It is a known fact that when anyone mentioned the Czech Republic, most would automatically think Prague. I’m am also guilty of this in the past. It’s like foreigners who want to see the U.S. but don’t know enough besides Texas, California, and New York. But like any other country, there is more to the Czech Republic than the beautiful cathedrals and bridges of Prague. Like the other larger less popular cities of Olomouc and Brno. But fortunate for me, I not only learned about these other cities but a region within the country that is in the travel shadow to the world. The region of South Moravia, is known to be a region where Czech dialect apparently is pure and apparently, correct, and a place where you will most likely find yourself the only foreigner in a land of only Czech natives and locals.
This is something I loved about this place. After reading an article from the New York Times about a place far outside of the tourism circuit, I couldn’t pass such an authentic Czech experience. Gladly, the place is not as difficult to get to as one would assume or I assumed in the first place. Just an extra regional train ride from larger train route is all, stopping at Breslav. The train is actually two trains cars being towed by a small engine car. On my return trip to Breclav, the train car itself was in fact the same exact one. My perspective is, if the locals can travel to Mikulov, Valtice or any other small town period, a traveler can as well.
Pit stop at Breclav from Bratislava. Here I took a small regional train.
Visiting this place in November is perfect for tranquility, peace and quiet, something I was actually looking forward to considering doing plenty of Couchsurfing and some sacrificed sleep in hostels. Not forgetting the fact that there really isn’t a market for hosteling nor were there any Couchsurfers with an open couch at the time. It is low season and even though you might fight a few foreigners during the summer, chances are, I was the only foreigner in a town of nothing but Czech folks. It felt good, it felt authentic, and couldn’t have asked for a better experience. I love a good night on the town out with a good crowd or even if I am solo with the ambience of city life around me. But not here, the cobble stone streets were empty with the sound of my own footsteps and in the distance, a couple holding hands, it was perfect. This town is a Czech travel destination practically untouched to the tourism world. A festival took place in the town center, with food, amazing tasting wine, home made souvenirs all for an extremely dirt cheap price. I had a little “burrito” like dish with sausage inside for 2 Euros. Another locally made Moravian sausage link for another 2 Euros, STEAL!
 Arriving in Mikulov. |
 Walking into town. |
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 Street in Mikulov. |
 Zamek Mikulov |
 Big ass barrel underground. |
 Clock tower. |
 Mikulov town center. |
 Mini lunch for two bucks. |
 Starting up the hill to overlook the town. |
 Beautiful view of Mikulov. |
 View of the Czech Austrian border. |
Leaving Mikulov and en route to Brno, I made a stopover in the small town of Valtice, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. I felt the same kind of authenticity I felt in Mikulov, no tourists, no tourist traps, etc. There were barely even any Czech natives. A nice stroll into town from the train station led me to Zámek Valtice/ Valtice Castle, a massively impressive Baroque style palace right in the center of town. Adjacent to it, is a small square where at the time was completely empty, good enough for a cup of tea and a peaceful afternoon before heading off to Brno.
 Jump up for joy, I promise no pain was involved. |
 Another overlook of Mikulov. |
 The quiet streets of Mikulov at night. |
 Walking the streets of Valtice bright and early in the morning. |
 Zamek Valtice/Valtice Castle. |
 Zamek Valtice/Valtice Castle. |
 Inside the Valtice Castle. |
 Valtice Castle. |
 Church in Valtice. |
Altogether, despite the time of year, the low crowds and fog, a Sunday before a national holiday, and being in the shadow of the travel world, this place was by far the most amazing czech experience in my time in the Czech Republic, especially for my first stop in the country. I would suggest to others, but to the very few who would travel there and not vacation. I mean we wouldn’t want to diminish its authenticity would we? 🙂
