'''Znojmo''' is a small (35,000 inhabitans) town in Moravia, Czech Republic. It's famous for its compact old town centre with oldest buildings dating back from 12th century, wine and nearby National Park Podyji.

Understand

Though standing on a rock overlooking the River Dyje canyon, Znojmo region has always been predominantly agricultural (crops, wine, fruit, vegetables) with only light industry (ceramics, shoes, textile). It has a dry and warm climate, lying in a rather flat area 290 meters above the sea level, and having about 100 days with average temperature over 15__C. With Austria only 15 km away, Znojmo had a turbulent history especially due to clashes between local Germans and Czechs before and during the world wars, resulting in violent expulsion of the Germans after WWII.

Orientation

The center of Znojmo is roughly a circle which can be crossed in 15-20 minutes on foot and lies just north of the train, coach and bus stations. If needed, you will find the suburbs, quite easily accessible by bus or on foot, to the north and south of the center. For a map of Znojmo see [http://www.mapy.cz/?query=Znojmo&portWidth=938&portHeight=769&zoom=15&mapType=base¢erX=136885439¢erY=131573099].

Get in

By plane

Nearest airports are in Brno (80 km away, but with only Ryanair running flights Brno-London, CSA Brno-Prague, Smart Wings Brno-Moscow and SmartWings Brno-Girona), Vienna (100 km), Bratislava and Prague (200km).

By bus

There are regular buses from Prague (bus station ''Florenc''3-6 times a day, 200 CZK) and Brno (more frequently, 60 CZK).

By train

Trains are painfully slow and unsuitable for long distance travel to and from Znojmo. But they are reasonably priced (especially if you know what ticket to buy) and an interesting experience if you are into trains and train travel. They are also more convenient for families and cyclists. Find your train [http://jizdnirady.idnes.cz/vlakyautobusy/spojeni/ here]. You'll probably have to change trains a few times though.

By car

There is no direct highway to Znojmo. From Prague use the highway to Brno, exit via Jihlava. From Brno use the motorway to Mikulov, exit behind Pohorelice.

Get around

Znojmo

There are 7 city lines (buses number 1 thru 7; 10 CZK per a ticket) plus a seasonal sightseeing train/bus (80 CZK/ticket). They are quite frequent and timely during rush hours, but can be a pain on weekends and after 7pm. Tickets are only available from the driver, so have the change (or your nerves) prepared. Or you can take a taxi. The fare within the town should not exceed 100 CZK. As in other parts of the Czech Republic it is advisable to discuss the price beforehand.

Around Znojmo

Local buses to villages are similar to the city ones as to frequency and availability of tickets. The best way to find out about the times is to check [http://jizdnirady.idnes.cz/vlakyautobusy/spojeni/ this site]. Buses starting from ''Znojmo, M. Horakove'' depart from the stops opposite the railway station, those going from ''Znojmo, autobusove nadra?i'' you will find about 200 m away from the station if you turn left (in the direction of The River Dyje).

See

  • '''Znojmo Underground Passages''' is an intricate labyrinth of tunnels below the town centre. Throughout the history of Znojmo they served as storage space, hiding place from the enemy, and a garbage dump, but now you can take part in a 60-minute, one-km guided tour through this maze. Be sure to join a bigger group of foreigners or pick up a leaflet with information in your language from the reception, because tours are mostly conducted in Czech and foreigners have to form a group of at least 10 people to be able to have an English or German guided tour. Temperature 13__C. Slepi?i trh 2 ([http://www.mapy.cz/?query=Slepi%C4%8D%C3%AD%20trh%202,%20Znojmo&portWidth=938&portHeight=769&zoom=15&mapType=base¢erX=136888960¢erY=131523360#centerX=136862688@centerY=131582688@typ=base@zoom=16@vizType=none@vizIds=none]), Jul/Aug 9:00-17:00 every day, spring/fall 9:00-16:00 Mo-Sa. Admission 50/30 CZK.
  • '''The rotunda of St. Catherine (Rotunda sv.Kate?iny)''' Built around the year 1037 by the Bohemian Prince B?etislav I as a large parochial church. Apparently in 1134 it was decorated with frescoes representing, besides biblical motives, the legend about the calling of P?emysl the Ploughman to the princely throne, and a picture gallery of the oldest Bohemian princes of the P?emyslide family. Open: April on weekends 9-17, May-September Tue-Sun 9-17, according to the climate! Admission: 90CZK
  • '''Town hall tower''' The tower nearly 80 m high was built in the years 1447-1448 by the local builder Mikula? of Sedle?ovice. The gallery offers a view of the town and of the surroundings, even of the Austrian Alps. Admission 20/10 CZK
  • Do

  • '''Outdoor swimming pool Louka''' - built in 2005, you will find three pools, three waterslides, a wading pool, 26__C water, lockers, play areas, playgrounds, a restaurant and a nice setting there. Melkusova 42 ([http://www.mapy.cz/#x=136900608@y=131562496@z=13@mm=ZP@sa=s@st=s@ssq=plov%C3%A1rna,%20znojmo@sss=1@ssp=121181093_122324865_149918629_149358465]), http://www.plovarnalouka-znojmo.cz/, buses n.4,6, summer 10:00-20:00 every day, admission 60/50 all day, 50/30 after 2pm, 30/20 after 5pm.
  • '''Znojemske kluzi?t?''' - a small outdoor public ice rink next to the skatepark and the stadium on Sokolska street. Open 1pm-10pm provided the temperature is below +10 degrees Celsius.
  • ''Vinobrani''

    For two days a year Znojmo transforms into a combination of a medieval town (downtown) and a kitschy, loud and crowded funfair (uptown), all of which is called ''Vinobrani'' ('''Wine-harvest festival'''). Fortunately, these two are divided by the town walls and gates, so you can choose what you fancy. In the center you can enjoy the '''parade''' of people in traditional costumes, the king and queen and their retinue, traditional markets, shows and music, and especially local wine and its young, half-fermented companion - ''bur?ak''. Fridays are more popular with the younger crowd because you can enjoy the blazing torches, fireworks and concerts at night (check the programme for the times) and indulge in ''bur?ak'' tasting till morning; Saturdays are usually quieter and less crowded. For ''bur?ak'' tasting bring your own glass (it's always better than the plastic ones you can get at every stall) and get 1 dcl (0.1 l) for about 10 CZK at each stall you like. For '''wine tasting''', check the programme for ''Znovin Znojmo'' or ''Vinne sklepy Lechovice'' (wineries) and take part in their tasting training, where you sample a dozen of different wines and then try to guess two more blind samples. It's good fun.

    ''Vinobrani'' takes place in the middle of September (f.e. 15-16th Sept 2006) and costs 100/120/180 CZK (Friday/Saturday/both days), 1 l of ''bur?ak'' is about 70 CZK, taxis double the fare. Usually there are about 30,000 visitors, so book accommodation well ahead if you intend to sleep in Znojmo or around. For more, have a look at this review of czech wine festivals, bur?ak and ''Vinobrani'' [http://www.ce-review.org/99/12/brown12.html], photos [http://vinobrani-2003.unas.cz/index.htm].

    Buy

    Eat

    Drink

  • '''moravian wine''' - especially white is delicious
  • Wineries

    Sleep

  • Mgr. Blanka Brookesova. &B - Pension Grant Lux. asteurova 1, 66902 Znojmo. ust off the main Prague to Vienna road. 420 776 667 617. ttp://www.pension-grant-lux.com/index_eng.php. rom 500CZK / person. 8__51'5.182N. 6__3'1.596E. P?ijemny pension v romantickem stylu, Vam nabizi komfortni ubytovaci slu?by, v?etn? mo?nosti parkovani + uschovy kol. Svou polohou ve st?edu m?sta Znojma s u?asnymi vyhledy do udoli ?eky Dyje, splni po?adavky nejnaro?n?j?ich host?. Pension disponuje p?ti luxusnimi pokoji, (1x1+1, 1x2, 1x3, 1x2+1+1, 1x2+1+1+mo?nost p?istylky) v staroanglickem venkovskem stylu, v?etn? masivniho nabytku, luxusnich koupelen, ktere jsou vybaveny sprchovym masa?nim koutem s vani?kou, radiovym p?ijima?em, ?ivym osv?tlenim, toaletou a umyvadlem. Samozd?ejmosti ka?de jednotky je takte? ledni?ka s minibarem, satelitni barevny televizni p?ijima? a mo?nost p?ipojeni k internetu.

    T??ime se na Va?i nav?t?vu </sleep>

  • Pension Grant Lux. asteurova 1, 66902 Znojmo. ust off the main Prague - Vienna road 5 mins walk from the town center. 420 776 667617 . ttp://www.pension-grant-lux.com/index_eng.php. ROM 500czk. 8__51'5.182N. 6__3'1.596E. This delightful guesthouse is fitted out in a romantic style and offers comfortable accomodation with parking and cycle storage facilities. Positioned in the center of the town just behind the old town walls the guesthouse offers exceptional views of the Dyje valley and National Park and will fulfill the wishes of the most demanding guests. The guesthouse offers 5 luxurious rooms (1 twin, 1 double, one triple, 1 four bedroom and 1 four bedroom with the possibilty of an extra bed). The rooms have very high quality solid wood furniture, luxury bathrooms with hydromassage showers c/w radio and lighting, radio/alarm, satellite tv, minibar, and wifi internet.

    We look forward to wishing you a pleasant stay </sleep>