Historical bliss: Weekend wellness trip to the Czech highlands via Telč

There has always been a lot of hype given to the West Bohemian Spa Triangle. The area, however, doesn’t have a monopoly on Czechia’s healing hot springs.

If you veer off the beaten path, you will find many lovely gems, including Resort Svatá Kateřina. Built at the beginning of the 19th century over a natural hot spring in the Vysočina region, this historic enclave is your destination for a sustainable weekend of relaxation, wellness, and reconnection with nature. From its eco-friendly spa practices to its locally sourced, organic cuisine, the resort prioritizes guests' well-being and the environment.

The Mercedes-Benz EQE 350 4MATIC Electric Art Edition makes your journey to this peaceful haven seamless and eco-conscious. With a leather-free interior crafted from sustainable and recycled materials, the vehicle mirrors the resort’s commitment to sustainability. Additionally, thanks to Mercedes me Charge, every charge in Europe is offset with green electricity, ensuring that your journey is as gentle on the planet as it is on you.

We’ve curated a suggested itinerary full of pampering, side trips, and special events that will leave you feeling relaxed, rejuvenated, and recharged.

We left Prague early to get a jump start on the nearly two-hour drive to Svatá Kateřina. The Mercedes’ lane and blind spot sensors, 3D parking assistance, and speed control made navigating the capital’s busy morning traffic a breeze. The unique rear-axle steering, with an impressive 10-degree turn capability, also made maneuvering through tight city streets and sharp turns effortless—far exceeding most vehicles’ standard 3-degree rear-axle steering. The rear axle steering is not standard for most other car manufacturers, making it a distinctive feature of these vehicles.

Once we hit the open motorway, the journey to our wellness oasis was smooth and comfortable. The Mercedes’ smart cruise control automatically adjusted to the traffic conditions and warned us if we were going too fast—a feature that, admittedly, the car felt necessary to use more than once. The Mercedes-Benz app also alerted us to the closest charging stations, so we never had to worry about running too low.

We stopped in Telč, a UNESCO Heritage town with one of the most fairytale-like squares in Europe, for a quick charge and coffee break. The Mercedes-Benz app made finding nearby charging stations effortless, ensuring our vehicle stayed powered throughout the journey. Charging the EQE 350 4MATIC was surprisingly fast, giving us enough time to relax in a local café and take in the charming surroundings without worrying about range anxiety.

The resort offers a wide range of traditional wellness procedures and Ayurveda. This 5,000-year-old Indian medicine technique incorporates unique systems of diet, exercises, herbal therapies, relaxation, meditation, organism cleansing, aromatherapy, and much more. 

Various activities are available to guests, including horseback riding, yoga lessons, golf, tennis, pond swimming, picnics, bike rides, and long nature walks. The resort also organizes special weekends for yoga, horses, ayurveda, and families with young kids.   

After checking in, we headed to the beautiful Ayurvedic Pavilion to chill and enjoy wellness and sauna time. Dinner at Voda, led by chef Adrian Peka, is focused on Mediterranean cuisine with a local twist. We indulged in spaghetti and lemon risotto—both fabulous choices that were paired nicely with wine at the recommendation of our knowledgeable wait staff. 

We ended the day with a dip in the resort jacuzzi under the stars. 

The day was dedicated to Ayurveda. For those curious about different approaches to health and food, this ancient medicine is an excellent place to start. We started with some yoga with a professional instructor who was used to working with beginners. An Ayurvedic breakfast of warm porridge with baked fruit and chutney followed. 

Ayurvedic food is vegetarian, colorful, light, and nutritious. It is also recommended that you drink a lot of water boiled at low heat in a pot of steel, terracotta, or copper, as well as cumin, fennel, and coriander tea.

We walked through the forest before sitting down for a consultation with Dr. Sanjay Das. He and his team of therapists from Kairali Ayurvedic Group aim to give you an authentic Ayurvedic experience by using specific treatments, oils, and spices. 

Our Ayurvedic lunch included curry, green rice, warm vegetable salad, and dessert. We spent time in the pool before our scheduled one-hour Abhyanga procedure—a full-body oil massage to improve the flow of “prana” (your body’s vital energy), lymph, inner balance, and longevity. 

Dinner was again a plate full of flavors, including curry and chapati, served under the stars and trees at the resort’s Ayurvedic restaurant, helmed by chef Kodithuwakku Nalin Kumara.

After a delicious hotel breakfast, we toured the beautiful forest and meadows one last time on horseback before checking out. The shuttle took us to collect the Mercedes from its secured parking spot. We were returning to Prague but had routed in a few more highlights along the way. The Mercedes can run for 500 km at full charge, which could easily get us home. 

The first stop on our detour list is Jindřichův Hradec, a lovely historical city 28 km from Svatá Kateřina. Local legend says the city is haunted by the White Lady, who we did not see. It was probably too warm, and she likely hid in the local chateau.

We also swung by Tábor. The city, 91 km from Prague along Route 3, is fun to explore for its historic charm and fabulous gastronomic scene. Kafe a Knihy “Jednota” and Kostnický dům are both worthy lunch spots. Before setting the GPS for Prague, we stopped by U Lvušky, a local farm shop, to stock up on cheeses and great bread.

The suggested itinerary can be adapted using the Mercedes’ navigation system. A surprising number of destinations are achievable in just a long weekend.