The Czech Republic has a wealth of zoos with the largest in Troja, Prague where you can observe the feeding of the tigers, lions, leopards and penguins or watch seal training sessions or elephant’s bath time. In summer this zoo offers guided nighttime tours, which allows you to watch nocturnal animals at first hand. The experience is truly lifelike with the only barrier between you and the animals being a water-filled moat. Outside of the capital, the zoo in Dvůř Králové is has an evening safari and the zoo in Liberec has a family of rare white tigers. Other zoos are located in Pilsen, Děčín, Olomouc and Brno. If under water life is of interest, Prague is home to a large aquarium, which houses a wealth of sea animals in 75 thousand litres of specially treated salt water. The animals’ true environment is simulated with synthetic sun and moon light and artificial tides. The Botanical Gardens in Troja contains a large selection of flora and fauna including the huge Fata Morgana Greenhouse which is split into three different climatic regions; dry semi-desert, tropical rain forest, and wintry mountain peaks. Plants from Patagonia, the Andes, New Zealand and Tasmania grow here.

The Czech Republic is the land of fairy tales and hosts an annual event in the town of Jičín. This town is thought of as the Home of the Fairy Tale because legend has it that the forests surrounding it were the home of one of the country’s most famous cartoon characters, Rumcajs the Robber. Each year the festival holds a costume contest as well as a night parade, rides on a steam train and much dancing and merriment. Another fairy-tale festival is held in south Bohemia and features the character, Jakub the Carp. The festival is held each year throughout July and August all over the region.

There are some thrilling extreme sports and rides on offer in the country. One of the best ways to appreciate the beauty and splendour of the countryside is to cruise in the air in a hot air balloon or take a tandem parachute jump, where you can freefall for 60 seconds before descending gently to the ground with open parachute. Bungee jumping is also available and one of the best locations is the jump from the Zvíkov Reservoir Bridge. The Giant Mountains around Špindlerův Mlýn and Harrachov are great locations for snow sports and bobsled riding; professionally built runs are open year round and no experience is necessary.

Beer is regarded as the country’s national drink and has spawned a host of tourist pursuits including many beer festivals where you can taste some of the 470 beers and brewery visits where you can watch the production of the amber nectar. The most famous Czech beers are the light and dark lagers like Pilsner Urquell, Gambrinus and Budějovický Budvar.