br />
of Plže are known to be the<br />
Moravia-Silesian Region<br />
tours where you can meet<br />
characters linked to the castle.<br />
Foodies may be tempted<br />
by game feasts with a barbecue<br />
and should also take<br />
note of a newly established<br />
tradition. In October <strong>2011</strong><br />
the first ever food festival<br />
took place at the castle, offering<br />
local culinary delights<br />
and featuring a cooking<br />
competition and a food show<br />
in the presence of local and<br />
foreign food experts. After<br />
the competition the best<br />
recipes are offered in restaurants<br />
of Moravian-Silesian<br />
region. These include Wallachian<br />
‘kyselice’ soup made<br />
of cabbage, potatoes, juicy<br />
sausage and cream, stuffed<br />
roast goose or Wallachian<br />
‘frgál’ cakes made of giant,<br />
thin pastry with a layer of<br />
apple, pear or cream cheese<br />
filling.<br />
most beautiful wine cellar<br />
grounds in Moravia. It was<br />
named a heritage site of folk<br />
architecture.<br />
Louky monastery in<br />
Znojmo used to be a Premonstratensian<br />
monastery<br />
founded in 1190. These<br />
days it is part of the Znovín<br />
Znojmo company premises.<br />
Visitors can follow a guided<br />
tour through the monastery<br />
www.south-moravia.cz<br />
Tourist information centre<br />
of the Jewish community<br />
in Brno – Židenice was<br />
opened in January <strong>2011</strong><br />
and is located by the Jewish<br />
Cemetery. In cooperation<br />
with tourist information<br />
cente of the city of Brno<br />
it provides information on<br />
monuments and historical<br />
sites not only in Brno but in<br />
the whole South Moravian<br />
region. The cemetery in<br />
Brno – Židenice is one of<br />
the best maintained ones<br />
in Europe. It was established<br />
in 1852 and there<br />
are 9000 modern graves in<br />
40 sectors. A number of<br />
well-known personalities<br />
is buried there, including<br />
the famous actor Hugo<br />
Haas. The Neo-Romanesque<br />
ceremonial hall has fragments<br />
of Medieval Jewish<br />
tombstones embedded in<br />
it. A Holocaust victims memorial<br />
from 1950 is found<br />
behind the hall. There are<br />
more Jewish monuments<br />
dotted around the whole<br />
city of Brno and they are<br />
including the Romanesque<br />
crypts, richly decorated<br />
halls with stucco embellishments<br />
and cellars and<br />
also try some of the wines.<br />
A number of tourist and<br />
cycling trails go through<br />
the town of Znojmo.<br />
During your wine journeys<br />
you should not skip<br />
Mikulov - it has a majestic<br />
chateau and cellars with<br />
Welcome to<br />
South Moravia<br />
English, German, Spanish, Italian, Polish and Russian versions available<br />
JEWISH BRNO<br />
often featured as parts of<br />
heritage trails. In Augustine<br />
monastery on Mendel’s<br />
Square, named after the<br />
father of genetics and abbot<br />
Johann Gregor Mendel,<br />
there is a spectacular canvas<br />
of Jerusalem from the<br />
Mount of Olives by Brno<br />
native Ludwig Blum.<br />
BRNO SURROUNDINGS<br />
Boskovice, 40 km from<br />
Brno – Jewish Quarter,<br />
a heritage trail running<br />
through the Jewish Quarter<br />
since 1999, Baroque synagogue,<br />
Jewish cemetery<br />
Holešov, 80 km from Brno<br />
– one of the most important<br />
centres of Jewish culture<br />
and education in Moravia;<br />
New synagogue burnt down<br />
by the Nazis, Old synagogue<br />
now serves as a museum;<br />
Jewish cemetery dates back<br />
to mid-16 th century.<br />
Ivančice, 30 km southwest<br />
of Brno; Jewish quarter,<br />
synagogue built in late<br />
classicism style, a cemetery<br />
with 1000 tombstones.<br />
MIKULOV GOURMET FESTIVAL is a four-day<br />
celebration of Moravian cuisine accompanied by<br />
fantastic Moravian wines in renowned restaurant of<br />
magical winemaking town of Mikulov. Masterchefs,<br />
members of the national team of the Association of<br />
Chefs and Pastry Chefs, will prepare modern versions<br />
of traditional Moravian dishes and combine<br />
them with typical Moravian wine variaties. Their<br />
competition menus willreveal the real flavours of<br />
South Moravia that is full of sunshine, bonhomie and<br />
unforgettable experiences set in the unique scenery<br />
of the historical winemaking town of Mikulov.<br />
Winemaker Ing. Petr Marcinčák<br />
Wine tourism<br />
the biggest historical cask<br />
in Europe and also offers<br />
a great wine-themed<br />
educational trail that runs<br />
through wine-making villages<br />
in the magical lands<br />
of Pálava. The trail also<br />
goes through the village of<br />
Horní Věstonice where the<br />
famous Venus of Věstonice<br />
was found and Habán cellars<br />
are located.
TRAVEL TRADE GAZETTE November <strong>2011</strong><br />
Urban tourism<br />
Experience Brno – Moravian capital<br />
Brno is the capital of Moravia and a starting point for explorations of<br />
natural and cultural attractions of South Moravia. It boasts with many<br />
important historical monuments that are a testament to its rich past.<br />
www.brno.cz<br />
Looking at the skyline of the city of<br />
Brno you will immediately notice the<br />
cathedral of St. Peter and Paul also<br />
known as Petrov. A few cities in the<br />
world could count prison as their<br />
main feature. It is the case in Brno<br />
though: royal castle Špilberk used<br />
to be known as the ‘prison of na-<br />
Great experiences in Brno<br />
and South Moravia<br />
WEEKEND TIPS IN THE CITY OF BRNO<br />
FRIDAY<br />
A walk around the historical city centre<br />
www.ticbrno.cz, www.brno.cz<br />
A traditional Moravian cuisine meal<br />
www.ochutnejtemoravu.cz<br />
SATURDAY<br />
A guided tour of the royal castle of Špilberk, towering<br />
on a hill above the city<br />
www.spilberk.cz<br />
A visit to the underground kingdom – Labyrinth below<br />
Zelný trh and the Mint-master’s cellar<br />
www.ticbrno.cz<br />
Culture and music in Brno – a taste of Brno’s<br />
local scene<br />
www.bkc.cz, www.brno.cz<br />
SUNDAY<br />
A boat trip on Brno dam to Veveří castle<br />
www.dpmb.cz, www.veveri.cz<br />
A visit to Jurkovič’s villa<br />
www.moravska-galerie.cz<br />
tions’ in the 18 th century as Austrian<br />
convicts, Italian villains and many<br />
others were jailed there. Nowadays<br />
Špilberk castle offers its visitors a<br />
number of permanent exhibitions as<br />
well as a tour of the casemates. In<br />
the summer the courtyard belongs<br />
to Shakespeare plays and music<br />
festivals.<br />
Also, the second castle Veveří, towering<br />
above the Brno dam, is a popular<br />
tourist attraction.<br />
A real gem of modern architecture is<br />
the world famous Tugendhat villa in<br />
Brno - designed by German architect<br />
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and<br />
listed among UNESCO World Heritage<br />
Sites (under reconstruction untul<br />
late <strong>2011</strong>, check updates on www.<br />
tugendhat.eu). It is worth visiting also<br />
an Art Nouveau masterpiece by architect<br />
Jurkovič - the so-called Jurkovič’s<br />
Villa, a great example of modernist<br />
architecture.<br />
Underground kingdom in the historical<br />
city centre has recently been<br />
opened to the public. These musterious<br />
and unusual places underline the<br />
long and not so well-known history<br />
of the city and are a unique way to<br />
discover what’s below the streets and<br />
squares.<br />
Underground kingdom<br />
in Brno now open!<br />
Unique cellars of the Labyrinth below Zelný trh (Cabbage<br />
Market) and underground premises of the<br />
former Medieval house known as the Mint-master’s<br />
cellar within the New Townhall are have been renovated,<br />
turned into expositions and now are becoming<br />
a main tourist attraction.<br />
Labyrinth below Zelný trh<br />
Accessible, almost 1 km long, sightseeing trail goes<br />
up below the historical square. You will have to overcome<br />
212 steps, 6-8 metres below the surface of the<br />
square. Apart from interesting expositions, visitors<br />
can also get to know a few known historical characters<br />
who used to occupy these premises.<br />
Mint-master’s cellar at Dominikánské square<br />
Mint-master’s cellar is a name given to the historical<br />
cellars within the New Townhall premises on Dominikánské<br />
square, originally probably found below<br />
the house of mint-master Bruno. An expositon open<br />
to the public presents the almost forgotten craft of<br />
mintage in Brno and Moravia region.<br />
www.ticbrno.cz<br />
Jurkovič’s Art Nouveau marvel<br />
opening after a reconstruction<br />
There are many architecturally remarkable villas and<br />
family houses in Brno, however, few of these are still<br />
open to the public. Apart from the world-famous Tugendhat<br />
villa, the other exception is Jurkovič’s villa in<br />
Žabovřesky. The Art Nouveau marvel from 1906 is a<br />
prime example of modernist architecture inspired by<br />
British and Viennese design with folk art elements.<br />
www.moravska-galerie.cz<br />
MORAVIA CONVENTION BUREAU<br />
Thanks to its convenient<br />
location in<br />
the middle of Europe<br />
and a wide selection<br />
of accommodation<br />
facilities, South<br />
Moravia and the city<br />
of Brno are much<br />
sought after MICE<br />
destination. It ticks all the boxes – safety,<br />
easy accessibility, wide range of attractive<br />
venues and tourist attractions.<br />
Moravia Convention Bureau<br />
offers assistance to local and international<br />
organizations when planning their congresses,<br />
conferences and incentive events<br />
in South Moravia and in the city of Brno.<br />
More information at<br />
www.moraviaconvention.cz<br />
15<br />
Magistrát města Brna (foto: V. Mádr, J. Berger, Moravian Gallery archive, BKC archive)
16<br />
November <strong>2011</strong> TRAVEL TRADE GAZETTE<br />
DESTINATION – CZECH REPUBLIC<br />
In the footsteps of personalities<br />
The importance of Jihlava<br />
to Czech history has often<br />
exceeded the limits of<br />
Czech borders and is reflected<br />
in the value of its<br />
urban heritage with 213<br />
protected monuments and<br />
sites. It may be useful to<br />
remember the origins of the<br />
city as we enter the Tourist<br />
Information Centre in the<br />
premises of the townhall.<br />
At the beginning there<br />
was a Slavic village, then<br />
the development of silver<br />
One of the most popular<br />
Czech music composers<br />
abroad Leoš Janáček (1854-<br />
1928), the author of operas<br />
Káťa Kabanová and the<br />
Makropulos Case, a number<br />
of symphonic poems, insturmental<br />
and chamber<br />
music pieces, was visiting<br />
his favourite spa town of<br />
Luhačovice in south-east<br />
Moravia for more than 40<br />
years. He even composed<br />
some of his works there<br />
and experienced some of<br />
his love stories. Luhačovice<br />
has not forgotten him.<br />
Since 1992 this biggest spa<br />
town in Moravia hosts the<br />
music festival Janáček and<br />
Luhačovice, held under the<br />
auspices of the wife of the<br />
Czech president Mrs. Livia<br />
Klausová. It is organized<br />
The most eastern region<br />
of the Czech Republic,<br />
neighbouring with Slovakia,<br />
is a land of diverse natural<br />
beauty and of some rich<br />
pickings. Protected natural<br />
area of Beskydy mountains is<br />
one of the most distinct ones<br />
in the country, biospheric<br />
reserve White Carpathian<br />
mountains with rare orchids<br />
is a one-of-a-kind place with<br />
preserved nature, vineyards<br />
of Slovácko region are very<br />
picturesque but also full of<br />
really tasty wine, so nice to<br />
Contact:<br />
East-Moravian<br />
Tourist Authority<br />
J. A. Bati 5520<br />
Zlin, Czech Republic<br />
kongresy@vychodni-morava.cz<br />
Phone: +420 577 043 900<br />
MAHLER’S JIHLAVA<br />
mining during the 13 th century<br />
made Jihlava the most<br />
powerful town in Bohemian<br />
kingdom. And even later<br />
when the mining has subsided,<br />
the town would not<br />
let its good reputation to<br />
be taken away. From 14 th to<br />
18 th century Jihlava became<br />
famous home and abroad for<br />
its cloth weaving production.<br />
Still, the town wasn’t<br />
spared of some big disasters<br />
- fires and the Thirty Year<br />
War led to rebuilding of<br />
the town in Renaissance,<br />
Baroque and Classicism<br />
styles, respectively. Medieval<br />
walls have been partly<br />
preserved though. One<br />
Medieval gate out of five is<br />
left - the Madonna Gate. A<br />
branch of the information<br />
centre is also located there<br />
and apart from historical<br />
expositions, one can also<br />
be enjoyed in wine cellars<br />
in the company of cheerful<br />
winemakers, and finally<br />
the tranquil, flat landscape<br />
of Haná region with the<br />
Morava river all create the<br />
essence of this part of the<br />
Czech Republic. Lately, East<br />
Moravia has becoming a<br />
popular destination for those<br />
seeking relaxation and wellness.<br />
Apart from well-know<br />
spa town Luhačovice, there<br />
is also Velké Karlovice that<br />
ticks those boxes. Family<br />
trips often lead to Zoo in<br />
Zlín. Zlín is the capital of<br />
the region and is linked to<br />
enjoy some fine views from<br />
there. Great views can also<br />
be seen from one of the<br />
two towers of St. James’<br />
church. Tourists can also<br />
explore what’s below the<br />
town’s surface. A labyrinth<br />
of underground corridors<br />
of a total length of 25 km<br />
is linked to many myths<br />
and mysteries. Jihlava’s<br />
most remarkable churches<br />
include the church of Feast<br />
of the Cross, currently<br />
under reconstruction that<br />
should bring it back to its<br />
original form.<br />
In <strong>2011</strong> one of the concerts<br />
from Mahler’s Music<br />
Festival took place there.<br />
Gustav Mahler’s house is<br />
a modest building near<br />
the main square and has<br />
a commemorative plaque<br />
by Milan Knobloch on it.<br />
The latest reconstruction<br />
Tomáš Baťa, founder of the<br />
shoe-making industry, but<br />
also to the world famous<br />
architect Eva Jiřičná who<br />
designed the local Congress<br />
and University Centre.<br />
The region is much<br />
sought after also among<br />
the cyclists who often head<br />
off to the valley of Vsetínská<br />
Bečva. It is possible to<br />
travel with a bike on a boat<br />
through Baťa’s canal. The<br />
fitter ones among us can<br />
test their fitness level at the<br />
Drásal bike marathon trail.<br />
Those who like sightseeing<br />
should not miss the town<br />
took place in 2008-09. In<br />
a relatively small space,<br />
a modern, interactive museum<br />
was established. It<br />
will let you experience<br />
Jihlava as Mahler, a native<br />
of nearby Kaliště, would<br />
have have known it when he<br />
lived there with his parents.<br />
The exposition presents<br />
Mahler family environment,<br />
a coexistence of there cultures<br />
- Czech, German and<br />
Jewish - in Jihlava, musical<br />
legacy of conductor and<br />
composer Mahler and also<br />
his legendary wife Alma.<br />
You can listen to samples<br />
of Mahler’s symphonies<br />
and test your knowledge of<br />
musical instruments. The<br />
groundfloor also hosts an<br />
exhibition of artists Thea<br />
Weltner who was also born<br />
in Jihlava and was connected<br />
to Mahler.<br />
JANÁČEK’S LUHAČOVICE WITH A FESTIVAL<br />
A GLIMPSE AT EAST MORAVIA<br />
Congress tourism<br />
by joint stock company<br />
Lazne Luhačovice. The<br />
20 th jubilee edition in July<br />
<strong>2011</strong> showcased Janáček’s<br />
Glagolitic Mass that he<br />
composed there in 1926<br />
with 130 performers. A<br />
number of great guests<br />
and artists regularly visit<br />
this festival. In <strong>2011</strong> the<br />
star guest of the festival<br />
was the first lady of Czech<br />
opera scene and soloists of<br />
the National Theatre in<br />
Prague Eva Urbanová. Pianist<br />
Martin Kasík and cellist<br />
Jiří Bárta were highlights of<br />
the festival too.<br />
Picturesque spa town<br />
of Luhačovice with natural<br />
spring water, sports<br />
facilities, wellness and<br />
spa resort but also natural<br />
baths is an ideal place for<br />
a relaxing holiday as well<br />
as a great starting point for<br />
exploring eastern part of<br />
the Czech Republic. Enjoy<br />
Luhačovice’s vivacity,<br />
interesting food, unusual<br />
folklore and folk music<br />
that often inspired Janacek.<br />
Luhačovice is decorated<br />
by Art Nouveau buildings<br />
by famous architect<br />
Dušan Jurkovič. Recently<br />
the reconstruction of the<br />
Augustinian house where<br />
Janáček also used to stay<br />
and compose his works,<br />
has been completed. It was<br />
converted into a luxury<br />
hotel that reminds of the<br />
composer at every step.<br />
To celebrate the jubilee<br />
year of the music festival,<br />
the hotel has prepared<br />
an inspirational menu<br />
Augustinian house<br />
called Symphony, Libretto,<br />
Janáček.<br />
of Kroměříž with its chateau<br />
and beautiful gardens<br />
(Flower Garden and Garden<br />
Below the Chateau) which<br />
are listed among UNESCO<br />
heritage sites. Buchlov<br />
castle, Buchlovice chateau,<br />
ancient Slavic settlement<br />
ruins, Great Moravia memorial<br />
in Staré Město, paintings<br />
by local artist Jožka<br />
Uprka, depicting so well<br />
the faces of local people<br />
and local folklore (a big<br />
retrospective of his work<br />
capturing the broad range<br />
of subjects in his paintings<br />
is taking place in autumn<br />
EAST MORAVIA – THE BEAUTY OF DIVERSITY<br />
Tourist region East Moravia is a suitable location for organizing congresses, conferences and accompanying events in<br />
an environment that is well known for its hospitality, unique gastronomy, strong bonds to the nature and respect for folk<br />
customs and traditions, many of which are famous all around the world.<br />
Ideally located in Central Europe, in the very eastern corner of the Czech Republic bordering with Slovakia, with a wide<br />
selection of accommodation facilities and a great range of restaurants, this destination meets the highest standards for<br />
organizing various MICE events.<br />
MICE OFFER CAN BE FOUND AT WWW.EASTMORAVIA.COM<br />
Interesting tips and recommendations can be found at: www.viamorava.com, www.bernsteinstrasse.com,<br />
www.vychodni-morava.cz/en<br />
COME AND ENJOY THE BEAUTY OF DIVERSITY!<br />
ANTONÍN DVOŘÁK<br />
human and a musician<br />
Interactive exhibition in the Czech<br />
Museum of Music in Prague<br />
In <strong>2011</strong> the whole world<br />
celebrated 170 th anniversary<br />
of birth of the most famous<br />
Czech music composer<br />
Antonín Dvořák. National<br />
Museum’s branch the Czech<br />
Museum of Music is hosting<br />
a retrospective exhibition to<br />
mark the occasion from 8 th<br />
June <strong>2011</strong> to 29 th February<br />
<strong>2012</strong>.<br />
The exhibition tells the<br />
life story of Antonín Dvořák<br />
without overwhelming visitors<br />
with too much information.<br />
Telling extracts<br />
from his correspondence or<br />
various statements revealing<br />
his personal views and<br />
weaknesses and never seen<br />
before family photographs<br />
create greater interest in his<br />
music and his journey that<br />
took him to international<br />
fame. Thanks to the exhibition,<br />
Dvořák steps down<br />
from the pedestal and we<br />
can connect with him at<br />
human level. Organizers of<br />
the exhibition who tend to<br />
be young wanted to come<br />
up with an exhibition that<br />
will appeal to the younger<br />
audiences while still satisfying<br />
others interested<br />
in Dvořák . They have not<br />
gone down the superficial<br />
route, instead they tried<br />
<strong>2011</strong> in Prague) - these are<br />
all just a brief example of<br />
the attractions that East<br />
to create certain thought<br />
outline that weaves together<br />
several different storylines.<br />
Original scores and recordings<br />
of Dvořák’s most<br />
famous pieces are naturally<br />
not missing. The exhibition<br />
boasts with a world original<br />
and that is the autograph<br />
of 9 th symphony From the<br />
New World.<br />
“Visitors can find many<br />
Dvořák-related, never seen<br />
before originals in one place,”<br />
commented Michal Lukeš,<br />
General Director of the<br />
National Museum. Exhibition<br />
curator and author Eva<br />
Velická adds: “Dvořák’s music<br />
is splendid and also Dvořák<br />
himself was a very inspiring<br />
personality. The exhibition<br />
basically tells a simple story<br />
of a poor boy who conquered<br />
the whole world.”<br />
National Museum -<br />
Czech Museum Of Music<br />
looks after the biggest collection<br />
of Dvořák-related<br />
artefacts and memorabilia<br />
in the world that counts<br />
around 8000 items but<br />
rarely leaves the vaults. The<br />
exhibition also showcases<br />
photograpgs, documents<br />
and objects from other<br />
institutions.<br />
Family tourism<br />
Moravia has to offer. Check<br />
out the website for more<br />
information.<br />
Chateau Napajedla<br />
Functionalist city of Zlín
TRAVEL TRADE GAZETTE November <strong>2011</strong><br />
DESTINATION – CZECH REPUBLIC<br />
Urban tourism<br />
Pilsen gets ready for 2015<br />
Pilsen – the European Capital of Culture of 2015<br />
does not rest on laurels and is busy executing its<br />
investment projects as per its bid application. Apart<br />
from planned large-scale projects such as the<br />
construction of a new theatre, it is trying to transform<br />
the look of the city and create spaces which<br />
would become new meeting points and cultural<br />
and leisure venues for the inhabitants and visitors<br />
alike. One of such projects is the development of<br />
a leisure and sports park in the city centre worth<br />
115 million CZK.<br />
Leisure and Sports Park called Relax Centre<br />
Štruncovy sady will be built by <strong>2012</strong> and located<br />
close to the historical centre of Pilsen on the confluence<br />
of Radbuza and Mže rivers.<br />
“The confluence of these two rivers still does not<br />
fulfil its urban-defining and aesthetic function as this<br />
type of location would normally do in European city<br />
centres,” adds the spokesperson of Pilsen city hall<br />
Zdenka Kubalová.<br />
The architects intend to have the current concrete<br />
fence removed, repair the surface of pathways,<br />
some of which are to be used for cycling and in-line<br />
skating. There will also be a brand new climbing<br />
wall, children’s playground and a small square<br />
with a fountain. There will be a freestyle sports<br />
centre built on the confluence of the rivers that<br />
would require alteration of the river banks and also<br />
the refreshments stand will be located there. The<br />
park and the grounds of the nearby Pilsner Urquell<br />
Brewery will be connected by a new footbridge over<br />
the Radbuza river which will make the walk to the<br />
brewery much more pleasant.<br />
According to the city hall, the main purpose<br />
of this project is to make the public spaces more<br />
attractive and to widen the selection of sports and<br />
leisure infrastructure for the public. Štruncovy<br />
sady (Štrunc’s orchards) is a triangular green area<br />
between the historical city centre and the brewery<br />
premises. They are delineated by Tyršova street and<br />
the Mže and Radbuza rivers which meet to form the<br />
Berounka river.<br />
The project is part of the bid application that<br />
secured Pilsen’s title of the European Capital of<br />
Culture for the year 2015. The park will therefore<br />
also feature an outdoor gallery, exhibition stands<br />
and an open-air theatre.<br />
Family and Event tourism<br />
We are looking forward<br />
to meet you<br />
VISIT PILSEN, the city of beer and culture<br />
The capital of western Bohemia is known all<br />
around the world for its unique beer Pilsner<br />
Urquell. More and more tourists flock there<br />
not only to discover the beer-making tradition<br />
but also to explore the monuments and enjoy<br />
cultural or sports events. Thanks to its diverse<br />
cultural life and interesting arts and culture<br />
projects, Pilsen was<br />
awarded the title of<br />
European Capital<br />
of Culture 2015 and<br />
joined the ranks of<br />
real cultural gems<br />
of cities.<br />
Sightseeing and monuments<br />
Pilsen has been named<br />
the European Capital of<br />
Culture for 2015 and is<br />
thoroughly preparing for<br />
this special occasion. Visitors<br />
will be able to explore<br />
the city and its rich cultural<br />
selection and also venture<br />
into the surrounding Pilsen<br />
region. Culture vultures<br />
will surely seek the cultural<br />
monuments but they<br />
should not skip the beautiful<br />
nature whether it’s the<br />
mountain ranges of Šumava<br />
and Český les, bordering<br />
with Bavaria, or the hilly<br />
landscape of the interior<br />
parts with plentiful woods,<br />
water surfaces and deep<br />
river valleys. Historical<br />
towns and numerous traces<br />
of folk architecture add<br />
to the charm. And what<br />
about the monuments then?<br />
There are so many, let’s<br />
have a look at some.<br />
The biggest ruins in<br />
Bohemia are that of castle<br />
Rabí and have been declared<br />
a national heritage site.<br />
The remains of the walls<br />
and buildings are almost<br />
3 kilometers long in total.<br />
The rotunda of St. Peter and<br />
Paul above Starý Plzenec<br />
from mid-10 th century is<br />
very different, offering nice<br />
view at the city of Pilsen.<br />
The most valued monu-<br />
Picturesque historical centre with a Gothic cathedral<br />
of St. Bartholomew, Renaissance townhall and richly<br />
decorated burgher houses<br />
Great Synagogue, the third biggest in the world<br />
Brewery museum, the only one in the world to be located<br />
in an original Medieval brewery house<br />
Pilsen dungeon – a sightseeing trail through a maze of<br />
underground corridors, cellars and wells<br />
Guided tour of the Pilsner Urquell brewery with tasting<br />
of unfiltered beer<br />
Municipal orchards which were established in the 19 th<br />
century in place of demolished city walls and nowadays<br />
are the most beautiful promenade parks in Pilsen<br />
The land surrounding the European capital of culture<br />
Rabí<br />
PLACES NOT TO BE MISSED<br />
EVENTS NOT TO BE MISSED<br />
FESTIVALS AND OPEN-AIR EVENTS<br />
Smetana’s Days (multicultural festival, January – February)<br />
– Liberation Festival (May) – Historical Weekend<br />
(June) – International Folklore Festival CIOFF (June) –<br />
Skupa’s Pilsen (biennale of pupper theatre, June <strong>2012</strong>),<br />
On the Street festival (music festival, July) – Theatre<br />
Summer under Pilsen skies (open-air theatre festival,<br />
July) – Pilsner Fest (Pilsen’s beer festival, August) –<br />
international festival Theatre (September) – Biennale<br />
of Drawings (November <strong>2012</strong>) – Pilsen’s Advent (December)<br />
CLUBBING IN PILSEN<br />
Enjoy an ice-cold glass of Pilsner Urquell in one of the<br />
many beer gardens<br />
DAY TRIPS FROM PILSEN<br />
The most popular destinations include Prague, Karlovy<br />
Vary, Mariánské Lázně, Šumava mountains, all less than<br />
100 km away from Pilsen.<br />
INFORMATION CENTRE OF THE CITY OF PILSEN<br />
nám. Republiky 41, 301 16 Pilsen<br />
tel.: +420 378 035 330, fax: +420 378 035 332<br />
e-mail: info@pilsen.cz, www.plzen.eu; www.pilsen.eu<br />
ments in the region were<br />
built by famous architects<br />
J. B. A. Santini who rebuilt<br />
the church of Kladruby<br />
monastery in his signature<br />
Gothicized Baroque style<br />
while the convent building<br />
is by Kilián Ignác Dienzenhofer.<br />
These two amazing<br />
architects also took part in<br />
the reconstruction of the<br />
first Cistercian monastery<br />
founded in 1144 in Plasy -<br />
its spectacular look is from<br />
the Baroque period. It is<br />
rather remarkable that the<br />
monastery building stood<br />
on 5100 oak stilts which<br />
supported its weight on the<br />
swampland. The monastery<br />
was closed by the emperor<br />
Joseph II and it became<br />
the residence of Chancellor<br />
Metternich who was also<br />
buried there in a family<br />
tomb.<br />
Classicism-style hunting<br />
lodge Kozel built at the<br />
end of the 18 th century is<br />
rather charming, with its 40<br />
hectares of natural-looking<br />
landscaped park whose details<br />
remind of Shoenbrunn<br />
in Vienna. Weddings take<br />
place in the local chapel.<br />
Nebílovy chateau is<br />
known as the flower chateau<br />
thanks to its decorations<br />
full of flower motifs. The<br />
painting of Dance Hall by<br />
Antonín Tuvora is one of a<br />
kind. A comprehensive restoration<br />
of wall and ceiling<br />
painting is to be completed<br />
in <strong>2012</strong>.<br />
Manětín<br />
Admirers of Baroque<br />
period will be impressed by<br />
chateau Manětín and also<br />
the nearby village of the<br />
same name with its collection<br />
of 30 Baroque statues<br />
and sculptural group of the<br />
Holy Trinity. Pilsen region<br />
has also lots of monuments<br />
reminding of the Jewish<br />
inhabitants, for example<br />
the Baroque synagogue<br />
and cemetery in Kasejovice<br />
or Museum of Dr. Simon<br />
Adler in Dobrá Voda near<br />
Hartmanice.<br />
WELCOME TO PILSEN REGION<br />
Interesting information about historical monuments, places of natural beauty,<br />
cultural and sports events, conference facilities, gastronomy and other happenings<br />
including an invitation to the traditional annual October event:<br />
International Tourism Expo of the Pilsen Region ITEP, the thirds biggest tourism exhibition in the<br />
Czech Republic, can all be found on the following website in Czech and other languages (German,<br />
English, Spanish, French, Italian, Chinese, Dutch, Russian) www.turisturaj.cz<br />
17<br />
Photo: Jiří Koptík, Václav Podestát
18<br />
November <strong>2011</strong> TRAVEL TRADE GAZETTE<br />
DESTINATION – CZECH REPUBLIC<br />
Monuments and Active leisure time Family tourism<br />
Family rourism<br />
Unusual malthouse in Písek<br />
Cultural space Malthouse<br />
(a non-for-profit organization)<br />
in the South Bohemian<br />
town of Písek is a<br />
popular destination among<br />
parents with children. You<br />
will find 7 areas inside<br />
the building – 7 separate<br />
galleries that offer something<br />
for everyone. Two<br />
Malthouse galleries host<br />
two permanent multimedia<br />
expositions for children.<br />
One presents a selection of<br />
the best Czech illustrators,<br />
known for their children’s<br />
Not far away from the Lipnice<br />
castle you will find a<br />
small house that belonged<br />
to the famous writer Jaroslav<br />
Hašek. His biggest<br />
work with the character of<br />
good soldier Švejk became<br />
very popular also internationally.<br />
The writer didn’t<br />
make much use of his dream<br />
house as he tended to write<br />
his books in the pub U<br />
české koruny (At the Czech<br />
Crown). Jaroslav Hašek memorial<br />
can be found in the<br />
house and is maintained by<br />
his grandson Richard and<br />
great-grandson Martin. It<br />
depicts well the character<br />
of the writer and also the<br />
period he lived in. His life<br />
occupations ranged from a<br />
bank clerk, to a traveller and<br />
a tramp, Bohemian soul of<br />
Prague cabarets and pubs,<br />
book illustrations all around<br />
the world - Adolf Born,<br />
Josef Lada, Josef Čapek,<br />
Ondřej Sekora, etc. The<br />
second exposition brings<br />
to life the fairy tale world<br />
of a popular artist and a<br />
native of Písek Radek Pilař<br />
and the beloved characters<br />
Rumcajs, Manka and<br />
Cipísek from his works.<br />
Children can not only look<br />
at the illustrations, they<br />
can listen to the fairy tales,<br />
watch cartoons or do some<br />
drawing and colouring.<br />
Explore history and follow good<br />
soldier Švejk in Lipnice nad Sázavou<br />
As an initiative of the National<br />
Heritage Institute<br />
in České Budějovice, the<br />
year <strong>2011</strong> was named the<br />
Rožmberk Year to mark<br />
400 years since the death<br />
of the last member of the<br />
Rožmberk family. This<br />
initiative was well received<br />
among many municipalities<br />
and was supported by the<br />
South Bohemian region,<br />
anarchist, member of the<br />
Czechoslovak legion and<br />
the Red Army or member<br />
of the Červená sedma (Red<br />
Seven) cabaret; he was also<br />
a productive writer who<br />
would never stop writing<br />
his books. Apart from his<br />
well-known novel, he also<br />
wrote many short stories<br />
inspired by contemporary<br />
social life and human fate.<br />
He died on 3 rd January 1923<br />
just under the age of 40, he<br />
is buried in Lipnice. The<br />
family guesthouse U české<br />
koruny also reminds of this<br />
great writer. The period<br />
restaurant is decorated with<br />
photos and objects from<br />
his era. The modern-built<br />
facility next to the guesthouse<br />
offers comfortable<br />
accommodation and can be<br />
used for events too.<br />
IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF ROŽMBERK FAMILY<br />
Family rourism<br />
Kratochvíle<br />
South Bohemian Tourist<br />
Authority and other institutions.<br />
Why the Rožmberk family?<br />
The importance of<br />
this aristocratic family<br />
is comparable to that of<br />
Přemyslide and Luxembourg<br />
families. The family had<br />
a significant influence on<br />
the developments in the<br />
Bohemian kingdom as its<br />
VISIT PÍSEK<br />
We cordially invite<br />
you to this<br />
South Bohemian<br />
town founded in<br />
the 13 th century<br />
by Czech kings on the<br />
river Otava. Its gold-bearing<br />
sand lent the town the<br />
name (písek means sand in<br />
Czech). This historical site,<br />
sometimes also called the<br />
gateway to South Bohemia,<br />
offers everything that would<br />
please visitors in any season<br />
and in any weather. Go for<br />
a romantic walk in the narrow<br />
streets of the old town.<br />
Climb up the municipal<br />
tower and admire Písek and<br />
its surroundings from the<br />
top. Find intellectual pursuits<br />
in the local museums<br />
– regional Prácheň museum<br />
and museum of lighting in<br />
the oldest – and still running<br />
– public water powerplant<br />
in the Czech Republic. The<br />
cultural life is very diverse<br />
and includes exhibitions<br />
in the Malthouse, evening<br />
concerts on the small stages<br />
and in pubs in town, and<br />
festivals that take place<br />
throughout the year.<br />
Visitors seeking an active<br />
lifestyle can enjoy well<br />
maintained cycling paths<br />
and tens of kilometres of<br />
marked walking paths.<br />
Písek neighbours with an<br />
extensive wooded area<br />
called Písek hills and to<br />
take a swim at a river lido<br />
‘U Václava’ after an all-day<br />
trip is a rare treat. Go for a<br />
horse ride in the provincial<br />
stud farm, play a game of<br />
minigolf at the Municipal<br />
Island, lend a boat and go<br />
on a romantic boat trip.<br />
And if you run out of options,<br />
you can always travel<br />
further afield. So many<br />
great places are a stone’s<br />
throw away from Písek.<br />
Magnificent chateaux Orlík<br />
and Hluboká, Gothic castle<br />
Zvíkov or a fort in Kestřany<br />
– you can also find a golf<br />
course there.<br />
Travels through the Písek<br />
region can be planned<br />
using extensive information<br />
resources available at<br />
www.pisek.eu - you can find<br />
detailed catalogues of accommodation,<br />
gastronomic,<br />
cultural and sports facilities,<br />
places of interest, events<br />
calendar, photo galleries<br />
and virtual tours, maps with<br />
journey planning features,<br />
recommendations for hikers,<br />
cyclicts, mountain climbers<br />
or canoeists, themed trails -<br />
we particularly recommend<br />
a fun trip in the footsteps of<br />
good soldier Švejk - main<br />
character of the well-known<br />
literary masterpiece by<br />
Jaroslav Hašek. The portal<br />
also features a catalogue of<br />
investment opportunities<br />
in tourism.<br />
Visit and experience Písek, there are thousands of flavours to be discovered.<br />
www.pisek.eu<br />
members were influential<br />
politicians, merchants or<br />
diplomats. They have transformed<br />
the look of South<br />
Bohemian countryside as<br />
they have skilfully blended<br />
a number of religious and<br />
secular building into the<br />
landscape. Let’s have a look<br />
at some of these places.<br />
The town of Prachatice<br />
was administered by the<br />
Rožmberk family from 1501<br />
until 1601. The Renaissance<br />
look of Prachatice,<br />
the charm of its famous<br />
historical buildings with<br />
sgraffito decorations and<br />
other monuments will never<br />
cease to amaze. The town<br />
has been voted the Historical<br />
Town of 2002 for its<br />
historical centre care.<br />
Restoration of Kratochvíle<br />
chateau was completed<br />
in June <strong>2011</strong>. The chateau<br />
has been built for Wilhelm<br />
of Rožmberk based on the<br />
examples of Italian villas.<br />
Renovation works took six<br />
years i.e. as long as the<br />
original construction of<br />
the building. The restoration<br />
has been admired by<br />
many European experts. The<br />
chateau with its garden of<br />
regular geometric shapes<br />
and a moat with water is a<br />
real tribute to Renaissance<br />
style and it can easily take<br />
us back in time to that<br />
historical period. If you<br />
have an opportunity to see<br />
a performance of Teatrum<br />
Mundi ensemble at the<br />
chateau, then don’t hesitate<br />
for a minute. This ensemble<br />
presents new forms of<br />
sharing artistic experiences<br />
while respecting the unique<br />
nature of the given venue<br />
and its history.<br />
One of the reasons to<br />
visit Regional Museum in<br />
Český Krumlov is the ceramic<br />
model of the historical<br />
town centre from 1800<br />
which is on display and is<br />
actually helpful in terms<br />
of getting one’s bearings<br />
right. This year the museum<br />
has prepared a showcase<br />
of period fashion from the<br />
Rožmberk courts. Big news<br />
of this year was the opening<br />
of Castle Museum in the<br />
oldest parts of the Český<br />
Krumlov residence known<br />
as Hrádek (little castle)<br />
on the second chateau<br />
courtyard. The museum has<br />
been stylized as a historical<br />
museum exposition from the<br />
19 th century and presents<br />
previously unseen artefacts<br />
from the well-stocked<br />
depositories. The Hall of<br />
the Masters of the Rose is<br />
dedicated to the Rožmberk<br />
family and features the<br />
famous painting ‘Division<br />
of Roses’. Other rooms<br />
have exhibitions focusing<br />
on once Krumlov’s ruling<br />
families of Eggenberg and<br />
Schwarzenberg, the office<br />
and residence of the highest<br />
administrative officer from<br />
the 19 th century have been<br />
re-created, there is also a<br />
treasury of religious art,<br />
armoury and a mint.<br />
Třeboň. The Rožmberk<br />
family bought Třeboň manor<br />
in the 14 th century and in the<br />
16 th century it became the<br />
most profitable dominion<br />
thanks to the pond fishing<br />
industry. Renaissance<br />
conversion of the castle has<br />
been started off by Wilhelm<br />
of Rožmberk and completed<br />
by Petr Vok. He moved there<br />
in 1602, mostly to pursue<br />
his collecting passion. He<br />
died in 1611. A number of<br />
halls are opened to public<br />
at the chateau these days.<br />
Visit South Bohemia<br />
www.jiznicechy.cz<br />
This website available in English and German will tell you more about the pictureque region of South Bohemia that<br />
neighbours with Germany and Austria. It unveils its nature sites, historical monuments including UNESCO heritage<br />
sites, and the most popular and interesting tourist attractions while also listing upcoming events, packages and special<br />
offers as well as tips for active holidays in the region. It advises on accommodation, eating out and other services.<br />
Don’t forget to visit one of the Czech Republic’s most sought-after regions.
TRAVEL TRADE GAZETTE November <strong>2011</strong><br />
DESTINATION – CZECH REPUBLIC<br />
Urban tourism<br />
Tábor has lots of new things to offer visitors<br />
South Bohemian city of Tábor is often linked to<br />
the reformist religious movement of Hussites, led<br />
by Jan Žižka at the beginning of the 15 th century.<br />
This is documented by one of the most sought after<br />
monuments - Hussite museum with underground<br />
tunnels. The city offers other attractions too, read<br />
on to find out what’s new in Tábor...<br />
Our new website www.taborcz.eu is available in<br />
three languages. Under the ‘Tourist’ section visitors<br />
can find everything they may need when planning there<br />
holiday all neatly laid out: monuments, trip recommendations,<br />
cultural events, adrenaline adventures,<br />
accommodation, gastronomy, parking information and<br />
other useful things.<br />
A new adventure game based on geocaching is now<br />
available – Drakes in Tábor. Players will have to answer<br />
several questions correctly in order to obtain GPS coordinates<br />
to be input in their devices and then followed using<br />
the provided directions. This will lead them to a place<br />
TÁBOR AND ITS SURROUNDINGS<br />
The land of woods, ponds,<br />
meadows and rivers, the quintessential<br />
Czech landscape,<br />
ideal for both walking and<br />
cycling, represents the much<br />
needed countryside escape<br />
after a visit to the city.<br />
If you are interested in<br />
folk traditions and architecture,<br />
then head off to<br />
Soběslav region. If you are<br />
tempted by Lužnice river,<br />
then stop by in the town<br />
of Bechyně, founded by<br />
king John of Luxembourg<br />
Family tourism<br />
Are you familiar with Pardubice<br />
region? We bring you a few<br />
recommendations for must-see<br />
places in the region.<br />
Pardubice Region Tourism office will<br />
be keen to supply you with maps and<br />
other print materials about this city which<br />
is also the capital of Pardubice region.<br />
You can hire an audioguide and use it for<br />
sightseeing in the urban heritage zone<br />
that represents the historical centre of<br />
the city: the Pernštýn square with a town<br />
hall in Neo-Renaissance style, the House<br />
“U Jonáše” and other picturesque lanes<br />
leading to the Pardubice chateau. The<br />
chateau is an exceptionally significant<br />
monument for the late Gothic period<br />
and early Renaissance. The guided<br />
tour can at the the main landmark of<br />
Pardubice which is the Green gate,<br />
offering a beautiful view on the whole<br />
Pardubice region.<br />
in 1323. These days the<br />
town is know for its spa<br />
that uses naturally occuring<br />
peat for treatments and<br />
also ceramics manufacture.<br />
Its castle that was converted<br />
into a Renaissance<br />
chateau is linked to Petr<br />
Vok from a famous historical<br />
artistocratic family of<br />
Rožmberks. The left bank<br />
of river Lužnice offers walking<br />
paths and cycling lanes<br />
leading from Bechyně. Ruins<br />
of Gothic castle Dobronice<br />
near Bechyně are found<br />
on a romantic rock rising<br />
above the river. Ruins of the<br />
Choustník castle from the<br />
13 th century on top of the<br />
Choustník hill (680 m) even<br />
have a viewing tower. The<br />
village of Chýnov, 10 km<br />
east of Tábor, has been mentioned<br />
already in 941AD in<br />
the oldest Czech chronicle<br />
written by Kosmas. Chýnov<br />
cave was discovered in 1863<br />
and was the first cave to be<br />
made accessible for tourists<br />
in the Czech Republic. A<br />
well-preserved Empire style<br />
After your visit of Pardubice, head off<br />
to nearby Kunětická hora castle which<br />
has some fine views and also a wide<br />
selection of events taking place at the<br />
castle and below. Not just children will<br />
appreciate the Gingerbread cottage, an<br />
educational trail, Western rodeo, horse<br />
rides, ride in carriages and other attractions.<br />
In Kunětice you can visit the Jan<br />
Kašpar Aviation museum and admire a<br />
replica of a marvel known as Bleriot XI<br />
in which flew from Pardubice to Chuchle<br />
in Prague 100 years ago.<br />
You can also travel to the Lázně<br />
Bohdaneč. This pretty town is known for<br />
its spa resorts but also for its buildings<br />
by an important architect of the first<br />
where they can find a correct answer to the next question.<br />
Once all questions are answered, they can pick up a small<br />
prize in the Information Centre. Ten GPS devices can be<br />
hired in the Information Centre against a deposit.<br />
Currently only available in Czech, there is now a<br />
guide for mobile phones ready for use. Visitors can look<br />
up places of interest and use an interactive map to find<br />
their way around a maze of alleys. The guide can be<br />
downloaded for free via Bluetooth. Foreign language<br />
versions should be released throughout <strong>2012</strong>.<br />
In Tábor we do not forget about cultural events<br />
either. Christmas time can be enjoyed in a nicely decorated<br />
and lit<br />
up city, with a<br />
number of programs<br />
for adults<br />
and children.<br />
Žižka’s Square<br />
will turn into a<br />
giant Old Bohemia<br />
Christmas<br />
Fair, craftsmen<br />
will showcase<br />
traditional Christmas customs and grown-ups and littles<br />
ones alike will enjoy the live Nativity scene. Throughout<br />
December you can enjoy concerts, Christmas fairy tales<br />
for children and music evenings.<br />
chain bridge across the river<br />
Lužnice between villages<br />
of Stádlec and Dobřejice<br />
is a technical monument<br />
from the first half of the<br />
19 th century. Červená Lhota<br />
chateau was originally built<br />
as a castle, later converted<br />
into a Renaissance chateau<br />
and is found on a little<br />
island in the middle of a<br />
pond and can be accessed<br />
through a stone bridge. It<br />
is one of the most popular<br />
chateaux in the Czech<br />
Republic.<br />
half of the 20 th century Josef Gočár and<br />
the renowned beauty of its square and<br />
townhall. Bohdaneč area also boasts<br />
with many ponds since the times of<br />
Wilém of Pernštejn.<br />
Your other trips can lead to nearby<br />
Chateau Choltice with a rich programme<br />
or to the National stud farm Kladruby<br />
nad Labem.<br />
All these places are connected by a<br />
network of cycling paths.<br />
Simply put – Pardubice region is so<br />
close…<br />
Pardubice Region Tourism<br />
Regional Information Centre<br />
nám. Republiky 1<br />
530 02 Pardubice<br />
tel.: +420 775 068 390<br />
fax: +420 466 768 396<br />
e-mail: region@pardubice.cz<br />
www.pardubicko.info<br />
www.visitpardubice.com<br />
We cordially invite you to the 21 st year of Tábor<br />
Meetings Festival event from 14 th to 16 th September<br />
<strong>2012</strong>. This international<br />
festival will see Tábor<br />
turn into a Medieval<br />
town again. There will<br />
be a night-time parade<br />
in costumes and with<br />
torches, led by Jan Žižka<br />
and his entourage, historical<br />
markets, music<br />
performances of all genres, street theatre, kids area,<br />
knightly tournament or a spectacular fireworks display.<br />
Are you interested in the city? Do you want to learn<br />
more? That’s what we’re here for! Visit our Information<br />
Centre and we will help you to find your way<br />
around Tábor.<br />
Information Centre of the city of Tábor<br />
Žižka Square 2, 390 01 Tábor<br />
tel.: +420 381 486 230-4, fax: +420 381 486 239<br />
infocentrum@mutabor.cz, www.taborcz.eu<br />
Opening times<br />
May–September Mon–Fri 8.30 a.m. - 7 p.m.<br />
Sat–Sun 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.<br />
October–April Mon–Fri 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.<br />
Religious tourism<br />
Liberec Region<br />
Pilgrimage route Via Sacra<br />
Famous town of Velehrad with its annual national pilgrimage and<br />
a tradition linked to saints Cyril and Methodius, saint Hostýn<br />
that will celebrate 100 th anniversary next year commemorating<br />
the coronation of protective Virgin Mary, Baroque site Svatý<br />
Kopeček near Olomouc, and the Holy Mountain near Příbram<br />
close to Prague all belong to the most famous pilgrimage sites<br />
in the Czech Republic. Pilgrimage route Via Sacra in the northern<br />
part of the Czech Republic, leading through our neighbours’<br />
territories, should not be missed either.<br />
If you follow the Via Sacra route, you will cover the three lands<br />
of Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic. The so-called Holy<br />
Route runs through Upper Lusatia, Lower Silesia and northern<br />
Bohemia and follows old trade and pilgrimage routes. You will<br />
come across unique religious monuments and real architectural<br />
gems. When following this route and its 16 stops, you will learn<br />
about more than thousand years of Medieval cultural traditions<br />
and religiosity. You will be able to visit St. Peter’s cathedral<br />
with a treasury in Bautzen, church of Holy Spirit Reconciliation<br />
in Jawor, church of Divine Grace of the Holy Cross in Jelení<br />
Hora, Johannine residence of St.Zdislava in Český Dub or St.<br />
Lawrence’s and St. Zdislava’s basilica in Jablonné v Podještědí.<br />
You should not skip a visit to the Virgin Mary Visitation church<br />
in Hejnice which is also a well-known pilgrimage site. A small<br />
wooden chapel used to stand in its place in 14 th century already.<br />
The most valuable object in this church also dates back to that<br />
period – it is a wooden Gothic statue of Black Madonna from 1380.<br />
The town of Hejnice is celebrating its 800 th anniversary in <strong>2011</strong>.<br />
Velká Pardubická – East Bohemian city of Pardubice<br />
is synonymous for the oldest and toughest steeple-chase<br />
run in continental Europe known as Velká pardubická. In<br />
October 2001 it went into its 121 st year. At the beginning<br />
there was the fashionable hunting sport that quickly spread<br />
from England to Bohemia. The first hunting sessions tool<br />
place in 1841. The character of the landscape reminded<br />
of a large English park. Soon, horseracing started to accompany<br />
hunting, so a very challenging racecourse was<br />
built in 1856 with the aim to make it very different from<br />
others. The first Velká pardubická steeplechase was run on<br />
5 th November 1874. There were 14 horses and jockeys then.<br />
The only horse to win four times in Velká pardubická, now<br />
sponsored byČeské pojišťovna, is chestnut horse Železník.<br />
The most successful jockey of all times is seven-times<br />
winner Josef Váňa and the only woman to win the race<br />
was Lata Brandisová in 1937. This horse racing event is<br />
not the only one to take place in Pardubice. Pardubice are<br />
also the city of tennis as the national tennis championship<br />
takes place there but also the host of the international<br />
festival of chess, bridge and games as well as of Golden<br />
Helmet - a motorbike race. Visitor attractions also include<br />
an old Bohemian fair, Pernštýn night or a city festival<br />
with fireworks display. Fairy-tale kingdom – an event for<br />
children taking place in the chateau – is also very popular.<br />
19
20<br />
November <strong>2011</strong> www.ttg.cz TRAVEL TRADE GAZETTE<br />
An undreamed of relaxation in a beer bath in a traditional<br />
wooden tub. An elixir of healing mineral springs for your taste buds.<br />
A promenade along a colonnade fi lled with sunshine. The warm<br />
power of peat packs. A touch of fresh mountain air.<br />
Recharge your batteries with the Czech Republic!<br />
www.czechtourism.com<br />
www.tipsfortrips.cz