Among neo-Gothic châteaux, carriages trotting under the linden trees, and centuries-old cellars where the best vintages of Moravia age, the Liechtenstein trail of Lednice–Valtice unfolds a postcard-like backdrop. From Brno to the Dyje, one traverses a UNESCO-listed cultural landscape blending French and English gardens, a surprising oriental minaret, and palaces where the Liechtenstein dynasty asserted its prestige. Here is a lively and sensory itinerary, between history, nature, and tastings.
At the rise of a bright sun over Brno, frothy coffee and still-warm pastries seal the pact of a royal day. On board a red Skoda, the Moravian countryside flashes by in a mosaic of vines and wheat, villages with orange roofs, and mist that unravels. At the turn of a wooded path, Lednice is revealed: neo-Gothic lace and cream façade, as if a romantic architect had let his imagination run wild on a gigantic wedding cake.
Brno at dawn: heading to a kingdom of greenery
With a light heart and the trunk of the car filled with enthusiasm, head towards the Lednice–Valtice Cultural Landscape, an area of nearly 200 km² shaped by the Liechtenstein. Here, everything speaks of display and staging of the landscape: groves, paths, pavilions, and bodies of water create an open-air theater. One feels as if entering an adventure novel where each chapter turns at the tip of a path.
Châteaux: the neo-Gothic jewel of Lednice
The guided tour of Lednice plunges immediately into court life. Sculpted ceilings, silky woodwork, sparkling Bohemian crystal, and a private chapel where stained glass projects mosaics of light onto the benches. Anecdotes about the Liechtenstein family abound: patrons, strategists, aesthetes—and virtuosos of pleasure architecture. Each salon seems tailored to impress a prince… or to seduce an ambassador.
French and English Gardens
At the foot of the palace, the French garden plays the geometry score: symmetrical flowerbeds, topiary yews, classical statues guarding the basins where water sparkles like a jewel. A few steps away, the English garden changes the rhythm: winding paths, venerable trees, flowering beds at leisure, and even a faux romantic ruin—a nod to the art of imitating nature by enhancing it. Two landscaping philosophies, one wonder.
A minaret on the Dyje: exoticism in Moravia
From a small dock on the Dyje, a boat glides between weeping willows and reed beds. And suddenly, unexpectedly, the minaret of Lednice rises—an Orientalist daring from the early 19th century. One climbs its stone steps, catching breath, admiring the Islamic arches and motifs of the lower hall—then, at the top, a total panorama: the Lednice palace sparkles in the distance, the Moravian plains draw golden waves, and one understands why this belvedere was imagined as a projector onto the horizon.
Carriages: a romantic return to the palace
To complete the loop, nothing better than a carriage trotting to the rhythm of hooves. The carriage sways down the paths, the air scented with hay and resin, and one finds oneself whispering as in a tale. Photos, smiles, shadows of chestnut trees: the postcard comes to life. The palace reappears—graceful, almost familiar—before gliding towards its eternal sister: Valtice.
Valtice: salons and libraries
Raised to the status of the main seat of the Liechtenstein, the palace of Valtice plays a restrained solemnity. State rooms adorned with golden mirrors and whimsical stuccoes, a library with rolling ladders and bound volumes narrating centuries of ideas, private apartments where elegance softens. The visit highlights the dual role of the place: a showcase of power and a venue for hosting the aristocratic Europe.
Cellars: Valtice, underground palace of wine
The highlight of the show is found underground: a network of cellars dating back to the 15th century, cool and slightly humid, scented with oak and time. Glass in hand, one meanders from station to station: the Rieslings stretch with a chiseled minerality, the Grüner Veltliner vibrate with white spices and citrus, while a golden late harvest caresses the palate with a persistent honey. On the surface, a stop in a shaded garden allows the Moravian pilsner to spark conversation—and pairs wonderfully with goulash, duck, and crispy pork.
On the trail: bike, boat, and light steps
The Liechtenstein trail is not just a line on the map: it is a game of options. One alternates between gentle walks in the parks, boats on the Dyje, and long rides on bikes between Lednice and Valtice amid the vines. Hiking enthusiasts will find here the spirit of other European itineraries, from Brittany trails to the Algarve cliffs, not to mention gentler escapes in the Lauragais. And if the call of the sea tempts you, let yourself be surprised by a cultural detour to the maritime heritage of Maizuru, or by river routes to explore along African rivers.
Practical tips for exploring the Liechtenstein trail
The Lednice–Valtice Cultural Landscape is situated halfway between Brno and Vienna. By car, plan for about an hour from either direction. Trains provide regular connections from Brno to Lednice and Valtice (check the Czech Railways website), and frequent buses complement the offer. On site, biking is king for connecting gardens, pavilions, and points of interest, with an ideal network of paths for strolling without rushing.
As for accommodations, Lednice offers charming hotels and family pensions, while Valtice attracts wine lovers with its immediate proximity to historic cellars. Prefer a wider choice of restaurants and museums? Settle in Brno and multiply day trips to the two palaces.
A little insider tip: start early at Lednice to enjoy the still-calm gardens, dash by boat to the minaret, return by carriage for pleasure, then have lunch at Valtice before exploring its salons and descending into the cellars for a guided tasting. At the end of the day, a last drink in Brno, in a small brewery with brick walls, deliciously prolongs the Moravian epic.
