Czec Republic

Although one of the continent’s smaller nations, the Czech Republic won’t disappoint travelers looking for some of the best places to visit in central Europe. Given its size – and thanks to a first-rate public transit system – it’s an easy country to get around, particularly for those planning on spending the bulk of their time exploring the nation’s beautiful capital, Prague, which has nearly endless sightseeing opportunities and things to do.

Yet while Prague boasts an inordinate number of excellent attractions, there are enough out-of-the-way attractions to warrant exploring by car. Highlights of a trip to the Czech countryside include many excellent national parks and conservation areas. One of the most popular is aptly named Bohemian Paradise, an area of outstanding natural beauty characterized by numerous splendid rock formations and many fine old castles.

Another area worth visiting is Podyjí National Park in Moravia, popular for its large, unspoiled forests. Along the way, you’ll stumble across numerous old villages and towns, many unchanged since medieval times and home to fine old churches, palaces, and public squares, all of them worth a visit. For ideas on the best places to visit, read our list of the top tourist attractions in the Czech Republic.