MORAVIAN WINDELANDS - ABOUT THE REGION

Just one and a half hours from Vienna is a fascinating land of wonderful wines, lively folklore, and medieval towns. Peace, tranquility, spectacular sights, and warm hospitality await you. South Eastern Moravia was first inhabited by Neanderthal man some 25,000 years ago. Here, he fashioned and left us one of the oldest and most fascinating pottery relics in the world - the Venus of Vestonice. With the arrival of the Slavs in the 6th century A.D., these lands flourished and became the mighty Great Moravian Empire.

Znojmo, a Romanesque and Mediaeval settlement officially known as "Royal Town" (named in 1266), is a must see of any visit. The town is renowned as a centre of excellent wines. Znojmo´s vineyards date back to Roman times. Enjoy the annual September wine celebrations that symbolise the confirmation of ancient rights. Colourful festivities include an age-old ceremony whereby inhabitants in national folk costume pay homage to Jan Luxembourg, King of Bohemia. Don2t forget to taste one of the "rights" bestowed on the inhabitants - Hostan beer, which has been brewed here for over 700 years.

See the limestone rocks rising from the fertile plains around Palava, a UNESCO Biosphere reserve. Or for a really special day, visit the Lednice-Valtice chateaux area, which provides a truly romantic and enchanting experience. These beautiful chateaux are surrounded by parks and glorious gardens dotted with small ponds and summerhouses.

Discover the Podyji National Park, an ancient landscapes shaped by the Dyje River. An oasis of tranquility, the Dyje (Thaya) River creates the 900-year-old boundry between the Czechlands and Austria. Closed behind the Iron Curtain for 40 years, it has remained untouched by development. You can still touch the wires left as a monument for us to remember our painful past.

Walk in the White Carpathians (Bile Karpaty), also a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, which lie on the edge of untamed wilderness and uninhabited countryside. In June when the fields are harvested, a unique sight of delightful and rare meadow orchids is revealed. A tradition of pilgrimages and folk celebrations such as the Ride of the Kings is still very much a part of this region2s community life.

Visit Kromeriz, justifiably recognised as a UNESCO Heritage site and known as "the Moravian Athens" due to its strong, historical connection with the fine arts since the 17th century. This town was founded in 1260 by Bishop Bruno of Schauemberg on the original site of an ancient Great Moravian Empire settlement dating back to the 7th century. There is much to appreciate here - from the impressive ornate Baroque buildings, the fascinating 17th century gardens, to the magnificent art collections including Titian, Van Dyck, and Breughel.

Visit the Moravian winelands and enjoy an experience you´ll treasure forever.