Just 700km from Luxembourg, Czechia not only shares historical ties with the Grand Duchy but makes for an easy last-minute getaway, where visitors can explore up to 17 impressive UNESCO heritage sites.
Around 6,500 Luxembourg tourists visited Czechia in 2023, the most visited regions being Prague followed by cities in the West Bohemian region, namely Karlovy Vary, South Moravia and Pilsen.
With regular flights to and from Luxembourg to Prague—alternatively to Vienna—it’s simple to arrange an overland itinerary, flying into one city and out the other.
Here’s a sample itinerary which can be done over five days and affords a wide range of UNESCO and other cultural highlights.
From Prague to Litomyšl via Kutná Hora
Starting in the Czech capital, it’s well worth a visit to Prague Castle, the largest ancient castle in the world, which has been the seat of Czech kings, presidents and emperors for 1,000 years. Its history dates to 870; in the 14th century it was rebuilt in a Gothic style under the rule of Charles IV, also known as Charles of Luxembourg, the son of John the Blind. Dominating the castle grounds is the St. Vitus Cathedral, where Charles IV is buried.
For those with limited time or who want to enjoy the view of the castle, it’s worth stopping at Kuchyň, a restaurant serving local fare, where you can enjoy a glass of local wine or beer from its cosy balcony.
It’s about a one-hour drive east from Prague to Kutná Hora, a UNESCO-listed city. Worth a stop along the way is the Gothic Sedlec Ossuary, where the bones of some 40,000 people were formed into structures like chandeliers and a pyramid.
During the Middle Ages, the city of Kutná Hora was of prime importance, given its silver mines and the Italian Court, where the royal mint and palace were housed. Today a museum, this was where Prague Groschen coins were minted, and it was under John the Blind, King of Bohemia and Count of Luxembourg, that lower quality Groschens were renewed. His effigy figures onto some of the coins, and visitors today can see a demonstration of how they were traditionally minted and even try to hammer out one of their own. The nearby St. Barbara Cathedral also showcases links to the town’s mining history.
It’s about a one-hour drive from Kutná Hora to Litomyśl, the most famous native of which is composer Bedřich Smetana, who’s celebrated each summer with a music festival which takes place this year 14 June-6 July. His birthplace is near the Renaissance castle, another UNESCO world heritage site. After a long day of visits, a dinner at the Hotel Aplaus, with its elevated dining options and stunning interior, is a must.
Journey onwards to south Moravia
En route to Moravia, it’s worth a visit to Krátká village with its rustic architecture before heading to another UNESCO site, the Pilgrimage Church of St John of Nepomuk at Zelená Hora. The historic hotel, Chateau Třešť, is a good option to overnight; with its spa and lush grounds, it offers a quiet escape.
Třešt is only 15km from the UNESCO town of Telč, where you can admire the impressive architecture and burgher houses, plus the turrets which are reminiscent of the ones you’d see in Luxembourg City. It takes around half an hour from there to arrive in Třebíč, with its UNESCO Jewish quarter and St. Procopius Basilica. End your day in Mikulov, in the heart of wine country with picturesque vineyards, where a wine festival is held the second weekend in September.
Lednice and Valtice
The Lednice-Valtice Cultural Landscape is the largest UNESCO-registered landscape park in the world. Among the jewels is Lednice Castle, with its well-maintained gardens and interior, with 18 brass chandeliers, impeccable wood details, and all fireplaces still working. There’s also an impressive English-style palm house on the grounds, with blooming nature year-round. It’s also possible to visit the minaret nearby by foot or horse-drawn carriage and return to the castle via a small boat—keep your eyes open for the many storks flying around and nesting here!
On the same day, it’s possible to visit the Baroque-style Valtice Castle and its unique and large wine cellar, dating back to 1430. Combination tickets for guided tours and tastings are available. Here it’s possible to taste wines from the four subregions of Moravia, and the wines are visibly ranked as a result of the competitions that regularly take place there.
Planning your trip
Visit Czechia is a natural starting point for planning an itinerary, but there are also specialised websites for the regions mentioned in this article: Central Bohemia, East Bohemia, Vysočina, and South Moravia.
To get there, or to do the sample itinerary in this article, it’s possible to fly from Luxembourg to Prague and return via Vienna, or vice-versa. Luxair regularly flies to both destinations.
