Valtice

Palaces, obelisks, colonnades, and other exotic structures are dotted throughout Valtice and the nearby town of Lednice that collectively form a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Bestowed on the region by the Liechtenstein family in the 18th and 19th centuries, they transformed the entire area into a massive man-made park. Admittedly, it looks a little forlorn these days. The Communists did not take kindly to the whimsical fantasies of the nobility, and filled the empty spaces with now-dilapidated public housing and collective farms. Since 1989, though, the region's fortunes have improved. The palaces are getting cleaned up, new pensions and restaurants have opened, and the towns are vigorously promoting their position at the center of the Moravian wine industry. The local tourist offices can advise on the best places to sample wines, or trek out for hiking and biking. The main Prague-Vienna bike trail crosses through the area, and excellent trails lead in all directions.