Lipno in all weather
Lipno in southern Bohemia is not just a destination for skiing. When it is sunny, try a trip to the Treetop Walk, from which even the Austrian Alps are well visible. In winter, they are open daily from 10 am to 4 pm, you can park for free in the central car park of the Lipno Ski Resort and you can get up either on foot or by local bus. Or would you rather seek some warmth? Try the hot tubs and the wild river in Aquaworld Lipno! When the weather is not forthcoming, a great option for families with children is the indoor Hopsárium playground or the bobsled tracks – both a mountain bobsleigh, which leads in the air, as well as a roller coaster with twisted turns intertwine on a single slope. Just a short walk away is the Wellness Hotel Frymburk, where you can explore the underwater world in aquariums and enjoy water fun in the outdoor and indoor water parks. And finally, if you are in the mood for some tropical fun, you should not miss the tropical butterfly house Papilonia!
Ještěd without skis
You can easily head to Ještěd mountain peak in northern Bohemia even without hauling your skis along. You are sure to enjoy it here! Visit Liberec, a city at the foot of this mountain. There are many attractions that are not dependant on favourable weather. Families with small children can head to the zoo, the indoor DinoPark or the Babylon entertainment complex. There, you will discover an amusement park and water park, as well as the iQpark science centre with hundreds of interactive exhibits and a mirror maze. With older children or alone, head to another iQlandie science centre complete with planetarium, go-karts and bowling, or head out on your own without children to the wellness centre in the Babylon complex for some true relaxation.
Jeseníky: visiting the swimming pool and paper mill
The rugged Jeseníky Mountains are located in the north of Moravia. There is usually snow here, and even skiing on Praděd, the highest mountain peak, is possible up until Easter. But even so, you may not be in the mood for skiing, or the weather might not be all that great for skiing. What then? Try, for example, the Velké Losiny Thermal Park, which skiers from all over the Jeseníky Mountains have fallen in love with. In winter, one of the last European manual paper mills in Velké Losiny is open here. And even if the winter in the Jeseníky Mountains was to be more of a muddy experience, here, at an altitude of over 1,300 metres above sea level, you might still find some snow, just enough for some cross-country skiing. Add to that the beautiful views of the majestic Praděd. The Praděd lookout tower is open all year round.
Beskydy without your snow cap
The Beskydy Mountains can be found in the east of the Czech Republic in Moravia and Silesia. When the snow conditions aren’t all that favourable or your family members make up their mind and refuse to spend another day on the slope, you can discover this easternmost corner of the country. Take a romantic walk to the picturesque town of Štramberk, which boasts unique wooden houses, or try the local beer baths. All fans of motorised vehicles will get their money's worth in Kopřivnice. Here, you will find an exhibition of Tatra cars, the Tatra Truck Museum and the newly restored Slovenská strela train motor car from the 1930s. And if you like sports, you can also go on foot to Lysá Hora mountain, the Velký Javorník and Tetřev lookout towers, or for the beauty of wooden architecture to Pustevny, where there is a nice exhibition of ice sculptures held annually. Last but not least, you must not miss the Wallachian Open-Air Museum in Rožnov pod Radhoštěm, with some of its sightseeing tours open even in winter.
A winter haven in Dolní Morava
The winter and summer sports resort in Dolní Morava on the border of eastern Bohemia and Moravia attracts visitors all year round. The year-round Sky Walk offers unique views of the surrounding mountain ranges. The biggest new addition in Dolní Morava is the Mammoth Bobsleigh Track, which is currently the second longest in Europe! If you would rather relax, visit the wellness and sauna world of the Vista Wellness Hotel. You will also find a number of attractions in nearby Králíky and their surrounding area. The Military Museum and other attractions are open all year round, as well as an exhibition that will acquaint you with the life of customs officers and smugglers of whom there were many here in the past. Winter tours are also offered by the Hůrka artillery fortress, which you will find on the outskirts of the city in the direction of Dolní Morava.
