ParksandGardens, Prerov

During the summer, Kroměříž is reminiscent of the Garden of Eden. The local gardens, which are included in the UNESCO world heritage list, represent a perfect symbiosis of light, plants, water, art and architecture. The Castle and Gardens are some of the most beautiful in Europe. http://www.czechtourism.com/c/kromeriz-unesco-gardens/

The largest and most beautiful karst area in central Europe is a place where visitors have their breath taken clean away. The main attraction here is the famous Macocha Abyss, some 138m deep and steeped in terrifying myths and legends. Without doubt the Moravian Karst is one of the natural wonders of the Czech Republic, which will wow every visitor. http://www.czechtourism.com/c/moravian-karst/

Lužánky Park was established in 1786 as one of the first public parks in Central Europe. In the middle of the park, you can visit the Renaissance Revival pavilion from 1855 by Viennese architect Ludwig Förster, which has held balls, concerts, celebrations, and various expositions over the years. Today, the building goes by the name Kasino and serves mainly as a leisure-time centre for children. The park as we know it was created in 1840 by city gardener Antonín Šebánek. In addition to the park’s precious trees, visitors may enjoy watching colourful fish in the stream and cute piglets – a favourite attraction for the park’s youngest visitors. There’s also a playground for children to enjoy and get some energy out. Lužánky is an ideal place for sporting as well as social activities, as locals come here to jog, play tennis, pétanque, and volleyball, exercise in an outdoor gym, or get a bite to eat at one of a number of nearby restaurants. Visitors can also use a public grill for barbecuing. https://www.gotobrno.cz/en/place/park-luzanky/

A popular recreational resort and an ideal place for all kinds of water sports. The banks are lined with sport facilities, restaurants, pubs and kiosks. The regular water transport line serving the route Brno - Veverská Bítýška is in operation every year from April to September. The visitors coming from the city centre can get to the reservoir by public transport. http://www.czechtourism.com/c/brno-reservoir/

Even though it is the smallest Czech national park, the Podyjí National Park is among the most important natural sites in Central Europe. Here you will find an exceptionally well-preserved river valley in a richly wooded landscape full of breathtaking scenery. http://www.czechtourism.com/c/podyji-national-park/

An amusement park for many, place of nostalgic dreams for some, oasis of greenery for almost everyone – and the location of the Giant Ferris Wheel, one of Vienna’s most famous symbols. The Vienna Prater is in season from March to October. But the world-famous Giant Ferris Wheel and a few other attractions are open all year round. The Vienna Prater is entertaining and exciting, but it can also be relaxing and quiet. One part of it contains attractions ranging from a nostalgic merry-go-round to an ultra-modern roller coaster. In the other area, known as the “Green Prater,” one finds widespread meadows to lie on, shady trees, and quiet paths. The motto is to have fun and enjoy yourself. Today, the Green Prater is a paradise for walkers, runners, bicyclists and horseback riders, and is highly appreciated as a large leisure area within the city limits. To get an overview of this green oasis in the city of Vienna, one best takes the Liliputbahn, a miniature railway spanning more than three miles. https://www.wien.info/en/sightseeing/prater

From April to October, Garden Tulln is the main attraction in town for gardening enthusiasts. Garden Tulln opened as a garden show for the province in 2008 and continues to be a showcase project in Europe today with its 70 ecologically maintained extravagant model gardens! Garden Tulln provides ideas for amateur gardeners, an excursion destination for nature lovers and an adventure land for families. It is a green paradise ideal for strolling and marvelling, playing and entertaining, relaxing and rejuvenating! Besides the diversity of its individual model gardens, this garden show also has the following attractions in store for all generations: Treetop trail: View of model gardens and the Danube landscape from 30 meters in the air; Tips and tricks: Help and advice from gardening pros and nature-in-the-garden experts; Nature playground: Playing and exploring on the biggest natural adventure playground in Lower Austria. http://erleben.tulln.at/en/garden/garden-city-tulln/garten-tulln/

The former summer residence of the Habsburgs impresses with imperial ceremonial rooms and magnificent gardens. Maria Theresa, Emperor Franz Joseph, Empress Elisabeth and others once resided here. Schönbrunn Palace is one of Europe's most beautiful Baroque complexes and has been in the possession of the Habsburgs since 1569. The wife of Emperor Ferdinand II, Eleonore von Gonzaga, had a pleasure palace built on the site in 1642 and called the property "Schönbrunn" for the first time. The palace and garden complex created from 1696 onwards following the siege of Vienna was complete redesigned under Maria Theresa after 1743. Today, due to its historical significance, its unique layout and magnificent furnishings, the palace is a UNESCO World Heritage site. https://www.wien.info/en/sightseeing/sights/imperial/schoenbrunn-palace

The Zoo in Wrocław was created in 1865 and had a dozen hectares of surface. Today on 33 ha live 10,000 animals. Zoo in Wrocław is the oldest and the richest in fauna in Poland. It is possible to see the animals from every continent and environments, for example in Madagascar, Sahara or Europe Pavillons. In the last few years many new enclosures have been built, for example for bears and wolves. There are also new animals, among which very rare species like okapi. https://visitwroclaw.eu/en/place/zoo-wroclaw

It is one of the most popular places for walks. Apart from a few hundreds of original plants, trees, bushes and flowers, there are also Japanese buildings: the gate and the tea pavilion. One of the attractions of the Garden is a pond with enormous carps and other species of fish. The Garden often hosts events like tea perking, concerts and open-air happenings. The Japanese Garden was created in the beginning of the 20th century, on the occasion of the Global Exhibition in 1913. It was an initiative of count Fritz von Hochberg, who employed a Japanese gardener Mankichi Arai. After the Exhibition it was dismantled but the plants and the arrangement of alleys and the pond remained the same. The idea of renewing the Japanese Garden in Wrocław appeared in the 90s. The reconstruction lasted three years, the specialists from Japan came to assist, but the Garden did not survived for long. Two months after the inauguration, the Garden was destroyed by the flood. 70% of the plants were lost. The next opening of the Japanese enclave took place in October 1999. https://visitwroclaw.eu/en/place/japanese-garden-wroclaw

The park with an area exceeding one hundred hectares is outstretched between Różyckiego, Paderewskiego, Kopernika and Olszewskiego streets. The first park in this place was established by L. Hohenlohe, the commander of the city garrison, in the area of the then-existing village of Szczytniki in the suburbs of Wrocław in 1783. The park with an area of 16 hectares was maintained in English style, but it was heavily destroyed by Napoleon’s soldiers in 1806. In 1833, the recreational areas in this part of the city were enlarged – not only did the park become bigger, but also a racing track was created south of it and functioned there till the beginning of the 20th century. The current appearance and richness of Park Szczytnicki owes much to Peter Joseph Lenne – a royal gardener who arrived in Wrocław from Berlin. At the end of the 19th century, a dyke system was established. Later, at the turn of the 20th century and on the occasion of the Exhibition of the Century in 1913, Park Szczytnicki was enriched with objects that have remained interesting till today and are important points of sightseeing routes. In 1913, the wooden church of Jan Nepomucen was moved to Wrocław and established in the eastern part of the park. Built at the turn of the 17th century, the building had been previously located in Stare Koźle. https://visitwroclaw.eu/en/place/park-szczytnicki

The Orangery is known for its rich collection of plants, its size and its variety of green houses. The Eisenstadt Orangery is among the most important ones in Europe. The plant collection used to be one of the most impressive collections around, and is mentioned in numerous reports of contemporaries. The ravages of war and the destructions of 1969 only spared the Orangery house and its central octagonal pavilion, the biggest and most prominent buildings of the grounds. These parts are only a portion of the original greenhouse grounds that have evolved over many decades and at different stages. A number of Mediterranean plants, such as pomegranates, olive trees or figs but mainly citrus fruits were being cultivated north of the Alps as early as the middle of the 16th Century C.E. The name Orangery (ital. "Limonaia") originally only denoted the plant collection itself, shows the outstanding ranking of the oranges within the framework of any plant collection. https://www.neusiedlersee.com/en/business/977/orangery.html

The Palace Park, with the Leopoldine Temple and the Orangery at the heart of it, is a jewel. The Palace Park is one of the most important landscaped gardens dating back to the 19th century. It covers an area of about 50 hectares and forms the northern edge of the city and goes all the way down to Bergstrasse and up into the Leitha Mountains. The park comprises four ponds (Leopoldine pond, Obelisk pond, Herzerl pond and Engine pond), uncounted exotic trees and bushes. The Leopoldine Temple built by Moreau in 1806 is a circular temple with Egyptian-style columns erected right above the Leopoldine pond. Inside the temple there is the statue of "Leopoldine", made in 1805 by the famous Italian sculptor Antonio Canova. https://eisenstadt-leithaland.at/palace-park.html

The Haydn's family garden hut with its herb gardens represents a true rarity. When Joseph Haydn bought his house in the city in 1766, he also acquired the little garden by the hospital, situated outside the city walls, and the little wooden hut. Haydn transformed this small piece of land in a flower and herb garden and not only came there to seek peace and quiet, but also to compose. The remains of the kitchen and herb garden have been transformed into a show garden with plants that were en vogue in Haydn's times. It invites the visitors to learn more about century old recipes and herbal secrets. https://www.eisenstadt-leithaland.at/en/sightseeing/sightseeing/haydns-herb-garden

The Botanical Gardens in Liberec comprise 9 pavilions that offer carnivorous plants, orchids, camellias, ferns, Australian flora, cacti growing upside down, a pavilion with aquariums and vivariums, and many other rare plants. http://www.visitliberec.eu/en/kultura-a-zabava/botanicka-zoo/?view=min&cat=zajimavosti_a_cile&detail=1009

This terraced Baroque garden in the Italian style is situated on Petřín hill. Although just a few steps away from Lesser Town Square and Charles Bridge, finding it requires a great deal of attention. Passers-by tend to miss the garden’s entrance, however, if you make the Vrtba Garden your destination and pay attention to the signposts, you will find it. A bit of looking around is certainly worth it . This Baroque beauty is cut off from the hustle and bustle of the nearby tourist destinations by high walls and buildings. Thanks to them you will feel as if you were in a different, grand, ornate and perfect world. http://www.czechtourism.com/c/baroque-vrtba-garden-prague/

Overlooking the glorious city of Prague is the equally beautiful Petřín Hill, one of the former vineyards of King Charles IV. This is the place to go and relax under a blooming cherry tree during a clear spring day or smell the fragrant beauties in the lovely rose garden on a lazy summer night, and it is also the perfect place to capture the wonder of Prague via your camera. It is a steep walk up Petřín, so if you wish, you can take the cool funicular up to the summer restaurant or all the way to the top of the hill. Petřín Hill also features a miniature Eiffel Tower (built for the for the 1891 Prague Exposition), Petřín Lookout Tower, one of the best observation points in Prague, a mirror maze for children and adults alike, mysterious walking paths that lead to secret gardens, fountains, a traditional Ukrainian wooden church, and even a small waterfall by the adjoining Kinsky garden. A perfect place for a day of relaxing or even a picnic, Petřín Hill is busiest on May 1st, when lovers go and kiss under cherry trees to seal their romance forever. https://www.prague-stay.com/lifestyle/review/224-petrin-hill

What golfer could resist playing a renowned 27-hole golf course with the romantic backdrop of the majestic Karlštejn Castle? A rolling landscape with forests and limestone rocks is the ideal setting for a leisurely game of golf. The Karlštejn Golf Resort is also within easy reach of the capital city of Prague. Test for yourself the accuracy of the course architects’ motto: “An easy bogey but a difficult birdie.” The prestige of the course is underscored by the fact that it was a venue for the European PGA Tour in 1997. Perhaps you won’t break the record of Patrik Sjöland, who finished in just 61 strokes, but you’ll certainly never forget the golf course and scenery here. http://www.czechtourism.com/s/karlstejn-golf-resort/

Walking the length of the island takes about 20 minutes, but most visitors spend time at the Hajós Alfréd and the Palatinus outdoor pools. The Palatinus water park is a popular place in the summer, especially on the weekends. The 11 outdoor pools, including two for children, are in a beautiful setting. If it is too cold to go for a swim, an island tour introduces relics hailing back to the island's religious origins, including a 12th century convent and ruins of a Franciscan and a Dominican church. During summer months, bicycles, inline skates and 'bringóhintó', a four-wheeled bike for four, are available for rent. Since vehicles are prohibited, the island is a fantastic escape from the bustle of the big city and a great place to work out, swim a few laps, or go for a run. Other attractions on the island include the Centennial Memorial which commemorates the 100th anniversary of Budapest, a Japanese Garden, a tiny zoo, a music fountain, and an octagonal water tower, built in Art Nouveau style in 1911. The outdoor theater hosts operas, concerts and plays during summer. The thermal water on Margaret Island is famous for its healing effects. The natural, thermal water running beneath the island was first brought to the surface in 1886. In addition to its healing power, a day at the Danubius Health Spa is also a great way to relax and unwind. http://visitbudapest.travel/guide/budapest-attractions/margaret-island/

The hill was named after bishop Gellért (Gerard), who was thrown to death from the hill by pagans in the fight against Christianity in 1046. His statue, which faces Elizabeth Bridge (Erzsébet hid) and holds a cross, can be seen from many parts of Pest. At the top of the hill is the Citadel (Citadella), a fortress built by the Habsburgs after defeating Hungary's War of Independence in 1849. It was a prime, strategic site for shelling both Buda and Pest in the event of a future rebellion. In the 18th century, the slopes of Gellért Hill were covered with vineyards. The Tabán district at the foot of the hill was an important center of winemaking in Buda. Gellért Hill was a strategic military position in the Second World War as well as the 1956 Hungarian Revolution, when Soviet tanks bombarded the city from here. Budapest's Statue of Liberty stands on top of the hill, and she can be seen from all parts of the city. Liberty was erected during the Communist era, commemorating the liberation from Nazi rule. Now a residential area, private homes and embassies line the streets winding up the hill. Since 1987, Gellért Hill has been listed as a world heritage site, as part of "the Banks of the Danube" area. The famous Hotel Gellért and the Gellért Baths can be found in Gellért Square at the foot of the hill. http://visitbudapest.travel/guide/budapest-attractions/gellert-hill/

Originally a water keep, converted in the 16th century into a Renaissance chateau. A renaissance garden, a herb garden, and an English park surround the buildings. http://www.czechtourism.com/c/breznice-chateau/

The Botanical Garden on the "Gugl" are among the most beautiful in Europe. Over an area of 43,000 m², there are more than 10,000 various types of plants to admire. In the five greenhouses the splendour of exotic specimens predominates the garden’s unique collection of cacti, the finest in Europe. The natural conditions allow the exhibited plants to be grouped in complete landscapes, so that visitors can imagine they are in the middle of the plant’s natural habitat. https://www.linz.at/english/tourism/921.asp

Zoo Linz is located halfway up Pöstlingberg – and is quick and easy to reach with the Pöstlingberg mountain tramway. More than 600 animals live here, and they look forward to your visit! Zoo Linz offers unforgettable wildlife and nature experiences as well as inviting spots for those looking to relax. Visitors can discover native and exotic species of animals in the zoo while enjoying a breath-taking view over the city. Meerkats, zebras, red pandas, parrots, kangaroos and many other species roam in the open-air enclosures. Caimans, constrictors and monkeys enjoy the warmth of the hothouse. Visitors will be astonished by the biodiversity area: Poison dart frogs, zebra finches, monitor lizards and tarantulas all live here. Visiting the domestic animal park is a special experience for all the family that comes with an incredible view of the city. In addition to native and exotic species of domestic farm animals, this area also includes an opportunity to pet the pygmy goats and see a rabbit tunnel. https://www.linztourismus.at/en/leisure/discover-linz/activities/zoo/

The oldest spa in Czechia and one of the oldest spas in Europe is located in the valley between the Central Bohemian Mountains and the ridges of the Krušné Mountains. Come visit the “little Paris of Bohemia” with attractively built spa buildings, parks, gardens, fountains, a long pedestrian zone and a Baroque Marian column. http://www.czechtourism.com/t/teplice/

The countryside immediately around Graz is wild and romantic. Among the natural attractions hidden away here are narrow gorges and gullies, through which busy streams rush. The beautiful Kesselfallklamm is like a little sister to the mighty Bärenschützklamm. Well secured steps allow you to explore this romantic gully comfortably with children too. At its northern end is the town of Semriach, a health resort popular for its air quality and treasured as a wonderful patch of Styria. The Kesselfall gorge, the most spectacular section of the Rötschbach stream, has been accessible since 1904. The Kesselfall circle trail (R3) starts at the Sandwirt restaurant in Augraben. A pictorial sign will show you the way: a man falling into a pot (Ger. "Kessel"). Fresh from the spring, the water rushes and roars over waterfalls, in rapids and through pools. From the highest of the falls, the water plunges in cascades over a 38m drop. Thanks to more than 50 ladders and bridges, in all, about 1,800 rungs, you can experience this marvel up close. On the upper reaches of the gorge, where the Rötschbach stream is silently murmuring, the circle trail turns to the right. Walking steeply uphill, you will first reach an unusual rock formation called "Stone Gate" and will pass a cave, before going downhill and finishing the tour in the valley at Sandwirt. In one and a half hours of walking you would have covered 2.7 km and an altitude difference of 200m. https://www.graztourismus.at/en/see-and-do/sightseeing/trips-around-graz/kesselfallklamm_af-1272

Pilsen's main square of the Republic is dominated by the beautiful Gothic cathedral of St. Bartholomew with the highest church tower in the Czech Republic. You will find many beautiful historic houses, lots of cafes and restaurants. During the year there are dozens of cultural events, festivals and festivals. https://www.plzen.eu/turista/poznej-plzen/to-nejlepsi-z-plzne/namesti-republiky/namesti-republiky-2.aspx

Just on the outskirts of Graz there’s an exciting park, offering all manner of adventures and opportunities to explore your limits. At Abenteuer Park Graz there’s a forest climbing park, tightropes on which to balance; you can try archery, climb piles of crates and explore nature discovery trails. Here the wisdom of Confucius applies: “Tell me and I will forget. Show me and I will remember. Involve me and I will understand.” https://www.graztourismus.at/en/see-and-do/sightseeing/trips-around-graz/adventure-park-graz_af-1227

The Botanical Gardens are a research and teaching division of Adam Mickiewicz University, considered to be one of the most modern and beautiful gardens of its type in Europe. Covering more than 22 hectars, it contains an imposing cillection of over 7,000 species and varietes of plants from almost every climate zone of vegetation around globe. http://www.poznan.pl/mim/turystyka/en/botanical-gartens,poi,3338/botanical-gartens,51934.html

Branitz Park near Cottbus represents the life’s work as well as the later work of the eccentric landscape gardener Hermann Prince von Pückler-Muskau (1785–1871) and is a masterpiece of the eccentric landscape gardener. http://cottbus-tourismus.de/en/experience-and-detection/parks-of-cottbus.html

Proudly bearing its title of UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hortobágy National Park is the perfect archetype of pristine natural landscapes. This is the place where everyone longs to find refuge from the monotony of modern human existence. The feeling of unfettered freedom, encapsulated in the spectacle of the endless horizon, mirages, grazing herds of cattle and horses, and sweep-pole wells, will capture your imagination and soul during a horse-and-carriage ride or “puszta” safari. A picturesque trip to the fishponds on the small narrow-gauge train, combined with some birdwatching, will serve unique experiences to both young and older adventurers. Here the breeze wafts the scent of fragrant chamomile, mint, and artemisia from wild fields, gently touching your nose just like the waves of the ocean rhythmically splashing on the shore. It is a place where you will reinterpret the meaning of silence. It is a place where you might even reach celestial bodies during the special night treks in Starry Sky Park. In Hungary’s oldest and largest national park, awarded the European Destinations of Excellence (EDEN) prize, hundred-year-old herdsman’s traditions are still part of people’s means of subsistence and not mere promotional gimmicks. https://visitdebrecen.com/see-do/hortobagy/

Mirabell Palace was built in 1606 by prince-archbishop Wolf Dietrich for his beloved Salome Alt. Today, it serves as the backdrop for the most romantic weddings you could possibly imagine. Mirabell Palace looks back on a colorful history. Today, Mirabell Palace is home to municipal offices as well as those of the mayor of Salzburg. Mirabell Gardens – Baroque pleasure gardens in the heart of the city. They were completely redesigned under archbishop Johann Ernst von Thun in 1690. The underlying geometric form, which is typical for the Baroque, is still clearly recognizable. The visual orientation towards the cathedral and fortress adds to the grandeur of the gardens – simultaneously incorporating them into the overall historical ensemble of the city. Mirabell Gardens, along with the Felsenreitschule and Nonnberg Convent, is one of the most important shooting locations from the famous Hollywood musical “The Sound of Music”. In the film, Maria and the children dance around the Pegasus Fountain in front of the palace, singing the song “Do Re Mi”. At the end of the scene, the Trapp family stand on the steps in front of the Rose Hill and sing the song’s final bars. At the same time, viewers are enchanted by unique views across Mirabell Gardens towards the fortress. https://www.salzburg.info/en/sights/top10/mirabell-palace-gardens

Open all year round, the Debrecen Zoo is home to some 900 individuals of 170 species from all five continents. Besides permanent exhibits, there are a number of daily events and activities involving close visitor encounters with fascinating animals as part of the Animals in Action program, as well as a number of seasonal events such as summertime Evening Walks or Animal Christmas. A full member of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) since 1994, the Zoo also reflects the current need for the protection of biodiversity by contributing to coordinated conservation efforts like European Endangered Species Programs (EEPs) through managing healthy and productive populations of various endangered species like the leopard cat, the reticulated giraffe, the African penguin, and the ring-tailed lemur. Integrated into the Zoo and Amusement Park, the ever-growing botanical collection currently features around 650 species, including ones from the Great Forest biotope and other parts of Hungary as well as ones native to various exotic corners of the world. There is also a Scent Garden section, home to a wide variety of aromatic herbs, enabling visitor interaction through the sense of smell. https://www.debrecen.hu/en/tourist/places/nagyerdei-entertainment-complex

From exotic lions to the domestic lynx: Salzburg Zoo captivates visitors, big and small, with its wealth of animal species. An ideal excursion destination in the south of Salzburg City. With around 1200 animals and 140 different species, the former “Tiergarten Hellbrunn” promises a fascinatingly delightful experience. From pygmy mice to white rhino, all sizes and shapes of creature are represented - and from different continents. The Africa section of the zoo is particularly popular, featuring a broad Savanna-like area and a lion house. Eurasia attracts visitors with red pandas, Alpine ibex and brown bears. From the Americas, you will get to see sloths and lowland tapirs, amongst others. Australia is also represented, for example with Parma wallabies. The broad, 14-hectare grounds provide plenty of space for broad and very open enclosures. Salzburg Zoo is committed to keeping the animals in a habitat that is as near-natural as possible. The characteristics of the different habitats blend beautifully with the landscape features of Hellbrunn itself: from imposing rock faces to hilly riparian countryside. https://www.salzburg.info/en/sights/top10/zoo-salzburg