MUSIC FESTIVALS

Prague Spring

The 67th annual International Prague Spring music festival features fifty concerts attended by up to 40,000 spectators. The festival is one of the most significant cultural events in the country.

Venue: Prague

Event date: 12.5.2012 – 3.6.2012

Smetana’s Litomyšl

The Smetana’s Litomyšl International Opera Festival is the second oldest music event in the Czech Republic after the Prague Spring. It’s also the largest open-air classical music festival in the Czech Republic. The festival features opera productions, concerts, gala concerts, oratorios and cantata.

Venue: Litomyšl

Event date: 14.6.2012 – 8.7.2012

Janáček’s Hukvaldy

Janáček’s Hukvaldy International Music Festival takes place in the wonderful settings of Moravian town of Hukvaldy. This enchanting place, an enormous source of inspiration for the musical genius Leoš Janáček, attracts thousands of visitors to Moravia each year.

Venue: Hukvaldy

Event date: 23.6.2012 – 22.7.2012

Gustav Mahler Festival – Jihlava 2012

The festival of classical music has been taking place since 2002 in Jihlava, Gustav Mahler’s birthplace.

Venue: Jihlava

Event date: 18.5.2012 – 7.7.2012

Český Krumlov International Music Festival

This unique festival takes place at the UNESCO town of Cesky Krumlov. The combination of historical settings and concerts ranging from the 15th century to present make this festival one of the most visited cultural events in the Czech Republic.

Venue: Český Krumlov – castle, Revolving Stage, Brewery Garden

Event date: 20.7.2012 – 25.8.2012

Festival of Baroque Art

Baroque music and dance, period instruments, chamber performances and duets, modern interpretations of baroque operas – this festival is unique in that it features works never performed before.

Venue: Český Krumlov – baroque theatre at the castle

Event date: 30.9.2012 – 3.10.2012

FOLK FESTIVALS

Ride of the Kings in Vlčnov

Over three days in Vlčnov you can watch and take part in the region’s largest cultural celebration, which in addition to the colour and beauty of traditional Slovácko costume, song, dance and handicrafts also includes the original Ride of the Kings in its ancient form. The program includes thirty different events. Vlčnov’s Ride of the Kings is one of the most popular folk events in the entire Czech Republic.

Venue: Vlčnov

Event date: 25.5.2012 – 27.5.2012

67th International Folklore Festival Strážnice 2012

Over the last weekend in June thousands of visitors come to Moravian town of Strážnice to have some fun and enjoy the chateau park and the open-air museum. Enjoy folk dances and traditional costumes as well as singing traditional folk songs.

Venue: Strážnice – open-air museum and chateau park

Event date: 21.6.2012 – 24.6.2012

Jánošík’s Ducat Festival

The Jánošík’s Ducat International Festival of Slovak Folklore invites visitors to enjoy a range of performances by Czech and Slovak ensembles, as well as lessons on traditional instruments and the Wallachian Kingdom’s Butter Churning Championships. Ensembles from the Czech Republic and other countries will also be present. The festival also includes handicrafts fair and days dedicated to Slovak, Hungarian, Polish and Czech cuisine.

Venue: Rožnov pod Radhoštěm – Wallachian Open-Air Museum, Wooden Town

Event date: 21.6.2012 – 24.6.2012

Chodsko Festival

The Chod Festival is the largest folk event in the Chodsko region, attended by bagpipe and folk ensembles from around the Czech Republic. There’s also a fair and performances by ensembles from other countries.

Venue: Domažlice

Event date: 10.8. 2012 – 12.8.2012

International Bagpipe festival Strakonice

The 20th International Bagpipe Festival will take place once again in Strakonice. Every other year thousands of visitors and performers from this country and abroad flock to Strakonice, all with one thing in common – a love of folk music that overcomes all language barriers and creates an atmosphere of togetherness and friendship.

Venue: Strakonice – castle courtyard, open-air cinema, House of Culture, Municipal Brewery

Event date: 23.8.2012 – 26.8.2012

GASTRONOMY

Prague Food Festival

The Prague Food Festival is a three-week celebration of Czech food. The open-air event features the best chefs in the Czech Republic. You will get a chance to try the Czech cuisine and more exotic specialities from the country’s restaurants listed in the publication called Maurer’s Grand Restaurant Selection. Choose from Czech, French, Belgian, Italian, Spanish and Japanese cuisines, and look forward to a demonstration of the barman’s art, guided wine tasting sessions and a short course in the craft of the sommelier.

Venue: Prague

Event date: 25.5 2012 – 27.5.2012

Czech Beer Festival Prague

Welcome to the largest gastronomic event in the Czech Republic! Enjoy the best that Czech breweries, butchers, meat smokers and confectioners have to offer at one of the 10,000 seats served by waitresses in full national costume. You can down steins of speciality beer from regional brewers as well as more traditionally well known names.

Venue: PVA Letňany

Event date: 17.5.2012 – 2.6.2012

Pálava Wine Festival

The Pálava Wine Festival takes place over the second weekend in September in the South Moravian town of Mikulov. Those who appreciate fine culinary delicacies and fine wines, served with a bit of culture, can expect three days of fun and a wide-ranging programme of events. Come and savour this year’s young wine, give your taste buds a treat with local specialities and revel in this superb cultural experience.

Venue: Mikulov

Event date: 7.9.2012 – 9.9.2012

Hop Celebration in Žatec

The 55th Harvest Festival in Žatec promises to be yet another grand celebration of hops and beer. The quality of Žatec hops is what makes Czech beer so special! You can sample over 40 types of beer from this country and abroad. The Žatec Harvest Festival is traditionally the climax of events in this once royal town and boasts the longest tradition of any such festival in the Czech Republic.

Venue: Žatec

Event date: 30.8. 2012 – 1.9.2012

Znojmo historical wine festival

A traditional festival reminiscent of the time when John of Luxembourg, King of Bohemia, visited the town with his entourage in 1327. This is a great costumed occasion combined with a wine festival, live music and dance.

Venue: Znojmo

Event date: 14.9.2012 – 15.9.2012

Karlštejn Wine Festival

A historical wine festival in the famous Karlstejn Castle located one hour outside of Prague. Visitors can look forward to a rich program of medieval-themed events as well as wine tasting sessions, great food, jousting tournaments, performances by magicians and much more. The climax to every day is the historical procession from the vineyards to the castle where the road is lined with stalls selling period handicrafts.

Venue: Karlštejn Castle

Event date: 29.9.2012 – 1.10.2012

The Invisible Exhibition in Prague is a unique interactive journey to an invisible world, where in total darkness you find your way only by touch,sounds and scent.

Give us your blind trust!

If you join us, you will also be able to understand what life is like without one of the senses that provides us with the most information, to live without your sight.

At this exhibition you will be lead by blind or partially sighted people on a journey that will change perception and possibility even in your mind.

Interesting?

Strange?

Weird?

Or .. perhaps feels natural?

Could an hour of blindness open your eyes?

At The Invisible Exhibition in Prague, the participants obtain information exclusively through touch, hearing, scent and their sense of balance. This way, in the new situation caused by the loss of sight and despite the difficulties, they can experience that the world can be still beautiful without this key sense.

The Exhibition brings the world with and without sight closer to each other and teaches through positive experiences how can we help to them, even understand them.

In this invisible journey you will be lead by blind or partially sighted people at 7 differently furnished places. Groups starts every 15 minutes.

In these various life situations you can try out how to cross the road, how to pay for a cup of coffee in a bar or choose the right spices for your lunch….

Have you ever seen a talking clock before?

A Braille typewriter?

Or perhaps talking scales?

At the other venue of the exhibition we show you the devices and objects which are used by blind people in their daily life.

Let us show you how the world changes around you and how You yourself also change in it.

To avoid the waiting, please pre-book!

The program is 1,5 hours long. You will be in the dark at least for 1 hour and the rest you will spend at the visible part.

Put on confortable shoes!

From age of 8 and up

Invisible Exhibition in Prague – Give us your blind trust!

http://neviditelna.cz/en/

Contemporary world premiere

4th July 2011

of an opera by Antonio Vivaldi

L’Unione della Pace, e di Marte

(Union of Peace with Mars)

performed by the international

baroque music ensemble

Hof-Musici

Unique open air performances

of baroque operas

in the beautiful environment

of the Ledebour Garden

below Prague Castle

daily,

regardless of the weather

from the 17th June to the 3rd October 2011

http://prazskebaroknislavnosti.cz/en/?utm_source=Prague+Convention+Bureau+-+Updated+List&utm_campaign=dcaa4ad36b-PCB_AUG_2011&utm_medium=email

After more than a year of reconstructions the Golden Lane (Zlata ulicka in Czech) at Prague Castle is once again open to the public. The Lane is one of the city’s major tourist attractions.

The famous Lane was reopened by the Czech president Vaclav Klaus and his wife on the first of June after the biggest reconstruction in its history was finished. Workers had to repair the sewerage that was endangering the foundation of the houses. Some other works were also conducted to preserve the unique Lane. The whole reconstruction cost EUR 1.56 million.

The Lane was inhabited not only in the Middle Ages. Today, tourists can see the place where a well known Prague fortune-teller lived and worked. However, the highlight of the Lane is the house where the writer Franz Kafka stayed time to time visiting his sister. He came several times to get inspiration for his writing.

Visitors can also look forward to a historical tavern or a goldsmith’s shop. The Lane offers various exhibitions and several souvenir shops with handmade Czech products, reported Czech Press Agency.

Those interested in souvenirs can buy wooden toys, jewels, or pottery. Book worms will be happy to see that in one of the houses, books focusing on Franz Kafka’s work are sold. Tickets for the Golden Lane cost EUR 10-14.

tourism-review.com

Prague joined many other cities all around the world five years ago bringing back to life the once famed carnival celebrations, which used to mark the peak of winter season. “Carnival celebrations formed an integral part of the world’s cultural heritage for more than seven centuries. This tradition was interrupted during the communist era. We are proud to be able to re-introduce carnival festivities to local citizens as well as visitors to winter Prague for the fifth consecutive time,” says Zlatuše J. Müller, director of the festival. “Carnevale Prague 2011 will include open air events, such as the opening of the city gates or the grand parade of masks, the so-called Divertimento Furioso. However, many indoor events will take place during the twelve festival days, including the miraculous Crystal Ball, the restoration of a baroque ball in masks, or the Cuisine D‘Alchimiste, a special carnival food block, which introduces Prague’s top restaurants presenting themselves with carnival menus,” Zlatuše J. Müller comments.

Programme of the festival can be found on http://www.carnevale.cz/carnevale_program_en/Program_en/Program_en.html.

Crystal Ball – an Evening to Remember

The baroque-style ball in masks, belongs to the most famed and sought-after events on the Carnevale Prague schedule. This exclusive ball in masks and baroque costumes takes the guests back in time and brings them an unforgettable genuine experience filled with history and miraculous atmosphere. “Guests are obliged to wear a historical costume, the hire and final fitting of which is of course provided and fully secured by Carnevale Prague. Masks are part of the costume, guests can buy them on the spot or in Carnevale Shop. All masks are designed and produced by Atelier Franzis Wussin, the “purveyor” (exclusive supplier) to Carnevale Prague,” Zlatuše J. Müller states. “Crystal Ball is a unique opportunity for Prague visitors to live their dreams on that miraculous evening. Disguised and incognito, the guests can be whoever they want to be.” Crystal Ball will be held on March 5th, in the baroque palace of Lords of Clam-Gallas in Prague’s historical centre.

Details can be searched on http://www.wussin.cz/ .

Prague Carnevale 2011 Main Facts:

Prague Carnevale Festival: 25th February – 8th March 2011 www.carnevale.cz

Crystal Ball: 5th March 2011, Palace of Lords of Clam-Gallas, Husova 20, Prague 1

Carnival masks and costume hire: Atelier Franzis Wussin www.wussin.cz

Centrum Carnevale Praha:from 25th February 2011 Palace Colloredo-Mannsfeld, Karlova 2, Prague 1

website http://www.carnevale.cz/

1. Ile Saint-Louis; Paris, France

In a city known for its refinement and elegance, this small island stands out as being the quintessential example of French understatement. Perhaps its best attraction is the world-famous Berthillon ice cream store, easily found by following the long line of patrons that often snakes around the perimeter of the island.

2. Kampa Island; Prague, Czech Republic

Said by many to be the most romantic part of Prague, this part of the city is so stunning it looks almost unreal. Beatles fans know the area for its “Lennon Wall,” a wall which visitors from around the world cover with poems, songs, and tributes to the fallen singer.

3. Ada Ciganlija; Belgrade, Serbia

A sports enthusiast’s dream, this island offers just about every possible sporting facility imaginable. From water skiing to soap soccer, paintball to paddleboats, Ada Ciganlija has just about everything for the vacationing athlete.

4. Tiber Island; Rome, Italy

Keen observers of this island may be able to make out the faint shape of a ship. While legends vary as to the exact nature of how this occurred, it’s generally agreed that Romans at the beginning of the last millennium added the Travertine that gives it its nautical silhouette.

5. Christianshavn; Copenhagen, Denmark

Known primarily as home to Christiana, a community famous for its hippie past and its tolerance, Christianshavn is heaven on earth for those who love freedom of expression, street art, and the underground music scene. Car lovers might want to think twice about a visit, however, as no cars are allowed on the island!

Through its website www.tipsfortrips.cz, CzechTourism announced an opinion poll in which readers could vote between 3 and 19 July on the top nine most mysterious places in the Czech Republic. First place went to Trosky Castle with 28% of votes, while in second place was the Jihlava underground with 15%. The Rabštejn underground factory takes bronze as it is regarded as the most mysterious place by 14% of the 904 voters.

1. Trosky Castle

Trosky is one of the dominant features of Bohemian Paradise. The castle is comprised of two towers, Baba (“The Crone”; 47 m) and Panna (“The Virgin”; 57 m). A legend tells of architect Čeňek of Wartenberg, who had underground passageways and caverns constructed for the purpose of secret supply to the castle and the possibility of escape. Many warning signs, some written even in Gothic script, can be seen in the passageways. According to the testimony of the occupant prior to the Second World War, the passageway leads to an underground lake. Beyond the lake are said to be low, ironclad doors leading to undiscovered treasures. To this day, the castle’s underground is believed to conceal valuable items of the robber barons Šof and Švejkar as well as Otta of Bergov, who in 1415 was involved in the looting of the Opatovice Monastery. Access to the underground from the castle, however, is concealed very well and to this day has not been discovered.

2. Jihlava underground

Luminous passageways, eerie shadows, dreadful cold and phantoms all can be found in the Jihlava underground. The passageway luminesces most during autumn rains and the spring thaw. The question remains whether the luminescence stems from phosphorus seeping from the skeletons of monks buried above the passageway or from radioactive minerals. The catacombs are 25 km long and 13 metres across at the widest point. It is thus clear that after the Znojmo underground this network of underground passageways is the second largest in the country. The passageways are the result of the connection of cellars that had been carved out of the rock since the end of the 14th century.

3. Rabštejn underground factory

A collection of underground premises can be found in the surrounding area of Česká Kamenice and Jánská. The factory was formed through an excavation of sandstone and was used together with the surrounding surface structures during the Second World War by Nazi Germany for military aircraft production. From August 1944 to April 1945, prisoners excavated around 17.5 km3 of underground spaces. According to Nazi figures, 80 people lost their lives working on the excavation. The actual number of labourers who died here, however, will probably never be uncovered.

4. Bull Rock Cave in the Moravian Karst

If you are intrigued by places with negative energy where ritual sacrifices have been performed, then visit the Bull Rock Cave. The cave is distinguished for the so-called Hallstatt burial ground discovered by Dr. Jindřich Wankel in the 19th century. It is a burial ground dating from the 5th century BCE for a nobleman accompanied into the afterlife by 40 young women, servants and horses. The body of the deceased was burned on a funeral pyre; the others were put to torture. The cut-off hands of some of the maids were found on a stone altar, while others were beheaded. The dead bodies were left where they fell. Today, some two thousand bats hibernate in the cave.

5. Potštejn castle ruins

The castle was built around 1287 at the order of Půta of Potštejn. Potštejn consists of the inner residential buildings, the actual castle and three horseshoe-shaped ramparts. The Baroque Chapel of the Holy Stairs, which was later consecrated by St. John of Nepomuk, and a chapel devoted to the final station of the cross also can be found here. According to legend, the robber baron Mikuláš is supposed to have hidden his spoils here in the 14th century. For 35 years, Count Chamaré later searched for the treasure in the derelict castle so strenuously that the castle collapsed. The search for the castle treasure, which has still not been found, inspired the writer Alois Jirásek to write the novel “Poklad” (“The Treasure”).

6. Kounov standing stones

This sight, located between Rakovník and Louny, features two and a half thousand large stones piled into parallel rows. Fourteen nearly full rows of stones, the longest measuring 350 metres, cover an area of approximately 11 hectares. The stones, which in their arrangement remind one of the celebrated menhirs in Carnac, Brittany, were discovered on Rovina Hill north of Kounov in 1934 by the teacher Antonín Patejdl. His interest was captured when he felt a shiver down his spine while counting them. The origin of these structures is dated roughly to the 7th century BCE. But what was their purpose? Did the Kounov stones serve as a temple for worshipping the Sun, a pagan calendar, a system of field demarcations or a UFO navigational system? Experts have yet to agree on the answer. What is clear is that they must have been transported to the site as they are of a much older origin than the hill.

7. Rosa Coeli Convent

One of the most important ecclesiastic high Gothic constructions in Central Europe, Rosa Coeli is located in the valley of the Jihlava River. The convent was founded in 1181 by Vilém of Pulín of the Kounic noble family as a penitence for ruined church property in Austria. The “Rose of Heaven” is exceptional for its magic energy which is beneficial for the human body. It is no wonder, then, that after staying in Rosa Coeli novelist Jan Skácel wrote a poem of the same name. Today, the premises are used by the Brno bishopric and the town Dolní Kounice for holding cultural events.

8. Dolní hřbitov in Žďár nad Sázavou

Dolní hřbitov (“the lower cemetery”) is a Baroque structure built by Jan Santini in 1709 due to the impending pestilent epidemic. In the 19th century, Alois Ulrich, who serfs feared for his cruelty, took over the trusteeship in the large estate of the Žďár chateaux. They did not achieve peace even after his death, however, as the dead caretaker stalked the surrounding area as a vampire. The people thus called on an executioner who ordered that the grave be dug up. Ulrich came to life and began to rise. The executioner knocked him back down into the coffin and cut off his head. He then filled the mouth with poppy and ordered that they cover him with unslaked quicklime. Ulrich’s ghost has not appeared since.

9. Krudum Mountain in Slavkov Forest

The Church of St. Nicholas on Krudum Mountain in Slavkov Forest was for many years hidden under the earth’s surface. In 2002, a detailed archaeological survey was conducted during which archaeology students discovered the remains of a late Romanesque structure. The church was visited primarily by miners who were mining for amethyst there, and thus it earned the reputation as a church for miners. As interest in amethyst declined, the church gradually became overgrown until it eventually disappeared into the heart of the mountain. According to legends, the lost village hides a great fortune and the spirits of miners still meet for mass at St. Nicholas to this day.

Voters themselves also recommended other mysterious locations. Houska Castle, which is woven with legends of a gateway to hell and a convict who was lowered into it, appeared most often in readers’ tips. It is still not known where this gateway is located. According to legend, it is guarded by a gruesome, faceless monk. Another interesting location is the Znojmo underground, one of the most extensive underground labyrinths in Europe. On the newly created sightseeing route, you will find fairy-tale characters, an alchemist’s workshop, rocks brought to life as well as prison dungeons. The Macocha Abyss bears a sad but true history. It is named for a stepmother who threw her husband’s son into the gorge. By whose hand she was made to pay for her horrible deed, however, we can only guess. Some say that when the stepmother later realised what she had done she returned to the abyss and jumped herself. The son, who managed to catch hold of a tree branch, was hoisted out of the gorge by his father, who had gone in search of him. In other tales, we learn that after getting Martínek out of the gorge the people of Vilémovice threw the stepmother down.

The Elton John concert package also includes two 24-hour transportation passes and access to the Apollo Day Spa. Rates for two persons, 3-night stay in a double room, start at US$690.00, and are subject to availability.

The Corinthia Hotel Prague is a short distance away from the city center and is a landmark in itself, standing atop one of Prague’s seven hills and offering outstanding views of the capital city. It is located only two metro stops away from the city center, which is full of cafes and restaurants. The hotel boasts three dedicated executive floors with an executive lounge, as well as a business lounge. Impeccable hotel service is complemented by superb amenities, including a beauty parlor, Café, Praha, Blue Note bar, an array of restaurants and the Apollo Day Spa featuring indoor swimming pool located on the 26th floor, modern-equipped gym, sauna, and steam room.

The package can be booked online:

ABOUT WYNDHAM GRAND COLLECTION

The Wyndham Grand Collection is an ensemble of elegant, one-of-a-kind hotels within the Wyndham Hotels and Resorts brand aimed at guests looking for unique experiences in distinctive destinations around the world. Properties in The Wyndham Grand Collection are the Wyndham Grand London Chelsea Harbour, London; Rio Mar Beach Resort and Spa, Rio Grande, Puerto Rico; Grand Bay Hotel, Isla Navidad Resort, Manzanillo, Mexico; Corinthia Hotel Prague, Czech Republic; Corinthia Hotel Budapest, Hungary; Corinthia Hotel San Anton, Malta; Corinthia Hotel St. Georges Bay, Malta; Corinthia Hotel Lisbon, Portugal; Corinthia Hotel St. Petersburg, Russia; Corinthia Hotel Tripoli, Libya; and Veneto, Panama City, Panama.

Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, a subsidiary of Wyndham Worldwide Corporation (NYSE: WYN), offers upscale hotel and resort accommodations throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Mexico, and the Caribbean. All hotels are either franchised or managed by Wyndham Hotels and Resorts or an affiliate. For more information, visit www.wyndham.com

Princely indulgence and folk crafts fair, Kroměříž, 4–5 June 2010

This event takes you back hundreds of years to when the city enjoyed a golden age. You will see a parade of historic costumes, watch archers and falconers show off their skills, behold a fireworks show, shop at the fair, and much more. Once you are in Kroměříž, be sure to take a tour of the UNESCO-listed chateau and gardens complex.

www.mesto-kromeriz.cz

Five-Petalled Rose Celebrations, Český Krumlov, 18–20 June 2010

You will fall back into the time of the Lords of Rožmberk at the historical Five-Petalled Rose Celebrations. Here you will see a procession in historic costumes, be entertained by circus performers, musicians, dancers and swordsmen, shop at the market… Enjoy the festivities in a city boasting a UNESCO-listed historic centre and castle premises.

www.ckrumlov.cz

The Royal Silvering of Kutná Hora, 19–20 June 2010

Thanks to its silver mines, Kutná Hora was once among the richest Czech cities. The Royal Silvering is a Gothic festival that returns the city to the time when King Wenceslaus IV lived here. Visitors will see the ceremonial arrival of the monarch and his cortège as proud miners welcome him and the fair begins. The festival programme will feature music, dance, jousting tournaments and much more. During the festival, this city, whose historic centre with the Church of St Barbara and the Cathedral of Our Lady at Sedlec is on the UNESCO list, will have an inimitable atmosphere.

www.stribreni.cz and http://guide.kh.cz/

City celebrations, Olomouc, 24–27 June 2010

The historical commemorations taking place in Olomouc also promise a varied programme. So what can you look forward to? Visitors will see a parade in historic costumes, shop at a genuine Haná crafts fair, and taste local specialties made with Olomoucké tvarůžky (a traditional cheese with a strong taste and smell). You also will be able to see the local UNESCO-listed monument, the Baroque Holy Trinity Column.

www.tourism.olomouc.eu

Holašovice Rural Celebrations, 24–25 July 2010

In the Czech Republic, you will find not only UNESCO cities but also a UNESCO village. In south Bohemian Holašovice, tourists can admire the so-called folk Baroque style. This extraordinarily charming village is the site of the Rural Celebrations festival. The festival programme will include a folk fair and performances by folklore troupes, while traditional fencing jousts, jugglers, magicians and catching carp from a tub with bare hands are sure to add variety.

www.holasovice.eu and www.czechtourism.com

Historic Celebrations of Zachariáš of Hradec and Kateřina of Wallenstein, Telč, 13–14 August 2010

The city Telč boasts a UNESCO-listed historic centre and chateau and also comes to life with celebrations that recall times past. Audiences can look forward to performances by swordsmen, musicians and dancers as well as theatre presentations. And there is sure to be a period fair as well.

www.telc.eu

Třebíč Medieval Celebrations, 20–21 August 2010

A medieval village, period market hall, military encampment, historic procession, music and dance… All this is offered at the Třebíč Medieval Celebrations. This event also will commemorate the 7th anniversary of the entry of the city’s historic monuments (the Jewish town, St Procopius Basilica and the Jewish cemetery) to the UNESCO list.

www.trebic.cz

Pražský jarmark International Folklore Festival, Prague, 26–31 August 2010

We also mustn’t forget about Pražský jarmark (“Prague Fair”), one of the largest folklore festivals in the Czech Republic and Europe and featuring performances by ensembles from around the world. Visitors can look forward to an Old Czech fair, specialties of Czech cuisine and much more. In the capital, you will be pressed for time to discover all its sights as the entire Historic Centre of Prague encompassing some 863 hectares is on the UNESCO list.

www.pjarmark.cz a www.prague-info.cz

Our tip:

You will find information about all 12 Czech UNESCO sights at www.czechtourism.com and www.unesco-czech.cz

Through the Abyss flows the underground Punkva River that also formed here two lakes. The Upper Lake is 13 meters deep. The Lower Lake is hidden among rocks and it is more than 49 meters deep – however its bottom has not yet been reached.

The first known explorer of the Abyss was probably a monk of minor monastery, Lazar Schopper, who descended to Macocha in 1723. Ever since the abyss lured numerous explorers. Since 1914 the Punkva dry caves are accessible also to the tourists who can enjoy not only the various cave formations but also a short romantic cruise in boats on the underground Punkva River.

The Macocha Abyss is a part of the longest cave complex in the Czech Republic which is 35 kilometers long. As such the Punkva Caves and the Abyss are the most popular part of any tour in the Moravian Karst. Every year the Abyss is visited by hundreds of thousands of tourists – mostly families with children.

www.tourism-review.com