PUNKVA CAVES, ABYSS and PERNSTEJN CASTLE =only from Apr to Sep

This is a very popular one day trip from Brno, the Czech Republic, which combines a bit of architecture in a small village Křtiny with a beautiful Baroque church. The village sits on the boundary of the Moravian Karst nature reserve. It's a tiny, tiny village with a HUGE Baroque church. It's actually shocking when you drive into the village and see this gigantic Baroque pilgrimage site, The Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and other buildings that make up this Premonstratensian monastery, positively dominating the landscape. You immediately know why its referred to as the "pearl of Moravia". There is also an ossuary below the church with twelve skulls with the letter "T" painted on them.

Then we visit the Moravian Karst full of caves, visit the Macocha abyss, the Punkva Cave, (OPEN ALL YEAR ROUND) where you will join an hour long guided tour in English of the cave. Make sure you bring warm clothes since the year round temperature is plus 6 C. At the end of the tour there is a nice surprise for you, but I am not telling you. Then we hop on cable car which will take us (only about a minute ride) to the top of the MACOCHA abyss where you can find some refreshment and enjoy the view to the bottom of the abyss, about 123 metres deep. Those who enjoy hiking, can walk back to the entrance of the cave (approx. 45 minutes) using the designated trail systém or we can get back using gondola and electric train. Then comes lunch where I usually order for the guests some typical Czech dishes – goulash, pork, snitzchel, accompanied by the local beer.

After lunch we continue to the meadival PERNSTEJN CASTLE which is beautifully nestled amidst the forests. On the way we might stop at the Porta Coeli convent in the town of Predklasteri. Porta Coeli means Heaven's Gate. Predklasteri means "in front of the convent". This 13th century Cistercian convent was founded by Constance of Hungary, the widow of King Otakar I. The gothic church within is one of the most beautiful examples of Gothic architecture The PERNSTEJN Castle is a popular castle with a 60 minute guided tour. There are thousands of castles in the Czech Republic, but this one is a MUST. You will enjoy a 45 minute drive to the castle in a nice valley with some cozy villages and a covered bridge from 1718.