Luiz Fernando Destro, from the Czech Republic, highlights festivals, breweries, and nature as key attractions for the European summer

Festivals, historic gardens, and a summer brimming with culture: the Czech Republic reveals a particularly vibrant side. Between traditional festivals, cultural events, and historic landscapes, the country transforms into a setting that blends history, art, and outdoor celebration.

According to Luiz Fernando Destro, representative of the Czech Republic in Brazil, the season is marked by an intense cultural agenda that spans different regions of the country.

“Summer in the Czech Republic is a time known for its diverse festivals, ranging from folk festivals like the Five-Petaled Rose Festival in Cesky Krumlov, to cultural events like the Karlovy Vary Film Festival, and even major modern music festivals like Colors of Ostrava,” says Destro.

Another highlight of the season are the historic gardens scattered throughout the country, many of them linked to palaces and architectural complexes. During the summer, these spaces reach their peak of beauty and attract visitors interested in history and landscaping.

Destro cites as examples the Kromeriz Gardens and the Lednice-Valtice complex, considered the largest landscape ensemble in Europe.

Gastronomy is also experiencing a special moment. For the first time, the Michelin guide has launched an exclusive catalog dedicated to the Czech Republic, recognizing several restaurants in the country and consolidating the local gastronomic scene on the international stage.

Strategies for better distributing tourism beyond Prague

Like other popular European destinations, the Czech Republic also faces the debate about overtourism, especially in its capital.

According to Destro, Prague accounts for the majority of tourist pressure. To address this situation, the country's official tourism agency, CzechTourism, has adopted strategies that encourage the discovery of new destinations.

"Undoubtedly, the issue of overtourism is present in our capital, Prague. In this sense, CzechTourism is working on two fronts with the aim of mitigating this issue," he explains.

One of the initiatives involves creating tour packages developed in partnership with Brazilian operators, which encourage visitors to explore other regions of the country.

“We are promoting packages called 'Prague Plus,' which encourage travelers to combine Prague with other Czech cities and regions,” he says.

Another strategy is to promote less explored neighborhoods within the capital itself. "Even within Prague, we have been promoting neighborhoods that are outside the tourist center, such as Holasovice, Zizkov, and Karlín, which have many charms and show a different side of the city," he adds.

Beer, wine, and gastronomy as travel experiences

Beer culture is one of the greatest national symbols of the Czech Republic and remains an essential experience for anyone visiting the country. However, gastronomic tourism is expanding and now also includes wine tourism and new culinary offerings.

According to Destro, the tradition of beer can be experienced in different formats, from historical breweries to interactive experiences.

"Beer culture is a national pride and can be enjoyed throughout the territory, through historic breweries like those in Pilsen and Ceske Budejovice, breweries with charm and history, or modern experiences like craft breweries," he explains.

Among the most intriguing attractions is the Pilsner Urquell Experience in Prague, where visitors can even get certified as beer pourers.

Wine tourism is also growing rapidly, especially in the Moravian region, where local producers offer visits, tastings, and accommodations at wineries.

During the grape harvest season, visitors can participate in the harvest and traditional festivities. Among the best-known destinations in the region is the city of Mikulov.

In the realm of gastronomy, award-winning restaurants and contemporary reinterpretations of Czech cuisine have helped transform the country into an increasingly attractive destination for travelers interested in gastronomic experiences.

River tours reveal another perspective of the country

Despite lacking a coastline, the Czech Republic offers water-related experiences that allow visitors to explore its landscapes in a unique way.

In Prague, boat trips along the Vltava River offer a new perspective on the city. Options range from short trips to themed cruises with dinner or musical performances.

“It could be just a tour to see the city from the river or something more extensive and themed, like jazz cruises or dinner cruises,” explains Destro.

In the Ústí nad Labem region, the Elbe River meanders between mountains, offering breathtaking natural scenery. Boat trips there allow visitors to observe little-known landscapes of the country.

Furthermore, major river cruise companies often include Prague in their European itineraries, usually before or after sailing on the Danube River.

Historic spas and nature as new summer trends

Among the global travel trends gaining traction are wellness tourism and experiences in contact with nature. In the Czech Republic, these offerings are strongly emerging in different regions.

In the wellness segment, the so-called Spa Triangle stands out, formed by the cities of Karlovy Vary, Marianske Lazne, and Frantiskovy Lazne.

According to Destro, these destinations are known for their thermal waters and a wide range of luxury hotels specializing in health and relaxation treatments.

For those seeking outdoor activities, the North Bohemian region emerges as one of the country's top choices.

There, you can go hiking, biking, climbing, and water sports like canoeing. During the winter, the region also transforms into a destination for snow sports.

Amidst these natural landscapes, historic castles and palaces complete the scenery, creating a unique combination of nature, culture, and heritage.

With this diversity of experiences, the Czech Republic shows that it goes far beyond its capital and offers travelers a European summer full of discoveries.

Reporting by: Mary de Aquino.