The Hideaway

If you only manage one historic sight visit around here, make it the Želiv Monastery (five minutes’ drive). Tours run most days in high season, and once you’ve explored the attractive buildings you can either sign up for a tour and tastings at the monastery’s brewery or dine at the restaurant. A little further away (an hour’s drive) but worth the trip is the city of Prague, known as the ‘city of a hundred spires’ for its tower-filled skyline (although it’s estimated there are actually between 500 and 1000…) You could easily spend a full day wandering the city’s medieval streets, visiting the astronomical clock and seeing the cathedral. Hot day? Take the half-hour drive to Vodní Ráj waterpark in Jihlava – there are several outdoor pools to splash around in, plus slides for the kids to zoom down and space for games of beach volleyball. This is also the place to come for a bit of pampering in the spa and sauna or dips in the indoor pools.