Czech Regions: Šumava

Man has performed miracles here in the shape of beefy medieval border castles and pieces of the country’s industrial heritage such as the Schwarzenberg Canal and the region’s glassworks, which once exported to the whole world and whose glass you can still see in museum in Klatovy, Sušice, Kašperské Hory, Vimperk and Prachatice. Vista-junkies can get their fix at many locations around the Šumava, so why not join them at viewing towers atop hills with names such as Sedlo, Boubín, Kleť, Poledník, Svatobor and Bolfánek u Chudenic. If you’re a skier, you may already know the area’s famous winter sports resorts such as Železná Ruda, Špičák and Churáňov, while canoeists just adore the Vltava and Otava rivers.

If life is dull without skis, then head for the Lipno Ski Centre, a modern resort catering for families with children, beginners and school groups. In addition to several downhill slopes the centre also has an 800m-long snowcross course, a snowpark, evening skiing and a 40km-long, well-maintained cross-country skiing trail. Another huge attraction is the 11km-long skating course, which appears when the conditions are right on the frozen reservoir. If you prefer more challenging terrain, try the Špičák Ski Centre near Železná Ruda, which boasts the best skiing facilities on the Czech side of the Šumava. Five downhill slopes sit alongside two children’s ski areas, a snowpark and a four-seater cable car.