Bohemian Switzerland, Czech Republic
| country: | Czech Republic |
| location: | Bohemian Switzerland |
the amazing things you'll be doing
Why should I visit?
Resting near the German border just inside the Czech Republic is the Bohemian Switzerland Natural Park. Its unique beauty and unmatched land-scapes have inspired many great minds such as Kafka, Dvorak and Fridich, to name a few.
Rock Towers rise from the Earth almost unnaturally, while gorges cut and slash their way through valleys leading to ancient castles and ruins. As one of the nominated sites for the "New 7 Wonders of Nature," the park truly is an experience one should take in while visiting Central Europe.
What can you do here?
With a multitude of great natural attractions, the hardest decision to make is which one to see first. A few that leap out immediately though are the Tiske Steny (rock towers and rock city), Edmundova Gorge and Pravcice Gate (largest stand stone rock gate in Europe). There's also the amazing Canyon Labe by Hrensko, which is the place with the lowest altitude in the Czech Republic.
To get the absolute best elevated views in the area, look no further than the Decinsky Sneznik, which just so happens to be the oldest stone tower in the Czech Republic. And to stay on the path of history, the region boasts a great number of different castles and ancient ruins, such as Tolstejn, Saunstejn and Falkestejn. Other modern attractions include the Zoo Decin, Rumburk Museum and an underground air force factory from World War II. There's also a world-class golf course in Janov.
What makes Bohemian Switzerland special?
In the heart of the park, surrounded by everlasting natural beauty lies some of the oldest churches, chapels and relics in the Czech Republic. In an area called Ceske Kamenice are two that standout, the Church of St. James and the pilgrimage chapel of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
For those interested in Bohemian culture, there are a number of folkloric monuments, wind mills and historical villages. The House of Bohemian Switzerland, which is a visitor and educational center in Krasna Lipa, is a great source to learn about Bohemian crafts such as textiles and glassmaking.
What makes it sustainable?
As is the case with any high-altitude nature region, the weather plays its part. One of the key goals of the park is to promote tourism throughout the year, giving visitors a true sense of how the landscapes change with the seasons. There are offers designed especially for "low season" and activities are plentiful even during bad weather.
The ministry is also focused on keeping the park as green as possible. Modern economical bus lines take visitors to designated entrance points, while parking lots have been built to keep traffic controlled and out of the park's untainted soils.
What should I look for in?...
Spring: Majestic greenery and thought-evoking silence Summer: Sparkling sun rays glistening off rising rock formations Fall: Spectacular fall foliage that lights up the hillsides Winter: Snow dusted hilltops with dark winter shadows
Highlights of Bohemian Switzerland:
Timeless walks through ancient history Jaw-dropping views from vistas high above Getting lost in a Bohemian village
Resting near the German border just inside the Czech Republic is the Bohemian Switzerland Natural Park. Its unique beauty and unmatched land-scapes have inspired many great minds such as Kafka, Dvorak and Fridich, to name a few.
Rock Towers rise from the Earth almost unnaturally, while gorges cut and slash their way through valleys leading to ancient castles and ruins. As one of the nominated sites for the "New 7 Wonders of Nature," the park truly is an experience one should take in while visiting Central Europe.
What can you do here?
With a multitude of great natural attractions, the hardest decision to make is which one to see first. A few that leap out immediately though are the Tiske Steny (rock towers and rock city), Edmundova Gorge and Pravcice Gate (largest stand stone rock gate in Europe). There's also the amazing Canyon Labe by Hrensko, which is the place with the lowest altitude in the Czech Republic. To get the absolute best elevated views in the area, look no further than the Decinsky Sneznik, which just so happens to be the oldest stone tower in the Czech Republic. And to stay on the path of history, the region boasts a great number of different castles and ancient ruins, such as Tolstejn, Saunstejn and Falkestejn. Other modern attractions include the Zoo Decin, Rumburk Museum and an underground air force factory from World War II. There's also a world-class golf course in Janov.
What makes Bohemian Switzerland special?
In the heart of the park, surrounded by everlasting natural beauty lies some of the oldest churches, chapels and relics in the Czech Republic. In an area called Ceske Kamenice are two that standout, the Church of St. James and the pilgrimage chapel of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
For those interested in Bohemian culture, there are a number of folkloric monuments, wind mills and historical villages. The House of Bohemian Switzerland, which is a visitor and educational center in Krasna Lipa, is a great source to learn about Bohemian crafts such as textiles and glassmaking.
What makes it sustainable?
As is the case with any high-altitude nature region, the weather plays its part. One of the key goals of the park is to promote tourism throughout the year, giving visitors a true sense of how the landscapes change with the seasons. There are offers designed especially for "low season" and activities are plentiful even during bad weather.
The ministry is also focused on keeping the park as green as possible. Modern economical bus lines take visitors to designated entrance points, while parking lots have been built to keep traffic controlled and out of the park's untainted soils.
What should I look for in?...
Highlights of Bohemian Switzerland: how this holiday makes a difference
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Have you ever sat at your desk during a busy work day and felt your mind drift off to another place? That special spot on Monday was a beach somewhere in the Mediterranean. A few days later your mind ventured to a castle on top of a hillside. The experience was so vivid that you could almost smell the fresh mountain air.
Each day the clock ticks and you yearn for a holiday free of the hustle and bustle of city life. You want a destination that is known for its local charm, its beautiful landscapes and fascinating history. A place where the locals respect their land and will do anything to protect it from harm. Sounds like a dream, right? Well, in Europe, the possibilities are endless. The European Commission launched the European Destinations of Excellence (EDEN) a few years back with the aim of selecting special places "off the beaten path" that value economic, environmental and social sustainabil-ity. The 52 places chosen so far all represent Europe in a fitting manner. Europe is a continent of great history and lands. The continent's mystique draws tourists from around the world in search of adventure, paradise and culture. While there are many wonderful destinations in Europe, the truth is, many of them have lost their allure due to expansive tourism and a lack of regard for the environment. No longer can a region's name alone be enough to draw visitors to their majestic mountains or pristine beaches. There must be more and the European Commission has devoted numerous resources to instill the mind-set of sustainable tourism in its regions. Sustainable tourism is a practice that must run deep in the values of the local people. Whenever new accommodation is built and man-made changes are made to the landscape, eco-friendly and environmental measures must be followed. A constant respect for nature is needed to ensure that today's crea-tures and eco-systems are still around in the distant future. Sustainable tourism also plays a major role in a region's local economy. The growth of an area leads to more jobs and helps raise the quality of living in a region. The local people also take advantage of visitors eating at their restaurants, shopping at their markets and staying at their hotels. It is essential that proper investment in tourism growth has the people's best interests in mind.  The next time you go on a memorable holiday to the countryside and enjoy a bottle of the Earth's precious wine, take notice of the land and its people. These 52 selected EDEN "hidden gems" all have done their part in making their region a wonderful and memorable place to visit. Now it's up to you to decide which adventure you want to seek! |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |