Welcome to Enchanting Journeys

Iron Curtain, no more …mesmerizing Czechia.awaits you.....

“We travel, some of us forever, to seek other places, other lives, other souls.” – Anais Nin

 

There simply is no way to tour Europe and not be awestruck by its natural beauty, epic history & dazzling artistic & culinary diversity. From soaring mountains to golden sands, Eastern Europe reveals a tapestry of quaint & contemporary cultures – always with enough rough edges to keep you intrigued. And Central Europe is natural & refined, folksy & cultured: the combination of mountain rusticity with old-world style captivates. More than ever, intrepid travellers are making their way to the region and there is little wonder why.

 

The word is out: as far as off-the-beaten-path destinations go. Czech Republic has always marched to a different drummer - speaking a unique language, preparing dishes & drinking beers like no others. Bordered by Austria, Germany, Poland & Slovakia. Since the fall of Communism in 1989, Czech Republic & its capital in particular – has evolved into one of Europe’s most popular & exotic travel destinations. Wonderful castles & chateaux, world famous spas, unspoilt countryside, historical cities & legendary cuisine. A journey through this amazing kaleidoscope will allow you to enjoy this small landlocked country is Europe at its most exotic. Come, experience Czechia with us……

 

There simply is no way to tour Europe & not be awestruck by its scenic beauty, epic history & dazzling artistic & culinary diversity.

 

Europe’s almost unmanageable wealth of attractions is its biggest single draw: the birthplace of democracy in Athens, the Renaissance art of Florence, the graceful canals of Venice, the Napoleonic splendour of Paris, and the multilayered historical & cultural canvas of London. Less obvious, but no less impressive attractions include Moorish palaces in Andalucía, the remains of one of the Seven Wonders of the World in Turkey, the majesty of meticulously restored Imperial palaces in Russia's former capital St Petersburg &  the ongoing project of Gaudí's La Sagrada Família in Barcelona.

 

Once you have ticked off the great museums, panoramic vistas & energetic nightlife, what is left? A chance to indulge in a culinary adventure to beat all others, that is what! Once again Europe's diversity and global reach is its trump card.

 

There is breathtaking natural scenery: rugged Scottish Highlands with glens & lochs; Norway's fabulous fjords, seemingly chipped to jagged perfection by giants; the vine-raked valleys of the Loire; and Cappadocia's fairy-tale landscape. If you are looking for beaches, a circuit of the Mediterranean's northern coast reveals one gem after another. Or strike out to lesser known, yet beautiful coastal regions such as the Baltic & Black Seas. Mountain lovers head to the Alps: they march across central Europe taking in France, Switzerland, Austria, northern Italy & tiny Liechtenstein.

 

Europe has some of the best nightlife in the world. Globally famous DJs keep the party going in London, Berlin & Paris, all of which also offer top-class entertainment, especially theatre & live music. Other key locations for high-energy nightlife include Moscow, Belgrade, Budapest & Madrid, while those hankering for something more cosy can add Dublin's pubs or Vienna's cafes to their itinerary.

 

Then, there is Eastern & Central Europe. Surreal, exciting & constantly surprising, it is an amazing warehouse of culture, history & architecture as well as mind-blowing scenery.

 

Bewitching Scenery | Cultural Explosion | High on History

 

From soaring mountains to golden sands, Eastern Europe reveals a tapestry of quaint and contemporary cultures – always with enough rough edges to keep you intrigued.

 

Eastern & Central Europe's dramatic past is tangibly present in its amazingly preserved palaces, haunting castles, magnificent churches & grandiose plazas. Cross the bridge where Archduke Ferdinand was assassinated in Sarajevo; stand in the room in the Livadia Palace where 'the big three' divided up postwar Europe at the 1945 Yalta Conference; feel the echo of the Romanian Revolution on Bucharest's Revolution Sq or the even more recent tragic events on Kyiv's Maydan Nezalezhnosti. Going further back there's St Basil's Cathedral on Moscow's Red Square, a legacy of Ivan the Terrible's terrifying reign, & the remains of Diocletian's Palace in Split, Croatia.

 

However, what is impressive about Eastern Europe is how communally minded the locals can be and how this makes for such a friendly experience for the traveller. Falling into conversation with locals on a train or at a cafe is commonplace. You will likely end up sharing food & drinks with them, listening to folk songs, learning a new card game or even being invited home for dinner where you could be treated to delicacies such as Croatian truffles & Hungarian gulyas (goulash) as well as delicious staples such as Polish pierogi (dumplings) & Russian bliny.

 

Crossing Prague's 14^th century Charles Bridge at dawn; marvelling at Krakow's preserved Rynek Głowny (Main Market Square); viewing an unrivalled cross-section of art history at the Hermitage in St Petersburg; and hearing Liszt in his native Hungary: these are just a few of the cultural & architectural highlights on offer in Eastern Europe. Cities such as Moscow, Budapest & Warsaw groan under the weight of their heritage. It's not all about high culture though - the people you will meet in the region's many small towns & charming villages are just as much of an attraction.

 

Enough & now let us talk about Czechia with its long tradition in history – 1100 years, one of the oldest in Europe.

 

Ancient Antiquity | Idyllic Landscape | Castles & Folklore | Breweries & Vineyards

 

Welcome to Czech Republic which has always marched to a different drummer - speaking a unique language, preparing dishes & drinking beer like no others.

 

It is Europe at its most exotic. A landlocked beautiful country perched on the easterly fringes of Europe that has a surprising mix of places to explore. The rich culture is strong in folk traditions & has its own distinctive style, influenced by the various ethnic groups including the Roma people. Music of all kinds, from classical to folk, is an important part of everyday life, as is the country's rich literary heritage. Stunning architecture, vital folk art, thermal spas & Europe's most exciting capital after dark are Hungary's major drawing cards.

 

Since the fall of communism in 1989, the Czech Republic - & its capital in particular - has evolved into one of Europe’s most popular travel destinations, known for its ornate castles, native beers & long history - from the Celtic & Germanic tribes of its founding to the Protestant Reformation & Communism

 

The Czech Republic's location in the middle of Europe has seen a long history of raiding tribes, conquering armies & triumphant dynasties. This turbulent past has left a legacy of hundreds of castles & chateaux – everywhere you look there seems to be a many-turreted fortress perched above a town, or a romantic summer palace lazing peacefully amid manicured parkland. The number & variety of Czech castles is simply awe-inspiring – everything from grim Gothic ruins clinging to a dizzy pinnacle of rock, to majestic, baroque mansions filled with the finest furniture that Europe’s artisans could provide.

 

Czechia may be a modern, forward-thinking nation riding into the future on the back of the EU & NATO, but it is also a country rich in tradition. This is most apparent in South Bohemia & Moravia, where a still-thriving folk culture sparks into life during the summer festival season. During this time, communities from Cesky Krumlov to Telc to Mikulov don traditional garb, pick up their musical instruments – & wine glasses – and sing & dance themselves silly, animating ancient traditions in one of the best examples of ‘living history’ in the Czech Republic.

 

The best beer in the world just got better. Since the invention of Pilsner Urquell in 1842, the Czechs have been famous for producing some of the world's finest brews. But the internationally famous brand names – Urquell, Staropramen & Budvar – have been equalled & even surpassed, by a bunch of regional Czech beers & microbreweries that are catering to a renewed interest in traditional brewing. Never before have Czech pubs offered such a wide range of brews – names you will now have to get your head around include Kout na Sumave, Primator, Unetice & Matuska.

 

There simply is no way to tour Czech Republic & not be awestruck by its scenic beauty, epic history & dazzling artistic & culinary diversity. A unique experience is just the beginning……. Take the plunge now & yep….the iconic Czechia is waiting. Spectacular & surreal. A warm welcome awaits you and The Journeys is ready to take you on well, a journey (or journeys) of discovery. 

  Come……be inspired & discover the World with us

 

We are in the process of updating our Offerings of experiential journeys to Czechia. Please contact us in the interim if you want to explore options & we will be happy to offer suggestions based on your personal preferences………